Ep. 2 - Preventative Maintenance - (Closed)

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Takes place immediately after Best Kept Secret - Week 2, Day 1!

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The day was proving to be a learning experience.

“And this is the medical bay,” said Agent Fowler.

He strode from the control room through an open doorway at the back of the silo, not even bothering to look back and see if Nell was following him. He seemed to know that she would be.

The entrance of the medical bay yawned above them, built to admit creatures far larger than any human. And the room beyond it, while modest in proportion to a robot the size of the one that Nell had just encountered, nonetheless spanned a vast space. Despite the fact that it was as worn and rusted as the rest of the decommissioned silo, the sparse equipment scattered throughout it was sterile and fussily organized.

There was a flat berth against one wall, above which were erected more of the green monitors that Nell had seen out in the control room. Past it were several large metal screens that carefully partitioned off a corner of the ward. The quiet, steady beep of medical equipment chimed from behind the screens. A solemn hush hung over the room, as if Nell and Fowler had stepped across the threshold of a quarantined zone.

A work station sat at the back of the room. A boxy white and red robot sat at it, his head in his hands. When he heard them enter he looked around irritably.

“Agent Fowler?” he said. “What are you doing here? And who is that?”

He stared rather hard at Nell.

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Not only was today proving to be a learning experience, but Nell's mind had been blown apart – cobbled back together, then blown apart again.

The woman was still a little awestruck by what she had learned, and she knew it was only just beginning. Especially since Fowler decided that after that introduction to Optimus Prime, it was a great idea to get a tour of the place going. Which, made sense because she would be essentially working there from now on but damn. She knew she needed a good amount of booze after this, or that plan was rain checked until she had a couple days off in a row.

Because like hell was she coming into this place with a hangover, she had a distinct feeling that would be very frowned upon – more so than the normal work place.

So for now, she was doing what she could to wrap her head around it all. Which, she quietly nodded to the agent as he commented that 'this is the medical bay' like the tour guide he was acting as.

Her eyes dragged around the room, making note of her surroundings and the equipment. They narrowed for a brief moment, wandering what] they could possibly be used for, before she went back to looking at well...Just about everything else and following Fowler closely. There was no way in hell, that she would not follow him for the simple fact that despite his earlier talk about claustrophobia, this place was HUGE.

Of course, as they continued walking, she noticed how things became incredibly...Quiet. Now that, was a little unnerving in a way but Nell did her best to ignore it as they continued walking. Her eyes fell onto another robot. He (or was it a she?) was a lot smaller than the one she had met, though the size was still damn impressive for the most part. She swallowed slightly as the head was lifted from his hands, and he looked towards them in what could only be described as an irritable look.

That irritability was only added on to the way he talked, and then asked who she was. There was a brief glance towards the agent, who just gave her a small signal to go ahead, and introduce herself. Her blue eyes were on the robots and her back straightened as she did what was pretty ingrained to do. The salute was short, though it wasn't a lazy two-fingered one, and she licked her lips before she spoke. “Specialist Nell Collins, Sir. I'll be working here from now on under Agent Fowler, and by extension, you too.” Her words were drawled out and really, what else was there to say?

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The white robot stared at her.

Even sitting down, he was quite large. While not as tall as Optimus Prime he was broader across the chest and shoulders, with heavy forearms and a stocky frame. Like the rest of the room his white and red paint was clean-scrubbed but scuffed, worn down to silver metal at the corners.

His blue optics were fixed upon Nell. His irritation gave him an intimidating air, even if it was unintentional. That hard edge was offset by the fact that one of his optics was slit nearly shut, as if in pain.

“Agent Fowler,” he growled. “What is this?”

Fowler held up one hand.

“No need to worry, she’s been cleared for this,” he said. “And only her. I find my duties back home are keeping me more and more from the field. Specialist Collins is here to act as an additional liaison of sorts between the Autobots and my office. She’s military, well-trained as a mechanic, and - robust. She’ll be fine.”

That one optic narrowed even further.

“Very well.” The robot sighed and heaved upright, slowly, as if all of his joints were stiff. He turned to face Nell. “Specialist… Collins. I am Ratchet, Chief Medical Officer of the Autobots. If Agent Fowler trusts you and have authorized the proper clearances, then I am pleased to meet you. I take it he has filled you in on the Autobots and the situation we face here on Earth?”

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Okay, so the robot in front of her was pretty intimidating. Nell on the other hand, wasn't one to back down just because she was intimidated. She took the challenged head on for the most part, and she made a note that one of his...Eyes was a bit squinty. On another human, she would think there was something wrong and that they needed to have a look at. But for now? She wasn't going to bring it up, not until this big grouchy medic realized she was on their side.

Which didn't seem like it was going to be anytime soon given that growly rumbled question that was ask. A brow raised for half a second as she casted a sideways glance towards the agent beside her. Damn right she's been cleared, and while she might not have made the best impression on Optimus, it certainly seemed fine enough for him to allow Fowler to show her around. As long as it wasn't the armory and personal quarters, and that she tried to stick to the catwalks for safety reasons? It was fine.

Course that one eye narrowed down even further, how was that possible, and then there was a...Sigh and she was waiting for a groan that arthritis ridden old men let out when they had to get up without their cane. No groan, but the white bot turned towards her and introduced himself. Ratchet, okay that was pretty fitting for a medic she guessed, but at least things were civil for the most part. Of course when he mentioned everything about the Autobots and the situation they face on Earth, well...

“Considering I've found out about y'all and the whole situation a big...Oh let's just round it up and say an hour ago? I'm sure there are some things I can still be filled in on.” Nell brought up before glancing a little towards that squinty eye of Ratchets. She made a small gesture with her hand, pointing to her own eye that mirrored his. “Somethin' wrong with your eye there?” She asked. “Cause if you show me how, I can probably take a look at that.” Oh please God, don't kill her for asking.

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For an instant Ratchet looked startled. Then his other optic narrowed as well.

“Nothing is wrong with it,” he said testily. “I merely have a headache. And I’m afraid there is nothing you can offer that can help with that, save for a little peace and silence. And I don’t expect to be granted either any time soon.”

He glowered down at Agent Fowler to make his point.

Fowler shrugged.

“Like I said, she’s a highly trained military mechanic,” he said. “I figured you two would cross paths, and thus deserved a proper introduction. I understand that she doesn’t have the in-depth knowledge of your construction or physiology to be of assistance as a medic. I wouldn’t ask her to assist you in surgery the same way I wouldn’t ask a veterinarian to perform the task of a trained medical surgeon. No offence, Collins.”

He nodded to her. “But for basic field repairs she might be of use, particularly given that as a human she can jump out onto the side of the road to fix a faulty belt on where you can’t. Perhaps you two can work something out.”

Ratchet looked mildly offended at that. But he leaned back to digest the words, his hand on his chin. His gaze cut to Nell as he critically sized her up.

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Okay, she wasn't squished into the cement beneath her feet. Still, the grouchy one didn't seem all that thrilled with her offer to take a look once she knew how to do such a thing. Granted, she might have been looking at him like she would look at an engine that was making some funny sound.

Probably not a good way to look at a sentient being that could squish her dead, but hey – the mechanic was simply trying to rationalize everything in a way she could wrap her mind around. Who could really blame her for doing such a thing? Either way here she was with her head tilted to look up at the giant Medic, and how he was glowering down at the Agent beside her to drill his point home about not getting peace and silence anytime soon.

The mechanic's eyes narrowed for a brief moment, before Fowler started talking and Nell glanced over at him. At least she had him to stand beside her a bit with what she knew and what she could do. Though she did let out a snort when he compared her to a vetrinarian helping a surgeon. “None taken, Sir.” She replied and really? She knew he had a point, just like he had one when he pointed out she could do things where the old medic couldn't.

Of course that meant Ratchet looked mildly offended but was sizing her up and Nell's lips slowly curled into a smile. Oh how she wished she could tell him to not get his panties in a twist, but she knew that wouldn't fly under any circumstances. “I'm used to doing repairs under stress and under fire, Sir.” She told the thinking mech in front of her. “I'm fast as heck when I need to be too, but I don't cut corners either. It just ain't in my thought process to do shoddy work.” Her shoulders shrugged a little.

“Hell, if you want to put me through the damn wringer to prove I know what I'm doing with Earth vehicles? Do it, I'm always up for a challenge.” And oh did she meant her words.

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“I’m sure,” said Ratchet drily.

He sat down at the station again and rested his hands on his knees. Despite his irascibility the medic seemed tired. In the screened off area the hidden medical equipment continued to beep.

“Slapdash maintenance work is something I will not endure either in this medical bay or on this base,” he said. “Cut corners will not be tolerated where Autobot lives are on the line. So if you mean what you say, and you truly have both the skill and the intention to apply yourself to the best of your ability, then I can’t see why you should be granted permission to perform basic field repairs to start with.”

He held up one finger firmly. “And I do mean basic field repairs. You are human, and thus ignorant of our - construction. If I examine your work and deem it to fall within acceptable perimeters, then we can talk about expanding your role on the base from there. We are at war, and this medical bay serves as a functional combat hospital. Under stress and under fire is how we tend to operate around here, so at least that won’t be unfamiliar to you.”

The speech was measured and grudging, as if this were a lecture that Ratchet had delivered to countless student medics in the past. The gravity of each word settled heavily upon the room.

“But it is also first and foremost a hospital, and not the machine shop back at your military base,” he said. “It will be treated as such. Medical and clinical protocol will be observed at all times, which, as a mechanic, I am going to assume you are less acquainted with. That means following strict procedures in regards to organization, sterilization, communication, privacy, and confidentiality. I will teach you of these procedures and educate you in our unique physiology as I deem fit - no more, no less. And as chief medical officer, my word is law. Always. Particularly where my patients are concerned.”

A hint of steeliness crept into Ratchet’s gaze as he looked down upon Nell. “Do you understand?”

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Nell's eyes didn't leave the medic as he talked, her lips quirking into a slight smile. “Honestly, I think cut corners shouldn't be tolerated no matter who's lives are on the line.” She replied. “And I take a certain amount of pride behind meaning what I say too, so there's no worries about that, Sir.” Her shoulders shrug a bit and she raised her brows as she looked up at him as he continued to talk.

While she wanted to say something, she didn't. She simply listened and the mechanic have a nod every now and then showing that she was indeed listening to him. War, wasn't something she was unused to and even if the Autobots were fighting a higher form of it? Well, in the end it was all the same despite those differences. Hell, it really was amazing just how similar they were despite it all. After all, any other doctor would be telling her the same damn thing.

“Understand it just fine, Sir.” The soldier replied, there was a glint in her eyes that said she was really up for the challenge. “Besides cleanliness, privacy, and confidentiality is nothing new to me as far as hospitals go. Same thing applies for ours and I ain't a blabbermouth.” Her eyes flicked towards Fowler for a brief moment before glancing back up at the medic.

“Now communication ain't a problem for me either.” She started. “I wouldn't be alive today if I couldn't communicate with my fellow soldiers when there was a pretty sticky situation over in Iraq.” She mentioned, and while Nell doubted if this medic knew anything about the current climate of Earth? She at least wanted to show that she did know what it was like to work with others to get everyone home safe and sound.

“I'm all ears to learning about those procedures and finding out about the physiology, cause I might as well make myself useful if I'm gonna be workin' around here.” Especially if she was going to be working around the grouchy medic and some of the more serious personalities that were no doubt around.

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Agent Fowler said nothing the entire time Nell spoke. He merely stood back and watched, his arms folded across his chest. His expression was unreadable.

“She’s experienced enough to be here,” he said. “And she learns fast. I’ll see to it she’s put to work brushing up on Autobot 101 in her downtime. We’ll get her brought up to speed in little time.”

Ratchet grunted.

“Good,” he said. “We have little of it to spare.”

He sat back and rubbed his jaw. “In that case, I have nothing more to add. There’s no point in getting her started now, as I assume you will be spending the day getting her oriented with the base and basic procedures here. By tomorrow morning I should have put together a short list of minor tasks that need completing. There’s always something around here that needs maintenance work. We can see how she does with that before we throw her into anything more serious.”

Ratchet looked at Nell.

“I’m sure by now you have a lot to consider,” he said. “Most of it new and unexpected. Do you have any questions? I’m sure neither Agent Fowler nor Optimus have had time to fill you in on the whole story yet.”

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Fowler finally spoke, and Nell quietly appreciated that the agent continued to have her back with this. Really, she appreciated it anytime someone backed her up on what she could do when someone thought she knew Jack shit.

At least, the medic was starting to budge just a little bit – or was that what he just wanted the two humans to think? Heck if she knew, but she was going to take it and she nodded when Ratchet spoke. “I look forward to seeing that laundry list, Sir.” Though for all she knew, it was literally a laundry list and she was going to end up doing a Cybertronian's version of laundry. Which given how huge they are? Would suck.

One thing was right though, neither Optimus or Agent Fowler had time to fill her on the whole story – though to say she was surprised by Ratchet asking if she had any questions...Well that was an understatement. He really didn't seem the type to want to be asked questions, granted – maybe she was just shit at reading mechanical beings? “A couple that probably anyone and their great-Aunt Bertha would ask.” Nell mentioned, her shoulders shrugging slightly as she reached up to rub the back of her neck.

“Like...Why Earth? Why not Mars or Jupiter, which to our knowledge is uninhabited, or some other planet in the solar system?” She asked. “Also, how do you...Tick I guess you can say, do you eat, do you have organs? Or do you run on oil and gasoline like our machines here on earth run for the most part.” It took her a moment to realize that it was actually rude to suggest these giant beings were simply machines. “And I hope I didn't offend you there with comparin' you to our cars, it's sorta the only thing I can you know...Compare your race to.”

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Judging by the flinty look that came over Ratchet's face, it had offended him. But when he spoke his words were civil.

"A decent list of questions," he said curtly. "Good. Only an imbecile would have no desire to learn more. Very well. Let me see if I can provide you with answers."

He held up one hand and began to keep tally on his fingers.

"First," he said. "As a massive gas giant with a small rock core, Jupiter would be considered inhabitable by most of our standards. Back in our past an argument could have been made towards establishing a small outpost or colony on Mars - but we no longer have the resources to construct and network as we once did. For that, as much as I hate to admit it, we need a planet like Earth, where suitable infrastructures for travel and communication and resource-gathering already exist. If in a primitive form."

He grumbled to himself before continuing. "Secondly, while we do not 'eat' in the same manner a heterotrophic organism like yourself does, our biomechanical systems to require the ingestion of energy to function. We primarily obtain that energy from a substance known as 'energon', which was seeded upon Earth millions of years ago. Another reason we chose this planet over another. We can process cruder nonpolar petrochemicals such as the ones you mentioned, but they generally require more energy to break down, which means they are less efficient a form of sustenance than our native energon."

Ratchet arched a brow. "As for how we tick… that I suppose is something you will learn through trial and experience here in the medical bay. Eventually."

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Oh crap, Nell was kicking herself already with that look on his face.

Shit.

At least he wasn't squishing her like a bug! That was good!

Instead of squishing her, he started answering her questions and Nell listened carefully. Her head bobbed ever now and then, showing she was indeed listening to what he had to say. Granted she didn't like she was hearing, but that was only because the mechanic knew the medic was damn right about his words. Of course when he mentioned that the Earth and it's infrastructures were primitive? She gave her own version of his flint look, though her's read more along the lines of 'Fuck you, Jackass.' and it was a good thing she was doing her best to be a good soldier and biting her tongue.

“Welp, I guess that makes sense. It's like junk food for us humans. Just because we could technically survive on nothin' but chips, candy, and pop – doesn't mean we should.” Nell vocalized. “Do you know if there's any way to maybe combine the two to reach a balance?” She asked, her eyes were narrowed in thought. “Like with gasoline more prominent around these parts while your...Energon isn't – it makes sense to figure out a way to combine the two so you guys can get filled up, but not burn more energy just eatin' the stuff.”

As for how they tick, Nell's lips curled into a smirky smile. “Welp, it's probably a good thing I'm bullheaded and like challenges then. I look forward to learn from you, Sir.” Okay so, she didn't really look forward to it but she was up for the challenge. Plus, she did have a feeling the medic was going to put her through the ringer on more than one occasion.

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"I've considered the possibility of engineering a process by which to crudely process the more efficient energon from human fossil fuels," admitted Ratchet. "Through a chemical reaction or through distillation, has yet to be seen. It would require time, which we are often in short supply of, and a very large supply of Earth fuel - which we likewise do not possess."

He eyed her. "If you or Agent Fowler were able to secure us the quantity of raw petrochemicals I would require just for the experimentation process, I could explore the possibility further."

Ratchet glanced at Fowler.

The big man folded his arms over his chest with a frown. He rubbed his chin. "That'd be a lot of fuel to write off on Uncle Sam's tab. That'd be a big bill. Maybe something can be arranged, channelled through one of the air bases. I wouldn't count on it though."

Ratchet hummed and turned his gaze back to Nell.

"So there is a challenge for you," he said. "As for the rest, at least you're willing to learn. That's commendable. Hmpf. I hope you're willing to put in the time and effort to follow a long road as well. Still. If you are committed to this path, then… I will see you tomorrow for your first day at work. Bright and early."

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It made sense that there needed to be a large supply, which they Autobots simply do not have. Though when he mentioned if she (sure he mentioned Fowler too but that agent barely counted) Nell gave him a look that read 'you gotta be shitting me'. “I'm the wrong person to ask about securin' a whole bunch of gas, I don't have the clearance.” She also certainly lacked the funds to even attempt to do such things on her own

Her attention turned to Fowler when he brought up the bill, and channeling it through one of the air bases if it was possible. Course her attention went back on Ratchet and the mechanic shook her head. “That's a challenge it'd take some thought about. Especially with how much you likely need...” Her eyes flicked towards Fowler for a moment or two. “But if that was possible, wouldn't it make sense to channel it through multiple bases? Make it look a little less suspect?” She asked him likely, shrugging her shoulders for a moment.

“And honestly too bad we can't just buy a few thousand gallons from someplace for cheap. Doesn't Venezuela supposedly have gas for a penny a gallon?” The words were half muttered, mused out than any real thought about. It was her thought process, saying what thought came to mind to get feedback.

Either way, she shot Ratchet a little smirk of a smile. “Well like figurin' out how to get you guys the fuel you need, figuring out how to help out ya out around here on base is a challenge I'm willin' to meet, Sir.” Nell told him, her shoulders shrugging slightly. “I told Fowler here I roll with the punches, cause it's just how I am.” She did shoot the agent a slight look before her eyes were on the medic again. Really, if she was anyone else? She'd of ran screaming for the hills the moment Optimus popped up like a jack in the box.

“I'll see ya bright and early tomorrow mornin'.” And she would too, because when Nell Collins said she was going to do something? She damn well did it.

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((I can't compete with a closing line like that XD And that's a wrap!))