IC Time on Earth: Tue Oct 22 22:37:58 2024

NCC Medical Ward

Fleet is just getting his repairs finished. For the first bit, it had to be done in alt mode, since parts were damaged that go into sub-space while he's a robot, but the rest had to be taken care of in his normal mode. His paint is still marred, but he doesn't fix that up just yet, nor does he leave, instead skuttling off to the side, out of the way, and looking around as though waiting on someone.

And sitting on Arachnae's Desk, innocuous and unsensational, is a small blue tape deck. Sitting. Listening. Whatever for? After all, there are cameras throughout NCC. Perhaps it is waiting for someone to arrive. Perhaps there is a discussion it is listening out for. Perhaps there is someone it is hiding from. Of course, these are not the concerns of many, for this tape deck has not announced its presence to anyone... yet.

Scrapper enters, although he's technically not on medical shift for a while yet. He has a less mundane matter to attend to and, luckily, the parts are even in! No kitbashing pieces out of duct tape, spare fuses, and those Terran-style holiday lights that Scavenger managed to bring in from who-knows-where. Although that might be fun. The Constructicon glances around, evidently looking for something or someone.

Looking for something? Now, whyever would you be doing that? Nobody is here, carry on about your business.

So Fleet doesn't get the optional Christmas light install? But then he'd look like a tree angel, all yellow and white!

Cough-cough.

Fleet, who IS here, you goob, looks up as Scrapper arrives, and moves to a spot a little /less/ out of the way as he stands at attention. "Sir?" he asks tentatively. "Reporting as scheduled, sir."

No. No Christmas lights for the Seeker. He's not a Navy ship, despite being a minor skirmish Fleet. Scrapper glances up and over at said Seeker. Pale yellow? Right, that's him. He's even right on time - good. The Constructicon nods curtly. As he paces nearer, he glances at the damage to Fleet's paint critically and starts warningly, "If you're not fit for the procedure..."

Oh, now what could this be? Nothing terribly worthwhile. Unless 'Constructicon fixing Seeker' was declared verboten the last time Galvatron was in one of his 'crazy' moments, this isn't going to be worth much. Still, that little blue tape deck decides to stick around and see how it pans out.

Fleet erms softly and shuffles from foot to foot. "I'm fit! I think. I did take damage today, but I've been repaired." He cocks his head slightly. "If you think we should wait, though..." he trails off, but looks a little bothered. If he does have to wait, he'll have to try and see if he can't just avoid combat entirely until the upgrade is complete.

Scrapper takes another look at Fleet and shrugs. The Constructicon ducks over to his desk for a moment to call up the Seeker's recent medical records. Yeah, those repairs are on record as being completed successfully. No reason not to go through with this now. He gestures to an operating table and calls for some of the random gumbies to go retrieve the needed parts. Idly, Scrapper inquires, "Any particular preferences on procedure?" Not that he's going to going to take Fleet's wishes into account unless it's convenient for him.

Fleet climbs onto the table and lies down. "Uhm... there are options?" He seems rather confused at the idea. He shakes his head. "I mean, aside from the obvious..." the obvious being that Fleet does not get used as a test subject while he's out - or Scrapper does NOT get his Autobot leg, dammit! "Not really, I guess."

Still nothing interesting.. how dull. The blue tape deck is certainly being very patient. Were kickback still alive it would be in danger of him recording tubthumping on him. But that is just crazy talk. Hmm. Hurry up Scrapper, say something dodgy or screw up or something. And where /is/ Arachnae, anyway?

Scrapper gives Fleet a bit of an odd look. He ticks off with his fingers as he lists what he was referring to, "Yes. Do you want to be anesthetized, strapped down," Seekers generally don't like that option, but he might as well leave it in for completeness, "just have your pain circuitry disconnected for the time being, or fully put under?"

"Erm. Just disconnect my pain circuitry, I guess. And whatever you need to do. I mean, I guess I'll go with your recommendation." This is, after all, Fleet's first major upgrade. As old as he is! Well, with a lifetime of laying low, he hadn't worried that much about it before now. Finally he just shrugs to indicate that he obviously doesn't know what to expect.

Scrapper might have said that this was a routine thing that any gumby can do. Scrapper also says a lot of things. There are a number of notable places where a mishap could be disastrous. For one thing, he'll need to shut down Fleet's self repair systems for the time being, and update them once he's done with the installation, Otherwise, they'll see the new parts as foreign material that shouldn't be there, and try to rework the new pieces back to Fleet's original schematics. Selecting the proper implements from his, sigh, new tool kit - wherever did his one get to? - Scrapper's disconnects Fleet pain circuitry. If the Constructicon royally screws up and, oh, accidentally dismembers the Seeker, at least he won't feel it! He also partially disconnects Fleet's locomotive control circuitry, inducing partial paralysis. Sure, Scrapper could have warned Fleet about that, but he reasons that an advance warning would just panic the Seeker.

And Fleet is certainly easily panicked. In fact, he's pretty startled when he suddenly loses control over his body but hey, now he can hardly move, so it's not like he can do anything about it. There is a slight jerk, and then Fleet stills again as he fights to keep his fear out of his face. He doesn't complain about the lack of warning however because, well... right now he's completely at Scrapper's mercy. No need to piss him off.

Not a noisy, whiny patient? Thank goodness for small mercies. Scrapper shuts off Fleet's self repair systems for the time being - no need to have them interfering with his work. He also shuts off the local sensors. The feed they'd be getting would just be scrambled beyond comprehension anyway. The Constructicon sets into the work of removing the old parts and... slag! Yeah, this is much trickier than Scrapper said it was. Bad Constructicon. He says quickly, a bit too quickly, "Uh...Fleet? Shut off the software for your flight systems."

Fleet complies the moment the words are out of Scrapper's mouth. "Is something wrong?" he asks nervously. So much for not being a noisy, whiny patient... well, okay, he's speaking rather softly and he's more concerned than whiny. Because, well, it is his body and all. But then he says, "Never mind," as he reminds himself, 'Mustn't bother the techs... mustn't bother the techs...'

Scrapper could explain that if Fleet still had his old software running when he put the new parts in that the software would be expecting input that it wouldn't get. He could further explain that that the wrong input would be far worse than just no input at all. He could even explain that the new input might crash the old software, lead to a cascade failure... and can we say fatal error? Instead, Scrapper coughs and excuses, "Nothing to worry about." He finishes up removing the last of the old pieces and set to installing those new parts. Ah, Seekers are so wonderfully mass-produced and modular. Not a lick of creativity in the design, but it makes for easy component swaps.

Oh, it sure is trickier. This little blue tapedeck knows a few things about that. And he also knows about the sounds of shutting down pain sensors, and what Scrapper needs to access if it means powering down flight systems, and how tricky it actually is. But this blue tape deck has decided he has sat around long enough. With the stock transformation sound, this tape deck unfolds on itself into a mech towering over Scrapper.. Soundwave. The tape commander wastes no time after the surprise that he was here all along, and strides over to Scrapper's work.

The white sides of the blue walkman shift out from the rest of the Appliance as it grows exponentially larger in size. They fold down, forming feet, while arms appear from the back, fists shifting out. A head and missile launcher appear at the top, and Soundwave stands before you.

All of our creativity goes into our wonderful personalities, silly Constructicon! "Ah, good," he says in response to Scrapper's 'Nothing to worry about.' Fleet's more than a little concerned when he hears the transform noise and the other approaching, but he can't really turn to look. So instead he just chews on his bottom lip with his mock-teeth, currently lacking any of his usual methods of expressing nervousness.

Scrapper turns around slowly as he hears the sound of transformation, Soundwave. SLAG. Quite possibly the last person that Scrapper wanted to see! And... what, Bonecrusher's down the well *again*? He glances around wildly and settles on a gumby. "You can finish this, right? Of course you can! Good mech." To the others, he says curtly, "Constructicon emergency!" With that, Scrapper's away. It just had to be a well of acid, didn't it?

"What? Waitaminute! Hey!" Fleet shouts as loud as he can as his technician runs off. Slaggit! If this gumby screws up, Scrapper is /so/ not getting that Autobot's leg. Of course, if this gumby screws up, Scrapper may get all of Fleet. Oh dear! Things look bad for the little Seeker now!

Soundwave cooly observes Scrapper as he runs off. "Procedure incomplete.." He drones as the Medical Seeker.. let's call him Aerosol.. peers down at the exposed circuitry inside of Fleet. "I.. I don't even want to think about what I'm looking at here." he nervously states. Soundwave to the rescue!

"Maintenance: technical. Superior abilities required." He resonates as he picks up a precision toolkit.

Aerosol? AERESOL? Scrapper left AERESOL to finish Fleet's upgrade? Grrrr! Maybe Scrapper won't be getting that Autobot leg after all. But luckily, Soundwave is here to heroically step in and t- er, wrong MUSH. Fleet looks up at the blue figure above him and actually relaxes slightly. Normally the presence of the tape deck transformer would make him even more nervous, but Soundwave's skills at this sort of thing were legendary. He's certainly better off than he would be in AERESOL's care.

Yes, yes you would. "Aerosol. Retreive Reflexive-unit K-43 theta." Soundwave orders Aerosol while he meticulously replaces all of Fleet's other componentry, except for the main reflex processor, which the Seeker is out searching for. See, that is more suitable for his particular tasks. Stupid Scrapper. "I require your current evasion program version number." He orders of Fleet while he solders some of the new wiring in.

"Erm... it's my initial install, sir. Version nineteen point zero-six delta, I think." Not that Fleet has had to think very often about what version he was using, what with it not having been changed in quite awhile. He pauses as he double-checks his systems, frowning a bit as he adapts to so many things not answering up that normally do. "Yes, that's right. Nineteen point zero-six delta."

Aerosol franticly searches through cupboards in the medical ward. He can't even find a theta variant of a reflexive unit, let alone a K-43. "It's no use." He says resignedly. "I just can't find one."

Soundwave turns to the Seeker. "Aerosol. Remember the reflexive unit I installed on you."

Aerosol looks quite confused. "What does that have to do with anything? I have a K-43 Th.." His optics widen as he gets this. "I.. I'll check the other supply rooms." And with that, Aerosol runs out, spooked.

Fleet's optics get a little wider. Of course, the really disturbing part of all this is that it means that Scrapper didn't even have the unit on-hand when he got started. It's a good thing that Fleet pretty much can't move right now, because if he could he'd have to suppress a slight shudder. Guess he's keeping the leg! (but what is he going to do with some casette-bot's leg, anyway?) So this K-43 theta is supposed to be a good one, from the way things sound? Well, that's at least one thing that sounds decent about the whole affair. Of course, it would be better if the unit was actually here..

While Aerosol is busy sifting through containers in containers in the ill-kept supply areas (Whose idea was it to have Mixmaster in charge of filing?) Soundwave remembers that evasion program. "Insufficient drivers for new systems." His right hand disappears into the forearm, as a series of cables forth connecting up to an access port in Fleet. "Prepare for file transfer." And with that a large file is transferred direct from Soundwave's own files to Fleet. While this isn't exactly painful, the sudden dump of memory into Fleet's systems can still be a little.. disconcerting.

Fleet jerks slightly while his optics unfocus, his jaw going slack at the shock of the transfer. No, not painful, but defiantly disquieting. The ruby glow of his visual sensors flickers a moment as he recovers, and he shakes his head as much as he's able to (more of a twitch, really, but still) as he tries to clear his mind. That was... that was... well, a little more warning would have been nice. Although Fleet doesn't imagine Soundwave particularly cares about that fact. Finally his vision clears and he goes back to watching that ceiling, doing what he can to brace himself for /whatever/ it is that comes next.

A little warning? What does the phrase 'prepare for file transfer' translate to in Wimpy-Seeker? Sheesh. Luckily for Fleet, Soundwave has little interest in antagonizing his patient, simply performing the most expedient surgery necessary. "Download complete." He intones. The cables automatically disconnect and return, and Soundwave's hand slides back in place.

And just in time, Aerosol, who is covered in dust, various forms of packing tape or sealants, and for some reason fist-size dents and a piece of his wing literally torn off, returns with a brand new, K-43 Theta reflexive unit.

Well! Looks like Aerosol had quite an adventure! And he's welcome to it! Between the battle (where-in Fleet once more proved to be a two-hit wonder. Stupid repeating damage attacks... and here the silly seeker is upgrading his agility instead! ) and the upgrade, Fleet's already experienced his own fair share of adventures today. He turns his head slightly and notes Aerosol returning with the theta, and even allows himself a slight, greedy smile. If only that thing does what it's supposed to, it'll all be worth it...

Soundwave doesn't waste much time, taking the desired unit and installing it, checking and double-checking to see that the systems are fully installed. All of the processors are connected up. "Re-boot all flight systems and evasion programs." He drones. "Reconfigure energon draw up 0.83 astrolitres to accomodate fuel requirements. Primary motor-systems will return shortly."

Fleet nods very slightly, since he can do that much at least. "Yes sir," he answers softly. He hadn't anticipated the higher energon requirements, but he had been getting a little excess since his promotion anyway, so that should cover it. He begins the reboot process for the appropriate systems and continues to lie there as his motor systems come back on-line. Between battle-damage recovery and the upgrade, he'll probably be spending his next recharge in here anyway... not that he isn't anxious to escape. Medical is a scary place. The seeker looks up at Soundwave. "Thank you, sir."

"Your appreciation is noted." The Tape Commander cooly responds in his usual monotonous voice. "Adequate time has passed. Final test required. Practial test." And with that, Soundwave's plasma cannon materializes. The more rational-minded person might come to the conclusion that Soundwave wouldn't intentionally open a fire in the medical ward, and that this 'attack' was about as harmless as a low-power blast from Bumblebee, but there isn't enough time to think. That's the point. Soundwave pulls the trigger directly at Fleet in the ward bed.

Fleet doesn't think, no, he just reacts. The moment the seeker spies the cannon he's off the bed, leap-rolling (the wings preventing a straight roll, of course) as he dives behind the bed instead. His mentor would probably be proud, if the idiot hadn't gotten himself banned from medical wards, anyway. It isn't until after Fleet is on the other side of his table that thought finally catches up with him. He waits a few moments, then pokes his head back up. "Uhm... issat right?"

The harmless flash of light from Soundwave's cannon lands on the ward bed. Success! "Affirmative." he responds. "Your systems are functioning perfectly." And yes, they will draw on more energon, but this is energon that Fleet will not lose thanks to taking damage, and energon he won't lose due to repairs. It's an investment. "Your energon credit will be deducted accordingly." And with that, Soundwave stows away his plasma cannon.

Fleet grins very wide as the procedure is pronounced a success. And after that little test, is defiantly feeling energetic enough to get back to his own quarters. "Great!" He exclaims, standing up straight. "I can't wait to see the upgrade at work in combat!" And he's honest! Fleet actually does like to fight! He just doesn't like getting hit! He stands briefly at attention and salutes before scampering out (and not many full-sized seekers can scamper quite like Fleet).