Now This is An Upgrade (Ratchet x Rodney)

Back to Work

The next morning, Ratchet was startled awake by the sound of metal clanking loudly in Fender's room. He nearly feel off of the hammock swing as he turned to the other, glaring at Rodney. He was holding a pan and a spoon, banging the pan like a gong to wake him up.

"That's a little rude, don't you think?" Ratchet said.

Rodney's arms went limp and he stared deadpan at Ratchet. "Come on. You're going to work, aren't you?"

Ratchet almost gasped. He practically forgot about that. He still wasn't even sure if Bigweld meant what he said last night to him. Either way, the silver robot got up and followed Rodney outside.

As they were walking to Bigweld Industries, Ratchet looked particularly worried about something. Rodney decided to point it out with slight annoyance in his voice. "What's up?"

"I don't have a suit," Ratchet said. "How am I supposed to return to work without a suit?"

"Why don't you smelt some parts?" Rodney snapped. "You're good at that."

Ratchet tightened his jaw and looked around. Finally he caught saw the tailor's and pointed to it. "Let's go in there."

"What? No. Besides we're going to be late." Rodney said. "You should've gotten a suit before we were on our way to work anyway." He added.

Ratchet narrowed his eyes. "It's not my fault I didn't expect Bigweld to hire me."

Rodney rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine." They went to the tailor's to find Ratchet a work suit. He did, and it looked similar to what his previous one did before. He put that one on and had Rodney pay for it because he had no money. Then they continued to go to Bigweld Industries.

As soon as Ratchet followed Rodney inside, due to his familiar suit, everyone seemed to recognize that it was Ratchet ans sent him side eyes. Ratchet felt uncomfortable but tried not to seem that way as he greeted everyone with a casual charming smile. Of course, after what he did, no one seemed moved by it. Even Loretta at the front desk. At most, they just were surprised that he was there again, even going as far as to whisper to each other asking what he was doing back there or how he even got there in the first place.

Ratchet clasped and rubbed his hands together, looking around at the building. Almost everything looked the same. It was as if he never left. In fact, he felt a little excited to be back in Bigweld Industries. He turned to Rodney and said, "Thanks for the suit. But I think that I'm going to go to my station and get to work."

As he was walking away, Rodney stepped in front of him. "Where do you think you're going? You can't leave."

"Why not!"

"Because someone already took over your work station anyway."

"Who?"

Rodney raised his brows and folded his arms. Ratchet looked like he was going to laugh. "You? Ha! You're joking, right?"

Rodney didn't reply. He tapped his finger on his arm. Ratchet's face fell.

"You're--you're not joking?"

"No." Rodney said. "After you were released, Bigweld chose me to be his successor when he decides to leave to company. In other words, I am your boss."

Ratchet was furious by this. Boss?! How in the world could Rodney, of all people, be his boss?! He was a lowlife outmoded! He wouldn't tolerate being under the command of some rusty not. It just wasn't acceptable!

When Rodney mentioned that his place was taken, he thought, 'Okay, that's because I haven't been present in the company.' He believed that it might've been Cappy that had taken over, and if so, then he would've been fine with it. At least she wasn't as bad as Copperbottom.

Ratchet was in shock for a long time, unsure of how to process this new information. Rodney didn't wait for him to apologize, as he didn't expect it anyway. Instead, he said, "You'll be taking calls in the call center about new ideas that potential inventors will be sharing. Then you'll be writing them down on a list including their full name and contact info as well as a time where they can have a meeting with Bigweld. That should be a good place to start."

Ratchet was about to shout that this was all absurd and wasn't fair, but he kept himself clean. He would have to accept it for now. Perhaps this will all give him the time to plan on how to get his original position back. Clearing his throat, he put his hands together again, trying to seem innocent with a smile. "Of course. That would be just fine."

Rodney looked pleased. "I'll see you to the phone lines ans get you started on them," he said, leading him to the elevator.