Hidden In Plain Sight p. 14
Rating: Mild
Words: 780
Have some more Ratchet while we're on a 'things happening to Ratchet' binge.
The drive to the Magnus' Manor had taken them almost to the other side of Iacon, and Ratchet had once again been sandwiched between Optimus, Ultra Magnus, and Arcee. The bots on the street were all staring and it was obvious they weren't staring at Ultra Magnus or Arcee. It was really starting to annoy Ratchet.
“What pit-spawned medic leaked confidential patient information?” Ratchet finally snapped.
“Actually...that information was never secured very well in the first place.” Ultra Magnus told him. “I'm afraid we were all too surprised and, well, intrigued to keep it much of a secret.”
“Perceptor kind of...announced it during one of the council sessions, as reason to put into place new scanning procedures at all medical facilities.” Optimus added. “And the medic who...opened your sparkchamber...was too excited to keep his mouthplates shut. I've been assured that he has been appropriately reassigned.”
Ratchet sighed and grumbled quietly, trying to ignore the bots on the street. This shouldn't have gotten out so quickly. Actually, it shouldn't have gone beyond those listed as emergency contacts and the medics at the Infirmary. It would have been far easier for Ratchet to adjust if this hadn't gotten out. Now that it had...every optic would be on the new 'femme' and so many-a-bot would be propositioning Ratchet, even before the changes were complete.
Soon they were passing through the gates of the Magnus' Manor, much to Ratchet's relief. Not only were they out of sight of other bots, but Ratchets side itched. Once they were inside Ratchet transformed carefully, immediately scratching hard at the offending wires and plating. Servos closed gently around Ratchet's wrist and servo.
“You shouldn't do that. You could damage yourself.” Arcee said, bending down to look closely at the spot Ratchet had been scratching at. “It looks like some of the wiring here is already starting to degrade.”
“Straightweld gave us an anti-itch salve.” Optimus said, fishing a container out of his subspace and handing it to Arcee. She opened the container and went about spreading the salve on Ratchet's side, both on the plating and the wires underneath. Ratchet should have been annoyed that Straightweld didn't give him the salve, but it felt so slagging good to have the itch gone that Ratchet brushed it aside. Snapping at Straightweld could come later.
Ratchet was quickly ushered into a large common room and settled in on the couch. Ratchet was not the least bit tired and did not slump down onto the so very comfortable couch, no matter what any other bot said.
“Would you like some energon? There are dispensers in most rooms, but if you want something more than plain you will need to tell the cooks. They are well versed and can make any fuel you may desire.” Ultra Magnus informed Ratchet.
“Just plain old energon is fine.” Ratchet answered. “Don't need anything special.”
“Mechs enjoy pampering femmes.” Ultra said softly, resting a servo on Ratchet's arm. “You need to realize that, whether or not you specify it, when you visit other homes or restaurants you will be given specialty energon. You should at least start trying some so you know what you do not like.”
“I just...ain't in the mood to be 'pampered' right now.” Ratchet told them. Seeing the rubble of the apartment and everything Ratchet had owned did not make a bot want something special. There was a breem of silence while Ultra fetched the middle grade, the other bots watching Ratchet but not speaking.
“There are many rooms in the manor you may choose as yours until a suitable residence has been secured for you.” Ultra said, placing the cube in Ratchet's servos. “Each wing of the manor has multiple floors and views that...”
“I'm not fussy.” Ratchet reminded them. “All I need is any room you already have clean and ready for guests.”
“Perhaps one in the same wing as your suite, Ultra Magnus.” Arcee suggested. “So if she needs you, you won't be far away.”
“Excellent suggestion Arcee.” Optimus commended, rising from the chair he had taken. “Sir, you need rest as much as Ratchet. I will look through the available rooms and find one that is secure and...out of direct view.”
Ratchet shuddered, realizing Optimus thought bots might try to...peep into the room while Ratchet recharged, or performed the necessary and quite frequent protoform maintenance this change had required. “Thanks.” Ratchet murmured softly, not looking the bot in the optics. “Wouldn't 'a thought of that.”
“You will be kept safe and given as much privacy as possible while you are here.” Ultra Magnus assured.
Ratchet just hoped that was true.
Words: 780
Have some more Ratchet while we're on a 'things happening to Ratchet' binge.
The drive to the Magnus' Manor had taken them almost to the other side of Iacon, and Ratchet had once again been sandwiched between Optimus, Ultra Magnus, and Arcee. The bots on the street were all staring and it was obvious they weren't staring at Ultra Magnus or Arcee. It was really starting to annoy Ratchet.
“What pit-spawned medic leaked confidential patient information?” Ratchet finally snapped.
“Actually...that information was never secured very well in the first place.” Ultra Magnus told him. “I'm afraid we were all too surprised and, well, intrigued to keep it much of a secret.”
“Perceptor kind of...announced it during one of the council sessions, as reason to put into place new scanning procedures at all medical facilities.” Optimus added. “And the medic who...opened your sparkchamber...was too excited to keep his mouthplates shut. I've been assured that he has been appropriately reassigned.”
Ratchet sighed and grumbled quietly, trying to ignore the bots on the street. This shouldn't have gotten out so quickly. Actually, it shouldn't have gone beyond those listed as emergency contacts and the medics at the Infirmary. It would have been far easier for Ratchet to adjust if this hadn't gotten out. Now that it had...every optic would be on the new 'femme' and so many-a-bot would be propositioning Ratchet, even before the changes were complete.
Soon they were passing through the gates of the Magnus' Manor, much to Ratchet's relief. Not only were they out of sight of other bots, but Ratchets side itched. Once they were inside Ratchet transformed carefully, immediately scratching hard at the offending wires and plating. Servos closed gently around Ratchet's wrist and servo.
“You shouldn't do that. You could damage yourself.” Arcee said, bending down to look closely at the spot Ratchet had been scratching at. “It looks like some of the wiring here is already starting to degrade.”
“Straightweld gave us an anti-itch salve.” Optimus said, fishing a container out of his subspace and handing it to Arcee. She opened the container and went about spreading the salve on Ratchet's side, both on the plating and the wires underneath. Ratchet should have been annoyed that Straightweld didn't give him the salve, but it felt so slagging good to have the itch gone that Ratchet brushed it aside. Snapping at Straightweld could come later.
Ratchet was quickly ushered into a large common room and settled in on the couch. Ratchet was not the least bit tired and did not slump down onto the so very comfortable couch, no matter what any other bot said.
“Would you like some energon? There are dispensers in most rooms, but if you want something more than plain you will need to tell the cooks. They are well versed and can make any fuel you may desire.” Ultra Magnus informed Ratchet.
“Just plain old energon is fine.” Ratchet answered. “Don't need anything special.”
“Mechs enjoy pampering femmes.” Ultra said softly, resting a servo on Ratchet's arm. “You need to realize that, whether or not you specify it, when you visit other homes or restaurants you will be given specialty energon. You should at least start trying some so you know what you do not like.”
“I just...ain't in the mood to be 'pampered' right now.” Ratchet told them. Seeing the rubble of the apartment and everything Ratchet had owned did not make a bot want something special. There was a breem of silence while Ultra fetched the middle grade, the other bots watching Ratchet but not speaking.
“There are many rooms in the manor you may choose as yours until a suitable residence has been secured for you.” Ultra said, placing the cube in Ratchet's servos. “Each wing of the manor has multiple floors and views that...”
“I'm not fussy.” Ratchet reminded them. “All I need is any room you already have clean and ready for guests.”
“Perhaps one in the same wing as your suite, Ultra Magnus.” Arcee suggested. “So if she needs you, you won't be far away.”
“Excellent suggestion Arcee.” Optimus commended, rising from the chair he had taken. “Sir, you need rest as much as Ratchet. I will look through the available rooms and find one that is secure and...out of direct view.”
Ratchet shuddered, realizing Optimus thought bots might try to...peep into the room while Ratchet recharged, or performed the necessary and quite frequent protoform maintenance this change had required. “Thanks.” Ratchet murmured softly, not looking the bot in the optics. “Wouldn't 'a thought of that.”
“You will be kept safe and given as much privacy as possible while you are here.” Ultra Magnus assured.
Ratchet just hoped that was true.