video;

[asafepairofhands]

[This time when Ratchet starts broadcasting, the video clicks on. He looks a little worn, but there's an underlying stubborn determination there, deepening the lines at the corners of his mouth.]

Ratchet here. Consider the inorganic section of medical officially back in business. That goes for everyone who's even part mechanical, not just Cybertronians--my door is open.

If you are Cybertronian and I haven't seen you for a check, you're due. I'm aware I still can't exactly order any of the Decepticons around ranking medical officer or not, but except for certain individuals who know who they are, you're welcome as well and I recommend it. Who knows what the hell this place is doing to us--I'd appreciate a baseline just in case something does go wrong and I end up having to do something about it.

Anyway, that's it. Ratchet out.

Comments

[shiro2hero]

[By contrast, he's decidedly not looking at Ratchet's face. Since he'd been with the others, he'd... kept it all covered up. For obvious reasons. And also because trying to explain why you looked like you came out of a meat grinder is hard when you have no idea.]

[He holds still though. And shakes his head.]

It's only hurt once or twice that I remember. But it could have been more before that, for all I know.

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet makes a low sound and moves Shiro's arm up to slide his hand along the back of his bicep, his palm registering the transition from metal to flesh and mapping the shift of muscle down into Shiro's shoulder as his free hand braces collarbone. His touch moves back out, lingering along the--well, they aren't weld-marks, but close enough, and he frowns.]

I... there's a lot more to find out about this thing. But at preliminary examination, I don't think it's going to be easy to remove, let alone replace. [He steps away and hands Shiro's shirt back to him, though his eyes linger on his shoulder, his brow creased in thought.]

Why are you so anxious to get rid of it, if it isn't causing you pain?

[shiro2hero]

[It's hard to hide the way his face falls at that answer -- even if he covers it up quick enough. Nodding, like he accepts it. In part, sure, he does. Who would know better than someone whose natural, normal arms were made of similar stuff? He reaches to take the offered shirt back.]

Thanks for looking. I appreciate the time.

[Those words genuine, though he keeps his eyes averted from the look. Up until the question comes and something in his chest clenches tight. Those same muscles tensing enough to make his voice come quiet and serious, lifting his eyes to meet Ratchet's.]

Wouldn't you? If the people who kept you captive put it there, without you agreeing to it? And told you every time you saw them ... It was some great weapon of theirs?

[asafepairofhands]

Huh. Yeah, well, in that case I would. Just give me one more minute--I can't take proper scans like this.

[The holoform winks out and an engine turns over from farther back in the medbay, a squat, flat-looking red-and-white vehicle inching carefully out from where it was parked until Ratchet can clear the lower part of the ceiling. He transforms when he can, unfolding up gingerly onto one knee and opening one claw gently in an offering gesture.]

...this more what you were expecting, maybe?

[shiro2hero]

Sure, that's fine.

[He takes a step back, though, as the human vanishes. He's a little surprised, but once the vehicle rolls out, once the robot unfolds, he can't help but grin.]

[A real, honest grin. Because his first thought is, of course, Pidge would love this.]

Something like that, yeah. [There isn't any hesitation when he puts a hand in the offered claw. Shaking it a little like he would any other hand.]

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet's optics flicker in surprise as Shiro takes Ratchet's claw and shakes it, a little smile curling the corner of his mouth. It's been a while since anyone organic was that pleased to see him, and he can't help but soften a little.]

Nice to meet you properly, then. Here, let me just-- [He flips a scanner out of his wrist and runs it along Shiro's arm, frowning thoughtfully.] I doubt it'll give me anything conclusive immediately, but at least I'll have some data to work with.

[shiro2hero]

[Of course he thinks Ratchet looks fantastic. He's like a miniature Voltron. Even down to the slightly exasperated look on his face.]

Sure.

[He holds it out, keeping it steady. While the big robot works.] It... There's one other thing I can get it to do. I don't know if that would help or change anything. But it's an option if you want -- or think it'd be useful.

[asafepairofhands]

Well, there's no bad information at this stage. [Ratchet smiles crookedly.] As long as it won't tear a hole in the hull of the ship.

[shiro2hero]

All right... Just... step back a little.

[Because who knows what it would do if a robotic person handled it. No pun intended.]

[He sidesteps, and holding his hand out in front of him, lets it activate. Light covering his fingers from tip to wrist.]

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet looks down at the readings on his wrist, still scanning, and feels his optics widen slowly.]

Oh. I... see.

[shiro2hero]

Yeah.

[yeah he knows. He's moving the fingers slowly. Spreading them, making a fist.]

I've used it to go through a ship's hull. And weld a door shut. But no one knows what all it's capable of.