Cascade spent more time in the brig, but finally she was released when there was a skirmish with another Decepticon ship and they needed her in the med bay immediately to help with the wounded.
Considering she had saved their lives on Trisen, Cascade had five mechs that took it upon themselves to keep an optic on her now that she had gotten herself into trouble. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe entered the rec room in time to hear Cascade say, "I'm a medic. I'd know, wouldn't I?" Before an angry Cliffjumper could retort back at her, Sideswipe grabbed him from behind. "We know we told you to pick on someone your own size short stuff, but really, leave the youngling alone."
Cliffjumper turned quickly pushing off Sideswipe's hand and releasing a snarl. "She's not my size," he retorted.
"I don't see any difference," said Sideswipe glancing at Cascade's smallest form and then at Cliffjumper. "Don't you agree Sunny?"
Sunstreaker nodded his head in agreement.
"Word of warning, you really shouldn't be trifling with someone who can put on her over armor and simply step on you," said Sideswipe.
"Or someone who can take on Ratchet," added Sunstreaker.
Cliffjumper went to retort when Prowl called his name from the door and he turned distracted. This let the twins steal Cascade and move off to the energon dispenser. "C'mon bitlet," said Sideswipe smiling. "You can sit with us. We don't resort to undersized tactics."
After getting some energon, they all settled at the counter with a twin flanking each side of her. "We didn't think you'd get out of the brig so soon," said Sideswipe grinning widely. "I heard you forced Ratchet into recharge again."
Cascade ducked her head guiltily. "They pulled me from the brig prematurely to hold two sparks in my emergency carrier chambers for several hours while they repaired their frames enough to return them. My systems didn't react well to holding them for so long so Ratchet insisted on checking me over after. He got a little too interested in digging into my other systems and it activated my security chip. I put a chip in place as a precaution that would make it look like my systems were failing if someone tried digging too deep. It stopped him from examining me further and he was really mad when he finally noticed it. I put him into recharge to save myself and got out of there. It was rough."
"I can imagine," said Sunstreaker placing a hand sympathetically on her shoulder.
"Maybe they'll let you off for good behavior," said Sideswipe trying to cheer her up. "After all, you did help save those mechs."
"They just do what they want," said Cascade venting tiredly. "I'm sure Prowl will be back to collect me soon enough. I'm only in here to get some energon."
"We overheard Ratchet ranting when we were passing by med bay earlier," said Sideswipe. "Is there something wrong with your systems?"
"It only applies to the defense forces. We're not fully equipped to handle all the modifications that were applied to our frames all the time. With everything left the way it was, our systems would have slowly broken down. Ratchet noticed it before I did."
"Can it be fixed?" asked Sideswipe in concern.
"It already has been," said Cascade. "All it took was a reduction in the size and amount of subspace capability. I also made adjustments to the power regulators for certain mods. It wasn't that big of a deal, but Ratchet is mad that I consolidated them without telling him. I guess he still doesn't get it that I was created to fix them."
"Ratchet seems to have it out for you," said Sideswipe raising an eye ridge.
"No worries," said Cascade taking a drink of energon. "I won't let him make me into his pet science project no matter how badly he wants to figure out my frame. When the time comes, he can examine my offline husk or what's left of it."
"I don't think Ratchet meant to cause you problems," said Sunstreaker. "He's the CMO so he needs to know about everyone's systems and yours is just slightly more specialized."
"I'm not an Autobot so I don't fall under his care and you weren't the one he called an abomination when he first saw my systems," said Cascade. "I refuse and I'll continue to refuse any further treatment from him. Special features my aft. If you had them in place of me, what would you do?"
The twins went silent.
"As soon as we get to Cybertron," said Cascade crossing her arms defensively. "I'm getting off this ship and as far from any medics as possible even if it means I have to disappear. I've provided enough help."
"Ratchet's a stuffy old cog, but I don't think he'd hurt you," said Sideswipe. "This whole situation is probably about your subspace key."
"Yea, we heard about that," said Sunstreaker meeting Cascade's gaze. "There is probably not a bot on the ship that hasn't."
"Everyone has things they want to protect," said Cascade looking down. "If I give the key to him or any other Autobot, they'll be obligated to share it if the command structure orders it. Do you want Prowl or Red Alert to be able to search your subspace for unauthorized materials?"
"Primus no!" said Sideswipe in horror.
"That's why I haven't shared it," said Cascade. "As for Ratchet, he seems to have a subconscious need to prove that he's better than me."
"You don't agree?" asked Sideswipe.
"There's no contest," said Cascade. "I was created to fix the unique systems of the defense forces, but Ratchet's far more experienced so of course he beats me. There was never any competition in the first place."
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker exchanged a glance over her head.
Smokescreen who was sitting a few seats down from Sunstreaker had overheard the entire conversation. "I'll have a word with Ratchet," he said in a private comm to the twins.
"You may have to get Prime involved," responded Sideswipe over the comm. "Ratchet doesn't take criticism well."
"On the whole, you can trust Ratchet," said Sideswipe to Cascade.
"You've known him longer," said Cascade. "He has yet to earn my trust." Cascade turned as she heard her name. Prowl stood at the door waiting patiently for her. "Looks like my warden is here. See you later."
Later that day, Ratchet walked up to Cascade's cell. The brig was currently empty save for herself. She focused on him, but neither moved nor said anything.
"I didn't intend to force you to this point," said Ratchet in obvious remorse. "I apologize for not consulting you about the blocks and I will stop examining you as long as you come in for routine inspections with Jolt or First Aid when I'm off duty for as long as you remain on this ship."
After he left, First Aid arrived and passed Cascade some energon.
"That was painful for him to admit," said First Aid. "But now he'll be forced off duty or you'll never be able to come for a checkup. After all this time, it was unlikely he would listen to me or Jolt. Thanks for your help."
"You're welcome," said Cascade. "Having a fully functional CMO is necessary for this crew."
Jazz shifted in the shadows of the brig and left unnoticed. He promptly entered Prowl's office unannounced despite the scowl Prowl gave him. "I just heard something good," said Jazz sliding into a chair. He related what he had overheard in the brig.
"It was a farce?" asked Prowl raising an eye ridge.
"Maybe not entirely, but it achieved the results Ratchet's apprentices wanted," said Jazz. "It seems the youngling has no reservations about being seen as the villain as long as things get accomplished."
"I'm concerned for her," said Prowl. "Her actions are causing her to be further isolated."
"My team is keeping an eye on her," said Jazz reassuringly. "We won't let her get hurt."