Second Aid | Video

[neededthat]

[The recording flickers to life and Ratchet could be sitting down at a desk. He dog-ears a book and closes it softly. Beside him were large stacks of books about anatomy, and biology. The old man rubs at the bridge of his nose, a small sigh escaping his lips. It looks like he's in Hospitown's hospital.

Ratchet had been reading up on medical studies, books, and diagrams as of late. But his eyes show signs of exhaustion.

Blue eyes glance up at his D-Terminal as his Agumon steps up behind him and the desk, with more books stacked beside him.]

Hello. [Ratchet begins, clearing his throat.]

My name is Ratchet, for those of you who don't know. Back in my home world, I was a medic, for Cybertronians. Robots in simple terms. But seeing that I am not Cybertronian anymore, I have taken it upon myself to learn more about human medical practices. I've learned a little while I was on earth, but thankfully these books have been useful.

This is a message to let you all know that if you require medical attention, Otto and I more than able to assist.

[His Agumon perks up with a smile and nods before Ratchet turns back to the D-Terminal.]

That is all.

[And off goes the feed.]

Comments

[neededthat]

Wheeljack did this?

[His palm slaps gently against his own forehead and he pulls his hand down his face, lightly pulling at skin there.]

You two...! [He points to Bee's Digimon.]

They are the ones who are supposed to fight for you! [Ratchet says, his voice growing much more stern. Serious.] You can't go running around getting into fist fights in this new body of yours! What if you get badly injured? For all I know there aren't many resident medics here and...!

[Otto looks up at Ratchet sadly and rests a clawed hand on Ratchet's arm, but Ratchet quickly pulls it away, narrowing his eyes at Bumblebee.]

Use your Digimon to fight. Not yourself. Do you understand?

[proveyourmetal]

[He stares back in silence for a moment, his eyes a little wider in surprise. Ratchet...]

[Vanguard looks extremely satisfied with Ratchet's answer (and even mumbles under his breath, "Couldn't have said it better myself"). But Bee may be of a different opinion. A very different opinion. Bee's eyes go to the floor thinking for a moment over those words. Then he's standing, typing into the Terminal.]

I can fight, Ratchet. Just because I'm in this organic body doesn't mean I can't take care of myself or that I can't fight my own battles if I have to.

[He looks back up at Ratchet, insistent. Bumblebee is a Scout and a Soldier. He can still be useful to the team, even if he can't transform.]

[neededthat]

[His hands tighten into loose fists at his sides as he narrows his eyes at him. Bright blue eyes stern.]

You have no idea what these things could do. [He says, gesturing to Otto.] There are bigger and stronger ones out there. What if they attack you instead? Or you go out and fight those things on your own, hm? What then?

What am I to do if you come back injured and I can't...

[He lifts one hand up, curled into a tight fist in anger, but soon it lowers, the medic quickly deflating.]

...I can't fix you.

1/2

[proveyourmetal]

[For weeks, Bee's been harboring a restlessness and frustration beneath the surface. Missing his ability to transform, missing his weapons, missing his voice- he has none of these things, but he can still feel where they should be.

But the moment Ratchet finishes, all that just trickles away to humble realization. Suddenly, he's less concerned with proving himself as a teammate and a fighter, and more concerned with that tone in the older Medic's voice. It sounds... afraid?

2/2

[proveyourmetal]

[Bumblebee stands there a moment, almost at a loss. And then, he makes a decision internally and approaches the other. Bee takes slow tentative steps until he's standing in front of the CMO at arm's length.]

Ratchet.

Remember when you first came here and told me about the future? About what happens to me?

[Once he finishes, he'll be looking up at Ratchet, eyes meeting the other's.]

[neededthat]

[Ratchet lifts his gaze, and suddenly crosses his arms.]

Yes.

[A pause.]

What about it?

[proveyourmetal]

It's all true, isn't it? What you said about Synth En and my recovery?

[He's going somewhere with this, he promises]

[neededthat]

[Ratchet nods. Okay where ARE you going with this...]

Yes, that's correct.

[proveyourmetal]

Even when I thought it was all over, you found a way to help me.

And when Raf was exposed to Dark Energon, you found a way to help him too. This was before you knew as much about humans as you did now.

I can count on you, Ratchet. The whole team- we've always been able to count on you to pull us through.