13th Transmission

[heavyweaponsbot]

[There are dragging, scraping sounds as the comm clicks on, and they continue throughout the transmission.]

I require...

[A long pause, as if the next part is physically painful to say.]

... a mechanic. And a drink.

[The comm clicks off there, as the speaker continues hauling his broken old aft toward his quarters.]

Comments

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

If... you no longer require me, I will take my leave.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

... Whatever you think is best.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

... Clearly, my judgment is no longer trustworthy.

[ Yeah, he's just going to head for the door, before he makes this worse again. ]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

I...

Did not mean that...

[But he makes no move to stop him from leaving.]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

... You did.

[ Pauses at the door, still conflicted. He does not want the conversation to end on this note, but... What more can he say? ]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Then, I apologize. Again.

[What more can he say? What more can he do?]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

If you feel that way, there is no reason to apologize.

A Medical Officer with compromised judgment is of little use to any 'bot.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Stop that! You... you are the only medic we have! You think I will really allow anyone else to treat me! Hmn!

This was my fault! Not yours!

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

Others may be trained.

Stop blaming yourself! You are being a fool.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[You know what? Frag this hip - he pushes himself onto his feet, to better glare at him.]

I do not want others! There is only one I want.

[... a statement which eerily paralleled other, non-medical sentiments as well.]

So are you!

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

[ He meets his glare with a questioning look, only partially surprised by the outburst. ]

You are being stubborn.

If you are uncomfortable with me, then I fail to understand why you would want me to work on you.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He leans against the wall, since it's the only thing in the vicinity to support his weight.]

No. I am not. None of... no one else is as capable as you are. No one.

... Not... uncomfortable with your work. I... [He takes a long pause. And when he speaks again, he's quieted.]

I... need you.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

And ignorant. Another medic could take my place, with training.

...

You will find another, more suitable for the position.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Stop this! Stop! What... what is the matter with you! I never said that!

No! I do not want another medic!

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

What is the matter, is that the very idea I could actually care about you makes you uncomfortable.

Personally, I would prefer my friends to have a better outlook than to think that their eventual death is going to make me incapable of functioning.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

... then stop speaking that way! If you care, as you say. Stop that. At once.

Would it not? If you were... too close? Tell me, then. What would happen.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

...

I would do everything in my power to keep you functioning. At any cost.

Just as I would for any who I cared for, friend or otherwise. The same would be said for Prime, or any of the others.

Eventual death is inevitable. You cannot function based on the fact it will one day come to an end. I will do what I can to prolong that date for as long as possible - but I would prefer to have happiness in the time that I have.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Just... lets his head hang.]

I... cannot... I cannot make... you happy. Not... as you want.

[And not as he wants. Too scared, too sure it'll end up badly. He can't do this.]

But I...

I cannot think... any less of you. And I do not... want to lose you.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

... You don't give yourself enough credit, in some cases.

[ A mechanical sigh as he lowers his head, running a hand over his faceplates. ]

Did you honestly think I wanted to lose you as a friend?

I... am not intending to push you into anything.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

... Just know myself too well.

[And he's back to studying the floor.]

I do not know what you--No. I... did not.

Then... as we said... it is best we forget what... happened.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

[ That floor is very interesting. ]

... That is for the best.

[ Ow. ]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He'll only nod. Because this is safer. This is better.

This is more painful.]