Chapter 3: Transformation
"RATCHET!" Shouts Jack as he runs into the main cntrol hub.
"Jack!, What is it?" Ratchet asked now very concerned.
"Arcee's unconscious, and I don't know what to do."
"Where is she" Is Ratchet's response as he gathered his tools
"Her quarters. She just passed out and won't respond no matter what I say or do."
He is close to crying now. But in truth he could've done one thing that would've saved Ratchet the trip to Arcee's quarters and potentially save her life, he could've carried her into the med bay and set her on the berth. But because he doesn't want every one to know about him until it is absolutely unavoidable.
As Ratchet reaches Arcee's quarters he rushes over to where she is lieing on the floor and quickly runs a scanner over her entire form.
"How is she Ratchet?"
"I need to get her to med bay now!" Is all Ratchet said as he gently picked Arcee up and carried her out the door and toward med bay. When he arrives at med bay he quickly attaches several wires and monitors that display her vitals and a complete shcematic of her on the screen. Her entire form was displayed in red.
"Uh, Ratchet, why is her form displayed in red?" Jack asks in a very concerned tone.
"By the All-Spark!" gasps the old medic
"What...what is it Ratcher?"
"She has been infected with a virus. And not recently, according to this she has been infected since..." He gasps and drops the tablet he is holding.
"Ratchet?" Asks Jack now very concerned
The medic just shakes his head 'no'
"How could I have missed it all those years ago? How?"
"Missed what? When?"
"When Arcee came back from the clutches of the decepticons she had a scratch on her left face plate. I patched it easily but because I was still fairly new in the field I failed to run a diagnostic on her mind. This virus was introduced by..."
Jack cut him off with a deadly snarl, "Arachnid" The murderous and feral sound in Jacks voice confused Ratchet for this was a side to Jack that he did not think he possessed.
"The virus laid dormant all these years because it had to be activated."
"How?" Asks an enraged Jack
"Is she going to be ok?"
"I don't know, Jack." Ratchet says in a defeated tone."This virus is unlike any that I have encountered in all my years as a medic."
"What do you mean?"
As the medic turns back to the monitor"This is an incredibly violent virus and it is slowly killing her."
Jack just stands there starring at Arcee's still form wondering if she will be ok. After several minutes he speaks.
"Ratchet"
"Yes, Jack"
"Can I have a minute alone with Arcee?"
"I don't see why not. She's stable for the moment." He says as he walks out of med bay.
As soon as he is gone, Jack runs over to the med berth where Arcee lays and jumps up to stand beside Arcee.
"Arcee...I don't know if you can hear me, but even if you don't make it, I'm still going to love you with all of my heart and will never love anyone like I love you. Even if it means I will be the last dragon I will never love any one the same as you." He then leans down and kisses her for several minutes. When he pulls back from the kiss he just gazes at her face.
