Over and Over

[organ_pharming]

Who: Pharma, Ambulon
What: Marriage counseling Just a visit
When: Before trial and after Tarn contacting Pharma here: http://re-alignment.dreamwidth.org/184160.html?thread=20828256&posted=1#cmt20851040
Where: Liege's Temple
Warnings: The saddest leg of all

Pharma let his hand drop as the communicator shut off, left standing alone in a room that was suddenly too small and containing not enough exits. Without thinking, he shoved the door aside and walked briskly over the threshhold, not knowing exactly where he was headed, just that he wanted to be somewhere 'safe'.

Tarn was coming for him. The failure he thought he could live with. The humiliation he was slowly working past. The alienation of his former comrades he could accept.

But not if this was going to start all over again. New place, another time, same cycle of sin.

And now he was in a lab. The trip there is a blur, but he felt in control here. Pharma vented a long sigh and collapsed into a chair by the operating table.

"Perhaps this is the punishment for what I've done. Being forced to do it again.. over and over." It would explain the 'magical' teleportation to this strange place. He'd really died out there in the snow, from the plague or on impact. And now here he was- in the Pit.

Comments

I SENSE THE ARROGANT BASTARD CRYING...

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

Ambulon had been sitting on these datalogs for quite sometime. He hadn't forgotten his promise. Just... things had been a little hectic lately. And Ambulon had been busy, after all. Still, with things cooling down right now, he decided to pack up the books and head to Liege's temple.

At least he could take his time, having not announced his visit. Ambulon was pretty sure Pharma could see him, and probably wasn't very busy, either. When he arrived at his own time and pace, an acolyte showed him to Pharma's room (to be honest, the first time he'd actually been here in person).

Ambulon took a moment to... reconsider. He was pretty sure he pitied Pharma more than hated him now. Though Pharma's tongue could be venomous; well, if he decided to try anything, or say something to offend Ambulon, Ambulon would leave without another word. He wouldn't put up with it; he'd done that at Delphi, but that was then, and this is now. And the Pharma he worked with before the incident was quite a bit different from this... shadow now.

A few minutes later, Ambulon pinged Pharma.

I'M NOT CRYING YOUR LEG SENSES FAIL YOU

[organ_pharming]

Pharma actually jumped when he was pinged, half-way expecting it to be from Tarn. It wasn't. It was Ambulon, and that made him feel all the stupider for having reacted so fearfully. Venting a huff of irritation at himself, the doctor flared his wings and tried to pull himself together.

::Lab Room 44:: he sent back, ignoring the paranoid thought that he should not have revealed his location.

YOUR TERRIBLE DECISIONS FAILED YOU

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

Ambulon sighed. Either way, it wasn't very hard to find the lab. But when he arrived, he pinged a second time.

I'm outside the room. Unlock the door.

Because really, that's the smart thing to do.

[organ_pharming]

Actually, he's not so sure he wants to do that. It's the paranoia and its likely not rational, but suddenly letting the ex-decepticon in is that last thing Pharma wants to do.

Except that Ambulon is also one of those comrades he betrayed. The one he tried to pin the entire scheme on. It would really be starting the cycle all over again if he tried to keep this quiet.

The door unlocks with a soft 'click'. Pharma is seated at the back of the lab near an operating table. One hand grips a scalpel- an older model that isn't built into his hand and doesn't use lasers.

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

Ambulon almost wondered if it was worth it. Coming here, and all. Because it was one thing to meet with Pharma, and another to talk with him. Nonetheless, when the door opened, Ambulon entered slowly.

And yes, he had noticed those new hands. Quite a pity, really. It seemed wrong, but... Ambulon frowned, composed. "I suppose Maximo has you busy now," he said, eyeing the scalpel. He opened his arm, showing the books in his hand. "Feel free to take your time reading these. I don't need them back anytime soon."

And, in a way, he felt as if he were commenting on Pharma's current state. He wondered if he'd be leaving anytime at all.

[organ_pharming]

Busy? It takes a few minutes for Ambulon's words to register in the drained Doctor's processor. His optics flick down to the scalpel and then back up to the ex-decepticon.

"....Yes. He needs me," he replies, glossing over the fact that there is nothing on the examination slab. And if Ambulon should mention it, he will likely pretend he hasn't heard. Silently, he reaches out a hand for the offered books... a hand that is trembling slightly.

"A generous offer. But I doubt I have much time left to read them."

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

Ambulon noticed almost immediately how nervous Pharma was before the trembling hand confirmed it.

He turned away from Pharma before he could take the books. Placed them on the nearest flat surface. Turned back to his ex-employer. "Before what?" he asked, face remaining neutral if not a bit annoyed. There was no trace of concern in his optics. "Before your trial?"

[organ_pharming]

Pharma lets his hand drop as the books go undelivered, his weary gaze sliding away from Ambulon's face.

"Tarn is coming for me."

After all he had done to prevent it, the monster had hunted him across universes- and now he was right back where he started. It made the weight of everything he had done so much heavier to know it was all in vain.

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

"Is he?" Ambulon replied. He didn't sound alarmed, or even slightly concerned, but... "Did he explicitly say he would, or do you just think he would on principal?"

Ambulon frowned. "I spoke to the police, and asked them to keep an eye on you, specifically Blurr. I warned them this might happen. I'm certain they'll intervene if he tries anything." Though, given Tarn's strength and unique power. ... But, he was a little concerned. "But I will admit, they may not be enough. At least they should be able to give you time to flee and find protection."

And at the same time, he didn't care. A part of him - a part of him that was betrayed, that cared for his patients who apparently died or suffered because of the plague, the part that remembered First Aid and his murder - sort of hoped Tarn would come by. Pharma deserves this; so far, he's been protected and pampered and there's been no justice served, and after all he did, why should Ambulon care what happened to him?

But the other part of Ambulon, that which was forgiving, maybe a little empathetic, and a little more humane... Had to remember some of the circumstances behind Pharma's betrayal, even if none of them excused what he did. The part of him that actually once respected and admired Pharma and felt his madness caused a major loss to the medical field.

"Go to Liege. Ask for his protection. He values you; I'm sure he'll keep you safe," he suggested.

[organ_pharming]

The fact that Ambulon doesn't sound worried in the slightest makes Pharma's lip twitch. "He doesn't have to say it implicitly for me to know it will happen. It's just what he would do. You don't know him like- " The doctor pauses, refusing to finish with 'like I do'.

His warden's protests that he would be protected only make him shake his head. "The police here are too slow and ill-equipped. It seems the universe conspires to have me face this monster alone. Again."

Liege wasn't a bad suggestion though. So far the First Forged had given Pharma no reason to think he might abandon him in a time of need. That's why it was so important to be skilled- the better you were at something, the more you became irreplaceable in that particular task.

"...Speaking to Liege has some merit." Part of him was already tired of running. Part of him felt the weight of all his misdeeds and yearned to end it. It should have ended before he came here. Too bad the stronger part of him included an ego that refused to admit his wrong-doings and refused to deprive the world of a much needed medical genius such as himself.

"

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

Don't hate the player, hate the game, bro. Well, you'd probably say the same thing.

"Asking for Liege's protection is better than feeling sorry for yourself, I agree," Ambulon said, voice hard like sand paper around the edges, as usual. "If Liege cannot help you, maybe another Firstforged can. Like most of us, they deem murder as a crime and worthy of punishment." He paused, idly stroking his chin. Thought a moment before meeting Pharma's gaze again. "What about speaking with Tarn's Firstforged? I don't know who that is, or at least I can't recall, but if Liege can't stop him, then certainly Tarn's..."

Ambulon sighed, folding his arms. "But, again, there's only so much anyone can do. Tarn may have threatened you, but he's done nothing else. And while I'm sure that warrants protection and investigation from the police, I don't think the Firstforged would waste their time over what could be nothing. Even if I'm inclined to believe Tarn will eventually do... something. Though he's not done anything yet - you've had protection, but Drift and I... I doubt he's retiring, however."

[fun_police]

Reviewing all of the files back at HQ turned up what Prowl found to be quite an interesting and sadly neglected case. Of course, it seemed to have faded from public memory at this point, making it perfect for the plans he had in mind.

His arrival came unannounced. No communication through official channels, no deposited notes, not even a text. He didn't need this little visit to attract any more attention than he wanted it to. Technically, he's part of the doctor's security detail. All he really need do was to ask an acolyte where to go and he'd be there.

And so, one day, Pharma would hear a familiar voice ringing through his door, and the Autobot it belonged to standing in it's frame.

"It's been quite a few cycles, Pharma."