The next time that Ratchet's optics fluttered online, it took a moment for them to adjust to the sudden brightness. Wasn't his room dark? Hidden away in the back of the bay, away from everyone, and thing? That was until his optics adjusted when a shadow was cast over him.
His entire body tensed and he swore he wanted to sink into the berth then and there. For no other than the massive, dull gray brute of a warlord stood there. Peering down at him was no one other than Megatron, who seemed to have his optics narrowed.
"You're sure you've tried everything." His voice was low, quiet almost. As if he wasn't aware that Ratchet was awake yet, or that he just didn't care. Ratchet felt uneasy, his optics shifting around the warlord's faceplate and body to try and see what else was going on.
"Yes. I've tried purging him of dark energon and switching it with normal energon, but he's so heavily infected with dark energon that it just changes the fresh energon into it. I wasted so much time and energon on that procedure." Was Knock Out's voice from nearby, making Ratchet turn his helm to try and see where he was.
Instead, the small hum from Megatron stole his attention and he looked back up at him. His brows were furrowed and his lips pressed into a tight line. "That's unfortunate. Too bad Unicron is no longer around, not that I want him to be, to help and purge him of this." He muttered flatly before he stood up straight, clearly having been bent over Ratchet to get a good look at him.
"There's one thing you should know, my lord." Knock Out said, stepping forward and to Ratchet's other side. He felt more like a science experiment with the two on either side of him.
"And what is that, Knock Out?" Megatron asked flatly.
"He went into a beast-like state, nearly killing me." Knock Out said with a frown, making Megatron chuckle.
"Don't be so dramatic, from what I see, he merely bruised your pet." He growled, making Knock Out step back slightly and stammer. His shoulder guards flicked as he stomped a pede on the metal floor.
"Well, it could have been me!" He said as he clenched his fists and frowned at his leader, who only quirked a brow.
"Focus, Knock Out." He said as he crossed his servos over his chassis, attention going back to the medic on the table, who seemed to just be listening and looking back and forth between them. He was trying to make sense of what was going on, and so far, he got nothing.
"What else can we do?" Megatron asked, keeping his optics on Ratchet, who looked back at him. Their optics met as Knock Out was talking in the background, trying to explain some other things that could be done.
Ratchet got lost.
Lost in those Red optics and those white halos that burned brightly. Like a lunar eclipse with a background of blood, the way the moon would turn crimson, but kept it's white halo. Ratchet stared at the other, as if they had a special connection.
What is he thinking…? Ratchet thought to himself, Is he thinking of some way to kill me? To purge me of this… this disease?
Megatron got lost in Ratchet's now violet optics. The black ring in the violet suited him, the thought, as he watched them slightly twitch. Megatron didn't know why he was staring into those optics, maybe because he saw something in them.
Why am I drawn to this bottom feeder scum of an Autobot? Is it because of the power he now possesses? That has to be it… Megatron thought as he soon flicked his optics and looked to Knock Out.
"Are you even listening to a word I said?" The vermillion grounder asked, lips pressed into a thin line of annoyance and disappointment. "Primus, Megatron, I swear, since Ratchet got here, you've been acting differently. Are you sick?"
Megatron arched a brow and snorted, "Sick? Of course not, don't be stupid. I merely couldn't stand listening to you speak in a language that made no sense to me. Give it to me in simple terms; is there anything you haven't tried?"
Knock Out frowned, brows furrowed as he was clearly insulted. "No. There is nothing." He said flatly, "Unless you have any bright ideas."
Megatron narrowed his optics at the last statement, making Knock Out clear his throat quickly, "I-I mean… If you have any ideas, I'd be interested to hear them." He smiled and laughed nervously. Megatron pursed his lips before he looked back down to Ratchet, who looked back up to him.
"For now, fix his neck and vocal wires. I'd like to hear what he has to suggest for his treatment." He said as he looked to Knock Out. "And take those off of him. As long as you don't piss him off, he won't rip you a new one." He said as he let his servos fall to his hips as he gripped them, "Understood?"
"What!? Are you mad!? I can't just… I can't just release him from his bindings! What if he goes terrorcon again and really does try to kill someone!?" Knock Out asked frantically, his servos thrown up into the air, "I can't allow that, I simply cannot!" He sounded scared, afraid that it would happen again so quickly.
Megatron merely rolled his optics and sighed heavily. "Then throw him in a cell. You can do your research and work from there." He said simply, in a voice that Ratchet didn't think fit him. It sounded like he was being truthful and sarcastic at the same time. It reminded him of Arcee and her sarcastic, happy remarks.
He looked down, feeling guilt wash over him. He didn't tell anyone where he was going, how long he was going out for. He knew the others must be worried about him, looking all over for him. He vented heavily, closing his optics, as if already wishing he was simply dreaming.
He could just feel the anger and hurt, the looks they would give him when he finally returned home. He wasn't really sure he wanted to go home anymore…
"For all I know, the longer you have him bound, the more irritable he'll get and the more likely he'll go terrorcon. So let him walk around the ship, it's not like he can go anywhere." Megatron said and Knock Out had no choice but to comply.
"Fine. Fine. But if he kills someone, don't say I didn't warn you." Knock Out frowned as he pointed to Megatron. Ratchet opened his optics to watch the two again.
"I'll put him down if I have to." He shrugged simply, making Ratchet frown and looked away. What was he, some common pet that escaped the cage? Well, he sort of was…
Megatron cleared his throat before he glanced to Ratchet, and could tell by the look on his faceplate that he wasn't too happy, or comfortable with what was decided. Well, that's what he got from the others vibes. And of course, he could feel the guilt and sadness roll off of him in waves. Knock Out could too.
"Let him wander around. He doesn't need a curfew. We'll have Soundwave monitor him every few hours, just to make sure he hasn't killed anyone." He said, his voice surprisingly quiet before he turned and walked past Knock Out before he could have another say in the matter.
Watching him leave, Ratchet seemed confused as to why he spoke in that tone of voice. He sounded… concerned? Was that even a possible trait for him? Knock Out approached him and sighed, soon moving to press a key at the side of the berth, just under the edge. The cuffs released their pressure and slid off from his wrists, ankles and neck. Ratchet laid there, soon moving to rub his wrists and look at the ceiling. Knock Out rocked on the balls of his pedes and tilted his helm.
"Well, I guess you can go wherever you want. But this will be your berthroom from now on, alright?" He said, making Ratchet look over to him and slowly nodded. Knock Out clasped his servos together and smiled, "Good!"
Ratchet slowly moved to push himself to sit up, making him wince and vent harshly. Wow, everything felt stiff and everything was getting a film grain type of texture. He couldn't remember the last time he ate after purging so much the night or two before. He rubbed his helm and vented harshly again.
"Right, you should eat something. I'll give you something that'll be easy on your tanks. I suggest you take a little bit to let it settle before you do any walking, alright?" He asked as he watched Ratchet rub at his good side of his neck. Ratchet looked over and nodded.
Yeah, I understand. I'm a medic, too, you know. He thought to himself before he sighed, soon moving to let his legs hang off of the berth while Knock Out went out to get some very low grade energon, something infants would drink to help them get adjusted to regular grade energon. It was great for older mecha who couldn't process regular grade anymore.
Damn it… What am I supposed to do here? Wander the halls and try to find some way out? No, I can't do that… I can't go back to them like this… I need to stay, I need… Megatron's help… Ratchet's thoughts bounced around all over his processor, making him anxious and doubtful.
Could Megatron really help him?
Or would Megatron use him?
Those two questions burned loudly in his processor, that he didn't see Knock Out come in and hold out a cube to him, which made him jump in surprise before he sighed.
"A lot on your mind, huh? I don't blame you." Knock Out said softly and let Ratchet take hold of the cube. "Put it in the sink when you're done. Let me know when you go out so I can keep track of you." He added, getting a roll of the optics and a nod from Ratchet.
He had to admit, Knock Out did like Ratchet. He was a brilliant medic and he looked up to him. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could ask Ratchet about some of his work, maybe have him teach him a few things about specific injuries or traumas.
But for now, he'd leave him alone to drink in silence. Slipping away, Ratchet watched him leave before letting out another heavy sigh. Looking down at the soft blue liquid in the glass cube, he swished it around its container.
He wished there was a switch in his mind where he could just turn off his thoughts and listen to the silence of the room, aside from the keys on the keyboard in the main bay. Another heavy sigh, and Ratchet slowly brought the cube to his lips and started to drink.
Energon tasted more bitter when you drank alone.
