"In a coma, still," Ratchet reports, almost automatically. "Stable, has been for a while, but not awake. I... honestly think First Aid developed spark-jumping to try and wake Springer. That's how we got Fort Max back."

"Knowing's not always a luxury," Ratchet says slowly, thinking of Tailgate and his near-catastrophic failure there. "But--I know what you mean. Known enough mechs who died in stupid, pointless ways." He cycles his vents carefully. "Doesn't make it easier, but--I know."