audio to all autobot frequencies

[asafepairofhands]

Autobots, this is Chief Medical Officer Ratchet responding to a request for medical assistance. I'm currently in orbit and am open to suggestions for places to land discreetly to keep your cover intact. Please respond with a location, or a briefing, or both, as soon as possible.

Comments

[asafepairofhands]

Clearly. I'm headed down now.

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

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

[thanksoptimus]

[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.

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[thanksoptimus]

[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.]

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[thanksoptimus]

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...

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[thanksoptimus]

[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.]

[asafepairofhands]

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?

[thanksoptimus]

[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.

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[thanksoptimus]

[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.

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[thanksoptimus]

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

[asafepairofhands]

I'll be especially careful.

See you soon, old friend.