[video] + 001

[asafepairofhands]

[The feed cuts on to show a Cybertronian with a red and white helm, blue optics, and what appears to be a habitually irritated expression on his face. His voice is brisk and no-nonsense.]

This is Ratchet, former Chief Autobot Medical Officer. I've been assigned here as a field medic, apparently, though I'm volunteering to lend my hand in the medical bay on the ship in my off-time. I have no idea where we are or what happened to get us here, which I can deal with considering everything else that's happened the last year or so, but I really don't like not knowing the effects this "Ingress" [brings bright red hands, chipped in places to reveal specks of blue paint, up to add scarequotes] thing may have had on us, so I want people in for checkups.

Autobots, since there seem to be some of you on the ship, I'm assuming I'm still ranking medical officer here so I'm making that an order--report to Moro deck room 022 earliest. Non-Autobots... I obviously can't order you to do anything, but barring any wild extenuating circumstances you're welcome to drop by for a systems check also. You won't be turned away out of hand.

I specialize in non-organic medicine so if there are any non-Cybertronians on board who fit that bill, I can't promise anything, but I'll take a look. If you're strictly organic, you should probably just hit the regular medibay, but I've got some experience and I won't turn you away if you want to come here instead for whatever reason.

Any current medical officers seeing this, I'd like to talk supplies and if I can get put on rotation--I have a holomatter avatar, same as the others, so I'll fit just fine. Unless any of you expect my field medic duties to take up the majority of my time, in which case I would like a much more thorough briefing on what the fresh hell is going on here.

Ratchet out.

Comments

[asafepairofhands]

No problem at all.

[He watches her curiously, nodding.]

Nobody's mentioned fuel shortages to me yet, so I certainly hope so. How much do you generally need?

[bombsheltered]

Oh, whew! That's a relief. Um -- not much. Only a liter or two every week or so. I mean, I can go without refueling for a couple of weeks, but I start to get a little...sluggish.

[ she wrinkles her nose. ]

[asafepairofhands]

That's not much at all, it shouldn't be a problem.

[His mouth tilts in a half-smile.]

What are the cybernetics for? If--uh. You don't mind my asking.

[bombsheltered]

Oh, um...

[ milly turns slightly pink. it's not an unreasonable question, but she'd kept it secret at her father's behest for so long that it feels so private. she clears her throat and lifts her chin, as if to steel herself. it's weird, she almost never talks about this. except with raiden sometimes. newt, a little bit, but even he doesn't really know the full story. ]

I was in an accident as a child. My father [ and she speaks about him in a slightly distant tone ] is a cyberneticist, and he replaced all my damaged...parts or those I'd lost. He's had to make a lot of adjustments as I've gotten older, to compensate for my growth. [ her gaze shifts away from the video feed slightly. ] Most of my body is cybernetic by now.

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet's face sobers as Milly tells him, his optics darkening slightly.]

...I see. I'm sorry. I can definitely help with the Cybertronian component, and if you have anything technical about your cybernetics at all I can try to bring myself up to speed.

[He straightens a little, looking considering.]

Obviously, this is privileged medical information and you can share it, or not, with as many or as few people as you wish. But I've met at least one talented human who might have better technical expertise, if you'd want me to introduce you. That's completely up to you.

[bombsheltered]

[ she won't lie, maintenance has been a concern, namely, who's gonna do it? because not her, that's for damn sure. but newt isn't here, and neither is her dad, and she's not super keen on strangers just...taking a look at her parts, but what else is she going to do? let herself rust?? ]

Wait, really? And it's someone you trust?

[ because even if this ratchet doesn't know her, she's always thought of ratchet as trustworthy. newt always did, and that means something to milly. ]

[asafepairofhands]

Mmm. [Ratchet frowns a little.] I don't know if I'd go so far as to say trust yet, but he's good at what he does and he seems all right. I can handle maintenance for now until we're sure, that sound okay?

[bombsheltered]

[ well that's..........encouraging ]

Um...okay, sure! But you could tell me who it is, at least, right?

[ she will decide for herself if this guy is trustworthy or not. ]

[asafepairofhands]

His name's Tony Stark. He's obnoxious, but I don't think that directly disqualifies him from being an all right guy. Lucky enough for me. [He almost smiles, Milly, good luck catching it as he's making jokes at his own expense. She seemed so upset earlier when he didn't recognize her...]

Anyway, you just let me know if you want me to take a look, okay?

[bombsheltered]

[ milly brightens at that. it is kind of heartening. she used to hang out with newt geiszler, she can handle obnoxious. ]

Okay. Well, thanks. I really appreciate it. I mean -- considering you don't actually know me and all.

[asafepairofhands]

...hey. I've been hearing a lot about alternate versions of me lately, and we all seem a lot alike. If the version of me you know calls you a friend, then, well. That's enough for me.

How are you adjusting to the ship, otherwise? They give you a job, too?

[bombsheltered]

[ OH NO ratchet definitely just gave her the warm and fuzzies and it totally shows. milly beams. ]

Yeah, Field Medic. [ she purses her lips. ] Which would be fine, except I don't know anything about...field medicine. I guess I can do first aid alright...

[ but tbh she doesn't like problems she can't just punch away ]

[asafepairofhands]

Huh! That makes us coworkers, I guess--I got the exact same assignment.

[He tilts his helm at her over the feed.]

I'd be happy to give you a crash course, if you like. Cybertronian and human. It'll be good for you to learn more about your implants, in any case, if you're interested.