Disclaimer: I do not own any version of Transformers nor any of it's characters...
AN: Hey, hey, hey! First transformers fic ever. This takes place after the last episode of Transformers Animated. Someone told me there was a comic series that went with it, (If there is, haven't read it) but this is completely based off of the tv series. This is full of friendship, hurt/comfort, and may also contain some angst.
Sorry, if I don't get all the robotic terms correct.
The Time After
~ chapter 1 ~
The two bots continued their journey down the hallway leading to one of the more private medical stations. A combination of the light above and the color of the floor made the metal plated walls tint blue. The place was silent except for their peeds and small talk. Arcee, a young fem, tried to brighten the mood of the older mech beside her. She had a basic citizen build that most fems before the war acquired. Her plating was mainly a light pink and her optics a bright blue. Although shorter than her friend, it wasn't by too much.
Placing a servo on the medic's arm, she smiled and said, "It's not his fault... I'm sure Perceptor did everything possible-"
"Everything, huh?" The mech grumbled, optics narrowing. He was an aged bot with a red and white color scheme, his shoulder plating baring the sign of an earthly emergency vehicle. This bot had a wide set build that allowed him room for transporting others while in his alt mode. Ratchet was also a bit of a grump. He had been one from the start, but war made his warm side less noticeable. Truth was, he didn't think harshly towards the microscope... Just upset it had taken Shockwave hacking Arcee's processor and some how retrieving files that no longer existed.
Wanting to change the subject, the fem asked, "So... How was training Omega Supreme? He seems to be very fond of you."
Ratchet looked up and softly smiled, "It wasn't what I had expected, but he became more of a friend than a student. I'm just glad he's back online and fully functioning."
"Why don't we visit him this afternoon?" the pink bot suggested hopefully. She remembered her excitement when given the job in Operation Omega. Having been a teacher before joining the Autobots, Ultra Magnus himself thought her perfect for the task. That was when she was given the access codes (all other copies erased for security reasons) and was on her way... Then the Decepticons had attacked. After her ship crashed and being injured, she had met the field medic for the first time.
The old mech's smile made a second appearance, "Certainly. Omega never had much time to chat, but with the fighting said and done... I think he would really enjoy the company." They turned the corner and Ratchet continued, "Though I wouldn't be able to stay very long."
"Hmm? Why?" Arcee questioned.
"I told Optimus I would go with him to see Prowl one last time." the mech's mood took a dive. He'd seen enough death to drive mentally weaker bots insane. The fem simply nodded and let the matter drop.
Ahead of them was medical room 41C. They were right on time too! They were twenty feet away from the door when it opened revealing a familiar mech.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't my favorite medic! How you doin' Ratch?" the scientist/inventor greeted, his head finials blinking joyous greens and yellows.
"Same as always." Ratchet answered, "Hey, where's Perceptor?"
"He'll be here shortly. Decided to take a quick check up on Magnus." the mech assured. Glancing over at the fem, Wheeljack laughed, "And what a pleasure it is to see you up and moving! Arcee, correct?"
The pink bot grinned, "Yes. Nice to meet you while being coherent." She reached a servo out and shook with the overly gleeful mech.
Wheeljack was about to say something when he stopped to answer his comm. After a few 'yeah's and 'right away's. The scientist looked back to the other bots. "Sorry for the short meet, but I gotta get going. Percy should be in there by now." he said pointing, "See ya guys later!"
Both bots waved goodbye as Wheeljack lumbered out the way they'd came. Continuing on, the door slid open with a hiss. The room was much larger than the last one Arcee had been placed in and much brighter. The back wall was covered in shelves upon shelves of supplies. Things as complicated as replacement limbs and EMP's all the wat to bolts, washers, and rivets. Different machines lined up on the left, data pads stacked in boxes on the right. The standard medical equipment sat in the center next to a medical berth, a few tables, and a desk. It had everything! Ratchet realized that this must be Perceptor's main lab/medical center. Why bring them here when Arcee was just getting a scan?
For a brief moment, they were alone. They began to make their way forward when a low emotionless voice came from behind.
"Sorry for being late." a red and gray mech, with a yellow tinted set of pointed specs, apologized. He studied his patient from where she stood, looking her over. The way the fem moved to see him made what little feelings were left calm. "You appear to be physically stable, but I would like to run a few extra tests to be certain-"
"Why here?" Ratchet interrupted, "Don't you think this is overkill?"
In most cases, Percy would have finished his statement before addressing the question. Having known the medic for a time, he knew it was best just to answer.
"I want to make this easier for the patient." The microscope glanced over at Arcee and proceeded, "And myself as well."
The old ambulance understood. Perceptor stayed down here to keep tabs on Ultra Magnus, only leaving for counsel meetings. Although a proper scan could be held in any medical facility, it was preferred the leader of Cybertron was in the best of servos at all times. Those servos just happened to belong to this particular mech.
The somewhat emotionless bot lead Arcee to the medical berth. The mech worked diligently as he set up the scanner and hooked her up to a few cords. Information began to flood the screens atop Perceptor's desk. Data pad ready, he began to log what he saw to be of importance. "Display visual. Core processor unit." he commanded. In no time it appeared on the center screen, shocking Ratchet into stumbling back a few steps. Even the scientist's optics widened. It was clearly processing data, yet one of the components were missing completely! Where were Arcee's filters?
"How is she still functioning?!" Ratchet said enraged, "She's been online for far too long and hasn't said anything?"
A CPU's filters are physical fire walls for unidentifiable coding.
"Arcee's self-repair systems should have alerted her with a damage read out... It is possible Shockwave removed the filters to more easily upload data and/or a virus." Perceptor theorized.
The elderly bot eyed the pink fem who'd offlined her optics. Had he been in her position, Ratchet wouldn't have gone without at least a mumble or a curse.
Taking a closer look at the scan, Perceptor could see most of the current wires had replaced the fried ones caused by the over powered memory wipe. The circuitry and wires of a fully functioning CPU were complex and delicate, making any damage nearly impossible to fix. Shockwave was most certainly skilled.
"Where did he get the materials for such an advanced procedure?" He thought aloud.
"He may have taken it from a bot that offlined during the war... but I would not hesitate to believe that wasn't their only option." the medic mumbled in distaste.
Even though the Con did exceptional work, the filters were missing and had to be replaced as soon as possible. No one had ever bothered removing a CPU's filters until now and the possibilities too risky for them to prolong getting her new ones. Luckily, filters were easy to come by nowadays.
"Tell me where the parts are." Ratchet sighed through his vents.
"I'll get the parts. You prepare her for the operation. Though I may know how to preform the surgery, I lack the experience. I would prefer if you would do as you once did before."
It was true Perceptor was a genius in both science and cybertronian biology, yet he rarely tried his own servo at open processor surgery. Luckily for the medic, he was equipped with all the necessary tools to begin. That was another convenience in which the microscope fell short. Without complaint Ratchet had already begun removing the scanners from the berth and replacing cords. Arcee onlined her optics with a shy smile. Ratchet tried hard not to look the way his spark felt. Personally, he had labeled his last experience as a failure to both the fem and Operation Omega. Ultra Magnus had chosen Arcee and her alone to carry the activation codes and work as Omega Supreme's instructor. What could of happened? Maybe Omega would have never been forced into stasis.
The fem had always been good at reading others like a data pad. She pursed her lip plates and gave a playful scowl, "Don't you go beating on yourself. I have my memories and I am fully functioning! Thanks to you and that organic."
'Sari...' Hope washed over the elder mech as ideas began to form. Gears began to turn rapidly in his CPU and he couldn't hold back a cheery grin. This was perfect!
"What is it?" Arcee trilled.
"Just a little something that might lighten the load on Mr. Emotionless. I'll tell you once I'm done." Ratchet smirked setting up an IV drip. Oh how greatful he was for knowing the little redheaded brat. They may bash heads every now and then, but with her abilities... Ultra Magnus had a fighting chance for a full recovery. Bonus, no more 'acting Magnus' for (the aft head) Sentinel Prime. How he had even gained a title was beyond him.
Perceptor returned with a small bucket of filters, his optics narrowing at the over joyed ambulance. The red and white mech had already began sedating the patient. Within a few clicks, she slipped into recharge. Pressing a few buttons, he watched as the berth slowly shifted Arcee into a slightly reclined sitting position. Steady gentle servos removed her helm revealing sections of sensitive material. The material was soft like a protoform and even more fragile. It was the outer layer of her CPU. Good thing all Cybertronians' helms were of the strongest of metals no matter whether you had a citizen or even military build.
Ratchet picked out a good clean set of filters giving the scientist a nod of appreciation.
'Odd...' Perceptor thought. To make himself useful, he picked up Arcee's medical pad and logged in the event of the operation. Date, operation, surgeon, time, ect...
With a click, cords dropped from an overhanging cylinder. The cords began to automatically connect to different medical ports along the sides of the black and blue material. Her optics drifted open in response. A good processor surgeon could tell how the patient was fairing by simply checking for changes in his or her optics. The medic was truly greatful after having heard from Sumdac that Earth's brain surgeons kept their patients awake and aware. Here, he or she would remember nothing, it would feel as if they were in recharge.
A high pitched BEEEEP and blinking screens blared warnings. "As I had predicted. There is a virus... It appears to have bypassed her own firewalls, but not the computer's." Perceptor observed.
"Does that mean..."
"Shockwave may have compiled a new set of coding that can evade all except physical firewalls."
"Can it be removed and is it contagious?"
"Removed... Certainly. Contagious... Not probable."
"By what percentage?"
"Twelve-point-zero-four-nine-nine-one percent."
How professionals should always speak. Short and straight to the point. "Twelve, eh? Can you identify it's function?"
The gray and red mech diligently studied the coding that filled the monitors. A rare glimpse of bewilderment flashed across his faceplate. Screwed optics only relaxing after much deliberation. Ratchet stood patiently with arms folded over his chassis.
"Appears to be inconclusive."
~Break~
The two mechs whispered as to not disturb the fem who'd not yet awoken from the sedatives. A canceled surgery was the last thing either had wished. No one had ever gone this long without CPU filters and none wanted to be the first to experience any possible side effects. Perceptor requested the operation postponed until he could prove the virus innocuous or eradicate it completely. The medic refilled his cube with a violet substance. Though he preferred the bitter sweet taste of oil, energon was much more beneficial in every way. With Sentinel in charge, most places that offered oil were shut down because of those preposterous propaganda clips. Energon would have to do for now.
All Ratchet experienced in the past few solar cycles had taken it's toll. He looked weary from his having to put up with a bunch of young mechs in such a dire situation. Rumors of the spacebridge repair crew were spreading faster then one could say 'Primus'.
"Is it true what they're saying" a pause as Perceptor took a sip from his own cube, "About that organic's key?"
"I'm glad you asked." the older mech held a steady grin, "That thing is nothing more than a piece of scrap metal... No, but that organic is something to be reckoned with."
Leaning forward, joints giving off muffled creaks, the scientist studied his friend's expression. According to Wheeljack, there was talk of a key that had attained healing abilities from the Allspark itself. The story was of course... unlikely to begin with. It wasn't like Ratchet to speak highly of such an annoying species when he could hardly handle his own, yet he swatted away a rumor and went straight to complementing a human.
"Sari just happens to be a techno-organic. Unlike other humans, she is part Cybertronian part organinc. Needless to say she absorbed the key's energy within herself. Though not able to heal, she poses endless possibilities. Without her and the Allspark's guidance..." Optics wandered towards the fem, " Arcee would still be lost."
"What? Explain." Perceptor requested. He got more than had been expected. The medic gave a long detailed summary of the key and the organic... techno-organic. So there was a key for the majority of his time on that wet rock. The child tried to give herself an upgrade, ending in disaster. Afterwords, he told Perceptor of some of his personal experiences with Sari. When she was able to fix a spacebridge for instance. Turns out Cybertron's best spacebridge technician was arguing with one of the locals when she decided to try and prove her usefulness. Immediate results! Another time included Ratchet finding Arcee. Sari told the medic exactly what to do in a matter of seconds. Interesting.
"-do you want me to get her? She's with Optimus if I'm not mistaken."
"I will comm you after Wheeljack is finished with his assignment. I don't want to try anything until Magnus is officially relocated. His current room, as you know, is no longer suitable." The red and grey mech stated.
Ratchet scowled. He was half the reason Ultra Mangus's room had acquired a huge gaping hole in the wall. Trying to protect Arcee, he lead Shockwave straight to the Autobot's leader.
"Tell her I was late, okay? She'll know what I'm talking about." the medic downed the rest of his drink before standing up.
"Ratchet."
"Yes?"
"Willing to be assigned to a more... stationary position?"
"Maybe. What exactly do you have in mind?"
AN: Soooooooooo... Questions, comments, criticism, ect. Trying to be a better writer here.
