Chapter 4

Revelations

Once Ratchet saw his mangled Decepticon patient, Med-Bay went on full alert, and "Decepticon" was not a descriptor of the Cybertronian lying on the berth anymore. A patient was a patient regardless of rank or faction. Ratchet didn't even think about it. He'd didn't even think about not thinking about it. It was just so.

A network of force-fields was put into place under the patient so that the medics could tend the wounds on his back as well as those on his front. Scanners were engaged to pinpoint the exact locations of the most dangerous wounds first and then to repeat the scan again to locate the less critical wounds.

Jolt and First Aid began removing the mangled armor from the patient's body and placing temporary patches over the wounds, First Aid having gotten over his initial nausea. First Aid hadn't signed up to serve as a field doctor, but, as his selected earth name denoted, for first aid. Back on Cybertron, he'd worked in a sparklings' clinic. Gore wasn't his thing. He'd grown slightly used to it during his ages of service, but occasionally the shock factor hit him when he saw someone particularly mangled or in a worse condition than he'd presupposed that that someone would be.

Ratchet was working on putting temporary patches in place, too. With the number of wounds and cuts, the Energon loss would be too high if he simply began working on long-term repairs. His fingers moved with quick efficiency, his optics sharply focused on the details of each wound as he worked. He mentally logged all that he did for future reference and the inevitable reports that he would be filing, and he made mental notes about each wound for when he came back through for long-term patches and repairs.

"He's leaking life-En like a sieve." Jolt muttered, glancing at the puddles forming on the berth.

Firestar came jogging in and stopped short, her optics widening. Her mouth opened for a second, but then she shut it and hurried to the sink to sanitize her hands. Although not a full time member of the Med-Bay crew, she was part of the backup medical team. "What first, Ratchet?" she asked quickly as she dried her hands swiftly but thoroughly.

"Short term patches." Ratchet said, not looking up from his work.

"Ratch- he needs immediate long-term patching here," Jolt said, motioning quickly to part of the patient's back that he'd gotten to.

"Got it." Ratchet said, "Fires," he motioned for Firestar to take his position as he moved away. He went to the other side of the berth to where Jolt was. Then he cursed quietly.

Bumblebee burst in, his cooling system gusting a little. "That doesn't look good," he darted for the sink. He'd never been officially trained for medical service, but like all battle bots, he knew first aid, and on top of that, he'd spent enough time in Med-Bay for Ratchet to teach him a few things. He mainly just fetched necessary items or cleaned tools, but he could deal with more serious things as needed. Ratchet had him on the medical backup list for a number of reasons, but especially because he worked well and followed orders quickly.

"More hands?" Ratchet said when Bee came over, "Good. Hold-"

Bee cupped his hands and held the tool that Ratchet dropped in it. Then he handed it back moments later when Ratchet reached for it again. Ratchet was glad to have Bee there now; he'd speed up his process.

An alert pinged on the medical read-out on Ratchet's internal scanner.

"Ratchet-" First Aid and Jolt both said; they'd been scanning, too.

"I got it." Ratchet said, snatching Bee's hand and pressing it against the channeling he'd been repairing. "Hold firm." He said as he hurried away.

"What?" Firestar asked the two junior medics, not pausing her work.

"Energon depletion hit the level before the critical level." Jolt said, his face a mask, "Transfusion time."

Ratchet came back with the transfusion apparatus and set it under the berth, drawing some tubing up from it. He wasn't even sure if the necessary Energon channels in the patient's arm were intact enough for the transfusion to work. He considered inserting it into the chest… which he'd done before, but it hadn't been easy or fun. The process was exacting…

Ratchet's optics narrowed in on the patient's arm, scanning it. In a second, he knew he'd have to go for the chest. He gave Jolt a look, and Jolt wincingly helped Ratchet remove the patient's scorched chest armoring. Ratchet then drew out the needle and began scanning for the correct Energon channel to insert it in. Ironhide and Auri were discussing something in the background, and Ironhide was starting to sound a little too opinionated. It was distracting.

"HEY!" Ratchet snapped at him, and then it got quiet. He could work now. He found the channel and carefully worked the needle into it then started the pump.

He looked up and found Bee's wide concerned optics on him, Bee still holding his hands firmly against the unfinished repairs on the back wound.

"That should stabilize the Energon levels," Ratchet told him, choosing to not tell him about all the if's or the odds. The odds weren't pretty ones. They had a chance, though. The patient had a small chance.

OoOoOoOoO

(Before Soundwave's transport to Med-Bay)

On the sandy beach, Soundwave hovered near stasis. He felt it near, waiting for him, it seemed. It would devour him in moments if he let it. Stasis was hard to fight, but he fought it. Over half his body was in stasis, but his mind wasn't, and he wanted to keep it that way. He wanted to know. Knowledge was power, life.

The Autobots' horrified shock came in rippling waves, and he knew they were coming from him. He heard nothing, saw nothing, smelled nothing, but he sensed everything through thought-waves.

A wave of sympathy rushed in, and grew stronger as its bearer drew near. A medic's feelings. Soundwave felt a mild sense of relief at that. A medic meant they might try to save him. Or, they would offline him mercifully. Given what high rank he was and what valuable information he could be holding, though, he knew they would sooner try to save him than shoot him.

Startled recognition came over the waves, then, from another bot. Startled recognition, a femme's conflicted feeling, then a little rage, a little frustration, a little fright… a smooth flow in changing feelings from one being. The fright was pushed away by resolve and personal feelings set aside. A strong femme, Soundwave decided.

There was another being with stronger feelings, though, ones that charged forwards. A feeling of furious disbelieve slammed into him, nearly drowning out the medic's surprise. The femme was distrustful, remembering the close call her young friend had had –Elita, Soundwave realized. The femme was Elita.

Elita's calmness was strong, and Soundwave liked it, took strength from it. Soundwave knew there were words, but he could not hear. He relied on the feelings that swirled and crashed in the air. There was venom in the air, enraged fury that sickened and destroyed, a vicious, murderous, personally malicious feeling that would tear through anything to protect the femmeling. It was Ironhide, Soundwave realized, and there was no doubt in his mind about that. Ironhide. Rage.

Soundwave felt the medic and his friend suddenly become ill at ease, and Elita's will braced itself. He felt Elita's dislike for him, but he drew comfort from the fact that her resolve to follow orders was stronger than her dislike of him, firm, unyielding.

The poisonous waves from Ironhide increased, a deadly calm mixing with them. Soundwave never let himself feel fear, but acknowledging his current condition, he knew he had every right to feel fear. Ironhide's intent was to shoot him on the spot. The medic's unease increased, but Elita's firmness of resolve gave him a sort of hope. Ironic hope.

Fury and rage emanated from Ironhide, and Elita's will hardened, her personal feelings of friendship for Ironhide disappearing as her commander personality came to the forefront.

Ironhide was disgusted with Elita's call, and he loathed her for being in command at the moment, loathed the fact that something he furiously wanted was within reach but withheld from him.

Elita drew strength from her calm outrage in a way that gave Soundwave a chill of pleasure. Outrage alone was not a good emotion, but when another emotion was attached to it, it grew powerful; it could then either overpower a being or empower the being. Few had the discipline to let it empower them, but Soundwave reveled in those few who did.

Rebellion and insubordination blazed from Ironhide's being, set off by Elita's display of command, and the rage increased. The medic's fear had been increasing all along, but now it hit desperation. We need backup, his being said, and then he seemed reassured. Soundwave deduced that a quick intercom had been sent. Backup would come. Soundwave felt faint, though, as if some vital sign was lowering. The medic grew concerned; they needed to hurry.

Ironhide's insubordination turned into resistance, and Elita's disappointment with him cascaded down like a flood, and she grew stressed, knowing she would have to deal with him later. Soundwave hesitated then blocked out the emotions. The overabundance of negative emotions was going to tax him in this state.

Then he unblocked some of them, not able to standing being completely blind. He limited them so he only received the ones from Elita. He didn't need the concern or sympathy of the medic, or the concern of the other bot. Any other day he would have feasted on Ironhide's fury, but not today, not now. Elita's strength was a quiet one, one that could be trusted and depended on.

He felt her surprise when backup came and her curiosity towards the medic. He inwardly smiled at her grim, quiet accusation towards Ironhide and wondered at the bit of regret that followed. She regretted Ironhide's actions. He sensed her ready herself for the next phase, and then he physically felt the stretcher he was now on being lifted up.

He felt himself fade as Elita moved away. No… He struggled… but then she was closer again.

Something surprised and stressed her when they entered Med-Bay, and Soundwave caught onto the feeling and held onto it, gaining a tenuous grasp on her.

Auri.

Auri was in Med-Bay. In that very room.

Soundwave mentally dropped Elita. He exerted some of his precious draining energy to find Auri's signal. There she was. She been sickened and upset for some reason she didn't know. Soundwave was grieved at that. His sorrow became her sorrow, and she needed someone. She didn't know who, but she sought Ironhide.

Soundwave grew frustrated. Ironhide would separate them, take her away. He…

He felt his power weaken a little more as Ironhide came between them. He felt anger at the injustice. Ironhide was not going to deprive him of Auri in his last hour -if this was indeed his last hour.

Mine. Soundwave knew the weakness in Auri's guardian bond and used it, accessing it. Out, Ironhide; she is Mine.

Auri thought of him, Soundwave, and grew curious.

Yes. He tugged on the bond a little, and she grew confused, perplexed.

I need you.

Auri's feelings began to stir at that, but then confusion slowed them. She puzzled through them, but found no answer.

I'll not hurt. I need you.

Auri followed this time, but cringed, feeling a little frightened at Ironhide's sudden displeasure. She didn't want to displease him. Then she was frustrated that he wasn't listening to her, for he usually listened to her.

"Hey!" Ratchet snapped. Then Soundwave felt nearly choked at Auri's horror. She'd seen him, he realized. He latched onto her strong emotion and tugged at it. She grew upset with Ironhide. Then she grew miserable, pleading. She wanted to forgive Soundwave, let him go in peace. She begged Ironhide because it was what an Autobot did; an Autobot made things right. Hope hung in the air, and Soundwave grasped it. Then he knew that Ironhide said yes. He felt a tiny new bit of strength enter his spark.

OoOoOoOoO

Ironhide, still holding Auri, walked slowly over towards the hubbub of medical activity. Elita followed closely. Bumblebee flicked his wings at them. 'Horrors! Why are you bringing Auri?!' the motion seemed to say, as well as, 'BAD timing, Ironhide!'

Ironhide slowed as he neared the Con, his intense hate and distrust for the monster welling up again.

Ratchet looked up, saw Ironhide and Auri, and looked extremely displeased and disapproving. "Ironhide. What-"

"Mine." Auri said quickly, "I mean, my… I…"

"She says Soundwave wants to see her." Elita said calmly, quietly when Ironhide failed to say anything.

"Glitching no." Ratchet said. "He's not seeing anybody."

"Ratch," Jolt said uncertainly, stepping back a little. Ratchet. Soundwave's hand was moving, the first movement he'd made since they'd retrieved him. It turned slowly, haltingly, then wavered and stopped, its palm facing his side instead of the berth. Then the forefinger moved, motioning minutely.

"He can sense me." Auri said in a small voice, "I mean that kind of see…"

"He can hurt you is what he can do." Ratchet said, turning back to work on the Decepticon. "The readings on his cognitive activity are too high for someone in this condition because he's a telepath. Telepathically, he could still hurt you. Ironhide, take her away."

Ironhide hesitated as Auri's hand clutched at his armoring.

"R-Ratchet-!" Auri cried, "He doesn't want to hurt me!" she stuffed a fist against her one of optics, "He just wants to… say something!"

"He can say it later if he lives." Ratchet snapped as he dropped a piece of debris in Bee's waiting hands.

Auri whimpered. "You're mean. He just… I can feel him."

"Go." Ratchet ordered sharply.

Auri made an unhappy sound as Ironhide stepped back. "Auri, baby, we have to obey Ratchet." Ironhide told her gently, sorry that she was upset, but secretly relieved that he didn't have to take her near the Decepticon brute.

"Vitals dropping-!" First Aid said, jumping to the monitoring device.

"Hide, Ratchet." Elita said suddenly, her tone free from any inflection. "I think Auri has a point. Bring her back."

Ironhide gave her a stare. "What? You heard Ratchet."

"I changed my mind." Ratchet said flatly, as he pulled a piece of shrapnel from his patient's body, "Bring her back."

Ironhide hesitated. He had a strong will, and right now it didn't want to take Auri anywhere the Con, particularly after what Ratchet had just said about him being able to hurt her telepathically.

"That's an order." The femme commander said, her tone dangerously gentle.

Ironhide's jaw tightened. His feet refused to move, but he lowered Auri to the floor.

Auri gave the tall bots quick looks of fear but darted over to the berth. Ironhide clenched his fists in an angry, helpless gesture.

"Soundwave," she said gently, approaching the berth. Carefully but quickly, she climbed onto the berth to sit beside him, Ratchet giving her a boost. "I'm here now, Soundwave." She touched the back of his hand hesitantly and found that gentle feelings emanated from it.

Soundwave was content now. He had Auri at his side, her hand on his, her voice speaking to him.

"Vitals… no longer dropping…" First Aid said slowly, a look of amazed disbelief on his face as he turned to Elita. "How…?"

"I noticed that they rose a little when we approached," Elita said, not taking her optics off Ironhide, "But I hadn't thought anything of it until the dropped when we, or rather, Auri, left."

"Ohhh," First Aid stepped away from the monitor and went back to help with the patching.

"Magnus," Elita said, turning to the commander,

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Keep an optic on Ironhide." she said. He nodded then moved over closer to Ironhide, positioning himself so that he could quickly stop Ironhide from doing anything, if need be.

Elita went over to Auri, and put a hand on her back. "Well…?" she questioned gently.

Auri looked up at her. "He's content that I'm here." She said softly before looking down. "He's dangerously wounded, though, isn't he…" it was a tentative, questioning statement.

Elita looked over at Ratchet. The Ratchet looked sideways then down and gave a half shrug.

"He is pretty hurt." Elita said gently, rubbing her thumb against Auri's back, "But it's too soon for estimates."

Auri hung her head over his hand. "I don't want him to go offline."

Elita rubbed her back comfortingly. "Ratchet and the team are doing the best they can."

"What if it's not good enough?"

Elita bit her lip as she heard tears in Auri's tone.

"Auri," Firestar said gently, "Our Creator is a just and fair one. If this Con can be salvaged, he will be salvaged."

Auri looked up, a little bit of a conflicted hopeful smile on her face. "He'll be okay, won't he?"

"I can't promise you anything, Auri." Firestar said, shaking her head, her voice soft with regret, "I can't."

Auri nodded soberly. She knew. She knew, but she still hoped.

Elita put her arm around the femme-ling, staying by her, supporting her. She looked over at Ironhide; she knew he was having a raging battle with himself. She didn't blame him for being mad at the Con, not at all, but he had to obey orders when they were given. Some time in the brig would probably cool him off and get him to reflect on his actions.

Auri shifted a little, drawing Elita from her thoughts. "How is he?" Elita asked,

"Still content with me here." Auri said, "But he's growing a little unfocused… like… he's trying to remember or think of or figure out something."

"Mm." Elita shifted as Firestar came over, Firestar running a cloth over the berth as she wiped up the puddles of life-Energon.

"His…" Auri hesitated, looking uncertain, "His life force seems to have stopped weakening, though."

Ratchet looked up from his work to look at the femme-ling. First Aid looked over at the monitor. Its readings on the Con's spark had stabilized, but several other areas of the Con's body were giving out lower readings. They dropped a little more as he watched and then dropped again.

"Ratch…" First Aid said, but he saw that Ratchet was staring at Soundwave's face; the Con's visor was lighting up faintly.

Auri smiled sadly. "Now he can see me." She said softly, as if to herself.

The visor went dark after a moment, and then the readings on the monitor balanced back out.

"That was not a smart move." Ratchet told the Con in a flat tone.

"Maybe that was what was important to him." Firestar said, watching the berth. Hardly any more life Energon was dripping onto it. The temporary patches had been successful. Now the team would just have to go back through and properly mend everything and deal with the internal wounds.

"He was glad to see me," Auri whispered to Elita, and the older femme nodded, not entirely sure what to say.

Elita looked back at Ironhide to see how he'd taken that. His jaws and fists were clenched, and his optics were smoldering. Elita wondered if she should have him sent away so he could deal with his rage, but she knew there would be a whole new fight if he thought Auri was going to be out of his sight with the Decepticon. The near future was going to be complicated; she had no doubt about that.

Elita refocused her attention on Auri. The femme-ling seemed to be alright, aside for her sorrow over the wounded Con. "Are you doing alright?" Elita asked gently, just to make sure.

Auri nodded. "He's sorry about my guardian." She said softly.

"How do you feel?" Elita asked her, watching her.

Auri's shoulders lifted a little. "I… don't know. I'm sad. Really sad, but… it does quite hurt like sadness has before."

"Mm." Elita nodded, not knowing what else to do.

"Elita," Ratchet said quietly. She and Auri looked over. "We're gonna have to put him in stasis while we work on repairs. Things are fifty-fifty."

"He's afraid of stasis," Auri protested softly, holding the Con's hand a little tighter.

"Auri," Ratchet said gently, "He'll go offline for sure if we don't put him in stasis. Stasis is his only chance."

Auri's head lowered. Then her wings lowered. "Okay." She said softly, "But…" she hesitated.

"No buts, Auri." Ratchet said. "We will whether or not he wants us to."

"Something first, though, because… chances are so doubtful."

"Well?" Ratchet asked, not wanting to rush her but knowing they needed to hurry.

Auri's optics widened then her whole body shook, "oh-!" she gasped out, and then she put her head down against the Decepticon. "Oh..." she mourned and started to cry. Elita put her hand on the femme-ling's back. Magnus put his hand on Ironhide's shoulder, halting him.

"We need to induce stasis, now." Ratchet said quietly, and Auri nodded. Then she whimpered as the Con fell into stasis.

"Auri…?" Elita asked,

Auri sniffled but kept crying. "O, Soundwave…" she sobbed.

"Auri," Elita prodded gently, "Talk to me,"

Auri sat up, but kept her head down. "H-he was m-my g-guardian."

"Your old guardian on Cybertron?" Ratchet asked, his optics widening.

Auri nodded before putting head back down against the broken Con. "My old guardian." She cried softly.

"Don't believe everything you hear." Ironhide said quietly.

Auri sniffled. "It would be on his hand." She said, "My Cybertron name, my baby name."

Elita carefully turned the still Con's hand palm-up and found an inscription there on his palm. There was the femme-ling's old name, and she could see from how worn it was that it had been there for ages.

"See…" Auri said softly, touching the word, "And he said, 'Your name I write upon m-my hand; know that it is in my s-spark as well. W-with this I watch over you, p-protect you, fight for you. Your name may ch-change, and this word may be worn a-away by eons, but my love for you is… is unchanging and eternal, m-my sparkling.'"

No one said anything, and Auri put her head back down against Soundwave.

Elita sat down after a moment and put a hand on Auri's to back to comfort the femme-ling as she cried against her old guardian.


How about that, eh?

Kudos to Writergurl616, Nightshadow101, Soudwave092, and DaLintyMan, for either suspecting or guessing that Soundwave was Auri's old guardian. ;)