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[ 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)

[ Knock Out huffs a little, transforming in a showy whirl of rearranging parts, and he rolls his optics at Ratchet a little, though not as obnoxiously as I could. ]

Well, good, because I'm telling the truth. I liked Orion, you know.

[ He eyes Ratchet -- not quite warily, but certainly appraisingly. He's never met the Autobot CMO in person before. It never hurts to take stock, particularly when you're about to be at the mercy of your enemy -- and whatever Knock Out had assured him, he's more than prepared to fight if Ratchet makes it necessary. ]

Just let me know where you want to start, Doctor.

Kind of hard not to, honestly.

[Ratchet sizes him up as well before he beckons Knock Out a little closer.]

Come here, I'm not going to chase after you. And open a hardline port so I can get a decent scan.

[ aw, Ratchet, you know what they say about all work and no play, don't you? Knock Out actually pouts just a little bit as he half-saunters toward Ratchet, flicking open a compartment under one of his arms. ]

You know, if you weren't my physician, I'd be a little offended that you didn't even buy me a drink first. [ He smirks to himself, obviously pleased. He's hilarious, okay. ] All right, then -- do your work, Ratchet. I've heard about your legendary skills for centuries now. Never thought I'd get a chance to see you work up close.

Yeah, and you're not going to unless you can keep quiet for fifteen consecutive seconds.

[Ratchet sounds nettled, but he's already reaching out to hook in, his optics narrowing distractedly as he does. He slides careful, sifting fingers through Knock Out's code, nudging up against firewalls and... leaving them alone, sliding harmlessly along the edge of whatever's in Knock Out's mind that he's intent on keeping private and concentrating on seeking out the malicious code. He takes as thorough a scan as he can before he draws back and disconnects, looking deeply thoughtful.]

...there. That should do it.

[ Knock Out isn't exactly keen on someone else sifting through his brain, but a scan isn't a psychic patch and Ratchet can only get so much from him -- and Ratchet's preferable to Shockwave and...surprisingly respectful. Hm. Apparently you can count on Autobot principles some of the time.

Knock Out watches him sharply, attentively, optics never leaving Ratchet, and his focus brightens now that Ratchet draws back, looking expectant. ]

And? You're sure you located all of it?

I'm not sure of anything, I got my hands on it ten seconds ago. Give me a minute.

[Ratchet's fairly certain, though, and the longer he looks at it, the less he likes what he sees.]

...it's just humans. [His voice slow, almost thoughtful.] You're just prevented from harming the natives on this planet. That's what it does, isn't it? You lied, saying you'd be helpless in a fight with us--it doesn't apply to Cybertronians.

[ Well, Knock Out had to know that lie wouldn't last forever. But it had at least gotten Ratchet to see him, so it was worth it. He looks a little annoyed at being called out on it, though, rolling his optics slightly. ]

No, but you Autobots have human allies. I don't like the idea of being defenseless against the most populous intelligent creature on this planet, and it was them that did it to me.

Mmmm.

[Ratchet narrows his optics slowly, and tucks the detailed copy of the code away.]

No, Knock Out, sorry--this is beyond my area of expertise. I don't believe I can help you.

[ um excuse me ]

You can't, or you won't?

[Ratchet just meets his optics, his gaze very level.]

If that's all, I believe I'll take my leave. Sorry to have wasted your time.

[ Knock Out's optics go flat, and he sure as hell doesn't get out of Ratchet's way. Yeah, he doesn't buy that you're sorry at all, Ratchet. ]

At least give me the scan.

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