Void-verse. Where Scourge is. Looking for a hand.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet looks around as he appears in the new reality, feeling the mech that he's searching for, but not seeing him yet. The free spark's usually cheerful face shows deep concern today. He knows this is a long shot gamble, but he can't shake the hunch that Scourge might be able to help him.

He tilts his head and listens. Where is Scourge?

Comments

[corruptedhope]

Ratchet's happened to have appeared on the other side of a thick, slightly dented door leading out to a currently-empty loading dock. On the other side, Socurge is carefully loading crates onto a hoversled and engaging in his crate-loading meditations.

You clear the mind, you focus on the moving, you don't let anything else creep in. Just calm. Just nothing.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet slips through the door and watches for a moment, then lets just a little static touch the other mech's circuits. He also makes himself visible to Scourge, though not to any local security cameras.

Old habit. He doesn't like people getting shot because something shot at him and they were behind him.

[corruptedhope]

Scourge doesn't even notice at first, so entranced is he with his box moving. But then he sees the flash of color out of the corner of his field of vision and he whirls, clutching the crate to his chest like a shield.

"Wh-what do you want?" he asks fearfully, still wary of ghosts trying to do nasty things to him. His glance does flick to the security cameras, but only for a moment in case Ratchet notices.

[random_xtras]

Ratchet steps back, holding his hands so that Scourge can see them, but not in a way that would seem threatening.

"I'm not looking for a ride," he says in a calm voice. "And I won't touch you."

[random_xtras]

Ratchet shakes his head, sighing through intakes that no longer really work. "She's not an Autobot. She was a Decepticon."

[corruptedhope]

"If she isn't our Decepticon, she's not our business."

[random_xtras]

"She died saving Megatron."

[corruptedhope]

"Still not our business." True or not, she wouldn't be the first.

[random_xtras]

"I need you to help me find her," Ratchet explains once more, patient as the grave. "And I'm here to find you."

[corruptedhope]

"Why me?" Scourge asked desperately. A tracker's no good at tracking a ghost, and there's a thousand other universes where he could have found someone more useful. Why is Ratchet harassing him?

[random_xtras]

Ratchet's not sure of the answer to that. All he knows for certain is that he asked Primus for help, and was told to go ask the Scourge that he'd met after Galvatron had kidnapped the mech to what had been the former CMO's home reality. He has an idea, though, based on the insight he's gained into the workings of sparks that he's gained during his vorns in the Allspark

[corruptedhope]

Scourge does not like where this line of conversation is going and he tries to put on a gruff demeanor for it. The mask is shaky and not very affective--it usually only works on those who are already trying to make nice with him.

"If you've talked to Primus, you already know. He's pretty free with information."

[random_xtras]

Meanwhile, Ratchet pauses halfway to the hover sled, his face going blank with shock as he stumbles slightly and sets the crate he was carrying onto the floor before he can drop it as he fades.

-And you let me ask him what I did? Primus, as a medic I understand about patient confidentiality, but I could have triggered something!- he says to his boss, feeling sick.

[corruptedhope]

Scourge turns in mid-lift, watching him carefully for a reaction. It doesn't matter what's happened with Ratchet before, there's still the possibility that he is manipulating him.

[random_xtras]

The former CMO lifts a shaking hand to rub his face, then turns to look at Scourge, his expression still faintly horrified. "I'm sorry. I... he told me. If I'd known I wouldn't have talked to you like that."

[corruptedhope]

"Told you what?" Scourge asks warily, gently setting down his crate. He's not scared of what Ratchet will do, but what he'll think--not anger from an Autobot, but perhaps pity.

//I think he knows...about me. With Void.//

//He could have asked anyone about that. Interrogate him.//

[random_xtras]

Ratchet shakes his head. "She'd find a way to be a threat. No one messes with her charges." Then he looks toward the door as he stoops to pick the crate up again, thinking that those footsteps sound familiar.

[corruptedhope]

Cyclonus enters, his head held high with the dignity that befits a leader of the Decepticons. But his calm, cruel facade is momentarily shattered as he flicks a glance towards Scourge--are you all right, yes, good, he's all right, stay there and let me handle this.

"You are Ratchet?" he asks, folding his arms across his chest. "What do you want with my wingmate?"

[random_xtras]

The free spark's smiling, glad to see the guy, though he sobers as he replies. "That's me. I need Scourge to help me find someone. She's confused and scared... and dead. But she doesn't pose any threat."

[corruptedhope]

"And your authorization?" Scourge seems to fade into the background when Cyclonus is in the room. His wingmate will handle it. "Your proof? We have nothing to go on but your word that Scourge is needed."