GRV. DC Base. Pretenders, Headmasters, and Targetmasters, Oh, My!

[dens_extra_pups]

Wheeljack: *perks at a groan from the woman on the bed* Easy, Batsy. Don't freak out. We taped yer eyes shut.

Bathilda: *trying to sit up, isn't having much luck with that* *groggily* Taped shut? Vhy?

Wheeljack: *gently prevents the sitting* So yer new one kin heal. Don't get up. Ratch sez ya gotta rest.

Bathilda: *grumbles something about Ratchet that roughly translates to "Bossy old bat"*

Wheeljack: Hey. She knows this stuff.

Bathilda's mind: *registers a faint and not fully in focus image of herself in bed with Wheeljack sitting on the floor beside her*

Bathilda: *confused sound*

something: Mrrrpt? *huge nose gently bunts into her side, and she catches a fleeting glimpse of herself again, and feels a thread of affection and wonder*

Bathilda: ... *groggy brain settles on thinking that there's a cat in the room, which reminds her of the big cat bot in Wheelack's workshop. Remembers that Wheeljack told her about it, or mentioned it or something...* Cat?

Wheeljack: *quietly* It's yer Pretender shell, Batsy. He came online just fine. Yous pickin' anythin' up?

Bathilda: ...Fuzzy... pictures...

Wheeljack: It hurtin' any?

Pretender shell: Mrrrrr. *gentle nuzzle and affection feelings*

Bathilda: No... *will reach up to try and pet the Pretender shell*

Wheeljack: *as the room fills with massive contented thunder that Bathilda will be able to feel in her bones* Gotta name fer 'im?

Bathilda: *slow headshake*

Wheeljack: Heh. Guess ya don't really need one. *carefully pokes a straw at her friend's lips* We didn't tell yer guy, like ya asked.

Bathilda: Danke. *will carefully sip, and make a soft, pleased sound at the taste of the nettle tea*

Wheeljack: *is that fuzzy image the shell just sent, bent over Bathilda so carefully* Yeah. Oh, 'n Ratch 'n Percy finally tied the knot.

Bathilda: Tied ze knot?

Wheeljack: Yeah. Bonded. *takes away the straw and sets the cup on the table by the bed*

Bathilda: Zhey are still sleeping?

Wheeljack: Considerin' I just saw the flash before yous started cussin' Senaiji in yer sleep?

Bathilda: *bites her lower lip as she remembers one of the few times she cussed at Senaiji*

Wheeljack: *fixing her blankets* Ratch put some pain override in yer tea.

Bathilda: *small nod* *quieter* Vhen I vas cursing at Senaiji, vhat else did I say?

Wheeljack: Uhhh. I was sposeta listen?

Bathilda: *quietly* I can count on vone hand ze number of times I have cursed at Senaiji. Ze last time vas vhen ve vere on ze battlefield. Und he vould not listen und get himself to safety.

Wheeljack: Oh. *sound of her scratching her head* I never listen when somebody's cussin'.

Bathilda: *very soft snerk* Alvright.

Wheeljack: Anyhow. Git some more sleep.

Bathilda: Ja... *wiggles a bit and tries to turn onto her side*

Wheeljack: *big fingers very gently lift her and turn her, then fix her blankets*

Pretender: Mrrrrp. *gently nosing after Wheeljack's hands go away. Faint brush of concern that 'Jack had messed her up some how*

Bathilda: *reaches to give more scritches, is starting to get sleepy again*

Pretender: *lays that big head beside her, nose against her belly, and then starts to purr again*

Bathilda: *slips into a quiet, restful sleep, lulled by the vibration, and the warmth of the big bot's armour and feelings*


Four days later


Bathilda: *starting to get a bit annoyed at being confined to her bed for the past four days. She's got a hunch that the swelling around her nerves has been going down, since she's been feeling her Pretender shell more and more each day, and the images have been getting clearer*

Sanftherz: *wanders in, feeling pleased as punch at having figured out how to get the door open. Looks around, and then drops the slice of pizza she'd been longing for in her lap*

Bathilda: *chuckles* Danke, Sanftherz. *will work on eating the slice of pizza*

Sanftherz: -Welcome.- *gentle affection as he sits and folds his tail around his paws*

Bathilda: *considers the possibility of getting dressed if she leans against him, since the hospital gown is a bit thin, and she's starting to get antsy being confined to the bed all day*

Sanftherz: *up and gone again, and she can clearly feel the fact that he's using her own knowledge of how to get to her quarters and find her clothes*

Bathilda: *so amused now* *will finish eating, then feel for the edge of the bed so she can sit on the side of it*

Sanftherz: *sudden confusion as he goes into her living room and sees a dark-haired man sitting on her couch*

Bathilda: ... *snickerfit at the startled look on Senaiji's face* -That is mein freund. He is called Senaiji.-

Sanftherz: -Ohhh.- Batsy not here. Wait. Sanftherz bring freund to Batsy. *pads toward her sleeping room*

Senaiji: *so confused, but will follow the big cat bot* Er... Alright...

Sanftherz: *sudden sit down as he senses Bathilda alarm* Wait! No look at undervear.

Senaiji: *facepalm, blush, turns so his back faces the doorway to Bathilda's bedroom* *ears are RED*

Sanftherz: *rumbled chuckle echoes Bathilda's amusement as he goes and gets the things she wants. Comfy underpants, her soft flannel PJs, a little blue bunny hugging an egg*

Senaiji: Lead the way. Since she's not here... *still not looking, nope*

Sanftherz: *trots out and heads down the halls toward the 'Bot part of the base. And from there to Ratchet's infirmary*

Senaiji: ... *starting to get worried as he follows Sanftherz*

Bathilda: *swinging her legs back and forth as she sits on the bed and waits for Sanftherz and Senaiji*

Sanftherz: *rumbles in reply to Wheeljack's absent greeting as she tinkers with something on Ratchet's work table. Trots on by and into the screened off corner where Bathilda's bed is*

Senaiji: *will stop just outside the screened off section, knowing that Bathilda will probably want some privacy while she gets dressed* *to Wheeljack* When did we get a giant robotic cat?

Wheeljack: *pause. Turns her head to stare down at him blankly* ...That's the Pretender shell.

Senaiji: *boggling now*

Wheeljack: *frown* Batsy toldja 'bout it, didn't she?

Senaiji: No...

Bathilda: *grumbling curses as she works on getting dressed*

Wheeljack: ...Batsy?

Sanftherz: *trying to help with the clothes*

Bathilda: *muffled* Ja, Vheeljack?

Wheeljack: Senaiji says yous never told 'im about the Pretender shell.

Bathilda: *guilty silence, then* I did not vant him to vorry.

Wheeljack: *facepalm* Oi...

Senaiji: *sigh*

Bathilda: You vould have had a conniption fit, Senaiji. *arguing with her pajama top now, has her lower half covered, and has a soft tube bra on*

Sanftherz: *sticks head out* Batsy need help, freund.

Wheeljack: Which friend?

Bathilda: Not Senaiji.

Senaiji: *unsure whether to be offended or not*

Wheeljack: *goes over and steps over the screen to bend down and help out with the PJ top*

Sanftherz: *sad because he can't quite hear Bathilda well enough to be able to help her himself*

Bathilda: Danke, Vheeljack. *will patpat Sanftherz's side*

Senaiji: Is she decent yet?

Wheeljack: How many buttons is decent?

Bathilda: *snerks* I have all ze buttons buttoned. Und I have pants on. *thoughtfully* Vhich ist more zhan Kae Yau vould consider decent...

Senaiji: *will come around the screen then*

Wheeljack: *steps back out and returns to her project*

Sanftherz: *up on the bed and all ready to be a back rest*

Bathilda: *leaning against the cat bot now*

Senaiji: *going to fuss over Bathilda a bit now* *or he will, 'till Bathilda puts a finger to his lips and shushes him*

Bathilda: *quietly* Zis is vhy I did not tell you, Senaiji. You are a vorry-vart. *fond affection for the man in her voice*

Wheeljack: Yeah. Like Ratchet. She'd'a blown up if she knew what we wired inta that eye...

Senaiji: *dots, then looks towards Wheeljack's voice* What? Wired into Bathilda's eye?

Wheeljack: The Pretender interface.

Senaiji: ... *so much facepalm* *behind his hand* You mean to tell me that you wired tech that we don't even have experience with into Bathilda's eye, and not only that, our CMO has no idea about it?

Bathilda: *thinks it over* Zhat pretty vell sums it up, ja?

Wheeljack: Sounds good.

Senaiji: *sigh* I'm not even going to ask you what posessed you to think that it would be a good idea.

Wheeljack: *blinks and looks over* Well someday we hope ta get shells 'r Headmaster units fer all our human fightin' allies.

Senaiji: ...Headmater units? *confused, but curious*

Wheeljack: *closes something on her project, and then comes over and offers him a set of wrist cuffs*

Senaiji: *will take the cuffs and inspect them*

Wheeljack: Those're the Headmaster suit.

Senaiji: *blink* Huh... Working prototype, or field tested?

Bathilda: *slight quirk of a grin. Knows that tone of voice from Senaiji*

Wheeljack: Prototype. I just finished the wirin'. *tilts head at Bathilda and grins at the grin*

Senaiji: Do you already have a volunteer to test the prototype?

Bathilda: *grinning more. Can tell Senaiji's hoping the answer is 'no'*

Wheeljack: Yup.

Senaiji: *seems to slump a bit* Oh... *moves to offer the cuffs back to Wheeljack*

Wheeljack: *surprised* Oh. Yous don't wanna?

Senaiji: *bemused Look* You. Are a tease. *will move to put his coat on Bathilda's hospital bed*

Bathilda: *laughing now*

Wheeljack: *looks at Bathilda, one brow plate quirked puzzledly*

Bathilda: *in between chuckles* He zhought zhat you had asked vone of ze soldiers alvready.

Wheeljack: Ohhhhh. *snerk*

Senaiji: *thrrpt* *will carefully put the cuffs on*

Bathilda: *demure smile as she leans against Sanftherz a bit more*

Wheeljack: Good. Now say somethin' to 'em.

Senaiji: *hesitates* Er... *uncertainly* Transform?

right cuff: Voiceprint recorded.

Wheeljack: Good. Now stick the cuffs together 'n tell 'em "Suit on".

Senaiji: *will do as instructed* Suit on.

cuffs: *start to expand, creeping up over his skin and clothing in a coating of living, liquid metal*

Senaiji: *quite surprised by that*

suit: *soon covers him from feet to ears and face*

Senaiji: *trying to keep calm, even though he thinks this is both the creepiest thing and the coolest thing he's ever gotten to experience*

Wheeljack: *picks him up and sits him out on the open floor, then pulls aside the curtain on the screen so that Bathilda will be able to see what's going on* Okay. Now say, "Head on".

Senaiji: *trusting that Wheeljack's invention will work the way it's supposed to* Head on.

Headhunter drone: *sits up on the table, and then comes over and lifts Senaiji. Carefully deposits the man inside its head, where he'll find himself hanging in a comfortable harness and surrounded by screens*

Senaiji: *pardon him, he just let out a surprised/giddy curse*

Bathilda: *snickerfit* I zhink he approves, Vheeljack.

Wheeljack: *earlights show she is grinning widely* Do somethin'.

Senaiji: *carefully moving his arms back and forth a bit*

Headhunter: *mirrors his movements exactly*

Senaiji: This is so cool. *grinning like a loon now*

Wheeljack: *offers him her grease rag*

Senaiji: *reaches for the offered grease rag* *surprised string of Korean as he realizes he can feel the texture of the rag, even though it's the Headhunter that's touching it*

Bathilda: *snickerfit*

Wheeljack: *takes back the rag* Wanna go try it out in the training room?

Senaji: *NO hesitation* Yes.

Wheeljack: Great! *chucks rag on bench and steps toward the door*

Sanftherz: *sits up and whines softly as he reacts to Bathilda's feelings at the thought of being left behind by her friends*

Senaiji: *hesitates and moves to try and lift Bathilda*

Bathilda: *surprised squeak, flail*

Wheeljack: *turns back* What... No. Hey. Set her down. Yous don't know enough about usin' that thing yet.

Senaiji: Ah... *will gently set Bathilda on her feet*

Bathilda: *deep breaths, deep breaths*

Sanftherz: *is here and ready to help Batsy go with her friends! Flops down in front of her* :3

Bathilda: *momentary pause* *will move to see if Sanftherz will let her climb onto his back*

Sanftherz: *confused. This isn't how he's supposed to carry Batsy*

Wheeljack: *helpful, as she watches* Command's "Pretender on".

Bathilda: *pauses and does a careful facepalm at Wheeljack's reminder* Ja, ja... *soft "heh"* Pretender on.

Senaiji: *more startled Korean words as he watches Sanftherz engulf Bathilda*

Bathilda: *gets slowly to her feet, all four of them, her ears twitching as she picks up sounds and scents she'd never noticed before* Ve are going to train, ja?

Wheeljack: Well, maybe yous should just practise gettin' useta the shell for now, Batsy.

Bathilda: Aw... Alvright. *gives Senaiji a puzzled look* Vhat?

Senaiji: ... *mutters a phrase that might just be a Korean obscenity*

Bathilda: *looks to Wheeljack* Vhat he said is not fit for polite company. *nod nod*

Wheeljack: Got it. *don't got it. Will repeat that later*

Bathilda: Ve are going, ja?

Senaiji: Er... Right...

Wheeljack: What's wrong, Chief? *turns back toward the door*

Senaiji: ... Never mind. *just a bit weirded out* *moves to follow Wheeljack*

Bathilda: *follows her friend as well*

Wheeljack: Sanfy's part'a Batsy now. They're hardwired. *striding down the quiet halls*

Senaiji: *as he follows* ...Sanfy?

Bathilda: Sanftherz. Gentle heart. *looking around as she walks*

Wheeljack: Yeah, what she said. Oh. You hear anythin' new about Fig?

Senaiji: *quietly* He hasn't woken up yet...

Wheeljack: *nods, then bows her head and frowns at the floor as she walks*

Senaiji: *adjusts his stride to match Bathilda's* *quietly* I'd always figured it would be Kae Yau who would go and willingly become a cyborg.

Bathilda: *calmly* You vere ze vone who taught me ze phrase about assuming, Senaiji. *ears perk and the end of her tail twitches*

Senaiji: ... I walked right into that one, didn't I?

Bathilda: *so amused* Ja.

Senaiji: *shakes his head, then* Still, why do it?

Bathilda: Ve did ask ze Cybertronians to share zheir technology, did ve not?

Senaiji: But to have it hardwired into your nervous system?

Bathilda: I vas getting ze eye replaced anyvay. *pauses to sniff at a spot on the floor and recognize grape soda pop. Ears twitch and she continues walking* Vhy not get ze delux package? Besides, I know you vill be trying to shoot cans off of ze barrack roof vhen you return to ze Lamont farm.

Senaiji: ... No I wouldn't.

Bathilda: Senaiji, please. I know you. I seem to recall a certain... incident... after you first received your standard issue veapon, involving a jeep, und seventeen Pepsi cans.

Wheeljack: *into the elevator and holds the door open for them*

Senaiji: *as he and Bathilda get onto the elevator* That was a bet, and I made fifty bucks.

Bathilda: Oh, Senaiji... Only fifty? *headshake*

Wheeljack: *sounds absent* Can ya transform yet, Batsy?

Bathilda: *as Senaiji boggles again, she transforms* Ja. *smile*

Senaiji: *just lost all train of thought. Completely and utterly flabbergasted at the fact that one of his closest friends is, for all intents and purposes at the moment, a petite (compared to Wheeljack, that is) femmebot*

Wheeljack: *still quiet and distracted as she studies the ten foot tall Pretender* ...Looks okay.

Bathilda: *small nod* Feels okay, too.

Wheeljack: *as the elevator passes a floor* Can ya get the claws out?

Bathilda: *will give that a go* *is surprised at how natural the shell feels, even with the very slight fogginess still remaining on the connection, though she's starting to suspect most of that is painkiller fog*

Wheeljack: *slight, quizzical frown* Ain't workin'? *blinks at a "snickt!" and snerks* There ya go.

Senaiji: *startled "Ack" at the "snickt!", skitters sideways as far as he can*

Bathilda: Heh... *will carefully examine the claws* *notes the similarities to the claws of big cats like panthers, tigers, or lions. The claws themselves are curved, and definitely big and sharp enough to do some serious damage in a fight*

Senaiji: *quietly* I'm not sure I like the idea of you being armed, Bathilda.

Bathilda: *sharp Look for Senaiji* Und it is perfectly acceptable for you to be, Senaiji? *scowl*

Wheeljack: *leads the way out as the elevator stops*

Senaiji: I'm not. Yet... Am I, Wheeljack?

Wheeljack: *absently, without turning or looking back* Gun on.

Senaiji: ... Gun on. *stares as one of his forearms transforms into something that looks quite similar to a cannon*

Bathilda: Now you are. *moves to follow Wheeljack again*

Senaiji: *blink blink* So I am. *also follows*

Wheeljack: *as she enters the code to open the training room door* Sword on.

Senaiji: ... Sword on. OH @#$@#@!

Wheeljack: Nice.

Bathilda: *dryly* Ja. Zhat's classy.

Senaiji: *just as dryly* It's not like you don't hear similar from Kae Yau on an hourly basis.

Bathilda: *calmly* Kae Yau is Vheeljack vithout access to high explosives und ordnance.

Wheeljack: *turns in the middle of the training floor* Huh?

Senaiji: *as he moves to join her* Bathilda was comparing you to Kae Yau.

Wheeljack: Oh. *absent again* Heh. Okay. Uh. Run some laps. Lessee how well ya handle the gear.

Senaiji: Alright... *pauses as he realizes something* Er... How do I put the weaponry away?

Bathilda: *working on retracting her claws for now*

Wheeljack: *blink blink* "Gun off" 'n "Sword off".

Senaiji: ... Feel free to point and laugh. Gun off. Sword off.

Bathilda: *as she moves to start running* Brain off.

Senaiji: *razzes Bathilda* *slightly awestruck as he runs. The suit's readouts have identified several particular scents he wouldn't have noticed otherwise, and his hearing is enhanced enough to hear the insults Bathilda's hurling at him* *will tell the woman off with a few insults of his own*

Bathilda: *even though she's been told to run laps, she can't help but notice all the little details she might have missed without Sanftherz's assistance. Just knowing that he's there, helping her, brings back memories of before the war, when she was still in Basic. Knowing that someone has her six...* *glances over her shoulder quickly as she runs, and fires off an insult about Senaiji's personal habits*

Wheeljack: *has spaced again, though she is watching how the Pretender and the Headmaster are moving*

Senaiji: *is moving quite well, thank you very much. His movements aren't hesitant or cautious, at any rate*

Bathilda: *moving like she was born in the body, and taunting Senaiji with a surprisingly vicious string of insults*

Senaiji: *quickens his pace, reaches down... and smacks Bathilda's butt*

Bathilda: *startled squawk, rounds on Senaiji, intending to box his ears*

Wheeljack: *snaps back to the here and now at the sound of that smack* Whoa, hey!

Senaiji: *staying just outside of Bathilda's striking range*

Bathilda: *out to kick your slaggin' aft, Senaiji!*

Wheeljack: *strides over and grabs a bot with each hand* I said knock it off. What the @#$@#$#@ kinda way is that ta act?

Bathilda: *GLARING at Senaiji now* *in German, is LIVID* [He slapped my butt, Wheeljack!]

Senaiji: *scowling at Bathilda now* Same to you. *has NO idea what was just said*

Wheeljack: *baps Senaiji upside the head, and shakes Bathilda. Then pushes them together* Kiss 'n make up.

Senaiji: *startled squawk at the bap upside the head* What?!

Bathilda: Vhat?!

Wheeljack: *folds her arms across her chest and taps a foot* Don't make me go wake Ratch up.

Senaiji: *grumble grumble*

Bathilda: *stinkeye for Wheeljack* *stands on tiptoes as Senaiji leans down to kiss her*

Wheeljack: Do it right. Don't make 'er lean back like that. *frowwwn*

Senaiji: ... *hesitantly gives picking Bathilda up a try*

Wheeljack: Yeah. Now git to it. *yes, you guys actually made Wheeljack lose her temper*

Bathilda: *blushing so much right now*

Senaiji: *ditto that. Will gently kiss Bathilda*

Bathilda: *so surprised at the duel sensations. There's the human side of the kiss, which she's used to (after all, she has been on quite a few dates over the years), and the very... different tingle of the bot side of the kiss, which she was not expecting*

Senaiji: *surprised that he can feel the kiss, and everything that goes with it, including the slightly giddy feeling he remembers fondly. Will move to gently hold Bathilda a bit closer*

Wheeljack: *blinks as they keep going* o.O O.o XD Hey, c'mon. That's good.

Bathilda: *putting her arms around Senaiji as she's kissed. Is starting to get a bit dizzy now*

Wheeljack: ... *snaps an image capture and sends it to Smokescreen*

Smokescreen: //...Well, darn...// *guess who just lost a pretty good chunk of money, Wheeljack?*

Wheeljack: //Think I'm gonna haveta get the hose.//

Smokescreen: //... They're clean though.//

Wheeljack: *Ratchetish throat clearing sounds*

Bathilda: *startles and has to be supported by Senaiji* *BLUSHING*

Senaiji: *blushing as well*

Wheeljack: *arms still crossed over chest* You two gonna be good 'n test yer upgrades now?

Senaiji: *carefully setting Bathilda on her feet* Yes.

Bathilda: *knows she'll never hear the end of it if Kae Yau finds out*

Wheeljack: ...How did that even feel, anyhow?

Bathilda: *BLUSH* Er... Vell...

Senaiji: *knows he's going to catch heck for this later, but...* *quietly* Like being kissed under normal circumstances.

Bathilda: *surprised look for Senaiji* You did not feel a tingle on your lips?

Wheeljack: Wait, yous guys don't usually feel any tingle?

Senaiji: *slow headshake* Er. No...

Bathilda: *headshake* *thoughtful expression is a go*

Wheeljack: Well then what good's it, then? //Smokie, they don't feel any tingle.//

Bathilda: *hesitantly* I vas starting to feel a bit dizzy before ze kiss vas over.

Wheeljack: *refocuses on Bathilda* Okay, that sounds normal for us.

Bathilda: Huh...

Senaiji: It won't... Hurt her, will it?

Wheeljack: Ffft. No. We'da heard alarms if there was any danger. //Smokie, what're yous sniggerin' about?//

Senaiji: *relaxes* Alright...

Smokescreen: //I asked Matt about the tingles.//

Wheeljack: //Really? What'd he say?// So lessee some runnin', huh?

Senaiji: *nods to Bathilda, and then both of them are running more laps*

Smokescreen: //That humans aren't supposed to feel tingly unless they've cut off circulation or have gotten a jolt. Dixie says contact with menthol does it too.//

Wheeljack: //So kisses... How're they supposedta feel good?//

Smokescreen: //... Slag if I know. They said it has something to do with being in love.//

Wheeljack: //Weird. Try askin' Denver.// *blink* Chief, if yer gonna try hands free somersaults ya better make sure ya got traction on yer feet.

Bathilda: *amused headshake* Scheitern.

Senaiji: *kind of wonders how he wound up sitting there doing the splits, but then decides that he's glad that his control suit isn't doing them too. Sheepishly works on getting back to his feet*

Wheeljack: *leans back against the wall by the door to watch and see how easy that is for him*

Senaiji: *despite looking a bit awkward, he is able to get back to his feet*

Wheeljack: Not bad. Okay, go try the somersault on that green strip over there.

Senaiji: *looks for the green strip, will head for it and try the somersault again* *is amazed at how natural using the suit feels, though he's still a bit embarrassed by the inadvertent splits he did moments ago*

Wheeljack: I put traction on yer feet, Batsy. Check yer skidability.

Bathilda: Ja. *will do everything in her power to skid after running* *amused cackle as she fails to slide very well*

Wheeljack: *chuckles, and then checks on Senaiji, only to tilt her head curiously as she sees what he's doing*

Senaiji: *going through Tae Kwon Do forms. Appears to have tuned Wheeljack and Bathilda's presences out for the moment*

Bathilda: *a bit distracted by watching Senaiji*

Wheeljack: Wow, that's workin' better than I hoped.

Bathilda: *small nod of agreement*

Senaiji: *graceful and precise in his movements*

Wheeljack: Guess I could'a made it prettier. *thoughtful frown*

Kae Yau: *as she comes in with an unsigned requisition form* Could'a made what prettier?

Bathilda: *startled jump*

Wheeljack: o.0 *gets over surprise and tilts head* I thought yous was at the other base, Kae Yau.

Kae Yau: I had t' come up here t' get t'e requisition form Bats forgot t' sign dealt wit'.

Bathilda: ... Oh, *CUSS*.

Kae Yau: *stare* O_o

Wheeljack: Can't ya just sign 'em now, Batsy? *glances over at a sound from where Senaiji's working*

Bathilda: Ja... I need a pen.

Kae Yau: ... What t'e *BLEEPING BLEEPITY BLEEP* is goin' on 'ere?!

Wheeljack: *puzzled blinking for Kae Yau* Batsy 'n the Chief're practisin' with their new upgrades. *to Bathilda* Yous should be able ta make one. ...Maybe not yet, though.

Bathilda: *frown* Maybe later, zhen.

Kae Yau: *long pause. Then* Why do t'ey get all t'e cool toys? *sulk*

Wheeljack: ...Toys? *looks at Bathilda* You got toys?

Bathilda: *amused headshake* Nein. Zhough, ze last potential field tester has shown up. *hint hint*

Wheeljack: Then what... field tester? Ohhh. The Targetmaster unit?

Bathilda: *nod*

Kae Yau: ... What t'e 'ell're you talkin' about?

Wheeljack: You put that in Sanfy's storage pocket, Bats. Remember?

Bathilda: *blink blink* Oh! Right. *will work on trying to figure out how to access the storage pocket now*

Kae Yau: *watches in doubtful silence*

Senaiji: *coming over to see what's going on* Kae Yau, why aren't you down in Alabama?

Kae Yau: Bats fergot t' sign a form.

Wheeljack: *watching Bathilda* Just think about it, Batsy. Like the claws 'n the transformin'.

Bathilda: *will get the Targetmaster unit out of the storage pocket* He vould not stop asking qvuestions about who his boss is.

Wheeljack: *chuckles as she hears the tiny voice start up again on the subject* Hey, Sanfy did the same thing till I turned 'im loose. Except he wanted ta know where yous were.

Kae Yau: Sanfy?

Senaiji: Sanftherz. Bathilda's Pretender shell.

Kae Yau: *eyes Senaiji*

Senaiji: *calmly* I'm field testing a Headmaster unit.

Wheeljack: No. Yer the Headmaster. The drone's a Headhunter.

little voice: Heeeyyyyy! Where's my boss? Is she here yet?

Kae Yau: *startles*

Bathilda: Ja. *will move to offer something to Kae Yau*

tiny little brown and black bot: *stares up at Kae Yau* *piping little voice* Are you my boss?

Kae Yau: *looks up to Bathilda, who nods* 'Parently. Name's Kae Yau.

tiny bot: *big grin* I'm Browning! I'm your pet now! ...Pick me up?

Kae Yau: *will gently lift Browning up* Bats, 'Jack, yer bot' sneaky.

Bathilda: *pleased chuckle*

Senaiji: They are, but that's par for the course with Bathilda. *fond look*

Browning: *to Kae Yau* You're pretty. I'm glad you're my Target Master. :D

Kae Yau: *blink blink* *blush* T'ank ye. *bit of a grin*

Browning: I'll take good care of you. *so earnest the promise*

Kae Yau: *small nod* 'N I'll watch yer six. *means what she says*

Browning: :D *happy little wriggle. And then turns into a pistol*

Kae Yau: *impressed whistle*

Wheeljack: There's a target over there. *nods toward it*

Kae Yau: *will head over and take aim at the target then*

Browning: *pops out a flag that says, "Bang!"*

Kae Yau: *blinks and stares, then cracks up*

Bathilda: *so smug* I vas right. Zhey vill get along just fine.

Wheeljack: *looks over there* What'd I miss?

Bathilda: Browning has a "Bang" flag. *so amused*

Wheeljack: Oh. *chuckle* That ain't all he's got. Try again.

Kae Yau: *grins and tries again*

Browning: *bronx cheer!*

Wheeljack: *cackles herself at that one*

Kae Yau: *gleeful cackling is a go*

Bathilda: *nod* Zhey vill vork vell togezher.

Senaiji: We won't be able to get either one away from the other. *bemused*

Browning: *squeaky quack with the next squeeze of the trigger*

Wheeljack: *holding her sides as she laughs*

Kae Yau: *laughing herself silly now*

Wheeljack: Oiiiila, static. *turns and weebles back over to Bathilda* How're you feelin'?

Bathilda: I am alvright. Zhough I am getting a bit hungry.

Wheeljack: Is it you or yer shell?

Bathilda: *quiet for a few moments* I zhink it ist me...

Wheeljack: Okay. *reaches into a storage pocket and pulls out a slightly smushed cream filled doughnut. Leans down to offer it*

Bathilda: *reaches for the doughnut* Danke.

Wheeljack: *big grin* Ya need anymore, just say. I still got most'a the box. *yes, the same boxful that she was giving you doughnuts from when you first got hungry after waking up*

Bathilda: *small nod as she begins to carefully eat*

Wheeljack: *checks to see what Senaiji and Kae Yau are doing. Soft snerk as she sees that Browning still has his Target Master in stitches*

Senaiji: *has resumed going through forms*

Kae Yau: *laughing because of the fact that for some inexplicable reason, Browning fired off doves*

Bathilda: *thoughtfully quiet as she eats*

Wheeljack: *softly* //Ratch, I dunno if yous kin hear me, but the experiments look like bein' a success so far.//

Ratchet: *non-responsive, as she has been for the past four days*

Bathilda: *reaches over and pokes Wheeljack* You mentioned zhat you have most of ze box left?

Wheeljack: *slight :\ at the lack of Ratchet response, but then looks down and blinks at the poke and pulls out the box of doughnuts to offer it* Yup. 'N I think yous ain't found ainy'a the jelly ones yet.

Bathilda: *perks* You got jelly-filled vones?

Wheeljack: I ordered mixed filled. *contemplates the box contents*

Bathilda: *happy little sound as she grabs another donut*

Wheeljack: *big grin, and then blinks and glances toward a soft cannon sound* Sheesh.

Kae Yau: *cackle*

Senaiji: *dropped into a crouch at the cannon sound*

Bathilda: *paying that no mind, is nomming*

Wheeljack: *watches Senaiji and Kae Yau to see what's going to happen next*

Senaiji: ... *getting out of the crouch and telling Kae Yau and Browning off, only to get razzed by the woman*

Wheeljack: *quiet snerk*

Bathilda: *calm as she noms. Knows Kae Yau would never shoot Senaiji, unless he did something that warranted being shot, like if he went nuts and attacked everyone. Knows that that's about as likely as Optimus going 'Con*

Browning: *lets loose a bright pink paint round*

Wheeljack: *snerk!*

Senaiji: *startled squawk as he gets sprinkled with bright pink paint*

Kae Yau: *stares for a gobsmacked moment, then* T'at... was AWESOME!!!! XD

Blackout: *plants herself in the doorway* Are you ready to go back yet? *scowl for Kae Yau*

Kae Yau: *big grin* I made a new friend! *indicates Browning*

Bathilda: *startled look for Blackout*

Blackout: *looks at the itty bitty gunbot as he waves* Uh huh. *attention to Senaiji* You need a ride too? Because I'm going now.

Senaiji: I probably should head back down...

Wheeljack: Just lemme do a last quick program fix on yer control suit. It's supposeta go on under yer other clothes.

Senaiji: Alright.

Wheeljack: *waits a few beats* That means ya gotta take the shell off, buddy.

Blackout: *snort*

Senaiji: ... *a bit sheepish* How do I do that?

Wheeljack: *shakes head, amused* How'd ya put it on?

Senaiji: ... *facepalm*

Bathilda: *so amused*

Kae Yau: *sneezing after getting a shot of perfume to the face*

Browning: *sheepish apology!*

Kae Yau: *once she's cleared her airways of the perfume, she's reassuring Browning that she's alright*

Senaiji: Head off.

Headhunter: *looses the harness that Senaiji's hanging in, leaving him standing on the floor of the control compartment. Then reaches up and takes him out of its head and sets him on the floor*

Senaiji: Suit off.

suit: *retracts back into the cuffs on his wrist*

Wheeljack: *goes over and hunkers down next to him * Great, hold still 'n I'll fix that quick.

Senaiji: *bit of a giddy grin*

Wheeljack: *remote tinkering is go* Yous wear undies, right?

Senaiji: *blushing* Er... Yes.

Bathilda: *SO much blush*

Kae Yau: *cackles at that* Aye! Boxers!

Wheeljack: *oblivious to amusement and embarrassment* Okay, I'll put the suit over those... There. All done. *happy light blink*

Senaiji: *still blushing* Thank you, Wheeljack.

Wheeljack: Yer welcome. Now ya better gitcher afts back ta base before Blackie starts bustin' slag up.

Blackout: *heard that. Growls*

Kae Yau: *chuckles and moves to herd Senaiji over to Blackout*

Wheeljack: *watches them go, her expression absent. Doesn't even realize that Senaiji didn't say goodbye to Bathilda*

Browning: *takes one look at Blackout and jumps down the front of Kae Yau's shirt*

Kae Yau: *startled squeak*

Senaiji: *pauses and looks over his shoulder* I'll call you later, Bathilda.

Bathilda: *small nod* I look forvard to zhat.

Blackout: *bends down and demands with impatient finger twitches that her passengers let her pick them up*

Kae Yau: *consents, is a bit distracted trying to get Browning out of her shirt without flashing her chest to Senaiji*

Senaiji: *doing his best not to look at Kae Yau, will move so Blackout can pick him up easily*

Wheeljack: *as the door closes behind Blackout* Batsy, can yous get somebody transferred from the hospital ta here?

Bathilda: Ja. Vith ze correct transfer papers, I can.

Wheeljack: ...Oh yeah, I signed that paper of Kae's for ya. So do ya have the right ones fer a transfer?

Bathilda: In mein office, ja. *slight smirk*

Wheeljack: Great! *earlights flash* Can we do that now?

Bathilda: *nods* Ze sooner, ze better, ja? *smile*

Wheeljack: *sobers, and concern shows in her expression despite her mask* Yeah.

Bathilda: *slight frown* Is somezhing vrong?

Wheeljack: *looks at her* *quietly* If Fig ain't awake yet there's a good chance he ain't gonna, right?

Bathilda: *seriously* Zhere ist zhat possibility... Zhere ist also ze possibility zhat he vill vake up soon. Ve must not give up hope.

Wheeljack: *still quiet* He already nearly died after that run-in with Scorponok. And the poor @#$#@#@'s wife's almost left 'im four times since then 'cause 'a all the stress 'a tryin' ta keep up with the $#@$#@ war.

Bathilda: *small frown*

Wheeljack: I just wanna help 'im. *quiet sadness and concern in that slightly metallic voice and in that big alien face*

Bathilda: *seriously* I promise I vill do everyzhing in mein power to help.

Wheeljack: Thanks. *sighs, then straightens and heads toward the door*

Bathilda: *moves to follow, will gently patpat the highest part of Wheeljack's back that she can reach as she walks out beside her friend, unconsciously confident in her Pretender shell*

((Written with random_xtras))