Nexus and MV. The Black Dog, a Bus Terminal and the /Ark/ Base. Newbies

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Wayne: *steps through door, bumps into Russell, and goes with Russell to Black Dog. Stands there, holds his handful of magnetic doll and outfits close to his chest, and gapes*

Russell: ... *facepalm*

Wayne: It wasn't me, this time!

Russell: I don't believe that for a minute. *will move to try and bring Wayne and himself back home*

Wayne: I just walked through the slagging... did that thing burp?

Russell: *frowns and shakes his PINpoint* It did. *tries again*

Nemesis: *spots the medic and calls to him* You gonna come get this order now? Those little chickens you wanted are having a fit.

Russell: *blinks and nods, moving to approach Nemesis* I wasn't aware that my order had come in....

Nemesis: *walks over and hunkers down to offer him a brown cardboard box with holes in it that is chirking sadly*

Wayne: *watches Russell go, and then looks down at the doll in his hand as he turns away* Don't worry, Betty, we'll get back home. *runs into somebody in a frilly maid dress* Ack!

DivaShot: Ack! *skitters back a few steps and watches Wayne warily*

Wayne: *scowl* Hey, you nearly bent Betty! *examines doll carefully, then acks and picks up a dress he dropped during the collision* Sheesh...

DivaShot: *blink blink* Betty?

Wayne: *looks up, and then shows his doll to the pink guy* Yeah. Battle Betty. Only she doesn't have any of her uniforms here right now.

DivaShot: ..... *raised brow ridge* Okay then.....

Wayne: *sticks out his chin and narrows his eyes* There's nothing wrong with guys playing with dolls, so long as they're not doing anything stupid with 'em! My girlfriend says so.

DivaShot: *blink blink* I never said there was....

Wayne: *deep frown as he tries to remember if the guy did or not* *holds Betty protectively. Betty's pretty slim skirt and blouse can be seen, though*

DivaShot: *sees the skirt and blouse* Oh, how pretty!

Wayne: *blinks, then looks at the doll and holds her so she can be more easily seen* Meghan just printed this out for me. It came in the last expansion pack, along with the uniforms and military stuff.

DivaShot: *blink blink* Expansion pack? *has nooo idea what you're talking about, Wayne*

Wayne: Yeah. A great big set of new clothes for Betty and the other dolls that are shaped like her. She's really a KiSS doll, but Meghan printed her and some of her stuff out on magnetic paper so that I could play with people who had real life dolls.

DivaShot: *still confused, but intrigued* What's a KiSS doll?

Wayne: It's a computer game that's something like paper dolls. Betty has so many things that I have to play with her on the TV so I can see everything that's in her closets.

DivaShot: Hmmmm.... *definitely interested now* I have a doll that I dress up..... But she's back home....

Wayne: Really? *perk* What kind? Can I see?

DivaShot: *perks and offers to lead Wayne back to the apartment* She's a cloth doll, and has the same proportions I do.... So I can dress her in my outfits...

Wayne: But she's a girl? *glances toward Russell, but then shrugs and pings that he's going to play dolls with somebody as he follows the pink guy*

Russell: *absently* //Play nice.//

DivaShot: Yup! She even has long enough hair that I can style it. *happily talking about his doll as he leads Wayne back to Rhinox's apartment*

Wayne: *is going to be quiet, busy, and out of trouble for the rest of the afternoon. Someone will probably have to come get him and bring him home for supper* *and he's already planning on bringing his bigger Betty statue and the outfits he's made her next time he comes*

Nemesis: *watches the tall guy follow Scattershot off* You lost your buddy.

baby silkies: *loving on Russell's hand. MAMA*

Russell: .... He's talking about playing dolls. He won't be any trouble. *gentle scritchies for the baby silkies*

Nemesis: *shrugs those massive shoulders and looks down again* So are those what you wanted? The guy said they'll be the blue grey when they get feathers.

Russell: *nods* They're what I wanted. Thank you, Nemesis.

Nemesis: You want the usual order for your base, too? *reaches over to poke her mate as he walks past on the bar*

Ducky: *squeak! Embarrassed chuckle*

Russell: Yes, please. *chuckles*

Nemesis: Alright. Anything else, this time?

Russell: Actually.... I'd like to make a reservation for Valentine's Day, if it's not too much trouble....

Nemesis: I still have a few openings right on the day, and a lot on other days that you can time to. Table or private room?

Russell: Private room.

Nemesis: Day?

Russell: Valentine's Day

Nemesis: Alright. Starting price for that's a hundred American.

Russell: *gets out credits. Really, he hasn't had much use for Cybertronian credits in awhile, and he's got quite a few.....* Here.... I have more if this isn't enough.

Nemesis: *takes them and counts them* So what else do you want?

Russell: For Valentine's Day?

Nemesis: Yeah. Food, flowers, decorations, gifts. Whaddya want?

Russell: I have flowers already on order, and Serenity's gift.... So we'll need food...

Nemesis: Anything special?

Russell: No... I'll probably do something special for her birthday later this year though.

Nemesis: So just the room, and outside flowers brought in.

Russell: *nod*

Nemesis: Hundred and thirty American. *offers him the rest of the credits back*

Russell: *takes the offered credits* Thank you, Nemesis. *small smile. Is quite certain Serenity will enjoy a quiet meal without the girls*

Nemesis: *shrugs and stands to get the fuel order for the Ark, which was already ready for pickup. Soon sets it down on the floor by the tiny medic*

Russell: *will pay for that out of the fuel fund*

Nemesis: *straightens with a rumble* Have a nice day. Vi, stop looking like a dead toad in that glass. *walks off*

Vi: *razz sound*

Russell: *chuckles and brings the baby silkies and the Ark fuel order home. Figures Wayne will be alright for the time it takes to let someone know where the Seeker is*

baby chicks: *hunkered down and hidey now in their box*

Russell: *soothing clicks*

Trevor: *perks and comes over* Okay, you said to meet you, Red. Here I am.

Russell: *nods and offers Trevor the box with the baby chicks* Here.... PINpointing scared them a bit, I think....

Trevor: Baby chickens! *reaches to touch one soft fluffball* For Jake's new chicken house?

Russell: *nods* They'll be blue grey when they get their feathers in....

Trevor: *blinks* Little blue chickens. Is that what he was talking about?

Russell: *nods* I believe so.... *chuckles* So do you have plans for Valentine's Day yet?

Trevor: *rubs the back of his head* Actually, I'm still reading about it.

Russell: *nod* Understandable....

Trevor: But right now I'm thinking about this chocolate cake that she saw in that pastry shop's window. She stopped and looked at it for awhile.

Russell: That would be a good gift.

Trevor: *grins*

Russell: Flowers are a good gift as well, and they don't have to be fancy.... *thinking of the potted tulips he got for Serenity*

Trevor: She already has a lot of flowers, though. *frown*

Russell: Hmm... *thinking... and asking for help getting the fuel order inside*

Drift: *coming up to help get the fuel to the mess*

Trevor: Yike! *catches bitty chick that just tried jumping out of the box. Closes the lid* I better get these little guys to Jake. See you, Red.

Russell: See you later, Trevor. *will help Drift with the fuel, and discourage him from eating all the bananas by himself*


Meanwhile, in the crèche


Wesson: *comes snooping into the crèche and looks around, then goes to Sarah and offers her a big box. Looks slightly guilty*

Sarah: *puzzled blink blink* Thank you, Uncle John... *is curious, and a bit confused*

Wesson: *quietly* Go ahead and open it. Tell me if you like her.

Sarah: *works on opening the box* *clicks softly all the while*

doll: *looks up at Sarah from the box, her sleepy expression making her look like she just woke up as the top came off*

Sarah: *soft, delighted sound as she gently lifts the doll out of the box*

Wesson: *quietly* I know your mama said you had enough babies right now, but when I saw her... well. *looks guilty*

Sarah: *crooning softly to the new doll and moving to tuck her in with the rest of her babies that she brought to the crèche today*

Wesson: It said on the listing her name's Marjorie. *rubs his nose as he watches the dolly care*

Sarah: *small nod* Is good name. *gentle kiss for Marjorie's forehead as she tucks the cloth doll in next to a cheerily smiling bunny doll and covers both with a blanket*

Wesson: So what kids you got here today? *settles down to one knee by Sarah, absently gathering a little Seeker into his arms as he does so*

Regulus: *cuddle, nap attack*

Sarah: *as she gently fusses over her babies* Brought her Mara-Bunny, him Frank-Froggy, and her Lily-Kitty.....

Wesson: *gently moves the blankets away from little doll faces to look at the Build a Bear cat, rag doll frog, and fluffy pink Easter bunny* Have you had these guys awhile?

Sarah: *nod nod* Were first babies to arrive.

Wesson: Ohhhh. Your first three? *carefully tucks Marjorie a little closer to Mara-Bunny*

Sarah: *nodnod* *blinks a bit and covers her mouth with her hand as she yawns*

Wesson: *gentle hand on her back* Want me to get you a mat?

Sarah: *small nod* Please....

Wesson: *offers her the little sleeping Seeklet even as he shifts his weight to get up*

Sarah: *will cuddle Regulus and click softly*

Regulus: *bit of a startle and much clicking, but then snuggles and conks out again*

Wesson: *had paused to make sure the baby Conehead was alright, but now he gets up and goes to the mat pile, checking for a pink one and hoping to find one of the new furry ones*

Sarah: *conked out and snuggling Regulus even more by the time Wesson comes back, is making happy little sounds*

Wesson: *slight grin, and then carefully puts the two sparklets onto the mat before tucking the dolls close to them. Borrows the blanket from the dolls to cover them as well as Sarah and Regulus. Then hears Jack's voice and scoots out of sight*


Town


Raoul: *hanging out the passenger side window of the SUV and wishing it was the Barracuda* So we're pickin' up your new secretary, and some Private for McDork?

Denver: Pretteh much. *grumbles at some of the traffic*

Raoul: *razzes the guy in the next car and then gives him a massive cheery grin*

Denver: *snerks* Jes' be nahce t' Osk, alrahght?

Raoul: I gotta give her shotgun? *scrunches down and plays peekaboo with a toddler in the next next car* That lane's movin'.

Denver: Ah c'n't git in jes' yet... Goobers ain't giv'n me 'n... *navigates into an opening in traffic and waves to the person who was nice enough to let her in*

Raoul: *waves too, then waves to the toddler in the car, who has a mirror in front of her and can still see him* Do we really want a secretary that can't even fit in the 'Cuda?

Denver: Osk 's good 't 'er job, 'n a nahce gal.

Raoul: *siggghhh* Okay. *then sits up as the bus station comes into sight* ...That's all the fire trucks.

Denver: *frown, pesters Javan, since neither Alice nor Pietro will let her listen in on police bands*

police bands: *buzzing with how a big lady caught this small woman eating roaches and fainted. Seems the fire department is now trying to get the small woman out of the bus station heating system so they can bring her to the hospital to get her stomach pumped*

Denver: .... *careful as she facepalms*

Raoul: *eyebrows* What is it?

Denver: 'Parentleh, Osk saw some li'l gal eatin' roaches 'n fainted.... 'n now th' li'l gal's wedged 'erself int' th' 'eat'n system.....

Raoul: *mouth open, shut, open* ...Hey, Major Mac?

Denver: Hm? *scanning for a spot to park*

Raoul: What's the name 'a this other person we're supposedta pick up?

Denver: Private First Class Nichole Lee....

Raoul: *face palm and sniggerfit*

Denver: *eyebrow* .... *and then it clicks* *SNERK*

Raoul: Look up on the roof. *very XD behind his hand*

Denver: *parks the SUV and looks*

Private Lee: *hunkered comfortably on the roof, is watching the chaos*

Denver: *headshake, turns the SUV's engine off* Ah'll go git 'er...

Raoul: Whaddya want me to do? *leaning out the window and looking up at the tiny Chinese American woman*

Denver: Fahnd out wh're th'y's tak'n Osk. 'N keep 'n ah 'n Private Lee. Ah don' wanna spook 'er int' tumbl'n off'a th' roof.

Raoul: Gotcha. *scrambles out of the SUV, and then climbs up and sits on the roof of it, wincing slightly at winter cooled metal but keeping his attention on the bird on the roof*

Denver: *up on a dumpster, then to the gutter*

Private Lee: *heard the gutter rattle, will carefully scoot closer to see what's going on*

Raoul: *watching all this even as he hops off the SUV to flash ID at the EMTs that just carried Osk out on a stretcher*

EMTs: *surprised, will check with their supervisors*

Raoul: My CO's up on the roof. I can give you her number. *calm, slightly cocky confidence shows so strongly in the boy*

Private Lee: *just did a girly shriek as Denver PINpointed with her down to ground level*

Raoul: Okay, not on the roof any more. *grin*

one of the EMTs: What the %^*%&*#?!

Raoul: *seriously* I could tell you. But then you'd have to disappear from normal civilian life.

EMT: ... Never mind....

Denver: *herding Private Lee over to the SUV and telling her to stay put* *will move to talk to the EMTs*

Raoul: *helping Osk sit up and telling her seriously that she's going to have to get used to people eating bugs, since the one that came on the bus with her isn't the only one on base that does it*

Osk: *a bit amazed to be getting a mini debriefing from a teenage boy, but listening*

Denver: *will dismiss the EMTs and the fire trucks*

Raoul: *tries to offer Osk assistance, realizes that the tall woman's eight inch platform stiletto heels will make that difficult, and so just herds her over to the SUV*

Denver: *moves to help with that* *to Osk* We'll 'ave Doc House 'r Doc Ruteger take a look 't ya wh'n we git back t' base....

Osk: *embarrassed* I'm alright. I was only startled. *frowns at Private Lee* Do you know how much pesticide there is in cockroaches? *surprise, Nikky, the tall, heavy chick is going where you are*

Private Lee: *blink* Er... Not nearly as much as most people think.... There's more in the skin 'a bananas....

Osk: ...Considering the cockroaches have it built up from their parents as well as what they've been sprayed with.

Private Lee: *shrug* *it hasn't killed her yet*

Denver: *hefts bags into the back of the SUV*

Osk: *realizes what's going on* I can get those, sir. *heads back there, steady on her high shoes*

Denver: Ah got 't. *not straining in the least as she lifts bag after bag* *earns a startled squawk of protest from Private Lee as she lifts the petite woman*

Raoul: *laughing* Yo, Major Mac, Tunnel Rat ain't luggage.

Private Lee: *so surprised by the new nickname that she's easily bundled into the back of the SUV*

Denver: 'T got 'er 'nt' th' truck, di'n't 't? *grins*

Raoul: You're batty. *shakes head and scoots around to jump in the other side on the back*

Osk: *uncertain look for her new CO*

Denver: *as she shakes her head* Dang 'oodlum.... *chuckles and looks to Osk* Th't's mah son, Raoul.

Osk: *slowly* How old is he?

Denver: Sixteen. Ah 'dopted 'im wh'n Ah married 'is dad.

Osk: And he carries rank? *confused*

Denver: 'E bosses 'is dad 'round 'n sasses 'im too. *chuckles* Y'u sh'ld 'eah 'ow 'e 'n mah li'l brothah trash-talk t' each otha.

Osk: *oh, just a 'tudy kid. That she gets* Oh, I see. Though I'm told there's a young girl on base who does hold rank in emergency situations.

Denver: *nods* Naomi House.

Osk: *nods, then looks into the SUV and registers surprise when she realizes that a front seat has been left open for her*

Denver: *gentle patpat of Osk's shoulder* *quietly* Raoul mahght be a bundle'a sass s'metahms, but 'e's a good kid. *quite proud of her 'bundle of sass'*

Osk: *blinks at the shorter woman, but then nods and tucks herself and her cute little purse into the seat*

Raoul: *kicks Private Lee for pretending the SUV groaned*

Private Lee: *acks!*

Denver: *sighs* Don' make me c'me back th're.

Raoul: *serious now* She was outta line, Major Mac.

Denver: *Look for Private Lee*

Private Lee: *hunkers down and buckles up without a word*

Raoul: *last stern look for his seatmate before he too is buckling up*

Denver: *moves to get into the driver's seat* Ev'ry'un buckled up?

Raoul: The car'd be havin' a fit if we weren't. *amused by all the high tech stuff in the SUV*

Denver: *chuckles* Jes' mak'n sure.

Raoul: *cheery snerk and gentle boot for the back of her seat*

Denver: *bronx cheer* *pulling into traffic once there's an opening*

Raoul: *grins, but then sobers and looks toward Private Lee* Okay, Tunnel Rat, we gotta get some things straight here.

Private Lee: *'meep's quietly and looks to Raoul*

Raoul: First off, no hoggin' the bug entries in the mess. Got it?

Private Lee: Bhuh?

Raoul: *slowly and plainly* No eating all the bug based food choices.

Private Lee: .... *just a bit surprised* I didn't know that was even a food choice....

Raoul: We got people with special diets.

Private Lee: Oh....

Raoul: Which leads to my second point. I hear about you givin' anybody grief over how they look, other than that McHale guy, and I'll have somethin' to say. *warning light in his dark eyes*

Private Lee: *small nod* *recognizes the street talk, even if the words aren't like the ones she grew up with*

Raoul: Good. Third point. Humans ain't alone in the galaxy.

Private Lee: .... You pullin' my leg?

Raoul: Nope. *there's that light in his eyes again*

Private Lee: .... Holy....

Raoul: Oh yeah, and don't go cussin' by nothin' holy.

Denver: *attention mostly on the road, sighs as she sees a big black semi go speeding past*

Raoul: *whips out his phone* Motormaster, slow the slag down!

Osk: *shoots a surprised look over her shoulder at the boy*

Motormaster: //Dead End was playing roadkill again.// *yeah, like that's any excuse*

Denver: *slight frown*

Raoul: *quiet promise* I'll kick your #$&#$&.

Motormaster: *RAZZ* *click*

Raoul: Excuse me. *vanishes with a swish and a slight flash*

Osk: *slight startle. Wonders where he went*

Private Lee: *startled curse*

Denver: *seriously* We'll debrief once we're on base.

Raoul: *standing up ahead on the side of the road beside a sullen looking tall goth girl*

Osk: There he is. *looks over her shoulder* You better move to the middle, Private.

Denver: *stops the SUV so Raoul can herd Marcia in*

Private Lee: *unbuckles and scoots for the middle of the seat*

Marcia: *SULK*

Raoul: *sticks Marcia in behind Osk, and then checks for traffic and whips around to jump in behind Denver* *fastens his seatbelt and then looks at Private Lee* Where were we?

Private Lee: Er......


Ark infirmary


Rachel: *finger to ear* //Dallas, can you come to the infirmary?// *sounds serious and concerned*

Dallas: //Give me a moment.... Gotta try and get Chris to go to Ruth...//

Rachel: //This is serious, buddy.//

Dallas: *PINpoints*

Rachel: *heard that* //Was that you? I'm in Jenny's room.//

Dallas: *hurries down the hall to Jenny's room* What's wrong?

Rachel: *looks up from the tiny woman who is laying so still and moaning faintly, her face grave* There's infection in the operating site on her back.

Dallas: .... *quiet curse* What sort of infection?

Rachel: I'm not even sure. But her spine's inflamed.

Dallas: *lips are now a thin line*

Rachel: *quietly* I just don't know enough. I've been talking to James, but even he doesn't know what to do.

Dallas: ...Maybe someone in the Nexus could help? *trying to keep calm, but it's clear he's worried about Jenny*

Rachel: I've searched the 'nets. *deep intake*

Dallas: *slight frown as he tries to think*

Rachel: The only thing I can think of right now is to find out if someone on base has a wish. *slight sound of tears escapes in her quiet and controlled voice*

Dallas: A wish?

Rachel: Yeah, a little piece of glowing light from the Nexus. We've had lives saved with them before.

Dallas: .... Where would we be able to get one, if nobody has any here?

Rachel: The Black Dog, I think. *gently smooths Jenny's hair back as she moans again, then looks up as the door opens*

Raf: *peering in with a ferocious scowl on his face*

Dallas: *small nod* *looks to Raf* Keep Jenny company.

Raf: *nods and comes in, then very subtly but determinedly nudges Rachel aside and takes her place*

Rachel: *distracted scowl for the mock turtle*

Dallas: *will let Ruth know he's going to be gone for a little bit before he's PINpointing to the Black Dog*

Nemesis: *polishing the bar* No, I'm not buying you a doll, kid. I'm working.

Pooka: *big WHINE from down by Mom's feet!*

Dallas: *looks around quickly before climbing the bar and moving to approach Nemesis*

Nemesis: *still arguing with her son as her cloth encounters the human. Pause* ...The little tables are over there.

Dallas: I'm looking for someone who sells wishes.

Nemesis: *stares at him a bit as she wonders about his urgency over a toy* What'd you break?

Dallas: One of my crew is sick with something unknown, even to alien medics.

Nemesis: *optics narrowed slightly* ...Define 'alien'.

Dallas: Cybertronian.

Nemesis: *as she goes back a bit and reaches under the bar* You realize that around here you're the alien?

Dallas: I'm well aware of that. *doing his best to keep his tone even*

Nemesis: *straightens up and sets the jar of little bright lights on the counter, then lifts out two and hands them over* Remember those're just toys. *drops another to her son*

Dallas: *wallet out*

Nemesis: *shuts the jar and walks off to put it away*

Dallas: *has money out to pay for the wishes*

Nemesis: *moves away from him to flip somebody in the face with her bar towel. Dallas is being pointedly ignored*

Dallas: *frowns at Nemesis* *isn't quite sure what to do*

mWakeJumper: *coming over* Put that away.... Nem gave you the wishes....

Dallas: .... *bewildered expression*

Nemesis: *and now she's given that Sunstreaker a bent nose*

Dallas: 0_0 *gone with the wishes*

Raf: *sharp look toward Dallas as he returns. Is sitting a step stool by Jenny's bed with the tiny woman in his arms*

Jenny: *very still, and the beeps of her heart monitor are quiet and slow*

Dallas: *offers the wishes* *quietly* How is she?

Raf: *frowns at the lights and then looks up* *through his translator pin* Doc was hoping being close to somebody would help her. I don't know, the only change I see is that she stopped moaning.

Dallas: *quietly* She knows you're there.... That is helping her feel better.

Raf: *muzzle trembles slightly, but that's the only sign of emotion that the tough soldier makes* *gruffly* She doesn't even like me.

Dallas: You're still familiar to her.

Raf: *grunts and looks down at Jenny, whose breathing is quick and shallow as she sleeps*

Dallas: *finger to ear* Rachel, I was able to get a couple wishes....

Rachel: *sounds a bit frantic* //Try and use one. Ack, slaggit, Cliffjumper!//

Dallas: *small frown* Is everything alright?

Rachel: //Uh. Somebody's a bit panicked over here. Ouch!//

Dallas: ....Do you need help?

Rachel: //Got it. Tend your crew. #$@#@#!//

Dallas: Alright... *attention on Jenny now. Will hold one of the wishes close to her* *quietly, feeling a bit foolish* I wish for Jenny's injuries to be healed.

Raf: *watches the sparkles with a scowl* She's still too hot.

Dallas: *bites his lower lip before he remembers that he has a second wish* *will hold it close to Jenny, like he did with the first* I wish for the infection Jenny's fighting to clear up.

Raf: *again watches the sparkles, but then goes wide eyed and lifts his ears in utter embarrassment as Jenny suddenly sighs and snuggles*

Dallas: *will check to see if Jenny's feverish*

Jenny: *no fever. Her fur is slightly damp now in reaction to her previous high temperature*

Dallas: *soft chuckle* She'll be alright.

Raf: *gruff dismay* I won't if she wakes up and sees what she's doing.

Dallas: *will snerk softly and move to try and help Raf get loose*

Jenny: *frowns, and then blearily opens her eyes to look up at Dallas as he lays her on her bed*

Dallas: *gently* Easy.... Get some rest...

Jenny: *quiet murmur, but she's not wearing her translator pin*

Dallas: *slight frown, looks for Jenny's translator pin*

Raf: *pulls his off his bandoleer and pins it onto her soft hospital gown*

Dallas: *soft 'heh', will gently repeat his order for Jenny to get some rest*

Jenny: *frowns at him muzzily* What happened?

Dallas: You crash-landed after I argued with you to get your butt planet-side.... One of the medics here at Ark Base put you back together.

Jenny: *deeper frown* Oh... *turns her face toward him and falls asleep*

Dallas: *will gently cover her with a blanket* *and then he's letting Ruth know that Jenny's alright*

Ruth: //Good. Flackin' great. Come out here and see this now.//

Dallas: .... What's going on? *moving to try and herd Raf if the soldier's willing to be herded*

Raf: *snorts at him, but gets up and leaves the room, only to stop and calmly study the spectacle of two small femmes having a big red mech cornered at the end of the hall*

Bumblebee: *trying so hard not to wibble as she talks in a soothing manner* Easy, Cliffjumper....

Cliffjumper: *intaking rapidly as he stares down at the two small bots. His optics are white*

Ratchet: *watching the red mech through narrowed optics as she looks for an opening. Knows he's still too hurt to be able to fully understand his surroundings past the usual Cliffjumper obsessiveness*

Bumblebee: *soft, worried clicks, has both hands up, palms out. Isn't armed at all, just wants to be friends*

Cliffjumper: *tries to make a break for it*

Ratchet: *tags him with the sedation tab*

Cliffjumper: *just about squishes Bumblebee*

Bumblebee: *startled squeak as she's almost squished. Manages to scoot out of the way in time, though once she's clear, she's moving to gently smooth Cliffjumper's helm*

Raf: *as the two femmes work to get Cliffjumper back into his room* *turns and smacks Dallas in the side* C'mon.

Dallas: *slight start, before he's moving to head back to where Ruth is*

Ruth: *is topside, outside the barn where Denver's just pulled up in the white SUV. Is looking at a small cluster of tiny forms that is being hovered over by a grey-skinned dragon elf*

Salvage: Dad! Dad, look! Roughsong raided a pet breeding place.

Dallas: Holy.... *hurrying over to see if he can help*

Roughsong: *grins at him as she hunkers down to set one tiny girl back on her feet after the doll size youngster tipped over into a snow pile* I brought you guys the culls that I found in the snack room. Do you want one?

Chris: *helping another little guy back onto his feet, a serious scowl on his face*

Raoul: *out of the SUV and darting over to look* 0_0

Dallas: *moving to fuss over some of the little ones*

Denver: 0_0 *standing on the running board of the SUV and boggling*

Private Lee: *STARING*

Osk: What... what is this? *also staring*

Raoul: *slight flail as a tiny redhead grabs his leg and hugs it while rubbing her face against the denim of his jeans* Major Mac... Can we keep her?

small kids: *all cuddly, loving, and trusting. Some are trying to talk in soft little voices*

Denver: *quietly* Y-yeah.... *just plain stunned*

Private Lee: .... They're so little.....

Raoul: *hunkering down to talk softly to the little redhead, who looks up at him with amazing amber eyes*

Roughsong: Dallas? I have to get back. How many of the little ones do you want me to leave here?

Chris: *gently smoothing the golden curls of one little girl with big blue eyes* Shhhh. Shhhhh. Shhh...

Dallas: Are any other teams wanting to take some of them in?

Roughsong: We've got all the non-uglies. This place didn't breed any of the extreme breeds, so it's just a bunch of little things like him. *nods toward Chris, who growls at her* ...Only friendlier.

Dallas: *small nod. Will let Col. Franklin know about this right away*

Col. Franklin: //...She brought what?//

Dallas: More of the Ko Dan 'pets'.... *still feels ill saying that*

Col. Franklin: //... I'll be right there.//

Dallas: Yessir. *to Roughsong* The commander's on his way here....

Roughsong: Do I need to wait? *watching now as Raoul's little friend cuddles against him and listens to him talk*

Dallas: He'll be here soon.... *half suspects Col. Franklin has a PINpoint*

Col. Franklin: *suddenly standing right beside Private Lee*

Private Lee: Yipe! *skitters sideways* 0_0

Dallas: And there he is.

Col. Franklin: Ah, excuse me, Private Lee. I see you've arrived at an interesting time.

Private Lee: No kidding! *boggling*

Denver: *quietly* Col. Franklin, permission to be excused?

Col. Franklin: *gives her a look of concern*

Denver: *just a bit pale now*

Col. Franklin: *walks over to put a hand on her shoulder* Dismissed, Lt. Colonel.

Denver: *nod* Thank you, sir. *steps back* *to Raoul* Make sure she gets something to eat..... *PINpoints*

Raoul: *worried as he stands with new baby sister in arms*

Osk: *blinks and looks back into the SUV at Marcia* Aren't you coming out of there?

Marcia: *sulk sulk sulk, will get out and be a cloud of bitterness*

Osk: *gently pushes her toward the barn, knows the base is under there*

little bitty girl with big grey eyes: *suddenly attached to Marcia leg* Eeee!

Osk: o.0

Marcia: *looks down and scowls* Let go.

grey eyes: *as big a bear hug as a girl her size can give* *speaks softly in broken little half words of the Ko Dan language*

Marcia: *more scowl, will lift her leg and try to carefully shake the little girl loose*

grey eyes: *laughs! Those big eyes are dancing now*

Col. Franklin: *sharply* Motormaster, don't hurt her.

Marcia: *growl* Get. Her. Off.

grey eyes: *big grin* Get off!

Marcia: *more growl*

grey eyes: *laughs and hugs more*

Dallas: *will introduce Roughsong to Col. Franklin*

Col. Franklin: *nods to the woman and thanks her for bringing the children. Also asks if she needs help finding homes for others*

Roughsong: *tells him that they don't yet. This has been the first pet facility that hadn't been filled with poison gas at the approach of the rebel army*

Col. Franklin: *lips pressed together in a very thin line*

Dallas: *expression hard*

Roughsong: The owner kept a lot of the little people. He seems to be kind of girly for a Ko Dan, and calls them his babies.

Col. Franklin: But he was going to let some of them be eaten.

Roughsong: Yeah. We're talking to him about that now. But he's probably going to survive because the little ones need him. We took all the kids.

Dallas: Little ones?

Roughsong: Yeah. The adults.

Dallas: *small nod, attention going to some of the children*

Roughsong: And he's the only one who knows how to take care of the tanks that the new babies are in.

Col. Franklin: How did he respond to your taking the children?

Roughsong: He begged us to be good to them. And then he tried to interest one of the big humans in being one of his babies. He seemed fascinated by the guy. *snerk*

Dallas: ...Tell me it wasn't Moody.

Roughsong: Okay. *smirk* I won't.

Dallas: *shoulders shaking as he snickerfits*

Col. Franklin: Who is Moody, Major MacKenzie?

Dallas: He's a big, strong grouch of a man.... Doesn't take crap from anyone who hasn't proven they can handle a weapon....

Col. Franklin: I see. *looks down as his leg is seized* Hello.

blond boy: *eager greeting and a big, lovely grin*

Roughsong: I told them I was taking them to find them families. They really seem to have taken it to heart. I hadn't realized so many of them would understand that well.

Col. Franklin: Well the first thing we need to do is have a medic look at them.

Dallas: Rachel's got her hands full right now....

Col. Franklin: What about Dr. Anderson?

Dallas: *finger to ear*

Marcia: *hunkered down holding crying bitty with a new shiner. Tried scaring the girl, who didn't scare. Wound up accidentally hitting her instead* Hey...

grey eyes: *snuggles against Marcia and sobs quietly*

Marcia: *scoooowling*

Russell: *right there.... and has Drift with him too*

Drift: *blink blink* Er.... What's going on?

Wing: *flies around and looks at all these small people*

Col. Franklin: *explains to Russell and Drift about the children* They're all about twelve years old, but they'll never leave the mental level of normal toddlers.

grey eyes: *pauses in her sobbing to look at the Wallace face that is suddenly close to her own. Does what Marcia just did to her! Slap!*

Drift: *acks and hurries over to keep Wallace from retaliating*

Russell: *small frown, will move to scan the child that's holding onto Col. Franklin's leg*

Marcia: *wallops Wallace* Slag off!

Raf: *watching the sibling interaction with amusement. He's walloped Wallace a few times himself since coming to Earth*

little blond boy on the Franklin leg: *healthy, carrying no strange germs. A bit cold, but not showing any distress at it*

Russell: *small nod* This little one is healthy.... *will move to scan each of the children, though he'll wait till Marcia's done walloping Wallace to scan the little girl that's clinging to the goth*

Col. Franklin: *stoops to lift the boy into his arms* ...I guess I have two sons now, huh?

boy: Ish? *wrinkles nose conversationally*

Col. Franklin: ...You even sound like my other boy.

Russell: *over comms* //They're all healthy. They just need to be brought someplace warm and dressed for the weather....//

Col. Franklin: Yes, these furry wraps aren't really warm enough, are they?

Roughsong: *dismayed* They're not?

Drift: *can has littles?*

littles: *willing to snuggle anybody who picks them up, though for some reason nobody Drift's picked up is really showing advanced interest in him like other children are showing for other people. Like Private Lee*

three cute little kids: *have Private Lee treed up on the running board of the Escape*

Private Lee: T_T Someone save me!!!!

Raoul: *looks over* From what?

Private Lee: I can't take care of kids!

Raoul: Why not? *so being a brat*

Private Lee: I don't know the first thing about taking care of 'em!

Raoul: *laughs, and then grabs those three and hauls the four in his arms into the barn* Come on, yo! Let's get these guys inside!

Col. Franklin: I'll take some back with me.

Russell: *gathering littles* *is also contacting Dan and explaining the situation*

Col. Franklin: *hunkered down, six bitties obediently holding onto him as his new son gives them directions. Vanishes with a swish and a slight flash*

Dan: //...What do you want me to do about it, Red?// *good natured grumbling*

Russell: //Do you think George and the girls would like another sibling?//

Dan: //They would, but where would I be staying?// *laugh*

Russell: ... //I'm sure we could think of something.....//

Dan: //You realize my four are still babies? Little organic people need more attention than little Cybertronians.//

Russell: //Hm....//

Dan: //Sorry, Red.// *really sounds it, too. Till he acks and scolds someone softly about claws*

Russell: //I'll let you go then....//

Dan: *tries to speak past laughter, finally sends a farewell ping and shuts the link*

Russell: *chuckles and looks around. Realizes there's nobody else left outside except for one little brown-haired kid who is currently sitting in the snow and watching him* .... *will move to pick the child up and bring him inside*

boy: *amethyst eyes twinkle as his small teeth chatter softly* Yo.

Russell: Hello.... *will hold the boy close and bring him inside* Let's get you warmed up.

boy: *snuggles with a sigh* My. *was listening to all that talk out there, he was!*

Russell: *very soft chuckle, will send an image of the boy to Serenity*

Serenity: *d'awwing and insisting that Russell bring the boy to meet the girls*

Russell: *soft 'heh', will move to bring the newest family member to meet Liadán and Meryl*


Atrium


Raoul: *sitting in a circle of kids and telling them a story*

Tracks: *hunkered next to his first son, Dion on one knee and a little red haired girl with beautiful amber eyes sitting on the other* Well at least only one has tried making any permanent claim to us, hmm, Dion?

Dion: Sissy. *nod*

Tracks: *grins, but then frowns and pings Patrick again* Where are you, Prime?

Patrick: *just a bit distracted* //Yes?//

Tracks: *shows him an image of Raoul and his audience, followed by one of the little girl sitting on his knee and holding Dion's hand*

Patrick: //...That explains a lot, really....//

Tracks: //...Do I want to know what you mean?//

Patrick: //Primus is glad that the Greater Creator's children are safe and getting the love they need.//

Tracks: *relaxes* //Oh. That's alright then. So. You only have two little ones of your own...//

Patrick: //I also have the Aerialbots, Tracks.//

Marcia: $%#$#@ the slagging pit off! *just whaled Pietro a good one for trying to take her child*

Tracks: //My word.// *sounds utterly shocked as he watches Marcia and Pietro*

Patrick: //....What happened?//

Tracks: //Ah... Can you come here fast enough to stage an intervention?// *shows the Prime just what is going on*

Raoul: *protectively in front of frightened and confused littles, his eyes watchful*

Patrick: //....// *and then he's there*

Xiaobei: *telling Marcia off in Destron, even as she holds another of the littles close*

Pietro: *just a bit dazed now*

Marcia: He tried to $@$#@ take MY @#$#@@ kid! *teeth bared. She's not backing down this time*

Patrick: *calling Blitzwing for backup, even as he moves to try and get Xiaobei and Marcia separated*

Xiaobei: *sharp, quiet scoldings for Marcia. Doesn't want to yell and frighten the little one that's snuggling against her*

Marcia: *threatening advance toward her mother* He tried to @#$#$#@ take her! *looks up at sudden Blitzwing leg, then kicks it*

Blitzwing: *looks down in mild amazement at that*

Xiaobei: *sharply* [That does NOT give you the right to harm my mate!]

Marcia: [You'd have done worse than punch me if I'd walked up and grabbed your kid!]

Blitzwing: Oh sheets of bounce. She's got maternal instincts.

Xiaobei: [You're not an Autobot, Motormaster. You're built to take punishment.] *eyes narrowed*

Marcia: *bares teeth again and turns away, growling at the grey eyed girl in her arms as she does* *then stops and stares at Wallace*

Wallace: :D *offers barbie doll to grey eyed girl*

Marcia: *scowls at brother* Slag off. *yet she's staying still long enough for him to tuck the doll in with her kid*

Wallace: *tucks doll in by the little girl, and then scoots over to peer at the small person in his mother's arms*

Xiaobei: *warning Look. Is still bristling a bit*

Pietro: *dazedly* Did anyone get the number of that truck?

Wallace: *decides to get the heck out of Dodge before his mother whales on him or one of the other kids decides they like him*

Blitzwing: *goes and hunkers by Pietro* Hold still and let me look at you.

Pietro: *small frown, eyes are slightly unfocused, and he's already starting to get a bruise along his jaw*

Blitzwing: *sighs and looks at Xiaobei* I'll bring him to the infirmary. *gently scoops Pietro up*

Xiaobei: *terse nod*

Pietro: *startled sound*

Blitzwing: Shhh. *waits for Xiaobei to proceed him out of the atrium*

Xiaobei: *will move to lead the way down to the infirmary*

Raoul: *watches them go, his story telling resuming. Then quirks an eyebrow as he sees Drift coming back with Kup and the rest of the old soldier's immediate family with him* *grin*

Drift: *all but bouncing on the balls of his feet as he brings his Papa's family over to the little children* :D

Wing: *watching the littles with interest from where he's draped on Partner's shoulder*

Lockdown: *arm around Lisa's shoulders, is pretending she doesn't see the massive wibbly eyes that Boulder has going as he walks behind them*

Kup: What's this I hear about free kids? *chomps his cy-gar and frowns down at Raoul and Tracks* ...Who put you clowns in charge of the kids?

Tracks: Oh, you know how these things go. *shrugs*

littles: *looking UUUUUUP at big green guy* *all except one little guy that is just rocking himself quietly in boredom and weariness*

Destiny: *clickstorming. Can see all the littles from her perch on Papa's head*

Lisa: *telling Rodney about the littles, is a bit distracted*

Lockdown: *tilts her head, and then lets go of Lisa to walk over and scoop the little bored guy and the only little yellow haired member of the group into her arms. Comes back and gives the little blond to Lisa* This one's mine 'n that one's yours.

Lisa: *will hold the little blond close* Aww, look at you.... *happy little clicks*

blond: *looks up at her with big brown eyes that have a gold band around the center* ...Mama?

Raoul: *hides his grin. He hadn't been sure that guy was sharp enough to pick up the word. He's glad to see that the child mastered the simple language lesson he'd given*

Kup: Heh. That's right, kid. *down on one knee*

Lisa: *nod nod, grinning* *gentle nuzzle, is sending Rodney an image of the little blond*

Destiny: *slips down and moves to see Locky-Sissy's new baby* *click*

Lockdown: *turns from showing the boy to Boulder, who is crying quietly* Lookkit my new baby, Desti.

Destiny: *soft clicks, will gently kissie the boy's forehead* Locky-Sissy baby....

Lockdown: *watches as a small hand comes up to gently and absently touch Destiny's face as sleepy dark eyes study the girl* Yeah. 'N look. He needs a nap. Think we oughtta go help 'em get one?

Destiny: *clicks softly and gives Lockdown a studious look* *What're you up to, Sissy?*

Lockdown: *as her new son gives a massive yawn* Awww. Lookit that.

Kup: *grinning around his cy-gar, but he's already dealt with one screeching fit after bringing up the subject of naps. He's not saying anything now!*

Destiny: *distracted by babby yawning, soft clicks. Will scoot to find a soft blanket for babby!*

Lockdown: Let's bring 'im home, Pops. *gentle shoulder check for Kup's leg, then kisses her mate on the cheek and gently boots Lisa to catch her attention before following Destiny out the door* Little Rock...

Boulder: I like it. *follows mate*

Lisa: *startled squeak, will move to follow the rest of her family*

Drift: *grinning and hurrying to follow as Wing chirps softly*

Kup: *grins as well as he tosses an absent salute toward Tracks and Raoul while getting to his feet. Then moves off after his kids*

Raoul: *massive grin* *looks over at the little red head* Who're you?

red head: *perk* Ginny. *points to Dion* Bubby. *points to Tracks and nearly gets a finger up his nose* Daddy.

Raoul: Yup. *exchanges a grin with Tracks*

Tracks: //Dixie, if you don't hurry I won't be accountable if you miss your chance. Raoul is hiding the little girl he's chosen for Debbie, but we thought it would be best if Matt and Allen chose their own rugrats.//

Dixie: //'Ang on.... *telling Matt not to worry about grabbing his coat right now, since they won't be outside*//

Tracks: //Look at the screen on your telephone.//

Dixie: *looking*

little people: *sitting in a circle, looking for all the world like toddlers despite their age. Big eyes are mostly focused on Raoul, but one little girl is frowning at a freshly removed boot, and a boy is reaching to poke his near neighbour in the ear*

Dixie: //D'awww.....//

Tracks: //Is Lizzie coming? Or is she in school?// *gently smooths Virginia's red curls and gets a quizzical look from his new daughter*

Dixie: //She's gettin' 'er shoes on...// *chuckle*

Tracks: //Lovely. Oh. Hattie says you don't need to worry about clothes.//

Dixie: *chuckles* //Ah ain't surprahsed....//

Tracks: //You'll also be gaining a new sister or brother today, but I suppose that goes without saying.// *glances toward the door as Seamus goes running past it*

Seamus: She TAZED ASTROTRAIN!!!

Tracks: //...Bother.//

Dixie: //....Who tazed who now?//

Tracks: //...Did I transmit that? I have no idea who did it, but someone apparently tried electroshock therapy on Astrotrain's stupidity condition. And I missed it.//

Dixie: //....Who's Astrotrain?//

Tracks: //Blitzwing's partner. Black Betty's husband.// *sends a picture to her phone* //I believe Matt's met him. He's also known as 'Ozzy'.//

Dixie: //....Ooooh.... Th' Derp. Gotcha.// *chuckling* //Matt 'n Lizzie're readeh... We's gotta go get Miss Debbie, 'n Allen 'n Ophelia though...//

Tracks: //Well do you expect me to narrate, or something?//

Dixie: *razz* //We'll see y'u soon.//

Tracks: *slight sniff* //Like I say, if it isn't soon I can't be responsible for you missing out. Tracks out.//

Dixie: //Quitcher fussin'.// *so amused*

Tracks: *another sniff, and then settles down to wait* *softly, as he switches channels* //Denver? Darling?// *gentle affection over their bond*

Denver: *a bit muffled* //Hm?//

Tracks: *softly* //Our family is growing, darling.//

Denver: //...'Ow maneh 'f th' li'l bits did we adopt?//

Tracks: *shares his amusement* //Oh, only one... directly.//

Denver: *soft 'heh', and a bit of movement as she gets off of the bed* //'N 'ndirectleh?//

Tracks: //Hattie, Dixie, Debbie, and Ophi will be here to claim theirs soon.//

Denver: //Aww....// *chuckles*

Tracks: *shows her that little red head sitting on his knee and holding Dion's hand*

Denver: *soft squee*

Tracks: *wide grin, his eyes lighting at her reaction* //Raoul's named her Virginia.//

Denver: *soft chuckle, will PINpoint up once she's found where she dropped the darn thing*

Tracks: *looks down at Virginia, his eyes darkening slightly with sadness as he thinks of what's been done to the child. Keeps the feelings from Denver as best he can*

Virginia: *amber eyes intent on Dion's face as he chatters and clicks about Mr. Snail* Oh? Ohhhh. Huh. Owow... *eyes widen*

Denver: *can be heard a few minutes later, reassuring Ophi that the dizziness will fade*

Allen: *sounding just a bit spooked as he and Matt talk about wedding plans*

Susana: *having a nice conversation with Debbie as she guides the quieter woman into the atrium*

Raoul: *turns his head and bounds to his feet, the front of his jacket bulging suspiciously* Angel!

Virginia: Ohhh? *leans to look the way Bubby just ran, then glances quizzically at little Bubby*

Debbie: *surprised, but pleased* Hello, Raoul.

Dion: Aunty! *points to Debbie*

Virginia: Tantee? *watching the new people*

Raoul: *stops right in front of his adopted cousin, his grin shaky and his eyes hopeful and dancing* Do you mind if a little kid isn't chatty 'n cute 'n all bright 'n cheery?

Debbie: *holds out her arms*

Raoul: *takes a sleeping child from his jacket and gently tucks her into those arms. It's a little girl just as babyishly adorable as the rest, with soft black curls and a pensive little frown on her face as she wibbles at a dream* She gets confused pretty easy, 'n it makes her cry. But she just does it quietly.

Debbie: *will gently cradle the girl close to her chest* Poor th'n'.... *gently smooths some of the girl's curls*

Raoul: Doc Anderson says she'll probably always be at around a nine month old mental level. But she's mostly toilet trained. She asked ta go earlier, but then she got upset 'n peed her pants. *watches the little one snuggle*

Debbie: Aw.... Well, th't's alrahght.... *totally and utterly smitten*

Raoul: *very quietly, nearly shy for the first time that Debbie will have seen in this boy who stood beside her as an attendant at her wedding* I... kinda named her. You don't have to use that one, though.

Debbie: *curious*

Raoul: *quiet still* Mareshah. It means 'conqueror'.

Debbie: *small nod* *will continue to smooth Mareshah's hair* 'T's a good name.

Raoul: *slight bit of grin returns* Mareshah Caley Martin.

Debbie: *small smile*

Raoul: *arm around her as he turns to look at the others*

Tracks: *has handed Virginia over to Denver, and is now accepting clothing from Hattie* Slow down, I've only got so many hands.

Denver: *clicking to Virginia, is amused at how fussy Hattie's being*

Trevor: *laying on his stomach on the floor and chatting to a dark haired, laughing boy child*

Ophi: *baby dancing with one of the children and talking to them in Spanish*

Allen: *having a hard time leaving his new son's auburn curls alone*

sweet faced sleepy little girl: *cuddled against Alicia with her head on the blonde's shoulder*

Alicia: *clicking softly, just sent a picture of the little one to Jamie's phone*

little black haired boy: *attached to Susana's leg and smiling up at her* Mama? Mama?

Susana: *bends down to gently lift the little boy up for cuddles*

black haired boy: *points to her* Mama. *points to self* Bubby?

Raoul: *soft snerk as he sees someone else had been listening to Virginia's lesson*

Ben: *peering over Susana's shoulder with a quiet smile, one arm around her waist*

Susana: *gently pokes the boy* Mark.

boy: *eyes widen and mouth goes into an O* *then* Mark?

Susana: *nods, smiling* Yes.

Ben: *serious Seeker is thinking about how Susana and the little one will be going to town, where he doesn't live. Doesn't like this thought* *clearly* You're mine.

Tracks: *head snaps around with surprise*

Raoul: o.0

Susana: *blink blink, small, shy smile* And you're mine. *will turn and touch her forehead to Ben's*

Patrick: *blink blink blink*

Mark: *reaching up to touch the face of the man who is forehead to forehead with Mama* Daddy.

Ben: *soft gasp*

Alicia: *looks over* Saw it. *grin*

Tracks: *recovers from his surprise and looks to Patrick*

Patrick: *nods* I witness as well.

Raoul: *looks over at Alicia* Another one beat you to it, Ally.

Alicia: *razz*

little girl: *lifts her head and looks with quiet curiosity at Alicia, wondering what that sound was. And then she's turning her head as a man comes running in and grabs her mama and her and hugs them*

Jamie: I got kicked off duty for two weeks! I... can we call her Tessa?

Alicia: *nuzzles* Sure....

Jamie: *looks like he's going to explode with excited joy* Sweet. *kisses Alicia on the cheek, and then gives one to Tessa's plump little cheek too* Man... she even looks like you except for the brown hair and greenie eyes.

Tessa: *sleepy smile as she wipes the kiss off and then puts her head back down on Mama's shoulder* *knows that this must be her Daddy, but she's too sleepy to worry about that now. And too comfy in her new clothes*

Alicia: *softly* Awww.....

Jamie: *softly echoes the sentiment as he guides Alicia over to one of the benches around the fish pond and sits next to her and their new daughter*

Raoul: *still standing over by Debbie. He's frowning as he turns his head and counts. Can see the last little guy over there examining Lizzie's braid as Dixie dresses him. But the count's wrong...* Oh oh. Guys, we lost one somewhere.

Tracks: *looks up sharply* What?

Denver: *frown* 'Ow maneh w're th're?

Raoul: *tells her. Tells how many just got homes* We lost one on the way down here. And I didn't slaggin' notice! *lets go of Debbie to glance hurriedly around the atrium* ...Oh crud, where's Tunnel Rat?

Denver: ... *on comms* *to Raoul* She went t' report t' McHale. *SNERK*

Raoul: Well the kid we're... what?

Tracks: *eyes widen, and then he hides his laughter on Dion's hair*

Denver: Th' li'l bit followed Private Lee! *laughs*

Raoul: *so relieved that he has to sit down on the floor* Can she bring 'em back?

Denver: *relaying that to McHale, since Private Lee doesn't have a radio yet*

McHale: *tells Denver about the tiny child standing to attention and saluting beside the Private*

Denver: *so amused* //Send 'em both up t' th' atrium, Jerreh.//

McHale: *grumbles about delays, but isn't overly grouchy sounding* //They're on their way. Though it looks more like the kid's bringing the newb.//

Private Lee: *looking just a bit shell-shocked as she follows the little girl that first followed her back to the atrium*

Raoul: *goes over to scoop the little black-haired child into his arms, but then straightens with surprise as she pushes him away* Hey... You can't stay with Tunnel Rat, nina.

girl: *just stands beside the Private, her almond eyes curious and determined*

Denver: *soft chuckle*

Private Lee: I dunno the first thing about takin' care'a kids.....

Hattie: *coming over to fuss and try and insist on changing the soggy little boots*

girl: *pushes at the grey-haired woman too, turning her head away. Do not want*

Private Lee: *acks as Hattie points out the soggy boots* C'mon, kiddo, you need dry shoes....

girl: *looks up at the Private, tiny sweet face holding just a hint of crossness as she puts her hands behind her back. Has no idea what you just said, but she ain't going away!*

Private Lee: *remembers what her mom used to do when she was little and refused to put on socks and shoes.... Will pick the girl up so Hattie can get the wet boots off*

girl: *squeal of surprise, but then watches the boot removal operation with interest, her shivering calming as she's warmed by Private Lee's body*

Tracks: *frowning slightly as he quietly watches all this and helps Dion put on a pretty toque from the clothes that Hattie brought*

Dion: *happy babbles, will grab another toque and wave it in Private Lee's direction*

Denver: *soft chuckle as she works on making ponytails of Virginia's curls*

Hattie: *making sure the little girl in Private Lee's arms has socks on*

little one: *curling her toes and frowning as she tries to figure these strange things out. Is leaning back against her big person*

Private Lee: See? Dry socks are better than wet ones....

little girl: *tips head up to frown at her, then looks at Raoul as he comes over with his arms held out* *sudden vehement repetition of a word in Ko-Dan as she makes pushing motions at the hands. Getting louder and is clearly telling the teen off*

Private Lee: *meeps*

Raoul: *wincing and trying to talk to the girl, but finally just darts over, pins his translator on her, and backs off*

little girl: No! No! No! No!

Private Lee: *slight cringe and confused look for Raoul*

Raoul: *nods his head emphatically in the strange way he's seen these children, Chris, Ruth, and Salvage do it* No. *agreeing with you!*

little girl: *scolds for a bit more, and then stops and gives Raoul a frown* No!

Raoul: Yours? *points to Private Lee*

little girl: *points to one of her eyes* My eye.

Private Lee: *blink blink* Er.....

Hattie: *patpats the Private's shoulder* Ah'm guess'n she th'nks y'u're kin.....

little girl: My eye. *pokes self gently, and then twists in Private Lee's arms to look up at her. One pudgy small finger reaches up to poke the small woman* Eye.

Private Lee: Er... Yeah.....

little girl: My eye. *folds arms across her little chest and just dares anyone to refute it. Look at that pout*

Hattie: *chuckles and works on putting fake sheepskin booties on the little girl*

Raoul: *quirks a grin as he feels Dion arms wrap around one of his legs and Ginny arms the other* So whaddya gonna name her?

Private Lee: Er..... *thinks for a few moments* Gertrude....

Hattie: Mahght be easiah t' call 'er 'Gerty'.....

Raoul: ...So where'd Gertrude come from, anyway?

Gerty: *examining a booty, her expression intent*

Private Lee: *ducking her head a bit* My grandma's Gertrude....

Raoul: *grins* Cool. *then looks down and clicks at the two little people hugging his legs* Awww, man. We would haveta wind up with another cuddlebug.

Virginia: *big sweet smile*

Dion: *happy clickstorm*

Tracks: *smiles and stands, offering a hand to Denver as he does* I think our work here is done, darling. Have you got anything to do right now?

Denver: Jes' gotta make sure Osk 's alrahght....

Tracks: Whyever wouldn't she be? *pauses and looks toward the door as he hears an exclamation of dismay in a familiar voice* ...Magnus?

Magnus: Aww, are all the little ones with families now? *sulk*

Tracks: *blinks* Err. Yes.

Raoul: *looking over toward his uncle with a frown of concern*

Magnus: *more sulk* I was on my way up.....

Tracks: *dismay showing slightly on his face* You should have called me.

Magnus: *small frown* I thought I did.....

Tracks: *shakes his head* I didn't get anything.

Raoul: Hey. We got one, though. So'd Abuella. *crouches down to put an arm around Virginia, who loves on him*

Magnus: *quiet sigh*

Tracks: *looks at Denver, his dismay for his brother clear over their bond* //What can we do? We can't take any of the children back from the families they've chosen.//

Denver: *small frown* //Ah'm not sure.....//

Tracks: *frown mirrors hers as he pings Dallas' radio*

Dallas: *sounding a bit irritated* //MacKenzie speaking.//

Tracks: //This is Tracks. And we have a slight problem.//

Dallas: //If this is about me not telling about the kids sooner, you're not the first to give me grief about it....//

Tracks: *blinks and glances at Denver, knowing that she can hear this*

Denver: .... //Th' Seekers must've caught up wit' 'im....//

Tracks: *frowns* *to Dallas* //Will more children be brought to Earth?//

Dallas: //If Roughsong finds 'em, yeah...//

Tracks: //I see.// *turns his head and looks at his woebegone looking brother, who has had bitties sicced on him by Raoul*

Magnus: *clicking softly as Dion cuddles*

Virginia: *love loves and cuddles for poor sad Uncle* *quietly* Unca. Unca.

Raoul: *big grin*

Kirk: *suddenly zips over there just as fast as his pudgy short legs will carry him and then tries to climb into Magnus' lap* Uncie! *laughs*

Trevor: *big grin from where he just set his new son on Magnus*

Dallas: //She says to tell you that she'll keep a look out. But there's already a waiting list.//

Denver: //Magnus 's inna sulk 'cause 'e c'ldn't git up t' th' atrium soon 'nough t' adopt 'un 'f th' li'l bits...//

Dallas: //...I'll make sure his name gets on the list...//

Tracks: //Thank you, Dallas.// *looks at his brother* They've put you on the waiting list. *then realized that Magnus is getting ganged up on and kissied and snerks*

Dallas: //Now if only I could get the Seekers to leave me and my family to get to know our newest member...//

Tracks: *switches channels* //Skylar, your people are being most annoying to my cousin.//

Skylar: //.... What are they doing now?//

Tracks: //Knowing them, I think they're trying to talk him out of his new daughter.//

Skylar: //....// *sighs and closes the channel with a click. Is going to tell off Seekers now, kthx*

Tracks: //Skylar's on his way, Dallas. I suggest having a few cookies ready by way of thanks.//

Dallas: //Working on it.... Thanks....//

Tracks: //What's family for? Tracks out.// *realizes Virginia's trying to give 'Unca' a ponytail and facepalms*

Raoul: *so not noticing, nope*

Denver: *sooooo getting blackmail pictures*

Trevor: *over helping Hattie try and get clothes on Gertie. Has no idea he's missing something funny*

Gertie: *objecting again. Much 'No!' and pushing at hands*

Private Lee: *trying to convince Gertie to wear some of the things Hattie's trying to get on her*

Trevor: Here, Tunnel Rat. Why don't you dress her? *offers the adorable little garments*

Private Lee: *a bit distracted by trying to dress Gertie now, won't ask about the nickname*

Gertie: *is now a delighted and cooperative child, even going so far as to try and button buttons and tie things herself*

Trevor: *grins at his wife* There we go.

Hattie: *amused chuckling* 'Tudeh kid....

Trevor: Smart too. *slight frown* But she's younger than Kirk and the others.

Hattie: *small nod* Yeah... Ah noticed....

Trevor: But Raoul says Red gave her a clean bill of health. *bit concerned, but then turns his head and gently nudges Hattie as he realizes who is crouched over there in one of the sitting niches around the fish pond* They... Marcia's got one.

Hattie: *nods* She clobbered Mr. Morimoto earliah....

Trevor: *winces* ...Should we talk to her? That baby's still in the wet wraps.

Hattie: *small frown as she notices this as well* Ah th'nk 'f we jes give 'er th' clothes th'n she won't 'tack...

Trevor: *nods and looks in the box, pulling out cute little booties and socks, and another adorable dress and bloomers set* Do you want to give them to her? *knows the Stunticons respect his wife somewhat*

Hattie: *nods and moves to grab the clothes before heading over to the sitting niche*

Marcia: *growls a bit as Hattie approaches, but all she does is glare and grouse softly. Then she's scowling and working on getting her little one into dry clothes*

Trevor: *snags a little hoodie with flower petals around the hood and brings it too, his eyes averted respectfully as he offers it* *to Hattie* //Who would have thought she'd have parental programming?//

Hattie: *offers the hoodie to Marcia and gets grumbled at before the Stunticon is turning her attention back to the little girl* *gives Trevor a small shrug and a slight "What can you do?" look*

Trevor: *watches as the grey eyed child smiles and chats and tries to help her new mother to dress her* *softly* Marcia?

Marcia: *growl* Slag off.

Trevor: *gently* I just want to know her name.

Marcia: *scowls as she thinks*

grey eyes: *looks up at Marcia after fastening the last flower button on the little hoodie all by herself* Oh! *hands up in an 'all done!'*

Trevor: *soft chuckle* That one's got a bit of the same stuff as Gerty does.

Marcia: *more scowl*

grey eyes: *sees the scowl and snuggles uncertainly* Ohhhh.

Trevor: *takes Hattie's arm and turns to lead her away* Looks like Tracks and the others have already left. *glances sideways at her* Want to go take over the kitchen at home and get ready for a welcome party for Ginny and Kirk?

Hattie: *nods as she's lead away* Th' sooner, th' bettah...

Marcia: Fleur.

Trevor: *over his shoulder as he walks out* That's pretty. I like it.

Marcia: *soft huff, will turn her attention to fussing over Fleur in her own way*

Hattie: *chuckles softly* Stubborn th'ng.... 'N Fleur's such a sweetie.....

Trevor: She's adorable. Like I say, Gerty's determination, and Ginny's sweetheart nature. Maybe a bit of Kirk's get up and go. *stumbles slightly as his new son sees him and gallops back to cannonball into his legs, then scoops the boy up*

Hattie: *chuckles and ruffles Kirk's hair* Seems lahk 't....



Elsewhere


Patrick: *pinching the bridge of his nose as he gets yet another call from someone who is upset that not enough people were told about the children*

another ping: *comes to his radio at the same time*

Patrick: *answers and tries to keep from sounding too cross* //Oberson speaking.// *right eye is starting to get a bit of a twitch*

Joe: //Sir, there's someone here who would like to talk to you. He's pretty shaky though and his wife's having a bit of a nervous attack.//

Patrick: //... Do they have PINpoints?//

Joe: //They do. But they're currently resting in the barn loft.//

Patrick: //...How big are they?// *starting to suspect that his earlier idea of having them come to his office might not be a good idea*

Joe: //He's a bay tech Seeker, sir.//

Patrick: //....Can you bring them to the infirmary?// *dings Rachel's comm*

Rachel: //Currently giving a lady a physical. No guys in the infirmary.//

Joe: //Yeah. That.//

Patrick: *pinches the bridge of his nose. Again* //I'll be right up.// *also calling Skylar, since the mech in question might be kin to the Wingleader* *grabs his PINpoint and heads for the barn*

Joe: *hunkered in human mode next to a smallish bay Starscream and a golden yellow flyer femme as Bea bustles around and checks both newcomers over. Is clicking at a little bundle of parts in the yellow femme's arms*

Moonshadow: *cycling air rapidly and shivering as she tries to make sense of the changes to her world*

lbScream: *clicking softly to his mate and to the sparklet, is pretty comfortable on the pile of hay he's currently lying on* *attention goes to Patrick* *raised brow ridge*

Joe: Starscream, this is our oldest Optimus. The one you asked to see. *slight smile, though he's distracted by Bea's soft clicking to Moonshadow*

lbScream: *small nod* *quietly* It's an honor, sir....

Patrick: *can see what Joe meant by the Seeker being shaky* Likewise....

Moonshadow: *ducks her head and clicks softly. Too many changes at once are starting to overwhelm her just a bit, so she's going to focus on what she can understand: Caring for the sparklet*

Bea: *soft clicks as she offers the femme a can of soft cinna pudding*

Moonshadow: *slight peek when she smells the cinna pudding* *click*

Skylar: *PINpointing in down on the main floor of the barn*

Joe: *goes to look through the loft entrance toward the sound of the PINpoint* We're up here, sir.

Skylar: *looks up and PINpoints to the loft, stopping short when he sees who else is here* .... You've got to be kidding me...

lbScream: *soft snerk* *quietly* Long time, no see, Skylar...

Patrick: ... *looking between the two Starscreams* I take it you two know one another...

Joe: *brows lifted as he looks from Skylar to the new Starscream*

Skylar: *nods* Yeah... Ran into him a couple of times in the Nexus.... *dings Sky's comm* Last time, he was ganking energy from the sign.... And he was a bit bigger...

Patrick: *small nod*

lbScream: *soft chuckle* *quietly* I ran afoul of a fire truck with a bad attitude...

Sky: *appears, scowling slightly* I was signing posters and just found out that I missed out on the chance of another kid. What do you... Heeyyyy, Starscream!

Moonshadow: *startles at the sudden appearance and hunkers down with a growl*

Joe: *quiet snerk at Sky. Is just going to go help his wife take care of Moonshadow and the bitty now*

lbScream: *small nod of greeting* Hello, Sky....

Sky: *slight frown* Joe, did Lisa go to the Nexus again?

Joe: *chuckle* No. I did.

Sky: ... Stop that.

Patrick: *facepalm, snerk*

Skylar: *snickering*

lbScream: *slight frown* Is there a problem?

Sky: *grins* Crumby in-joke. You're not the butt of it.

lbScream: ... Alright...

Sky: *looks to Patrick and Skylar*

Patrick: *looks to lbScream* Is there anything I can help you with?

lbScream: *small nod* I would like to offer assistance in this reality.

Joe: *looks over at his older brother* He's an Exile.

Patrick: ... *expression goes a bit dark as he connects the dots and realizes just what 'fire truck with a bad attitude' lbScream was talking about* I see....

Skylar: ... *frowns at lbScream*

Bea: *softly* Pink should only be worn by girls and Scattershots. *offers more pudding to Moonshadow's sparklet*

Patrick: *nods his agreement with Bea's words* *to lbScream* The sooner we get you situated so you can rest, the better.

lbScream: *soft chuckle* Alright, sir....

Bea: I don't think they need constant medical surveillance. Just a nice suite in the section for bigger bots. *gentle poke at lbScream* Their bodies have already accepted their holoform transmitters.

Seeklet: *gets the spoon! And then WINGS some pudding at Skylar* Eeee! :D

Skylar: *acks and looks to see what splatted on his arm* *blink blink, wipes pudding off with a finger, nom pudding*

lbScream: *chuckles and clicks softly*

Moonshadow: *frustrated and overwhelmed, wants away from all these strange little things. Wants to hide with mate and sparklet*

Bea: *softly* I think Moonshadow needs some quiet. Her processor's showing some slight damage that probably makes it hard for her to process new data right now.

Skylar: *small nod, noticed the sparklet's coloration and halfway suspects that the little one is another alternate*

Patrick: *arguing with Blaster about something now*

lbScream: *quietly* Her optics might be bothering her a bit too....

Bea: *gentle small hand on Moonshadow's leg, then offers her some more of the pudding* Yeah, probably. *soft clicks for the distressed femme* You guys will be getting that big suite in the Seekerhouse, I bet.

lbScream: *curious* Seekerhouse?

Skylar: That's what we call the big house where most of the Seekers on base have chosen to live...

Moonshadow: *okay, maybe nom a little....*

Bea: *nods as she croons gently. And then she chuckles as the Seeklet scores a direct hit on Joe's face*

Joe: Ack! *laugh* You missed my mouth.

Seeklet: *laughing and waving her spoon*

Skylar: *snickerfit*

lbScream: *soft chuckle*

Moonshadow: *click*

Storm: *pings Skylar's com*

Skylar: //Yes, Storm?//

Storm: //Bea said to get the big suite ready. It's all good.//

Skylar: //Thank you, Storm. There's plenty of blankets, right?// *getting his PINpoint out*

Storm: //Yup, and pillows. There isn't any furniture yet, so we just made a huge heap of those in front of the wall screen. And added some bunnies from the blanket place.//

Skylar: *chuckles* //I think the Seeklet will like that....//

Storm: //We made sure everything was wool fleece or that new felt.//

Skylar: //Alright. Incoming shortly.//

Storm: //We're ready. Oh, you knew Ben laid his claim tonight, right?//

Skylar: *blinks* //When did he do that?//

Storm: //When Susana got chosen by one of the kids. They're at his place now, waiting for you.//

Skylar: //I'll stop by once we get our new family settled.... The mech's an alternate of me...//

Storm: //...So what's his status in the flock?//

Skylar: //Once he's air-worthy again, he'll rank with you. Right now, he's grounded.//

Storm: //So he's my brother?//

Skylar: //Yes. He's got a bit more common sense than Quinn and Wayne, at least....//

Storm: //Alright. I'll be there to greet him. TC's at work, and Sky...//

Sky: //Right here. Screamer dragged my aft away from poster signing to meet the new guy.//

Storm: //Okay.//

Skylar: *cheeky grin for Sky* //You could have told me to 'slag off', Sky.//

Sky: *rolls her eyes at him and tosses her hair*

lbScream: *just resting his optics, don't mind him*

Moonshadow: *hunkering down near mate and shivering*

Bea: *soft concern*

Joe: Sir, I think we better get them home and in bed. *winces as the Seeklet picks up on Moonshadow's distress and starts making sounds that are unmistakably G1 Starscreamish*

Patrick: Go.... I finally convinced Blaster to leave him alone for now....

Skylar: *nods* *clicks to the Seeklet and moves to bring the family to the Seekerhouse*

Joe: *watches them vanish with the swish and slight flash of PINpoint travel, and then moves to hug his wife*


Seekerhouse. The large suite


Storm: *standing by the heap of pillows, blankets, and dolls in the warm but slightly echoing living room of the big apartment. She perks and hurries over as the group appears*

Sky: You missed, Screamer. *eyes dancing as she teases her brother*

Skylar: *soft razz*

lbScream: *bleary blink blink*

Moonshadow: 0_0 *HIDING on mate now*

Seeklet: *SKREEEEEEEEEEEEK!*

Sky: *frowns and skreeks right back, commandingly*

Moonshadow: .... *wait, whut? It makes sounds like mate?*

Seeklet: *big optics as she hides on Moonshadow* *eek! Save babby!*

Moonshadow: *cautious peek, holds the Seeklet close*

Skylar: *transforming and moving to try and get lbScream, Moonshadow, and the Seeklet situated on the heap of pillows*

lbScream: *helping by gently reassuring Moonshadow and the Seeklet with soft skreeking and clicking*

Sky and Storm: *also transform. Two strong Seeker femmes with graceful wings and fierce but kindly faces. Help Starscream to move lbScream to the nest, then cover him and his family with the big, soft blankets*

lbScream: *soft sigh* *quietly* Thank you....

Moonshadow: *calming a bit once the blankets are in place, soft clicks*

Stormsong: You're my brother, it's my job. *cracks a slight smile as the Seeklet stops her distress actions and starts to make little purring sounds there under the shelter of the blankets*

lbScream: *slight smile before he's shuttering his optics and settling down to rest*

Moonshadow: *soon does like her mate*

Stormsong: *looks to Starscream for directions*

Skywarp: *turning the TV onto the channel with soft music and swirly lights. Yeah, the one Tea makes*

Starscream: *getting cookies out of subspace and leaving them where they'll be seen* *quietly* They just need time to rest and recover.... We'll need to think of nicknames for them though....

Stormsong: *nods* I'll get some botaghetti, too. Warm stuff might help the femme settle down.

Skywarp: *listening to her communicator* I have to get back. Sammy's snarking at a smartaft.

Starscream: *small nod* I've got duct tape in subspace, if you need it....

Skywarp: *shrugs and grins* Just showing up like this will get everyone's minds back where they should be.

Starscream: *chuckle* Alright. Thanks for helping, 'Warp, Storm.

Stormsong: I'll go get the noodles and gloop. *heads out through the skylight*

Skywarp: You got it, Screamer. *vanishes*

Starscream: *makes sure the temperature and humidity are comfortable for the newest squadron members, will go see what Melissa and Airwolf are making in the mess hall kitchen*


Patrick's office


McHale: *knocks on the door as he frowns deeply*

Patrick: *as he works on writing up a report to send to Rachel about the new Starscream* Come in.

McHale: *does so and salutes*

Patrick: *looks up from the report-writing* Is something wrong, Major McHale?

McHale: Yes, sir, something's wrong. *offers a sheet of paper*

Patrick: *blinks a bit as he reaches for the paper*

McHale: *hands it over and then stands to attention, his expression faintly miffed*

Patrick: *reads the paper*

paper: *list of misdemeanours for Private first class Nichole Lee. Is long and includes several charges of improper fraternization*

Patrick: *brows climbing as he reads, pauses as he realizes that most of the improper fraternization charges occurred with one specific individual. Slight frown as he wonders if Private Lee's been taken away from her mate*

McHale: *waiting for the Lt. Col. to finish reading and address him*

Patrick: Major McHale, do you think you would be able to find out what base Lamont A. Morris is stationed at?

McHale: *frown deepens* Sir, I came here to request the reassignment of this rookie.

Patrick: *nod* You'll need someone to replace her on your squadron though, Major.

McHale: The need isn't pressing, sir.

Patrick: Still, the sooner we get the personnel transfer started, the better.

McHale: Yes, sir. And a more fitting new member for my squad too?

Patrick: Hopefully.

McHale: Thank you, sir. I'll start on the paperwork right away.

PA system: ABOOYAH *baby laughter*

McHale: o.0

Patrick: *nod* *sighs* Mungbean. *looks up* Tea, you need to teach your mate and son that the PA system isn't a toy.

Tea: I need ta finish getting all my codes changed first! Sorry, folks.

Mungbean: *more laughter before the speaker goes dead*

McHale: *shakes his head disapprovingly, but doesn't speak*

Patrick: *to McHale* Is there anything else?

McHale: No, sir.

Patrick: Alright. You're dismissed.

McHale: *nods and goes*

PA: Thrrrpt! Butt!

Tea: Ack!

Patrick: *facepalm*

Tea: Sorry, sorry. Crud...

Patrick: *sighs and makes a call that he probably should have made sooner....* //Excuse me, Private Lee?//

Private Lee: //Ack, no, Gerty, that's mine. Uh... yello?//

Patrick: *trying not to chuckle* //Starting tomorrow morning, you'll need to report to Captain Reynolds for duty.//

Private Lee: //Yessir. Uhhh, who's that? Gerty! Sheeesh!//

Patrick: *tries to send Private Lee's phone a picture, slight frown at the error message he gets* //Captain Reynolds is the cheery brunette who sits next to Major Blume at meal times....//

Private Lee: //I got it! Ewwwwwwww, drool on my phone. Hello?//

Patrick: //....Why is there drool on your phone?//

Private Lee: //Because Gerty tried ta eat it.//

Patrick: //...Ah... I'll let you go then...// *so amused*

Private Lee: //But... I still don't know who I'm supposeta report to.//

Patrick: //Ask one of the other soldiers to introduce you to Captain Reynolds at the next meal.//

Private Lee: //Oh. YesARGH! Teeth!//

Patrick: *sympathy* //Try offering her something to eat...//

Private Lee: //She's got a cocktail weeny in each hand! Eouch!//

Patrick: //....Try fruit then?//

Private Lee: *can't contain a sound of disgust* //Uh. OKAYYYYYY!//

Gertrude: *in the background* //No!//

Patrick: //...Good luck...//

Private Lee: *is the sound of a cellphone bouncing off the ceiling*

Patrick: *will close the line then* *sighs and turns his attention back to the report he started*

((Written with random_xtras))