GRV. Lamont Farm. Victory and Aftermath

[dens_extra_pups]

Ratchet: *has been pacing and looking skyward off and on for the past hour. Was in the new infirmary earlier, but now she's just pacing about out front*

WakeJumper: *playing backpack and clickstorming as Mama walks around*

Perceptor: *wondering just why he and Epps and some of the other soldiers are sitting on the roof of the Autobot barrack. And wondering if it would hurt if he fell*

Optimus: *standing and also looking skyward, Silverbolt a limp sleeper under one arm*

Catherine: *watching the skies and silently hoping for the best where she and Dallas are seated on the roof of the Autobot barrack*

Showtime: *sitting snuggled between Mentor and Mama*

Epps: *eyes glued to the sky* Denver, you quit elbowin' me.

Denver: *razz* *is watching the skies as well, and leaning on Saelen a bit*

Perceptor: I'm certain at least some of us should be able to see some...

Red Alert: *points and squees as light flashes in the sky*

Ironhide: *smacks a fist into his hand* There it is.

Comet: *gonna try scaling the black-colored big so she can sit on his head*

Ironhide: *absently puts a hand up toward the Seeklet as she joins her brothers, then frowns and looks around for Sidewinder*

Ratchet: *quietly* I just hope Slipstream and Whiplash got clear in time...

Chrome: *stares at Aunty from Daddy's shoulder* Bye bye. *nod. Looks up again*

Red Alert: *straining his optics toward the sky, one hand absently clutching the dolly he ganked from Lizzy's toybox a few days ago and hasn't put down since*

Showtime: *clicking softly to herself as she looks around*

Catherine: *mumbles something about wishing she had grabbed binoculars*

Ironhide: *grumbles something unprintable as the Seeklets on his head start screeching and smacking each other*

moments: *pass*

Red Alert: *squeals and points!*

Ratchet: *looks to where Red Alert is pointing*

Ironhide: There they are. *frown* Blackout's supporting one of them.

Perceptor: My stars and garters, she is!

Ratchet: *moves to transfer WakeJumper to Ironhide, intends to grab her field kit*

WakeJumper: *squeal, cling, will not be budged!*

Ironhide: *looks at WakeJumper* Help me with these fraggin' Seeklets.

Perceptor: *soft sound of surprise as his slide off the roof ends in a successful landing on Ratchet's shoulder*

Showtime: *surprised clickstorm. Where did Mentor go?* Wh't th'? *looks to Mama, chirp*

Ratchet: *hand up to make sure Perceptor is steady*

Catherine: *looks* He's alright, Showtime.

WakeJumper: *clicks to Comet and the boy Seeklets and gets skreeked at*

Optimus: *calling out* Clear the playing field!

soldiers: *clearing the playing field of kids and hatchlings*

Blackout: *transmitting to Ratchet* //She had something wrong that no one noticed till the explosion hit. Now she's acting like her processor's fried.//

Ratchet: //... Slag...// *pinches the bridge of her nose*

WakeJumper: *clickstorm and jumps to Ironhide*

Heatseeker: *stops skreeking at Windbreaker so that he can reach down and try to swat WakeJumper upside the head*

Windbreaker: *so much skreek*

Ironhide: *grim expression* //I'm deaf.//

WakeJumper: *slappa hand* No. Bad.

Heatseeker: *SKREEK! Swat swat!*

Windbreaker: *stares at Bubby's butt... and then SWATS IT!*

Heatseeker: *Seeklet in flight!* 0.0

Ironhide: *catches the brat*

WakeJumper: *bitty growl* No. Bad.

Ratchet: *boggling at the growl*

Perceptor: We should make ready now, love. They're within human visual range.

Epps: *low cuss as he sees that Slipstream is in root mode and clinging weakly to Blackout's alt mode as the big femme rumbles downward*

Ratchet: *small nod, hurries to get her field kit*

Whiplash: *sticking close to Blackout and visibly fretting and fussing*

Optimus: *goes to meet the incoming bots after handing Silverbolt off to Bluestreak*

Bluestreak: *cuddles Silverbolt and moves to find someplace to sit that's out of the way of foot traffic*

hatchlings: *see Blue and troop over to huddle around him. So much scary tension going on!*

Epps: *just used Ironhide as a ladder to get off the roof and got cursed at for it*

Ironhide: *can't think himself hear for Seeklet screeching*

WakeJumper: *bappaHide* No. Bad. *scowl*

Optimus: *as the away team reaches ground level he's taking Slipstream into his arms and bringing the weakly protesting young femme to Ratchet*

Blackout: *transforms and slaps Whiplash for blubbering*

Whiplash: *startled, hunkers down and skreeks softly*

Ratchet: Let's get her situated in the infirmary. *glad that there is an infirmary now*

Optimus: *nods and heads into the barracks and past the open resting and living area, down the hall lined by private rooms, to the big room at the back of the massive building. Gently lays Slipstream down on the nearer of the two tables* Her radiation levels are within human safe parameters. So it wasn't that which caused her damage.

Perceptor: *moves to Ratchet's hand and switches to alt mode*

Jazz: *on the far table, quietly watching what's going on*

Ratchet: *scanning the Seeker with Perceptor's help*

Slipstream: *looks like she's been hit with a mild EMP blast to the processor. Damage appears minimal, needs to reboot and then rest quietly. Aaaand, there is the crack in her cranial shielding that allowed it*

Ratchet: *relaying the scan results* She must have been closer to the explosion...

Perceptor: No. It was this crack, Ratchet. I wonder why this hasn't healed... *studies it, and then makes a small startled sound* Why, it has. But it's healed with the crack still open.

Ratchet: *quietly* She hasn't been getting proper materials and energy in awhile...

Perceptor: *sighs* I forget sometimes the trials that the youngest generation underwent. For protoforms in their formative stages, the shortages were most damaging.

Optimus: *quietly, from where he's gone to stand by the door* Can she be repaired, Ratchet?

Ratchet: We'll need the materials... The crack will always be a bit of a weak point, but I can at least get it sealed...

Perceptor: What if you were to pare away the healed edges? *transforms and looks up at Ratchet quizzically*

Ratchet: That might work...

Perceptor: Though it may be wise to wait till she's regained her strength from the current ordeal?

Ratchet: *nods* No doubt Whiplash will be attempting to bring her fuel shortly...

Optimus: Actually, Whiplash is currently attempting to "save Ironhide from World War III breaking out on his head".

Ratchet: ... Somehow, I don't think I want to know... *still a bit surprised at the growl WakeJumper let out earlier*

Optimus: *turns his head toward the door as he listens to the clear and piercing sound of Seeklet ire coming in from outside*

Perceptor: Oh dear. And we still have no idea where Sidewinder's gone.

Jazz: Sidewinder?

Ratchet: One of the Seeklets....

Jazz: *points toward a lump under the tarp down past his feet*

Perceptor: 0.0

Optimus: *chuckles* Hatchlings were always fond of you, Jazz.

Ratchet: ... *soft snerk*

Jazz: Yeah, well, she ain't exactly makin' nice. Jes' takin' advantage 'a the fact that I don't fill this... 0.0

Perceptor: *yelps as a thunderous shockwave booms outside, rattling windows, instruments, and his processor*

yelling and shrieking: *coming from outside*

Ratchet: *startles badly* 0_0

Optimus: *gone, running out to see what has happened and to protect his people*

Ratchet: *scoops Perceptor up and hurries to follow Optimus*

Perceptor: *shaking as he clings to her, hiding his face and trying to block out the sound of terrified hatchlings and animals*

Fluffy: *howling!*

cattle: *bawling with fear and stampeding across the pasture*

Hazard: *barking his head off*

WakeJumper: Mama! Papa! *off of Ironhide and beeline for her bigs* *terrified bitty*

Blackout: *tried to catch soldiers that were literally blown off the barracks roof by the shockwave, but missed some. Is saying angry words about this fact*

Seeklets: *clinging in silent terror to Ironhide and Whiplash's heads*

Ironhide: *cannot see past Seeklet, but has both cannons out!*

Chrome: *crying loudly*

Dallas: *sitting on the ground and looking a bit dazed, though he is trying to rouse Catherine*

Catherine: *got knocked stupid by the shockwave and her subsequent landing on the ground*

Denver: *is that string of cursing as Saelen helps her to her feet*

Whiplash: *skreeking and looking around worriedly*

Bluestreak: *shielding hatchlings and trying not to look frightened himself*

Optimus: Saelen, can you tend to the damaged humans? *scanning the surrounding area for danger*

Saelen: Yeah. What the heck was that though, Optimus?

Optimus: I am not yet certain. *turns slowly, and then points to where flames are clearly visible licking up over the trees on the far low hill that forms the horizon behind the farm* Part of the Reaper mother ship has made planetary impact.

Denver: ... So we got th' %$#%$#%$#s th'n? *hopeful as she leans on Saelen a bit more*

Epps: *struggling against pain* You... You glad they wouldn' give us a nuke now? 'Magin... *eyelids droop* Rads...

Saelen: *makes Denver sit down over on the front porch, will run to get a field kit so he can start tending to the wounded*

Ratchet: *squares her shoulders and moves to offer assistance where she can*

Optimus: *strides toward the flames, his radio connecting to the telephones of neighbours so that he can check on them*

Red Alert: *suddenly pitching a royal fit and pointing at Epps*

Fig: *grunts as Blackout drops him, then hurries to his friend and CO*

Ratchet: *scans Epps*

Epps: *not breathing, and his heart is silent*

Fig: *realizes this, curses, and starts CPR*

WakeJumper: *silent and still where she's clinging to Mamafront. Scared bitty is scared*

Ratchet: *glad for some of the things that came with her alt mode, including a portable AED unit*

Ironhide: *to Whiplash* Get. This. Thing. Off ME!

Windbreaker: *skreeks and clings harder to big face!*

Whiplash: *skreeks and reaches for Windbreaker's scruffbar*

Windbreaker: *positively painful to the ears sound of fright, but then goes obediently limp and hangs from his mentor's hand*

Whiplash: *soothing skreeks, will move to hold Windbreaker close to his chest and release his hold on the seeklet's scruffbar*

Ironhide: *starts to set off after Optimus, but then freezes as he realizes that something's wrong with his best human friend* Epps? *moves that way instead*

Blackout: *grabs him and points him after the Prime* Do your job.

Ironhide: *cusses and backhands her one in the chest, but goes as she said*

Ratchet: *working on getting Epps' heart going again*

Saelen: *keeping calm and putting his EMT training to use as he tends to some of the other soldiers*

Catherine: *is that soft groan over where Dallas is sitting*

Showtime: *has found Mama. Will cling!*

Catherine: *bleary blinking, manages to put her arms around Showtime* *quietly* Hey, kiddo...

another soldier: *serious compound fracture that's protruded from his arm. Is bleeding badly. Also has whiplash and skull injuries*

Saelen: *just shucked his shirt to use as a makeshift tourniquet* We're going to need airlift to the nearest hospital.

Blackout: *looks around and then growls* I can't leave

Lt. Brian Greer: *awake and lucid despite his injuries* Ugh. Is everyone... everyone else okay?

Saelen: *to Blackout* Can you get me into radio contact with the nearest hospital? They can send airlift.

Catherine: *starting to nod off*

Perceptor: *leaps down from Ratchet and goes to Catherine to scan her*

Blackout: *calling, and then cussing. Turns her call toward Ironhide and Optimus and is told to go* The choppers are all out. *finds a clear spot and transforms*

Epps: *still hasn't responded*

Fig: *no more cursing, is praying now as he works*

Catherine: *has more than a minor concussion, and is starting to slip back towards unconsciousness*

Ratchet: *getting ready to deliver a minor shock to Epps' heart through the AED*

Perceptor: *gentle speech for Catherine as he pats her face* Captain MacKenzie, we mustn't let her go offline.

Dallas: ... *reaches over and pinches Catherine's arm*

Catherine: *groggy protest at having her face patted, tries to swat at Dallas' hand when she gets pinched*

Showtime: Mama. Mama!

Epps: *gasping and trying to curl up over there on the grass*

Catherine: *bleary smile for Showtime* *quietly, her speech a bit slurred* Who's a good girl? Hmm? 'S 't you?

Ratchet: *scanning Epps again*

Showtime: S'mornin', Mama!

Epps: *still in danger due to the force of his impact with the ground, but his heart shows no sign of stopping again* *is biting back the urge to be sick, though*

Blackout: *impatiently* Come on! Airlift here!

Chrome: *ain't coming out of the babby pile when Mama's using THAT tone of voice*

Ratchet: *carefully lifting Epps and moving to get him situated in Blackout's hold*

Saelen: Someone get me a long, flat board.

Red Alert: *turns and stares at Saelen, then hightails it after the soldiers who run into the barracks and return with a backboard*

Saelen: *directing the solders in transferring Lt. Greer to the backboard, and helping keep the man's head and neck steady*

Lt. Greer: *confused frown. Is starting to pale slightly as the pain of his injuries registers*

Catherine: *turning her head a bit* What happened? Why'm I on the ground? *so confused and sleepy*

Showtime: Y'all hurt. *looks at Perceptor. Mentor can fix this, right?*

Perceptor: Captain MacKenzie, please bring Miss Wyatt to Blackout and load her. *is shaking again*

Dallas: *small nod* Yeah... *getting up, though he's a bit unsteady himself. Is able to lift Catherine without too much incident, thankfully*

Red Alert: *squeals and points toward a van that just pulled up the driveway!*

Saelen: ... There's no way they could've gotten here that fast. *orders the soldiers to load Lt. Greer into Blackout and hurries to meet the van*

Casey: *out of the van as soon as it's stopped, her Cajun French trying to come out into her English in her agitation* What the %%@#$@# happen here?

Saelen: We got hit with a shockwave. There are severe injuries, and we're in the process of getting them ready to be airlifted to the hospital. *no-nonsense tone*

Casey: Beau, y'git out here 'n help. *throws off her hoodie and moves her small, plump person toward the men laying on the grass*

Beau: *unbuckling and getting out* BJ, sit tahght f'r a bit.

BJ: *from where he's situated in the back of the van* Verreh funneh, Beau.

Denver: *from the porch* Beau! Wh't th' 'eck took y'u so dang long?! *miffed*

Beau: Ah'll tell y'u latah, sis. *limping over with the help of his cane*

Casey: *looking over the men left behind as Blackout lifts off, gently scolding and commanding them to just lay still*

Beau: *frowns as he sees the flames on the horizon* ... Y'all went 'n 'ad fun wit'out me...

Ratchet: It was hardly 'fun', Beauregard. *moving to lift Perceptor*

Perceptor: *startled sound* Oh, don't forget Showtime, Ratchet. The poor thing's terrified. Where is WakeJumper? *frightened babbling is go*

WakeJumper: *heard her name! Peeks, reach for Papa!* Papa!

Ratchet: *stoops to scoop Showtime up as well, clicking softly*

Showtime: *setting up to have a right proper conniption fit. Blackout just carried Mama away and didn't let her on!*

Casey: Dis dog's bleedin' out 'is ears and nose. *frowns at Fluffy as she works on the broken wrist of a soldier*

Fluffy: *sitting and feeling very bleah*

Beau: *limps over to try and see if he can help*

Denver: ... *getting up off the porch and hobbling over* Wh't 'appened t' Fluffy? *worried*

Casey: Same t'ing as happen to ever'body else. *wistful look says she wishes she knew about animal medicine*

Fig: *running a hand through his hair as he looks around for something to do. Then makes a sound of dismay as he looks toward the cow pasture* Aw no. Matt's gonna have a fit. *runs toward the injured cattle he can see laying out there*

WakeJumper: *gonna cling to Papa and clickstorm rapidly*

Showtime: *gonna bust her vox if she keeps shrieking like that*

Perceptor: *trying to softly coax Showtime into settling down. Explains to her that her mother will soon return, and that he and Ratchet and WakeJumper are right here*

Silverbolt: *suddenly halfway up Ratchet's leg as she heads toward Sissy's sissy*

Showtime: *having none of it. Wants Mama to hold her!*

Ratchet: *moves to gently lift Silverbolt up to where Showtime is*

Silverbolt: *Sissy's sissy is now in headlock of lovie, and being kissied!*

Showtime: *so startled by the sudden headlock and kissies that she falls silent*

WakeJumper: *hiding her face on Papa now*

Perceptor: *softly* Ratchet? What should we do?

Ratchet: *quietly* There are still injured who need tending...

WakeJumper: *tiny little click*

Perceptor: Yes... *turns his head to look down, then blinks* That red-haired lady just kissed Beau MacKenzie as she passed him.

Ratchet: ... *blink blink*

Denver: *teasing her brother about that now, even as she fusses over Fluffy*

Beau: *so much blush*

Wheeljack: //Ratchet! Ratchet, slaggit, come in!// *sounds sharp and angry with concern*

Ratchet: *startles* //What is it, Wheeljack?//

Wheeljack: *relief in her voice mixed with frantic concern* //We couldn' get through. Did some kinda slaggin' big ship just come down on yer heads?//

Ratchet: //Yes... We're dealing with the aftermath of the shockwave from its crash landing...// *trying to keep calm as she reports, but can't entirely rid her voice of the slight quiver hiding in it*

Senaiji: *just got spliced through* //Casualties?// *working mode is a go. No time for shenanigans*

Ratchet: //No fatalities... Several severe injuries have already been airlifted to the nearest hospital...// *quietly names off the worst of the injured*

Senaiji: //... I see. We're on our way there...//

Wheeljack: *as a sonic boom sounds in the distance and is squealed at by Red Alert* //Comin' in hot. Make sure the runway's clear.//

Ratchet: //The playing field should be clear....// *moves to make sure it is*

Wheeljack: //Ratch, we're comin' in from space.//

Ratchet: ... *pinches the bridge of her nose as well as she can* //Working on it...//

Elita: //The road's clear.// *and she just hit the playing field in meteor configuration*

startled and frightened animals: *crying out all over the farm again*

Seeklets: *RACKET doesn't BEGIN to describe this*

Whiplash: *near frantic skreeking as he tries to calm the seeklets*

Bluestreak: *trying so hard to comfort frightened hatchlings*

Red Alert: *has crawled under the porch with Hazard now*

WakeJumper: *frozen in place where she's clinging to Mamafront and holding onto Papa as well*

Showtime: *upset shriek*

Silverbolt: *cautiously turns head, then yells with relief and joy* MAMA!

Elita: *approaching at a near run*

Silverbolt: *squishaSissy and squeal* Mama! Mama!

Perceptor: Oh, Elita, we are so glad to see you.

Elita: *will move to relieve Ratchet of Silverbolt and Showtime* I can see why... *soothing clicks for the hatchlings*

Showtime: *upset and having none of it again*

Perceptor: Miss Wyatt was one of the most badly injured. *turns his head as three more impacts sound in the distance nearer the crash site*

Elita: Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, and Smokescreen just arrived. *gently swaying and rubbing Showtime's back*

Ratchet: *small nod*

Perceptor: *blinks* How did you all obtain orbit?

Elita: *slight quirk of a grin* We hitched a ride with Skymine.

Perceptor: Oh dear. That must have put a strain on her engines.

Skymine: //Van on road! Bad van!//

Ratchet: 0_0 *hurries to try and stop the van before it's too late*

WakeJumper: *fuss*

Perceptor: *tries to comfort WakeJumper as Ratchet carries the two of them toward the road*

Ratchet: There! I see the van! *moving to intercept*

Miranda: *pulls off to the side of the road as she sees Ratchet*

Skymine: //Ratch in way!// *sounds fretful and tired*

Perceptor: *looks up, sees shuttle with Wheeljack riding, and goes wide-eyed*

Ratchet: *looks up* 0_0 *scoots for the side of the road*

Wheeljack: *abandon ship! And JUST miss Ratchet and co! Water flies as she doesn't miss the neighbour across the road's dugout*

WakeJumper: *peek. Click* Bad 'Jack.

Ratchet: *wants to facepalm so badly*

Skymine: *rips past in a wave of heat, then yelps as her wheels hit the pavement and nearly buckle*

Senaiji: //Shut up, Kae Yau! We're not going to die!//

Ratchet: *hurrying to Skymine's aid* //Wheeljack, quit fishing and get over here!//

Skymine: *manages touchdown, and now the road is smoking as she hurtles down it* //TRUCK!//

WakeJumper: *hides on Papa again*

Perceptor: Oh sweet mercy...

Wheeljack: *sputter and gasp as she gets her head out of the mud, and then she's stumbling drunkenly to her feet* Truck?

Ratchet: *using her loudspeaker system to tell the truck driver to pull to the side of the road, NOW, DARNIT!!!!*

Wheeljack: *watches with wide optics as a green semi truck performs a rollover in the ditch* ...Ouch.

Perceptor: *hiding face*

Ratchet: *resisting the urge to curse as she hurries to right the semi*

semi: *making the soft sounds of distress made by the non-sentient Landmine units*

driver and passenger: *shaking their heads dizzily and trying to figure out what just went roaring past*

Ratchet: *scanning everyone and clicking softly*

Skymine: *in the distance up ahead* //GOPHER! OH @#$@#$@!//

Wheeljack: .>_<.

Ratchet: ... *sigh*

Skymine: //... Stopped now.//

driver: *manages to focus* *blinks at Ratchet* Sir?

Ratchet: Are you alright?

driver: Yessir, I think so. Buster held us down. *tugs at the five point harness that's got him secured to his seat*

Ratchet: *small nod, scans the semi to see if it's alright*

Buster: *undamaged. Only shaken up and frightened. Making quiet little clicks now*

Ratchet: *soothing clicks, recognizes this non-sentient Landmine unit as the one that hadn't even gotten to the language stage, and was one of the ones Mearing wanted destroyed. Is thankful that the orders hadn't been carried out* *gently* Everything's alright, Buster.

Buster: *continues his small sounds, but relaxes enough to unstrap his keepers*

driver: *rubs his neck* We were bringing the shipment you guys wanted. What happened?

passenger: *also talking softly to Buster*

Ratchet: Part of the Reaper mothership landed nearby...

driver: *as the passenger looks over sharply with surprise* ...How big a piece? Something nearly blew us off the road about a quarter of an hour ago.

Ratchet: Big enough to generate a shockwave that resulted in several severe injuries at the Lamont farm....

driver: There were cows and horses on the road coming here, too.

passenger: Don't forget the hogs.

Ratchet: *sigh* Clean up will be interesting...

WakeJumper: *peek, soft click*

Perceptor: *quiet and subdued* Here come Mrs. MacKenzie and Gran'ma Lamont.

driver: Orders, sir?

Ratchet: Proceed to the farm... And if you can help out with the injured, that would be appreciated...

WakeJumper: *clicking softly to Buster*

driver: Yessir. Might it be better if we leave the trailer here?

Ratchet: *small nod* We'll get it to the farm.

driver: Yessir. *salutes and then opens the door to jump out of the cab* If you could stand back, sir?

Ratchet: *steps back a few steps and moves to stop Hattie and Miranda from approaching for the moment*

Hattie: Wh't's goin' on 'eah? *frowns at Ratchet*

Miranda: 'S every'un okay? *concerned*

Perceptor: *quietly* A large alien ship has crashed to earth. And no... I'm afraid not. *glances over as the driver whistles softly*

driver: Buster, stand up! *gestures with his hand*

Buster: *soft chirp and then transforms*

WakeJumper: *more soft clickstorm for Buster*

Buster: *turns his head, showing a blank face with a single optic. Though his alt mode is of the same size as Optimus' he is shorter than the Prime. He is, however, very burly*

Ratchet: *gently* Good job, Buster.

Buster: *looks down at his driver upon hearing the words that usually come from him or from the other master*

driver: *grins* Yup. Good job.

Buster: *chirps again, and then stands to attention when he sees his masters doing it*

Ratchet: Dismissed.

men: *head down the road toward the driveway, Buster lumbering carefully in their wake*

Perceptor: My stars. Is that the one you mentioned in your notes, Ratchet? The one you expected to never be able to perform?

Ratchet: *quietly* Yes... I never thought he'd be able to understand verbal commands...

Perceptor: It appears that he is in fact aping the movements of his handlers. *watches the drone and the two soldiers as they move away*

Ratchet: *nods* And he does appear to have a rudimentary grasp of comprehension of verbal commands...

Perceptor: Perhaps. Did you notice that the command was accompanied by a gesture? *startles and looks down as one of the human women clears her throat*

Ratchet: *also startles and looks down*

Hattie: *hands on hips* 'Ow maneh 're 'urt, 'n 'ow bad?

Perceptor: Three needed emergency medical evacuation. Ah... most of the rest of those garrisoned here are injured in some way or other. And... Mr. Lamont's cattle are in sad shape.

Miranda: *quietly* Th'n we'd best git t' th' farm... *moving to herd Hattie back to the van*

Wheeljack: *further down the road, herding the soldiers and others who were inside Skymine*

Skymine: *following Wheeljack, her head down in a way that happens only on rare occasions when she's exhausted and utterly drained*

Ratchet: *circulates air for a few moments, squares her shoulders again, and moves to get the supplies trailer situated*


A few hours later....


Ratchet: *starting to get stuck in a bit of a loop as she works in the infirmary* *is working on repairing Showtime's vox, since the hatchling did eventually shriek loudly enough to mis-calibrate it*

Wheeljack: *looks in from where she'd been sitting by Skymine till the big youngster went to sleep in the common area* How's she doin'? *glances over to where Jazz is a sleeping lump hidden under his tarp, and then to Slipstream's still form*

Ratchet: *startles and looks up*

Perceptor: *ditto, from where he'd been sitting next to WakeJumper on a mattress in the corner*

Wheeljack: Whoa. *walks in and looks closely at her friend* You better go take a break, Ratch.

Ratchet: But I have to finish repairing Showtime's vox...

Wheeljack: I can finish. Gowan, get. *pushes over to where the hatchling is laying on the counter*

Ratchet: *bewildered expression as she's pushed out of the way*

Wheeljack: *shoots her a worried look* Can you even hear me?

Ratchet: But the repairs...

WakeJumper: *waking up enough to snuggle closer to Papa* *sleepy clicks*

Wheeljack: I can do repairs. You go 'n rest.

Silverbolt: *peeks into the room and then calls softly to Sissy and makes little come here fingers*

WakeJumper: *sits up and rubs at her optics a bit. Then she's looking over to where Silverbolt is. Chirps softly and moves to go see Sissy*

Silverbolt: *arm around WakeJumper's shoulders* Come. Unca Blue have dinner. *gentle tug* Come.

WakeJumper: Noms? *will go where led*

Silverbolt: Yes. *takes Sissy away*

Wheeljack: There. Blue's got the kids. You 'n Perceptor go get some rest.

Ratchet: ... *small nod, moves to get Perceptor*

Perceptor: *cuddles close* *with concern* Are you alright, love?

Ratchet: *cuddle* *quietly* I'll be alright...

Perceptor: *softly* Let's go to our quarters. Let Elita One know that we're going off duty.

Ratchet: *small nod* *lets Elita One know that she and Perceptor are going off duty* *soft clicks as she moves down the hall*

Perceptor: Wait. Ratchet, this is our door. *leans toward it and points* *then looks up* Or are you checking on Skymine first?

Ratchet: *stops for a moment* Let's check on Skymine... *will move to do so*

Perceptor: *softly* Very well.

Skymine: *curled on her side on the bottom bunk of one of the sets in the room, is covered with her favourite tarp, and cuddling the massive unwieldy doll that Wheeljack made for her out of a few tractor inner tubes and a lot of hay*

Ratchet: *soft, soft clicks as she watches Skymine for a few moments*

Perceptor: Her energy levels are acceptable, and she is recharging nicely and enjoying a pleasant sleep cycle. *looks up, his optics shining softly*

Ratchet: *small nod* *quietly* That's good...

Perceptor: *scans Ratchet, checking her energy levels*

Ratchet: *just a bit low, and showing signs of stress*

Perceptor: *softly* Come to bed, love.

Ratchet: ... Right... Bed... *soft clicks as she moves to head for quarters*

Perceptor: *climbs over to her data entry port and plugs into it, then sends a soft rush of affection over the link*

Ratchet: *very slight wibble, then she's reaching to gently touch his back*

Perceptor: *softly, responding to what he can hear from the link* It was not your fault, Ratchet.

Ratchet: *quietly* It still feels like I failed them...

Perceptor: *shakes his head gently but empathetically* You did no such thing.

Ratchet: *intakes hitch softly*

Perceptor: *small hand gently smooths the base of her thumb, his touch gentle and reassuring. And at the back of his mind those half forgotten memories of being part of a larger whole flicker...*

Ratchet: *carefully bringing him closer to her chest, will gently nuzzle his forehead*

Perceptor: *small smile as he reaches up to touch her face*

Ratchet: *needs cuddles, do you has?*

Perceptor: *nestles against her chest and thinks of the bed. She'll be able to feel his certainty that once she's slept she'll feel better*

Ratchet: *cuddles and moves to carefully lay down on the bed* *nuzzle*

Perceptor: *sends affection, and then a mental image of himself, larger than life, resting his forehead against hers* -It will be alright, love. And so will all our friends.-

Ratchet: *shutters her optics and nods, clicking softly* -It still hurts... Knowing that I do not know enough to treat all of our allies...-

Perceptor: *soft, soothing as he cuddles close* -There is nothing stopping your learning to do so.-

Ratchet: *softly* -I do not know who I would even ask...- *hasn't fully grasped the fact that Saelen and Catherine both have medical training, even if Catherine is still learning herself*

Perceptor: *quietly* Saelen is our human medic. And Miss Wyatt was learning about human repair before she became your apprentice. I strongly suspect that Beau MacKenzie's mate is also a repair unit.

Ratchet: *soft hum of acknowledgement, snuggle*

Perceptor: *comfort and affection* -Sleep now, love.-

Ratchet: *soft sigh, nuzzles and cuddles for a bit more before entering a sleep cycle*


Farmhouse


Fig: *looks around living room, which is littered with resting soldiers* You sure, Gran'ma? These guys all have their own beds now.

Hattie: *nod* Y'all c'n sleep 'n th' barracks t'morrah... *glances to Dallas, who is sleeping fitfully* But t'nahght, Ah'd ratha y'all sleep 'eah...

Fig: But some've us're barely hurt. *stops and blinks, looking a little bit surprised*

Hattie: *gives Fig a bit of a Look* Don' argue.

Fig: *blinks again* What?

Hattie: Rahght now, 't's best 'f y'all rest s'meplace familiar...

Fig: ...The barrack's familiar. *has never argued with Hattie before*

Hattie: *hands on hips, stern expression is a go*

Fig: *rubs his eyes* ...Gettin' dark in here... *collapses*

Hattie: *acks and hollers for someone to help her with Fig*

soldiers: *sit up on their pallets, ready to do so!*

Hattie: S'me'un go git Casey, 'n be quick 'bout 't. *checking Fig's pulse and trying to figure out what's wrong*

soldier: *off his pallet and gone in his boxers and bare feet*

Fig: *breathing slow. Eyes showing sign of concussion*

Hattie: *pinches Fig's arm* Don' go t' sleep, Jorge!

Fig: *no response*

Hattie: *slaps the soldier*

Fig: *still no reaction*

Casey: *comes tearing in from outside* What you see? *down on her knees by Hattie*

Hattie: 'E ain't respond'n, 'n 'is eyes've gone funneh... *sounding just a bit frightened*

Casey: *looks the man over, shines light in his eyes, then growls* We gotta get him to a hospital now.

Matilda: *in the kitchen* Ah 'eah Blackout comin' back.

Casey: *glances at Hattie* Blackout?

Hattie: 'Un 'f th' robots Beau w's talk'n 'bout ealiah. Ahrnhahd's wahfe.

Casey: *listens, and then her face brightens* Dat chopper?

Miranda: *as she moves to lean against the entryway wall* Yup.

Casey: Good! Help me get dis man out dere.

Miranda: *frown* Wh't's wrong wit' Fig? *moving to help lift the soldier*

Casey: Something's pressing on his brain. *small body tensed with her efforts of getting the strapping man off the floor*

Miranda: ... *helps lift the soldier, her larger size making it an easier task*

Hattie: *moves to hold the door open, since she knows there's not much she can do to help lift Fig*

Blackout: *just landed outside and is looking around with her hands on her hips and a scowl of displeasure on her face. Catherine is laying wrapped in blankets at her feet*

Catherine: *bleary blinking as she looks around, not really registering her surroundings yet*

Casey: *eyes go wide* Dat Blackout?

Miranda: Yup. *steering Casey and Fig over to Blackout*

Blackout: *turns and steps back to look down at them* Now what?

Miranda: Fig's 'urt, 'n needs t' git t' th' 'ospital.

Casey: We need an airlift, STAT!

Blackout: ... I hate you all. *steps further away from Catherine and transforms*

Casey: *startles, but then beams* Perfect. *pauses and looks at Miranda* Somebody's gotta go with him, but I shouldn't leave.

Miranda: Hattie, getcher butt ovah 'eah.

Blackout: *reaching out with her cables to pull Fig aboard*

Casey: *eeeks at that! But doesn't back down*

Miranda: *will help Hattie into Blackout's hold once Fig's safely loaded*

Catherine: *quietly, sounding a bit confused* Where's Ratchet? I gotta help her...

Casey: *makes darn good and sure that Blackout's got Fig secured, then argues a bit with the big mechanoid as to whether or not Hattie needs that cable around her waist*

Blackout: I'm taking care of her. Shut up. And get out.

Miranda: Casey, 'elp me wit' Kitty.

Casey: *turns toward her mother in law's call, then gives Blackout's interior a stink eye before jumping out*

Blackout: *promptly blows the little redhead over as she takes off*

Casey: Acck!

Miranda: *paying Blackout's departure no mind, is trying to keep Catherine from struggling and hurting herself* Easeh, Kitty-cat... We's gonna take y'u t' Buddeh...

Catherine: ... Buddy... *trying to sit up* Gotta check on him...

Casey: *on her feet and coming over* Lay down right now!

Catherine: *lays back down and wibbles*

Casey: Easy, now. *kneels beside the tall girl and looks at her, then frowns* Why'd dey send you back? You should be at de hospital.

Catherine: *blearily* 'M Ratchet's assistant... She needs me here... Buddy needs me here...

Wheeljack: *just stepped out with an upset blue hatchling in her arms* Sheesh, kid. I just fixed that.

Showtime: *cannot hear you due to shrieking! Wants Mama, and wants her NOW!!!*

Catherine: *turns her head* *blinking a bit* Showtime...

Wheeljack: *blinks and looks toward the groggy voice, then brightens* Show, look! Look! *turns baby bot's head* There's Ma.

Showtime: *blinkblink, reach* MAMA!!!

Wheeljack: *puts the hatchling on the ground* Yeah. Don't break her, alright? *looks around for Bluestreak, since he wasn't inside*

Casey: *break her? Stands and puts herself protectively between the blue robot and the girl on the ground, her expression uncertain but determined*

Showtime: *MOTHER of all stink eyes, scoots around the human she doesn't know*

Catherine: *trying to get her arms free so she can hug the blue hatchling*

Miranda: *helping with that, and speaking calmly to the concussed woman* Showtime's alrahght, Kitty-cat... See? She missed y'u...

Casey: *turns and follows Showtime, her hand going out* Careful. She's hurt.

Showtime: *more stinkeye for the strange human* *scoots closer to Mama and carefully snuggles*

Catherine: *holds the hatchling close*

Casey: Uh. *looks at Miranda for an explanation and/or introduction*

Miranda: *soft chuckle* Showtime's Kitty-cat's daughtah... 'N 'un 'f th' 'atchlin's th't w's brought 'eah.

Casey: ...Hatchlings? Baby Transformers? *brows up with surprise. Had heard of the big aliens through the news and magazine articles, as well as from Beau. But Beau had never mentioned babies*

Miranda: Yup. *and now she's puzzling over how to get Catherine to the infirmary*

Wheeljack: *coming back now after having both babysitters ask her to grab some more energon*

Miranda: 'Ey, Wheeljack, mahnd givin' Kitty-cat 'n Showtime a lift t' th' infirmary?

Wheeljack: *stops short and looks down at her* The bot infirmary? Doesn't Gran'ma want them in the house?

Miranda: Hattie went wit' Blackout 'n Fig...

Showtime: *is a bitty bundle of purr*

Catherine: *starting to nod off as a result of that purr*

Wheeljack: *looks at Catherine, then bends and carefully scoops her and Showtime up* Alright. Not sure I can get her in her swingin' thing without jostlin' her. *waits, then looks at Miranda and Casey as they fail to load themselves aboard*

Miranda: *blink blink* Oh. Rahght. *moves to herd Casey onto Wheeljack's hands*

Casey: What? *questioning look for the older woman, and then a soft "eep" of surprise as they're both lifted slowly into the air and brought close to Wheeljack's chest*

Miranda: We's gonna 'elp Wheeljack put Kitty-cat int' 'er 'ammock.

Casey: Oh. Alright... *slight grin as she starts to enjoy the ride*

Wheeljack: *into the barrack, and then over to check on Skymine*

Skymine: *barely visible under that special huge cammo tarp. Her face is hidden against her doll's head as she purrs a massive quiet rumble in her sleep*

Showtime: *soft little clicks, can hear Skymine purring*

Casey: *looks at that colossal, covered form. Softly* Who's dis?

Miranda: *softly* Th't's Skymine. She's a sweetie.

Wheeljack: Yeah. But man is she gettin' lippy as she gets older. *turns away from the bunks and walks past the seats and table toward the hall*

Catherine: *slight start as she wakes up from the slight doze she slipped into* *dazedly* Buddy?

Wheeljack: Almost there. Look, there's Ratchet 'n Percy. They didn' shut their door. Heh. *stops in front of said door*

Catherine: *so confused* *a bit louder* Buddy? *not exactly aware of her surroundings or who's carrying her*

Showtime: *soft clicks, gently patpats Mama's face*

Wheeljack: Okay. *turns and strides on into the infirmary. Goes past Slipstream and her softly beeping monitors, and then stops by the table that holds the quietly snoring Jazz* There he is.

Catherine: *turning her head a bit* *quietly* There he is... *starting to fall asleep again*

Casey: *turns her head* ...I hear another chopper.

Wheeljack: *listens, and frowns* I don't know that one. It ain't Blackout.

Miranda: Mahght be a 'ospital 'r military 'un... *small frown, reaches over and pinches Catherine's arm* Ah don' th'nk she sh'ld be sleep'n.

Casey: Short sleeps are alright. I'm watching her breathing. *still listening as that chopper stops out on the playing field*

Catherine: *protesting the pinch*

Wheeljack: *reaches across Jazz to hold the three women and the hatchling in the little possessions alcove that holds Catherine's hammock and other things* Here, offload so I kin go see.

Miranda: *carefully getting Catherine's shoulders* Le's git 'er 'n Showtime layin' 'n 'er 'ammock.

Casey: *skillfully lifts her end of the redhead, but then frowns* De hammock's too high.

Wheeljack: Here, I can get this end. *takes legs gently*

Miranda: *transfers Showtime and Catherine to the hammock with Wheeljack's help*

Catherine: *confused protest*

Wheeljack: Heh. There. *turns and heads out to see who's here*

Jazz: *turns head, brown optics blinking sleepily* Kitty-cat?

Catherine: *turns her head a bit* Buddy...

Jazz: *cracks a slow, sweet grin* Hey, girl. Where ya... been?

Catherine: *quietly* Dunno...

Showtime: *peeks at Mama's friend* *quietly* Mama hurt.

Jazz: *frowns* Hurt? What... why?

Casey: *watching the interaction in silence*

Showtime: Big boom, Mama fall.

Catherine: *dazedly* 'S'at what happened?

Miranda: Yup. S'whut Dallas tol' us.

Buddy: *frowns* She... she gonna be alright?

Miranda: Yup. Kitty-cat'll be alrahght, she jes' needs quiet 'n rest f'r a spell.

Jazz: *deep sigh of relief*

Wheeljack: *back from bringing fuel to hatchlings, has hands full of Saelen and a lot of other stuff*

Saelen: *not pleased with the news that Catherine was brought to the farm, though he does understand why she was putting up a fuss about it*

Showtime: *to Buddy* Mama'll be alrahght. *nod nod* Sleeps now. *snuggles Mama and splatsleeps*

Catherine: *pulls Showtime closer* *quietly* Sleepy...

Casey: *turns to watch as the man is set, along with the stuff, on the foot of Jazz's table. Then brightens* I want dat heart monitor. *looks to see how to get down from the niche and get the equipment*

Miranda: *making use of the rope ladder now* Th' ladder's 'eah, Casey.

Saelen: It's not just a heart monitor. It's a multi-parameter monitor. *bringing the device over past Jazz*

Casey: *acks as she slips on the moving ladder, but doggedly tries to continue... till Wheeljack snags her and sets her back up in Catherine's apartment* Hey!

Saelen: *chuckles* Lift me up there too, Wheeljack. The sooner we get Catherine hooked up to a monitor, the better.

Wheeljack: *cheerfully* I look like a slaggin' jump tube ta you? *picks him up and puts him over there* You want this screen thingy too?

Saelen: Yeah. And that belt. It will help monitor her breathing.

Casey: *already reaching for stuff to take and install*

Wheeljack: *setting the rest of the stuff up into the niche* You want this mattress instead'a that hangin' bed? *points to the one on the floor in the corner*

Saelen: ... That might freak her out.

Wheeljack: But it'd give her 'n Show more space. Show might knock yer monitors loose the way they're squished like that.

Showtime: *soft clicks as she sleeps*

Saelen: Actually, Showtime sleeps really still. Catherine's more likely to pull the stuff off, with the way she fidgets.

Casey: Fidgets, eh? *frowns at her patient even as she gets the girl hooked up to the sensors and stickies*

Saelen: Yup. I've seen her fall off the bed when she and Denver were sharing one.

Casey: So dat why she likes dis thing. *absently pats the hammock as she looks toward the machinery*

machinery: *softly beeping as it calibrates*

Catherine: *making like a log and laying absolutely still*

Casey: *gets sensors hooked to machinery, and then pauses automatically to count her patient's breathing* Can we hang de hammock lower so I can work without dis stool?

Saelen: *moves to see if the hammock can be lowered*

Miranda: *helping with that*

Catherine: *barely moves her head* *soft sound*

Saelen: Wheeljack, would you mind supporting Catherine and Showtime? I'm going to undo the knot on this end.

Wheeljack: *hand under the sleeping pair as Casey scoots out of the way* Got 'em.

Saelen: *making quick work of undoing the knot. Will let out some of the ties before retying them so the hammock will hang lower* *moves to repeat the process on the other end of the hammock*

Wheeljack: Good?

Saelen: *one last quick check of both knots* Yup.

Wheeljack: *slowly lowers hand, and then moves it away*

Jazz: *watching with concern*

Catherine: *soft little sigh, but doesn't wake*

Showtime: *snuggles against Mama*

Wheeljack: *turns and wanders outside. Soon returns with... a Dallas!*

Dallas: *bleary blinking* *was asleep, even if it was a fitful sleep, inside the house*

Wheeljack: *will grab that mattress and put it it up against the end wall of the niche nearest Catherine's feet, then lay the dozy soldier on it* There ya go. Family's all together. Heh.

Dallas: *sleepily* 'Mkay... *splatsleep*

Casey: *blink blink* Family?

Miranda: *chuckles* Yup. 'E fancehs 'er.

Casey: Ohhh. Boyfriend, huh? *back to checking Catherine*

Saelen: She hasn't figured out that he's flirting with her. She has a crush on him. *chuckles*

Catherine: *is slipping into deeper sleep, and is uncharacteristically still*

Casey: *face palm* Oh.

Saelen: *more soft chuckle* She's smart. She'll figure it out soon, I'm betting.

Casey: I don't know how anybody can miss something like dat. *looks around for somewhere to sit as she watches over Catherine*

Wheeljack: *trying to set up the freestanding privacy screen curtains across the mouth of the niche now*

Jazz: *watching with a slight frown* Y'got it upside down.

Wheeljack: Huh? No it ain't.

Saelen: *looks over* Yes it is. *will move to show Wheeljack the right way to hang the privacy screen curtains*

Miranda: Got aneh seats 'n th't stuff?

Wheeljack: *good natured grumbling as she turns the curtains over and gets them properly on their stands*

Jazz: Kitty sits on the floor.

Miranda: Ah know, but Casey needs s'meplace t' sit so she c'n keep 'n ah 'n Kitty-cat.

Wheeljack: *out she goes. ...And comes back with one of Matt and Dixie's deck chairs* How's this?

Miranda: *soft snerk* Th't sh'ld work.

Wheeljack: Where ya want it? *cheerful ear flashes with her words*

Miranda: Ask 'er. *nods to Casey*

Casey: *looks at the good, though worn, folding camping chair and nods, then points to a spot near the middle of the hammock where she'll be able to see the monitors and Catherine's face*

Wheeljack: Gotcha this, too. *the sci fi story magazine Catherine had left in the chair as it sat on the house porch*

Casey: *blinks at the magazine and takes it, then looks at Wheeljack*

Wheeljack: *confused by the reaction* To read while ya sit.

Casey: *looks at the magazine* Er... No thanks.

Miranda: *chuckles* Th't's 'un 'f Kitty-cat's magazines. Ah still dunno wh're she got 't.

Wheeljack: I brought 'er three when I came out last. She asked for 'em. *puzzled by the rejection, but sets the magazine down gently by the backpack where she can see one of the others poking out*

Miranda: Ah... Gotcha. *chuckle*

Saelen: *amused* Why am I not surprised that she's a geek?

Wheeljack: Geek? *offers hands for "jump tube" service*

Saelen: *points to the sci-fi magazines as he moves to climb onto Wheeljack's hands* Someone who enjoys things like that.

Miranda: *moving to climb onto Wheeljack's hands as well*

Wheeljack: ...I read stuff like that. See ya, Casey. See ya, Jazz. *turns to carry Miranda and Saelen out*

Saelen: *to Casey* I'll bring you something else to read.

Miranda: Bein' a geek ain't a bad th'n', Wheeljack. Jes' means y'u're part 'f a group. *chuckle*

Casey: T'anks. Beau knows where my book is. *settles in the chair after checking on Dallas' goose-egg and pulling his blanket over him better*

Wheeljack: Oh. Okay. *out of the barrack, and then stops to look around*

Saelen: I need to go get Casey's book.

Miranda: 'N Ah sh'ld prolleh check 'n Matt, 'f Dixie ain't done 't yet.

Wheeljack: *looks down at them* Matt 'n Dixie're back?

Miranda: *nod* Th'y got back 'bout 'n 'our 'go. Matt's been digg'n 'n th' fields. *quieter* Bury'n' th' dead animals.

Wheeljack: Oh. *quietly* Yeah... his cows. 'N the gobble birds. *leans down to set the two humans on the ground*

Miranda: *small nod* *heads for the fields*

Saelen: Thanks, Wheeljack. *will go look for Beau*

Wheeljack: *sighs and goes to check on Bluestreak and Whiplash* What're you guys hidin' in the barn for, anyway?

Whiplash: *hunkers down and skreeks softly*

Bluestreak: *quietly* We didn't want to be in the way.

Comet: *sleepy skreek at Wheeljack from where she's snuggled against Mentor*

Wheeljack: *as the male Seeklets echo Comet and Sidewinder ignores her* We gotta home now, Blue. *jerks her thumb toward the barrack*

Bluestreak: *quieter* Matt looked so sad. *wibble*

Wheeljack: *quietly* Yeah. I think... I think our cow's one'a the ones that's gone.

Bluestreak: *more wibble, small nod*

Wheeljack: *glances at Whiplash* You better bring those guys ta yer place. *stoops to gather hatchlings into her arms* Come on, Blue. Let's get these guys ta their beds.

Whiplash: *quiet skreek, moves to get up*

Bluestreak: *small nod, moves to help with hatchlings*

Hot Rod: *snuggles against bubby, butt in the air*

Springer: *blink blink* *quietly* Sleepin'.

Wheeljack: *frowns and counts heads* Where's Red?

Bluestreak: *looking around* Oh, no... *frantic babby search!*

Wheeljack: Hey, hey. Let's get these guys in bed, and then search. *frowning with concern even as she bundles little bots into her arms* //Elita? You here?//

Elita One: //I am. Is something wrong?//

Wheeljack: //We lost a kid. Red Alert's not here.//

Elita One: //... I will look for him. Hazard is still missing as well.//

Wheeljack: //Slag. I hope he ain't dead too. The kids love 'im.// *turns to bring her armload of hatchlings out of the barn*

Bluestreak: *fussing and fretting softly as he follows Wheeljack with the rest of the hatchlings*

Elita One: //His last known location was under the porch. And I am picking up organic life signs and a hatchling.//

Wheeljack: //Is'e alright?// Roddy, hold still.

Hot Rod: *sleepy argumentative clicks. Was happily bundled in his bed of hay*

Elita One: *quietly* //There is a small amount of dried blood around his ears. Though he did respond to my calling his name.// *concerned*

Wheeljack: *as she walks across the yard toward the barrack* We're bringin' ya ta bed, Roddy. Ya like the beds, remember? Blankets? //And Red?//

Elita One: //Red Alert is currently attempting to comfort Hazard.//

Wheeljack: //Tell 'im ta come out 'n come ta bed.// *pauses in the barrack door to look toward the farmhouse*

Elita One: *gently coaxing Hazard and Red Alert out from under the porch*

Saelen: *heading to the barracks with Casey's book in hand*

Wheeljack: *looks down past armload of babbies* So what does she read, anyway?

Saelen: Well, this one's called 'Secret Daughter'. No idea what it's about, to be honest.

Wheeljack: *scans book* Shilpi Somaya Gowda, huh? That's a different kind 'a name. Okay okay, Roddy. Sheesh. *grumbles and turns to walk inside and down the hall to the hatchling barrack room with its half water tank cradle bunks all lined with soft carpet*

Hot Rod: *fussing just a bit*

Bluestreak: *soft clicks as he moves to set hatchlings in the cradle bunks, two hatchlings to a bed*

Wheeljack: *on the other side of the room, doing as Bluestreak is doing* Hey, no bitin'. You got all the energon ya wanted. *puts little biter down too* I'll fix yer blankets after I gotta hand free.

Bluestreak: *clicking softly to sleepy and sleeping hatchlings as he moves to cover them with blankets*

Hot Rod: *gonna cling to Springer's foot now, kthx*

Wheeljack: OW #$@#$@# CLAWS! *dirty look for the little bronze male she just tried to put down*

hatchling: *blink blink. Ooops. Lets go of the nice big*

Springer: *quietly repeats the word Wheeljack just used and then boots Hot Rod in the head with irritable clicking and chirping*

Hot Rod: *startled squeal*

Springer: *jumps and echoes the squeal*

Wheeljack: *looks over* Blue, get those two.

Bluestreak: *meeps and scoots over to pick up Hot Rod and Springer*

Wheeljack: *examines the marks left by the bronze hatchling* Eeesh. At least I don't need a patch. *starts covering littles with blankets and making sure lovies are where they're wanted*

Chrome: *uses claw baby for a lovie*

Bluestreak: I don't think he meant to scratch you, Wheeljack... *baby dancing with Hot Rod and Springer now*

Elita One: *bringing Red Alert to the barracks now*

Wheeljack: *as the golden femme steps into the hatchling barrack, she turns to face Bluestreak so that he can see the punctures in her chestplate* These ain't scratches, Blue.

Bluestreak: *meeps*

Elita One: *blink blink* What happened, Wheeljack?

Wheeljack: *looks at the Prime's mate and shows her the holes* That kid decided ta hold on when I put 'im down.

Elita One: *wince* *offers Red Alert* Here.

Wheeljack: *looks in all the cradles* Everybody's paired up.

Bluestreak: He, Inferno, and their friend usually sleep snuggled together. ^_^

Wheeljack: Ah. ...Which one's Inferno?

Inferno: *not asleep yet, heard his name* *chirp?*

Wheeljack: *looks and blinks* Ohhhh, the big guy?

Bluestreak: Yup. And their friend is the little femme using his feet as a lovie.

Wheeljack: *studies the upper level cradle, and then tentatively tucks Red Alert in*

girl hatchling: *wriggles around till she's laying on the boys with her feet hanging out of the cradle*

Red Alert: *deep sigh and some quiet Cybertronian clicks and chirps to his bestest friends*

Inferno: *snuggles his friends and purrs happily*

Wheeljack: *blink blink. Snerk*

Bluestreak: ^_^ *cheered by the cute*

Hot Rod: *splatsleep, has Springer's fist in his mouth*

Elita One: *small smile as she sees how happy the hatchlings are in their cradle bunks*

Wheeljack: *as she slips an arm around Bluestreak's waist. To Elita* Anythin' from the guys at the crash site?

Elita One: The neighbor who had a fallout shelter... no longer has a fallout shelter, and he has lost his barn, tractor, combine, and several acres of the food crop he was raising. *quieter* There were survivors amongst the Reapers who put up continued resistance.

Wheeljack: *frowns, but then perks very slightly* So Ironhide got ta slap a...

Bluestreak: That's a bad word, 'Jack.

Wheeljack: Oh. Which one?

Elita One: Ironhide dealt with the threat.

Wheeljack: *distracted from blushing boyfriend* Yeah. Blackout's gonna be so #@$#@%$.

Elita One: ... *face palm*

Wheeljack: What?

Springer: *utterly splat sleep despite being a bubby lovie*

Elita One: That last word is considered a curse word, Wheeljack.

Bluestreak: *dying of blush*

Wheeljack: Ohhhhhhhh. Sorry. *grin*

Elita One: Kae Yau and Bathilda are both in the farmhouse, currently. But Liaison Ecray is still at the crash site.

Wheeljack: Will'll take care of 'im. Wait... doesn't dead Reaper make him puke? *frown*

Elita One: *dryly* Dead Reaper also makes Liaison Ecray puke.

Wheeljack: That's who I meant. *checks bitties in Bluestreak's arms* They're sleeepin', Blue.

Bluestreak: *moves to gently tuck Hot Rod and Springer into one of the bunks*

Wheeljack: *helps by covering the two little mechs up, then puts a blanket over the heap in Red Alert and Inferno's cradle* *this done, she turns and grabs Bluestreak for a hug*

Elita One: *soft chuckle* Just don't go and bond. *heads off to check on Ratchet and Perceptor*

Wheeljack: *cheeky razz follows Elita out of the room*


In the house


Fluffy: *is a sad and quiet dog with his head on Denver's leg*

Denver: *gently petting Fluffy's head*

Bathilda: *still groggy due to painkiller from the dentist appointment she'd been snatched away from to come here* *quiet* How is he?

Denver: *quietly* Ah dunno 'f 'e c'n 'eah anehth'n...

Bathilda: *frowns* Vhat makes you say zat?

Denver: *softly* 'E w's bleed'n fr'm 'is eahs 'n nose after th' shockwave went through.

Bathilda: *bites lip, paling slightly* Vill he survive?

Denver: *quieter* Dunno. Ah'm 'opin' so. *more gentle head petting for Fluffy*

Fluffy: *moves slightly, then sighs and relaxes. Hurts and is confused by the silence. But his boss is here, and he smelled the boy, too. Things are alright now*

Denver: *trying so hard not to cry*

Bathilda: *offers a hug*

Denver: *hugs*

Bathilda: I'm sure he'll be alvright. Ve should vrest in ze meantime.

Denver: *small nod* *will pet Fluffy one last time and move to get up*

Bathilda: I don't need zis whole couch. If you put your feet zat vay I sink ve'll both be comfortable.

Denver: *moving to lay the way Bathilda shows her* Wasn't Kae Yau 'n th't reclahner earliah? *small frown*

Bathilda: She vent upstairs. *slight, groggy, smirk* Probably looking for cover.

Denver: *snerk* Prolleh gonna wahnd up wit' kids pahled 'n 'er.

Bathilda: No. She'll vind up under somevone's bed.

Denver: *snickerfit* Y'all's friend 's strange.

Bathilda: *quiet chuckle as she pulls the sheet she was given up around her shoulders* You should speak.

Denver: Heh... *covers her mouth as she yawns* *quieter* Ah'm mad, y'u're mad, we're all mad 'eah.

Bathilda: *smirks and closes eyes* He's killing ze time.

Denver: *soft snerk* *turns onto her side and is soon sound asleep*

Bathilda: *soft breathing as her hand comes from under the sheet to rest on Fluffy's head*


Early the next morning


Catherine: *awake, and trying to figure out how to get out of her hammock* *also trying to figure out where the heck she is*

Casey: *looks up at the movement, then carefully gets up from where she'd been sitting and sleeping on her husband* *puts a hand on Catherine's shoulder* How're you feeling?

Catherine: *small, puzzled frown* Where am I? 'N who're you?

Showtime: *groggy clicks and snuggles for Mama*

Casey: Well, I'll tell you dat. But first can you tell me who you are?

Catherine: *blinks a bit and puts a gentle hand on Showtime* *after a few moments hesitation* My name is Catherine...

Casey: Cat'erine what?

Catherine: *trying to think. She knows she has a last name. It's right on the tip of her tongue...* :/

Slipstream: *from somewhere on the other side of the curtains* Whe-uuuuuurp!

Jazz: *groggy and rueful* Girl, that's nasty.

Casey: o.O

Catherine: *turns her head and looks towards the voice and the sound of someone urking* Someone's sick? *concerned*

Casey: *hits the red button she was given* Yeah. Don't worry. Can you t'ink of your name?

Catherine: *thinking a bit more* *hesitantly, though she's almost sure that what she's about to say isn't the right answer* MacKenzie?

Casey: *quirks a brow* No. Dat's me.

Catherine: ... *small frown*

Ratchet: *arriving a few moments later, will move to tend to Slipstream, clicking softly all the while*

Casey: *indicates Showtime* Do you know dis child's name?

Catherine: *attention on Showtime* *small nod* This is Showtime. *is certain of that*

Showtime: *snuggaMama* *soft purr as she goes back to sleep*

Casey: And who is Showtime? *grins at the cuteness of the mechanical child*

Catherine: My daughter. *is absolutely certain about that*

Casey: Good. *pushes down the side of the hammock a bit and points to the red-haired man on the mattress* Do you know dat man?

Catherine: *studying the red-haired man, a bit of a frown on her face* I know him... I think... *quiet for a few moments* *then* He's a MacKenzie.

Casey: Which MacKenzie? *glances back at Beau*

Beau: *drooling on himself now*

Catherine: ... Not Beau. Beau's blond.

Casey: Yeah. And he's drooling. *gentle kick for husband's leg*

Beau: *snort, awake!* *bleary blink blink* Huh?

Casey: *makes a face wiping gesture at him*

Catherine: *intense concentration* ...

Beau: *wipes his face* *beeeg yawn that gets covered by his hand*

Casey: *waits, and then pats Catherine and holds up three fingers* How many fingers?

Catherine: *looks up* Three. Kinda fuzzy around the edges though.

Casey: *starts slowly moving her hand to the side* Watch dem.

Catherine: *having a little difficulty with that, but that could also be blamed on grogginess*

Ratchet: *glances over to the niche as Slipstream quickly settles back into stasis* ... *will approach* Why is Catherine here? *concerned*

Catherine: *startles and looks toward Ratchet's voice*

Jazz: *quietly, his deep, tired voice holding a confused and quizzical note at the question* They brought Kitty-cat back yesterday.

Ratchet: *so much frown* She wasn't supposed to be released from the hospital yet.

Catherine: *bit of a frown. Isn't sure how she feels about the lady she can hear on the other side of the curtain, though she's almost certain she knows the voice*

Beau: *creaks his back and then stands to open the curtain* She wouldn't settle down, so Blackout brought her back.

Ratchet: ... *unreadable expression as she turns to leave the infirmary*

Catherine: *worriedly* She's %$%$#%#$.

Casey: *worried frown*

Dallas: *sits bolt upright* Wasn' me...


Outside


Blackout: *hands on hips as she watches humans move around*

Ratchet: *in a MOOD as she storms out of the barracks and makes a beeline for Blackout*

Blackout: *watching as a neighbour insists that Matt needs these cute fuzzy little ducklings* *doesn't know if she's amused or bored*

Ratchet: *hauls off and socks Blackout* [What the %$%#$%$# were you thinking?!]

Blackout: *optics flash toward red, and every weapon in her impressive armament is suddenly bristling and ready to use* *voice crackling with rage* [You...] *stops, bows her head, and puts the weapons all away* About what?

Ratchet: *positively LIVID* [Catherine is in NO shape to be here, even with the supplies we have! She shouldn't have been brought back here until she was fully recovered!]

Blackout: *head lowers further* We have a doctor. They said that's all we needed, and that she was going to damage herself.

Ratchet: *frustrated sound*

Blackout: *looks down, and then suddenly bristles again* You scared the humans. Are you trying to kill Matt Lamont's new fuzzy things?

Ratchet: *derailed from her mad by the sudden change in topic* *blink*

Blackout: My orders are to protect the humans on this base. And I won't let even you interfere with my following them. *red optics bore into the shorter femme's blue ones*

Ratchet: *backing up a few steps after checking to make sure there are no organics behind her*

Blackout: *steps forward, bringing her main cannon to focus*

Saelen: *coming out of the human infirmary. Stops short when he sees Blackout and Ratchet* What's going on here?

Blackout: Return to your infirmary. *still staring red death at Ratchet*

Saelen: *hands on hips* Not until I know what's going on. *Look for Blackout*

Ratchet: *backing up even more, and hoping against hope that she's aimed for the bot barracks*

Wheeljack: *right behind her* Ratch? Did you leak oil or somethin'?

Ratchet: *yeeeeps and jumps*

Saelen: *raised brow*

Wheeljack: Wow! I made Ratchet pee herself, Blue! *sounds so impressed*

Bluestreak: *boggling, is shocked speechless*

Hot Rod: *sleepy clickstorm from where he's clinging to Wheeljack. Isn't ready to be awake yet, yo!*

Blackout: *blinks, then frowns and checks on all the humans. Folds away weapons and goes to look into the barn*

Wheeljack: *poke a Ratchet* Hey, Ratch? That stuff ain't really good fer the grass.

Ratchet: *having a bit of a mental breakdown, will be with you shortly*

WakeJumper: *comes wandering out between Wheeljack's legs, sleepy and pretty sure it's not morning yet. Climbs Mama leg and snuggles*

Bluestreak: *d'awws softly*

Ratchet: *slight start, scoops WakeJumper up, and heads for the infirmary. Can hear Catherine asking about her*

Perceptor: *starts slightly and turns from where he's perched on the edge of Jazz's table. Then goes wide-eyed* Ratchet, you're leaking.

Casey: What? *turns head*

Jazz: o.O

Ratchet: *cycling air in shaky bursts. Will lean against the nearest wall and try to get her spark to stop its "eeeek" dance*

Catherine: *worried frown* Is she alright?

Perceptor: *down from the table and over to his wife, then puts one small hand on her leg* *softly* Ratchet? Love?

Beau: *stares for a moment with raised brow. Then* She peed herself?

Casey: *blinks* It... looks like it.

Ratchet: *scoops Perceptor up as well, will hide her face against him as best as she can*

Perceptor: *gentle pats for her face* *softly* Love. What happened? Can you tell me?

Ratchet: *ducks her head a bit* *soft clicks* *then* Blackout...

Perceptor: *small worried sound, and then plugs into her dataport* Oh... my stars and garters.

Ratchet: *shutters her optics and tries to get calmed down*

WakeJumper: *bit of a squirm as she sleeps*

Perceptor: *unlinks, and then bustles around cleaning up spilt oil before gently herding Ratchet and WakeJumper out of the infirmary*

Beau: Huh.

Casey: Blackout?

Catherine: I want Buddy. *bit of a sulk going now*

Casey: *looks at the redhead* I t'ought you wanted to pee.

Catherine: *pause* Pee first, then Buddy. *small nod*

Casey: You sure dis time?

Catherine: *another nod* Yup. *small frown as she wonders how she'll get up without letting go of Showtime*

Casey: *looks over her shoulder* Give me a hand, Beau? Oh, and grab dat ice cream bucket.

Beau: Right. *will grab the ice cream bucket and move to help Casey*

Casey: Make sure you get it in the right place as she sits up. *braced for urk as she helps Catherine to an upright position*

Catherine: *bit of a groan as she's helped upright. Shuts her eyes and takes deep breaths*

Showtime: *bitty clicks and snuggles for Mama* *purr*

Casey: *cautious look* How's your stomach?

Catherine: *quietly* 'M a bit queasy. 'N dizzy...

Casey: Need to t'row up?

Catherine: *slow headshake* *bit of a groan at the movement*

Casey: Okay. No bucket, Beau. Help me get her out of here.


Meanwhile, back outside


Bluestreak: *hunkered down and clicking softly to the tiny fuzzy things*

Matt: *thanking the neighbor who brought the ducklings over and trying not to wibble*

neighbour: *pats him on the shoulder* Th'y'll make up f'r th' hens too. These ducks really lay.

Matt: *small nod*

Dixie: *chuckle* 'N th'y'll love th' gahden. all th' bugs th'y c'ld evah want.

neighbour: Yup. *grins* Y'u've seen mahn. *glances up at the sky, then over toward the crash site* Wonder 'f th' government'll ever give Johnson 'is fahm back.

Dixie: *shrug* Mebbeh th'y'll compensate 'im, 'n 'e'll fahn'leh be able t' move t' th't cabin 'n th' mountains 'e keeps yappin' 'bout.

neighbour: *snerks and gently slaps Matt on the shoulder, then grins at Dixie* Ah gotta go git th't 'og killed. Y'u want any?

Dixie: Naw, but th'nk y'u f'r off'rin', 'on. *smile*

neighbour: Kay. *grins and heads for his truck, checks underneath and under the hood, then jumps in and drives away*

Wheeljack: I made Ratchet pee!

Bluestreak: *paying that no mind* They're so little and fuzzy... *more clicks for the tiny organics, is completely and utterly fascinated*

Hot Rod: *setting up to fuss at the noise*

Wheeljack: *looks down. Pulls hatchling off her front and sticks him to Bluestreak's back* *to Matt and Dixie* I got the jump on Ratchet!

Hot Rod: *itty bitty stinkeye for Wheeljack, snuggles against Bluestreak's back* *splatsleep*

Dixie: *looks up to give Wheeljack a "WTS" look* Wh't're y'u goin' 'n 'bout now, 'Jack?

Wheeljack: I have never managed to sneak up on that woman. And now I made her pee herself!

Dixie: *eyebrow* D' Ah wanna know 'ow y'u managed th't?

Wheeljack: Walked up behind her when Blackout was in kill mode.

Dixie: *wince wince wince* Sheesh, 'Jack.

Wheeljack: All those vorns 'a her callin' me dense after she walked up on me. *grins. Massive yawn* Huh. Wonder what those engineer humans're doin' at the site? You okay here, Blue?

Bluestreak: *looks up* Huh? *blink blink*

Wheeljack: I'm gonna go check the saucer. You gonna gimme a goodbye kiss?

Bluestreak: *rises from his crouch, moves to approach* Yup. ^_^

Wheeljack: *hugs him and snuzzles* Yer too $#@$#@ cute.

Bluestreak: *snuzzle, blush, cuddle* *softly* I love you.

Wheeljack: *feels her cheeks heat* Heh. You be good, okay?

Bluestreak: *nuzzle* You too.

Wheeljack: *quiet snerk* So gimme the kiss already.

Bluestreak: *gentle kiss*

Wheeljack: *returns kiss, then gives another snuzzle and turns to walk toward the driveway*

Smokescreen: *standing by Elita in the doorway where she's duct taping a gash on his arm* ...That was kind of revolting.

Bluestreak: *meeps and blushes*

Hot Rod: *fuss, snuggle*

Elita: *chuckles as she works*

Dixie: *to Smokescreen* Y'u ain't got room t' be talkin'. Ah've seen y'u 'n y'ur gal snoggin'.

Smokescreen: *with dignity* There's kissing each other's brake shoes off, and then there's cutesy snuzzling that makes your tank turn.

Dixie: Th' cutesy snuzzlin' don' make me wanna git th' 'ose.

Smokescreen: ...Yeah, why did you decide to wash us just then, anyway?

Elita: *trying so hard not to bust up laughing*

Bluestreak: *going to go feed the hatchlings, kthxbai*


Inside


Casey: *looks at where Catherine is now laying tucked between Jazz's arm and side on the mattress that Beau just dumped Dallas off of* How's dat?

Catherine: *small nod, snuggles a bit closer and shuts her eyes* *is in her safe place*

Showtime: *issa itty bitty purrrrrr as she curls up on Mama's friend's belly*

Jazz: *carefully changes the position of the monitor, then lowers his head back to his pillow and gives Beau a quizzical look*

Beau: *poking Dallas and getting grumped at by the groggy soldier* *such an unrepentant grin on his face as he torments his cousin*

Jazz: ...Think I know that guy.

Casey: *looks up from moving the monitor back to the basket attached to the side of the table* Huh?

Beau: *looks over* Huh?

Jazz: I know you from somewhere. *absent hand on the hatchling sleeping on his belly under his tarp*

Beau: *expression brightens a bit* I was the tow truck driver back in DC. You were backfiring a lot, and I thought Catherine was nuts 'cause she was talking to you.

Jazz: *thoughtful look, but then nods* Yeah. I remember the talkin'. First thing I kin recall.

Dallas: *small, groggy frown* How long 'go was that?

Jazz: ... *think think think* *tired sigh and a check on Catherine* Dunno.

Catherine: *sleeping peacefully*

Beau: It was a little over a month ago. I think.

Jazz: Seems like forever. *curious look for the red-haired guy. Wonders why he looks sad*

Dallas: *small nod* Yeah... forever. *remembering something that happened several years ago*

Jazz: You okay, man?

Dallas: *slight start* Yeah, just thinking about the past. *moves to head out of the room* I'm hungry. Anyone else want breakfast?

Jazz: *lowers his visor* ...Too early fer breakfast.

Dallas: Some of the others are awake. *heads out*

Jazz: *unknowingly repeating something he said one pivotal day several years ago* That guy's weird.

Beau: Yup. But we love that dork just the same.

Dallas: *sharp rush of breath, heads down the hall and tries to keep his expression neutral*

Jazz: Heh. *last check on his ladies, and then shutters his optics and conks out*

Casey: *softly* Beau, did you see de look on Dallas' face?

Beau: *quietly* Yeah. *small frown* *quieter* He doesn't talk about stuff a lot. 'Specially not stuff that bothers him.

Casey: *as she heads for the ladder up into the niche* What's bot'ering him? Somet'ing Jazz said?

Beau: *as he moves to follow* Apparently, he's been acting weird since Jazz got here.

Casey: Huh. *glances down at Catherine* I t'ought she had a crush on him?

Beau: *glances over to the sleeping redhead* I think she does.

Casey: But she's sleeping wid Jazz.

Beau: She feels safe tucked against Jazz. She knows him as "Buddy" though. He was her first car.

Casey: Sounds like an interesting story. *sits crosswise in the hammock and pats the spot beside her*

Beau: *will move to sit beside her* The parts I know are pretty interesting. *will snuggle and begin telling what he knows, starting with when he pulled up with the tow truck in front of Catherine's apartment building and saw the redhead talking to what looked like a very beat-up Kia*


Elsewhere


Ironhide: *as he scans through the metal he's standing on* Sideswipe, stop that.

Sideswipe: *sulks and crosses her arms where she was about to poke at some of the busted farm equipment*

Ironhide: Put that back on the ground. And don't poke the dead meatbags again, either.

Sideswipe: Fine... *grumble grump*

Smokescreen: I'm back! What'd I miss.

Ironhide: *walks forward a few steps and then scans again* Human engineers geeking out so hard that their coffee comes out their noses.

Optimus: *straightens and face palms from where he's standing a short distance away*

Sideswipe: It was pretty epic. *saunters over to Smokescreen* And Ironhide's being a grouch.

Ironhide: That one just dropped his bagel in something disgusting and ate it anyway.

Optimus: o.O

Sideswipe: ... Ew!

Smokescreen: Cool! Where? *scans downward* *laughs*

Sideswipe: *gag* Humans are gross. *shudder*

Senaiji: *just now wandering out and nursing a cup of strong coffee*

Ironhide: *looks over toward the movement, then runs over, jumps down and walks over to the liaison* *just as Senaiji takes a drink* Reaper ooze as bagel topping.

Senaiji: *sputter* *groan* *scowl* It is too %$%$#%#$%$#-ing early for this, Ironhide! *grumpy mood is a go!*

Sideswipe: ...Ooo, new curseword. *cackle*

Ironhide: Awww. *stands and looks back toward the ship* It didn't go out his nose.

Senaiji: *grouchily* %$$#%$# off. *back to nursing his coffee*

Ironhide: *impressed* He didn't seem the type to say that.

Smokescreen: Hey, guys! This one just tasted something they found in the lab!

Optimus: What??

Sideswipe: EWWWWW!

Ironhide: Where? *busts Sideswipe aside in his haste to see*

Sideswipe: *acks and skitters sideways*

Senaiji: ... *bleep* my life. *goes to sit down on what's left of the front porch*

Smokescreen: *hunkered down to watch the sputtering and laughter* So when do the scientists get out here to see what the engineers've done to their big windfall?

Ironhide: No idea. Wasn't listening.

Sideswipe: Dunno. *shrug*

Optimus: *sighs and goes to sit by Senaiji*

Senaiji: *dryly* Even Kae Yau, at her worst, is better behaved.

Optimus: *quietly* Kae Yau has had less than a hundred years to practise.

Senaiji: ...True.

Optimus: It's interesting to see that there's very little difference in engineers, regardless of species. *watches Wheeljack arrive and jump up onto the saucer to run over to the others and tell them her story of getting the jump on the CMO*

Senaiji: Engineers are geeks. It is a universal constant. *sips at coffee*

Optimus: Yours are eating dead Reaper byproducts on their breakfast bagels. Mine apparently frightened the femme who repairs her damage to the point that said femme burst a gasket and leaked.

Senaiji: *thoughtful pause. Then* Well, nobody ever said engineers were sane, Optimus.

Optimus: *turns his head slightly as the door opens* Good morning, Madam President. No one has raised the alarm yet. Your escape seems to have been successful.

Senaiji: *startles and spills his coffee*

President Pratt: *smug grin* That's 'cause I'm good.

Optimus: Good morning, India. *lifts head* Ah, here come the scientists. ...And Mr. Simmons.

India: *small nod for Optimus. Got debriefed by President Pratt shortly after her arrival late last night*

Senaiji: *mourning the loss of his coffee now*

Ironhide: *Simmons sensors throbbing! Off the saucer, running across the yard and then planted in front of the black SUV* *DOOOOM GLARE*

bus: *carries its load of scientists safely past*

India: *raised brow*

President Pratt: Ooooh, Simmons is gonna get TOLD. *cackle*

Ironhide: *picks up the SUV and points it the other way* Let me help you with that wrong turn.

Optimus: *watching. And making no move to rein in his Chief Weapons Officer*

Senaiji: ...It's too %$#%$# early to deal with this, and I don't have NEARLY enough coffee. *gets up and heads back inside*

Simmons: *shouting at Ironhide to put the SUV DOWN!*

Dutch: *having a bit of a panic attack, kthx* *totally did not sign up for this!*

President Pratt: *gleeful cackling as she watches*

India: *to Optimus* When should we intervene, sir? *is trying so hard not to look amused* *is succeeding at that*

Optimus: *blinks at India* ...Intervene?

India: Understood. *will turn her attention to keeping an eye on the President*

Simmons: Put the SUV down, you overgrown tin can! *clinging to the arm rest and the "Oh, %$#%$#" bar above his door*

President Pratt: *cackling* FAIL!*

Ironhide: What did you call me? *pauses in the act of putting the SUV down and SHAKES IT!*

Dutch: *girly shriek as he tumbles out of the SUV*

India: *brow up*

Optimus: *scans the man. Sees that he's uninjured. Settles back down to watching*

Ironhide: *growling curses in response to Simmons' continued insults* *literally growling*

President Pratt: *moving to see if Dutch broke anything when he landed*

India: *flanking her*

Dutch: *looks up, goes PALE as he sees who is standing over him*

Simmons: Dutch! A little help?!

India: *coolly* Hello, Dutch.

President Pratt: *looks up* Okay, Ironhide. Enough imitating the LA Freeway during an earthquake. Put the putz down.

Ironhide: *still shaking* No.

President Pratt: *calmly* That wasn't a suggestion.

Ironhide: *ignore!*

Optimus: Ironhide...

Ironhide: *another massive bulldog growl* *chucks SUV down on its wheels*

President Pratt: *sweetly* Thank you.

Smokescreen: *hollers across the yard* They just found the stasis tubes!

Ironhide: *head whips around, and then he's running across the saucer to the far side to look*

SUV: *stops bouncing on its tires*

Simmons: *falls out of the SUV a few moments later*

President Pratt: ... Stasis tubes? *looks down at her outfit, frown* Hang on. Lemme go change clothes, and I'll be right back. *scoots for the farmhouse*

India: *darnit, no time to torment ex-boyfriend. Hurries after the President*

Dutch: *weakly* Calamity... averted. *flop*

Optimus: Calamity? *can tell neither Simmons or his bodyguard are injured*

Dutch: *weakly* Ja... Ex-girlfriend. *shuts his eyes and takes several shaky breaths*

Simmons: *weakly, without conviction* Dutch, you're fired.

Kae Yau: *as she approaches* 'N yer a stupid git. *will help the man to his feet* Wanna get some breakfast?

Smokescreen: *from the ship* Oh afterburners, they tried that too!

Optimus: *face palm*

Kae Yau: *pause* At t'e Lamont place, t'en. *not giving Simmons a chance to argue as she absconds with him*

Wheeljack: *jumps off the ship and strides over to see the President* Where's she going with Seymour Butthead?

President Pratt: *shrugs* *looks almost like one of the redneck neighbors now, right down to the beat up blue jeans and t-shirt* Dunno. But I bet that's not the last we'll see of Seymour Butts.

India: *keeping on alert*

Wheeljack: What else did these human nerds taste? *offers a ride in the hands*

President Pratt: *shrugs and moves to drag India over to Wheeljack hands* Ask Smokescreen.

India: *just a bit unsure about this!*

Wheeljack: Nah, he said I was gross fer snuzzlin' Blue. I'll ask Ironhide. *up onto the ship and away*

Optimus: *looks down at the blond man abandoned in the dust of the driveway* *brow quirk*

Dutch: *sighs and moves to sit up* I am so fired... *will get to his feet and move to try and catch up with Kae Yau and Simmons*

Optimus: *watches him go, and then gets up to rein in his people*

((Written with random_xtras))