[video; transmitting from the Maxic quadrant]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[The transmission opens on Knock Out, and for anyone who's interacted with him before, this is a bit different. He's been sticking mostly to voice, or limited video, pretty much since he got here, but this is a wide-open shot showing quite a bit of everyone's favorite red sports car. Why? Because he's actually worth looking at again! Between Swindle's paint, Blurr's buffer, wax from the labs at Liege Maximo's temple, and the return of his assistant, he's finally managed to get his finish back to a pristine state he's happy to be seen in.

So why doesn't he look happy right now? Well, that would be because of the jet medic standing behind him. Pharma is clearly visible behind Knock Out, his arms crossed and his expression forboding.

Knock Out utters a little cough of his vents that sounds remarkably like a throat clearing, and starts.] I know we've had our fair share of traumatic injuries since we've all come to be sharing space in this delightful wasteland, but... [He trails off and glances back at Pharma, who gestures shortly for him to keep going. KO heaves a sigh and turns back to the Link device that's recording him.] I don't suppose anyone out there needs medical care now? It doesn't even have to be anything particularly life-threatening-- that knock in your engine you always meant to check out, or those glitched sensors you need reset...

[He trails off again. That's all he need to say, right? At least until Pharma drums his fingers pointedly against his arm behind Knock Out. Fine.] Pharma here seems to think my, ah, medical technique needs a little... work. And he's oh-so-graciously agreed to observe me at work and offer advice, but to do that I need someone to work on.

So. Any takers~?

[Pharma waves a finger from behind KO.] But make sure you don't pick up any Decepticons. I'm not having their kind in my lab.

[...Awkward. KO's slowly turns to face the other doctor.] Ah... What about the one who's already here?

Excuse me?

[KO spreads his hands with a shrug.] Did I, ahah, forget to mention...?

Forget to mention what....exactly?

Well... my faction. It never really came up, and it seemed a bit unnecessary to, you know, make a big deal of it...

...Get out.

What?!

You heard me.

But you said you were going to teach me! [And as much as it hurts his pride to admit it, Knock Out knows he needs the help, so he's starting to sound a bit agitated.]

Not anymore. I refuse to work with a Decepticon ever again! [And Knock Out's not the only one who's agitated. The force of Pharma's sudden ire is enough to send Knock Out stumbling back. He bumps into the table he'd set his Link on for the broadcast, bumping it hard enough that the device falls from its perch with a clatter.

End transmission.]

Comments

[Video]

[youhavebeenswindled]

[Is this drama Swindle hears? Let's have a closer look.]

My my... how unfortunate~

[Video]

[automobile_enthusiast]

You can say that again.

video; open to both

[ex_dishonestly997]

Sounds like that went well. You two get along like tires on glass.

video; open to both

[automobile_enthusiast]

I knew he had an, ah, abrasive personality, but I happen to think this is something of an overreaction.

Re: [Video]

[organ_pharming]

I don't appreciate being deceived.

[Video]

[goingdownfighting]

[Oh... Oh gosh, that was beautiful. And he thought Breakdown gave him a good laugh.

There is seriously nothing better than watching a Con get what they deserve.]

Uh oh, someone got busted.

[Video]

[automobile_enthusiast]

Didn't Starscream kill you?

[KO, of course, knows that death where they came from doesn't mean much here, but he's also in a pretty terrible mood, so he's going to be petty.]

[Video]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[Don't mind the blank, shit-eating-grin Wheeljack's got goin on. He's pretty speechless. From entertainment, that is.]

Don't you guys do background checks? Or is that an Autobot only thing?

[Video]

[automobile_enthusiast]

If that was an Autobot-only thing, you'd think he would have done it, wouldn't you?

[video]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Yeah, come to think of it, my aft could use a checkover.

...any takers? [Don't all line up at once now.]

[video]

[automobile_enthusiast]

I'd offer to take a look, but my surgical technique has the delicacy of a sledgehammer to the face!

[Someone's a bit bitter.]

Re: [video]

[organ_pharming]

First Aid failed to patch you up?

[audio]

[namesnotprowl]

I'd sue him for discrimination against faction; there's too few of any of us to be doing that. We have at least one lawyer here, I bet she'd help.

[audio]

[automobile_enthusiast]

I like the way you think, Barricade.

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

Hey, Knockout. You all right?

I could give him a little reminder of how much some of us don't give a damn about this faction hissyfit.

VIDEO;

[automobile_enthusiast]

[For an instant, he seems taken aback by the concern, but he gets over it pretty quickly.]

Now now, I don't think there's any need for that. We wouldn't want to, ah, perpetuate the cycle, now would we?

[action for Pharma]

[automobile_enthusiast]

But-- you've worked with me fine up to this point!

[Action]

[organ_pharming]

You purposely deceived me!

[lifepersists]

[ Pharma's dislike for Decepticons wasn't news, but-- ]

Ever again?

[automobile_enthusiast]

Somebody must have burned him at some point, hm?

Voice

[docbot]

[Ratchet's decision for posting here is twofold. For one, it'd be good to have Knock Out as an ally rather than as an unknown "maybe an enemy, but maybe not". For another... since when has he ever turned down the change to thumb his now in Pharma's direction.]

Not sure what problems Pharma has, given that factions aren't all that useful in our current state, but if you really want training... Well, I already have the one apprentice.

[Even though she's sick right now. But he's not going to talk about that.]

Voice

[automobile_enthusiast]

Not interested.

[Sorry, Ratchet. Tutelage from an Autobot from another universe is one thing, but he still doesn't exactly trust you, or any of the 'Bots from his own universe. The grudges are a lot more likely to be personal, and he's a wary, wary creature.]

[Video | Locked to KO]

[notyourblueangel]

You're a Decepticon? [nods] I wouldn't mind getting a few things checked out after a . . . incident . . . this morning.

[Video | Locked]

[automobile_enthusiast]

I would have thought that had been made exceedingly clear, but yes. I'm a Decepticon.

What kind of things?

VIDEO;

[inferiordude]

Another Autobot lookin' down at a Decepticon.

Why aren't I surprised.

[A bit uncharacteristically, Soundwave sounds rather... sullen. Angry, almost.]

Re: VIDEO;

[organ_pharming]

You have no right to an opinion on the matter. [Scowl]

[audio]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

... [please ignore that moment of semi-audible facepalming]

Yeah, you know, if you're looking for a job, I'd just recommend asking Ratchet. If... you haven't all ready.

I'd even go so far as to say open your own clinic, but I don't think that's possible, given limitations with supplies. ... Then again, on-call physicians could be useful.

[Video]

[organ_pharming]

Ambulon! I know that's you, don't waste my time with audio.

And I was under the impression you'd left the decepticons. Ha. Serves me right for trusting you.

[raceme]

That _didn't go so well Mhm? [This Autobot won't mock you at least, Knock Out.]WHY don't you try asking barricade for assistance? He was a De-cep-ti-con too and he knows his way around medical ^procedures.

YoumadegooduseofthebufferIcantell.

[automobile_enthusiast]

You can say that again. ...Hm. I didn't know Barricade was a doctor.

[THANK YOU FOR NOTICING. Knock Out laughs.] Oh, I always do~

[not_halfbaked]

...Have you tried approaching Ratchet about lessons?

[automobile_enthusiast]

I'm not exactly interested in working with him, my dear.