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Ratchet!

[Orion blurs that out ecstatically before realizing that this Ratchet probably doesn't even really know him anymore. The voice is so similar, even if thousands of years have passed. He catches himself, though, and immediately falters.]

I...hello.

[Ratchet hasn't heard that tone of voice in a very, very long time, but Arcee has been sending semi-regular reports, so he's... relieved to know what to expect.]

Orion. [His voice is as warm as it ever gets anymore.] It's good to hear your voice.

[Oh. So he does know.

For some reason Orion had imagined that he wouldn't, though it honestly makes more sense that he would by now. Especially if he is responding to a request for medical support.]

I am not sure I had expected to ever hear yours.

[He sounds very relieved, though, like an audible lifting of weight.]

...The desert areas surrounding the human city of Los Angeles have all proven to be fairly discrete as far as strange activity goes.

[He adds that afterwards because, well, the sooner Ratchet gets down here the better.]

I'll set a course. Do me a favor and collect whoever's highest ranked and meet me there, if possible? I would like a briefing as soon as possible.

[Also, oh yeah, his actual job.]

Do you have any injured?

Edited 2014-07-06 07:06 (UTC)

[Well, the answer to that is sort of embarrassing. Though it does make this lucky timing.]

I...will try. Arcee is here, but she is one of the injured. As am I. There was a large scale battle against the Decepticons only a short time ago, and...she was hurt badly by Megatron. I have sustained damage as well but am not in critical condition...they are old wounds, by now.

What?!

[His voice sharpens for the first time, hard and alarmed.]

Why didn't you say so in the first place! Send me your coordinates, I'll land and get some supplies and be there as soon as I can.

[He sends the coordinates without hesitation - the secluded area where the Rod Pod is presently set up. He understands Ratchet's urgency, but compared to the outlook he had only a few minutes ago, things are looking comparatively great.]

It is a fortuitous time for your arrival, Ratchet.

[AKA: thank Primus you are here.]

Clearly. I'm headed down now.

[There's a brief hesitation over the feed.]

Orion... how are you? Besides the injuries, I mean.

[That's a question he just doesn't feel equipped to answer at all right now, and it shows in his hesitation to answer. He doesn't feel that his emotional drama should be taking priority over anything else.]

Many things have changed. Some of which I have found myself unprepared for.

Yeah, sounds like it. I'll take care of any injuries first, but if you--

[He hesitates, something contracting painfully in his chassis at the tone of Orion's voice.]

If you want to talk--and I think we should--I'll answer any questions you may have the best I can. ...you're still my friend, Orion. That hasn't changed.

[He had hoped that was the case, and Ratchet had never given him any reason to believe that it wouldn't be. But after everything that's gone down with Megatron...well, it's left him prepared for the worst in all regards.

But even with Ratchet's assurance, he feels that he is the one that's lacking. Ratchet knew him, after all, even if it was a long time ago. But...]

...Ratchet. Thank you.

I am just afraid that there is so little that I know, and so little that I can truly understand of what you and the Autobots have been through. Over all these years...

[Megatron has called him naive more than once, and he thinks it must be true.]

You didn't live through those years, Orion. [Ratchet's voice is firm.] Nobody should be expecting you to understand. And as much as I'm aware not knowing things drives you completely up a wall, overclocking your processor trying to access memories you just don't have or trying to be someone you aren't yet isn't going to do anybody any good, least of all you.

I know.

[He doesn't actually know that in his spark, but he's saying that he does because he thinks he should. Knowing what would be wise and really understanding what is wise are two different things, and one of the most visible markings of Orion's youth.

His hold on that statement only lasts a few seconds.]

But even if I am not Optimus I am still needed here! There are so few of them and so much has happened...I cannot simply stand by...

I just...stood there while he...

Good.

[Bluntly.]

You aren't combat trained, and while I got the sense from Arcee's reports that we need every running engine we can get down here, you going and scrapping yourself trying to shoot the helmet off a mech you didn't watch go crazy isn't going to help anybody. I'll treat Arcee soon enough, and I know she'd agree with me.

[She'd better, at any rate. Ratchet pauses for a moment, hesitating, but when he speaks again his voice is almost fierce.]

You may not be Optimus Prime right now, Orion, but you're yourself. That's enough. More than enough.

[And this is the benefit to having someone around that actually knows him. When Ratchet says that Orion is enough on his own, he stands a chance of believing him.]

I suppose I am still uncertain what I am good for outside of a library.

[Though now he does sound more sheepish than despairing.]

Look. [Ratchet's voice shifts, frank and almost kind.] It's been, what, seven thousand years or so? I don't follow Optimus because he's got a fancy title. I follow him because he's you.

[He pauses, almost embarrassed.]

Anyway, just--don't stress about it so much, all right?

[Out of some combination of appreciation and built up anxiety, Orion almost laughs. An almost laugh is notable with someone like him.]

I can safely say that that is not one of the areas that I excel. Though given circumstances I couldn't say I think I worry too much.

Yeah, well, I keep thinking maybe if I tell you often enough it'll sink in one of these days.

[Ratchet's voice warms audibly at that laugh, sounding pleased.]

Feel free to worry about other things. But... not about that.

Edited 2014-07-07 03:44 (UTC)

[It feels like he needed this more than he thought he did.]

...I think I would like to talk, when your other work is done. Much has happened... And I am remembering now how much I could benefit from your perspective.

Benefit from me telling you when you're being ridiculous, you mean. And, we can talk while I'm patching you up--don't think I missed that you're hurt as well. I'll hit planetside as soon as I'm able without alarming the native species here.

Be wary. Thanks to this battle with the Decepticons, our presence has been thoroughly exposed.

I'll be especially careful.

See you soon, old friend.

[You wanted a briefing and boy are you going to get it.]

Cheif Medical Officer Ratchet,

This is Ultra Magnus, speaking on behalf of Commander Arcee. I am sending the coordinates to our current base of operations on Earth. The site is suitably isolated, but I recommend a night landing to avoid increased risk of being spotted by locals.

Following a recent battle with the Decepticons, Commander Arcee was critically wounded beyond our ability to heal. Your arrival could not have been better timed [other than maybe coming sooner]. Orion Pax, formerly Optimus Prime, has long standing injuries which were instigated by the latest conflict. Both myself and Drift have sustained recent injuries but are not of immediate concern given the severity of Arcee's injuries.

The Decepticons currently maintain an advantage on this planet, both in suspected numbers and resources. During the recent battle they acquired the Forge of Solus Prime, and we believe they possess the Matrix of Leadership.

Ultra Magnus. [There's a certain amount of relief in Ratchet's voice.] I've been reading reports from Arcee, so I've heard some of it. I'll tend to her first, then you and... and Drift.

[There's a brief, pregnant pause.]

They have the what?

[There's a brief hesitation before Magnus answers.]

The Forge of Solus Prime. It was found by an alternian here on Earth, who contacted both our forces and the Decepticons, supposedly to force us into a conflict. Successfully, as Commander Arcee determined it was worth the risk of revealing ourself to the local population. We were unable to track down the Forge before being forced to retreat, we can only assume the Decepticons claimed it.

[There's another long pause here, as Magnus sorts through speculation and fact.]

As for the Matrix...we know Megatron was able to steal the Matrix of Leadership from Optimus Prime, which caused the latter to revert to his previous identity as Orion Pax. Orion reported that during his brief stay with the Decepticons Megatron claimed that the Matrix was destroyed, however we doubt that Megatron would have the means or motive to commit such an act. As such, we suspect he still possesses the Matrix.

Edited 2014-07-06 23:15 (UTC)

Of course he didn't destroy the damn Matrix! Of all the half-glitched, stupid, brainless--

[Ratchet stops, with an effort--none of this was Magnus' fault.]

Even if he could, he wouldn't have done it. He wants the Matrix for himself too much. But you have to be a Prime to use the Forge--if Megatron has it, all he's got is a really big hammer, even with the Matrix. He's no Prime and he never will be, no matter how many old relics he collects.

[There's a hint of irritation at Ratchet's outburst, but he isn't necessarily wrong.]

We don't know what Megatron would be able to accomplish with the Matrix or how much of its power he may be able to wield. Allowing him to take the Force unchallenged was not a risk worth taking.

If we possessed the Forge it would be to our benefit should the restoration of the Matrix allow Orion the power of the Primes once again.

No--no, of course retrieving the Forge was important. That was just a damned stupid lie for Megatron to tell.

...how long did Megatron have Orion? [How long did Megatron have to tell him more lies?]

We can't say for sure, but approximately two weeks is our best estimate. [2 weeks too long, that's for sure.]

Great. [Ratchet carefully bites his tongue for a moment to keep from cursing again.] ...thank you, Ultra Magnus. I'll land as soon as I'm able--I've brought plenty of supplies.

Good. I'll forward you the inventory of our current supplies at base as well. When you land I'll want a copy of your ship manifest to update our records.

I'll forward it to you now, I have it on hand.

Anything else you can think of that I might need to know?

[Magnus barely hesitates to gather his thoughts, he's got a lot on his mind and he's secretly glad someone asked, even if the info may not be necessarily relevant to Ratchet's eminent landing.]

During the battle for the Forge, it became necessary to assume our primary modes, which effectively revealed our presence on the planet. I will be working with local authorities to try and minimize any impact to our mission, however this planet has not had much benevolent experience with alien species. Convincing them are mean their people no harm may prove difficult.

Also we have lost contact with Rodimus. He likely remains on-world but he has not been responding to radio contact and no one has seen him in weeks.

[He sounds more frustrated than worried. With Rodimus it was impossible to tell if he was actually in danger or if this was just an act of disobedience.]

Oh, hell. I'll be extra careful to ensure I'm not seen, in that case.

[Ratchet pauses, his lips thinning.]

I wish I could say I was shocked, but I'm not. We'd likely have heard about it if he was injured, and if not, he'll come home when he's hungry. It doesn't sound we can waste personnel or risk blowing our cover worse to do a search.

Yes, that is what we decided. Hopefully he reappears soon, I don't like having a soldier unaccounted for.

Send word when you are preparing to land, we'll have Arcee as stable as possible if you need her moved from the Rod Pod.

Ratchet! I never thought I’d be so happy to hear your voice.

[And he means it. Having to deal with the medic has been anything but easy since he’d joined the Autobots…but that hardly matters now.]

Has anyone else gotten into contact with you yet? Arcee needs you ASAP...Please, just tell me if there’s anything you need. Is there something I could do to help her while we’re waiting for you?

I'd have to have any idea at all what her injuries were to be able to tell you that, Drift. If you've got a welding tool and she trusts you to assist without slicing one of her limbs off, you should patch any active leaks as soon as possible to keep her from draining too low. Other than that, you should probably leave it to somebody with an actual medical degree.

Ratchet…Ratchet please. Do you have to make this harder than it needs to be? Arcee’s my friend. I’m afraid for her, she…she took a lot of blows. From Megatron.

[There are hints of both panic and anger in his tone, but more than anything else, he just sounds tired. There’s a soft hush of a resigned sigh before he speaks again.]

I don't want to argue. I’ll tell you what I can, but she’s been hit everywhere. Her midsection is the worst…and she’s lost a lot of energeon. I think that…I think Orion already tried welding.

[There's a long pause on the other end and the soft rushing sound of Ratchet cycling his vents.]

If she's not leaking or sparking anywhere that you can see, she's as stable as she's going to get until I can get down and pop her plating to check for internal injuries, which isn't something anyone else should be doing. Make sure she's getting as much energon as she can hold if she's awake but don't worry about it if she's not, and monitor her systems temperature if you need something to do, to make sure she's not overheating.

[Ratchet's directions give him a small flash of relief. The aftermath of the fight had left him feeling helpless - their injuries were stacking up and they'd already gone more than a month without a medic. At least now, he could do something...at least now, he knew someone was coming for them.]

Alright. Okay, I'll get to that right away. Thank you, Ratchet. Just tell me if you need anything on our end.

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