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Well that's comfortingly vague.

...where were you thinking of meeting?

[ sssscore ]

The city is a nice, neutral meeting ground, don't you think? Plenty of witnesses, if you find that reassuring. And we can be plenty inconspicuous with our alt modes.

[ughhhhh]

Yeah, all right then. Send me the coordinates and be there in an hour.

Well, aren't you accommodating. I'll be there.

{ Knock Out sends the coordinates and sure enough, his avatar's waiting around on a park bench, looking bored and impatient, but most definitely an avatar if someone were really looking. Knock Out's alt mode is parked not too far away, but well out of sight. ]

[Ratchet's the same, his alt mode tucked safely away a half-block around the corner. He's alert as he scans the park, but it doesn't take him too long to locate Knock Out and sit down next to him, his lips pressed into a thin line and his optics narrowed.]

So? What's such a huge secret that you have to contact an Autobot and then can't talk about it on the neutral secured line you used?

Well, it's nice to meet you too, Ratchet. Really, the pleasure's all mine.

[ sorry ratchet did you think there wouldn't be an abundance of sarcasm

Knock Out does actually get serious, though, lacing his hands together with his elbows resting on his knees. He doesn't look pleased about it. ]

Because I can't risk anyone else knowing about it. I've been trying to come up with a solution for some months now, but unfortunately it doesn't look to be a problem I can solve on my own. [ He looks loath to admit it, honestly. ] Are you aware of the events of a few months ago? The mysterious mass kidnappings and the hideous bionic-organic mutants? I was among the Cybertronians unfortunate enough to be taken -- one of the others was a friend of yours, I believe.

[ And he says that knowingly, with a bit of a smug smile. Yes, that's right, Ratchet, he was there with Orion in scary jail. ]

[This topic of conversation is clearly not improving Ratchet's mood. His lips thin.]

Yes, I've been briefed. That was where Optimus lost an audial, if I'm not mistaken. I ended up having to clean up the mess.

Yes, that's correct. I tried to remove it from him, but alas...our captors were quite determined.

[ There's a clinical, almost bored tone to his voice, but it's half-feigned; a grin tugs at his lips, something under his tone most definitely suggesting that he expects Ratchet to be slightly impressed. ]

Orion and Starscream weren't the only victims. I was taken in for processing, too -- but unlike them, I wasn't fortunate enough to have whatever they did to me undone when the towers were destroyed. They left some kind of...I don't know, malicious code in my brain. I can't entirely locate it, and I can't figure out how to excise it, either.

Malicious code.

[Ratchet looks even less pleased at that, settling back against the bench.]

...what does it do?

[ Yeah, Knock Out doesn't look all that thrilled, either. ]

It makes it difficult for me to defend myself.

[ Oh, as if he was going to tell Ratchet the truth. ]

Edited 2014-09-15 03:31 (UTC)

I have absolutely no idea what makes you think I have time to sit here and listen to you prevaricate, but if all you called me here to do is trade thinly veiled barbs while you completely fail to give me any specifics that might help you, I'm leaving.

[Ratchet folds his arms and settles back on the bench, thoroughly annoyed.]

I can't imagine you'd've commed me personally if you had an overabundance of options, so we can either get on with it or I can go home.

[ WOW ratchet, rude. some people just have NO appreciation for the art of conversation ]

Calm down, will you? Nobody's taking jabs at you, for frag's sake. I'm getting there. Primus, and Rodimus had the nerve to insult my bedside manner. [ HUFFS INDIGNANTLY ] I don't exactly understand whatever happened to me, or else I'd have fixed it already, obviously. It's...something's triggering negative feedback when I'm in a fight. Needless to say, I find it alarming.

[Ratchet looks... unsettled, more than anything. He doesn't like the idea that anyone on this planet has the technology necessary to do something like that, but after talking to Newt, he certainly believes it. He dislikes even more the idea of just leaving a Cybertronian he knows has been damaged by alien hands, but...]

So, all right. Please run by me again exactly why I'd want to do something that would make it easier for you to fight, as a member of the opposing faction in a fragging war?

Because if I were to get into an altercation with one of you Autobots, I'm not even able to fight back. Hardly a fair fight, isn't it? Doesn't that go against your code?

[ He smirks a little, although he isn't being entirely obnoxious about it. He's actually pretty serious. ]

Besides that, if Megatron were to find out...mm, well, CMO or no, he might decide I'm no longer worth keeping around the next time he gets into one of his moods. [ Knock Out rolls his eyes, though not dismissively. It's a little apprehensive. He leans forward a little, his interlaced fingers tightening. ] I'm not asking you as a Decepticon, Ratchet. I'm asking you as a fellow medical professional. Someone on this planet did something to my brain, and I want it undone. That doesn't have anything to do with the war, does it? I'm not expecting you to do it for free; I'm sure we can work something out for payment. But at least consider it.

My code, [Ratchet's voice is flat and deliberate, his blue eyes intent on Knock Out's face.] is to keep as many of the people under my care alive and functional as possible. Drift nearly bled out from that chunk you took out of his side with a saw. And I don't see how the fact that you follow someone into a fight who doesn't give a damn whether you live or die beyond whether or not you're useful to him is my problem.

[Ratchet's lips thin and he settles back a little on the bench, sighing.]

But I don't like the idea of leaving a fellow Cybertronian on a hostile planet with that kind of handicap, no. I don't even know if I can help you--do you have a scan of the code?

[ There's a flash of something on Knock Out's face, something that looks savagely pleased over the news that he'd done some real damage to Drift -- but mostly he just looks annoyed at Ratchet's self-righteous morality, his mouth pressing into a thin line. Once Ratchet concedes the point, though, he looks relieved and a little pleased. ]

My situation isn't so simple that I can just pack up and leave Megatron's army, you know. But I do appreciate the fact that you're willing to try, at least. I don't have a complete scan -- like I said, it's been difficult to track down, and it's insinuated itself well into my systems. It's scattered itself. Perhaps you can run a more complete scan than I could.

Yeah, I bet not. [Ratchet mutters and shakes his head, but pushes up after a minute.]

Huh. All right. How do you want to do this, then? I'm sure you're sitting around somewhere nearby in your alt mode, same as I am.

[ Not even going to offer his avatar a hand up, Ratchet? Haven't you studied Earth manners? Ruuuude. ]

That depends on how much of your equipment is portable. I'd rather not go back to the Autobot base camp, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to take me there -- for obvious reasons.

I can take a scan with what I've got on me.

[Ratchet's lip curls a little, his optics lighting.]

Goodness, I can't imagine why not. And after I heard such stellar things about Decepticon hospitality.

[ w o w, ratchet ]

If you're talking about Rodimus, I took exceptional care of him. Didn't you see the work I did on his shoulder? Besides, I think you and I both know he's lucky to have made it out of there alive. No one bought his act for a moment. Not your commander's brightest move, sending that one. All things considered, I think we treated him very well.

[ He smirks, getting to his feet as well, and glances around them at the park. Not really a great place for an examination. ]

I suggest we go somewhere a little more private, then. The locals might know we're here now, but that doesn't mean I'm all that eager to leave myself open to them while I'm being examined.

[Ratchet snorts a short laugh at Knock Out's indignation but doesn't comment further on Rodimus' 'luck' or his poor decisions.]

I wasn't talking about Rodimus, actually. [His voice is dangerously pleasant, and he jerks his chin.] I assume you have a suggestion for where we might meet more comfortably.

Hm. Orion, then? I can't see what he would have had to complain about.

[ He's actually not being a facetious turd for once. He'd treated Orion pretty well, hadn't he? And the scary jail surgery hadn't even been Knock Out's idea! ]

I'll send you to the coordinates of a discreet location just outside the city. We shouldn't be bothered by any curious passersby.

Well, you're right, he was only a little tortured, I can't imagine what the fuss is about.

[Ratchet's voice drops to a soft hiss at that last, his face set.]

I'll see you there. [His avatar winks out abruptly and his rumbles to life before he pulls out, headed for Knock Out's location.]

[ Knock Out looks stunned at that accusation, a little too much so to react at first -- but just before Ratchet's avatar disappears his lip curls in an annoyed snarl, his eyes rolling. ]

Well, I didn't torture him!

[ Seriously, Ratchet, he hadn't even known Orion was there that time. But then Ratchet's gone, and Knock Out lets out a disgusted little huff, his own avatar blinking out.

He's waiting for Ratchet inside of an abandoned warehouse just outside the city, a short distance away from a lazy, sun-beaten truck stop. Still in his alt mode, flashy as ever, parked inside the loading bay on the ground level. ]

[Ratchet pulls in, catches one look at Knock Out's alt mode, then transforms to his feet as he shakes his head. He eyes Knock Out thoughtfully for a moment, thinking of that flash of genuine surprise.]

Do you know? I actually believe you. [He nods at Knock Out, fist on one hip.] C'mon, up. Let me take a look.

Edited 2014-09-15 16:30 (UTC)

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