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dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
dens_tf_den2010-08-21 09:41 pm
dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com) wrote in dens_tf_den2010-08-21 09:41 pm
Entry tags:
sv and mgv, Autobot and Decepticon Bases, Assistance part 2
Continued from here
Wheeljack: ACK!
Cragbuster: *shoulders droop and optics darken* Oh....
Ratchet: *Attention on Cragbuster*
Cragbuster: *seems to have forgotten about him. Is busy checking with Deepdancer about what he should do with his crates and where they should go*
Wheeljack: *rounds up his girls and goes home*
Ratchet: *moving to put a hand on Cragbuster's shoulder* *Quietly* I know I'm not the Ratchet who was your mech creator... But I'm pretty darn sure he'd be proud of you.
Cragbuster: *stops and squeezes his optics shut* *quietly* Please don't do that.
Ratchet: ... *quietly* Alright... *will move off to finish helping where he can*
Lockdown: *looks at him from where he's moving cans of mud over to the cupboards* *very quietly* Ratchet always was proud'a Buster.
Ratchet: *just as quietly* Different from back home... I didn't even realize I had a son till he showed up on Earth...
Lockdown: *quietly quizzical look*
Ratchet: *optics focused on his patient* Clarion took off after our little... encounter.... and I never heard from her again...
Lockdown: *glances over to where the yellow and white mech is working and talking with Deepdancer* Clarion was Ratchet's mate. She had some kind'a complications when she carried. Buster made it. She didn't.
Ratchet: *cycles air for a few moments, a bit rattled now*
Lockdown: *gathering another armful of cans* Docbot was his mother and his father. *heads over to the cupboard again*
Ratchet: ... *looking like someone punched him in the fuel tank*
Muhe: *gentle poke in the back for the red and white guy*
Hot Shot: Hey... you okay, sir?
Kriti: *clicks at Ratchet*
Ratchet: I'll... be okay... *going to focus on work now, kthx*
Muhe: .... *HUG*
Hot Shot: Whoa, careful there, Trouble.
Kriti: *Clicks and holds her arms out to Hot Shot. Wants picked up, plznthx*
Hot Shot: *forgets about the Ratchet hugging and gently scoops the little femme into his arms* Hey, Kriti. Didja miss me while I was gone?
Kriti: *click, nod* Yup.
Hot Shot: *thrilled* I knew you'd have a pretty voice. ^_^
WakeJumper: You missed her saying her first words... *working with his back to the Aquabots now, kthx*
Hot Shot: Yeah, I kinda lost my head there for a bit.
Deepdancer: *snorts at Hot Shot's joke*
Kriti: *Razz*
Ratchet: *cycling air and trying to keep his hands from shaking, even as he reaches to gently patpat Muhe's hand*
Muhe: *loves you, Ratchet. Don't be sad*
WakeJumper: *Slight frown as Ratchet clicks quietly, then his attention's going to Kriti for a few moments* Yanno... Her voice sounds familiar, in a way... But I'm pretty sure we don't have a counterpart of her back home...
Deepdancer: *looks up from where she's sitting by her brother and cuddling little WakeJumper* Her spark is made from the fused remnants of two femmesparks.
WakeJumper: ... *blink blink*
Deepdancer: I knew the femmes, but I can't tell you how it happened.
Ratchet: *Listening without seeming to*
WakeJumper: ... Too scary for the kids?
Deepdancer: Probably. But I just don't know the details. Those femmes died by firing squad.
WakeJumper: ... oh...
mgWakeJumper: *sleepy little click from around his thumb*
Kriti: *Quiet murmurs as she moves to hide her face against Hot Shot*
Deepdancer: *quietly* I just thank the maker that part of them survived. *gently rubs little Wake's back*
Sunhalo: *help help helping Cragbuster*
Jazz: //'Aid's havin' some kinda seizure! I need help STAT!//
Deepdancer: Ratchet!
Ratchet: *Sharp curse* Cragbuster, come with me! *moving to head for the room where Jazz and First Aid are*
Cragbuster: *tosses the box in his hands to Sunhalo and follows automatically*
Ratchet: *getting out what he thinks he'll need, then he's going into the room*
Jazz: *on the floor, wincing with pain as he tries to talk soothingly to the red and white femme who is thrashing around a little distance from him beneath the overturned hammock that he was tossed from*
Cragbuster: *jumps on the femme to try and gently hold her down* Easy....
First Aid: *shrieks again, her optics wide with terror*
Ratchet: *moving to try and plug his wrist cable into her port* Easy, First Aid, you're safe...
First Aid: Ratchet... *static* I'm frightened. Help me!
Cragbuster: :\ *holding on*
Ratchet: *soothing clicks, finally succeeds in getting the cable plugged in* -Easy, First Aid, I'm here... you're safe now.- *soothing, then he's fighting the urge to recoil in reaction to the dream*
First Aid: *struggling to break free of the nightmare, but strain has damaged her neural net and she's locked into the loop of horrifying images* *sobbing* Ratchet.... Don't leave me. Please.
Ratchet: *fighting back tremors as he tries to bring First Aid from the nightmare*
First Aid: *starting to show dangerous strain in her processor as she continues to thrash against the hold of the two mechs* Ratchet....
Cragbuster: *face grim as he holds on*
Ratchet: *To Cragbuster* H-help me sedtate her... Straining her processor... *to First Aid* -Shhh... I've got you... You're safe.- *gives the impression of holding the young femme close*
Cragbuster: *shifts so that his knee is pinning First Aid down, and then opens a panel in the young femme's chest so that he can quickly and skillfully work a manual shutdown*
First Aid: *limp*
Jazz: *small, muffled sound of pain*
Ratchet: *Feeling a bit dizzy as he carefully disconnects his cable before he moves to scan Jazz*
Jazz: *crying, but it's not the awkward position he's laying in, or the fact that he hit the floor hard that's causing his pain. His optic visor is focused on First Aid*
Ratchet: *scans the mech and makes soothing sounds as he moves to try and alleviate some of Jazz's pain*
Cragbuster: *gently picking First Aid up* *quietly* She wasn't calling you.
Jazz: *switches his visor on* No, mech. That's your baby sis.
Cragbuster: *nearly drops her*
Ratchet: *quiet fussing*
Cragbuster: *recovering* No she's not. She hasn't got the coding.
Ratchet: *still feeling a bit ill* *Quietly* Ever hear of adoption, Cragbuster?
Jazz: *winces slightly and tries to move* Ol' Ratch caught 'er the day she come outta the Allspark.
Cragbuster: *trembling now as he looks down at First Aid*
Ratchet: *To Jazz* Stay still... *to Cragbuster* Circulate....
Cragbuster: *blinks and does so*
Jazz: Not... a problem, Docbot. Don't... don't think this ol' cybercat kin move.
Ratchet: *quietly* We'll need to get you to Deepdancer, Jazz....
Jazz: She got space? *circulating slowly as his optic band dims*
Ratchet: *pings Deepdancer's comm*
Deepdancer: //Deepdancer.//
Ratchet: //Jazz sustained additional damage and needs repairs... Is there room for him in the medbay?//
Deepdancer: //There will be once you get him down here.//
Ratchet: *moving to carefully lift Jazz* Let's get you to Deepdancer.
Jazz: *quietly* 'Aid gonna be alright?
Cragbuster: *gruff* Worry about yourself.
Ratchet: She'll be okay....
Jazz: You ain't jes' sayin' that? *searching look for Ratchet*
Ratchet: *firmly* I'm not just saying it.
Jazz: Okay. *relaxes as best as he's able*
Ratchet: *carefully bringing Jazz to Deepdancer, an idea forming in his head as he thinks of the extent of the damage to First Aid's processor*
Deepdancer: *has handed little Wake to his large alternate and is busy tending to Viisaus where he's tucked into one of the hammocks against the wall*
Viisaus: *gently reminding Deepdancer that she needs to rest at some point as well*
Deepdancer: *snorts at him and pulls the sides of the hammock up around him a little more securely* Worry about yourself, you antique.
Viisaus: *chuckles quietly as he settles down to rest*
Ratchet: *moving to put Jazz on the table*
WakeJumper: *moves to carefully tuck his smaller counterpart in with the Aquabots, intending to help Ratchet with Jazz*
mgWakeJumper: *Um, NO. Squeal!*
Deepdancer: *starts and whirls* What are you doing!? Give him to me. *arms out*
Cragbuster: *o.0 at sparklet squeal*
WakeJumper: *surprised, but moves to do as told*
mgWakeJumper: *CLING to Mama!*
Kriti: *Clickstorm!*
Deepdancer: *rubs the little back and clicks soothingly* Shhh, WakeJumper, I've got you. Do you want to snuggle Viisaus?
Hot Shot: What was the big idea putting the little guy with the Aquabots? *frowning at WakeJumper as he pats Kriti's back*
mgWakeJumper: *clicks quietly*
Viisaus: *moving to sit up*
WakeJumper: *Quiet murmur of "Thought it'd help him...."*
Hot Shot: Stickin' him with guys he doesn't know? *frowwwn*
Deepdancer: Stick a plug in it, Hot Shot. In his reality they're probably close to him. Viisaus, don't make me get the tape.
Hot Shot: *chastened at the rebuke* :(
Kriti: *Patpat Hot Shot*
Hot Shot: *to Kriti, as Muhe also pats him* Aww. I know you love me, Kriti. *stifles a yawn by sticking his fist in it*
Deepdancer: *doesn't turn from tucking little Wake in with her brother* Bed. Now.
Muhe: *leads friends out to find somewhere good for stasis*
WakeJumper: *hunkering down a bit* *Quietly* I was just trying to help...
Viisaus: *Clicks quietly to mgWakeJumper as he gently rubs the little mech's back. Then he's settling down to rest again*
Deepdancer: *as she turns away from the hammock* Don't worry about it, youngling. Hot Shot's mouth is nearly as fast as he is, but his processor's in park.
Ratchet: *working on Jazz now*
Deepdancer: *expression softens as she catches sight of Cragbuster standing over by the door and rocking on his feet as he looks down at First Aid with a concerned expression. As she moves over to help Ratchet* What was all the fuss?
Ratchet: First Aid's strained her processor... She had a nightmare that caused even more strain...
Deepdancer: *pauses* Are we talking stress fracture strain?
Ratchet: *Small nod*
Deepdancer: *head droops till her chin rests on her chest* At least she'll be out of all this mess.
Ratchet: *Quietly* It may be best if she came back with WakeJumper and me...
Deepdancer: *sharp look of surprise* Are you telling me you can repair that?
Ratchet: I've repaired that sort of damage quite a few times.
Deepdancer: Really.... *looks over at Cragbuster*
Cragbuster: *grip tightens on his baby sister, his blue optics resolute*
Ratchet: It'll also help her if she's got family nearby.
WakeJumper: ... Oh great. *has just figured out what Ratchet intends*
Deepdancer: Cragbuster, are you alright with that?
Cragbuster: *gruffly* I'm not letting her go now, not after I just found her.
Ratchet: *snorts* You think I'd separate you from her? You're family to her. You're coming with us.
WakeJumper: *mutters* I am NOT being the ref when we get back home.
Deepdancer: *frowns at him* You have something to say, youngling?
WakeJumper: That one's counterpart *Points to Cragbuster* is on Earth, and staying at the plant with us already. I am NOT referree-ing the inevitable fight that'll happen.
Deepdancer: *frown deepens* What makes you so sure there'll be fighting?
WakeJumper: 'Cause the one back home's a jerk.
Ratchet: *Facepalming now* *to WakeJumper* Quit dawdling, youngling.
WakeJumper: You know I'm right, Ratchet... *back to work!*
Deepdancer: ...Jerk? *looks at Ratchet*
Ratchet: //Kid's a piece of work... Lot of attitude...//
Deepdancer: *slight scowl as she resumes her work on Jazz* //How'd that happen? I thought your world had things pretty good.//
Ratchet: //His mother skipped out shortly after we were together... I didn't know he even existed till he showed up on Earth one day... which was some time after the great war was over...//
Deepdancer: //...Great war?//
Ratchet: //Between the Autobots and Decepticons... Didn't Optimus tell you about it?//
Deepdancer: //I remember him saying something about it.// *reaches for a new part* //But it's been awhile.//
Ratchet: *Quietly recaps the war over comms, even as he continues to work*
Deepdancer: //So how many vorns was it before you found out about him, then?//
Ratchet: *tells her, optics dimming slightly* //I was called out on a mission to rescue an intel officer shortly after Clarion left...//
Deepdancer: //...He's nearly as old as you are.//
Ratchet: //Some of the youngbots call him the yellow version of me... when they think I'm out of audio range... *soft sigh that might also have a chuckle mixed in*//
Deepdancer: //So you're a 'jerk' too?//
Ratchet: //Depends on who you ask... I'm not exactly the friendliest of 'Bots, even on the best of days...//
Deepdancer: *quietly* //The realities truly are different.//
Ratchet: //No kidding...// *sighs*
Jazz: *moves his head a bit* Don't mess with me, mech. Go fix... 'Aid.
Ratchet: *quietly* Right... *straightens* Let's get home... The sooner we get back, the sooner we can start repairing her...
Cragbuster: *straightens from where he'd been leaning on the wall* Yessir.
WakeJumper: *Finishes what he's working on, gives the Aquabots a slightly wistful glance, then he's moving over to stand by Ratchet*
Cragbuster: *comes over too, holding First Aid carefully*
Deepdancer: *still working on Jazz. Doesn't look up* Thanks.
Ratchet: Call if you need more help. *Will put a hand on both WakeJumper and Cragbuster's shoulders while WakeJumper fiddles with the PINpoint he has in storage*
Deepdancer: If we can, we will.
Jazz: *quietly, just as the PINpoint goes off* Take care'a my little girl.
Ratchet: *Small nod just before the scenery changes to the medbay in the Autobot base*
First Aid: *startles and turns toward them* Oh! Ratchet, you're back.
Kia: Papa! :D
Kendell: Grandpa! :D
Ratchet: *clicks to Kia as he moves to get supplies* *To First Aid* We've got a bit of a situation here...
WakeJumper: *moving to help prep the medbay*
mgBuster: *staring at the other First Aid, and at the two smaller femmes, his expression startled*
Ratchet: *To mgBuster* Bring her over here.
mgBuster: *does so, his optics going to the side and down as Kia scoots over to look onto the table*
Ratchet: *Clicks to Kia a bit more, moving to pick her up* Have you been behaving, Kia?
Kia: *small laugh and then much love and hugs for Papa* Been behaving.
Ratchet: Good girl... Why don't you see if Mama needs help?
Kia: *looks quickly to First Aid*
First Aid: Arcee took the rest of the youngsters to visit that human school today.
Ratchet: ... That's right... *concerned now*
Kia: *gently touches his face* Papa?
Stiletto: *in alt-mode, is peeking in through the door but won't set foot in the medbay*
Ratchet: *To Kia, even though he knows Stiletto's in the doorway* There's a lady who is hurt, and needs repairs.
Kia: *big optics locked on his and her mouth open slightly as she concentrates on what Papa is saying*
First Aid: *has come over to offer to take her little sister out of the medbay*
Ratchet: *Gently* Why don't you and First Aid make sure Stiletto isn't getting into trouble?
Stiletto: *GONE*
WakeJumper: *Soft snerk*
Kia: *looks at First Aid*
First Aid: *gently helps Kia to the floor and puts a hand on her shoulder, then chuckles at the bright grin she gets and follows the little silver femme from the room*
mgBuster: ...Grandpa?
Ratchet: The little bitlet that the local First Aid had with her is her daughter, Kendell.
mgBuster: *protective glint in his optic* Allspark daughter?
Ratchet: First Aid is... Kendell's spark contains coding from her mother, and her father.
mgBuster: ...Who's the father?
WakeJumper: The local Optimus.
mgBuster: *frowns at WakeJumper* Optimus?
WakeJumper: *nods* He's one of the two Primes we've got here... Three, if you count Ironfist as a Prime... but I think she retired to spend more time with her mate.
mgBuster: *hasn't heard the stories of the first visitors yet. Is frowning as he carefully settles his little sister on the table comfortably* Who's the little silver bit?
Ratchet: My other daughter, Kia.
mgBuster: *looking down at mgAid* Other daugher, huh?
Ratchet: The youngest out of the three... *Yes, he's including mgAid* But... There's one more on the way....
mgBuster: *surprised look* Clarion's alive?
Ratchet: *headshake, optics a bit dim* My mate, Arcee.... is carrying.
mgBuster: ...Who's Arcee?
WakeJumper: Stick around. You'll probably get to meet her soon enough... *To First Aid, over comms* //Sharpshot and Showtime were with the group that went to the school, right?//
First Aid: //Yes, WakeJumper, they were.// *showing Kia fingerpaint*
Ratchet: She was an intel officer during the war in this reality... Her primary function was originally as a school teacher...
WakeJumper: //How long before one of 'em will suggest that Arcee be brought back here to rest, do you think?// *is going to fetch a blanket or two now*
First Aid: //I'm not sure. There are places for her to sit and rest at the school.// *shows Kia that the blue paint tastes better than the yellow she just tried*
WakeJumper: //Oh... Well, alright...//
Stiletto: *is sooooo hiding in the rafters now, kthx*
First Aid: //Do you need to talk to Arcee about something? Her comm is on. I can hear her talking to Sharpshot right now.//
WakeJumper: //Naw. The other 'Buster was asking about who she is.//
First Aid: //Oh yes. Their Ratchet never got to meet Arcee.// *helps Kendell make a tree on her paper* //I was surprised to meet that Cragbuster.//
WakeJumper: //I was too... He's not a jerk.//
First Aid: *gentle reproof in her soft voice* //WakeJumper....//
WakeJumper: //What? He's not... Seems like he actually got along with his Ratchet....//
First Aid: *gently* //It's not a nice thing to say about anyone.//
WakeJumper: *A bit cheekily* //Whatever.// *If Ratchet heard him, he'd be getting a wrench to the head for sure.*
First Aid: //*sad and reproving sigh*//
WakeJumper: *closes the comm line with a click. Will finish getting things set up, then go and spend time with his original team*
mgBuster: *watching WakeJumper and Ratchet. Showing none of the unease the local 'Buster does in the medbay*
Ratchet: *watches WakeJumper go, before sighing quietly and beginning repairs on mgAid's processor*
mgBuster: *watches WakeJumper as well, a frown of concern on his face plates* *without sarcasm* What's his damage?
Ratchet: If I had to guess? Seeing the Aquabots offline got to him...
mgBuster: *no snark. No sarcasm* So that's why he put the little bot with them.
Ratchet: This reality's Aquabots... were the closest thing he had to family after his colony got wiped out....
mgBuster: *skillfully handing things that want handing* He's got a lot of kibble.
Ratchet: He's a triplechanger.
mgBuster: Not surprised. If being in a defective protoform at first caused Blitzwing to be one, then the amount of stress WakeJumper went through would probably guarantee it.
Ratchet: *soft snort* That... and his colony tended to produce triplechangers...
mgBuster: Naturally?
Ratchet: Yeah... Which was why they were forced to be so remote... Cybertron Command liked having 'em where they wouldn't end up hurting anyone if they glitched and went on a rampage...
mgBuster: *winces*
Ratchet: *Quietly* Made it darn near impossible to get out to that colony when a rogue group of 'Cons attacked it... Primus-given miracle that WakeJumper even survived that...
mgBuster: :\
Ratchet: *As he continues to work* Things may seem like they're better here... but we've had our share of problems as well... *thinking of a certain youngbot who will never be able to return to Cybertron to live, due to her appearance and techno-organic nature*
mgBuster: *quietly* I think anyplace that hasn't got Sentinel has things better.
Ratchet: *Just as quietly* Wish I knew how that slagger got out of this reality and into yours...
mgBuster: *startled look*
Ratchet: Optimus told me about what he had learned while he was in your reality...
mgBuster: *startlement turns to a slight frown* I've been out of the loop for nearly a vorn. I don't know any of this.
Ratchet: Figures... *continues to work* I'll call Optimus, and he can help fill you in...
mgBuster: All due respect, sir. You really want that many other people in your medi-lab?
Ratchet: We'll be in the common room by the time he gets back from patrols.
mgBuster: *surprised. Looks quickly at his little sister's processor, lenses that his alt hasn't got popping out to let him see the cracks*
Ratchet: *has most of the worst crack all but repaired*
mgBuster: *quietly* Will she be alright after this?
Ratchet: Given enough time to rest and recover, yes.
mgBuster: *thinks of what the Decepticon base is like and his face darkens*
Ratchet: *a bit quieter* It may be best for her to stay here till she's recovered... You're more than welcome to stay as well...
mgBuster: *frowning deeply now* I'll have to think about that, sir. I'm the only one of us that has a ship that can get past the blockades now that I hear Swindle's is gone.
Ratchet: *small nod* We'll have to get you a PINpoint...
mgBuster: Are those things safe? *unconsciously takes baby sister's hand and pats it*
Ratchet: Safer than you'd think.
mgBuster: I can't help but think of the stories about Sentinel appearing suddenly in places where no one would expect him to be.
Ratchet: ... Is that so? *makes a mental note to discuss this with Optimus*
mgBuster: *nods* I thought it was a bogie story till I saw it happen.
Ratchet: *Scowling as he continues to work* I have a bad feeling that misfire has a PINpoint...
mgBuster: If he came from here I wouldn't put it past him. *frown* Do those things jump through time, too?
Ratchet: To an extent... I'm not sure how though...
mgBuster: *scowls and looks down at sister's hand as he pat pats it, then blinks and looks toward the door as the sound of grumbling in what sounds like Ratchet's voice echoes down the hall*
Ratchet: ... *sighs* Aw, sludge....
mgBuster: *quizzical look*
Ratchet: *remembering what WakeJumper said about not referee-ing* Your counterpart's awake... *sighs and continues to work*
mgBuster: *soberly* He's really that bad?
Kendell: *small voice from the common room* Don't drink the paint, Uncle 'Buster!
Ratchet: He's... interesting...
Stiletto: *is that crash due to her trying to pounce on the local Cragbuster* *and missing*
Ratchet: *facepalm*
mgBuster: *as the grumbling out there gets worse and is accompanied by Kia and Kendell's fussing* *frowns* Why?
Ratchet: He's spent most of his life out in the outer rim of colonies... He and I only met a few weeks ago...
mgBuster: I've spent most of my life on the outer rim. *frowning as he tries to understand*
Ratchet: *Quieter* Clarion and I separated well before he was born, and I only found out about him when he and I first met... He went through several vorns thinking I'd abandoned him...
mgBuster: But Clarion was there...? *sober as he thinks of the femme creator he never knew*
Ratchet: She died around the time Omega Supreme came online...
mgBuster: When was that?
Ratchet: *gives the exact date*
mgBuster: .... :\ I see.
Ratchet: He hadn't spoken to her in awhile before that though...
mgBuster: *surprised* No?
Ratchet: Told me so himself... *continues to work*
mgBuster: Strange. *optics back to the little hand he's patting*
Ratchet: *Quietly* What did your Ratchet tell you of your Clarion?
mgBuster: *sighs. Quietly* That she was good, and loyal.
Ratchet: *small nod* *Quietly* I believe it...
mgBuster: *still quiet, without looking up* She wouldn't let them extinguish me, even though it would've saved her life.
Ratchet: *quiet for a few moments* She was a good person.
mgBuster: Ratchet never fully recovered from the broken bond, but he got a lot done by going slowly. And he was a loyal Autobot right till the end, though he never held it against me or anyone for following Megatron.
Ratchet: *small nod* *Quiet sigh as he begins work on fixing the minor cracks in mgAid's processor*
mgBuster: *after a moment to recover himself* *quietly* What happened here? Why didn't they talk?
Ratchet: Who?
mgBuster: *looks at him sideways* Your Clarion and Cragbuster.
Ratchet: *another quiet sigh* Wish I knew...
mgBuster: *looks back to mgAid's hand* Ah.
Ratchet: *Quietly: As much as I'd like to change the past... I can't... but that won't stop me from trying to make amends now...
mgBuster: Just... feels kind of... odd, thinking of what he's missed.
Stiletto: *slinks by the open door, looking like she wants nothing more than to climb up into Prowl's tree and have a nap*
Ratchet: *pays the techno-organic panther femme no mind*
mgBuster: *startles as he sees her pass*
Ratchet: *continues to work* *To mgBuster* That's Stiletto... She must've gotten bored watching Optimus' fish.
mgBuster: ...Optimus' fish?
Ratchet: His mate got him a beta fish that has similar coloring to his... *soft chuckle* Stiletto likes to sit and watch it swim around in its enclosure.
mgBuster: *brows ridges lifted with surprise* So you're friendly to organics.
Ratchet: We are, to the extent that they are to us... But Stiletto's not entirely organic...
mgBuster: I saw that. I was talking about the fish.
Ratchet: Oh... *chuckles* Yeah... That fish is spoiled... *amused medic is amused, even as he finishes up repairs and moves to close mgAid's helm. Then he's reaching for one of the blankets WakeJumper left and covering the femme with it* There... I'll make sure Blaster knows not to be too noisy.
mgBuster: Blaster? *fingers the strange tarp, and then tucks it carefully around his sister's shoulders*
Ratchet: One of the youngbots. He's a sound specialist... And he likes music...
mgBuster: *slight frown as he looks up at this other Ratchet* How many youngbots do you have here?
Ratchet: Well... Let me think... *Doing a quick mental runthrough of the resident youth* Counting Gobaith and Go'el.... There're twenty youngbots here...
mgBuster: *stares*
Ratchet: Stiletto's one of 'em...
mgBuster: How.... Did you get half a generation of protoforms?
Ratchet: Couple of 'em were born in the Nexus... some of 'em were from protoforms that were built here... some of 'em were from protoforms that the 'Cons stole in this reality.... And the Aerialbots were originally one big 'Con...
mgBuster: And what's the Nexus? *intent frown*
Ratchet: Multiversal hub... Showtime and some of the others know more about it than I do...
mgBuster: Huh.... *looks toward the door* It's pretty quiet out there. I can hear the other First Aid humming, but the youngbots aren't talking anymore, and I can't hear the other Cragbuster grumbling.
Ratchet: *listens as well, a slight frown coming to his face*
mgBuster: *shakes his head after a bit* What happened?
Ratchet: Hm?
mgBuster: *quietly* Did they leave?
Ratchet: I don't think so... *will move to head for the door now, intending to check on everyone who is here*
First Aid: *humming happily around the monitor screens when he comes out, seemingly alone but for the TV, which is silently playing a baseball game*
Ratchet: *quietly* Where're the girls?
First Aid: *looks over at him and then smiles and nods toward the couch before putting her finger to her lip plates*
Ratchet: *looks*
Cragbuster: *laying on his back, the hand with the remote hanging toward the floor and the other tucked under his head. Kia is laying partially beside and partially on him, tucked snuggly between the back of the couch and his body. Kendell is curled on his chest*
Ratchet: ... *is so taking a picture of this to show Arcee later*
First Aid: *comes up and takes his arm in her gentle and affectionate way* How is the other First Aid, Ratchet?
Ratchet: She's resting now... She had stress fractures in her processor, but give her enough time and rest to recover, and she'll be alright...
First Aid: *softly* Oh, the poor thing.
Ratchet: *Quietly* WakeJumper and I were in the other reality helping with the aftermath of a pretty bad attack... I pray that they'll never have to deal with that sort of thing ever again... but the odds are they will at some point...
First Aid: *sucks air in* *softly, as her optics lighten with worry* Were there any casualties?
Ratchet: *optics dim a bit as he nods* *Quietly* At one point, all three Aquabots were out.... WakeJumper was working on Downrush when his spark went out...
First Aid: *horrified expression as her free hand flies to cover her mouth*
Ratchet: I knew he'd have to face that sort of thing eventually.... But having it be the counterpart of someone he grew up around... I'll check on him later tonight, to see how he's doing...
First Aid: *wibbling slightly as she asks very softly* Deepdancer... Viisaus... Torque? And Lockdown? Megatron and Lugnut?
Ratchet: *Quietly* They're alright. We had a miracle happen, and were able to get more than enough help from this reality.
First Aid: *sways slightly, and then leans her forehead against his arm as she hugs it* Oh, I'm glad. I'm glad. Thank the Greatest Creator.
Ratchet: *Quietly, after a quick glance around* You never got to meet the Scattershot that's from that reality....
First Aid: *peeks up at him quizzically*
Ratchet: From what I could tell from what I saw of him he's similar in build and appearance to the one from here, but his armor is black....
First Aid: *startled* Black?
Ratchet: Either that, or he got scorched pretty badly....
First Aid: *winces* Was he badly damaged? *sudden start* Oh, speaking of Scattershot, are he and Mistfire.... Were they able to come home?
Ratchet: *quietly* Looked like he'd been through the wringer... Mistfire and Scattershot went to Tau, last I knew....
First Aid: Oh the poor thing. But he'll recover? And how were our Scattershot, and Mistfire?
Ratchet: He'll recover just fine. They've got the parts and supplies they need... And aside from scraped paint and some minor dents and dings on Scattershot's part, he and Mistfire are fine...
First Aid: And Mistfire and the sparklet? And how are Wheelie and Rumrunner?
Ratchet: Mistfire looked a bit run down, but I'm guessing that's due to a lack of proper fuel... The boys looked alright... They certainly made some friends while they were there...
First Aid: *perks* The little WakeJumper who lives there? And Bumblebee, Kriti, and Muhe?
Ratchet: *Nods, then he's chuckling softly as he remembers what he got to witness*
First Aid: *mouth trembles at the corners* What is it, Ratchet?
Ratchet: Kriti said her first words while WakeJumper and I were there.
First Aid: *lights right up* Oh! What did she say?
Ratchet: It was after things had settled down and basic repairs were being done to those without life-threatening injuries... she said "Help here." after she took everything in...
First Aid: *softly* Was she talking about you?
Ratchet: I'm not sure... I think she just meant that the help that they've been needing finally arrived... and that everything'd be alright for a little while...
First Aid: *optics widen* Is she like Fireflight?
Ratchet: I'm not sure... I know she's the fused remenants of two femmes who died honorably....
First Aid: *blinks but nods* Showtime and Desinex.
Ratchet: .... *blink blink*
First Aid: *quietly tells the story*
Ratchet: *Boggling by the end*
First Aid: *softly* She's a lot like Desinex.
Ratchet: ... How do you figure?
First Aid: You didn't get to see her protecting Bumblebee?
Ratchet: *headshake*
First Aid: *bit of a smile* She holds him and comforts him, and growls at anyone who upsets him.
Ratchet: ... Huh.... Didn't see Bumblebee there... He must've been in the same place that the rest of the kids were at....
First Aid: Somewhere else in the caverns?
Ratchet: I'm not sure...
First Aid: Oh. *pat pats his arm*
Ratchet: When your counterpart's recovered, I'll send her back with supplies as well...
First Aid: *expression darkens* Are you sure that's a good idea? If her processor is stress fracturing....
Ratchet: *quietly relaying what he knows of mgAid's story*
First Aid: *swallows* We aren't made for war, Ratchet.
Ratchet: *Quiet sigh. Doesn't know what else to do*
mgBuster: *from behind them* *quietly* I'll take care of her.
Ratchet: *Startles*
mgBuster: *puts out a hand* Sorry.
Ratchet: Kid... You move like a ghost...
mgBuster: *cheek plates heat slightly* I took some stealth training in Academy.
Ratchet: ... *small nod*
mgBuster: But you don't have to worry about my sister. We'll watch out for her.
Ratchet: *Another small nod*
Stiletto: *moving to carefully rub against mgBuster's leg*
mgBuster: *starts slightly, and then looks down at her* *kindly* Hey, now. What do you want?
Stiletto: *quiet purr. Seems she's not sleepy after all*
Ratchet: *Soft chuckle* Crazy kid....
mgBuster: Crazy? Why do you say that?
First Aid: *down on one knee offering Stiletto a hug*
Ratchet: *nods to Stiletto, who purrs and loves upon both First Aid and mgBuster* If your counterpart was awake, she'd be trying to knock him over... Plus, she's one of Sunstreaker's offspring... That makes her crazy by default.
Stiletto: *Tailswish, snorts at you, Ratchet!*
mgBuster: I don't know a Sunstreaker, but that would be like saying Blitzwing has to be calm and steady by default, because he's Brigadier's offspring.
Stiletto: *Kitty "Pleh" face at Ratchet*
Ratchet: *soft snort* If you stick around long enough, you'll see what I mean....
First Aid: *nuzzles between Stiletto's ears and then hugs her more* Oh, you smell nice. Have you been rolling in the field again?
Stiletto: *Small nod*
mgBuster: *rubs his chin as he studies Stilleto* *quietly* How do you get construction like that?
Stiletto: *ear flicks for a moment, before she's moving away from First Aid so she can transform*
First Aid: *softly* It was an experiment. *ready to stick up for the young femme*
mgBuster: Think it could be duplicated?
Ratchet: *Small frown*
Stiletto: ...*Ears flat against her head* Why would you want to?
mgBuster: *quietly* Because I think it would be an advantage for the Decepticons of my reality.
Stiletto: ...
First Aid: *looks at Ratchet, and then starts slightly and pokes herself in the audio*
Ratchet: *Attention going to First Aid*
First Aid: *face breaks into a smile of relief* Prowl's fever broke.
Ratchet: *Relaxes* Thank Primus....
Stiletto: *Perks up* He's okay?
First Aid: Kathy says he's not out of the woods yet. They have to wait till he wakes up to see if he's been permanently affected by it. But he's breathing on his own, and sleeping peacefully.
mgBuster: *had stiffened at first mention of Prowl's name, and is now looking from First Aid to Ratchet*
Ratchet: *Didn't miss that* *Quietly* You know the Prowl of your reality?
mgBuster: *grim* He's the mech that led the assault on the Earth bridge, Deepdancer says.
Ratchet: ....
Stiletto: ... *ears flat again*
mgBuster: He's one of hewhoisn'tnamed's most trusted officers.
Ratchet: *Quiet*
Stiletto: You mean Sentinel Slime?
mgBuster: Not how I'd word it, but yes.
Stiletto: He's screwed your reality up a lot. *Scowling*
Ratchet: *Small nod, expression grim as he remembers what was discovered regarding the mech*
mgBuster: *quietly and reassuringly* It won't last. Nobot lasts forever.
Ratchet: Real question is whether what's fueling him will putter out soon or not....
mgBuster: You mean his source? Yeah. Good question.
Ratchet: *sighs* It's likely only Primus or the Greater Creator knows for certain....
mgBuster: ...Greater Creator?
Ratchet: *nods* Primus' creator.
mgBuster: o.0 Whoa.
Ratchet: *Quietly* We'll call you when she wakes up... But for now... *moves to guide mgBuster back to the medbay*
mgBuster: *nods to First Aid and Stiletto, then lets himself be guided* Call me when she wakes up?
Ratchet: She needs to rest still....
mgBuster: *quietly* I don't want to leave her, sir.
Ratchet: *just as quietly* Right now, you're needed in your reality....
mgBuster: *tips head back slightly and shutters optics* Yesssir.
Ratchet: *getting supplies and blankets, will offer them to mgBuster*
mgBuster: *taking it all in silence*
First Aid: *here with a box of things she raided from the cupboards. Including the boxes of softboils*
Ratchet: *makes no protest about that*
mgBuster: .... *sniff sniff* o.0
Ratchet: Softboils... They're pretty good.
mgBuster: I can sort of tell by the smell.
Ratchet: *gets his own PINpoint out, programs it, and offers it to mgBuster as well*
mgBuster: *juggles a bit, and then takes it* *quietly* Thank you.
Ratchet: Stay safe...
mgBuster: I'll do my best. *last glance toward his sister, and then he's gone*
Ratchet: *Quiet sigh, moves to head for the door so he can go and check on WakeJumper*
First Aid: *stops him and gives him a gentle hug* It will be alright.
Ratchet: *Quietly* I really hope so...
First Aid: *hugs and lets go, then turns her head and heads for the living room as an 'oof' and grumbling comes from Cragbuster*
Ratchet: *another soft sigh, along with a silent prayer, then he's heading to where the Aquabots call home*
((co-written with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
random_xtras))
Wheeljack: ACK!
Cragbuster: *shoulders droop and optics darken* Oh....
Ratchet: *Attention on Cragbuster*
Cragbuster: *seems to have forgotten about him. Is busy checking with Deepdancer about what he should do with his crates and where they should go*
Wheeljack: *rounds up his girls and goes home*
Ratchet: *moving to put a hand on Cragbuster's shoulder* *Quietly* I know I'm not the Ratchet who was your mech creator... But I'm pretty darn sure he'd be proud of you.
Cragbuster: *stops and squeezes his optics shut* *quietly* Please don't do that.
Ratchet: ... *quietly* Alright... *will move off to finish helping where he can*
Lockdown: *looks at him from where he's moving cans of mud over to the cupboards* *very quietly* Ratchet always was proud'a Buster.
Ratchet: *just as quietly* Different from back home... I didn't even realize I had a son till he showed up on Earth...
Lockdown: *quietly quizzical look*
Ratchet: *optics focused on his patient* Clarion took off after our little... encounter.... and I never heard from her again...
Lockdown: *glances over to where the yellow and white mech is working and talking with Deepdancer* Clarion was Ratchet's mate. She had some kind'a complications when she carried. Buster made it. She didn't.
Ratchet: *cycles air for a few moments, a bit rattled now*
Lockdown: *gathering another armful of cans* Docbot was his mother and his father. *heads over to the cupboard again*
Ratchet: ... *looking like someone punched him in the fuel tank*
Muhe: *gentle poke in the back for the red and white guy*
Hot Shot: Hey... you okay, sir?
Kriti: *clicks at Ratchet*
Ratchet: I'll... be okay... *going to focus on work now, kthx*
Muhe: .... *HUG*
Hot Shot: Whoa, careful there, Trouble.
Kriti: *Clicks and holds her arms out to Hot Shot. Wants picked up, plznthx*
Hot Shot: *forgets about the Ratchet hugging and gently scoops the little femme into his arms* Hey, Kriti. Didja miss me while I was gone?
Kriti: *click, nod* Yup.
Hot Shot: *thrilled* I knew you'd have a pretty voice. ^_^
WakeJumper: You missed her saying her first words... *working with his back to the Aquabots now, kthx*
Hot Shot: Yeah, I kinda lost my head there for a bit.
Deepdancer: *snorts at Hot Shot's joke*
Kriti: *Razz*
Ratchet: *cycling air and trying to keep his hands from shaking, even as he reaches to gently patpat Muhe's hand*
Muhe: *loves you, Ratchet. Don't be sad*
WakeJumper: *Slight frown as Ratchet clicks quietly, then his attention's going to Kriti for a few moments* Yanno... Her voice sounds familiar, in a way... But I'm pretty sure we don't have a counterpart of her back home...
Deepdancer: *looks up from where she's sitting by her brother and cuddling little WakeJumper* Her spark is made from the fused remnants of two femmesparks.
WakeJumper: ... *blink blink*
Deepdancer: I knew the femmes, but I can't tell you how it happened.
Ratchet: *Listening without seeming to*
WakeJumper: ... Too scary for the kids?
Deepdancer: Probably. But I just don't know the details. Those femmes died by firing squad.
WakeJumper: ... oh...
mgWakeJumper: *sleepy little click from around his thumb*
Kriti: *Quiet murmurs as she moves to hide her face against Hot Shot*
Deepdancer: *quietly* I just thank the maker that part of them survived. *gently rubs little Wake's back*
Sunhalo: *help help helping Cragbuster*
Jazz: //'Aid's havin' some kinda seizure! I need help STAT!//
Deepdancer: Ratchet!
Ratchet: *Sharp curse* Cragbuster, come with me! *moving to head for the room where Jazz and First Aid are*
Cragbuster: *tosses the box in his hands to Sunhalo and follows automatically*
Ratchet: *getting out what he thinks he'll need, then he's going into the room*
Jazz: *on the floor, wincing with pain as he tries to talk soothingly to the red and white femme who is thrashing around a little distance from him beneath the overturned hammock that he was tossed from*
Cragbuster: *jumps on the femme to try and gently hold her down* Easy....
First Aid: *shrieks again, her optics wide with terror*
Ratchet: *moving to try and plug his wrist cable into her port* Easy, First Aid, you're safe...
First Aid: Ratchet... *static* I'm frightened. Help me!
Cragbuster: :\ *holding on*
Ratchet: *soothing clicks, finally succeeds in getting the cable plugged in* -Easy, First Aid, I'm here... you're safe now.- *soothing, then he's fighting the urge to recoil in reaction to the dream*
First Aid: *struggling to break free of the nightmare, but strain has damaged her neural net and she's locked into the loop of horrifying images* *sobbing* Ratchet.... Don't leave me. Please.
Ratchet: *fighting back tremors as he tries to bring First Aid from the nightmare*
First Aid: *starting to show dangerous strain in her processor as she continues to thrash against the hold of the two mechs* Ratchet....
Cragbuster: *face grim as he holds on*
Ratchet: *To Cragbuster* H-help me sedtate her... Straining her processor... *to First Aid* -Shhh... I've got you... You're safe.- *gives the impression of holding the young femme close*
Cragbuster: *shifts so that his knee is pinning First Aid down, and then opens a panel in the young femme's chest so that he can quickly and skillfully work a manual shutdown*
First Aid: *limp*
Jazz: *small, muffled sound of pain*
Ratchet: *Feeling a bit dizzy as he carefully disconnects his cable before he moves to scan Jazz*
Jazz: *crying, but it's not the awkward position he's laying in, or the fact that he hit the floor hard that's causing his pain. His optic visor is focused on First Aid*
Ratchet: *scans the mech and makes soothing sounds as he moves to try and alleviate some of Jazz's pain*
Cragbuster: *gently picking First Aid up* *quietly* She wasn't calling you.
Jazz: *switches his visor on* No, mech. That's your baby sis.
Cragbuster: *nearly drops her*
Ratchet: *quiet fussing*
Cragbuster: *recovering* No she's not. She hasn't got the coding.
Ratchet: *still feeling a bit ill* *Quietly* Ever hear of adoption, Cragbuster?
Jazz: *winces slightly and tries to move* Ol' Ratch caught 'er the day she come outta the Allspark.
Cragbuster: *trembling now as he looks down at First Aid*
Ratchet: *To Jazz* Stay still... *to Cragbuster* Circulate....
Cragbuster: *blinks and does so*
Jazz: Not... a problem, Docbot. Don't... don't think this ol' cybercat kin move.
Ratchet: *quietly* We'll need to get you to Deepdancer, Jazz....
Jazz: She got space? *circulating slowly as his optic band dims*
Ratchet: *pings Deepdancer's comm*
Deepdancer: //Deepdancer.//
Ratchet: //Jazz sustained additional damage and needs repairs... Is there room for him in the medbay?//
Deepdancer: //There will be once you get him down here.//
Ratchet: *moving to carefully lift Jazz* Let's get you to Deepdancer.
Jazz: *quietly* 'Aid gonna be alright?
Cragbuster: *gruff* Worry about yourself.
Ratchet: She'll be okay....
Jazz: You ain't jes' sayin' that? *searching look for Ratchet*
Ratchet: *firmly* I'm not just saying it.
Jazz: Okay. *relaxes as best as he's able*
Ratchet: *carefully bringing Jazz to Deepdancer, an idea forming in his head as he thinks of the extent of the damage to First Aid's processor*
Deepdancer: *has handed little Wake to his large alternate and is busy tending to Viisaus where he's tucked into one of the hammocks against the wall*
Viisaus: *gently reminding Deepdancer that she needs to rest at some point as well*
Deepdancer: *snorts at him and pulls the sides of the hammock up around him a little more securely* Worry about yourself, you antique.
Viisaus: *chuckles quietly as he settles down to rest*
Ratchet: *moving to put Jazz on the table*
WakeJumper: *moves to carefully tuck his smaller counterpart in with the Aquabots, intending to help Ratchet with Jazz*
mgWakeJumper: *Um, NO. Squeal!*
Deepdancer: *starts and whirls* What are you doing!? Give him to me. *arms out*
Cragbuster: *o.0 at sparklet squeal*
WakeJumper: *surprised, but moves to do as told*
mgWakeJumper: *CLING to Mama!*
Kriti: *Clickstorm!*
Deepdancer: *rubs the little back and clicks soothingly* Shhh, WakeJumper, I've got you. Do you want to snuggle Viisaus?
Hot Shot: What was the big idea putting the little guy with the Aquabots? *frowning at WakeJumper as he pats Kriti's back*
mgWakeJumper: *clicks quietly*
Viisaus: *moving to sit up*
WakeJumper: *Quiet murmur of "Thought it'd help him...."*
Hot Shot: Stickin' him with guys he doesn't know? *frowwwn*
Deepdancer: Stick a plug in it, Hot Shot. In his reality they're probably close to him. Viisaus, don't make me get the tape.
Hot Shot: *chastened at the rebuke* :(
Kriti: *Patpat Hot Shot*
Hot Shot: *to Kriti, as Muhe also pats him* Aww. I know you love me, Kriti. *stifles a yawn by sticking his fist in it*
Deepdancer: *doesn't turn from tucking little Wake in with her brother* Bed. Now.
Muhe: *leads friends out to find somewhere good for stasis*
WakeJumper: *hunkering down a bit* *Quietly* I was just trying to help...
Viisaus: *Clicks quietly to mgWakeJumper as he gently rubs the little mech's back. Then he's settling down to rest again*
Deepdancer: *as she turns away from the hammock* Don't worry about it, youngling. Hot Shot's mouth is nearly as fast as he is, but his processor's in park.
Ratchet: *working on Jazz now*
Deepdancer: *expression softens as she catches sight of Cragbuster standing over by the door and rocking on his feet as he looks down at First Aid with a concerned expression. As she moves over to help Ratchet* What was all the fuss?
Ratchet: First Aid's strained her processor... She had a nightmare that caused even more strain...
Deepdancer: *pauses* Are we talking stress fracture strain?
Ratchet: *Small nod*
Deepdancer: *head droops till her chin rests on her chest* At least she'll be out of all this mess.
Ratchet: *Quietly* It may be best if she came back with WakeJumper and me...
Deepdancer: *sharp look of surprise* Are you telling me you can repair that?
Ratchet: I've repaired that sort of damage quite a few times.
Deepdancer: Really.... *looks over at Cragbuster*
Cragbuster: *grip tightens on his baby sister, his blue optics resolute*
Ratchet: It'll also help her if she's got family nearby.
WakeJumper: ... Oh great. *has just figured out what Ratchet intends*
Deepdancer: Cragbuster, are you alright with that?
Cragbuster: *gruffly* I'm not letting her go now, not after I just found her.
Ratchet: *snorts* You think I'd separate you from her? You're family to her. You're coming with us.
WakeJumper: *mutters* I am NOT being the ref when we get back home.
Deepdancer: *frowns at him* You have something to say, youngling?
WakeJumper: That one's counterpart *Points to Cragbuster* is on Earth, and staying at the plant with us already. I am NOT referree-ing the inevitable fight that'll happen.
Deepdancer: *frown deepens* What makes you so sure there'll be fighting?
WakeJumper: 'Cause the one back home's a jerk.
Ratchet: *Facepalming now* *to WakeJumper* Quit dawdling, youngling.
WakeJumper: You know I'm right, Ratchet... *back to work!*
Deepdancer: ...Jerk? *looks at Ratchet*
Ratchet: //Kid's a piece of work... Lot of attitude...//
Deepdancer: *slight scowl as she resumes her work on Jazz* //How'd that happen? I thought your world had things pretty good.//
Ratchet: //His mother skipped out shortly after we were together... I didn't know he even existed till he showed up on Earth one day... which was some time after the great war was over...//
Deepdancer: //...Great war?//
Ratchet: //Between the Autobots and Decepticons... Didn't Optimus tell you about it?//
Deepdancer: //I remember him saying something about it.// *reaches for a new part* //But it's been awhile.//
Ratchet: *Quietly recaps the war over comms, even as he continues to work*
Deepdancer: //So how many vorns was it before you found out about him, then?//
Ratchet: *tells her, optics dimming slightly* //I was called out on a mission to rescue an intel officer shortly after Clarion left...//
Deepdancer: //...He's nearly as old as you are.//
Ratchet: //Some of the youngbots call him the yellow version of me... when they think I'm out of audio range... *soft sigh that might also have a chuckle mixed in*//
Deepdancer: //So you're a 'jerk' too?//
Ratchet: //Depends on who you ask... I'm not exactly the friendliest of 'Bots, even on the best of days...//
Deepdancer: *quietly* //The realities truly are different.//
Ratchet: //No kidding...// *sighs*
Jazz: *moves his head a bit* Don't mess with me, mech. Go fix... 'Aid.
Ratchet: *quietly* Right... *straightens* Let's get home... The sooner we get back, the sooner we can start repairing her...
Cragbuster: *straightens from where he'd been leaning on the wall* Yessir.
WakeJumper: *Finishes what he's working on, gives the Aquabots a slightly wistful glance, then he's moving over to stand by Ratchet*
Cragbuster: *comes over too, holding First Aid carefully*
Deepdancer: *still working on Jazz. Doesn't look up* Thanks.
Ratchet: Call if you need more help. *Will put a hand on both WakeJumper and Cragbuster's shoulders while WakeJumper fiddles with the PINpoint he has in storage*
Deepdancer: If we can, we will.
Jazz: *quietly, just as the PINpoint goes off* Take care'a my little girl.
Ratchet: *Small nod just before the scenery changes to the medbay in the Autobot base*
First Aid: *startles and turns toward them* Oh! Ratchet, you're back.
Kia: Papa! :D
Kendell: Grandpa! :D
Ratchet: *clicks to Kia as he moves to get supplies* *To First Aid* We've got a bit of a situation here...
WakeJumper: *moving to help prep the medbay*
mgBuster: *staring at the other First Aid, and at the two smaller femmes, his expression startled*
Ratchet: *To mgBuster* Bring her over here.
mgBuster: *does so, his optics going to the side and down as Kia scoots over to look onto the table*
Ratchet: *Clicks to Kia a bit more, moving to pick her up* Have you been behaving, Kia?
Kia: *small laugh and then much love and hugs for Papa* Been behaving.
Ratchet: Good girl... Why don't you see if Mama needs help?
Kia: *looks quickly to First Aid*
First Aid: Arcee took the rest of the youngsters to visit that human school today.
Ratchet: ... That's right... *concerned now*
Kia: *gently touches his face* Papa?
Stiletto: *in alt-mode, is peeking in through the door but won't set foot in the medbay*
Ratchet: *To Kia, even though he knows Stiletto's in the doorway* There's a lady who is hurt, and needs repairs.
Kia: *big optics locked on his and her mouth open slightly as she concentrates on what Papa is saying*
First Aid: *has come over to offer to take her little sister out of the medbay*
Ratchet: *Gently* Why don't you and First Aid make sure Stiletto isn't getting into trouble?
Stiletto: *GONE*
WakeJumper: *Soft snerk*
Kia: *looks at First Aid*
First Aid: *gently helps Kia to the floor and puts a hand on her shoulder, then chuckles at the bright grin she gets and follows the little silver femme from the room*
mgBuster: ...Grandpa?
Ratchet: The little bitlet that the local First Aid had with her is her daughter, Kendell.
mgBuster: *protective glint in his optic* Allspark daughter?
Ratchet: First Aid is... Kendell's spark contains coding from her mother, and her father.
mgBuster: ...Who's the father?
WakeJumper: The local Optimus.
mgBuster: *frowns at WakeJumper* Optimus?
WakeJumper: *nods* He's one of the two Primes we've got here... Three, if you count Ironfist as a Prime... but I think she retired to spend more time with her mate.
mgBuster: *hasn't heard the stories of the first visitors yet. Is frowning as he carefully settles his little sister on the table comfortably* Who's the little silver bit?
Ratchet: My other daughter, Kia.
mgBuster: *looking down at mgAid* Other daugher, huh?
Ratchet: The youngest out of the three... *Yes, he's including mgAid* But... There's one more on the way....
mgBuster: *surprised look* Clarion's alive?
Ratchet: *headshake, optics a bit dim* My mate, Arcee.... is carrying.
mgBuster: ...Who's Arcee?
WakeJumper: Stick around. You'll probably get to meet her soon enough... *To First Aid, over comms* //Sharpshot and Showtime were with the group that went to the school, right?//
First Aid: //Yes, WakeJumper, they were.// *showing Kia fingerpaint*
Ratchet: She was an intel officer during the war in this reality... Her primary function was originally as a school teacher...
WakeJumper: //How long before one of 'em will suggest that Arcee be brought back here to rest, do you think?// *is going to fetch a blanket or two now*
First Aid: //I'm not sure. There are places for her to sit and rest at the school.// *shows Kia that the blue paint tastes better than the yellow she just tried*
WakeJumper: //Oh... Well, alright...//
Stiletto: *is sooooo hiding in the rafters now, kthx*
First Aid: //Do you need to talk to Arcee about something? Her comm is on. I can hear her talking to Sharpshot right now.//
WakeJumper: //Naw. The other 'Buster was asking about who she is.//
First Aid: //Oh yes. Their Ratchet never got to meet Arcee.// *helps Kendell make a tree on her paper* //I was surprised to meet that Cragbuster.//
WakeJumper: //I was too... He's not a jerk.//
First Aid: *gentle reproof in her soft voice* //WakeJumper....//
WakeJumper: //What? He's not... Seems like he actually got along with his Ratchet....//
First Aid: *gently* //It's not a nice thing to say about anyone.//
WakeJumper: *A bit cheekily* //Whatever.// *If Ratchet heard him, he'd be getting a wrench to the head for sure.*
First Aid: //*sad and reproving sigh*//
WakeJumper: *closes the comm line with a click. Will finish getting things set up, then go and spend time with his original team*
mgBuster: *watching WakeJumper and Ratchet. Showing none of the unease the local 'Buster does in the medbay*
Ratchet: *watches WakeJumper go, before sighing quietly and beginning repairs on mgAid's processor*
mgBuster: *watches WakeJumper as well, a frown of concern on his face plates* *without sarcasm* What's his damage?
Ratchet: If I had to guess? Seeing the Aquabots offline got to him...
mgBuster: *no snark. No sarcasm* So that's why he put the little bot with them.
Ratchet: This reality's Aquabots... were the closest thing he had to family after his colony got wiped out....
mgBuster: *skillfully handing things that want handing* He's got a lot of kibble.
Ratchet: He's a triplechanger.
mgBuster: Not surprised. If being in a defective protoform at first caused Blitzwing to be one, then the amount of stress WakeJumper went through would probably guarantee it.
Ratchet: *soft snort* That... and his colony tended to produce triplechangers...
mgBuster: Naturally?
Ratchet: Yeah... Which was why they were forced to be so remote... Cybertron Command liked having 'em where they wouldn't end up hurting anyone if they glitched and went on a rampage...
mgBuster: *winces*
Ratchet: *Quietly* Made it darn near impossible to get out to that colony when a rogue group of 'Cons attacked it... Primus-given miracle that WakeJumper even survived that...
mgBuster: :\
Ratchet: *As he continues to work* Things may seem like they're better here... but we've had our share of problems as well... *thinking of a certain youngbot who will never be able to return to Cybertron to live, due to her appearance and techno-organic nature*
mgBuster: *quietly* I think anyplace that hasn't got Sentinel has things better.
Ratchet: *Just as quietly* Wish I knew how that slagger got out of this reality and into yours...
mgBuster: *startled look*
Ratchet: Optimus told me about what he had learned while he was in your reality...
mgBuster: *startlement turns to a slight frown* I've been out of the loop for nearly a vorn. I don't know any of this.
Ratchet: Figures... *continues to work* I'll call Optimus, and he can help fill you in...
mgBuster: All due respect, sir. You really want that many other people in your medi-lab?
Ratchet: We'll be in the common room by the time he gets back from patrols.
mgBuster: *surprised. Looks quickly at his little sister's processor, lenses that his alt hasn't got popping out to let him see the cracks*
Ratchet: *has most of the worst crack all but repaired*
mgBuster: *quietly* Will she be alright after this?
Ratchet: Given enough time to rest and recover, yes.
mgBuster: *thinks of what the Decepticon base is like and his face darkens*
Ratchet: *a bit quieter* It may be best for her to stay here till she's recovered... You're more than welcome to stay as well...
mgBuster: *frowning deeply now* I'll have to think about that, sir. I'm the only one of us that has a ship that can get past the blockades now that I hear Swindle's is gone.
Ratchet: *small nod* We'll have to get you a PINpoint...
mgBuster: Are those things safe? *unconsciously takes baby sister's hand and pats it*
Ratchet: Safer than you'd think.
mgBuster: I can't help but think of the stories about Sentinel appearing suddenly in places where no one would expect him to be.
Ratchet: ... Is that so? *makes a mental note to discuss this with Optimus*
mgBuster: *nods* I thought it was a bogie story till I saw it happen.
Ratchet: *Scowling as he continues to work* I have a bad feeling that misfire has a PINpoint...
mgBuster: If he came from here I wouldn't put it past him. *frown* Do those things jump through time, too?
Ratchet: To an extent... I'm not sure how though...
mgBuster: *scowls and looks down at sister's hand as he pat pats it, then blinks and looks toward the door as the sound of grumbling in what sounds like Ratchet's voice echoes down the hall*
Ratchet: ... *sighs* Aw, sludge....
mgBuster: *quizzical look*
Ratchet: *remembering what WakeJumper said about not referee-ing* Your counterpart's awake... *sighs and continues to work*
mgBuster: *soberly* He's really that bad?
Kendell: *small voice from the common room* Don't drink the paint, Uncle 'Buster!
Ratchet: He's... interesting...
Stiletto: *is that crash due to her trying to pounce on the local Cragbuster* *and missing*
Ratchet: *facepalm*
mgBuster: *as the grumbling out there gets worse and is accompanied by Kia and Kendell's fussing* *frowns* Why?
Ratchet: He's spent most of his life out in the outer rim of colonies... He and I only met a few weeks ago...
mgBuster: I've spent most of my life on the outer rim. *frowning as he tries to understand*
Ratchet: *Quieter* Clarion and I separated well before he was born, and I only found out about him when he and I first met... He went through several vorns thinking I'd abandoned him...
mgBuster: But Clarion was there...? *sober as he thinks of the femme creator he never knew*
Ratchet: She died around the time Omega Supreme came online...
mgBuster: When was that?
Ratchet: *gives the exact date*
mgBuster: .... :\ I see.
Ratchet: He hadn't spoken to her in awhile before that though...
mgBuster: *surprised* No?
Ratchet: Told me so himself... *continues to work*
mgBuster: Strange. *optics back to the little hand he's patting*
Ratchet: *Quietly* What did your Ratchet tell you of your Clarion?
mgBuster: *sighs. Quietly* That she was good, and loyal.
Ratchet: *small nod* *Quietly* I believe it...
mgBuster: *still quiet, without looking up* She wouldn't let them extinguish me, even though it would've saved her life.
Ratchet: *quiet for a few moments* She was a good person.
mgBuster: Ratchet never fully recovered from the broken bond, but he got a lot done by going slowly. And he was a loyal Autobot right till the end, though he never held it against me or anyone for following Megatron.
Ratchet: *small nod* *Quiet sigh as he begins work on fixing the minor cracks in mgAid's processor*
mgBuster: *after a moment to recover himself* *quietly* What happened here? Why didn't they talk?
Ratchet: Who?
mgBuster: *looks at him sideways* Your Clarion and Cragbuster.
Ratchet: *another quiet sigh* Wish I knew...
mgBuster: *looks back to mgAid's hand* Ah.
Ratchet: *Quietly: As much as I'd like to change the past... I can't... but that won't stop me from trying to make amends now...
mgBuster: Just... feels kind of... odd, thinking of what he's missed.
Stiletto: *slinks by the open door, looking like she wants nothing more than to climb up into Prowl's tree and have a nap*
Ratchet: *pays the techno-organic panther femme no mind*
mgBuster: *startles as he sees her pass*
Ratchet: *continues to work* *To mgBuster* That's Stiletto... She must've gotten bored watching Optimus' fish.
mgBuster: ...Optimus' fish?
Ratchet: His mate got him a beta fish that has similar coloring to his... *soft chuckle* Stiletto likes to sit and watch it swim around in its enclosure.
mgBuster: *brows ridges lifted with surprise* So you're friendly to organics.
Ratchet: We are, to the extent that they are to us... But Stiletto's not entirely organic...
mgBuster: I saw that. I was talking about the fish.
Ratchet: Oh... *chuckles* Yeah... That fish is spoiled... *amused medic is amused, even as he finishes up repairs and moves to close mgAid's helm. Then he's reaching for one of the blankets WakeJumper left and covering the femme with it* There... I'll make sure Blaster knows not to be too noisy.
mgBuster: Blaster? *fingers the strange tarp, and then tucks it carefully around his sister's shoulders*
Ratchet: One of the youngbots. He's a sound specialist... And he likes music...
mgBuster: *slight frown as he looks up at this other Ratchet* How many youngbots do you have here?
Ratchet: Well... Let me think... *Doing a quick mental runthrough of the resident youth* Counting Gobaith and Go'el.... There're twenty youngbots here...
mgBuster: *stares*
Ratchet: Stiletto's one of 'em...
mgBuster: How.... Did you get half a generation of protoforms?
Ratchet: Couple of 'em were born in the Nexus... some of 'em were from protoforms that were built here... some of 'em were from protoforms that the 'Cons stole in this reality.... And the Aerialbots were originally one big 'Con...
mgBuster: And what's the Nexus? *intent frown*
Ratchet: Multiversal hub... Showtime and some of the others know more about it than I do...
mgBuster: Huh.... *looks toward the door* It's pretty quiet out there. I can hear the other First Aid humming, but the youngbots aren't talking anymore, and I can't hear the other Cragbuster grumbling.
Ratchet: *listens as well, a slight frown coming to his face*
mgBuster: *shakes his head after a bit* What happened?
Ratchet: Hm?
mgBuster: *quietly* Did they leave?
Ratchet: I don't think so... *will move to head for the door now, intending to check on everyone who is here*
First Aid: *humming happily around the monitor screens when he comes out, seemingly alone but for the TV, which is silently playing a baseball game*
Ratchet: *quietly* Where're the girls?
First Aid: *looks over at him and then smiles and nods toward the couch before putting her finger to her lip plates*
Ratchet: *looks*
Cragbuster: *laying on his back, the hand with the remote hanging toward the floor and the other tucked under his head. Kia is laying partially beside and partially on him, tucked snuggly between the back of the couch and his body. Kendell is curled on his chest*
Ratchet: ... *is so taking a picture of this to show Arcee later*
First Aid: *comes up and takes his arm in her gentle and affectionate way* How is the other First Aid, Ratchet?
Ratchet: She's resting now... She had stress fractures in her processor, but give her enough time and rest to recover, and she'll be alright...
First Aid: *softly* Oh, the poor thing.
Ratchet: *Quietly* WakeJumper and I were in the other reality helping with the aftermath of a pretty bad attack... I pray that they'll never have to deal with that sort of thing ever again... but the odds are they will at some point...
First Aid: *sucks air in* *softly, as her optics lighten with worry* Were there any casualties?
Ratchet: *optics dim a bit as he nods* *Quietly* At one point, all three Aquabots were out.... WakeJumper was working on Downrush when his spark went out...
First Aid: *horrified expression as her free hand flies to cover her mouth*
Ratchet: I knew he'd have to face that sort of thing eventually.... But having it be the counterpart of someone he grew up around... I'll check on him later tonight, to see how he's doing...
First Aid: *wibbling slightly as she asks very softly* Deepdancer... Viisaus... Torque? And Lockdown? Megatron and Lugnut?
Ratchet: *Quietly* They're alright. We had a miracle happen, and were able to get more than enough help from this reality.
First Aid: *sways slightly, and then leans her forehead against his arm as she hugs it* Oh, I'm glad. I'm glad. Thank the Greatest Creator.
Ratchet: *Quietly, after a quick glance around* You never got to meet the Scattershot that's from that reality....
First Aid: *peeks up at him quizzically*
Ratchet: From what I could tell from what I saw of him he's similar in build and appearance to the one from here, but his armor is black....
First Aid: *startled* Black?
Ratchet: Either that, or he got scorched pretty badly....
First Aid: *winces* Was he badly damaged? *sudden start* Oh, speaking of Scattershot, are he and Mistfire.... Were they able to come home?
Ratchet: *quietly* Looked like he'd been through the wringer... Mistfire and Scattershot went to Tau, last I knew....
First Aid: Oh the poor thing. But he'll recover? And how were our Scattershot, and Mistfire?
Ratchet: He'll recover just fine. They've got the parts and supplies they need... And aside from scraped paint and some minor dents and dings on Scattershot's part, he and Mistfire are fine...
First Aid: And Mistfire and the sparklet? And how are Wheelie and Rumrunner?
Ratchet: Mistfire looked a bit run down, but I'm guessing that's due to a lack of proper fuel... The boys looked alright... They certainly made some friends while they were there...
First Aid: *perks* The little WakeJumper who lives there? And Bumblebee, Kriti, and Muhe?
Ratchet: *Nods, then he's chuckling softly as he remembers what he got to witness*
First Aid: *mouth trembles at the corners* What is it, Ratchet?
Ratchet: Kriti said her first words while WakeJumper and I were there.
First Aid: *lights right up* Oh! What did she say?
Ratchet: It was after things had settled down and basic repairs were being done to those without life-threatening injuries... she said "Help here." after she took everything in...
First Aid: *softly* Was she talking about you?
Ratchet: I'm not sure... I think she just meant that the help that they've been needing finally arrived... and that everything'd be alright for a little while...
First Aid: *optics widen* Is she like Fireflight?
Ratchet: I'm not sure... I know she's the fused remenants of two femmes who died honorably....
First Aid: *blinks but nods* Showtime and Desinex.
Ratchet: .... *blink blink*
First Aid: *quietly tells the story*
Ratchet: *Boggling by the end*
First Aid: *softly* She's a lot like Desinex.
Ratchet: ... How do you figure?
First Aid: You didn't get to see her protecting Bumblebee?
Ratchet: *headshake*
First Aid: *bit of a smile* She holds him and comforts him, and growls at anyone who upsets him.
Ratchet: ... Huh.... Didn't see Bumblebee there... He must've been in the same place that the rest of the kids were at....
First Aid: Somewhere else in the caverns?
Ratchet: I'm not sure...
First Aid: Oh. *pat pats his arm*
Ratchet: When your counterpart's recovered, I'll send her back with supplies as well...
First Aid: *expression darkens* Are you sure that's a good idea? If her processor is stress fracturing....
Ratchet: *quietly relaying what he knows of mgAid's story*
First Aid: *swallows* We aren't made for war, Ratchet.
Ratchet: *Quiet sigh. Doesn't know what else to do*
mgBuster: *from behind them* *quietly* I'll take care of her.
Ratchet: *Startles*
mgBuster: *puts out a hand* Sorry.
Ratchet: Kid... You move like a ghost...
mgBuster: *cheek plates heat slightly* I took some stealth training in Academy.
Ratchet: ... *small nod*
mgBuster: But you don't have to worry about my sister. We'll watch out for her.
Ratchet: *Another small nod*
Stiletto: *moving to carefully rub against mgBuster's leg*
mgBuster: *starts slightly, and then looks down at her* *kindly* Hey, now. What do you want?
Stiletto: *quiet purr. Seems she's not sleepy after all*
Ratchet: *Soft chuckle* Crazy kid....
mgBuster: Crazy? Why do you say that?
First Aid: *down on one knee offering Stiletto a hug*
Ratchet: *nods to Stiletto, who purrs and loves upon both First Aid and mgBuster* If your counterpart was awake, she'd be trying to knock him over... Plus, she's one of Sunstreaker's offspring... That makes her crazy by default.
Stiletto: *Tailswish, snorts at you, Ratchet!*
mgBuster: I don't know a Sunstreaker, but that would be like saying Blitzwing has to be calm and steady by default, because he's Brigadier's offspring.
Stiletto: *Kitty "Pleh" face at Ratchet*
Ratchet: *soft snort* If you stick around long enough, you'll see what I mean....
First Aid: *nuzzles between Stiletto's ears and then hugs her more* Oh, you smell nice. Have you been rolling in the field again?
Stiletto: *Small nod*
mgBuster: *rubs his chin as he studies Stilleto* *quietly* How do you get construction like that?
Stiletto: *ear flicks for a moment, before she's moving away from First Aid so she can transform*
First Aid: *softly* It was an experiment. *ready to stick up for the young femme*
mgBuster: Think it could be duplicated?
Ratchet: *Small frown*
Stiletto: ...*Ears flat against her head* Why would you want to?
mgBuster: *quietly* Because I think it would be an advantage for the Decepticons of my reality.
Stiletto: ...
First Aid: *looks at Ratchet, and then starts slightly and pokes herself in the audio*
Ratchet: *Attention going to First Aid*
First Aid: *face breaks into a smile of relief* Prowl's fever broke.
Ratchet: *Relaxes* Thank Primus....
Stiletto: *Perks up* He's okay?
First Aid: Kathy says he's not out of the woods yet. They have to wait till he wakes up to see if he's been permanently affected by it. But he's breathing on his own, and sleeping peacefully.
mgBuster: *had stiffened at first mention of Prowl's name, and is now looking from First Aid to Ratchet*
Ratchet: *Didn't miss that* *Quietly* You know the Prowl of your reality?
mgBuster: *grim* He's the mech that led the assault on the Earth bridge, Deepdancer says.
Ratchet: ....
Stiletto: ... *ears flat again*
mgBuster: He's one of hewhoisn'tnamed's most trusted officers.
Ratchet: *Quiet*
Stiletto: You mean Sentinel Slime?
mgBuster: Not how I'd word it, but yes.
Stiletto: He's screwed your reality up a lot. *Scowling*
Ratchet: *Small nod, expression grim as he remembers what was discovered regarding the mech*
mgBuster: *quietly and reassuringly* It won't last. Nobot lasts forever.
Ratchet: Real question is whether what's fueling him will putter out soon or not....
mgBuster: You mean his source? Yeah. Good question.
Ratchet: *sighs* It's likely only Primus or the Greater Creator knows for certain....
mgBuster: ...Greater Creator?
Ratchet: *nods* Primus' creator.
mgBuster: o.0 Whoa.
Ratchet: *Quietly* We'll call you when she wakes up... But for now... *moves to guide mgBuster back to the medbay*
mgBuster: *nods to First Aid and Stiletto, then lets himself be guided* Call me when she wakes up?
Ratchet: She needs to rest still....
mgBuster: *quietly* I don't want to leave her, sir.
Ratchet: *just as quietly* Right now, you're needed in your reality....
mgBuster: *tips head back slightly and shutters optics* Yesssir.
Ratchet: *getting supplies and blankets, will offer them to mgBuster*
mgBuster: *taking it all in silence*
First Aid: *here with a box of things she raided from the cupboards. Including the boxes of softboils*
Ratchet: *makes no protest about that*
mgBuster: .... *sniff sniff* o.0
Ratchet: Softboils... They're pretty good.
mgBuster: I can sort of tell by the smell.
Ratchet: *gets his own PINpoint out, programs it, and offers it to mgBuster as well*
mgBuster: *juggles a bit, and then takes it* *quietly* Thank you.
Ratchet: Stay safe...
mgBuster: I'll do my best. *last glance toward his sister, and then he's gone*
Ratchet: *Quiet sigh, moves to head for the door so he can go and check on WakeJumper*
First Aid: *stops him and gives him a gentle hug* It will be alright.
Ratchet: *Quietly* I really hope so...
First Aid: *hugs and lets go, then turns her head and heads for the living room as an 'oof' and grumbling comes from Cragbuster*
Ratchet: *another soft sigh, along with a silent prayer, then he's heading to where the Aquabots call home*
((co-written with
random_xtras))