Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Jun 11, 2008 11:16:41 GMT -5
It has been work and more work for the medical staff since the Autobots went on the run. Many of their group were still in need of repair. But the worst had been tended, and they had lost not a one, despite the damage done by that other Prime.
At least, that is, they lost none that they were able to recover. Pee-Dee's fate is still unknown.
Botanica ponders this as she slips out of the tunnel entrance near the Temple. She's tired, on several level; she was not made to exist in the undrerground, away from sun and wind. And there has been little enough time to rest.
She starts to settle herself amongst a particularly thick tangle of vines, intending to blend in and enjoy the green for a few moments at least. A sharp pain stops her, and her hands go to her side. She sighs. She's been avoiding First Aid's attempts to check on her, all the while insisting those that need aid get it. Pot, meet Kettle. But she really should check on that wound.
A quick, but uncomfortable transform later, and she is doing just that, gingerly feeling it out. The burn is smaller, it is healing- just not as fast as it should. A small section cracks open under her fingers and weeps fluid. Holding her fingers up she examines the discharge. No sign of infection at least.
She hears rustling behind her, and whirls back toward the tunnel entrance, still in robot mode.
OOC: Who or what she hears is entirely up to the next poster.
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First Aid
Rookie
Conscientiously Objecting
Posts: 239
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Post by First Aid on Jun 11, 2008 23:04:30 GMT -5
First Aid holds up his hands. “Sorry,” he says, “I should have called out sooner.”
It’s been a while since he got a good look at Botanica’s burn, between the way her plant mode conceals it and her amazing ability to be suddenly very busy with something very urgent the instant he shows any sign of attempting to talk her into letting him treat her. Actually, he hasn’t really had a good view of it since the battle, and while he supposes it’s possible his capacity to judge could be a bit confused, what with all of the far more mechanical and therefore more rapid repairs he’s been conducting in that time frame… it looks only a little better. Much better than you’d expect from a straightforward organic patient’s recovery, though.
The cracked section attracts his attention and he makes a small, quiet clicking noise. “Let me get you a dressing for that.” Dressings don’t hurt plants any more than animals, and they can help, sometimes. He's pretty sure.
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Jun 12, 2008 11:12:30 GMT -5
She opens her mouth to protest, then snaps it shut and folds her arms across her chest. "Well, you're persistent. I'll give you that."
Botanica doesn't move closer to First Aid. She just waits, a mixed look of resignation and annoyance on her face. First Aid is who he is, he is a healer, and she should not fault him for it.
She sighs, "You can dress it, if you wish. I do not know if the dressing will remain when I transform. I usually drop anything I'm carrying, and that....I may have to remove it. Please take that into consideration. I'd rather not pull off new-growth cells with the dead if I can help it."
The a sudden breeze stirs the branches overhead, and shafts of sunlight pierce the heavy canopy for a few moments. Botanica turns her head into one, humming in pleasure.
"I know it's a risk, my being out here. But I needed the break."
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First Aid
Rookie
Conscientiously Objecting
Posts: 239
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Post by First Aid on Jun 12, 2008 22:26:53 GMT -5
“You should meet Streetwise,” First Aid tells her, just a little wryly, “He makes me look like a sprinter.” The truth is, First Aid dislikes immensely having to harass people over their health. It requires confrontation, and he hates confrontation, and he doesn’t like feeling like he can’t trust his patients to be honest with him and with themselves about how they’re feeling and what treatment they need and where their limits are.
Unfortunately, if living with Streetwise teaches you anything, it’s that plenty of people just don’t pay attention to physical warning signs. And he’d much rather have Botanica annoyed at him than in the middle of a collapse, down the line.
He listens carefully to her stipulations as he pulls his kit – his other kit, the one primarily meant for humans – from subspace and looks through it. “Something very temporary, then, just to protect it until it stops –” There’s a word for what happens when a plant loses fluids through a wound he’s sure, but he doesn’t know it, and ‘leaking vital fluids’ is just unwieldy. “Bleeding,” he finishes, looking up at her with a sterile gauze pad in his hand, still sealed in its packet, as the sun breaks through the trees.
Sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation and metabolic functioning oh, of course, and she’s been down in the tunnels for days! “Yes,” he agrees, “And the sunlight.” The lights they’ve been using don’t emit on the ultra violet spectrum. Of course, of course, stupid, might as well deprive a human of protein and adequate rest and expect her to heal properly. He rips the packet open, trying to think of how to handle the situation.
(If he were at home, he’d ask Hot Spot if there were any way to get their hands on a few grow lights, or broad spectrum lamps for herps, but at home this wouldn’t be an issue anyway.)
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Jun 14, 2008 11:11:11 GMT -5
"Mmmm, yes. Sunlight. Open air, and the open green." She could reprogram the lights below herself, of course, but given their current transient nature...well, she would rather not disturb things too much.
She gestures for First Aid to do as he needs to dress the wound, and provided he does, will adjust as needed to make the procedure easier.
She looks down, "Bleeding is not that incorrect a term, really. Break the cell walls in a plant, and liquid will weep out. Break the skin of an organic and it bleeds." A slight shrug, "I've not sustained an injury quite like this before, but it seems to be healing from the edges and inside out. Or outside in, if you consider that it is essentially reversed when not in this form. It's sore, but not enough to give me much pause, unless I am doing a lot of lifting or bending."
"So, professional opinion, Doctor?" There might actually be a touch of teasing in her tone at the last.
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First Aid
Rookie
Conscientiously Objecting
Posts: 239
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Post by First Aid on Jun 15, 2008 22:30:32 GMT -5
First Aid tends to think of lights in terms of actual light bulbs – which isn’t always the case, but most of his experience in makeshift circumstances has been with lights whose radiation spectrum is dictated by the kind of gas used to produce a glow.
He does bandage Botanica’s wound, using only little bits of tape well away from the damage. “I just don’t know if there’s a real word for specifically for plants,” he says as he works, “Since the damage isn’t quite the same.”
“My botany’s pretty rudimentary. I’m better with mollusks, best with mammals,” he adds apologetically, as he finishes, “There!”
“My professional opinion,” he says, with just a little amusement in his voice, “Is that you’re very resilient, and that the way your body heals is even more organic than I’d expected. But I think you really do need more sunlight, and more rest. This isn’t the recovery rate I would have projected for you, and that’s usually an indication you need something more than what you’re getting.”
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Jun 18, 2008 23:43:13 GMT -5
Botanica nods, agreeing with First Aid's opinions, "Yes, not enough rest is a large part of it. But I'm not the only one being overworked." She smiles, though it looks a bit thin. "All of us with even a hint of repair knowledge have been working round the clock. Even the Prime has been pulling shifts." She pauses, then murmurs, "He is a worthy bearer, I think."
She stretches carefully, testing the bandage for pull. Nicely done. It should not impede motion too much in this form. "Thank you."
"So, yes, rest, but I am a bit too keyed up still to attempt that at the moment. However, just being above ground awhile will help." Botanica glances along the roadway. "If I understand correctly, we are near the temple where I first arrived. I would like to get a closer look at it, if possible. I have always been interested in such things, and I was a bit too...preoccupied during my first visit to take in the details."
"Care to join me? You could also use a break, after all."
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First Aid
Rookie
Conscientiously Objecting
Posts: 239
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Post by First Aid on Jun 20, 2008 10:52:47 GMT -5
"I'm not faulting you," First Aid says, "But it is a little different, just because of how organic your self-repair systems really are. Lack of rest and neccessary nutrients is going to affect them differently than the same lack of rest would affect someone who's entirely mechanical." First Aid's reverence for the matrix is just about nil, which probably has something to do with what he hears in that comment. "Rodimus is very steady about repairs. I'm glad he's been about to help."
"You're welcome. Sunlight's probably more important even than rest right now," First Aid agrees easily, "I think you need the broad spectrum radiation." He hesitates. He wants to check in on the rest of his patients, make sure Firebolt hasn't drowned herself, see how Slingshot's doing -
And he wants to keep an eye on Botanica, and she's right, he does need to get out more and give himself time to sort through trains of thought not immediately medical and while, frankly, he knows he's going to be be disturbed by the fact that there aren't any people at the temple, he would like to see it. "Yes, thank you! I'd like that."
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Post by Starscream-3 on Jun 20, 2008 17:17:17 GMT -5
It's been several days since Starscream and his troops parted ways with the rest of the Decepticons. They'd been traveling the area, almost aimlessly, looking for some sign that Spinister didn't have the only living Autobot from this world. Starscream noticed a temple passed underneath him as they traveled. The explorer in him is curious, but doesn't let it become a priority. Then, he notices something else even more interesting... coming up, there are people on the ground. //Weapons systems charged, Decepticons,// he transmits to the others, //but do not draw them. We don't know what we're dealing with here.// Cons-3, just post into the thread following Starscream this round, we'll give First-Aid and Botanic a chance to react to our arrival before we land in front of them, 'kay? Also, let's not have TOO many of you guys showing up here. Thanks.
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Blackout-3
Cadet
With strength and with honor we fight.
Posts: 37
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Post by Blackout-3 on Jun 20, 2008 19:59:35 GMT -5
As expected, Blackout is considerably slower than the jets even at a fairly low cruising speed. This doesn't stop him from chopping along as best he can, sweeping the ground ahead with radar as he does. On Starscream's command, Blackout's Gatling guns spin up to firing speed, but no bullets spew forth yet.
//Sir, two forms ahead,// Blackout reports. //One roughly Shortround's height, the other roughly Dead End's. Shall I deploy Scorponok to scout?// A chittering is audible in the background of Blackout's transmission; the boogly bot is eager to stretch and play.
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Midnight-3
Cadet
"Payback's a mother, ain't it?"
Posts: 74
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Post by Midnight-3 on Jun 20, 2008 21:10:44 GMT -5
Midnight cruises slowly, but not that slowly--bomber slow, not helicopter slow. At Starscream's command, he charges his heavy guns, and circles wide. If it's an ambush, he wants to flank it or catch it in the rear. He debates arming his missiles--but no, no point in wasting them on smaller targets than the damned Prime himself, or perhaps Omega Supreme.
It might not be their Autobots. It might actually be these mythical 'good' Autobots that the boss believes to exist.
// Ah'm circling to flank, sir. Awaitin' orders. Over. //
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Post by Needlenose-3 on Jun 22, 2008 18:51:15 GMT -5
For Needlenose, any speed that requires accompanying a helicopter or a bomber is almost painfully slow to him, but he does it without complaint, and takes on a watchful circle when his leader makes his report.
//I've got Sunbeam ready, Starscream. Depending on how many of them, between him and your null-rays, we should be able to subdue them without causing injury, should things get to that point.//
Unlike many, Needlenose genuinely hopes that there really are good Autobots here. The idea that such might exist seems... refreshing, actually. But even if it weren't for that, he's not a violent mechanoid by nature, and has no desire to cause unnecessary harm. If only Zigzag didn't have that explosion glitch!
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Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
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Post by Shanodin on Jun 22, 2008 19:10:35 GMT -5
"Excellent! Let us hope the change in scenery and subject matter might do us both some good," Botanica says, starting off towards the temple, hopefully with First Aid keeping pace. She floats along, not hurrying, enjoying the environment, every now and then stopping to examine a plant, tree or vine.
"I was wondering what prompted you to begin a study of organics and how to treat them?" she asks, "I-" Botanica's hand moves to her headset, answering Perceptor's radio call1. Her tiredness comes through in her voice, and she slumps a bit without realizing it.
Once done with that call, she smiles up at First Aid, "I'm sorry. I get to wonder a bit longer it seems." Then she opens a channel to Emirate Xaaron. As she does, she moves a short distance away from First Aid, idly glancing about as she talks.
//Emirate Xaaron, I've been informed that we're going to need energy for the replicator rather soon. We've been pushing it to it's limits, lately.//
//Also, Perceptor has requested permission...// Botanica breaks off as she spots the approaching group in the air. Her tone changes from tiredly respectfully to terse and wary //Emirate, First Aid and I are above ground, on the road leading to the temple. We've got company, it seems, of the aerial variety.//
//They aren't shooting at us.// There is an unspoken yet there, an Botanica quickly slips off the road, gesturing for First Aid to do the same.
1First Aid can hear at least Botanica's part of this conversation.
Also, Radio w/ Xaaron cross-posted.
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First Aid
Rookie
Conscientiously Objecting
Posts: 239
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Post by First Aid on Jun 23, 2008 17:40:05 GMT -5
First Aid is content to amble along just behind Botanica, his attention pretty much evenly divided between watching the underbrush for small, skittery, potentially furry things, and watching Botanica. (The possibly furry things are mostly a watch – though he does catch a glimpse of something that superficially resembles a mara before it vanishes with a rustle.)
He’s a bit glad of the interruption of the call – it gives him time to consider how to answer Botanica’s question, because well. He didn’t precisely decide to pick up organic medicine, after all, it was more Optimus Prime’s decision than his own, they just all got lucky enough that it turns out he likes it, which is always a little awkward to explain, and so he ponders how best to answer while affecting polite disinterest in Botanica’s conversation with Perceptor and the start of her discussion with Xaaron. There’s a certain art to Not Eavesdropping while in close proximity. It’s all in the body language and direction of gaze, so he misses Botanica’s slight slip in posture. He does hear the exhaustion in her voice though and, predictibly, it worries him.
So do the jet engines. Oh dear. He follows Botanica’s lead into the trees gamely, though he can’t help being acutely aware of the fact that, as an ambulance, his is not exactly a color scheme designed to melt into the understory.
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Post by Starscream-3 on Jun 25, 2008 6:54:53 GMT -5
"Blackout, stow your gatlings away!" Starscream said charged, but there's a difference between a silent laser that can be fired at a moment's notice and the ominous whirr of a gatling gun. He conveniently ignores the request for sending in Scorponok--there's something about 'subterranean robotic arachnid scurring towards you' that sends the wrong message.
That... was that Botanica? Okay, she has no love for the Autobots, so these are at least different Maximals and Autobots to the ones Starscream know, and that's enough. And now, the ground-based robots scurry away, unaware that they have already been spotted. Starscream switches back to radio.
//Decepticons, change of plans. All weapons off, and that's an order. Even if these two fire at us, do not engage. Retreat if you must, but we need their trust. Transform and land. Sunbeam and Zig Zag, that goes for you two as well.//
Starscream does that, landing near the two hiding Autobots "I know this might come as a surprise, but I am not the Starscream you know."
Starscream ponders for a moment just how trustworthy his alternate self was as he asked for them to accept the preposterous.
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