I swear by Primus making him bare
witness to bring the following oath to fulfillment in accordance with
my power and judgment. I promise to regard those who have taught me
these skills as equal to my creators and to teach others these skills
should they desire to learn. To hold all life sacred and
preserve all Sparks, regardless of affiliation and use my knowledge
and processes solely for the benefit of the damaged. Never will I deliberately bring harm to
another for anyone else's interest nor will I suggest such actions.
In this, the purest way, I shall guard my own Spark and
teachings. Wherever I go may it be for the benefit of the
damaged and never intentionally abuse my power. If I render
this oath fulfilled may it grant me the ability to enjoy the benefits
of both function and teaching and be held in good standing amongst
all Cybertronians, however if I go against my teachings may the
opposite of these be held true.
To first do
no harm when in the course of treatment.
I acknowledge to defer to
others when their experience and expertise exceeds my own for the
benefit of my patient.
In caring for
them, may I never make known to the outside what I hear during
treatment, keeping all knowledge in confidence.
-Oath of a Physician-bot.
As he looked out over the gathered assembly of young bots, First Alert sighed inwardly. A new batch of protoforms to process, not that he wasn't looking forward to it. Teaching a new generation of physician-bots was a pleasure, albeit a frustrating one at times.
"I swear the bots get younger each stellar cycle." Another faculty member remarked quietly to him. "We'll be teaching protoforms before long."
Giving a low chortle, First Alert leaned back in his seat. "Maybe, or maybe we're just getting older.
It was the opening ceremony of a new academic cycle at the school. All new students were in attendance and the President of the school was giving his speech, welcoming them all there. Crystal City was a place known for both its beautiful architecture and the many great scientific minds that called it home. It also hosted one of the greatest medical universities on all Cybertron. Crystal City School of Repair boasted an impressive curriculum and impeccable faculty that were all still practicing physicians. Many of the graduates went on to be sector renowned doctors and surgeons.
The selection process was rigorous and only those who scored highest in their compulsorily education and the initial Repair School Exams were given entrance. The small classes the process created benefited the students and allowed more 1-to-1 for the students and faculty.
The spark of physician-bot was very special thing. It needed to be strong, allowing for a steady servo to hold the laser scalpel and have a unique brand of hubris for the physician-bot to be confident in his or her abilities to repair their patient. They could not second-guess themselves or allow for others to. They needed to be firm yet adaptable, calculated but compassionate. A good physician-bot would touch the very spark of all those they cared for and in the worst case scenario hold it in their hands as they tried to keep it from being extinguished.
As the President of the school ended his speech the faculty and students all stood to clap the next solar cycle would be the beginning of classes. As he left First Alert allowed himself a little chuckle. He was teaching Gross Structure and Circuitry to all those students going through their first cycle. Returning home he gave his class roster a once over noting that several students with superior test scores were in his first class of the day. He grinned, oh this would be fun. Part of the fun of teaching new physician-bots was breaking them down and building them back up.
As he walked into the auditorium the following cycle, the excited chatter and buzz of vocal processors ceased and all focused on him, bright optics shined with an eagerness to process all the information. Coming to a stop behind the podium in the center of the room, First Alert set his data pad down and looked up at his students. It was a sea of red and white chassis with some blue and by Primus there was one individual who was a garish shade of greenish yellow that made First Alert's optics water. No one would ever lose sight of that one. He waited until the clock struck the right time before starting to give the stragglers a moment to find a seat.
"Welcome all first cycle students. This is Gross Structure and Circuitry; I am Physician-bot First Alert. If this isn't where you are supposed to be, you best-." He was cut off as the doors at the top of the auditorium were thrown opening with a resounding clang. A squat young-bot rushed in. He was primarily white and red with some black accents and a large red chevron on his helmet. The mech squirmed slightly as everyone turned towards him.
"Is this first cycle Gross Structure and Circuitry?" He asked sheepishly.
First Alert gave a nod while shooting the mech a disapproving glare; though with the distance he doubted the young-bot would even pick up on it. Tardiness was one thing that he couldn't tolerate.
"It is and you would be?"
"The name's Ratchet, Sir." He announced proudly. "Sorry I'm late, traffic was murder."
Taking a deep breath, First Alert shook his head and muttered quietly. "Oh Primus grant me strength." He looked up only to see Ratchet had still had not taken a seat. "Please sit down so that we may continue." The young mech found a seat at the back of the auditorium and First Alert resumed the lecture. When it was concluded he asked them to follow him to the lab.
The room smelled of sterilizing fluid, oil, and engergon. A dozen tables with sheet draped figures laid before them. "This," First Alert explained after the first series of gasps were finished. "This is where we will have our dissection labs. This course is to educate you in the basic structure of all Cybertronians. The information you receive here will later be used by you to aid in a medical diagnosis." Walking to one table, he gently set a servo upon the covered figure.
"These noble Cybertronians have donated their chassis to medical science so that you may benefit and learn. Respect them for even though they have gone to the Well of Allsparks, they were once living, functioning beings." He looked out at the class. Their shining optics now dimmed. "Break up into teams of six and pick out a chassis, we will begin your first lab now."
There was a shuffle as everyone broke into groups and stood by their chosen chassis. First Alert gave a slight nod. "You may uncover them." He watched as their faces went blank, optics wide in shock. For many this would be their first experience with a non-functioning Cybertronian.
"We will begin with opening the chest cavity to uncover the first layer of control cable and fuel lines. Please use a standard Y incision." Walking around the room he watched as shaking servos grasped for tools and began to cut. He looked at Ratchet who while shaking, had a steeled expression as he worked. There might be hope for that one yet.
"Very nice, just pull back or you will cut too deeply." He advised quietly. The mech nodded and upon turning back to his 'patient' swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat.
As chest plates came apart, several students hurried towards the exit and those who couldn't make it, did their best to find a trash receptacle to purge their tanks into. Sadly, Ratchet was among them. Maybe First Alert had spoken too soon. Well there was still plenty of time to harden their tanks and thicken their armor. He would turn these quivering protoforms into Physician-bots yet!