I am so sorry about the way too long wait! School and work have been so crazy and I haven't had time to get anything I've wanted to done. I sure do hope that this will make up for it, at least a little bit.

Bumblebee-the-Dork: I cant help but find Tailgate adorable! He's like a kid...a naive kid who just got a harsh history lesson. And don't worry Ratchet will come around. :)

DJ Jazzy: I'm glad you like it. :) Here's more.

...

As we all walk down the hall towards wherever Ratchet asks First Aid about this virus.

"Well, first off, your optics corrodes and leak down your face and then full blown liquefaction. Every hinge, every pivot- everything rusts and your spark starts to collapse. We lost dozens in the first hour- the security team, the miners..." First Aid explains.

I flinch at the description. Drift notices and grabs my hand and smiles comfortably. I give a weak smile back and squeeze his hand back tightly.

Ratchet points to the X on FIrst Aid's face and asks, "That says you've touched infected patients. How come you aren't displaying any symptoms?"

"Ambulon thinks us medics are more resilient because we've been exposed to so many diseases. Personally...I think that sometimes- just sometimes life persists." First Aid replies.

"You should have called for help." Drift states.

"Easier said than done. All communications have been down since the big bang." First Aid replies to him.

"What exactly is the big bang?" I ask.

"Well five days ago there was this noise- like an explosion. Loudest thing you've ever heard. Afterwards, people started getting sick. We think the D.J.D detonated some kind of dirty bomb- we just can't work out where, and to be honest..." First Aid opens the door to the emergency ward. "We've had other things on our minds."

Once inside I notice another mech working on a patient. Their obviously a medic with his red and white paintjob. Ratchet walks up to the mech and examines the patient. "I can't help noticing Ambulon, that none of your older patients are showing signs of infection. They're not 'crying'."

"Yeah- for some reason the long term patients aren't affected." Ambulon replies.

"And this is everyone?" Ratchet asks.

"Not quite."

"I'd heard he was still alive. I'd sort of hoped- for his sake- I'd sort of hoped it wasn't true." Ratchet says.

"Pharma calls it an eternal coma. We've tried everything to wake him up..."

"Here we go again. First Aid we've been through this a thousand times." Ambulon sighs.

"Been through what?" Ratchet asks.

"I've developed a new method of spark resuscitation. Basically- very basically- you've got a healthy spark to boost a faltering one. I call it 'jump starting'. Ambulon says it's too risky but you're here now. What do you think?" First Aid asks Ratchet.

"I think it's high time I saw Pharma." Ratchet replies.

"Okay fine but I can do this. I'll use my own spark. It'll work, trust me. What do you say?" First Aid asks.

"Are you sure that's safe for you?" I have to ask.

"Well it is just a theory but I'm sure it would work. Thank you for your concern miss Shadowmist." He replies sweetly.

"It may not be a good time but its nice to meet you." Ambulon says.

"You too. Oh, this is Drift and that's Pipes." I reply while introducing the two mechs he may not know.

"Nice to meet you both." He replies.

"Alright, so wheres Pharma?" Ratchet asks.

"He's in our quarantine room. I'll take you down there." Ambulon replies.

~ ON THE LOST LIGHT~

Tailgate storms towards his room in an angry fashion. After finding out what the Decepticons were really about. The source of his in is a purple one horned former Decepticon. He opens the door to his shared room and glares behind his visor at the mech sitting in room. "You lied to me! You made me look like an idiot! All that scrap about the Decepticons being freedom fighters when you knew they were the bad guys! You knew!"

Cyclonus huffs before answering. "I gave you the briefest overview of the war through the eyes of an outsider. You're the one who decided you wanted to pick a side. Bad guys and good guys...do you really think its as straightforward as that?"

"You let me walk around an Autobot ship and tell everyone I wanted to be a Decepticon and- and-ARRGH!" Tailgate makes a fist and hits Cyclonus on his arm.

Cyclonus glares at the minibot.

Tailgate immediately regrets doing so and tries to apologize. "I'm sorry Cyclonus. I'm just-

KRAK

Cyclonus cuts him off by hitting Tailgate making him fly towards the opposite wall and to the ground. He then gets up and heads to the door, but approaches Tailgate first.

Tailgate tries to apologize to him. "Please I- OOF!" He's cut off by Cyclonus kicking him in the middle. He then curls in on himself and starts shaking. "I'm sorry."

Cyclonus doesn't hear the apology because he's already out the door.

~BACK ON DELPHI~

"What've you done to him?!" Ratchet exclaims as he sees Pharma trapped in a glass room.

"I haven't done anything. That's the quarantine room. Pharma was working in there when we heard the big bang. The door sealed itself automatically. It won't open until enough time has passed for all known technopathogens to die out." Ambulon explains.

"But that'll take-"

"Millions of years. Yeah, I know." He interrupts Ratchet.

I, along with everyone else, notice Pharma trying to say something but he can't be heard. I walk closer and even stick my audio right next to the glass but I still can't hear him. "This glass must be really thick because I can't hear a word he's saying." I state.

Ratchet turns to Ambulon and says, "You do know you can override this lock, right? You're the ward manager- you've got clearance to unlock anything."

"Really?" He asks in surprise.

Pharma still tries to talk but he still can't be heard. He then takes some kind of laser pen or scalpel or something and writes on his hand. He then places it on the glass where we can read the words "Your friend is upset."

We hear a groan behind us and see Pipes shaking, looking scared, and walking towards us. "Help me..."

"Pipes!" We exclaim in worry.

"Pipes, what's wrong?" I ask worriedly.

"I feel funny." He replies while getting closer.

"Keep talking. Talking is good. Talking means your winning." Ratchet encourages.

"...but I'm scared." He adds.

"Focus! Describe our symptoms- help me understand! Tell me how it feels." Ratchet urges.

"It feels wet and kinda horrible..." Pipes replies weakly. He then lets out a pained UURRRGGH! As a piece of his arm fall off.

"Pipes!" I yell in worry.

"Drift-Keep him occupied while I get Pharma. Don't kill him!" Ratchet exclaims. "Shadowmist, I want you to stay back!"

Pipes walks towards Drift, but Drift jumps over him. However, Pipes manages to catch him in the corner. "HEEURGH!" Pipes makes a chocking gagging sound as some kind of liquid shoots out of his mouth and eyes.

"Ratchet! He's cornered me! What do I do?" Drift exclaims.

"Something non fatel!" Ratchet replies.

I go to run towards the pair but Drift stops me by saying, "No Shadow, stay back! I don't want that stuff getting on you!" He then jumps over Pipes and takes out one of his swords and smacks the hilt to the back of his head making him fall unconscious.

"I think you should sleep this one off."

I rush over and ask, "Are you alright?"

"Don't worry. I'm fine." He replies as he puts his sword back in his hip scabbard.

I look to the prone from of Pipes. "Poor Pipes can he be fixed?"

"I'll take him back to the ward and hook him up to a nucleon feed, buy him some time." Ambulon replies.

"What happened to Pharma?" Drift asks.

"He went running off to the cells. He says he's worked out what's happened." Ratchet says.

"Can he be fixed?" I ask.

Ratchet looks at my worried expression and says, "If we get him stabilized then yes."

"I've got him." Ambulon says. He picks up Pipes gently and then we all run towards where First Aid is. "First Aid! Where are you? We've got a fader!" He lays Pipes on a berth, whom groan in pain.

Ratchet grabs his servo. "I've got you." He tells him.

"First Aid told you my theory then? That medics are uniquely resistant to the effects of the virus?" Ambulon asks.

"All I know is that this Autobot is scared. I'm just pleased that my hands are still good for something. Ratchet replies.

"Ratchet? I need to talk to you..." Drift says trying to walk closer.

"Stay back! You might get infected." Ratchet states.

"I think it's a bit late for that. Pipes must've sprayed me. I'm sorry." Drift replies. I look and see that he has some kind of liquid coming out of his eyes and mouth.

"Drift!" I exclaim in worry.

"Stay back Shadow! I don't want you catching it!" Drift exclaims.

"But Drift-"

"No Shadow! I'd never forgive myself if I let you get hurt. Please stay back." He pleads.

I just about scream in worry. I can't stand the thought of losing him. So, I run up to Ratchet and plead, "Ratchet fix him."

He actually looks at me. "Shadow-"

"I'm sorry about what I said and I wish I could take it back. I didn't mean any of it and I'll do whatever it takes for you to forgive me but please fix him." I beg.

He looks at me sadly. "You know I'd do everything in my power to save someone, but I may be infected too so I may not be of much use for much longer."

My spark feels like it stops...I've lost a lot of things, but I can't let Ratchet be one of them. "No, you'll be okay. I can't lose you too Ratch."

He looks at me sadly but before he can reply Pharma slams into the empty berth by us. By the way he landed it looked as if he was thrown. "Pharma!" Ratchet yells in worry.

"They were...waiting for me...the Decepticons. Someone had already let them out. Some sort- some sort of remote override." Pharma states.

That's when two Decepticons walk into the room with weapons. "What have we here?" One asks.

"Some Autobots, some medics, and a traitor." The other replies.

"Really? All I see is a room full of the dead and dying." The first says.

"And believe me that's a generous use of the present tense." The other adds.

Ratchet puts his hands up in surrender. "Alright enough! I don't know who you are but you've won okay? If that's what it takes to send you on your way then fine, you've won."

"Ratchet, my friend here begs to differ." First Aid says walking into the room. He has medical clamps attached to him and a hulking mass of a mech standing behind him. In short, hes huge.

The huge mech glares at the two Cons in front of him as he asks, "Do you two realize where you're standing?"

"No?" They reply obviously intimidated by his size.

"Then let me explain. My name is Fortress Maximus. Five years ago I was attacked by a Decepticon so powerful he redefined the word. He took me down hard. I was paralyzed, lobotomized, and left for dead. All of which means that right now you two- you two Decepticons- being the very first Decepticons I've encountered since I was all but beaten to death- are standing in the very worst place in the universe." Fortress Maximus states fiercely.

Then with speed I didn't think possible for a mech his size grabs one of them and literally rips him in half, and then slams the two ends together. He then turns to the other mech, whose right leg from the knee down is gone, is trying to hop away. "And don't think I'm finished with you!" He quickly grabs the scared mech and harshly punches in the face, denting it in and spilling energon.

"Er, Fortress Maximus?" Ratchet tries to pacify him.

Fortress Maximus doesn't hear him and grabs the Con's head, whose still alive, and places him under his shoulder vent. "Oh pleaseohpleaseohplease-" He's cut off by his head being crushed when the plating closes on it. Maximus then drops the body.

I try not to purge at what I've just seen. I haven't seen anything like that since the war, which wasn't that long ago, but still. It's very hard to watch, and I can feel myself shaking.

Ratchet walks calmly up to him while saying, "Max? I think that's enough- Honestly, I-I think that's plenty."

"Yeah, yeah your right. But it felt good though." He replies.

I look and see Drift lying on the with some kind of rust colored liquid pooled underneath him. "Drift!"

"Don't Shadow! You could catch it!" He protests.

"I don't care." I reply while kneeling by him and grabbing his hand. I can feel myself tear up looking at him.

"This takes me back-all the way back to Rodion. With Ratchet trying desperately to save my life and you trying to keep me grounded. You always were such an angel...I'm URGH! Predicting a different outcome this time 'round." Drift relies while squeezing my hand back.

"Shut up. You're not going to die." I interrupt.

"Yeah? P-prove it.' Drift adds.

Fortress Maximus starts complaining about the head of the Con in his shoulder vent.

Ambulon offers to help. He gets it out as he says, "Hold still. I'm just going to very carefully-"

"-Not move another inch." Pharma says from behind him with a gun aimed at his head.

I scoot closer to Drift just in case Pharma goes off the deep end even more.

"oh, you must be joking." Ambulon says dryly while raising his servos up.

"Yeah? Tell that to the gun in my hand." Pharma retorts.

"Pharmaa? What are you doing?" Ratchet asks.

"Those two Decepticons? Ambulon was the one who released them. He's to blame for the virus too- I'm sure of it. He used to be a Decepticon. You knew that, right? Ten years ago he switched sides. Said he went awol to avoid being part of some prototype combining team. Except it was all a ruse- a way of infiltrating out ranks." Pharma explains.

"I was a Decepticon. Pharma, listen to me- I'm not a Decepticon anymore." Ambulon argues.

"Then how come you're not infected?" Pharma asks.

"I think I am. I just haven't displayed any symptoms yet." He insists.

"Stop it! We have dying people here so who cares if he used to be a Con." I hiss.

Pharma turns his attention to me. "It's important little femme because that means he's been lying."

"You know what Pharma? I think you're lying." First Aid states. "You said the two Decepticons were monoformers, but look! They had transformation cogs!"

"So I misread the scanner." Pharma protests.

"And you said they attacked you- but all your injuries have been caused by a laser scalpel...YOUR laser scalpel. Your wounds are self inflicted." First Aid adds.

Pharma turns to Ratchet, looking nervous. "Ratchet- buddy- you don't believe this do you?"

"...show me your alt mode." He replies seriously.

"What?"

"You still turn into a jet right? So, let's see it." Ratchet adds.

"You want me to? No!"

Ratchet then points his gun at him. "Then I'm sorry."

"What are you doing?"

"The symptoms are triggered by reconfiguration aren't they? The virus is spread by touch. But it lies dormant until the person infected changes shape." Ratchet states understanding how the virus works.

What?! Transforming activates the virus? That explains why Drift got so sick so fast.

"You're telling me that the only reason I'm not dead is-"

"Because First Aid, you haven't' switched to alt mode, and you haven't because you can't." Ratchet interrupts.

"How'd you know?" He asks.

"It's obvious. Your weight distribution is off. You've got reduced flexion in your spinal strut, and you always lead with the right leg when you walk. All signs-massive flashing neon signs of a malfunctioning transformation cog." Ratchet medically explains.

He then turns to Ambulon. "And you... when you offered to carry Pipes to the ward I thought you'd use your ambulance mode: but no, you literally carried him. It was only when Pharma mentioned the combining team that I realized why your robot mode makes no sense- why there are no wheels or windows. You CAN change shape- you've just never had a reason to."

"I have the world's worst alt mode. I turn into a leg." Ambulon replies sadly. "Ambulon: from the verb 'to ambulate' meaning to walk about. It's a stupid name..."

"But all the best names are taken." Ratchet finishes. He then turns to Pharma. "And that Pharma-BUDDY- is why you won't change shape: you know the properties of the virus and you know you'll get sick."

Pharma lets out a smirk. "Very good. No really, well done. Full marks."

"Put down the gun. You can't kill five people with one shot." Ratchet orders.

Pharma points his gun to the life support machine. "Oh I can do better than five. I can shoot this life support machine and kill twenty." He then shoots it, making it explode. This causes the sprinklers to go off.

I try to cover Drift the best I can so the water won't aggravate him.

First Aid, surprising me, goes into full medic mode. "Ambulon! Second aisle, quickly!"

"Second aisle what? What am I doing?" He asks.

"Tracer and Backstreet are on direct spark support! Pump them full of neurex saturate and when their vitals push 440 use flash-flame to cleanse their backup systems! They'll ride the boost trust me. Just make sure you flatten the kickback curve. Ratchet and Shadow, help me get Pipes and Drift onto fresh recharge slabs."

"What about Pharma" Fortress Maximus asks.

"Go after him! He won't have got far, self inflicted or not, his wounds will slow him down." Ratchet replies.

I help him get Drift onto the berth. I'm at his head so I gently place his head on the berth, as Ratchet lowers his legs. "Ratchet, I-URGH! - I need to tell you something." Drift says.

"Save it for later Drift." HE replies.

"I think later is- URGH!- for other people. All I've got is now." Drift says. "Ratchet, listen. If all this is the work of the D.J.D. and if Pharma's working for them and they're on their way- then I want you to put me out of my-"

"Don't you dare." Ratchet stops him from finishing his sentence.

I rub Drifts face. "Please don't talk like that."

He smiles sadly and although shaking he raises his servo and grabs a hold of mine that's rubbing his face. "I don't mean to worry you, but if I had a choice of getting caught by the D.J.D. or letting Ratchet put me down, I'd chose Ratchet."

"Then I'll just fight them off...I'm not letting you go." I reply.

"I wouldn't want you to." He replies softly.

"Backstreets flickering! The neurex wasn't enough!" Ambulon suddenly yells out from where he's working on said mech.

"I've got some built in reboot coils I could hook him up to- but to get the full charge he'll-"

"There's no time! He needs a full system charge!" He interrupts Ratchet.

"No problem- if you load him into me. I can give him a full systems boost." Ratchet adds.

"You can't Ratchet! If you transform you'll activate the virus! You're crazy if you think I'll just let you kill yourself like that." I protest.

"She's right. Sacrificing yourself to save a single life will condemn thousands to death- think of all those patients you'll never get to save!" Ambulon adds.

I look to Ratchet and see him in alt mode. "RATCHET!"

This catches everyone's attention and they see he's in alt mode. "What?!" AMbulon exclaims.

"Sorry. I was listening until the 'but.'" Ratchet says.

"Ratchet you idiot!" I yell at him.

"Yell at me later. Let's save lives first." He replies.

Fortress Maximus then runs back up to us. "I've lost Pharma. He ran inside a C.R. chamber and disappeared. Some sort of fake floor. I can't follow him- I'm too wide. What are you-" He stops when he sees wires connected from Ratchet's alt mode and Backstreets prone form.

"Gun it Ratchet! All the power you can give us." Ambulon states.

VARROOM!

Apparently that did the trick. "That did it. Everything's under control. If you wanna go get Pharma he's all yours." AMbulon says.

Ratchet nods. He then turns to me. "Are you going to be alright Shadow?"

I smile at his concern. "I'll be fine. I'll help out here. You go get that scrapheap."

He smiles back before walking off to go after Pharma.

I turn my attention back to Drift who says, "Nice to see you two getting along better."

"Me too." I reply.

"So, why were you two being so hostile to one another?" He asks.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you later once we get you better." I reply.

"If I get better." He says.

I notice a cloth off to the side so I grab it and start to gently clean the rust liquid off of his face. "No, WHEN you get better."

He smiles at me. "Such an angel." He mutters.

I lightly chuckle. "You said that already."

"That makes it true...you've always been my guardian angel ever since we met at Ratchets clinic in Rodion." He says softly.

"Maybe cause I thought you needed it. Would've been better if I was there more often though."

"You had creators to live with. It's only natural to want to be with them...not only that but Ratchet is rather frightening." He says.

"Not all the time." I say as I continue to wipe the liquid off his face. "I know this is a stupid question to ask, but are you alright?"

"I wish I could say I was, but this is rather painful." He says.

"Oh, I wish I could do something." I pout.

"You being here is plenty comfort enough." He replies with a smile.

"Maybe we can come up with a vaccine. Surely, whoever created this virus made a—"I pause mid sentence.

"What's wrong?" Drift asks.

"I just had a thought." I reply.

~WITH RATCHET~

Ratchet climbs down the ladder leading to a room underneath the floor. Once he's down Pharma addresses him. "There you are. Finally. I was giving you two more minutes. Dramatic escapes are worthless without witnesses."

"I'm unarmed Pharma. So you can put down the—look, even my wrists are empty. I've come here as your friend to talk some sense into you." Ratchet pleads.

"Oh Ratchet, it's been a while since anyone tried to do that. And for what it's worth, you're my friend too. Aw, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry." He replies.

"Huh?" Ratchet raises his hand to his face and wipes it. When he pulls it back to look at him he sees the same liquid Drift had on his. "I wondered why I could taste the back of my eyes in my mouth."

"Don't worry, this won't take long. See, it's important that you understand why I did what I did cos I think you'll get it. Other people not so much, but you...we're both doctors right? We know all about life and death choices." Pharma states. "Ratchet- have you ever wondered why Delphi is still standing? Or how we're able to fix all the Autobots who get injured defending the necleon mines, despite the Decepticon Justice Division making this planet their home? The D.J.D. could wipe us out in seconds-they could! But they don't and they don't because of me."

"I'm listening. I'm also thinking of a way to purge the virus from my system, grab a blunt object and beat the smile off your smug traitorous face. Just so we're clear." Ratchet snaps.

"We'll that's' not very friendly, isn't it? Listen, the D.J.D. ignore us in exchange for a regular donation: Transformation cogs. Their leader is addicted to changing shape. He's burnt through hundreds of cogs." Pharma explains.

"Its a rare condition, but treatable." Ratchet points out. "

"Yeah, except he doesn't wasn't to be treated. He just wants the next hit." Pharma says.

Ratchet looks mortified and seething. "So, wait, you harvest organs on behalf of the D.J.D.?!"

"In the beginning it was just patients who, despite my best efforts, had died on the ward. But demand increased." Pharma argues.

"You started killing your patients." Ratchet hisses trying to control his anger.

"I made judgments based on their chances of survival. Sometimes I let them slip away. Sometimes, if they really were clinging to life, I helped them relax their grip."

"You could have closed Delphi, or requested a transfer, or- or just ran away." Ratchet inputs.

"There would've been too many questions. I had to do something that would force high command to shut us down without implicating me. I had to engineer a plague. I found two Decepticons nonentities and paid them to play the victim. Once inside Delphi, they detonated a bomb."

"How? I thought they were locked in their cells." Ratchet asks.

"Their cell Ambulon let them share. They were combiners. One was called Sonic and the other-you'll like this- the other was called Boom, and at a prearranged time, when the coast was clear, they lived up to their names. Find the right frequency and volume and you can pull a cybertronian apart from the inside. I had the Decepticons detonate a soundbomb I invented- an echo laced with a virus. Everyone who heard the bomb got infected, and then when they next changed shaped the coolants and the dispersants and the anti-rusting agents in and around their cog all cross-contaminated, triggering a slow molecular breakdown. It was loud and it was nasty, and I want you to admit Ratchet- I very much want you to admit-that you're a tiny bit impressed." Pharma states.

"Impressed? I'm appalled by your stupidity. You should've paid the Decepticons to detonate the bomb within earshot of the D.J.D.!" Ratchet snaps.

"They said it was more than their lives were worth to even try."

"I still don't get it. The plan was for Sonic and Boom to release the virus and for you to lock yourself in quarantine?" Ratchet asks confused.

"I'd intended to hide in a C.R. Chamber but they were all occupied. The quarantine room was the only other soundproof environment I thought I'd be able to break out. When you showed up I panicked. If anyone could work out what was really going on it was you. After you freed me I had no choice but to ask Sonic and Boom to murder you, and everyone else. you should take that as a compliment." Pharma replies.

Ratchet sighs. "Pharma, I've been held at gunpoint by the best- Megatron, Starscream, Killmaster- remember Killmaster? With the wand? And I've never known anyone take so long to explain their grand plan. But I want to thank you, not only have you proved that you fully deserve whats coming to you, but you've given me time to fight back."

Pharma laughs at him. "Fight back? Fight back? You're falling apart!"

"I've infected you."

"You haven't even touched me!" Pharma argues.

"While you've been talking I've been corroding. I've sprung a thousand leaks, and for the last thirty-four seconds you've been standing in my rust." Ratchet smirks.

Pharma looks down and jumps in disgust at what he's been standing in. "ARGH!"

Ratchet then takes that chance to punch Pharma across the face, while grabbing Pharma's gun. "Yep- that felt as good as I thought it would."

"Stupid! You don't think I created a vaccine in case something like this happened?" Pharma asks.

"Actually I was counting on it. Hand it over. SLowly." Ratchet orders.

"And if I don't?"

Ratchet raises the gun at Pharma in reply.

"Except you can't do it, can you? You can't shoot me. you can't shoot me because killing an unarmed combatant goes against every circuit in your body." Pharma states.

"If you must know, I can't shoot you because my trigger finder isn't working." Ratchet replies.

"In that case I'd like you to meet my two best friends.." Pharma activates the guns in his shoulders and shoots Ratchet in the chest, whose too slow to dodge.

Ratchet falls to the ground.

"Oh, and you know what? You were never that good a doctor." Pharma says to his prone form before climbing up the ladder that leads outside.

~BACK WITH SHADOWMIST~

After telling everyone my theory of Pharma being the one who created the virus I rush off to where Ratchet went in order to catch up with him before anything could go wrong, after everyone telling me to be careful.

I climb down the ladder and sneak up just in time to hear Pharma admit to creating the virus and working with the D.J.D. I listen in on their conversation, but when Ratchet gets shot I nearly loose it. I cautiously wait until Pharma starts climbing up the ladder. Once he's out of hearing range I rush over to Ratchet's fallen form. I shake him gently. "Ratch?..Ratchet!"

"No need to yell. I hear you." He replies weakly.

"Ratchet!" I exclaim while hugging him. "I was so scared."

He shakily raises his arm and hugs me back. "Does this mean you forgive me for my behavior?"

"Of course I do...you old crank case." I reply with a smile. "But we can talk later. We need to get after Pharma."

He smirks. "I already am."

"How?" I ask confused.

"You'll see. Help me up. We need to get up there." He replies.

I gently help him back on his peds and then get us over to the ladder Pharma used. I had him climb up first just incase he lost his grip. He protested because he didn't want to drip the virus on me, but I assured him that as long as I didn't transform then I would be alright.

On the way up Ratchet tells me that he activated a avatar that he made. Or as he discribes it a solid light avatar. It's basically a solid hologram of a human form. It's actually genius because it should do well to distract Pharma until we can catch up.

We get up to the roof in time to see Pharma staring at the avatar as, through the avatar, Ratchet explains. "You can see why remote projection went out of fashion. It's energy intensive. It demands total concentration and they could never get the harir to look real. In fact, these days the only thing its good for ..."

"Is keeping simpletons distracted!" Ratchet finishes as he launches himself at Pharma, making him drop the vaccine.

"NO! That's the only vaccine!" Pharma exclaims. He then leaps at the edge and catches the vaccine before it can fall over.

Ratchet stomps down on his hand making him let it go. It then falls over the edge.

"You-you-you imbecile!" Pharma retorts as he punches Ratchet under the chin making him fall over.

"Ratchet!" I yell in worry as I rush over.

"Stay back! This is between me and Pharma!" Ratchet stops me.

"It'll be her problem when she becomes infected!" Pharma states.

"Are you threatening my goddaughter?!" Ratchet asks angrily.

Pharma first looks confused and then something I cant place. "Your...goddaughter?! She's your goddaughter?!...how interesting."

"Stay away from her." Ratchet hisses.

"Or you'll do what? You aren't in any position to threaten me, especially since you've just killed us by making me drop the vaccine." Pharma replies.

Ratchet gets up and rushes at Pharma and tries to shove him back. Pharma just grabs his wrists and pushes back himself. "You died a long time ago Pharma. And as for me...my hands don't work. Besides Shadowmist I'm miles away from anyone I truely care about and I'm still coming to terms with the fact that after a four million year build up peace has turned out to be a massive anticlimax. Bottom line? I've got nothing to lose, except for that femme over there and I really hate the idea of leaving her in this world without me."

Suddenly Ratchets arm just comes off and since Pharma was holding on to it he falls over. He does, however, manage to grab onto the edge before he falls. "Ratchet please...you can't leave me hanging here forever."

"It won't be forever. Look at your elbow: Theres no way that's a load bearing joint. When you fall you'll have a choice: You can change into a jet and fly away, activating the virus- or you can stay as you are and pray the impact doesn't kill you. If you want my medical opinion...you need to make a judgement based on your chances of survival." Ratchet states. He then stands up and starts walking back over to me.

I notice Pharma lining up the weapons on his shoulders, and their aimed at Ratchet. Without thinking I take out the daggers I keep in the subspace in my outer thighs and rush at Pharma. I leap and slash at his hands, cutting them clean off. And since they were the only thing keeping him from falling he does just that...down into the ravine and out of sight.

Ratchet looks down the ravine in shock and also sadness. I can understand because Pharma did used to be his friend...its never easy to be betrayed by a friend. He then turns to me, and just stares.

"I'm sorry Ratch. He was gonna shoot you." I reply.

He then suddenly rushes over to me and hugs me with the one arm that he still has. This leaves me a little confused. "Ratchet?"

"I'm so sorry." He mutters sadly.

"Sorry? About what?" I ask.

"I was so stupid. I said and did stupid stuff. I could die soon and I would have died mad at you, and about something that doesn't even matter. I am so sorry about how I've been treating you and I hope that you can forgive an old fool like me. I don't want to die with my daughter at me." He pleads.

He called me his daughter...I've always been his goddaughter even before I emerged from my carriers gestational chamber, but hearing him call me his actual daughter fills me with such love that I start crying tears of joy.

I hug him back as tight as is acceptable because I don't want to aggrivate his wounds from the virus. Even through my sobbing I get my words out. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have said what I did because I didn't mean it. Aside from my real sire you've been a true sire to me and I love you! I forgive you, but only if you can forgive me for what I said.."

"Of course I do...you remarkable younglin." He states lovingly as he pets my helm as best he can.

"Please don't die Ratchet...I couldn't handle it." I plead. "But I guess it doesn't matter. The vaccine's gone."

"Or is it?" Ratchet retorically asks. He pulls back and looks behind him where his avatar is standing...with the vaccine in its hands.

"Wha-how?! I saw it fall!" I exclaim in wonder.

"I had my avatar catch it. Let's get this back to the others and save some lives." He states.

I nod happily and help him back to the others. Everyone is estatic to see that we have the vaccine. Ambulon quickly works on replicating it and after a while everyone gets a dosage of the vaccine and is cured. Ratchet gives me a dosage as well since I've been touching those who were infected.

The medics then help repair the physical damges on their frames from the rusting. Everyone is back to a bright and shiny pristine plating in no time. I walk over to the berth where Drift is sitting up. "HOw are you feeling now?" I ask.

"As good as new, and I can say that honestly." He replies.

"I'm glad...I thought I was gonna lose you." I mutter shyly.

He smiles and pulls me into a hug, further enhancing the blush on my face. "As long as I have a say in it I won't be leaving you anytime soon. Thank you for keeping me grounded."

I hug him back tightly and say, "What are guardian angels for."

I then suddenly feel soft lips on my forhead and that makes me freeze. "Maybe I can be your guardian angel for a change."

I can feel my blush darken, if that were possible. I can help but let out a little giggle. "I would like that." I say as I stroke little circles into his chest.

This causes him to purr and when I look up at him he's giving me such a soft look that I can't help but duck my helm back to lay on his chest. This just causes him to chuckle.

"Alright everyone get ready. We're heading back to the Lost Light now that everyone is back on their feet. "Ratchet announces.

I pull back and look at the Medics. "Are you two coming with us?" I ask.

"Well there really isn't anything left for us here, and when the D.J.D come back it would be best if we were far away." Ambulon replies.

"I hope you don't mind miss Shadowmist." First Aid says.

"Not at all. Always happy to have new friends aboard." I reply warmly.

At that First Aid rushes over and pulls me into a tight hug, surprising me. "I'm so glad you feel that way! I can tell we're going to be good friends."

I laugh at his enthusiasm. "Me too First Aid. Me too."

Everyone gathers their things and we head back to the ship and away from this planet. Once we get to the small shuttle that will take us back to the ship we get situated and just enjoy the peace that follows. As we're traveling Ratchet breaks his decision to First Aid.

"Chief Medical Officer? Me?" First Aid asks surprised.

"In principal yes. You impressed me back there. Your world was falling apart but you took control. You stayed calm and put others before yourself, and unless I'm mistaken, it was you who sent the datalog-the one that exposed Pharmas malpractice." Ratchet explains.

"How'd you guess?" First Aid asks.

"Since we've met you've been quoting Fisitron- 'Life Persists' and all that. You're a fan of the Wreakers." Ratchet replies.

"I didn't know who was behind the high death rates, but I had to tell someone. As the only wreakers fan on Delphi the datalog network served as a security frequency." First Aid states. He then gets sad. "I could've saved him you know. Fisitron. Ironfist. I think that a lot. "

"Yeah. Me too."

"At least you've seen the last of Pharma. " I reassure.

"This will sound strange but I'll miss him. I'll miss his talent. For most of his life he was a fantastic doctor." Ratchet replies sadly.

"If you remember him at his best you'll always carry a part of him with you." First Aid reassures.

"Yeah. Two parts of his actually." Ratchet replies while looking at the hands that I cut off of Pharma. Ratchet's hands had been on the verge of quitting on him, but now thanks to Pharma's unwilling donation Ratchet has his hands back.

...

Well there ya'll go! After forever and a half I updated this story! SOrry it took so long but life happens. Thanks for reading.