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

[ultramatum]

[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.

[asafepairofhands]

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?

[ultramatum]

[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.

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[ultramatum]

[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.

[asafepairofhands]

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?]

[ultramatum]

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

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[ultramatum]

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.

[asafepairofhands]

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

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

[ultramatum]

[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.]

[asafepairofhands]

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.

[ultramatum]

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.