| An Honest-to-Primus Glitchead | |
|---|---|
| Date of Scene: | 07 February 2019 |
| Location: | Garrus-1 |
| Synopsis: | Hot Rod somehow manages to get Ratchet to help him free Deadlock from Garrus-1. |
| Cast of Characters: | Ratchet, Deadlock, Hot Rod |
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock is M.I.A., according to the Decepticons, but that's because he was taken prisoner after the defeat on Clemency. Since then, he's been taken to Garrus-1, Cell Block D, Section 17, one of the outlying structures of the facility that line the inside of the walls. Apparently, he isn't large enough of a threat to be housed in the higher-security inner ring.
Still, the place is depressing as ever, bleak and barren. Why would anyone come here unless forced or were required to? I.e., prisoners and wardens? That is a question that might be begged of Hot Rod and Ratchet...
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet had come for his own reasons, independent of Hot Rod's. He wanted to speak with Deadlock, in a place where the decepticon wouldn't be able to attack him... or run. Hot Rod was the last mech he expected to run into. "What are you doing here?"
- Hot Rod has posed:
That is a very good question.
The only mechs who come here willingly are the wardens (and saying they came willingly might even be a bit of a stretch).
But of course, Hot Rod is the edge case. He's always the edge case. He would have still tried to come here even if a fleet of starships armed with photon cannons were in his way. That's just the kind of loyal crazy the former Nyonian rebel is.
Once inside the brig, he's in the middle of telling the bored receptionist that Ratchet had given him permission to take his slotted appointment to see Deadlock.
She doesn't look like she believes him, and when Ratchet shows up, she just looks irritated.
Hot Rod acts surprised. "Oh, I guess the emergency surgery got canceled!" Hot Rod says, laughing and patting the doctor on the back.
- Deadlock has posed:
Of course, the prison staff are not usually in a good mood when on duty, not even the administrative types. "Fine, fine." she says. "You'd better get something good out of him." And they are given directions to the wing he's in.
When they arrive, Deadlock is sitting in his cell, looking fairly beaten up although it seems he's at least been stabilized. Despite his physical condition, he has a rather defiant look on his face.
- Ratchet has posed:
"What surgery?" Ratchet narrows his optics at Hot Rod. Before he can say something rude, the both of them are swept through the security and to Deadlock's cell.
Ratchet... he did think this far ahead, he just didn't think his planned questions and justice seeking speech would leave him the second he faced down that mech from the dead end. Hooking thumbs into his hip plating, Ratchet stares at the imprisoned mech as he thinks.
- Hot Rod has posed:
"Yeah, yeah of course!" Hot Rod reassures the secretary as he steps through the gate separating the cells from the lobby area.
Well Ratchet will have all of five nanoseconds to think before he realizes that Hot Rod has that missing medical toolkit he'd probably been looking for, for the past cycle - and now he's using the scalpel to pry the paneling off the interface that controls the locking mechanism on Deadlock's cell!
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock stares at what Hot Rod is trying to do. Good Primus, how stupid can one GET? "-Hot Rod-." He says loudly. Ugh. "Hot Rod -stop it-, you're just going to get yourself AND me into even more trouble. You're about 2 nanokliks from setting off the alarms and bringing the entirety of Garrus-1's security detail down on us. You'll get branded a traitor and I'll get sent to the maximum security area, possibly even executed. Lose-lose situation." he groans, glancing up at Ratchet. "Right, Ratchet?"
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet realizes a moment too late that Hot Rod didn't just come to be a thorn in his struts. "WHAT ARE-" He looks around frantically, dropping his voice to a venomous whisper, "What are you /doing/!?" He begins to wrestle with the thinner mech, more trying to capture his wrists than anything.
- Hot Rod has posed:
"I /know/, " Hot Rod insists. "And that isn't going to happen."
He looks around briefly for a moment, to make sure the prison guards aren't coming around the corner, then continues prying until the panel comes off.
Hot Rod fends the CMO off, with a significant amount of force. "Are you gonna help me or get me thrown in the brig with him?" he says, scowling. "You're not going to convince me to leave here until he's freed."
- Deadlock has posed:
"Yes. It is." Deadlock says, with an equal amount of determination in his voice. The panel comes off, revealing a mass of sparking wires and circuits behind it. Look who didn't bring a hacker with him? He makes an exasperated noise, turning his optics upward for a moment. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but if you touch those wires I'm going to shout at the next patrol and tell them what you're doing because I sure as slag don't want to get killed. Or sent to the central bunker." he threatens.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet definitely does NOT want Hot Rod thrown in the brig. Yet, "/Why!?/" When did Hot Rod get so strong? "Drift is right you're just going to cause more trouble! Did you even think this through before you came here!?"
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod resists the urge to just yank out all of the wires. He is realizing that it might not be a good idea to pit himself and Ratchet against all of the security here at Garrus. If it was just him here alone, well, maybe that would be a different story, but of course, Ratchet ending up in the brig is not a favorable outcome.
Oh no, it looks like a security guard is coming around the corner! His optics widen, and then he turns to Ratchet. "Quick! Punch me. Say I was trying to get you to go inside the cell so you could fix him, and ask him to put the panel back!"
- Deadlock has posed:
Wait, is Hot Rod -actually- going to listen to someone else for once? Deadlock watches, amazed as he the flamebrained mech seems to actually hesitate and not touch the wires. Amazing. "Tch, wow, I didn't know you were -actually capable- of taking advice and listening to actual REASON."
- Ratchet has posed:
"I- what, no I'll-" Ratchet reacts on instinct as the guard rounds the corner. He doesn't punch him, instead grabbing the mech by the neck in a headlock, "I TOLD you, I'm not going to go in and repair him without permission!"
Why is Ratchet playing along? Don't ask him.
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod pretends to struggle against Ratchet. "H-Hey!" He yells.
He then tight beams Ratchet. "<Punch me, for Primus sake!>"
The guard, irritably disrupted, comes over. "What's going on here?" he asks gruffly. Then he notices the panel lying the ground. "What the frag..?!"
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock scoffs. "Really shouldn't let any cadets who haven't been through basic training out here, don't you think?" he asks dryly as he leans against the back wall. "You'd think no one would be that stupid, but..." he shrugs.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet grunts, gritting his teeth, "He is worried about-" then does as Hot Rod says. Ratchet's fist reels back and he punches Hot Rod straight in the faceplates. He asked for it.
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod falls to the ground, optics dark. He then just lies on the ground, unmoving.
Wow, does the CMO really pack a punch or what? The warden seems mildly surprised anyway, but he shrugs and moves to take a closer look at the panel. "Damn. Ratchet, right? You know I heard some rumors about you killing a guy with a wrench..." he laughs. "Pretty impressive for a medic!"
He starts re-attaching the panel, glaring at Deadlock. "Keep your mouth shut, you piece of scrap," he growls.
- Deadlock has posed:
"Make me." Deadlock challenges the warden in response to the insult, folding his arms. He arches a brow at the comment about Ratchet. "Sounds like you've built yourself quite the reputation, there." he comments to the CMO.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet scowls at the warden, "Spread those rumors around and I may have to let you decide if they're true or not." Ratchet looks at Drift, "... Not one I gave myself." Which, in a way, makes the rumors seem truer. If he didn't purposefully make it then what kind of reputation would he get if he tried?
- Hot Rod has posed:
The warden seems amused, but he's now focused on putting the panel back on.
But while the warden is distracted, Hot Rod has gotten up quietly and picked up the medical tool kit box. And before Ratchet can protest, he using it to knock the back of the warden's helm, hard.
THWACK!
And just like that, the warden is out, and Hot Rod is looting him for his cell access card.
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock smirks at the situation that unfolds outside his cell. "Finally, a SOMEWHAT -non-stupid- plan." he remarks. "But you -do- realize that there's surveillance in here, right? And have you even thought through the part where you would've tried to get out of here without anyone seeing you with me?" At that, the alarms suddenly screech. "Welp, you've got about...three nanokliks, I'd wager, before all of Block D's security detail is on top of us."
- Ratchet has posed:
"HOT ROD!" Ratchet drops to creaky knees as he checks the warden's vitals. "What the frag are you thinking!?" Well the warden is alive, but Hot Rod may not be much longer.
- Hot Rod has posed:
He swipes the access card and the lock on Deadlock's cell clicks open, effectively freeing the Decepticon.
The warden is fine - he's going to have a hell of a helmache when he wakes ups, but it looks like he's going to be just fine.
"It's enough time," Hot Rod says, "I mean, it just has to be." He reaches down into his subspace compartment and boy, did he bring a lot of smoke grenades with him.
"Okay so you have to distract the guards," Hot Rod instructs Ratchet, "we're going to make a run for garbage chute. I saw it on our way over." And then he just starts throwing the smoke grenades down the hall, in the direction of the alarmed shouts probably coming from the prison personnel. After throwing several, he hands the rest to Ratchet. Then he starts running down the hallway in the opposite direction, motioning for Deadlock to follow.
- Deadlock has posed:
Smoke quickly fills the corridor, and the other prisoners start clamoring, hoping that perhaps the Decepticons have assaulted the facility and they might have a chance at freedom. But Deadlock does just the opposite. "Oh frag no." he says, backing away from now-open door and plopping himself down at the back of the cell. "You're the -last- person I'd ever follow -anywhere-. Besides, just look at me, do you think I'm in any kind of shape to make some sort of daring getaway, from -Garrus-1- of all places? You're out of your slagging mind. Just like you've always been." he shakes his head. "I mean you two have been in the same organization for how long now and you still haven't managed to talk some kind of SENSE into him??" he asks, staring at Ratchet. "Frag."
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet has the immediate urge to scramble back on hands and knees as Deadlock is released but resists. He's not about to remove himself from between the Decepticon and unconscious warden. "Hot Rod this isn't-" What did Hot Rod just shove into his hands? ARE THOSE SMOKE GRENADES!? "You're wha- GET BACK HERE!" Ratchet doesn't distract so much as throw one of those grenades directly at the back of Hot Rod's retreating helm. "He does what he wants! How the frag am I supposed to change his stubborn processor!?" Seems they are sort of on the same page.
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod looks insulted and offended. "What? No.. NO! I'm /not/ leaving here without you. I did /not/ drag my aft all the way here to have you /refuse/ to leave!"
He dodges the smoke grenade Ratchet throws at him.
Oddly enough, all the clamoring from the prison sentries has stopped. Did they stop giving chase?
Their question is answered soon enough. A tall mech with gruesome looking face paint, flanked by two, smaller, masked mechs emerge from the smoke. Ratchet might recognize him, and if not, he's definitely heard rumors about a guy who worked for Garrus-9 as the top prison warden. He would sometimes visit the other Garruses, to perform operations checks, and maybe it's just their luck he stopped by this cycle.
He looks to Hot Rod, tsking. "High treason the time I visit, hmm? Well, I guess you've made my cycle." He raises his weapon, aiming it straight at Hot Rod. He clearly has no intention to mildly incapacitate. Oh no, whatever he has planned looks.. incredibly painful.
Hot Rod looks frightened, but not because the mech is scary. "Look, I don't want to fight.." he says.
But if no one interferes, the mech is going to fire point blank into Hot Rod's chassis...
- Deadlock has posed:
Ugh. UGH! Why?! Deadlock glares at Hot Rod as the brightly-painted mech protests. "I didn't -ask- for you to come out here with some half-cocked plan to get me out of this hellhole. You are a glitchead, do you understand? An honest-to-Primus GLITCHEAD. You are the stupidest mech I've ever met. You come in here, thinking that you can be some kind of big hero, but all you're doing is getting yourself and everyone who tries to help you KILLED. Why don't you ACTUALLY think about what you're doing once, slag it! Why don't the two of you just leave me the FRAG ALONE?! Do you know what that means?! Stop being miserable saps and ACCEPT the fact that I've made my choice, and that I'm NOT your friend any more!! It's like you keep trying to hold on to some false hope that I somehow still want to care about you. Well I'm telling you right now, it doesn't -exist-."
And then the big bad shows up. And Hot Rod refuses to run, like he should have a long time ago. Again, -why-. "Look," Deadlock starts. "Sir, there's been misunderstanding. He wasn't trying to get me out, just wanted Ratchet here to repair me. It was stupid, I know, but it doesn't deserve--" he sighs. "Whatever you're going to do to him..."
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet scowls at Deadlock, "Don't look at me, I just want to know what happened after I helped you- wait, you two knew each other?" No time to dwell on that.
Ratchet knows whats happening in an instant as the other mech steps forward. He knows exactly who this is. Ratchet lunges forward to drag Hot Rod to the floor, stepping over (and maybe on) him to get between the two. "W-Wait! This isn't what it looks like-" it kinda is, "Lets all just calm down and talk this through." Ratchet still keeps himself between the weapon and Hot Rod, optics pointedly kept off the weapon barrel now aimed directly at him. "See? The's kid's just a moron, he's not a traitor."
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod's optics widen as he listens to Deadlock, realizing that Deadlock does actually still care about him, even though his words are saying otherwise. And he suddenly gets an idea.
He lets his body go limp, and he looks down at the floor. "He's.. wrong. I'm an idiot for coming here and trying to get a known Decepticon out of Garrus-1. And you know what, I deserved to be killed. So if that's what you're going to do, just.. hurry up and do it already."
The warden chuckles darkly at both Ratchet and Hot Rod. "Unfortunately, you look like an important person," he says to Ratchet, "however..." he moves the barrel aside and pushes it onto Hot Rod's helm.
Well, Deadlock might be getting out after all. The unconscious warden has a weapon on him, and the access card Hot Rod used to get him out is still lying on the floor. Across the hallway are three imprisoned Decepticons, and they're waving at Deadlock. "You might not have a chance getting out of here by yourself, but get us out, and we'll help you!"
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock stares as Hot Rod just...gives up and -admits- the truth? What the frag. Why is he so fragging -stupid-?! It's just frustrating. Ratchet's heroics are at least expected, but this? Ugh. "I--he doesn't know what he's talking about!" he insists. "I think he might be on circuit boosters or something. That's why none of this makes any sense." He glances at the access key and weapon on the floor, but doesn't think he can make to the other cells in time.
He tightbeams Hot Rod, using the hailing frequency they'd shared so many years ago. Maybe it's still there, maybe not. << You moron! If you'd just run like any sane mech would have, I could've just slipped out later on while they were distracted trying to chase you. But since that plan's out the window, just fragging play along, all right?! >>
- Ratchet has posed:
Hot Rod you idiot! Ratchet follows the gun, "You can't just execute someone in the middle of the hallway without a trial! What is this, a functionalist center?" Ratchet really hates to think it but... Now would be a good time for Deadlock to cause a ruckus. Only the Decepticon /isn't/. Why is he choosing NOW to behave?
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod doesn't respond. Instead, his optics turn off and he lets his body go limp, as if he's just passed out.
But perhaps he heard Deadlock's tight beam after all, his temporary stasis lock facade looks weirdly convincing and aligns with Deadlock's lie.
The warden looks peeved about Ratchet pushing his barrel aside and getting in front of him again, blocking his shot of Hot Rod. "What happens here, stays here," he hisses, "and I can do whatever I damn well please. Now, get out of my way."
- Deadlock has posed:
"Oh, really now does it?" Deadlock questions the warden's claim. "Aren't those surveillance feeds?" he asks, looking up toward one of the cameras. "And doesn't high command have access to whatever they want to have access to?" he shrugs. "I mean, I dunno, but that's how things work on my side of this fight... and I don't think Optimus Prime would approve of that, do you? Unless all his talk is just that--talk." he scoffs a bit at that.
- Ratchet has posed:
"You really think this wouldn't reach the higher ups!? You're a fool if you think Prime wouldn't hear about one of his soldiers being offed in a facility thats supposed to keep them safe!" Prime would find out as soon as Ratchet would be capable of getting a message to him, even if he had to blow someone's audials out screaming it. "He's clearly just a moron high on boosters, "What would be your big plan? 'Sorry I just executed a an unarmed mech who was acting moronic because of boosters'. I'm sure that would go over well!" He still hasn't got out of the way.
- Hot Rod has posed:
The warden groans. "Oh, please, you're being terribly dramatic," he says, "I never said I /intended/ to kill him. This weapon isn't designed to do that. The chances of that happening are below forty percent. The only real consequence, if you could even call it that, is that he'll be much dumber and probably easier to persuade. But isn't that what you want, anyhow?" However, he's saying it like he's seen people be killed with it before. He scoffs. "And I'm just supposed to /believe/ you when you say he's on drugs." He glares at Deadlock. "And since when did you care about the well being of either of them, hm?" his optics narrow, then his gaze returns to Ratchet. "What's this all about?"
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock shrugs at the question of when he started caring about Hot Rod. "You know what, you're right." he says, backing up against the rear of his cell. "I -don't- care. He got himself into this mess, he'll have to get himself -out- of it." Of course, while the warden had been staring at Ratchet, Deadlock had already swiped the downed guard's access key.
- Ratchet has posed:
"Ok, him." ratchet motions to Deadlock, "I have no idea what he's on about. I'm shocked he hasn't bolted." He motions aggressively to Hot Rod, annoyance bleeding into his frame, "But him I'm responsible for. He's a patient. And why the frag would he try to break a Decepticon out of jail in the middle of the day in plain sight for if he WASN'T high on boosters? He's an idiot but he's not suicidal." Only he is. And that fact is only making Ratchet angrier.
- Hot Rod has posed:
"I'm tired of this!" The warden barks angrily. "You're wasting my time. I'm relatively certain he's not going to die. Now get out of my way." To the other two masked sentries flanking him, he says, "Secure the prisoner in his Primus damned cell. This is foolishness." They approach Deadlock as the warden shoves Ratchet aside and aims the barrel at Hot Rod.
He's about to pull the trigger when Hot Rod suddenly sits up and shoots the warden's wrist point blank. The warden howls, his hand now a smoking mess. But Hot Rod doesn't hesitate. He starts shooting at the sentries approaching Deadlock. Shocked, they stumble backwards. "Run!" he yells to Deadlock. "We've got this."
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock doesn't seem too concerned about other two sentries about to lock him back in. He does, after all, still have the key. Not that it'll be any good for that long, since they'll probably switch the access codes after this, but it should work for now. He was -going- to bolt to draw them away, but then Hot Rod had to insist on being the diversion -himself- instead. Pff, typical.
"Ugh, -fine-! But if I listen to you this time, promise me you'll leave me the frag alone from -now on-. Got it?" He starts off, but given the shape he's in...he doesn't make it very far. In fact, he's not even out of their optical field by the time he simply collapses from exhaustion. Honestly, any medic would probably be surprised he was even -standing- and talking just now.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet hits the floor as he's shoved aside. With a groan he shoves himself up to hands and knees, "NO YOU CAN'T-" And up Rodimus goes. That. Idiot. "HOT ROD!" Well, its quickly becoming obvious he isn't in on whatever is going on, as Ratchet lobs whatever he can grab next at the speeder's back. "YOU BETTER HOPE ONE OF THE GUARDS GET THEIR HANDS ON YOU FIRST!"
- Hot Rod has posed:
It's one of those smoke grenade Hot Rod brought along.
Fortunately the timing is perfect for Hot Rod, when the smoke grenade goes off, the former Nyonian rebel seizes his chance and knocks the warden over the back of his helm with his gun. Then he dashes off, having noticed Deadlock collapse from exhaustion. Hoisting the Deception onto his shoulder, he disappears around the corner and out of sight.
When the smoke clears, Hot Rod and Deadlock are both gone, the warden is unconscious, and the two sentries, apparently, didn't try to follow the former Nyonian. Instead, they're standing over Ratchet. "Doc, you alright?" They're not the brightest, one could suppose.
Well by now, the regular Garrus-1 personnel have arrived on the scene, looking extremely displeased. "What the hell just happened?" the chief security officer barks, "this is one hell of a Primus damned mess! Find that Autobot!"
Meanwhile, Hot Rod has found an empty cell, blasted the floor vent covering over the maintenance shaft to bits and is now proceeding to shove Deadlock down it.
Imagine being thrown head first into a dirty toilet while unconscious. Yeah, of course Hot Rod is is your best friend, Deadlock.
- Deadlock has posed:
The rest of the security personnel are none too happy, of course. They -would- have been already on the scene if this 'visiting warden' guy hadn't insisted on handling the situation himself. Clearly, he had overestimated himself and his goons a BIT. But maybe they also underestimated Hot Rod. Hot Rod...well, let's just say he has a -reputation-, too. "Ugh, I'm reporting you to Maximus, Slackshod. You're -pathetic-."
Thankfully, Deadlock does not wake up until after he lands on the ground after falling down the maintenance shaft. But, he's still in pretty terrible shape. "...spawn of a glitch did it..." he mumbles. "can't believe..."
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet grabs the arm of one of them, using them as a counterweight to drag himself to his feet. They don't get a thank you. "You know as much as I do!" Ratchet growls to the security head. He storms off to help security find them, a slight limp to his stride from hitting the ground as hard as he did.
- Hot Rod has posed:
By now, the warden at least has woken up and is in a dazed state. He moans and doesn't respond to the other security personnel bad mouthing him, until they say they're going report him to Maximus. "N-no! Primus, no! Not again - p-please.. I--"
"Doc, you're limping!" one of the sentries yelps. "I'll call medical," he says, "we should get you out of here fast!" They grab him by the arm and drag him away from following the security personnel, who are now starting to search the prison for Hot Rod and Deadlock.
Meanwhile, Hot Rod hears the rapidly approaching footsteps and quickly moves the berth over the hole before prostrating himself on the ground and lowering himself down into the maintenance shaft.
The fall is.. longer than he'd anticipated, and when he lands, it's in massive pile of afterburner grease. "Ugh..." he mutters. Then he immediately gets up and peers at Deadlock. "You okay?"
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock is definitely not okay. He seems to be...staring blankly at nothing with a dazed expression on his face. "..."
- Ratchet has posed:
"I AM medical!" Ratchet snaps, mouth gaping as he is near swept off his feet by the two mechs grabbing his arms, "I'm fine, slaggit!" Where are they taking him now!?
- Hot Rod has posed:
"Deadlock.. Drift. Drift!!" He waves a hand in front of the Decepticon's face. "Dammit.." he mutters. He hoists his bff back up onto his shoulders, and after taking a moment to look around, heads down a dark, smelly corridor to his left. He's not sure where is goes, but hopefully, he'll find his way out eventually.
As he's walking, he radios Ratchet. "<Ratch, he's in really bad shape. You actually do need to fix him. Can you meet me in the outskirts of Stanix after this?>"
"Yeah, but you're not doing a very good job of fixing yourself," one of them chuckles. "We're taking you ... uh... back to the Decagon! Repair bay, right? That's where you belong. Say, I heard some story about you once, back when you used to party real hard! I heard one time, you were so drunk, you started straight pouring Nightmare Fuel into your subspace compartment! That true...?"
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet scowls at the one asking his questions, "How is that any of your business!?" Its not a denial. He continues to spit and struggle against them as they go, not letting up as he gets a comm from Hot Rod. His end is deathly silent for a long time, before Hot Rod gets a painfully short answer, "< Fine. >" And thats that.
- Hot Rod has posed:
The other sentry giggles. "Oh yeah, and there was another rumor about you asking the TA to be your conjunx in the middle of lecture... can't remember if the story went that you were drunk, hungover, or actually in your right mind..."
At that moment, one of the other prison personnel from Garrus-1 approaches them, scowling. "What the hell are you doing? Make yourselves useful and actually start looking for the missing Decepticon and his damn accomplice." Or is it the other way around? Who knows, really...
Either way, Ratchet will be relieved of the two sentries and their embarrassing anecdotes about him.
Ratchet won't be able to see Hot Rod, but the former Nyonian rebel is fist pumping. Careful now Ratchet, Hot Rod has now categorized you as a "Fellow Willing Rebel."
After wandering around aimlessly for about a quarter of a cycle, Hot Rod finally finds a shaft that opens to the outside of Garrus-1. Still covered in afterburner grease, the turbo revvin' young punk climbs aboard the shuttle he'd boarded earlier to come here. Fortunately, it's the dead of night, so there's no one else on it.
Once back on Cybertron, Hot Rod radios the CMO again. "<See you in the outskirts of Stanix soon?>"
- Ratchet has posed:
"What?? Who would spread that rumor, I'd never be drunk in a lecture!" The whole partying thing was for AFTER! Ratchet shakes himself out of that mindset. "And its none of your business!" He reminds them just as the two are made to go back to their actual duties.
After that Ratchet manages to scowl, threaten, and bribe a ride off Garrus-1.
"<Hot Rod.>" The message is simple, deadly quiet, "<We are going to be having a /talk./>" A talk that involves a lot of yelling and and flying wrenches.
- Hot Rod has posed:
"<Perfect!>"
Not too long afterwards, Hot Rod shows up in the outskirts of Stanix. Somehow, he'd managed to procure a stretcher of sorts and has laid Deadlock on it carefully. He's very vigilantly watching over the Decepticon, wiping his wounds with a clean rag he'd swiped from.. somewhere.
And when Ratchet arrives, that's how he'll find Hot Rod - sitting on a rock next to the stretcher Deadlock is lying on, holding a rag to one of his open wounds, looking really sad and concerned, actually.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet was planning to charge in, optics blazing, and rip Hot Rod a new tailpipe but the speeder's concern gives him pause. As does Drift- Deadlock now.- on the stretcher. He has a harsh sense of deja vu as he stares down at the motionless frame before him. So, instead of welding Hot Rod's aft to the ground, Ratchet silently walks up and kneels beside the stretcher. His scanner runs across Deadlock's frame as he examines the damage.
- Hot Rod has posed:
And for once, Hot Rod doesn't say anything or even try to get in Ratchet's way. He steps back, hugging himself a bit worriedly, silently watching Ratchet do what he does best, brow ridges furrowed.
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock is definitely in rough shape. As a matter of fact, it's kind of incredible that he's even still alive. It looks as if perhaps someone had done some slipshod patch job before they'd dumped him in a cell, but it had clearly been done in a rather sloppy and uncaring fashion. And purposefully so, too. Just to barely keep him alive. But he has lost so much energon, it was amazing that he was even still able to function when they'd approached him earlier. His optics flicker and he stares up at the CMO. "R-ratchet...?" he sounds confused.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet doesn't even spare a full second to look at at Deadlock's face, "Mute it." The harsh words don't have any bite behind them, "Save your energy to betray us later." The CMO speaks to Hot Rod as he unpacks his supplies, "He's in bad shape, and I swear to Primus if you breath a word of this to anyone I will make sure you can never speak again." The threat doesn't entirely work when he's schooling his voice so he doesn't risk panicking Deadlock below them.
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod just nods. Wow, he's being incredibly... obedient?? That's unusual for Hot Rod. Instead, he actually makes himself useful by positioning himself behind a rock and keeping watch of their surroundings, to ensure that no one finds them while Ratchet is performing surgery.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet puts his helm down and begins his work, going about the careful process of fixing the worst of the Decepticon's injuries... only the worst though. If you think he isn't going to be petty and leave the painful but non threatening injuries in place, you would be wrong. Once he's done he rocks back on his heels and looks over the work he's done. Good Enough. "You owe me a very big favor, Hot Rod." He informs the younger Autobot as he stands on creaky legs. "And if this comes back to me, I'm blaming it all on you." As he rightly should.
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod's optics light up happily and he actually crushes the CMO in a bear hug.
After a moment, he steps back, patting Ratchet on the back. "Ratchet, I don't know what I'd do without you," he says gratefully, "I'm so glad to have someone I can always count on 100 percent," he says, "and I can proudly say that you're one of the main reasons why I'm still an Autobot. I know you probably think I'm stupid and crazy for busting him out. But friendship isn't a linear one sided equation. It's a choice. When I choose to be someone's friend and ally, it's a promise I'm gonna keep forever. Same goes for you."
Then he transforms, warning Ratchet, "You should probably head back to the Decagon. He might actually try to kill you when he wakes up." And with that, he drives off. But he's not heading for Iacon...
Typical. But at least Ratchet might realize Hot Rod is probably most loyal friend anyone could ever have.
- Ratchet has posed:
Ratchet blinks rapidly as he's hugged, processor not even registering that it might be a nice- father figurely- thing to return it. No, what Hot Rod gets is an almost startled, ".... How long have you been practicing that speech in your helm?" Then Hot Rod is off and Ratchet lingers for a moment. He watches Deadlock for a moment, stare steady. Kneeling, Ratchet leaves behind a single cube of energon before transforming and leaving towards Iacon.
Hot Rod isn't quite what one would expect from an Autobot, but at least its good to know he's got the spirit. He's got the spirit kind of confused, but he's got it.