Log Title: Getting Springer Fixed, part two Characters: Jazz, Scales, Spike, Springer Location: Iacon Medical Center Date: May 1, 2020 TP: Scraplets TP, Peace in Our Time TP Summary: Scales tracks down the issue to Springer's Spark and opts to get assistance; Jazz shows up to sort out orders. As logged by Scales
Log session starting at 12:03:29 on Friday, 1 May 2020.
Scales returns to the Medical Center after a snack- just because her patient is having trouble with his recharging doesn't mean -Scales- can neglect her own needs. That's just a recipe for both of them to be in trouble. Upon returning, she gets properly sterilized, gathers together some tools that would give the current task a somewhat ominous feel if another medic saw them, and hops onto Springer's slab. She checks vitals before she does anything, a bit of sharp yellow nervousness to her optics but a better portion of deep red-brown resolve.
Springer resides where he was before, strapped down since he IS a Wrecker and already proven he isnt the most easy patient. His optics blink a bit, the sleep cycle ending slowly and he stirs a bit but turns his head a bit to look around, "This.. ceiling looks.. familiar.."
Scales gives Springer's chest a pat. "You're back in Iacon. I found something odd goin' on with your systems, and I wanted a fully stocked medbay before I went lookin' for the cause, just in case." She shrugs. "I'm gonna hafta open you up a bit, but at least it doesn't look like you've been poisoned." The little dragon's dealt with major energon contamination twice now, and while that has made her really good at treating that kind of thing, she isn't eager to do it again.
Springer gives a soft chuckle, "Of course.. can't be so simple as fix me and send me back out.." He moves and notices the bindings before arching a optic at Scales, "Seriously?"
Scales gives Springer a toothy grin. "Ratchet didn't want you slidin' off when you were in transport, an' you were asleep, so I didn't move anything once you were here." She opens up Springer's chest panels, carefully. "I'm hopin' I can get to the bottom of this without a lot of mess, at least." She gets out a Cybertronian style multimeter and begins checking energy levels on specific places along Springer's fuel lines.
Springer is a Wrecker, he is far to use to medics working on him in various states of condition so when the Dinotape goes to work he remains fairly still, head lifting just enough so he can watch, "Bottom of.. what exactly?"
Scales hmms. "You're not retaining energy properly. Right now, I'm tryin' to figure out if it's because there's a hidden drain on the systems, or if your uptakes are sabotaged, or maybe somethin' else. But basically, you're stuck on a recharge slab until this gets fixed." She gives Springer an apologetic look and shrug at that, knowing that's frustrating, then gets back to her testing.
Springer sighs and leans his head back, "Okay, that's a new one for me, Scales. But at least I have the prettiest doctor working on me and one of the more skilled." His optics move to watch the ceiling as his fingers curl up into fists a bit then relaxes, a small routine he uses to keep his focus.
Scales finishes her current round of testing and droops slightly. "Well, it's not the uptakes." She refines the settings on the test equipment and moves up to Springer's laser core, checking in and around it, slowly closing in as she rules out less dangerous possibilities. She's really hoping it's some kind of hidden item draining power. If it's Springer's spark that's been damaged...
Springer does his best to smile, "You'll figure it out.. you don't give up easily afterall, right?" He keeps his gaze up and away to keep his fidgeting limited.
Scales nods. "I'll get it fixed," she says with determination. Springer probably can't actually see her working at this point, with her down in his chest and her wings tucked in close.
Springer chuckles and doesnty really need to see where she is but can feel it. "Of course you will, never had a doudt." He would put his hands behind his head to relax.. but well.. restraints and all. "Has there been any word on where the others might be? My missing Wreckers."
Scales pauses in her work, then shrugs. "I dunno. I've been worryin' about you, not askin' around about the rest. Bird in hand, an' all. Sorry."
Springer grins, "Your the doc, your work. I was just curiuos." His energon does seem to be dipping even lower as the small doc works, the little he had saved up in that reserve tank almost on gas again, with the tests showing that his systems are under a heavier strain then he appears to be showing
Scales finishes narrowing things down and it all leads to exactly where she was hoping it wouldn't. With a quiet, unhappy growl she moves to the bench nearby to trade the current set of tools for the finer ones needed when handing spark matters. She had suspected she'd need them today, but working on or around somebody's spark isn't much fun unless you're insane. "Well, all the easy to treat things are just fine," she says in explanation. Springer may not be the worrier that some of her patients are, but she's not going to leave him hanging.
Springer keeps quiet and mostly still as he catches her going for the more sophisticated tools, "Well that's not a good sign.. bringing out the big guns? So to speak anyways."
Scales nods. "Gonna hafta call up the Dominicons, see if they'll turn over surveillance from when you were in Valvolux. I'm pretty sure this is from before there, but we gotta be certain." She pauses before diving back in. "So... what I've seen in the damage, it wasn't all at once. So, like, separate fights with the scraplets?"
Springer sighs, "Yeah.. she liked calling them rounds. Kept me busy till I ran low on energon, let me collapse.. then next thing I know was back in the pit agian with a small amount of energon again."
Scales hmms. "Not a good time," she comments as she settles on Springer's torso, getting down where she can reach comfortably to poke at the delicate circuitry and casing of the laser core. "Tell me immediately if anything feels off." She moves slowly, looking for faults or signs of tampering and switching between normal and infrared vision.
GAME: Scales FAILS a TECHNICAL roll of High difficulty.
Springer remains as he is, your examinations not showing anything in particular standing out for why things are happening, it /seems/ to be working like it should.
Scales lets out a sigh of warm air, no smoke this close to Springer's spark, and then backs out, taking a moment to pull up the Wrecker's specs from his last visit to repair bay prior to the scraplet nest. She reviews the notes, refreshing on how things are -supposed- to look. Everybody's frame settles differently over time- if there's a clue here, it might be subtle.
GAME: Scales FAILS a TECHNICAL roll of High difficulty.
Getting Springer's specs and past repairs takes a few hoops to get though the Director of the Medical Center would get them eventually, he is Black Ops group afterall. Comparing the old specs with the new shows the expected differneces but nothing that leaps out as a possible cause.
Scales grumbles to herself and backs out, closing things up as she does. With an unhappy air and drooping wings, she puts the tools aside. "Couldn't find it... and I'm riskin' doin' worse to you if I go in without any kinda plan. Gonna hafta refer this to an expert."
Springer sighs softly, probablty the most depressing sound he has made in awhile, "You'll figure it out in the end, I'm not worried.. whoever she was she seems to have some skill if she's buidling Scraplets." He frowns and pauses, "Or would that be breeding?"
Scales hmms. "I dunno," she says. "I wonder if anybody's caught one or two to find out?" She tidies up a bit more. "I'm gonna at least untie your arms," she tells Springer. "But I'm puttin' a note in your file that you're not allowed out of bed. Right now, that steady recharge is keepin' you alive."
Springer looks innocent, "Where would I go?" He sighs, "Unless something changed, last I know no one has gottne one of the Scraplets, they /all/ seem to melt when they are offlined.. or pulled too far from others like it."
Scales frowns as she releases Springer's arms. "Countermeasures," she deduces. "Just so we can't know." She tilts her head, thinking... but she's got other things to work on right now. And a report to write up.
Springer nods and remains relaxed, tht sight the only sign that he might be the least bit worried, "We'll figure it out."
Scales hmms. "I know I'm not in charge of that part of it, but you should probably write up everything you can remember, so Jazz or Elita can look it over." She takes a moment to pull out a couple different datapads from her own subspace, looking between them and handing one to Springer. "That one's secure- saves to data slugs rather than connecting directly to the archives." Also, there's not much on it right now other than some sketches of possible weapon upgrades to Scales' systems. While not something they'd want leaked to, say, Decepticons, Scales can trust Springer with it.
Springer shifts a bit to accept the offered datapad and nods, "I will try, haven't had much time to do /anything/. This falling asleep is getting bothersome."
Scales hehs. "Kind of a side effect of whatever was done to you. I've gotta write this up and request some backup on the case, but I'll be keeping an optic on you as much as I can." It's -her- Medical Center, after all.
You post your note about 'Springer's condition' in group 'Autobot' as message #96
You post your note about 'Sabotage on Springer' in group 'Autobot' as message #97
Scales ducks into her office for the necessary reports and emerges again looking a bit droopy and tired as she starts putting some of the tools away.
Jazz may or may not have slipped in while Scales had her back turned. When she turns around he is just inside the door optics trained intently on Springer.
"What does that mean? Sustaining Energy?"
The concern not on his face is clearly in his voice.
"The machines can sustain him?"
Scales makes a face, sticking her tongue out slightly from her draconic snout. "Yeah. The slab recharges him, the energon in his body does fine when it circulates through his fuel lines, and then it gets back to his laser core and it just.. drains away. I mean, some loss is normal as people use it up doin' things, but this is drastic. Without the charge he's gettin' from the bed, he wouldn't last long."
Spike walks in and spots Scales. A sad expression falls on his face as he hears about Springer, and a concerned look comes across his face when he spots Scales. He walks over. "Heyah...you look exhausted, why don't you take a rest and I'll monitor him?" He adds "If you want to do a recharge, I can definitely hang around for a few hours."
Jazz gives a slight glacnce towards Spike and nods at him. Great he has two people here he could talk to.
Nodding having enough information to himself he walks over to Scales, "Spike, good thing that you are. Scales, what the progress with your other project?"
He waves Spike over, "You are going to want to hear this."
Spike nods and walks over to Jazz. He looks up and nods to his longtime friend. "Heyah Jazz. Good to see you again."
Springer is rather quiet atm, his levels hitting a low again and not quite forcing him back into a sleep cycle. Eventually he lifts his head a bit and see's who has arrive, "Jazz, Spike.. I'd get up and greet you.. but as you can see, kinda hard to.."
Scales blinks. "What, Goth? Or going to visit Khamsin? I talked to Gears about gettin' the supplies you wanted me to."
Spike looks over at Springer. "Heyah big guy....just rest up. We're going to get you out of here as soon as we can. In the meantime, just try to relaz."
Turning back towards Springer he gives a pleasant look, "Relax Springer. Relax, the doctor says if you did get up you'd be scrap."
Jazz turns back to Scales. "All of them. Gears will have it in how long? How are Goth and Shamsin?"
Finally, he turns towards Spike, "These guys have been treated poorly by the Cons. How likely do you think it is that they will except our help?"
GAME: Spike PASSES a LEADERSHIP roll of High difficulty.
Scales ers. "Well, should be three days now," she says, calculating the answer she'd gotten from Gears and subtracting how long it's been since. "And I haven't made it out to Altihex yet to check up on those two... if they'll even let me look at 'em again." She motions at Springer. "I was in the middle of working on a patient when the commands went out."
Spike sighs and looks up at (to?)Jazz. "That's a great question - and something I'll definitely want to talk to Crosscut about, but you're right, and what's worse, even if they do trust us, they're afraid of drawing the Decepticons ire for siding too closely with us."
He breathes out. "I'm going to say at least right now, my recommendation is just small steps. Set up meetings, and just listen to them. What have they been through, what do they want, what are their expectations."
Spike looks up cautiously. He's hoping Jazz will at least not laugh.
Jazz nods, "Yes. Yes. Sounds good. Do they know you Spike? Do you know them?"
He questions with something else working in the back of his mind.
GAME: Spike PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.
Springer just rests quietly and listens.
Spike looks up at Jazz and says VERY tentatively "Kind...of." He adds "Incognito has helped me out quite a bit on all of these 'neutral' areas, like Valvolex, Tyger Pax and..." He snaps his fingers a few times. "Illar...no...Haromonex! Yeah." He looks up at Jazz, hoping to inspire confidence.
Scales sits up and pulls an energoodie out to nibble on it while she watches Jazz talk to Spike. She's alert in spite of it having been a long day.
Spike looks over at Scales and says "Are you sure you don't want to take a break or recharge? I can watch over Springer if you need some rest."
Jazz narrows his optics at Spike, "How well -COULD- you get to know them?"
Jazz presses a little harder.
"If I asked could I have a political situation in a..say a week?"
He holds a hand up towards Scales, "Hold on just a second."
Spike looks at Jazz and shrugs. "I....dunno. Maybe set up a meeting? What would you like me to do? Head in and just talk to them, hang out with them for a few days?'
Scales tilts her head a bit in a manner that suggests less a cute little toy and more a reptile deciding if it's going to charge. "I'll rest up in a bit. I got a few things to clear up with my -superior officer- first." It's not just the edge of red and orange color in her optics, her tone also sounds irritated, an unusual occurance on the generally friendly dragon. She waves for Spike to get back to his conversation with Jazz.
Jazz nods, "Exactly that. Hang out for a few days. Get a general feel about how they feel about Autobots and Decepticons. See how we can improve relations."
Then he turns to Scales, "You're right. We need to find out how receptive they are to a house call first. I thought that a follow up visit would be a sign of good will."
Scales nods. "And I'll be happy to make the attempt, once things are settled with my -current- patient. Especially as it'll be a long trip for me if I go by myself, so I need to ensure that Springer's case is handled by someone who is familiar with it and him."
Jazz shrugs, "I seem to remember asking for you to pass it on to Starlock. But I guess circumstances have changed."
He turns to look at Springer, "He got it pretty bad."
Scales huffs, a tiny bit of smoke escaping. "-Starlock- had no idea what was going on, nor had any right to make requests for -my patient- when she hasn't been there and hasn't been part of his care. If there was anybody that it would have been appropriate to hand it off to, it would have been Spike." And she waves a paw at the human. "HE's actually been in Valvolux and seen their facilities, as well as worked on Springer since we got him back. Starlock was workin' from months old information and thought that was more important than my own evaluation of things I'd seen for myself."
Spike nods and looks up at Jazz. "So...where do you need me, I mean, other than to help out in the repair bay? I know I can talk to Crosscut and maybe get a plan going, but is there anything YOU would like me to do?" He adds "Again, I'm not a seasoned diplomat, but I would like to maybe just go in and listen to their concerns."
Spike adds with a smirk "Heyah...maybe my ignorance can help, maybe if I come in as a newbie and someone who is ignorant, they would be comfortable talking to me...and then, maybe the more they talk to me, the more they'd be open to like...hearing from the Autobots in general." He adds "I don't know if this would help or harm things, but I could even maybe invite them to like do a 'demo' for Fortress Maximus - show them how he works with Cerebros an' me." He looks at Scales and Jazz. "Unless...of course, you think that may scare more than help."
Jazz glances at Scales and puts up both hands as she huffs, "OK. OK," he grins.
Turning his attention back at Spike, "I want you to tell them that you are our Diplomat and we have sent you to meet to improve relations. After -that- be nice. Learn names. Find out if all the cities get along. Specifically those things. After that, sure, feel free to invite them you'd have to clear that with Elita One or Chromia of course."
He looks between the two of them they relents, "If you are the only one Scales trusts then stay here until she gets herself back together. Make the contacts and get a few meetings," but without a beat he turns to Scales. He nods at her, "Spike's got if you feel comfortable."
GAME: Spike PASSES a COURAGE roll of High difficulty.
Springer has fallen into another sleep-cycle while this conversation has been going on.
Spike blinks and looks up at Jazz. "Should I go alone, like...unassisted?" He looks at Jazz, Scales, and Springer. "Maybe just assign me to a point person, and then I'll just pack some energy bars for a few days. If it's just me, maybe it won't look like any Autobots are intruding, it'd be just like...me wanting to find out more to relay back to humans on Earth..."
Spike adds emphatically "I won't lie to them though, I'll say I COULD bring back information to the Autobots, since I work with you, but... then, if there are some things they'd tell me in confidence, I would say I would be sworn to not let that information be relayed to you guys - if they request me not relay it on to you." He adds "Of course, I couldn't do that if there was something that critical."
Scales relaxes just a bit. "Well, right now, I've referred the tricky part up to Ratchet, so it's his call on the energy issue. I'd be comfortable with Spike keepin' an eye on Springer while I'm away. But if Spike needs to go ambassadoring, he won't be available either." She hehs. "And I'm not much faster 'n Spike when it comes to travel. If you wanted to send -both- of us, the best thing would be to add a third who can act as transportation. Or I can stay here to keep workin' on Springer until supplies are in and I'm needed."
Spike smirks and extends a hand for Scales to give him a 'high-5' "Yeah, it'd be a cool road trip!"
Scales stretches for the high-5. She's one of the few Autobots on Spike's scale.
"If you are willing to brief another medic," Jazz pauses hugely. "You have always had that option."
"Spikes mission isn't so critical," he puts a hand on Spikes shoulder, "And you. Relax. Do what diplomats do. I want you to go alone. Set up a meeting, they know you are coming. They'll greet you and if they decline, then they decline. This is not top secret," he adds looking over. "Same to you Scales. This isn't meant to be secret. This is meant to be a house call in good faith. Contact, ask them if they need anything. We have missed the excuse of 'I was on my way back to Iacon and thought I'd make a detour to stop by' but this will work just as well."
Spike 's grin widens. "Cool!" He looks up at Jazz and grins. "Thanks for having faith in me for this. I'll do my best not to let you guys down."
Scales gives Jazz another grumpy look. "I could brief another medic -now-, but at the time the orders were given I was still in the middle of my work, which included finding out just how deep the damage went." She lets out another bit of smoke, forcing her wings not to bristle. "I've updated his files so the staff here or another medic can work on the non-specialized repairs. The rest is Ratchet's call."
GAME: Spike FAILS a LEADERSHIP roll of Very High difficulty.
Spike looks up at Jazz and says hopefully "Or...maybe we can just wait a few days? Get Springer stabalized for a smooth handoff, and THEN head in...as you said, since this isn't a terribly urgent initiative."
Spike looks at Jazz and asks "Should I maybe bring one of my kids to make it even more like a 'fact-finding' mission, or maybe 'the fewer the better' type of mission?"
Jazz shakes his head, "No. Yours can wait," he motions to Scales, "Hers cannot."
"Spike," he calms him. "You are a diplomat right? I don't want secrets. I want to know what they feel."
Spike rubs his brow. "True, Jazz...but..." He adds "IF they want to tell me something in confidence, I think I should respect that. Again, it would build a bridge of trust." He adds with a wink "I won't ENCOURAGE them to say stuff in confidence, but if they do... I think it can only help you guys in the long run if they're comfortable opening up to me."
Scales blinks up at Spike. "I hope you mean Daniel and not Megan," she says. "Cybertron's kinda a risky place between cities." She shakes her head. "I dunno how long it's gonna take to get Springer fixed. The distance between dying and stable is pretty short- you either get there fast or it's too late. But from stable to -healthy-? That can take a while if it's a tricky problem." She throws an apologetic look in Springer's direction even though the angle of the bed and her own small stature means there's no way he's seeing it.
Spike nods and smiles at Scales. "Yes...Daniel. I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. Megan stays. Although I do want to get her to Cyb'tron sooner than later."
Looking between the two his optics stop on Spike, "OK Spike. What's your concern? Am I not being clear?"
GAME: Spike FAILS a COURAGE roll of Very High difficulty.
Spike slinks back slightly, hearing what Jazz says. "Crystal...I just thought...if they told me something in confidence, I would want them to be reassured that I would relay it to you guys UNLESS there was something that could jeapordize lives." He adds "Since you said they were kinda lukewarm to a partnership with the Autobots."
Scales takes the opportunity of Jazz and Spike hashing this out to go back to tidying up tools and give Springer's snoozing form a headbutt of affection.
Jazz nods, "Then, you understand perfectly. They aren't going to tell you something that they don't want us to hear. If they did, then -I'd- be suspicious."
He turns his focus to Scales, "Look. I won't order you to go now but it's either one of you not both to stay here."
Scales nods. "Springer's stable for now, so I can go. I'd be happier with some transportation, though, so it doesn't take me a whole day just gettin' out there." She ducks her head slightly. "I mean, I can fly, but I don't have jets so it's still pretty slow."
Jazz nods, "That's fine. What do you want?"
Scales hehs. "Well, since they're not unfriendlies, somebody who's rugged is probably a better choice than large an' heavily armed. Trailbreaker or Hound would be better than, like, Sky Lynx or Blackwing. Another tape who's faster would work, too. Discord has jets and would just go hide when there's talkin' goin' on. Not a social guy." She considers. "Upshot and Backblast are both kinda heavily armed for it, but they'd know the terrain."
Jazz nods again grabbing a PADD and putting writing down a list, "Great. I'll look it over," he looks left then right and says. "OK. I have bothered you long enough," he makes way to leave.
Scales nods to Jazz and finishes tidying up, then heads to her tiny office to go snooze.
Log session ending at 18:24:44 on Friday, 1 May 2020.