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typewritingyip · 3 days ago

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The Arcturus Missions

Part Fifty Six - Human Translators

Part Fifty Five

———

Compatibility testing is a multi-step process that all pilots have to go through when entering any mech based program.

Dependent on the program, depends on the tests, though the base regulations are written and maintained by one Doctor Shockwave, based out of Mecha Georgia.

It is recommended to go through the written testing initially, able to be taken from the age thirteen up, followed by the potential to get the mental than physical testing if their percentages are high enough to become pilots. The current number sitting at fifty percent compatible.

A person has to be at least thirty-nine percent mentally compatible to be able to continue onto physical compatibility, then has to be at forty-nine percent compatible to continue onto additional testing before implantation.

Implantation is the last step into becoming a potential pilot, if implants are rejected then the person could not pilot most mech suits available. It is estimated that one in twenty potential pilots reject the necessary implantation to pilot ninety-eight percent of mech suits.

Continued on, testing then varies based on government or private organization, familial relationships, and previous experience.

In MECHA, the organization that Doctor Shockwave works for or with, depending on the source, their testing is extensive. Even when recruiting pilots from other organizations, both private or military, additional testing is usually provided unless the pilot had undergone Shockwave’s programs previously.

Most US military go through the S&O program, to ensure peak performance in their pilots and prevent harmful rejections of both equipment and person.

Any non-recruited pilots through their private program typically come through different US sanctioned programs, whether through the military or rehabilitation systems.

—

The clinic was at least close, only a handful of doors down from where the commanders had set up at, but that wasn’t very reassuring.

Breakdown got to the door first, trying to shift Arcee in his hold before he could get to the door and press the access, the door sliding open with ease, “Thank you.” Nodding, Hound sighs, “Course.” He was careful with Ratchet, moving in after Breakdown to set him on one of the counters.

“Holy crap.” Ratchet’s voice lifted slightly when they stepped foot into the clinic, Breakdown moving in and laying Arcee down on the berth. Like this was normal. Like any of this was typical.

Then again, for two of them it was and for two of them it wasn’t. Hound gulped and shifted on his feet a bit, looking at Ratchet, “I’d keep the suit on for a bit, the air will recirculate shortly.” He nodded a bit and looked away, rubbing his thumb against his fingers.

”Hound, where are we? How are you here?” Shrugging a bit, he moves back over and picks Ratchet back up, bringing him over to Arcee instead, “She takes the priority, Ratch.” But he was already shaking his head, “I don’t know if she’s wearing her oxygen mask, we have to wait. Now, where the hell are we?”

Breakdown sighs, “A planet in the Nowhere system, closest translation. This is uh, uh.” Hound smiled at it, “Four, NW-Four. It’s a non-organic inhabitable planet.” Ratchet nodded and pointed, “Yes, that, what does that mean?” Taking a breath, he shares a look with Breakdown before shrugging.

Shifting away from the table, Hound shifts aside one of the compartments in his legs, that used to hold his old gun parts and now just held stuff he needed readily access to. Pulling out a data pad, he closed it before setting it on the berth next to Arcee and slightly away from Ratchet.

With a tap to the screen, it pulled up a project on the system, the last thing he’d been looking at, “This is System Nowhere, we are here, the fourth planet from their star. The inhabitable planets are the fifth and beyond for organics, but no one lives there. I mean, this system is technically buried in old Cybertronian space, so if anyone did live here they’d have left a million years ago.” Ratchet choked.

Smiling a bit, Hound nodded, “Yes, that is something you’ll have to grow used to Ratchet.” Sighing slowly, he checked the oxygen levels and nodded slowly, “You can get to her now, the air is safe enough.” Nodding, Ratchet moved forward but paused, “How safe is safe enough enough?”

Breakdown shrugged a bit, “Bad day in LA.” Chuckling a bit, Hound scratched his jaw, “Ah, or that one day in Paraxus?” Humming, Breakdown nodded, “Yes, with the snow.”

Ratchet stared for a long moment before shaking his head and moving forward, hitting the emergency open on her cockpit.

The smoke that filled the room quickly was evacuated as Arcee pulled herself up, coughing, “Goddamnit,” Ratchet was quick to pull her out and lay her back down, “Arcee, breathe.” She nodded and laid back, taking slow and deep breaths.

His heart was racing again, though staying back, not wanting to be looming or in the way.

Slowly, Ratchet started to check her over even as she moved in and out of consciousness for a while, Breakdown and himself staying back. Both unable to bring themselves to get out of their suits.

It was beyond instinct, now it was just normal for them, they spent more time in their suits than not now. Other than when they were in Iacon.

The fire suppression in her suit went off after a second, while Ratchet got her helmet off, flicking out a flashlight from his suit to check her eyes, “Easy Cee, easy. Take a breath.” After a moment, she did, reaching up to drag a hand down her face.

”Ow.” Hound was able to breath again, sighing slowly, Breakdown pumping his fist lightly as Ratchet continued to check her over. He sighed slowly, “Alright, you have a concussion, but you’ll be fine. You just can’t pilot your suit—“ Closing his eyes, Hound sighed and stepped forward.

Biting his lip for a moment, he shifted, “Ratchet, she doesn’t have that option right now.” The glare leveled at him was enough to warp his plating, “Ratchet, it’s not healthy for her to be out of the suit and we can’t let her pretend to be unconscious the entire time unless you want Knockout under her plating.” Breakdown’s hit made him wince and rub his arm.

”I’m okay Ratch, I’ll be okay.” Arcee pushed up and stared, sighing slowly, “Holy fuck.” Breakdown stepped forward, as if to hug her and froze, too big to do so right now.

Sighing, Hound shook his head slowly, “Ratchet, I swear we’ll explain everything when we’ve returned to Iacon and Cybertron, but for right now we have to pretend that everything is as it has been.” Ratchet was still glaring from behind his visor, “Which is?”

Worrying his lip, he sighed again, “That we’re mechanicals just like them. And now, that our civilians are your size and that to become a pilot means becoming this size.” He gestures down briefly, “I’m sure there is more, but its impossible to explain it all. I mean, three years, eight for Jazz and—“

Ratchet held up a hand and he fell quiet, “Jazz is alive?” He and Breakdown shared another look before nodding, “Yes.” Clearing his throat, Hound shifts on his feet a bit, “We have allies, friends who know the secret.” He tried not to wince, “Jazz was found by Prowl all those years ago and it was right around when Jazz was running low on supplies that Prowl found out the secret. Then we crash landed and rained on their parade to say the least.”

Dragging a hand down his visor, Ratchet groaned, “What mess have you made Hound?” Smiling a bit, he shook his head, “Not a mess, just rebuilding a life.” Stepping forward, he looked to Arcee now, “Cecilia?” She glanced up and the look on her face reminded him of Breakdown.

He’d been the first to get a concussion when they first got there, but it had taken months, “You doing okay?” His heart jumped to his throat, even as she nodded, “I knew the risks, crash landing the ship, but all the pieces should be fine and that means supplies.”

It was impossible to keep his mouth from watering, “Earth food.” He’d had to eat his last protein bar over a year ago, as it had been approaching expiring by the time he ate it, if it hadn’t already. Her smile was even, a mild concussion hopefully, “Yeah, space man, Earth food.” Ratchet slowly shook his head, shifting in his suit.

Hound knew first hand how cumbersome the assistance suits could be, Ratchet mumbled before turning towards them, “When will I be able to remove this damn thing and get a breath of fresh air?” Closing his eyes again, Hound sighed, “I’d wait till we get to Iacon, to get out of it now and need to be back in it so soon, its hard.”

A knock at the door rang through the space and everyone froze, for half a second Hound did before moving over to answer the intercom, “Speak.” There was a beat, “It is me, is the new human safe?” Sighing a bit, Hound brought up the door camera and smiled a bit at Prowl.

”She’ll be okay, just can’t open the door cause of the air quality.” Prowl nodded slowly, sighing, “When you have a moment, the Prime and Protector wish to see you. Something about the odd pilot with the painful EM field.” Frowning, he shifted a bit, “Painful?”

Almost scowling, Prowl sighed, “It is practically a star. The pilot is a literal ray of starlight. They only want to talk and find some answers.”

Glancing back, Ratchet had got back to looking over Arcee even as she fought to get back to her suit and Breakdown stood awkwardly back.

Closing his eyes, he nodded, “I’ll be there shortly.”

—

Ooh yeah, this was awkward.

Standing around in the open like they hadn’t just been on one of the craziest battlefields of the war. A Spec Ops, a sniper, a frontliner, and now a scientist. Yeah, this was entirely normal.

Glancing towards Bluestreak made this all the harder.

He could still remember how Jazz and Prowl had been when they first got to Cybertron, distant and awkward, as to not make any of them uncomfortable. It had been tense for weeks before Prowl had fallen asleep with Jazz on the couch, then it had been painfully obvious.

Now he was standing almost an entirely arms length away from Blue and it felt like torture. All for one person now.

Even when it was just Perceptor, Jazz, himself, and Bluestreak. Sunny kept his distance for Percy’s sake, but also his level of stress was through the roof. It felt impossible to describe it, other than for an anxiety attack that was slowly building. Voices were almost ringing in his ears, shaking his head a bit as he tried to breathe evenly.

Not everyone dealt with Shockwave during comparability testing or beyond, or dealt with him often at least, there were enough scientists to go around in the later years. Only the really special got his undivided attention. People like Hound or Arcee. Then there were those like himself, who’d barely slogged into it, they got his underlings and advisors.

People like Perceptor.

He was keeping his translator on, shifting uneasily on his feet and looking to Bluestreak, “Are you sure there is not anywhere else we need to be right now?” Blue shrugged, frowning at Percy, “I don’t think so,” He paused, tilting his head, “I’m catching like, half the words. What are they talking about?” Sighing, Sunny shook his head, “Pit if I know. Wormholes or something.” Bluestreak chuckled slightly.

The sound eased his anxiety for a moment, smiling a bit at Blue, he shook his head slowly, “I’m serious too. I think Percy will talk about how they got here till the end of his days. Or until he figures it out.” Bluestreak nodded, “Reminds me of Smokey, or worse.” Sighing slowly, Sunny looked back.

Percy was starting now and he shifted slightly, “What are the two of you talking about?” Shifting back slightly, Sunny couldn’t help but grab his own arm, holding his arm across his stomach and holding his elbow. A defensive, closed off stance. Clearing his throat a bit, he shrugged and flicked off his translator, “Nothing, nothing.”

Jazz’s visor darken slightly, just enough to show he was frowning, and Sunny shuffled back a bit, “Really, nothing. So, uh, Percy, what made you decide to be on Arcturus Three?” His throat was closing up, but Percy slowly nodded, “It was less of a choice and more a need for survival. I was no longer useful in Shockwave’s eyes.” His throat was closing.

The way both his and Jazz’s visors darkened should have been a clue to the tone, but Bluestreak was frowning still, “I don’t know what he’s saying.” Flicking his translator back on, he turns to look at Blue, “You don’t want to know Darling, this is something we’ll have to talk about in Iacon.” Bluestreak went pale.

To talk in Iacon, meant face to face and unfortunately rarely meant anything good.

Clearing his throat, he turns his translator back off and sighs, “Let’s get inside, I think a wind storm is going to hit soon.” Percy raised a hand slightly, “How do you know that?” Shaking his head, he turned and started towards command, “Now? Years of practice. Come on, before we can’t see anything.” His tone was cold.

It was hard to not be cold towards Percy, sure, the guy was a pilot but the voice that hung in your head from implantation was one that was hard to shake off. He’d get used to it again, but it was easier when that voice was thirty lightyears away and not almost in your ear.

Opening a door into command, the main space was behind another door and some muffled voices carried through but not enough to decipher the conversation.

Moving in, he sank onto a crate just as the wind began to whistle, “It’ll pass in a few minutes.” Even he wasn’t entirely sure how he knew that, but he did. Bluestreak sat right next to him, sighing and un-subspacing an energon cube.

Jazz smacked Blue’s shoulder quickly, “Hey, I’m hungry. Unlike you, we’ve been dealing with these things all day.” Bluestreak stuck his tongue out at Jazz before removing the seal and drinking down half the energon. All while Perceptor stared.

Tossing an arm over his eyes, Sunny sighed slowly, “The glowing pink drink is called energon, at least that is the closest translation. It’s what they drink, at different levels of efficiency and what they bleed. You do not drink what was bled unless you're starving.” Percy hummed weakly, “Like the Donner party or Jamestown.”

He really didn’t know what he was talking about, so Sunny just hummed, “Yeah, but also, it’s rude in their culture to stare as well.” Percy quickly looked to Jazz instead.

The man was beyond awkward and was stressing Sunny out.

Carefully and hardly subtly, Bluestreak took his hand, still eating but holding his hand, trying to comfort. Humming quietly, Sunny sat back a bit more, arm still over his eyes.

Slowly, Percy and Jazz’s voices drifted as he finally started to calm down, able to tune them out. At least until the door to the main command opened and the relative quiet exploded with noise.

Closing his eyes tighter, he groaned as voices flooded the space, Sideswipe and Chromia backing into the room, “We’ll get him, we’ll get him.” The door slid shut with almost a slam and his brother side, “Here, there, and everywhere today.” Cracking open an eye, Sunny turned his translator back on.

”Where now?” Sideswipe glanced up and shrugged, “Back to get Prowl and Hound, plus hopefully the other pilots. Once they're here, Knockout will leave and he and Deadlock will stop trying to kill each other.” Blinking slowly, Sunny took a breath, “You know, I’m starting to think it’s less superstitious and more so that we pissed someone off.”

Sideswipe’s visor brightened with a smile, “Yeah, no kidding. How much longer is the sand storm?” Humming, Sunny closed his eyes again, “Probably another ten minutes, the wind is still whistling against the door frame.” Humming, Sideswipe sat down on another crate with Chromia.

Perceptor just kept staring around as slowly he was phased out of their conversation.

—

It was only once she was back in her suit, a water pouch in hand and with Ratchet’s strict orders in mind did they pack up to leave. Well, all but Breakdown but he was going about to clean the space for Knockout.

That was a relationship waiting for a catalyst to set it off, he was sure.

Helping Arcee back up, he put Ratchet on his shoulder before sighing deeply, yeah, it was going to be a long day. Sending a ping at the door, it opened and the room's air quality tanked instantly. Prowl was standing there still, keeping an eye on the street as the ends were full of blowing sand.

”Oh great.” Hound stepped out and the door closed behind him, sighing, he stared at where they needed to go, “This day is going to continue growing worse, isn’t it?” Prowl hummed, “In my experience, yes.” Arcee’s head leaned against his shoulder, “I don’t know what he’s saying anymore, when did my translator stop working?” Hound had to do everything to not close his eyes.

He was exhausted, it felt like the day had flown by but hours had passed by now, since that morning to the battle and now all of this.

Switching his translator off, he kept her up, “There was a sonic blast caused by a rapidly crashing Quintesson ship, it didn’t have as graceful of a descent as the Iliad, it has taken out a large portion of our comms and seemingly your guys' translators. We’ll get them fixed when we can, but for now I’ll play the translator.” Ratchet grumbled.

“Yes, you will, the longer we go without knowing what the hell is going on, the worse this all looks.” Smiling a bit and nodding, Hound sighed, “Yeah, I know.” Switching back off the translator, he looked to Prowl, “How much of that did you understand?” Humming, Prowl kept his arms crossed and leaning against the wall, “Around half.” Nodding slowly, he sighed.

Keeping Arcee upright and trying to keep Ratchet on his shoulder, he could have felt like a pirate at that moment.

He watched the sand slowly stop blowing and nodded to Prowl, who moved over to help with Arcee, “Is she okay?” Shrugging a bit, they kept going, “She bounced around inside a glorified tin can and prevented them from losing all their gear, she’s got a concussion and is dehydrated from stress.” He paused to look at her, “She’ll be fine, she’s one of Earth’s bests.”

Prowl hummed and then looked at him, staring for a long moment, “Where are you planning?” Smiling a bit, he nodded and sighed, “Arcee needs to go with Sideswipe and Elita, she’ll be the happiest there and the glue that will keep that team from falling apart.” Snorting a bit, Prowl shook his head, “Like that team will fall apart.”

Shrugging, Hound kept them going, “You never know, plus Arcee and Sideswipe used to be friends, I think. If he wasn’t so engrained with the unit, I’d move him out for her to join.” Nodding again, Prowl motioned for him to continue.

Sighing, Hound ticked a finger off his hand, “Hot Rod needs training, intense training. He’s a great pilot, one of our few flying ones, but he was just a kid when he started. Has lost a lot. I’ll need some insights for him.” Prowl shook his head, “Unfortunately, he’ll fall under Starscream's preview if he can fly… but he can’t transform so he could be shifted. Primesguard or special operations. Iacon for at least six months.” Hound nodded, “That will keep him safe for when he hits overuse, his scores are everywhere across the board, overuse will come fast and hit hard.” Prowl sighed deeply.

Ratchet tapped his helmet, “Uh, hello? We’re still here.” Sighing, he turned off his translator, “I’ll explain when the conversation is over doc, this is restricted information.” Grumbling, Ratchet nodded.

Switching his translator back on, he sighed, “Perceptor is a scientist, he’s a pilot but a scientist. I was hoping to get him placed with Wheeljack, Skyfire, and Brainstorm.” Prowl nodded slowly, “He’ll have to test in, it means he’ll go out with Ironhide more than anyone else.” Worrying his lip, Hound shook his head slowly.

”That won’t be great for Sunstreaker, we might have to move him and Bluestreak if he can’t handle that.” Prowl frowned, “Why wouldn’t he?” Sighing, Hound rubbed his face, “Percy was the one who gave Sunny his implants, it’s hard to forget the voice talking while your nerves were being re-written.” He shuddered, hard.

Prowl nodded slowly, “Alright, well, we will have to wait and see. Then, the medic?” Humming, Hound glances to Ratchet before looking at Prowl, “He’ll be the safest in Iacon, but when big battles happen he needs to be out here for us.” Prowl sighed, “So with Optimus then.” Nodding again, Hound shrugged, “It’s all I’ve got.”

They came up on the door to command as it opened, Chromia and Sideswipe standing there, again, “Oh. We were supposed to come get you.” Nodding a bit, Hound moved to help Arcee into the room, “Yeah, well, we got tired of waiting.” Sideswipe carefully took Ratchet, before setting him down with Sunstreaker.

Hound moved and eased Arcee onto a crate, switching off his translator, “Drink some water, take some pills, and try to relax. Dim your cameras, everyone in here is alright.” She hummed, sounding unconvinced but her visor still dimmed, “Unplug if you have to, just, listen for when they need you.” She slowly nodded and he sighed, standing back up to look around the small and now very cramped space.

Sideswipe cleared his throat, “They wanted you and Prowl, Hound. Maybe Ratch too.” Sighing, he switched back on his translator, “For now, I’ll go in with Prowl, if we need Ratchet I’ll come back. Please, try to fill him in without giving him a heart attack.” Sideswipe mockingly saluted.

Hound flipped him off before turning to enter command.

A long day, that still wasn’t over yet.

———

A/N

This week has been insane, but after the 4th it will calm down for maybe a week? So maybe I’ll be able to write more during that time?

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter, IDK if there will be another part this week, but at the very least we have Tuesday.

This chapter is on the slightly short side, but I didn’t want to get into something that I’d have to finish next week.

I hope you all enjoy!

TAGS

And once again thank you to @Keferon for this amazing AU

#transformers #maccadam #tf mecha universe #tf mecha au #mech pilot jazz au #mecha pilot jazz au #the arcturus missions #Hound #Breakdown #Sunstreaker #Sideswipe #Jazz #Prowl #Bluestreak #Arcee #Ratchet #Perceptor #Hot rod #Rodimus

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typewritingyip · 4 days ago

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Prowl, everyone.

(My sister got Ironhide)

#yip rants

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typewritingyip · 4 days ago

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Look what I found today at my local game store.

Once he’s assembled, I’ll post a picture.

#yip rants

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typewritingyip · 4 days ago

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Next part might be a little delayed, was busy with school stuff this weekend and watched Superman today.. so..

The Arcturus Missions

Part Fifty Five - Medical Advice

Part Fifty Four

———

Log open, loading.

Audio log, cybertronian timescale, cycle 1123, rotation unknown. Location unknown.

”Hello, Hello is anyone within the vicinity?”

Three kilk pause.

”Respond.”

One klik pause.

”Damn them to the pit.”

Log Close.

Log Open.

Audio log, cybertronian timescale, cycle 1127, rotation unknown. Location unknown.

”I should have known he’d have it in him, to go this far. To send me to the edge of known space to ensure their safety. I should have known.”

Ten klik pause.

”My spacecraft has sustained damage, there is Quintesson activity in the area, and it is unlikely that a crash would be sustainable for the vessel. Aiming for the planet with highest energy output, estimated time quarter quartex. If anyone can hear me, my location is—“

Static for forty klicks.

”Scrap, their right above me. Damn them. Damn him. Damn peace and everyone who stands for it.”

Distinct sound of transformation before transmission cuts.

Log Close.

Receivable in ten cycles, estimated arrival at cycle 1137, rotation 6.

—

Chaos was putting it nicely, to say the least.

Command was exploding with noise, as everyone was trying to shout over each other and there were only a few people who were quietly trying to will their headaches away. The only thing that wasn’t typical was the muzzled mech in the room, looking like a giant brooding cat.

That almost stopped Hound in his tracks.

All the sound hit him and Mirage like a brick wall when they stepped into the building, it was typically the town’s main communications center but for now the residents were mostly remaining underground in the emergency shelters. Thankfully no buildings had seemed to sustain any damages but a few of Megatron’s main unit were going to check over things.

He couldn’t help the wince at the increased volume, all his audio settings got fucked from the Quintesson ship crashing and it’s shockwave. Mirage’s hand shifted slightly on his back and he knew that the poor mech did not love the number of people in the space or the volume of it.

“This is far more complicated than you’re letting it seem Megatron!” Elita-One was shouting and Megatron looked pained, sitting with Optimus who was looking into the middle distance, clearly on comms with someone.

Megatron groaned, “It is far from complicated, we simply have to wait.” This was the moment where he should have turned around, just left, but no, “Wait for what?” Everyone turned toward him and Megatron stood, “You. The others are supposedly busy and we need your translator.” He bit back a groan.

Nodding slowly, he moved over, “Alright, who for?” They all shared a glance before gesturing towards the mapping table, where Ratchet was sat, arms crossed. Yeah, he really wished to be anywhere else too.

Sighing and moving over, Mirage hung back, staring.

Taking up one of the chairs, he sits at the table and glances towards Megatron, “What do you want me to ask?” Megatron hummed, frowning, “I want to know what the state of his crew is and who exactly fills your shoes for them.” It was flattering, but awkward, so he just nodded and looked at Ratchet, turning off his microphone’s translator.

”Hey doc.” His voice almost broke, Ratchet had been a dear friend and one of the few medical professionals he had trusted on Earth but now it had been literal years since he’d had a check-up. These conversations would be ones he desperately wanted to avoid.

“Don’t hey doc me, Hound. You're supposed to be dead.” He winced then, sighing, “God, way to beat around the bush, fuck.” Ratchet chuckled slightly, shaking his head, “It’s been three years and two weeks since your ass got launched on a rocket into space with six months worth of supplies.” Nodding, he shrugged, “I mean, you're not wrong.”

Ratchet hummed, “So, how are you and the others alive? Other then these chuckle-fucks doing god knows what.” He gestures loosely towards the commanders and Hound puts his face in his hands, “Oh god Ratch, you don’t even know why you can’t call them that.” He chuckles, sitting back and closing his eyes, “Oh my god.” He could feel Ratchet staring and frowning, then almost felt him lean forward.

“Ask me what you need to ask so I can get around to checking you over,” But he was already shaking his head, “We can’t here, not only is the atmosphere toxic but most of the mecha around us don’t know we’re organic.” Deadlock snorted behind him.

Starting, Ratchet’s visor glowed, “How.” Bowing his head slightly, Hound sighed, “Sheer luck at this point doc, look, it’s for the best,” “I know, do you think I’d be in an assistance suit without thinking that?” Glancing at him, he looked closer and smiled a bit, “It does look an awful lot like an assistance suit Ratch.” Ratchet almost chuckled.

They sat there for a moment, staring at each other, “I’m sorry, but I’ve gotta ask. Megatron wants to know the layout of your crew, your commander, and exactly what is going on.” Ratchet nodded slowly and sighed, brushing a hand over his neck, “Arcee is the captain and the rest of us just follow her around. I might have the age but none of the experience.” He nodded slowly, “And Deadlock?”

Nodding, Raatchet stands and moves to the edge of the table to look at the detained mech, “He crashed landed on Earth, I found him on my drive home.” Sighing slowly, Hound nods, “And he hasn’t been a threat to you?” Scoffing, Ratchet shakes his head, “Just to my sanity.”

Hound couldn’t help but laugh, “I figure you’d have lost that a long time ago doc.” Ratchet holds up a hand, “I’m this damn close.” He chuckles before waving him off slightly and shifting, turning back on his translator.

Everyone was staring at him and he took a breath, “Arcee is the commander, followed by Ratchet and then Perceptor and Hot Rod. As for Deadlock, he apparently crash landed at some point on Earth, where Ratchet found him.” Deadlock purred.

Megatron nodded slowly, “And did he kill any of your kind?” The solid smack to the back of the helm was familiar and made them all wince, Optimus scowling at Megatron, “Do you believe they would have strapped themselves to a rocket with someone murdering their kind?” Hound bit back a grin.

The buzzing returned, drifting across his plating as the familiarity comforted him. The swear from behind him had him turning and turning off his translator.

”Fucking, damnit. You have it too. How engrained are you?” Staring at Ratchet, his mouth went dry, “What?” He could basically feel Ratchet’s scowl, “That EM field bullshit. First Roddy, now you. You're practically glowing.” Shifting back again, he could drown out the other sounds in the room.

His mouth was dry, “It’s not something you’re supposed to see Ratch,” But Ratchet was already shaking his head, ”I damn well know that, but Deadlock helped Percy set up this visor,” He gestured towards it, “To show me some, not all, just off ones. Like his.” Pointing right at Optimus made a few of the others shift uneasily.

Now he was on a roll, “Like Deadlock’s, Roddy’s and now apparently yours.” Holding up a hand, Hound’s heart raced, “You can see it on Hot Rod?” Ratchet paused and nodded, “Yes.” His throat tightened.

Staring at Ratchet for a moment, he held up a hand before turning towards the others and turning back on the translation, “I need the red and yellow pilot here, his name is Hot Rod. He’ll make Ratchet more comfortable and keep that one calm.” He gestured to Deadlock again, who now growled.

Elita frowned, “Yes, about the assassin in the room, can you ask this Ratchet how in the name of the pit they ended up on the same spacecraft!” She gestured slightly wildly as Megatron groaned again.

He didn’t even have to ask to know the answer, “They’d have never left him behind if they thought he was in trouble and on Earth he could have been.” The room finally fell silent.

The chill was not from the fans in the room.

Taking a breath, Hound shifts, “None of you know how desperate Earth is to not lose this war. It’s hard to explain when we as pilots are able to do so much here but so little there. The rules and regulations are so different, and since he is not human, that would be the only justification needed. No scientist would think that he didn’t hold the key to victory and the lead scientist barely flinches when doing things to humans. I don’t believe he would shy away from doing worse, to us or him.” He nodded slowly, sighing.

”Deadlock would have faced a fate that I’d consider worse than death if he’d stayed on Earth. And clearly, someone knew something otherwise he’d have never been able to escape. Someone sympathetic, maybe but clearly this crew accepted their death sentence to save his life.” Megatron slowly stood, moving over and crouching at the table to be eye-level with Ratchet.

He took a breath, glancing at Hound, “How do I thank him?” Elita grumbled as Chromia left the room. Smiling a bit, Hound nodded, “I’ll translate.” Megatron nodded back, “Your kind prove to be stronger willed than some and braver than most Hound. I had expected something entirely else from your medics and civilians than Ratchet.”

Smiling, Hound nodded and turned off his translator, turning to Ratchet, “Ratchet, the Lord High Protector of Cybertron wishes to give you his thanks for safely returning one of Primus’s children to their protective arms.” Ratchet scoffs, “What the crap is that shit?”

Hound couldn’t help the howl of laughter.

—

He’d let Hound walk into the chaos, still sitting outside and pretending to be on guard. Sighing, he shook his head, trying to not think about what just happened.

It had been starting to calm down when Megatron had sent someone their way to bring them to the crazed assassin and supposedly aggressive medic, a brief description would have been more than enough to know it was Ratchet.

So, he’d taken point with Elita and Optimus sandwiched between him and Chromia as they’d moved through the city. Breathing slowly as they went, scanning the buildings, roads, and alleyways for threats. It was different protecting just Elita, this was officially protecting the Prime while he was on the run from his guards.

People legitimately trained in protecting him specifically.

His comms were still broken, so he still couldn’t communicate with Chromia without letting the others know what he was thinking. Yeah, politician guard duty was officially on his least favorite jobs list.

At the edge of the town, he could just make out Megatron as the mech stood and moved towards them, “You know, it might have been easier to bring Deadlock to you.” Optimus hummed behind him, “Yes, well, we need to know whether or not he is a threat. I’d rather do that out here than where he might be able to hide.” Megatron hummed and nodded.

He was still scanning before his eyes landed on Ratchet.

Who wore an assistance suit, like he were a pilot though this one had no gaps. More like a metal space suit than anything, but thankfully the visor hid his face. His heart jumped to his throat. Straightening a bit, he looks to Elita, “Ma’am, if I may?”

Holding his breath, he kept his gaze on Elita, and she give him a gentle nod before he stepped forward. Flicking off his translator, he took another breath and turned to Ratchet, “You know Ratch, if you wanted to check in, you could have called. You didn’t have to come thirty light years just to see us.” Stepping forward, he lowered his hand to the table carefully.

The freaky mech behind Ratchet growled at him, even as Ratchet waved it off, “It wasn’t exactly the plan to crash on this desert of a world. Where the hell are we?” Chuckling a bit, he tried not to cry, “Nowhere. Literally, the name of the system translates roughly to Nowhere. This is NW-Four. A mining planet and refueling station for organic beings.”

Now, Sideswipe tried to stay out of politics but this was just one of those things where he couldn’t. This planet was going to be a colony at some point and that would be a lot to do, for now though he carefully lifts Ratchet up, trying not to shake.

”So, did Roddy say this was Arcturus Three’s crew?” Ratchet nodded slowly then sighed, “Yeah kid. We left Earth about two weeks ago.” Whistling, he tried to stall before tapping Ratchet’s helmet, “This is, is fancy, new face for the trip?” Even if the Cybertronian’s couldn’t translate exactly what he was saying, so much of that had been normalized to them all now.

Ratchet mumbled something that he couldn’t really hear and turned away, it gave him a second to breathe. Glancing back towards the others, they were busy talking to each other so he looked back to Ratchet, who was nodding now, “Uh, yeah. Got the visor installed to… to match everyone else.”

Nodding, his visor shifted color, smiling sadly, trying to show sympathy. Knowing Ratchet would have no idea what this meant yet.

”It looks good, suits you.” His voice almost broke, sighing he turned back towards Elita, Optimus, and Megatron before clearing his throat, “Commanders,” He paused and turned his translator back on.

Clearing his throat again, he smiled painfully, “Commanders, this is Ratchet, a medic from Earth.” Elita looked up and paused, frowning, “Sideswipe, are you alright?” Nodding a bit, he brightened his visor, “Of course, yeah, I’m fine.” Elita frowned, glancing towards Optimus, “Alright, so, who is this Ratchet then?”

Sighing a bit, he nods slightly, “Ratchet is a pilot medic on Earth,” He pointed to the small Red Cross on Ratchet’s suit, “He was my doctor before all of this.” Optimus hummed deeply, “Your doctor? The one who made you into a pilot?” Shaking his head a bit, Sideswipe almost grasped at Ratchet, “What? No, no no. That was, that was someone else. This man has saved my life more than once.”

Optimus nodded slowly before looking to Ratchet, almost through him.

God he hated that look, but he knew Joan didn’t do it on purpose, it was listening to the voices in his chest more often than not. But when Ratchet jumped he cleared his throat a bit and turns off his translator, “Optimus Prime.” He gestured towards him.

Taking a breath before continuing, “Leader of Cybertron, uh, prime is a title.” He tried not to wince from the awkwardness of it all, “That is Lord High Protector Megatron, head of the United Cybertronian Army. This is commander Elita-One and her second in command, Chromia.” His heart was racing and he felt constrained for air.

Ratchet didn’t beat around the bush, “Why is Deadlock being detained like an animal?” Sideswipe winced and turned on his translator again, “Uh, he’s asking me now why, why Deadlock is detained?”

Chromia shifted, “Tell him that Deadlock was hired to kill Elita before the end of the war, the civil war to be clear, and that he is a standing credible threat.” Nodding he turned off the translator again and it rang in his ears before looking back to Ratchet, “He was hired to kill my commander before the end of their last war, he’s a credible threat.”

Glancing over his shoulder to Deadlock, he could see why, that guy was huge.

”He’s unarmed.” Ratchet’ s voice was filled with irritation but Sides shook his head, “So long as his t-cog functions, that mech is not unarmed.” And Deadlock growled.

Then Ratchet had to go tip him over the edge, “God. Do you even know how long you’ve been lost in space for Simon?” It was like being slapped and he jolted back as now he really couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see, Ratchet said something but he could no longer hear it.

Other than the itchy implants, this was one of his lasting effects from the overuse, from coming so close to the edge, was his anxiety.

Elita had engulfed him and tried to calm him down, holding him up as he desperately tried to breath. Hands holding his head as he shook and just tried.

He tried so hard.

But he couldn’t breathe.

Shaking it off, he took slow and deep breaths, eating outside when Hound went into command.

Sucking on one of the water pouches, he thought of having an actual drink but after the first time piloting drunk he really had a hard time drinking when he wasn’t on Cybertron. That had been a rough day in more than one sense.

Chromia came out a few minutes after Hound and slowed, offering a hand, “Come on Sides, we have to go get one of the other humans.” Taking her hand, he nodded and sighed, “Which one?” Shrugging a bit, she shakes her head, “Some mech named Hot Rod, poor fragger. Who takes the name Hot Rod?” Sideswipe smiled some and shrugged.

”Some poor idiot that calls me kid even though I’m only a year younger than him.” She snorts and they walk together, quiet, comfortable, and calming.

Exactly what he needed, to be with his unit even as everyone else was busy cleaning up.

—

Maybe it was the angle of the sun, but he really hated when he was the last person to anything. Breakdown was with a few of the others, dragging back pieces of the ship when he’d gotten about half way to the wrecked ship.

He slowed almost to a stop, looking at the sections of rings, they would be big enough for them to walk around in. They had to be full of supplies, moving over to stand near Breakdown, he sighed a bit, “What’s going on?”

Shaking his head a bit, he shrugged, “No idea yet, Inferno is helping Perceptor with Arcee.” He slowed a bit and looked over, his heart jumping to his throat for a moment, “Is she okay?” Breakdown nodded, “Yeah, a bit shaken up but she’ll be okay. I’ll make sure she rests in Knockout’s area for a while.”

Biting back a groan, he tried not to roll his eyes.

That whole will they, won’t they, with those two was one of, if not the biggest headache in any of their lives. Well, until today that was.

Nodding slowly, he glanced back again and patted Breakdown’s shoulder, “Alright, I’m going to speak with them.” Breakdown nodded, “Their translators are not working, same as our comms.” Nodding back, Sunny sighed, “God.” Breakdown chuckled and nodded, “Yes.” Patting his shoulder again, he slowed and fell back.

Inferno looked exasperated, glancing up to him and waving him over, “Sunny! Sunny, please for the love of Primus, what are they saying?” Holding up a hand, he moved over and tried to get their attention.

They were talking to each other, quietly, “Arcee, come on, we have to go with them. Breakdown is taking point on this, he would—“ Sunny cleared his throat, disabling his translator, “Hey.” What else was he supposed to say?

Percy looked up and the shoulders of his suit sagged, “Sunstreaker.” Smiling, he shrugged a bit, “Welcome to NW-Four, how the hell did you guys get all the way out here?” Perceptor chuckles lightly, “Likely the same way as you, practical wormhole application being used by Kaiju.” He blinked slowly.

“What?” With a deep sigh, one that only a scientist could utter, Percy shook his head, “God, never mind. Arcee needs to be seen by Ratchet, do we think that we can get her seen?” Sighing, he moves over to take Arcee’s other arm away from Inferno.

Switching back on his translator, he looks to Inferno, “Can we get Ratchet into Knockout’s med bay? That and Knockout to wait outside?” he tried not to wince, pulling Arcee’s arm over his shoulders.

Inferno blinked slowly, “What? Why?” Sighing, he hung his head, “Please Inferno, just, this once.” His frown was strong but he slowly nodded and turned away. Smiling a bit he looked back to Percy and Arcee before switching off his translator, “I have Inferno checking, if we can’t get the space then when we get there BD will handle it.”

Nodding, Percy kept walking, feet sliding through the sand as Arcee sort of hung between them.

“You know,” He glanced towards Percy, “I’m a bit surprised that you’re fine with all of this, you know?” Percy nodded slowly, “When the translators were working, we spoke of the cybertronian race with Deadlock often. I just didn’t think we’d be alive to meet many of them.” Nodding a bit back, Sunny sighed.

That was a feeling he’d known, sort of, floating through the endless expanse of space without a chance of survival.

”Yeah, we thought that too, we just didn’t know these guys were here. Remind me to tell you of what happened during the first few days on Cybertron.” Percy’s head tilted slowly, “Uh, so, this is not Cybertron?” Chuckling a bit, he shook his head, “No. No, you’ll know Cybertron when you see it.”

Clearing his throat, Inferno waved and Sunny switched over his translator, “Yeah?” He sighed, “Knockout wants to look over her and does not want another medic in control of his med bay.” Trying not to grit his teeth, he took a breath, “Then I either need a closet or for BD to handle this, thanks Inferno.” Nodding, Inferno moved back to help Moonracer.

Sighing, he hung his head and closed his eyes for a moment before continuing on.

Slowly the others moved to drag the pieces of the ship towards the shuttles and he directed them towards the edge of town, helping Arcee and her dead weight. Out of the corner of his cameras, he could see Breakdown quickly drop off his piece and moved back towards them.

Percy was taking it all in, watching different mechs move around with wide eyes.

Spotting a crate near enough to the med bay, Sunny took on all of Arcee’s weight and sat her on it, holding her up and switching his translator off again, “Hey, Arcee, can you hear me?” Her head lolled to the side and the visor was hardly lit, “Fuck…” Percy moved over, “She’s hardly conscious, can’t we get Ratchet here now?”

Shaking his head, Sunny looks at him, “We have to wait, check your toxicity meters." Percy shifted and cleared his throat a bit, “They removed those last year, better energy output.” He stared at Percy for a long moment, “The atmosphere is toxic here, we’d have to go into a sealed building for her to come out and even then, it would have to be in their clinic for clean air. Then we’d have to make sure no one not in the know came wandering in.” Percy started to shake his head.

When something caught Sunny’s eye and he started to perk up, smiling and straightening before sighing, “Oh, it’s you.” Prowl walked over, shaking his head with Jazz and Hot Rod following.

“Yes, I am sure there is a different paraxian you’d rather be seeing.” He sighed and dragged a hand down his face, looking at Perceptor and Arcee, then over his shoulder at Hot Rod and Jazz, “What is that human saying? This is a shit show?” Jazz chuckled, “Yeah, that’s what I’d call it.”

Watching Perceptor’s reaction made all their work between launch from Earth and now, worth it.

—

The clinic was clean and quiet and cool, at least compared to outside. Trying to catch his breath, he leaned in the doorway for a moment while breathing deeply.

Knockout was bent over a crate, grumbling about only god knew what, but it brought a smile to his face. It was so familiar, no matter what part of the galaxy they were in, he was meticulous in what he did.

Now he had to try and convince the mech that they knew what they were doing and didn’t need or want his help, because that would go over so well. Clearing his throat, he smiled when Knockout shot a glower his way for half a second.

Smiling and straightening up, Knockout leaned against the counter, “Well, I wasn’t expecting to see you for hours. What brings you into my med bay?” Sighing, he bows his head a bit, “Uh, what Inferno tried to talk to you about, actually.” Putting on a strained smile, he shrugs a bit, “We do need the space Knockout, Arcee could be hurt.”

The look on Knockout’s face was also familiar, one of trying to hide anger, “Breakdown…” Holding up his hands in a sign of surrender, Breakdown sighs, “Knockout, I would not be asking this of you if it weren’t for two things. One, Ratchet is a medic and two, Arcee trusts him.”

Knockout growled, turning away, going back to the crate, “This is a clinic, not a field hospital. I have clearance to work here.” Nodding slowly, he stepped forward, “I know. Better than many.” Knockout stopped and turned, watching him.

His skin almost crawled at the look, smiling a bit as he leaned against the berth, crossing his arms comfortably, “But I would not be asking you if it were not important. You know that. I know you did not know us well when we first arrived, but you have seen how hesitant we have been when it comes to care.” Knockout scoffed.

He smiled a bit more nodding, “Maybe more than hesitant, but she knows him, he is apart of her crew. Close in the same ways that Hound and myself have become.” Knockout was still scowling, tapping a tool against his leg, “May I at least bring her in here to rest?”

Throwing his arms up, Knockout stared at him, “Of course you can bring her here! If she is hurt, I don’t know why you didn’t before!” He winced, “Maybe because she does not know you and you look a great deal like a medic.” Scowling, Knockout shook his head, “I am a medic.” Nodding, Breakdown sighed, “Yes.”

Retreating back to the door, he gestures, “Walk with me?” Knockout bit back a smile, glancing around, before nodding and following.

The streets were still quiet as they walked towards the only source of commotion, hands brushing as they walked, this was far more part of their normal than anything else.

What wasn’t was the group of mechs standing around out in the open, arguing.

First was Sideswipe, Chromia, and Hot Rod; bickering. Second was Jazz, Perceptor, and Prowl; arguing quietly. And lastly was Sunstreaker and Bluestreak who were being entirely far too awkward for two who normally hung off one another. He slowed to a stop, just spotting Arcee on a crate. Arm over her eyes.

Sighing, he moves over to help her up, “Who knows where Ratchet is?” He barely spares a glance over his shoulder as he lifts her with ease, Chromia’s hand went up, “I do, he’s in command with Elita and the prisoner.” He got her up into his arms and stopped, frowning, “Prisoner?”

As if in chorus, everyone said the same thing, “Deadlock.” Nodding slowly, he smiles a bit, “Ah, someone I do not know.” Turning, he came face to face with a very shocked Knockout, “Did they say Deadlock? The Decepticon assassin? I could have sworn he went offline a thousand years ago.”

Chromia groaned, “We wish he went offline a thousand years ago, but no, now he’s our problem.” Sideswipe nodded, “Yeah, him and his pet medic.” Now both Breakdown and Knockout stared at him, Knockout nodded slowly, “And he is… willingly speaking with this medic?” Sideswipe shrugged, “I don’t know.”

Shaking her head, Chromia shrugged, “I’d say more than willing if you catch my drift.” Breakdown was still confused as Knockout’s eyes went wide, “Ah, I see. Well.” Clearing his throat, Knockout looked to Breakdown, “We’ll go find your medic then.” He almost sounded bitter.

Nodding slowly, Breakdown followed, carrying Arcee carefully.

They moved back down the street, quiet again though their hands no longer brushing against each other, Breakdown carrying Arcee while she murmured quietly. Knockout was fuming, moving straight towards command and slamming his fist into the door control.

It gave with a quiet whoosh to let more noise spill into the street, Hound speaking in English to likely Ratchet and further murmuring. He shifted and stepped inside after Knockout though had to side-step him so as to not run smack into him, “Knockout, what is the matter?”

The mech was staring at Ratchet as growling filled the room, coming from the restrained mech on the floor. Hound glanced up and sighed but looked over and froze, “What happened with Arcee?” Breakdown cradled her carefully, “She passed out on her way back here, I was hoping to borrow Ratchet.” Hound was quick, lifting Ratchet and gesturing with his free hand.

”Show me to the clinic, Knockout, we’ll be back shortly.” Knockout’s mouth opened and closed before he nodded silent.

Sighing, Breakdown went out and almost ran into more people, as Chromia, Sideswipe, and Hot Rod stood outside the door, Hound waving them off, “Well be back soon, just, wait out here. Chromia, Elita wishes to speak with you. Sideswipe you can keep Hot Rod occupied.” Sideswipe nodded and Chromia moved around to go inside.

Hot Rod frowned, “Is she going to be okay?” Hound and him just nodded as they moved back up the street to the clinic.

Ratchet stayed quiet.

———

A/N

So this chapter is surprisingly long, almost 5k works its like 4.9 something, so its a lot longer than I had initially planned.

But here we are. Things are going to start going the same direction now. All these pilots are in the same space!

Anyways, I don’t know if there will be another post this week, as I am behind in my class (it’s self paced but the exam is on the 4th) So, I might use this time to work on it.

This was a fun chapter to right and the start of where the story flows I think. So I hope you all enjoy!