LITTLE BRO WANTS BIG BRO BACK

The Ark -- Medical Center (2)

Actually not just one repair bay, but a series of inter-
joining medical bays, recovery rooms, science labs and more
where the Arks injured and dying have been placed over the
years. Of all the rooms in the Ark this is probably the area
that is most sterile and almost unwelcoming. The Ark's
repair drones make sure that not one speck of rust is to be
found, and the metal surfaces are well polished and
immaculate. Banks of new looking equipment monitor the life
support apparatus, medical work-stations, and constantly
monitor and diagnose the ailments, and injuries, of those
Autobots unfortunate enough to find themselves here. For the
most part most of the activity seems to be centralised
around the main repair bay where Ratchet has set up shop,
and where numerous repair drones and mechanoids repair and
renovate the injured.

Candice carefully walks through the shattered enterance of
the medical facility after a brief hesitation or...a
moment's indecision. She galance at the door...or
rather...what's left of it. Seems as if the framing had been
removed so repairs could be started as soon as some of the
more pressing matters were attended too...She turns away
after a belated moment as if snagged by the memory of how
the door had been destroyed in the first place.

Tonka pops up out of the battered toolbox he usually sleeps
in. "Yawn...hello Candice."

Candice blinks as she's adressed. She turns slowly to trail
the voice. She tilts her head and begins walking within the
direction of the small Autobot's home. She hesitates as she
spots Roller's remains nearby, inwardly shuddering, and then
moves forward again. "Morning, Tonka," she greets, forcing a
smile. "How are ya?"

Tonka says, "I'm doing ok. Trying to clean up in here.."
Tonka pulls himself up out of the box and clinks onto the
workbench.

Candice flickers an uneasy glance around the bay once more.
"Hmmm...yeah. Kinda got a little messed up," she comments
dryly.

Tonka says, "Any idea what happened? Through my own little
investigating I've figured this looks like Megatron's handy
work..."

Tonka also appears to be forcing a 'happy' persona, but he
appears just as troubled.

Candice narrows his eyes and focuses back on the tiny
mechanoid, losing the smile. "Educated guess. Might as well
Toss in Soundwave and Ravage while you're at it," she snorts
in a mixture of disdain and disgust.

Tonka looks down at the floor. "They....took him didn't
they.."

Candice signs and nods. She brings one arm up to hold
himself. "Yeah...they did," she states quietly. She glances
over to a particular medical cabinet which had its cover
torn from it's hinges. "Optimus knew what was coming. He
must have. He...placed me in the cupbord just moments before
they arrived. Told me to stay where I was 'no matter what
happened'. I saw just about...everything..."

Tonka looks up. If he was a human, he'd probably be crying.
"How bad did they hurt my brother?"

Candice blinkyblinks and turns in a meaured movement to
regard the tiny 8 inch Autobot. She always noticed that
Tonka bore somewhat more of a passing resemblance to the
Commander. But...his brother? Then again...she recalls how
Cybertronians define family relations and how humans few
them are differnt. Yet, it makes it no less important. She
lowers herself so that she's kneeling on the floor...so
she's more his level She studdies him a moment before
answering. "You really want to know?"

Tonka says, "Yes...because I intend to find him."

Candice's mouth dries as she tries to push back the images
that have often continueed to replay themselves over the
course of the last few days. She tries to keep her voice
steady. "After Optimus placed me in the cupboard...that was
when the Decepticons came in. First sound...then Ravage. Op
let loose some shots towards Soundwave. And then...and then
Megatron came in...and used his fusion cannon." She presses
her lips together in a moment of restraint and adds,
"Tonka...he was hardly ably to stand before hand. Only a
complete *coward* would have used such force."

Tonka curls his fists, sadness becoming anger. "I want to
find him. I want to make him pay. I don't care how strong or
how powerful he is...I want to make him pay.."

Candice continues...almost as if she hadn't have heard him.
"Roller bleeped angrily as Optimus fell...and ramed into
Megatron's leg. Megatron just took one look...and stepped
down..."

Tonka nods..

Candice sighs quietly, closeing her eyes and then opening
them again. "I...saw how that hurt Optimus too..."

Tonka nods. "They are linked as one..."

Tonka says, "You probably never knew he was my brother. It's
true though. He and I were built by Alpha Trion, though
Optimus doesn't really know that. That's why I've never told
him..."

Candice hmms. "No...I didn't know..." she says quietly. "I--
-I just knew you both looked a little alike..."

Tonka nods..."Alpha Trion decided to use the same body style
he gave Optimus when he built me."
Tonka says, "I was intended as a saboteur, able to take down
entire computer systems with a single stroke."

Candice bids, "I'm sorry. I know this must be difficult for
you too. I would have done *something* to prevent it if I
could have. But...all I could do was...watch it happen..."

Tonka crawls off the bench and up on Candice's shoulder. He
gives her as much a hug as his little arms can. "You
couldn't have...it's not your fault. I'm...just glad someone
was there with him.."

Candice reaches up and places her hand to steady the
mechanoid, offering a tiny, gentle squeeze as she
does...grateful for the contact. "Thanks, "she replies after
a moment of silence. "I just...wish I could have done
something. He's...alomst like some sort of surrogate to me."
She exhales and states, "He was so distraught that he
couldn't be outside during the battle and...help too."

Tonka nods. "I took a look at Teletran...he's in worse shape
than roller. It looks like Wheeljack and I will be building
Teletran III..."  He looks down at the floor. "Somehow..I
can't keep thinking this could be the end. Megatron may have
won...but if my brother is still alive, there's a chance. I
know he has to be alive..."

Candice nods in like, and is reminded of something. "Optimus
is alive. Megarron wasn't intent on killing him. He...has a
plan for him...I think. He said Optimus wasn't going to meet
his end...yet."

Tonka shudders slightly.."Whatever it is, it can't be good
for Optimus...In his weakened state, he has no chance to
resist them.."

Candice knows well what Decepticons can and do to prisoners.
"Tom was trying his best not to even let me think about
*that* one," she states. "I find it strange tho...Megatron
was intent there would be no witnesses to...what happened."
Tonka gulps..."You're lucky he didn't find you..."

Candice looks back towards the cabinet. "He didn't...Ravgae
did. After what happened with Roller...I...tried to back
away. I accidently knocked over an empty flask. It...kinda
drew some attention."

Tonka says, "Primus must have been watching over you..."