tpf. Autobot Base and a MECH Hub. Situation on the Home Front

[dens_extra_pups]

Arcee: *wanders out into the control room, looking for the sparklet she dreamed was crying. Picks Raf up, puts him to her shoulder, pats his back for a few minutes, and then sets him down and wanders back to bed*

Raf: *watches her go with his mouth hanging open* ...Did I just... get burped?

Miko: ... Um.... Yeah... *just a bit weirded out*

Denver: o.o;;

Ratchet: ... Alright then... *back to work on whatever it was he was working on when Arcee wandered in*

Hot Rod: *didn't even notice, is too busy driving Pansy around on the little pink toy quad*

Panacea: *riding with Hot Rod and pulling Sammy's tail. Today isn't really all that bad!*

Bulkhead: *suddenly calling* //Ratchet, we need a ground bridge.//

Ratchet: *looks up and hurries to get the ground bridge open*

Bulkhead: *comes walking through a moment later with Bumblebee wobbling slightly at his side*

Raf: Bee! *runs toward his friend*

Bumblebee: *looks down at Raf. Unhappily* Beeeeewwoooooo.

Raf: *stops short* Something's wrong with your T-Cog?

Denver: *blink blink*

Miko: ... What's a T-Cog? Is it like a T-bone?

Ratchet: *moving to get Bumblebee laying down, will scan the scout*

Jack: *blinks as he climbs up onto the balcony after just coming in with his mom* What's this about T-bone?

June: Jack, you just ate.

Ratchet: *as he scans* A T-Cog is what allows a Cybertronian to scan an alt mode and transform... *trails off, scans a second time to make sure he's not misreading the results* *quietly, sounding a bit shocked* Bumblebee's T-Cog isn't malfunctioning... It's missing...

Bulkhead: *blinks and turns back from where he'd gone to greet Witchblade, who was playing sports car for June today while the sedan's in the shop* ...Why would 'Cons want Bumblebee's T-Cog?

Bumblebee: *quietly* Beebeeweee...

Raf: He says it wasn't the 'Cons.

Miko: ... If it wasn't the 'Cons... Then who was it?

Denver: *expression dark as she reaches a logical conclusion*

Ratchet: *seems to be on the same wavelength as Denver* *all but spits the word out* MECH.

Witchblade: *walks over and sniffs at the little yellow scout's chest* ...Yup. *blink blink* Where did I smell MECH before, Bulky?

Bulkhead: Uh... I don't know. *scowling* What would they want with Bumblebee's T-Cog?

Eclipse: *coming into the control room from helping WakeJumper with inventory in the infirmary* ... *blink blink* Okay... What's up?

Witchblade: MECH took Buzzy's T-Cog. *absent pat pat for Bumblebee that has the yellow bot grumbling at her*

Eclipse: ... *scowling darkly now* First they try to gank Denver, now this? I'm really starting to not like those idiots.

Bulkhead: Just starting? *looks toward the computer as it beeps* Hey... Optimus says to come meet her, Ratchet. Looks like she got those supplies.

Bumblebee: *leaps to his feet, warbling excitedly and all ready to go!*

Ratchet: *quietly* I'm afraid that's out of the question at the moment, Bumblebee.

Bumblebee: *stops short* Wooo?

Ratchet: Without your T-Cog, you risk being seen.

Miko: ... Why can't Ratchet just build Bumblebee a new T-Cog?

Jack: *frowns at her, but then gives the medic a quizzical look as June leans her elbows on the railing next to him*

Bumblebee: *objecting to Miko's question with beeps and buzzing sounds*

Ratchet: Miko! A T-Cog is a highly individualized piece of bio-mechanics... It can't be replaced with some junkyard part! If it were that simple, don't you think I would have replaced Bumblebee's voice box by now?

Jack: *slight wince*

Bee: Wooo...

Denver: *moves to gently patpat Bumblebee's leg*

June: *moves her sympathetic gaze from Bumblebee* I'll take the sparklets to the nursery. I've got some new books for them. *turns toward the stairs*

Eclipse: ... *quietly* Let me go fix WakeJumper... Then we'll see what we can do about helping to get your T-Cog back, 'Bee... *hug for 'Bee, then she's heading for the infirmary*

Bulkhead: ...Fix WakeJumper?

Witchblade: *kisses him* You don't wanna know. Come on, Ratchet, what're ya waitin' for? *transforms and burns out of the room*

Bumblebee: *gurk*

Ratchet: *quietly, to Bumblebee* Until we get your T-Cog back, I would prefer it if you didn't leave the base. *is not happy about asking that of the scout* *moves to transform and head out*

Bumblebee: *angry punches at the air*

Raf: Ack! Guys, we're going to be late for school!

Jack: *hurrying to grab his book bag* Where'd Witchblade go???

Bulkhead: I can hear 'er idling in the tunnel. *frowns at the computer screens*

Raf: *pauses, laptop in arms, to look up at Bumblebee sympathetically* *softly* I'll see you later, Bee. *then turns and races toward the waiting femme*

Denver: *massive sulk at the thought of having to leave Bumblebee* *one last patpat, and then she's grabbing her backpack and skulking off after Raf*

Miko: *acks and grabs her bookbag before running after her friends*

Eclipse: *back a few minutes later with a somewhat zonked-looking WakeJumper following her* *has a bit of a dangerous-looking glint in her optics*

WakeJumper: *trying to chase the fog out of his processor after getting combat kissed*

Bulkhead: That parcel you two ordered's at the pick up place. *watching Bumblebee pace*

WakeJumper: Gotcha... *will transform and head for the tunnel*

Eclipse: *staying behind and checking monitors. Earlights are an unhappy color at the moment, and she's got a very Wheeljack-like scowl on her face*

June: *calls on her cellphone* //Eclipse, Panacea's fussing. Do you know where the colic medicine is?//

Eclipse: //Yeah... Lemme go grab it...// *hustles off to the infirmary to grab the medicine*

Bulkhead: Bumblebee, stop pacing.

Bumblebee: *frustrated noises*

Bulkhead: Hey, you got that doomsday weapon away from Megatron yesterday, remember?

Bumblebee: Bweewooo bzzt! *frustrated hand gesture*

Bulkhead: *scowls at him, but then blinks and looks at the screens* Hey, it's another beacon.

Bumblebee: *perk, scoots to see where it's at*

Bulkhead: Scrap! It's too bad everybody's out.

Bumblebee: *heading to activate the ground bridge, is rarin' to go*

Bulkhead: Hey, Ratchet said you couldn't go out. *frown*

Bumblebee: Beepboowhoo-oo beep!

Bulkhead: Bee, you can't even transform!

Bumblebee: *insistant noises!*

Bulkhead: *grumble* Fine! But if Optimus asks, this was your idea.

Bumblebee: *victory dance, activates the ground bridge*

Bulkhead: *growls and heads through*

Bumblebee: *hurries through after Bulkhead*

Eclipse: *coming back to the control room... right as the ground bridge closes* ... Scrap.


Several hours later


Raf: *standing by an unconscious Bumblebee, his expression worried and his glee over a school shut down due to water pipes forgotten*

Eclipse: *in full on fret mode back there behind WakeJumper*

WakeJumper: *holding Eclipse back since he can feel how worried she is about 'Bee*

Ratchet: *checking Bumblebee over again, and feeling like an utter failure*

Bulkhead: *sheepishly, from where he's standing by the rest of the Wreckers* ...How is he?

Ratchet: *quietly* Aside from the missing T-Cog, he'll be alright.

Bulkhead: *relief* *and then holding off a girlfriend who wants to snog*

Optimus: *quietly, from where she's baby dancing with Panacea and Sam in the background* Good.

Raf: *as Bumblebee stirs* Bee's waking up!

Bumblebee: *sits up with his hand to his head* Wooo...

Ratchet: Easy, Bumblebee...

Bumblebee: *on his feet now, angry and upset* Beebeebeewoowoowoo!

Raf: You're not useless, Bumblebee.

Keepsake: *standing over by her sister. Thoughtful look on her face as she absently bites the end off a boomstick and munches it*

Eclipse: *was about to chime in with something, but watching Keepsake do that just weirded her out* *surprised noise*

Optimus: *distracted by the orange femme* What is it, Eclipse?

Bumblebee: *looks over* ??

Eclipse: Keepie, why're you eating that? It's not noms...

WakeJumper: Bhuh? *scanning Keepsake now*

Ratchet: *distracted from trying to explain why it's so dangerous to be without a T-Cog*

Muhlisha: *leans forward to look around her teammates* What's she eatin'?

Keepsake: *blinking at the sudden attention, then looks down at what's in her hand* ...I'm hungry, alright?

Muhlisha: Sheesh, no wonder you've been hurlin' lately.

Eclipse: But that's not noms...

WakeJumper: Er... Eclipse is right... A boomstick's not noms...

Ratchet: *frowns and moves to scan Keepsake*

Keepsake: *spark showing increased energy output... and a very high concentration of alien code in one particular spot on the side of it* It ain't like it's gonna hurt me. *scowls at her fellow medics and has another bite*

Raf: *from back on the examining table* ...Is she going to blow up?

Bumblebee: Wooo...

Ratchet: *small frown* No... But I'm seeing a very high concentration of unfamiliar coding in one spot on the side of her spark...

Eclipse: *wibbleflail!*

WakeJumper: *acks as he's nearly walloped in the midsection by flaily mate*

Keepsake: ...What kinda unfamiliar code? *shifty optics*

Ratchet: I'm not sure... It doesn't look like anything I've ever seen before...

WakeJumper: *scanning* *blink blink* ... There's other code mixed all through Keepie's... *surprised look for sister-in-law* When'd you go and get bonded?

Keepsake: *mouth open. Mouth shut* .>_.> No slaggin' idea whatcher talkin' about, Wake.

WakeJumper: *Look for Keepsake* There's your coding, then there's another string of coding that's not yours mixed in with your coding... and then there's that spot of concentrated coding.

Eclipse: *blink blink* *headtilt. Is puzzling something over in her processor* Wait a minute... Is that why Wake and I were so zonked that time?

Ratchet: *quietly* The concentration of coding has a strong mix of both your coding... and your mate's... Your spark frequency is that of a bonded femme, Keepsake... *over a private comm to the femme* //I think it would be a good idea to speak with Perceptor...// *recognizes the additional coding now that he's had a second look*

Torque: ... So Keepie tied the knot, huh? *amused*

Keepsake: *as her sister chatters and demands answers* I... am gonna hurl. *turns and races out of the room* //PERCEPTOR YOU SCRAPLET KISSIN' SLAGGER, WHAT THE FLYING SCRAP DID YOU DO TO ME??//

Miko: But you guys don't get pregnant.

Jack: *stare at you, Miko!*

Raf: *ditto*

Muhlisha: *even adds an open mouth to her stare at Miko*

Denver: ...So she's knocked up?

Optimus: *to Denver* ...Our kind don't get pregnant. *sounds uncertain and is looking at Ratchet* *wants to know what is happening*

Ratchet: ... I think it would be best to send Keepsake to Fixer...

Perceptor: *is that startled sound as he suddenly appears right there in the control room*

Eclipse: *startled 'eeeek', jumps to mate's arms!*

Jack: Whoa!

Bulkhead: *just nearly blew away Cybertron's finest scientist*

Witchblade: *folds her blades back* o.0

Optimus: ...Perceptor? What are you doing here?

Perceptor: *looks like he's about to faint* I... I...

Muhlisha: *goes and props him up* Somethin' wrong at Tau?

Perceptor: *stammering about Keepsake yelling, bit of a flail*

Miko: *hands on hips as she leans forward and frowns at the slender red bot* Did you and Keepsake make little baby robots?

Jack: *ded of embarrassment*

Perceptor: *ditto. And in severe danger of overheating*

Ratchet: Miko... *headshake. Moves to guide the panicky scientist out of the room and towards Keepsake*

Keepsake: *crouched over a toxic waste container, one hand against the wall as she tries to keep from keeling over. Just urked till she saw triple and her processor mounts were protesting the extra PSI*

Perceptor: Oh, dear... *hurrying over to Keepsake to fuss over her*

Keepsake: *blinks blearily* *quietly, sounding dazed and scared* Percy, what'd you do ta me?

Perceptor: *trying to keep calm, despite being just as scared* I'm sure there's a logical explanation for what is going on... *in other words, he has no idea why this is happening*

Keepsake: *leans against him, and she's shaking. And going to cry. She never cries*

Ratchet: *as Perceptor holds Keepsake close* I think it would be a good idea to speak with Fixer...

Perceptor: *quietly* Yes... I think you are right, Ratchet... *will gently rub Keepsake's back and circulate air*

Keepsake: *soft static as she huddles against her mate with shuttered optics and cries* Gonna kick my slaggin' aft ta scrap.

Perceptor: *softly* Then she shall have to do similar to me... *nope. Still not going to cuss*

Ratchet: *gently* Let's get you two back to Tau... *pushing the quietly smug feeling at being right about the couple to the back of his processor for now*

Perceptor: *small nod, will do his best to gently urge Keepsake to her feet*

Keepsake: *is surprisingly easily led. Utterly freaked and in mortal dread of confessing to her Mentor that she's done a dumb. She's not sure how she did one, but she must have*

Perceptor: *gentle backrubbing and soft reassurances*

Ratchet: Stay safe...

Perceptor: *another small nod, then he's activating his teleporter and bringing Keepsake back to Tau*

Ratchet: *soft sigh, will move to return to the control room*

Optimus: *looks toward him from where she'd been speaking to Beau, June, and the three older children* How are they?

Ratchet: They've returned to Tau to speak to Fixer... *quietly, over a private channel* //And I was right about them being a couple, Optimus... Not only that... They're a devoted one...// *doesn't sound the least bit smug about it, as he's more concerned about what's going on with Keepsake, and is trying to think of a solution to help Bumblebee*

Optimus: *head lifts with surprise, and there's wonder on her scarred countenance* //...Wow.//

June: *concerned expression* Do you have any idea what's wrong with Keepsake, Ratchet?

Ratchet: *headshake* I'm hoping Fixer will be contacting us soon to clarify what's going on...

Optimus: *quietly* Perceptor's spark has undergone experimentation, and been exposed to adverse energies.

Ratchet: ... *quietly* That's right...

Miko: Whoa, she's talking like she used to.

Jack: Stick a sock in it, Miko.

Eclipse: *wibble*

Ratchet: *quietly, over comms to Eclipse, and out loud* Keepsake is indeed bonded...

Eclipse: *more wibble, small nod, will get picked up by WakeJumper and cuddled*

June: ...She's married? To that red guy?

Ratchet: *nods* Perceptor is an honorable mech... And it's obvious that he cares deeply for Keepsake.

June: *turns toward Beau without realizing what she's doing, her hand slipping toward him*

Denver: ...Isn' 'e 'n ol' gah?

Beau: *staring at Denver as he reaches for June's hand*

Ratchet: *quietly* Age differences do not matter once both parties are consenting adults... *doesn't realize he's reaching for Optimus as he speaks, has scooped a napping Hot Rod out of the Prima's chair during the conversation*

Denver: ... *looking back and forth between Optimus and Ratchet* *slight quirk of a grin* 'Re y'all gonna be gettin' mushy? 'Cause 'f y'all 're, Ah'm outta 'eah.

Optimus: Stay out of trouble. *yes, that's a spark of humour as she puts her free arm around her mate and lowers her cheek to his helm*

Denver: *laughs and scoots for a different part of the control room*

Beau: *BLUSHING massively now, because he's pretty sure some of that Denversnark was aimed at June and himself as well*

Miko: Ewww! Wait for me, Denver! *after her friend*

Jack: *just grins at his mom, and then skids down the ladder to go check on Arcee*


Later, that night...


Optimus: *sighs and lifts her head from her pillow* Ratchet, are you awake?

Ratchet: *groggy sound* 'M awake now...

Optimus: *winces* Sorry.

Ratchet: *moving to sit up* Is something wrong? *concerned, and still not quite awake, but awake enough to be functional*

Optimus: *stops his movement by pulling him close* I'm worried about Bumblebee. *turns head as the scout's pacing footsteps come from the hall outside*

Ratchet: *small nod* *quietly* If we cannot locate his T-Cog... There is one other option...

Optimus: *lays head back down and frowns at him slightly, her optics glowing softly in the darkness of their room* What do you mean?

Ratchet: *quietly* A transplant from a willing donor...

Optimus: ...But that would only transfer the problem.

Ratchet: *quieter* It's not as though I'm much use on the battlefield, Optimus. I'm no warrior model...

Optimus: *sucks air through her intakes* Ratchet, no.

Ratchet: I would be better suited to remain here, doing repairs and basic maintenance, Optimus...

Optimus: *cuddles him, frowning as she ponders what he's saying*

Ratchet: *softly* Bumblebee needs a T-Cog... And we need our scout...

Optimus: *sighs* Alright. But please, not till morning. *comms Bumblebee and tells him that Ratchet's thought of a solution to his problem. Then tells the yellow bot to go to bed. Now*

Ratchet: Alright... *snuggles*

Optimus: *softly and sadly* You still blame yourself about Bumblebee's voice box.

Ratchet: *quietly* I just wish there was more I could have done back then...

Optimus: It's not your fault that there wasn't. *arms tighten around him protectively*

Ratchet: *soft sigh, hides his face against her*

Optimus: *nuzzles his helmet, and then kisses it gently, wishing that she could wipe the sadness from the sparks of all of her people. Also grieving silently that she can't even brighten the spark of one she loves more than her own life*

WakeJumper: *can be heard talking softly to Eclipse as he carries her to quarters*

Ratchet: *soft 'heh' as he hears WakeJumper, will move to nuzzle Optimus' cheek and shutter his optics*

Optimus: *hand slips to his back and rubs gently as she turns her attention from his helmet to his face. Small peck* //Rest now, love.//

Ratchet: *gentle kiss, and then he's snuggling close and sighing softly as he falls asleep*

Optimus: *blinks, feeling just a little disappointed that additional energy sharing has proved to be unneeded, but then settles down to join her husband in slumber*


Next morning


Muhlisha: *opens the door and looks in. Softly* Optimus? Ratch? Hey.

Ratchet: *just starting to wake up*

Optimus: *slowly turns her head and lifts it as Panacea crackles grumpily from the sparklets' bed* What is it, Muhlisha?

Muhlisha: There's a distress signal on the screen. It's Autobot, 'n he says he needs help.

Optimus: *startles, then gently pushes Ratchet away and sits up*

Ratchet: *awake and moving to get up* What are the coordinates?

Hot Rod: *soft little clickstorm of greeting for Panacea, as well as snuggles*

Muhlisha: *as she glances toward the little crate, where Sam kitty just got his first tail yank of the day from Panacea, she relates the coordinates*

Optimus: *up and gently pushing past the much smaller femme to go look at the screen* Panacea, don't hurt Sam.

Panacea: Thrrpt! *pull kitty tail*

Sam: *holds on and pretends to still be asleep*

Hot Rod: *gently mashing Sam's ears in morning greeting*

Ratchet: *moving to pick up the sparklets and Sam, will bring them to the control room* What do you see, Optimus?

Optimus: *lips pressed together with concern* We've got to go now. His signal is weakening.

Muhlisha: He says he crash landed after runnin' inta somethin'. *glance toward the balcony as someone moves there*

Optimus: *looks that way as well and sees Denver sitting up on the older couch and absently tucking her orange bat doll into a pocket on her hoodie* Denver, will you take care of Panacea and Hot Rod?

Denver: Sure. *grumbles and argues with her doll a bit more*

Ratchet: *moves to put the sparklets and the cat on the couch with Denver. Then he's running to grab his field kit*

Fuzzbutt: *loudly, from the crate by Denver's couch* Purk purk purk purk! *good mornings everybody!*

Beau: *awake now!* *groggy blinking* 'S 't morning?

Panacea: *massive bitty yawn as she lays back and cuddles her rag doll* Thrrp thrrpt.

Optimus: Didn't you go home last night, Beau? *frowns*

Beau: *rubbing at his eyes a bit* I would have, but I couldn't get Denver to come back with me....

Ratchet: *back with the field kit, and opening the ground bridge*

Optimus: I see. *affectionate and mildly amused look for the tall teen* We should be back soon. I love you, Panacea.

Panacea: Mrrp. *snuggles and shutters optics*

Optimus: *transforms and roars through the bridge after her husband*

WakeJumper: *making his way to the control room, Eclipse tucked under one arm* ... *yawns and moves to get situated on a crate so he can do monitor duty*

Muhlisha: *looks at WakeJumper. Then smacks him one* Gi' backta bed. Yer trashed.

WakeJumper: *startles and almost drops Eclipse, who makes a sleepy sound in protest* *bleary* But I've got monitor duty.....

Muhlisha: *snort* Nope. Still my shift.

WakeJumper: ... *sleepy blink blink* ....Oh.... 'Kay.... *shifts Eclipse a bit, and wanders back to quarters*

Denver: *as Hot Rod snuggles against her and Panacea* Doofus....


That afternoon


Bumblebee: *reports that Optimus says that she and Ratchet will be out longer, but that the damaged bot will recover*

Muhlisha: *doesn't look up from her cards* Shway. I bet eight.

Torque: *frowning at his cards and trying to determine if he should match Muhlisha's bet or not*

WakeJumper: Alright.... I see your bet, 'Lisha.... and raise you one. *adds to the pot*

Bulkhead: You bet like an old woman.

Muhlisha: But I don't hit like one.

Bulkhead: *throws down his bet*

Eclipse: *earlights going rapidfire as she mumbles and muses.... which is totally giving away that she's got a pretty good hand*

WakeJumper: *as he gently nudges Eclipse's foot with his own* Wonder who it was that crashed?

Muhlisha: Yer guess's as good as mine. *glances toward a Bumblebee meep* Oh, hey, Fixer.

Fixer: *scowls from the screen* //Where's the bot in charge?//

Muhlisha: *nods toward where Beau's laying on one of the couches with Panacea sitting on his chest and stuffing beer nuts into his mouth one at a time* Squishy guy.

Beau: *brows up, slight tip of his head. Has a mouthful of peanuts, so all he can manage is a curious glance*

Fixer: *gives him a long look as Panacea frowns and crackles at her* Taubot CMO Fixer.

Beau: *works on quickly chewing and swallowing the mouthful of peanuts before he answers* Lt. Col. Beau MacKenzie.... Is there something that needs taken care of on our end, Fixer?

Fixer: *acerbically* How should I know? *snort* I'm reporting about Keepsake.

Eclipse: *perks up at that*

Panacea: *amused little crackle and offers another nut*

Beau: *as he accepts the offered nut* How is she?

Fixer: Pregnant.

Bulkhead: *stare for the screen*

Witchblade: Ewwwww! *giggle*

Eclipse: *blink blink* But I thought we couldn't get pregnant....

WakeJumper: *bit of a frown*

Fixer: Yeah, well. Perceptor's a freak. *ends call*

Bulkhead: ...Nice.

Eclipse: ....That's kinda mean.... Perceptor's really nice, and he tries so hard to be polite and mind his manners..... *and here she goes off on a tangent*

Beau: *over Eclipse's rambling* Just what does she mean by "Perceptor's a freak."?

WakeJumper: *shrugs* I'm guessing his spark's odd or something.... Torque, either bet, or fold.

Torque: Yeah, yeah.... *bets*

Hot Rod: *clickstorm! Has found SHINY STUFF over here behind the crates!*

Muhlisha: *puts down her cards* *has royal flush*

WakeJumper: .... Scrap. *grumbles and lays his cards down. Has a straight*

Eclipse: *ramble, flail, and there go her cards..... Full house, all over the floor*

Torque: *lays his cards out. Straight flush*

Bulkhead: *blink blink, looks at his cards, and then lays out another flush*

Muhlisha: What's got Roddy so yappy over there?

Torque: I'll go check. *up and heading over to see what's got the little sparklet clickstorming*

Hot Rod: *found some of the change that Denver dropped the other day while she and Miko were rough-housing*

Fuzzbutt: *purks and pecks at the coins* *is one of Hot Rod's brave adventuring party!*

Sam: Row row miao! *sniff sniff* *is the other brave adventurer... the narrator*

Torque: He found treasure. *chuckles

Hot Rod: *sniffing one of the pennies.... before nomming it*

Torque: *scans the coins that look like what Hot Rod just ate before chuckling and offering a different treat in exchange for one* Copper compounds....

Muhlisha: *glances over at an alert from the computer* Speakin' 'a treasure. There goes another 'Bot beacon. Bots transform 'n roll out. You okay here, Mac?

Beau: Yeah. I'll get the bridge open when you need it...

Muhlisha: Sweet. *transforms and then thumps into Bulkhead* Getcher big aft outta my face.

Bulkhead: *horn honk of surprise that sets Witchblade to giggling, and then grumbles and moves aside*

Bumblebee: *comes running in* Beebeewoobwil? *where are you going? Can he go?*

WakeJumper: We got another beacon....

Eclipse: *wibble* *wasn't able to get very far on her idea for replacing Bumblebee's T-Cog*

Muhlisha: Help Mac hold down the fort, Bee. Ratch'll be back soon. *slight tire squeal as the sturdy little vehicle guns through the space bridge*

WakeJumper: *patpats Bumblebee's shoulder, and then he's transforming and taking off after the retreating tailgate of Torque*

Eclipse: *torn between keeping 'Bee company and making sure the team has backup*

Bumblebee: *sighs and gives her a gentle push toward the bridge*

Eclipse: *wibble, hug* *and then she's transforming and tearing off after her mate*

Bumblebee: *sighs and goes to see what Hot Rod's doing*

Hot Rod: *offers pennies* :3

Panacea: *meanwhile has resumed stuffing beer nuts into Unca Beau's pie hole* :D

Optimus and Ratchet's signatures: *suddenly vanish from the screen*

Beau: *looks* *muffled* What the?

Bumblebee: *head around the crates* Bwee?

Beau: Bumblebee, can you check the monitors? I think they're malfunctioning.... Optimus and Ratchet aren't showing up anymore.....

Bumblebee: *scoots over and works the keyboard, careful of the bitty bot clinging to his left doorwing and the cat and turkey sitting on his shoulder and his head* Bwoooo.....

Hot Rod: *just about to give Bumblebee's doorwing a curious taste test*

Bumblebee: *squeal of distress and looks at Beau with frightened optics* *Optimus and Ratchet are gone!*

Panacea: *startles at the squeal and puckers up her face to cry*

Beau: *sits up and holds Panacea close* .... So it's not a malfunction.... *expression serious in an instant* Call Mulisha's team back.

Bumblebee: *keys in commands and then beeps urgently at the screen*

Muhlisha: *is a muffled grunt* //Wake, you and 'Clipsie go. And don't fraggin' fall.//

Witchblade: *in the background* //Oh, good hit, Bulky! Bash him again!//

WakeJumper: //Eclipse! Quit trying to scratch Knockout's finish!//

Eclipse: //But it's so shiny!//

WakeJumper: //Save it for another day. Bumblebee, Lt. Col, ground bridge.//

Bumblebee: *just dumped Beau on the keyboard so that he could help with things. Now puts Roddy on the couch with the pets and Panacea*

Beau: *moving to help get the ground bridge open*

WakeJumper: *all but carrying Eclipse through the bridge once it's open* What's the situation?

Bumblebee: *flailing and hopping and gesturing, but way too excited to make sense*

Eclipse: *scoots over to Bumblebee and tries to make sense of what the scout is telling her*

Beau: *to WakeJumper* Optimus and Ratchet's signatures vanished from the monitor.... It's not a malfunction.

WakeJumper: ... *moving to check where the last known coordinates for the pair happened to be* *small frown* No energon mines in the immediate area, and no military hardware of any sort.... So it's not 'Con interest....

Bumblebee: *angry squeal and tries to push WakeJumper out of the way so he can activate a ground bridge*

WakeJumper: *quietly, with a bit of an edge to his voice that's usually NEVER there* No. Not alone.

Bumblebee: *hopping with anger* *let's just GO!*

WakeJumper: *on comms with Muhlisha and Bulkhead* //Optimus and Ratchet have been abducted by MECH. Groundbridge to these coordinates when you're done playing.// *transmits the coordinates* Beau, stay on standby. The others will need a bridge there. *opening a ground bridge to the coordinates* *saws out* Let's go.

Eclipse: *moving to follow.... and to urge 'Bee towards the bridge as well*

Bumblebee: *just raced right through*

WakeJumper: *running through, Eclipse hot on his heels*

Bumblebee: *pulls up and looks around the wooded area they've come out into, then growls and points to footprints on the ground- prints of what look like giant high heels*

Eclipse: .... *rare growl of her own* Starscream.

WakeJumper: *optics narrowing. And then he's pointing to a building with a rather conspicuous hole in it* There.

Bumblebee: *squeal!* *points the other direction*

WakeJumper: *looks, scanning as he does so*

Eclipse: *and now the lower half of her face is covered by a mask similar to Wheeljack's or Optimus'* So which way do we go, and who gets to go where?

Bumblebee: *is running toward where two forms lay crumpled near one another. Drops to his knees beside the bigger one and shakes it anxiously*

WakeJumper: *hurrying over. Scans the prone couple.... and then his armor's raising as he bristles with barely controlled anger* They've.... Their sparks....

Eclipse: ... *relaying this to Muhlisha and Beau, earlights dim*

Muhlisha: //WHAT???// *yes, you just heard the laconic Wrecker Captain yell*

WakeJumper: *looking around and scanning, before he's stomping off with grim determination on his face*

Eclipse: //Optimus and Ratchet's shells have been de-sparked! And Wake's TICKED.// *extra emphasis on 'TICKED' might be a clue as to how angry the big mech is*

Muhlisha: //Mac, where's the bridge?//

Witchblade: *in the background* //We're gonna go kick MECH's $@#$@#s, and youuuuu can't play-ay!//

Knockout: *fainter* //Breakdown, where are you going? They SCRATCHED MY FINISH!//

Beau: *sounding just a bit shaken, but with a quiet seriousness to his voice* //In three, two, one. Also, I am authorizing the use of deadly force if necessary.// *and then there's a ground bridge portal*

Muhlisha: *is the sound of an engine roar*

MECH: *fighting back with all they have, which includes some human directed mecha suits, at least one of which can transform*

Bumblebee: *throwing things with grim accuracy*

Eclipse: *lobbed a couple of boomsticks, is now hunkered down behind a makeshift barricade with optics far too bright as she tracks WakeJumper's progress*

WakeJumper: *not even being shot at repeatedly is slowing him down.... And if anyone tries comming him, they'll be met with radio silence. It seems the big medic has snapped....*

Torque: *rushing in as he tends to do, given the chance*

Muhlisha: *right over a drone mecha without stopping, and then transforms and ducks as Breakdown sails over her head*

Witchblade: *soars in... and there went the roof*

roof: *tumbles away as though hit by a tornado*

Bulkhead: *BIG BOOM*

WakeJumper: *doesn't even notice. Is too busy being DOOM*

Eclipse: *dings Muhlisha's comm* //Don't... Don't get in Wake's way.... F-Full Aggro....//

Muhlisha: *turns her head and her optics are white* //We've ben given the kill order.//

Eclipse: *quietly* //N-Nullify the threat....// *flinches as another round finds its mark on WakeJumper and the mech just keeps going*

MECH goon: *panicky over there* He just keeps coming!

Bulkhead: Autobots don't kill! *scowls at WakeJumper* Hey, Wake, snap outta it!

Torque: *breaking slag, at least until he gets knocked aside after accidentally getting in WakeJumper's path* *startled string of cursing*

Eclipse: //C-Can't hear you.... T-Too f-far gone...//

Bumblebee: *beeping vituperation over where he's gotten hold of a pipe and is going to town on the transforming mecha*

WakeJumper: *charging some of the piloted mecha now, caring not that he's bleeding from several places by this point*

Eclipse: *much cringing from behind her makeshift barricade. Even if WakeJumper can't feel his injuries right now, she can, and she's starting to get light-headed*

Muhlisha: *suddenly plows into WakeJumper from behind in vehicle mode*

WakeJumper: *growls and lashes out at whatever attacked him*

Eclipse: //K-Knock m-me out first....//

Breakdown: *pauses and looks down at the little femme* *frown* Huh?

Eclipse: *shaking, but not from fear... if the fact that she's still got a boomstick in hand, ready to throw is any indication* *over the team line* //'N get.... B-Breakdown...//

Torque: *back in the fray!*

Breakdown: *looks at Eclipse. Looks at WakeJumper. KO Eclipse*

WakeJumper: *and now he looks a bit confused as he feels Eclipse black out*

Muhlisha: Wake!

WakeJumper: *turns to the noise*

Muhlisha: *flying snapkick to the head!*

WakeJumper: *and down he goes*

Muhlisha: *turns toward the MECH forces* *you guys just saw what this little bitty lady did to the big destroyer. You wanna meet her any closer?*

MECH forces who aren't trying to get their injured comrades: *backing up a bit*

Muhlisha: *lowers her head and charges*

MECH forces: *trying to beat a hasty retreat* *and one of them knocked a container over in his haste to escape*

Breakdown: *pauses in following up Muhlisha and Torque's mayhem to pick up the container* ...What's this?

Torque: *final touches to some mayhem, slows to a stop to shrug as he looks at the container* No idea... 'Lisha? Bulky? Either of you know?

Witchblade: *hovers overhead* ... Shiny.

Bulkhead: *scowls and looks, then gapes* Sparks! Gimme!

Breakdown: So this is Prima? *rotten grin*

Torque: 'Lisha, he's got Optimus. *said that so calmly....*

Bumblebee: *pipe to the head!*

Muhlisha: *catches the container* No he don't.

Breakdown: *faceplant*

Torque: ... *looks to Bumblebee* Bonus points! *cackle*

Bumblebee: Beweeeoooo .>/

Torque: *moves to see if there's still enough of that one mecha 'Bee was working over to stomp on for laughs*

Bumblebee: *looks around, and then quickly pushes Torque aside with an angry squeal*

Torque: Whoah! Alright, alright. I'll go find my own stuff to stomp on...

Bumblebee: *opens up the chest of the drone and then wibbles as he carefully lifts a dull and broken T-cog from it*

Muhlisha: Oh scrap.

Torque: .... *moves to put a hand on Bumblebee's shoulder* We'll find a way to fix it.... Even if we have to drag.... *expression brightens* 'Rail.

Bumblebee: *looks up* Wooo?

Muhlisha: *calling for Beau to open the bridge, and for Bulkhead to start carrying bodies through as soon as it opens*

Beau: *getting the bridge open*

Torque: One of the medics on Tau. Fixer trained him, and he's put my sorry can back together more times than I can count, including that one time I fell in the trash compactor.

Muhlisha: Both times. *carries the container past her husband and through the bridge*

Torque: *blink blink, shrug, trusts Muhlisha to know for certain* Right. And he's the one who patched me up after Wake got that barge parked on him and went bonkers... *will try to urge Bumblebee through the bridge, and then he's moving to help Bulkhead with the bodies*

Bulkhead: *has decided to move WakeJumper first, in case he decides to wake up* Get Optimus.

Torque: Gotcha. *scoots to do so*

WakeJumper: *it would take a miracle for him to wake up right now*

Bulkhead: *hauls him through*


That night


Keepsake: *sitting curled in Optimus' chair in front of the screens, her expression absent and uneasy. Is alone in the control room except for the kids and the sparklets*

'Rail: *laughing about something Torque either said or did*

Perceptor: *retreating from the infirmary, is blushing just a bit*

Denver: *is one with her sulk*

Keepsake: *looks over her shoulder toward the laughter and her mate's feeling, then turns to frown at the tall teen*

Jack: *pat pat for Denver* *quietly* They said they'd be alright.

Denver: *sullenly* Wh'tevah. *is going to be a bundle of moodiness for now, it seems*

Miko: Yeah, that 'Rail guy seems to know what he's doing...

Raf: *looks toward the laughter from where he's sitting and holding Panacea and her doll* *pushes up glasses* ...Did he just fart?

Keepsake: *quietly* Nope. He does the noise with his hands.

Hot Rod: *scoots over to Keepie and offers her some of his shinies*

Keepsake: *winces* No thanks, kid. Offer Pansy.

Hot Rod: *puzzled clicks, and then he's scooting over to do just that*

Pansy: *crackles displeasure and hides her face. Not talking to you, Roddy. Wants Mama*

Denver: *feels the same way, Pansy* *so much sulk*

Hot Rod: *so confused* *bitty little chirp*

Jack: *reaches toward the little guy* Hey, Roddy, c'mere.

Hot Rod: *oh, is it snuggles? Scoots over to Jack*

Jack: *lifts the little guy up into his lap, accidentally booting Miko in the process* There we go. Hey, what've you got, huh?

Hot Rod: *clickstorms over Miko's startled squeak* *shows Jack all the shinies he found behind the wooden thingies*

Jack: *blinks and pokes at an aluminum whistle shaped like a dog* ...Denver, isn't this the money you were saving for that pellet gun?

Denver: ... *soft grumble*

Jack: Can I have this, Roddy? *points to the whistle*

Hot Rod: *blink blink, looks, nods. Taste-tested it already, and found it wasn't nommy*

Jack: *picks it up and studies it, and then looks sideways at Denver*

Raf: *leaning against Denver, notices the look* What?

Jack: *quietly* So this wasn't lost.

Denver: *small frown*

Jack: *pokes it into her hand without saying anything else, then looks up as Perceptor comes into the room*

Raf: *also looks up, perking hopefully* How are they?

Perceptor: *quietly, with a faint blush* Optimus Prima and Chief Medical Officer Ratchet are.... *more blush, mumble*

Denver: *scowl for the scientist* *snaps* 'Re wh't?

Raf: *pushes up his glasses as he waits intently*

Jack: *lifts his brows as he too waits*

Perceptor: *more blush* W-well, y-you see.... D-due to their p-proximity within the container....

Keepsake: *sighs* Just bonded? Not fused?

Jack: 0.0

Perceptor: *nods*

Denver: ...

Raf: .... *grin* They're married?

Perceptor: *silent for a few moments as he looks up the unfamiliar term* *blink blink* I... suppose that is one way of describing it....

Keepsake: *tiredly* It's what they call it around here, Percy. How're the others?

Raf: *excuse him, Denver. He's got to stand up and happy dance just a little now*

Perceptor: 'Rail was able to disable the aggression subroutines that were running in WakeJumper's processor, and repaired Eclipse.... They are currently resting.... And some progress has been made in repairing Bumblebee's T-Cog....

Raf: *pause* Some? What do you mean?

Perceptor: Bumblebee is able to transform, though it will take some time before he will be fully battle ready once more....

Bumblebee: *suddenly burns into the room with a squeal of tires, then throws a door open and honks his horn insistently*

Raf: *starts toward the ladder, but then stops and looks at Denver to see if she wants him to stay*

Denver: *quietly* Go 'head...

Raf: *gives her that bright little grin and then turns and hurtles down the ladder and then into Bumblebee's cab* I don't care. Anywhere!

Bumblebee: *rev rev roar GONE!*

Keepsake: I'm gonna hurl.

Perceptor: *startled sound, and then he's scrambling for a bucket*

Jack: *arm up in front of his face defensively* Eeeuch...

Hot Rod: *chatter, chirp, babble!*

Keepsake: *turns her shoulder toward the kids, but uses the bucket in earnest*

Perceptor: *holding the bucket steady and gently rubbing her back, is quite worried*

Keepsake: *leaning against him dizzily when she's finished* *very quietly* I hate you.

Perceptor: *soft, concerned sound* *quietly* Would you like to be brought to your quarters?

Keepsake: ...Do I got quarters? *face hidden against him*

Jack: *breathing through his shirt now. Urked whatever-Keepsake-ate smells!*

Perceptor: *quietly, as he continues to rub Keepsake's back* I believe you mentioned them shortly before you returned prior to your most recent visit.....

Miko: *don't mind her, she's just busy over there making gagging sounds from the smell*

Arcee: *wandering into the control room. Is awake, though still a bit groggy* .... *bleary blinking for a few moments before she moves to deal with the bucket*

Jack: *sees her and hurries down from the balcony to go see how she's doing*

Keepsake: *...hasn't answered Perceptor yet*

Perceptor: *concerned, will gently fuss over Keepsake*

Arcee: *just about to ask Jack why everyone seems so down.... and then Rockface collides with a door jamb* *flinch*

Keepsake: *awake!* What the fragging frozen pit?? *scowling toward that donk*

Panacea: *crackles grouchy tiny agreement and takes a swing at Hot Rod*

Hot Rod: *startled squawk*

Perceptor: *as Rockface sheepishly makes his way down the hallway* It would appear Rockface is awake as well...

Keepsake: *quiet vituperation as she hides her face again*

Jack: *frowning as he and Arcee come back* *looks up at Rockface* ...Are you alright?

Rockface: *sheepish grin* Yeah.... Wasn't watching where I was going....

Arcee: *rolls her optics and shakes her head a bit before moving to give the clean bucket back to Perceptor*

Perceptor: *nods his thanks and turns his attention back to gently rubbing Keepsake's back*

Keepsake: *lifts her head and looks up at Arcee* ...You burped Raf.

Arcee: ... *raised brow ridge* What are you talking about, Keepsake? *is just a bit confused by what she's seeing, and what was said*

Keepsake: Slaggin' ask Miko. She told me. I'm too busy being fraggin' mornin' sick. *hides face on Perceptor again*

Arcee: .... Morning sick? *nooo idea what that even is*

Perceptor: *soothing murmurs and more gentle backrubbing*

Jack: *sighs* Yeah, Arcee... yesterday morning you came out into the control room, picked Raf up, and patted his back. Then you put him down and went back to bed. Uhh... and 'morning sick' is when a pregnant woman... tends to get sick a lot. *so red in the face as he rubs the back of his neck*

Arcee: .... *facepalming now*

Rockface: *blink blink* *looks to Keepsake with a raised brow ridge* ..... So you're knocked up?

Keepsake: *taps Perceptor without moving her face* He did it.

Jack: *sneaking off down the hall now...*

'Rail: *ack, little squishy thing! Fancy footwork to avoid Jack* *was just coming to tell whoever the highest-ranked 'Bot at the moment is that WakeJumper would be back on his feet in time for next shift change*

Rockface: *as Jack yelps and skedaddles* Hey, 'Rail. What's up?

'Rail: *bewildered look as he watches Jack skedaddle* Just checkin' in.... Wake'll be back on 'is feet fer the next shift change.... Won't be up fer battlin', but 'e'll be good fer watchin' stuff.... I'll stick 'round till then though, 'n case anyone gets busted up in th' meantime......

Arcee: *deep frown* Where's Ratchet? ...And where's Optimus?

'Rail: Sleepin' off their bondin' funk. They ain't gonna be good fer nothin' fer a few days, at least.

Arcee: *boggling a bit now* They bonded?

Jack: *is back* Yeeaah. I don't think they had much choice. *sigh*

Arcee: ... *frown and look at Jack* What happened?

Jack: *lifts his head and scowls* MECH happened.

Arcee: ....

Rockface: ...Did we miss a fight or something?

Miko: Or something.... *now has a Hot Rod clinging to her back*

Jack: Yeah. *looks away* First they got Bumblebee's T-Cog. And then there was a distress signal, and when Optimus and Ratchet answered it they... MECH took their sparks.

Keepsake: *cusses about that, quietly and thoroughly*

Arcee: ... *scowling darkly now*

Rockface: Scrap.... Are they okay?

'Rail: *as he moves to sit down on a crate* Yeah. 'Side from bein' all loopy 'n junk... If they'd'a been in that box any longer, I would'a had'a fused couple ta separate.

Keepsake: *snark* You would'a had a can 'a high grade ta chug and then whine about till somebody took pity on yer scrap yard aft 'n did the job for ya.

'Rail: *snark* Like slag, I would, femme! Who was it 'gain who put yer arm back on when ya blew it off that one time 'n were too zonked ta do it yerself? Oh, wait, that's right, it was me!

Perceptor: *bit of a 'meep' sound, is trying to stay calm*

Keepsake: *silence, and then a sudden twist and grab for the bucket* HURK!

Jack: *arm over nose again* Oh yeah, and Keepsake and Perceptor are married.

Arcee: *as Perceptor fusses over Keepsake* That... explains a lot, really. *closed her intakes!*

Rockface: ... Huh... Never would'a guessed it.... *ditto!*

Keepsake: *groans and holds bucket away from her* Gonna kick yer *grumble grumble* through your *Bleeep!*, 'Rail.

Miko: 0.0 *at what Keepsake just said*

Denver: *snerk. Is going to remember that one for later*

Perceptor: *one with his blush*

Jack: .>_o That... would hurt.

Arcee: Juuust a bit.... .>.>;;

Rockface: *as he moves to get the bucket* Yeah.... But prolly not as much as anything Fixer could do to ya if she was mad enough.....

Miko: *grumble grump* And Fixer called and we missed it. *holding hands with her backpack*

Rockface: *as he moves to carry the bucket out* Okay then....

Bulkhead: *wanders in from outside, Witchblade sleeping under one arm* *blink blink* Op... 'n Ratch?

'Rail: Sleepin' off their bondin' funk. *has a feeling he'll be repeating himself at least once more before the end of the shift*

Bulkhead: *ponders this a bit before it sinks in* ...'Bee?

'Rail: Left inna hurry.

Denver: 'E took Raf f'r a joyrahd. *fleeting quirk of a grin before she's back to sulking*

Bulkhead: YES! Whoa... *weeble* *blink blink* ...Wake?

'Rail: Sleepin' while 'is repairs take. 'E'll be on monitor duty fer the next few shifts. 'Clipsie's prolly gonna wake up first though.

Bulkhead: *more pondering. Gets that sunk in and weebles a bit more* ...Keepie?

Miko: *kind of staring at you now, Bulkhead*

Hot Rod: *quiet little clickstorm*

'Rail: *dirty rotten stinker of a grin* *using the term Rockface did* Knocked up.

Rockface: *back with the cleaned bucket!*

Bulkhead: *reproving look for 'Rail* Knew that.

'Rail: *unrepentant grin*

Keepsake: *muffled* Still @#$#@$@ slaggin' hurkin'.

Bulkhead: *blink... blink. Sudden grin* Aha. *sways as he holds out one hand... and lo, the mech's found calcien somewhere*

'Rail: *snerk* Nice.

Perceptor: *quite surprised by that* *surprised, and pleased*

Bulkhead: Old... energon... *blink blink* Energon mine. Whoa... spinnin'.

'Rail: Siddown before ya 'urt yerself, Bulkhead.

Bulkhead: *blinks and moves the hand with the calcien in it*

Rockface: Here, lemme give that to Keepie.... *sets the bucket within the femme's reach and moves to grab the calcien*

Bulkhead: *big hand fills Rockface's smaller ones* Yeah... *optics look a bit odd*

Jack: *sees that, and intuition is getting him up onto the balcony with the girls and bitties*

Rockface: *scoots out of the way*

Arcee: *making sure nobody will get squished on accident*

Bulkhead: *suddenly face down with a thunderous crash that leaves Sam yowling, Fuzzbutt purking, and Panacea howling her angry protest*

Hot Rod: *clickstorming!*

'Rail: *cackle*

Denver: *gonna grab Panacea and baby dance*

Miko: *sounding just a bit shocked* How much did he have to drink?

Keepsake: *laughs till she urks, one hand flailing descriptively*

Rockface: He's kiss-drunk.... *so amused*

Jack: *sceptical* That drunk on kisses? I thought you guys bonded if you overdid it.

Rockface: Not with the way Witchy kisses....

'Rail: She can build up a charge 'n store it.... She's pretty good at stunnin' people... *chuckle*

Arcee: *frowns at mate* And how do you know so much about how she kisses?

Rockface: *sheepishly* I was her first weapons test.

'Rail: *snickerfit* She fried some'a 'is circuitry, 'n Fixer really let 'er 'ave it...

Arcee: .... *facepalm* That would happen to you, Rockface....

Rockface: Well, it's not like I asked her to kiss me....

'Rail: 'N it ain't like 'e was the only 'r last guy Witchy's kissed.....

Jack: *face in hands, muttering about TMI*

'Rail: *blink blink* Whaaat? What'd I say?

Miko: Didn't need to know that!

Keepsake: *holds out the bucket, groaning and grouching*

Arcee: *moves to empty the bucket again*

Bumblebee: *comes roaring in then, horn honking cheerfully as he escorts Beau's old sedan* *sudden meep and hurtles over Bulkhead and Witchblade in bot mode, Raf held safely in his hands*

Jack: *hands up* Ahhh!

'Rail: *on his feet*

Bumblebee: *rolls, gains feet, and then holds the boggle eyed Raf close as he walks back to examine the two insensate bots* Wooo...

'Rail: They're alright. Bulkhead's gonna 'ave an epic processor ache when 'e wakes up though. *chuckle*

Beau: *as he gets out and moves to open the passenger side door for June* I don't want to know.....

Keepsake: Like you wouldn' like June ta do it to you.

June: .>_<.

Beau: ..... *pinching the bridge of his nose now.... and his ears are bright red*

Denver: *snerks and turns her attention back to trying to calm Panacea's upset away*

Jack: *pinching the bridge of his nose. Yes he is*

Miko: ....Now that is TMI.

Keepsake: Thrrpt. *then lifts her head to show the wicked smirk on her face*

Perceptor: *fussing over her a bit more*

Keepsake: *looks right at Miko and Denver* You gotta be careful around nerds. Look what kissin' a nerd did ta me.

Jack: *both hands over his face now*

Denver: *hand going up*

Beau: Denver Annette MacKenzie, if you do that, I'm grounding you for a year.

June: 0.0

Bumblebee: Thrrpt. *carries Raf over and holds him near Denver*

Raf: *rolls his eyes but kisses her on the cheek. Then gives Panacea one too*

Panacea: *slap! Crackle!*

Denver: *blink blink, faint blush*

Raf: *pushes up his glasses and takes Panacea, totally unfazed by that slap* *soft murmurs for sad baby bot*

Panacea: ... *wibble, snuggle, crackle*

Keepsake: *slight, tired chuckle* Mac... do I got my own quarters? Or have I jes' ben storin' slag in a room?

Beau: I thought the room was yours....

Keepsake: Okay. *looks up at Perceptor* But there's nothin' in it.

Perceptor: *gently* We can rectify that.... But for now, I believe it would be best if you rested....

Keepsake: Yeah. *sighs wearily* Don't think I got the oomph ta walk.

'Rail: *frown* 'N Percy's not strong enough ta carry ya.... *moves to lift Keepsake* Tell me where ta go.

Rockface: Here.... *moves to put the calcien in a container. Will put the container in Perceptor's hands*

Perceptor: Ah, thank you, Rockface....

Keepsake: *just curls up slightly and shutters her optics. Is totally the opposite of her usual cheerfully caustic self*

June: *taps the insensate Bulkhead, then looks toward 'Rail and the others with concern* Are you sure she's going to be alright?

'Rail: Yeah. Jes' gotta keep 'er calm 'n make sure she gets the minerals 'n fuel she needs.

June: Would something warm help at all? And why is Bulkhead passed out here? *hasn't seen Witchblade yet*

'Rail: Might.... 'N Witchy 'appened.

June: ... Witch... *facepalm* And there's no one that can move him right now, is there?

'Rail: I might be able ta.... Maybe....

Keepsake: *soft, uncomfortable sound. Is in stasis*

'Rail: *moves to herd Perceptor down the hall to quarters*

Beau: *soft sigh* *looks to Denver* I've got your homework for the next week. The school has been notified that we're dealing with a family emergency.

Denver: *small nod, will move to gank Hot Rod*

Sam: Miao miao niowwwww... *sniffs Denver's feet*

Denver: *stoops so Hot Rod can reach for Sam*

Hot Rod: *clickstorm, yap, chatter!*

Miko: *just now realized Hot Rod was ganked* Heeey....

Sam: *stands up to bunt his head against Hot Rod, asking to be picked up and cuddled* Miao miao miao! *eyes so crossed as he cries*

Hot Rod: *can has kitty?*

Sam: *wuvs you, Roddy. Hear him talk about it?*

Fuzzbutt: *from his crate* Purk purk purk purk purk!

Beau: I've also got a big enclosure for Fuzzbutt, now that he's big enough to be picked up safely.... *moves to go get the parts out of the trunk*

Raf: *perks and looks over as Bumblebee beeps softly and leans over to look*

Jack: *looks around* Do we need tools?

Arcee: *amused headshake at Jack*

Beau: I've got the toolkit....

Jack: *comes down to the car to help Beau move the enclosure pieces up onto the balcony*

Rockface: *going to hunker down and get stuff and help too* So just how big is Fuzzbutt gonna get?

Beau: He'll be about fifteen to twenty pounds once he's fully grown....

Raf: *surprised expression. Then looks up at his best friend before turning back to the others* Bumblebee's surprised he'll be that big. *looks up again* No, Bee. There are a lot of birds bigger than that.

Bumblebee: *those expressive optics show his surprise. But they're not bright enough. This is one tired yellow scout*

Beau: Yeah.... Bumblebee, why don't you go get some rest? Torque and Muhlisha should be back soon....

Bumblebee: *beeps and twitters*

Raf: *looks up with a frown* Bee, you just had surgery. You really should rest.

Bumblebee: *doorwings droop as he gives a peeved sigh and slumps*

Beau: I'll come get you in a few hours, alright?

Bumblebee: *grumbles and shows signs of rebellion*

June: *stands up on Bulkhead's back and puts her hands on her hips* Bumblebee, bed! *blinks and turns her head* Oh... there's Witchblade.

Bumblebee: *another deep sigh as he heads for the hall*

Jack: *sympathy wince as his mom moms somebody else*

Hot Rod: *clickstorm, chatter, yap!*

Muhlisha: *comes walking in just then, slowly rotating one arm to hear the slight, fading squeak that she's recently acquired* ...What'd Witchy do ta Bulky?

Denver: *looks over from baby dancing with Hot Rod* Kissed 'im stupid.

Muhlisha: *pokes the big green mech* Finally jes' cut loose, huh?

Denver: *shrug* Ah guess. *more baby dance*

Torque: *coming in after cleaning up.... yup. He managed to find mud. Again*

June: That's what 'Rail and Rockface said. ...What's this wire between their wrists? *hunkered down on Bulkhead's arm as she checks on Witchblade*

Muhlisha: *looks and snerks* Why Witchy's out too. Here, move. *reaches down and unplugs the pair, then flexes her arms*

June: Don't hurt yourself. *moves*

Muhlisha: *polite chuckle at what she sees as June's joke. Then heaves Bulkhead up onto her back and hauls him down the hallway, bumping his head a few times along the way*

June: :o ...

Beau: *facepalm*

Miko: What I wanna know is why they made a bot so strong so little?

Raf: *looks up from cuddling Panacea, then shrugs and resumes his baby tending*

Torque: Well, one of her code donors is Brawn....

Miko: ...So what's that mean?

Torque: *shrug* It's a quirk of the protoform type....

Miko: You're saying she was born that way.

Torque: *blink blink, headtilt, thinks about it before nodding* Yeah, pretty much.

Miko: You guys are so cool!

June: *chuckles and goes to climb up and stand by Denver*

Denver: *scooting a bit away from June. Even if she is willing to be social, she wants a bit of space right now...*

Torque: *moves to pick Witchblade up, will bring her to Bulkhead's quarters*

'Rail: *back out to the control room with a cube of energon*

Beau: *amused headshake, will move to check on Optimus and Ratchet*

Optimus and Ratchet's quarters: *silent save for the quiet whir of bodies living, and the soft voices of the monitors reassuring everyone that the two bots are alive. There's a step ladder by their bed for in case one of the little bots wants to come lay with them*

Beau: *moves to climb up the step ladder. Needs to see for himself that Optimus and Ratchet are alright*

Optimus: *laying on her back, her scarred face still and devoid of expression as her confused and faintly injured spark tries to work out where it is and what it should do*

Ratchet: *snuggled close to Optimus, his face still and lacking the multitude of little quirks that animate it when he's awake. The only sound from the medic is the sound of systems running in low power mode*

Beau: *quiet as he studies the pair, then he's sighing and moving to climb back down the ladder. For now, all he can think to do is wait, and pray*

Optimus: *suddenly sucks air through her intakes, and then her face is changing just slightly as pain suddenly floods her systems*

Ratchet: *soft sound of discomfort, turns his head towards Optimus*

Beau: *back up the step ladder* Easy, Optimus, Ratchet.... You're both safe now... *has no idea what's wrong with the couple*

Optimus: *brows draw together slightly, and her monitors start to complain* -Ratchet?? Where... where are we? What happened? How am I hearing you like this?-

Ratchet: *making his monitors complain a bit as well* -Optimus? I.... I don't know....- *and then his monitors are really starting to complain as he remembers* -MECH!-

Optimus: -Scrap!- *pauses, circulating deeply and irregularly* -I... I can't feel my body. I don't think... Did... are we...?- *knowledge of what will happen to Panacea if they've died leaves her unable to even think it*

Ratchet: *circulating erratically* -I.... I'm not sure....-

Beau: *hurrying to get 'Rail*

Optimus: -We... have to live. Panacea...- *inadvertently floods Ratchet's senses with grief, and cringes as she feels it mirrored back to her* *soft sound of discomfort aloud*

'Rail: *back and scanning the couple*

Ratchet: *slight start, can feel someone scanning....* -What the?-

Optimus: *suddenly coming off that table, fighting mad and ready to defend herself, Ratchet, and their ability to go back to their daughter* *of course, she yanks herself off her monitoring equipment in the process, and puts herself at a painful distance from the other half of her spark...*

Ratchet: *blindsided by the sudden pain, though part of him vaguely recalls that only the living can actually register that sensation.... Then he's trying to get to his feet, in order to assist Optimus*

'Rail: *calling Muhlisha for backup, even as he tries to get Optimus and Ratchet both laying back down*

Beau: *backed against the wall since that seems to be the safest location right now*

Optimus: *spasms as her own pain and Ratchet's tears through her systems, and then she's crumpling, blinking her confusion at the brown and dark green bot who is supporting her and speaking quiet and soothing words* Muh... Muhlisha?

Muhlisha: *reaches over with a foot and carefully pokes Beau out of his corner, then puts her hand toward him and wriggles her fingers*

Beau: *just a bit spooked as he moves towards Muhlisha*

'Rail: *as he gets Ratchet situated next to Optimus* Slag... She's as mean as Fixer... *so amused*

Ratchet: *shaking as he circulates air and all but clings to Optimus*

Muhlisha: *lifts Beau and holds him in front of the bleary, pain-filled optics of the Prima*

Optimus: *as she shudders and puts up a hand to death grip on Ratchet's wrist* ...B... Beau? What...?

Beau: *quietly* Easy, Optimus... You and Ratchet are safe now... You're home.

Optimus: *swallows and hangs her head* Home. *sigh, then looks up again* Happened... to... to us?

Beau: MECH captured you two... And from what I understand, you had an out of body experience...

'Rail: *as he moves to make the monitoring equipment go quiet* Yeah. They stuck both'a yer sparks in a tiny-aft box... 'N the two'a yous're lucky that yous didn't fuse...

Optimus: *weary optics widen* ...Bonded. *chagrin and wonder, mixed with a sense of violation and a sneaking relief, washes over Ratchet*

Ratchet: *quietly* Must not have realized... *relieved that they're both still alive, though he's a little upset... Mostly that he didn't have the opportunity to get Optimus a proper courting gift first*

'Rail: Prolly not... *shrug* From what I saw, MECH's a bunch'a lubricant-fingered trash drones... Manglin' that T-Cog like that, 'n what they put the two'a yous through... *headshake*

Optimus: *shudders again and droops, her face twisting as she groans with pain and exhaustion* *mind goes to what's most important to her* Spark... lets. Den... ver.

Beau: They're all safe. Denver and Panacea are both in a bit of a mood, but other than that...

Ratchet: *quietly, feeling Optimus' desire to hold the sparklets and the human teenager close, as well as her exhaustion* Bring them here?

'Rail: *moving to try and get the couple back onto the berth* *pesters Torque over comms*

Muhlisha: *helping to get Optimus back up on the resting platform, after setting Beau down under it* Shhh. Here. Let's getcha... yeah, good. I'll get the other heated tarp. *grabs Beau and puts him on the berth, then heads out*

Optimus: *shaking, her face twisted as she fights for consciousness*

Ratchet: *trying to provide what comfort he can while his own systems try to send him into healing stasis lock*

Beau: *soothing murmurs for the couple, even as 'Rail reconnects the monitoring equipment*

Muhlisha: *back with the tarp and hands it to 'Rail since she's too short to cover the patients* Here. //Torky, hustle.//

Optimus: *face turned toward Beau, though she doesn't seem to see him*

Torque: //Incoming littles and one moody human.// *and there he is with Hot Rod, Panacea, and Denver, plus Denver's sleeping bag*

'Rail: *moving to make sure the couple is covered by the tarp before he turns the heat on*

Denver: *biting her lower lip and trying not to wibble as she sees that Optimus and Ratchet are both awake*

Hot Rod: *babble babble, snugga Pansy!*

Optimus: *optics jerk open as she hears Hot Rod's little voice* *voice weak and rasping* Babies. My... babies.

Panacea: *wibble, grouch. Hug dolly*

Ratchet: *trying to reach for the sparklets and the teenager, can't figure out which set of hands is his, and which is Optimus'*

Torque: *soothingly* Easy... Here... Let's get everyone tucked in... *moving to put action to his words*

Hot Rod: *pleased sounds when he realizes that there's a whole lotta warm*

Denver: *making sure Panacea won't fall. Then she's situating herself with her sleeping bag*

Optimus: *sighs and drops off, awareness giving way to painless warmth and comfort*

Panacea: *crawls over on top of her parents, then crackles and wriggles a bit*

Ratchet: *soon following Optimus' example, sighing softly as the warmth of the heated tarp combines with the comfort of having his family close and safe*

Hot Rod: *snuggles close to Panacea, making happy little clicks even after he's fallen asleep*

Denver: *curled up in her sleeping bag to the point that only the top of her head is visible. Is silently crying with relief and holding Space Bat close*

Beau: *moves to situate himself where he can keep watch over everyone*

'Rail: *one last check of the monitors, then he's moving to herd Muhlisha and Torque out of the room*

((Written with random_xtras))