MBV. /Ark/ Base and the Greyhound Depot. More New Arrivals.

[microbots]

Rachel: *two little fuzzy heads visible at her chest level, one blonde and one reddish. Is laying propped up in her bed at home with Hopesong and Missy sitting on her lap intent on a picture book* //So yeah, Chief... I need sick leave.// *sneezes into a hanky, then sighs as Lyra's soothing music comes from somewhere near her shoulder*

Patrick: Alright.... Get some rest. I'll talk to you later.

Rachel: *wan grin as WWIII seems to break out somewhere in the background* //Firebite stinks.//

Patrick: I bet.... And I get the feeling that I don't want to know what kind of chaos is going on.

Rachel: //Chaos? That's Jack, Sandra, Desi, and Maeve making a cake.// *rubs face* //Which Russ will be called on to put in the oven.//

Patrick: ... Oh no... *so amused*

Rachel: //Sarah's taking care of the boys at crèche.//

Patrick: Alright. *small smile* Simon's helping her?

Rachel: //Oh yeah. Along with the crèche guardians and guests.// *chuckles and then grimaces as she coughs*

Patrick: I'll let you go.

Rachel: *nod nod* *waves weakly and then reaches to turn the screen off*

Patrick: *making necessary changes to the schedule to reflect the fact that Rachel's sick*

Cyrus: *looks in through the office door* Grandpa, I brought you some of the mid-morning snack.

Patrick: *looks over from paperwork* Thank you, Cyrus.

Cyrus: *grin widens as he brings the plate into sight and the scent of toasted cinnamon raisin bagel escapes*

Patrick: *expression brightens as he sees one of his favorite snacks*

Cyrus: *light-hearted laugh as he brings it over* Yuri helped me toast it, but she didn't want to come. Oh, and Uncle Cliff actually focused enough to notice what we were eating.

Patrick: *chuckle* That's good... How is Bert doing? *knows he'll also find out how Autumn's holding up*

Cyrus: *sets the plate on the table and wipes a dab of melted butter off the edge* He was getting hit for laughing at what Uncle Cliff said when he noticed the bagels.

Patrick: *soft snerk as he moves to grab one of the bagels* I won't ask what Cliff said.

Cyrus: *grins* I deleted it. *then blinks and looks up as the overhead speaker squeals softly*

Patrick: *looks up as well*

Blaster: //Mungbean, getcher finger outta... oh. Hey, Chief?//

Patrick: Yes, Blaster?

Blaster: //You wanted ta know when Grok got back.//

Patrick: *nod* I take it he's back, then?

Blaster: //Ack! Not my ear! Tea... thanks, babe. Yeah. He's back.//

Patrick: Alright. Thank you for letting me know.

Blaster: //You might wanna go pay him a visit.// *acks again and then the speaker goes dead after another squeal*

Cyrus: *frowns up at it*

Patrick: ... I'd better go do that then...

Cyrus: Eat your snack. *is that an echo of Autumn you hear, Patrick?*

Patrick: *grabs the bagels and heads for the door, munching as he goes*

Cyrus: *heads back to the crèche and the toaster*

Sibby: *opens the door when Patrick reaches Grok's quarters and hits the chime* *softly, her eyes bright and friendly as ever* Shhhh.

Patrick: *blink blink* *is quite surprised* *softly* Are the babies here as well?

Sibby: *in her shy whisper of a voice* Babies there. *points to the pool, her eyes brightening with excitement* *pool is not full of happy splashings and squeakings as it usually is when the baby Companions and Whispers are in it*

Patrick: *quietly* May I come in?

Sibby: *curious look for the question, and then turns and drops to all fours to walk to the edge of the pool and look in. Is wearing only the soft, short pants that she swims in* Awww. Babies.

Patrick: *hesitates. Wants to get a better look, but knows it's rude to just enter someone's quarters without permission *

Sibby: *looks back at him when he doesn't come in. Soft questioning chirp*

Patrick: Er...

Sibby: *lifts a hand and curls in in a beckoning gesture, her expression saying that she's wondering why he's still standing there*

Patrick: *hesitates for a few moments more before cautiously entering the quarters*

Grok: *floating on his belly in the pool, looking something like a massive gator. Rek is floating on his back a little distance away*

Sibby: *looks happily into the water* Awww. Babies!

Patrick: *looks into the water as well* *sees nothing but plants and soft eddies from the circulating clams. But then... something moves under Rek*

baby: *tadpole about as big as two fists held together flat sides meeting. White with a lighting blaze of black on its head, and big blue-grey eyes. Swims over to Grok, and then there's a slight flurry of motion under the sleeping swamp man before everything settles back into calm*

Patrick *very soft d'aww*

Sibby: *eyes shining* Babies.

Patrick: *nods* *softly* They're adorable.

Grok: *soft groan, and then turns his head slightly* Do you need me for sssomething, sssir?

Patrick: *quietly* No, Grok. Go ahead and go back to sleep. Congratulations.

Grok: Rrrrn. Thank you. *eyes close again*

Rek: *stretches, and then swims to the side and crawls out of the pool*

Patrick: *very soft chuckle*

Rek: I've never seen a guy so clumsy around babies. *watches sister swim out to float by their master* *thinks* His babies. He's good with the fluffbutts.

Patrick: *more soft chuckle* He's new at being a dad...

Rek: Yeah, but most guys don't have to be told that they'll need to provide security 'n contact for their newborns.

babies: *another little flurry of movement, and then still again*

Patrick: *slight shrug. Isn't really sure what else to say* *small smile as he watches the babies*

Rek: Anyway. I better go check on the fluffs. *almighty shake!*

Patrick: *soft ack, skitters sideways, but still gets a good soaking*

Rek: ...Oops. Derp. *chuckles and grabs his clothes before scooting for the door*

Patrick: *shakes his head, chuckles, and heads for the door. Will PINpoint home to change clothes*

Glit: //Patrick? Where on Earth have you gotten to?//

Patrick: //I'm at home. I got a bit soaked while visiting Grok... Is there a problem?

Glit: //That depends on whether or not you still want to give Ironhide support as his son is born.//

Patrick: //...// *PINpoints to the infirmary* *yes, still soaking wet*

Glit: Ack! *furpoof and bolts away down the hall toward the room where Chromia's laying propped on the birthing table*

Patrick: *follows at a run*

Chromia: *trying so hard to avoid teaching her son his first curse words*

Ironhide: *optics white as he stands next to the table*

Patrick: *moves to give support to the soldier* Circulate, Ironhide...

Glit: *shakes a foot at Patrick, then hops up onto the arm of the table and give Chromia's hand a gentle kitty kiss* Just circulate, dear. The tank's nearly thin enough to be broken through.

Chromia: *shuttering her optics and focusing on circulating*

Patrick: ... Tank?

Glit: Yes. An innovation that Rachel learned about in the Nexus. She didn't catch this pregnancy in time to fully install the upgrade hardware. But Chromia can enjoy a delivery where painkiller actually works.

Patrick: ... Huh...

Chromia: *biting her lower lip components and trying not to cry out* *cussing Glit out through gritted dentae*

Glit: *ears perk* Now what have I done to deserve that, my dear?

Chromia: *MURDER in her optics* *more cursing*

Glit: If you're going to be like that I can just go rouse Russell from his midmorning nap and let him oversee this delivery. *understands not that language, femme!*

Patrick: Er... I think she might want painkiller... *going by the strained look on Ironhide's face*

Glit: Well if she had asked. *tail lashes as he gets the gun and applies it*

Chromia: *circulating air and plotting vengeance against a certain medic, likely in the form of making him baby sit sometime*

Glit: *sets gun down and then scans her abdomen* Perfect. *transforms, and then uses his paws to open her access panel... and expose the glow of an excitedly pulsing new spark* Hello, there, Starforge.

Ironhide: *wibbling as he watches*

Starforge: *seems to hesitate and peek, but then obediently follows an energized paw to where his new protoform is laying across his mother's lap. Settles into the spark compartment, and very quickly forms his features*

Chromia: *soft clicks* Aww, lookit 'im...

Ironhide: *would be doing floor time if Patrick wasn't supporting him right now*

Glit: *closes Chromia's belly, and then Starforge's chest* I think he's ready to make your acquaintance.

Starforge: *looking around at the four people who surround him, a hopeful grin on his little face*

Chromia: *will lift the little guy and hold him close to her chest, clicking softly all the while*

Starforge: *soft, shy clickstorm as he nuzzles hopefully. Then sighs and shutters his optics for a moment as he realizes that even in this strange place he can hear Mamaspark*

Glit: *looks at Ironhide. Tazes Ironhide*

Ironhide: *startled squeal*

Patrick: *acks as he also gets a bit of a zap and lets go of Ironhide as a result*

Ironhide: 0_0 *string of highland cursing as he circulates air down on the floor*

Glit: ... *dryly* That was supposed to revive you so you could meet your son.

Ironhide: *getting up, though he's still a bit unsteady*

Starforge: *turns his head and blinks at the big red guy* *clicks quizzically*

Glit: He's most likely hungry, even if we did fill his tank beforehand.

Ironhide: *will move closer to the table, clicking softly*

Patrick: *gives his hands a bit of a shake and goes to get some tubing*

Ironhide: *will gently touch Starforge's head*

Starforge: *reach? Who's that? Is that Daddy?*

Chromia: *soft chuckle at the flabbergasted look on Ironhide's face*

Glit: *cat smile as he transforms back to alt. Then broadcasts the birth over the social channel*

Patrick: *back with tubing, and shaking his head at the number of dismayed responses to Ironhide's lack of damage*

Glit: Oh, thank you, Patrick. Can you show them how to use it? *so smug. Don't try guessing how much he's won due to that lack of damage*

Patrick: Yeah... *chuckle*

Starforge: *wibble. Nuzzle? Wants to eat!*

Patrick: *will help the new parents feed their son*

Glit: *softly, as he watches the sparklet start to drink from the tube* Good. We should leave them to get to know one another.

Patrick: *nods and PINpoints home, again*

Scarlett: *awake, and spitting mad* SHE GAVE MY SHOES TO CHARITY????

Patrick: ...

Shadowmaru: *just a bit twitchy in response to Scarlett's ire*

Scarlett: MY FAVOURITE PAIR! HOW DARE SHE? THAT #@$@#@@ OLD @$#@#$@!!!!

Patrick: Scarlett, that's enough. *finality in his tone*

Scarlett: #$$!@$#@ YOU!

Alicia: *comes downstairs, strides over and DECKS Scarlett* *scowl* You're scaring my daughter.

Scarlett: *rares back to smack sister, but then stops and gives a scream of pure frustration and rage* I'm out of here. I've had enough of this.

Patrick: *databursts Scarlett the rest of her punishment: Re-shelving books in the V-Tech library for a week*

Shadowmaru: *checking in with the Tokyo Police Department, is hunkering down as he receives his punishment*

Scarlett: No. *fire in her eye as she looks at her father*

Patrick: *calmly* It's either that, or you'll have to spend a week in the brig. *knows your opinion of that, Scarlett*

Scarlett: Or I leave.

Patrick: *calmly* You wouldn't do that.

Scarlett: Try me! *angry and hurt scorn and frustration* I'm sick of constantly being kicked around and held back.

Patrick: *quieter* You think you're being held back?

Scarlett: All I hear is 'don't do that', 'you can't do that', 'that's not a good idea'. And now you're doing this because I wanted to be with the boy... *turns away with a wibble. Isn't sure she loved Shadowmaru. Only wanted to make sure the sweet boy couldn't change his mind about her*

Shadowmaru: *cautiously offers his angry mate the mermaid dress that was draped over a chair near where they'd been sleeping on the basement floor*

Patrick: *quietly, making note of the slightly hurt look on Shadowmaru's face and choosing not to comment on it right now* We only wanted you two to wait to give Shadowmaru enough time to mourn for Kagerou. *spent quite awhile discussing the matter with Xiaobei and Rachel*

Scarlett: *winces and turns away, then sees the dress and acks as she realizes she's only got her crop top and boonies on. Dress over head and tied in back like a flash!*

Shadowmaru: *hesitant. Wants to hug her, but at the same time, he did pick up on part of why she's upset...*

Scarlett: *hands fall from the ribbons on the dress as her head droops* I just... You always say no. *turns blindly toward mate, looking for comfort*

Patrick: *quietly, as Shadowmaru holds Scarlett close* If you had asked, I would have agreed to you two courting.

Scarlett: Why do I need permission for that? *face against Shadowmaru's chest as she gently rubs his arm comfortingly*

Patrick: *quietly* I could have talked to Xiaobei, and she wouldn't have reacted the way she did. *even quieter* I had to ask Elita's creators for permission to court her... They hated me, I remember...

Scarlett: *can't hold the tears back anymore* Just... go away.

Patrick: *small nod* *softly* You have my comm frequency if you need me for anything, Scarlett, Shadowmaru.

Shadowmaru: *small nod, attention on trying to comfort mate*

Tessa: *is clinging to Mama in the kitchen when Granpa gets upstairs*

Alicia: *clicking softly and rubbing Tessa's back* *not amused with her sister's antics*

Patrick: *quietly* Give them some space, Ali...

Alicia: *quietly* She needs to get her head out of her aft and realize the universe doesn't revolve around her.

Tessa: *peeks at Granpa, her small face framed by the flower petals on the hood of her little pixie dress*

Patrick: *soft clicks for Tessa, and a small nod to show he heard Alicia*

Alicia: ... You're soaking wet, Dad. Did you get ambushed?

Patrick: No... Rek shook off a bit too close to me...

Alicia: ... I'm not even gonna ask.

Jamie: *comes in from his run to the store for a big grapefruit* ...Did I miss a water fight?

Tessa: Onje! *squee of delight*

Jamie: *chuckles and gives the huge fruit to his daughter, and then takes her and bounces her in his arms*

Alicia: Naw... Dad was standing in the splash zone apparently. *over to see fiance*

Jamie: *chuckles at that, but then frowns slightly* Was Tessie crying?

Alicia: *quietly* Something scared her...

Jamie: *frowns, still bouncing and helping Tessa hold the grapefruit* What?

Alicia: Scarlett's awake. Found out just what her punishment is...

Jamie: *frown* And?

Alicia: You've heard her yell before.

Jamie: *sighs*

Alicia: I already decked her for it.

Jamie: *quietly* I feel bad for her.

Alicia: *puzzled look is a go*

Jamie: *sees the look and lifts his eyebrows slightly* She looks up to you guys and Dad so much, but doesn't think she's as good as you.

Alicia: ... *blink blink* *wasn't expecting that*

Patrick: *quietly* She must not realize how Felicity looks up to her... *and now he's starting to feel like a terrible parent*

Jamie: *earnest head shake* I think all she sees is being the runt of the litter and a clutz.

Alicia: *head ducked, is harassing pestering talking to the rest of the Aerialbots*

Jamie: *worried by the expressions Alicia and Patrick are wearing. Lifts brows in his dorky quizzical look*

Patrick: *conversing with Emi about this*

Alicia: *looks up* *blink blink* *facepalm* Warren's got his finger caught in Ferdy's apron strings. Again.

Jamie: *brightens* Heh. If he weren't a guy I'd say he's cute.

Tessa: *laughs at Daddy chuckle, and then decides to put her wonderful grapefruit into the pocket of his 'survival' utilikilt*

Alicia: *snerk* Well, he and Ferdy are on their way over here... So is 'Brina... Susie's got that test for Percy, so she's gonna be by after she finishes that...

Jamie: *brightens* Popcorn party?

Alicia: I can get popcorn started...

Jamie: And I've got a great goodie stash started up. *talks to Tessa and is nodded and chirped to* I'll go get 'em. *turns and heads down the hall, the bell on Tessa's long hood chiming softly*

Alicia: *soft chuckle* I'll be right back. I'm gonna get some energon goodies.

Patrick: Here... *hands Alicia a couple of twenties* Get them at the Black Dog.

Alicia: *snerk* Gotcha. *PINpoints out*

Patrick: *chuckles and shakes his head*

Warren: *arrives, cheerfully tied to wife's apron strings. Has Untalkative Bunny under his other arm. Untalkative bunny is wearing a dress today*

Felicity: *working on untying her apron so she can free her husband* *will beeline for the basement once he's free, intends to give Scarlett lots of cuddles* *will also insist that Scarlett cuddle Archie, since cuddling the squid helps her feel better when she's sad*

Kup: //Hey, Prime. Somebody here looking for you.//

Patrick: //...Who is it?//

Kup: //Somebody from off planet. They say they're here ta apply for a job that was advertised.//

Patrick: ... *raised brow* //... What job?// *just a bit confused*

Kup: //You got me. I'm just the dumb muscle around here.//

Patrick: *so much frown* //Let me change into dry clothes and I'll be right there.

Kup: //Alright.//

Patrick: *to Alicia, before he PINpoints upstairs* I have to go back to the Ark.

Alicia: *blink blink* Okay. *just a bit puzzled now*

Patrick: *goes, changes clothes, and then PINpoints to Kup's location a few minutes later*

Kup: *standing outside the barn and leaning back against the corner of it as he shoots the breeze with two sixteen foot tall slabs of pink muscle*

Patrick: *approaches* Hello. *watching the two unfamiliar beings*

beings: *turn to look at him. Homely faces show clearly that they are of non mammalian origin. Both wear kilts, heavy boots, and bandoleers across broad chests*

Kup: Prime, this is Jael, and her cousin in law Esther. Ladies, this is our leader, Patrick Oberson.

Patrick: *nods* It is nice to meet you.

Jael: *nods* *voice a deep and husky alto that could also be taken for a deepish tenor* This guy says you don't know anything about the job offer.

Patrick: I'm afraid I don't... But I am more than willing to work with you to find a job on base that suits your skills and meets your expectations.

Esther: The one advertised was for fighters. *sounds like her cousin in law, though something about her gives away the fact that she's the more easy going personality of the two*

Patrick: ... *blink blink* Shade mentioned a similar ad...

Jael: *gruffly* Shade?

Patrick: *nod* She arrived last fall with her sister...

Jael: *glances at cousin-in-law*

Esther: *tips her head back in no* Norton might know them. *looks at Patrick* What race?

Patrick: I'm not exactly sure, but they look like centaurs.

Jael: *snort* No idea what that is. *then looks down as a small grey figure darts over and puts a hand on her leg* I didn't forget you.

Wust Fee child: *grins with a twitch of ears, and then turns quizzical pale eyes toward Patrick* *is a boy of about an eleven year old physical development, with stubby wings wrapped awkwardly around his thin shoulders*

Patrick: *gentle smile* *to the Wust Fee child* Hello there.

child: Hello. *starts to say something else, but seems to get tongue tied*

Jael: His mother asked us to bring him to Earth. The JDs said this'd be a good place for him.

Patrick: *small nod* This base is safe. There are other children here as well.

Kup: Includin' a little girl that looks a lot like you. *grins at the boy*

boy: *startled ear perk* Like me? She's Wust Fee?

Patrick: *nods* Her name is Naomi House.

boy: *slight grin to go with his ear twitch* I'm Cole Forn. Vas Naomi's vader human too?

Patrick: *nod* Dr. House is human.

Cole: *radiates hopefulness despite his largely impassive face* Is he here? Can I talk to him?

Patrick: Let me check... *dings Dr. House's radio*

Dr. House: *voice mail*

Patrick: *slight frown* I got his voice mail... *will leave a message, asking Dr. House to call him back ASAP*

Tracks: *comes out just then to see what Kup's insisting he has to see. Blinks at that winged child and then smiles and comes over* Well, what have we here?

Patrick: *looks to Tracks* This is Cole Forn. His mother asked Jael and Esther to bring him here, since the JDs said this would be a good place for him.

Tracks: They did, did they? *walks over and looks down at the boy*

Cole: *looks alertly back, wondering at the amusement in the dark-haired man's face*

Patrick: I called Dr. House, since Cole asked if he could talk to him... I only got voicemail though...

Tracks: Ah. Yes, I imagine he's busy at headquarters. //Denver darling...// *laughter in his voice over comms*

Denver: //Hm?//

Tracks: //Would you like a son with wings?// *can you just feel that amusement?*

Denver: //...Whose kid didj'a gank?// *so amused*

Patrick: *sees that plotting expression in your grin, Tracks* ... *raised brow*

Tracks: //His mother sent him to Earth.// *shows an image of the boy, who has noticed his interest and is looking hesitant and uncertain*

Denver: //... Awwww!//

Tracks: Cole, I'm part of Dr. House's family. So you can just come and live with my wife and children and me.

Cole: *shocked, pleased* Yes, sir, Vader. I'll get my stuff. *turns and runs toward the small tanker that's sitting on the landing pad beside the Starjammer*

Jael: Wait, what? *scowl*

Tracks: *off hand* It's the wust fee way. An orphan or displaced child can be adopted by the next family who finds him. *looks up at the muscular alien woman* It's the Autobot way, too.

Patrick: *nods in agreement* And the Destron way as well.

Jael: Huh. *settles down, and turns her attention back to Patrick*

Tracks: *such a smug smirk as he goes to wait by Kup*

Kup: *mutters at him*

Tracks: ...Your point?

Kup: *snort*

Tracks: *smirk*

Patrick: *bemused look for Tracks and Kup* Are you two done?

Kup: *lifts brow plates quizzically and chomps his cy-gar*

Tracks: *languid brow quirk, as though he can't imagine what you're talking about, Patrick*

Patrick: *amused headshake*

Jael: *thrumming sound to catch his attention* So...

Patrick: *slight start* Er... Well, let's start with getting you quarters...

Jael: We've got the ship. *shrugs one shoulder* *then frowns toward said ship as a mournful sound accompanies Cole's reappearance, the sound of a cat... on a massive scale*

Patrick: *boggles*

Cole: *as he jogs over* Briti's crying.

Esther: *scowling* I hear him.

Tracks: *blinking and then snerking as he transmits amusement over his bond*

Denver: *quizzical feelings*

Tracks: //Steeljaw is no longer king of the cats.// *laughs out loud as he leads Cole inside*

Denver: //... *snickerfitdie*//

Kup: ...Do I wanna know what a 'Briti' is?

Esther: *shrug* My husband's pet.

Patrick: ...Has he been through quarantine?

Esther: He's yowling because we've got him tied in there till he goes through that.

Patrick: Ah...

Briti: *once more sends out the huge version of the mournful cry of a gentle cat forsaken*

Patrick: *feels bad for the cat, but rules are rules*

Esther: Tell me where to put him, and I'll do that. *shifts her bulk, preparing to move*

Patrick: How big is he?

Esther: *thoughtfully holds her hands out to show a cat that must be at least fourteen foot long*

Patrick: ... Er... There might be room in one of the horse stalls in the barn... *sooo out of his league now*

Jael: He can stay in the ship, too. *smacks cousin in law* You have his shots record?

Esther: *smacks back* Yeah, knock it off.

Patrick: *strongly reminded of Destrons* Er... Alright...

Esther: *attention back to him* I'll talk to the vet when they're ready.

Patrick: *nod* *glances over as Russell arrives in a PINpoint flash*

Russell: *in a bit of a MOOD at being woken up from a perfectly good nap*

Esther and Jael: *frown at the guy that just appeared*

Russell: *calmly* I was told there was a quarantined pet to look at.

Esther: *bends down to give him the chip with Briti's records on it* He's in the ship.

Russell: *small nod, will scan the chip as he heads for the ship*

Jael: But yeah. We can live in the ship. Need to, actually. Norton's got one in the pouch, and it needs the pressure tank right now.

Patrick: *blink blink* One in the pouch?

Esther: *nods* Our egg.

Patrick: *smile* Congratulations.

Esther: *pleased grin* It'll be the first one of us ever born off our homeworld.

Patrick: *small nod* I see.

Jael and Esther: *both turn their heads then as an 'ack!' and a torrent of colourful Gaelic comes through the open door of their ship*

Patrick: ... And Russell's met Briti.

Jael: *frowning* You'd think he's never met a house cat before. And Briti's not even the bitey breed.

Patrick: *chuckle* He's probably surprised by how big Briti is.

Jael: Oh. Yeah, he is the big kind.

Esther: Is he going to need help?

Patrick: Let me check... *slight head tilt as he pings Russell's comm* *snerks as he gets told off* No.

Esther: Alright.

Jael: So now what?

Tracks: *is epic mirth over the social channel as Russell gives him a piece of his mind*

Patrick: Well... Have you had a chance to have lunch yet?

Jael: What's lunch?

Patrick: One of the meals that's usually served around mid-day.

Jael: Oh. No. We didn't eat yet this shift.

Patrick: *small nod* Alright, well, let's head down to the mess...

Jael: *looks at him, and then glances over at Kup* We going to fit?

Esther: Do you want to meet Norton?

Patrick: *to Jael* There are Destrons bigger than Kup... *to Esther* I wouldn't be disturbing him?

Esther: Nah. *chuckle* More like giving him someone that'll talk back.

Jael: Speaking of which. We need to find the local free entertainment channel so he can stop watching those files over and over.

Esther: *looks at cousin in law with a frown* Right.

Patrick: Well... What does Norton like to watch?

Esther: Anything to do with cooking.

Jael: *pulls a frightful grimace at that*

Patrick: *chuckles* Well, there are several channels devoted entirely to that sort of thing...

Esther: *perks* Free?

Patrick: The base pays for the cable subscription, because there would be a riot amongst the soldiers stationed here otherwise.

Kup: Yer slaggin' right there would. *cy-gar chomp*

Patrick: *looks to Kup* Is Destiny still on a 'Snappydoodle' kick?

Kup: Eh, kinda. She'd rather watch that 'Nightwind', though. I had ta hunt down all the old seasons 'n buy 'em. *exasperated chuckle*

Patrick: So she's shifted her focus... How many episodes does it take before she'll settle down for naptime? *sympathy for the old soldier*

Kup: One. *half grin*

Patrick: *chuckles* That's good.

Kup: You seen that stuff, Prime? *still the half grin*

Patrick: *nod* Felicity's fond of the series, and so is Alicia, even though she won't admit it. *slight quirk of a grin*

Kup: Yeah, well, they know how to tell a story.

Jael: *looks from Kup to Patrick, interest showing on her homely mug* ...What kind of story?

Patrick: 'Nightwind' is an action series, with a good plot.

Jael: I don't know what 'action series' means.

Kup: Nightwind kicks cans 'n takes names. She keeps her city clean.

Jael and Esther: *identical perks*

Patrick: *chuckle*

Jael: We'll have to look that up.

Kup: Here. I can stick one'a Desti's disks in and you can watch with her. *pushes off the wall and gestures the brawny woman to follow him, then leads the way inside*

Esther: I should check on Briti and your vet anyway. *turning toward the ship and looking to see if Patrick will come*

Patrick: *moves to follow Esther* I'm sure Russell is alright.... *so amused*

Esther: Yeah. Probably. *curious glances at the things around them as she walks over and up the access ramp on the tanker*

Patrick: *explains what he can, and then more than likely makes a fool of himself getting up the access ramp steps, which are sized for Esther and Jael*

tanker: *cool and dark inside, and right there in the first room after the open airlock, a massive orange cat with darker orange strips and rosettes and a white belly, chin, and paws is laying and purring as Russell examines him*

cat: *wearing a blue halter, and is chained to the wall*

Russell: *still in a bit of a mood, not that he's letting it show* *conversationally* Remind me again, sir, why I haven't given Tracks a good boot to the skid?

Patrick: *calmly* Because he would return the kick, and because Flashpoint scares the spit out of you when she's mad.

Russell: .... She does not.

Tracks: *sudden drawl on the social channel* //She's coming to remedy that, Red Alert.//

Patrick: *snickerfitdie*

Russell: //.... I hate you, Tracks.// *to Esther* Briti is in good health, so it's safe for him to be planet-side. *PINpoints out*

Esther: Really? No downtime? *blinks at the vanishing* ...What was that about?

Patrick: *snickering too badly to answer, give him a few moments*

Denver: *as she climbs the access ramp stairs* 'S Russ still 'n 'eah, 'r did 'e vamoose?

Esther: If you mean the vet, he teleported. *goes over to Briti, gives him a gentle cuff that knocks him over, and then unhooks the chain from his halter*

Briti: *nooo frens! And here's a huge nose in your face, Denver*

Denver: *small frown* Darn..... *dirty rotten grin* //Oh, Riiiinnnyyyy-ack!// *blink blink* Er... 'Lo.... *gently moves the big cat's nose from out of her face* Friendleh critter, ain'tcha?

Serenity: //I am not ratting out my mate's location for your amusement, Denver. Nor will I do it for you, Tracks.//

Patrick: *excuse him a moment, he's currently overcome by a fit of the snorting giggles*

Tracks: *surprise over the link, and then transmits to Serenity an image of the beast that's trying to gently head butt his mate* //My word. He's adorable.//

Serenity: //He is, but I'm still not ratting Russ out.//

Tracks: //Trust me, darling. Red Alert is old news now. No, Denver, we can't have one. You just got a new son, remember?//

Serenity: //...New son?//

Tracks: *shows Cole hunkered down in the crèche and studying Naomi's lesson over her shoulder as a little Seeker cuddles against him and tells a story to his right wing*

Serenity: //Awwww!//

Denver: *proud mama grin as she gently scritches the ear of the big cat*

Esther: Anyway. Norton's this way, Prime. *down the corridor*

Patrick: *wheeze, moves to follow*

Tracks: *hears that wheeze through Denver. Transmits an XD back to her*

Esther: *down the hall, and then into a room toward the middle of the ship*

Patrick: *sends Denver a message in response to her cheeky "'Ey, Prahm, don' dah!" message* *looking around as he follows Esther*

Esther: *down a tight spiral stair, and then she's in what is to her a narrow space between the tanker wall and a clear wall*

Norton: *is that slender, graceful being inside the tank who has swum over to put his hands on the inside of the clear wall as Esther puts hers on the outside*

Patrick: *nods a greeting to Norton*

Norton: *has a much prettier face than the women in his family too, and it's a quick and sensitive one. He adjusts the hang of his robe as he listens to Esther's explanation, and then bows his head and speaks through the speaker in the clear wall* //Thank you for giving us port, Prime.//

Patrick: It was no trouble at all. *means what he says* I promise I will do everything in my power to ensure the base is safe for you and your family while you are here.

Norton: *rueful and proud grin* //You don't need to worry about my wife or cousin. Though you might need to worry about anyone who decides to attack while they're here.//

Patrick: *chuckles* I'm not too worried. Anyone stupid enough to attack this base deserves the stomping they'll get, whether it comes from Esther and Jael, or if it comes from the Destrons and Wreckers.

Norton: *grin widens* //Have you seen my cat? Will he be alright here? I don't think he'll bother the native wildlife.//

Patrick: He'll be fine here. *chuckles* He's already made a friend with some of the brass....

Norton: *tilts head* //The brass?//

Patrick: *nod* Lt. Col. Trach. She was scritching Briti's ears earlier, and was talking with her mate about getting a cat like him. *so amused*

Norton: *grin turns happy* //They're sweet creatures.// *glances toward wife snort* //If you like furry warm things.//

Patrick: *chuckles* He'll be popular with the sparklets....

Esther: *just pulled something carefully out of the outer wall. Offers it now to Patrick* Here's the receiver box. Can you make it get those cooking channels?

Norton: *perks and leans against the clear wall* //Cooking channels? Oh, yes, please!//

Patrick: *will study the receiver box* There's the Food Network, the Cooking Channel, and the International Cuisine channel..... *small frown* I'll need to get an auxiliary cable in order to get the connection set up.... Excuse me... *PINpoints out to get what he needs*

Osk: *as he goes past the office doors* Call for you, sir.

Patrick: *pauses for a moment* .... Patch it through.

Osk: *pauses with one red-nailed finger hovering over her telephone keypad* ...I'm not sure how.

Patrick: *will show her how to patch a call through to comms. It's a little more complicated than transferring a call to a normal landline*

Osk: *pays attention, and then does it* *looks up to see if she's succeeded*

Patrick: *hand over ear* //This is Patrick Oberson speaking.//

deep male voice: *uncertainly* //Sir, this is Corporal Lamont Morris. Am I supposed to find my own way to base?//

Patrick: .... //What is your current location?//

Corp. Morris: //Blacksburg Greyhound depot.//

Patrick: //I'll see who's available to come get you.// *checking with some of the soldiers on base even as he talks to Corp. Morris*

Corp. Morris: //Yessir.//

Blaster: *looks up as he comes into the comm officer's jumbled office* Hey, Chief, what can I do ya for?

Mungbean: *conked out in the empty shell of a speaker over under the desk*

Tea: *head stuck into another big speaker over there*

Patrick: *to Blaster* Can you go and hook up Jael, Esther, and Norton's ship to the satellite? And we've got a soldier in need of pick-up at the Greyhound depot....

Blaster: Can do the hookin', but not the lookin'. *displays foot wrapped up in an ace bandage*

Patrick: *small nod* I'll bug someone else.... *doing that now*

Blaster: *blinks after tilting his head* Man, you're SOL. Everybody's assigned. *then tilts his head and looks again*

Patrick: Are any of the SUVs available?

Blaster: Yup, the Escape. How the heck did everybody get assigned...? *turns and gives wife a dirty look* You ain't supposeta be that efficient.

Tea: *without removing herself from the speaker* Thrrpt.

Patrick: *absent 'hmmm', will ding BJ's comm*

BJ: *absent 'present and healthy' ping*

Patrick: *trying so hard not to get a slightly devious look on his face* //Feeling up to breaking a n00b's brain?//

BJ: //...What kinda n00b?//

Patrick: //Corporal. Got transferred here from the same base Tunnel Rat came from.//

BJ: //...Hmm. Might not be much fun if he's been around 'Rat.//

Patrick: //Remember, 'Rat didn't know anything about us 'till she got here.... and I'm still hearing reports about her being brain-broken. Plus, this guy seems a bit more serious....//

BJ //Alright. I'm game. You coming?//

Patrick: //Meet me out front.// *can't help the tiny stinker grin on his face* *to Corp. Morris* //Give us about ten minutes to get there.//

Corp. Morris: //Yessir.//

BJ: *chuckles as he signs off*

Patrick: //See you soon. Oberson out.// *hanging up* *to Blaster* I'll be back soon. *PINpoints up to the entrance*

Ironhide: *showing Starforge the sky*

Starforge: 0.0

Patrick: *soft chuckle as he sees the cute*

Chromia: *snuggled against Ironhide and dozing*

Starforge: *turns head. Sees Patrick. Clicks and waves. Knows that guy!*

Patrick: *more chuckle, waves to the sparklet*

BJ: *PINpoints out to the turnaround, his stereo booming*

Starforge: *big noise, oh noes!* *TEARS*

BJ: Oops...

Chromia: *awake!*

Ironhide: *SUCH a Look for BJ* *turns his attention to fussing over Starforge*

BJ: :( Scrap...

Patrick: *pinches the bridge of his nose* *quickly* Stand down, Chromia.

Chromia: *Look for Patrick, though she'll turn her attention to offering Starforge some more fuel*

BJ: I'm sorry. I didn't know you guys were up here.

Ironhide: *grumbling just a bit*

Patrick: *slight cringe, will scoot over to where BJ is*

BJ: *sighs and transforms* *and then startles* What the scrap??

Patrick: *looking around, tensed* What's wrong?

BJ: Is that a horse?

Patrick: *blinks and looks*

Briti: *walking with his new friend, because he can tell she's going the same way one of his girl family did*

Patrick: *soft snerk* No, that's a cat.

BJ: Um. I thought cats were those little fluffy things that try crawling under my plating when I go hang out at Kup's.

Patrick: The people who he belongs to are about sixteen feet tall. Big people need big cats. *chuckles*

BJ: I see. *backs away from the barn after making sure no small cats or anything else is behind him, then turns and heads down the driveway*

Patrick: *chuckle* Denver wants a cat that size.

BJ: Tracks hates things shedding. *snort* I've heard him tell his hoodlums.

Patrick: *soft snerk* Somehow, I'm not surprised.

BJ: It's why they only have that little glitchmouse thing.

Patrick: Gerbil. *small nod*

BJ: *cheerfully* Whatever.

Patrick: *rolls his eyes, amused*


About ten minutes later, at the Greyhound depot....


Corp. Morris: *standing out front with his duffel at his feet. Trying to shoo something away*

Ratbat: *love you! Wanna sit on you!*

Patrick: *trying so hard not to snicker. Will attempt to ding Ratbat's comm* //Alright, Ratbat, leave the poor guy alone for now....// *stinker grin* //Let him get in before you try and sit on him.//

Ratbat: //Smells good, he does.// *turns and flaps toward BJ*

Corp. Morris: *frowns deeply as he watches the big bat*

Patrick: *will get out once BJ parks* Corporal Morris?

Corp. Morris: *snaps to attention, and then frowns again* Sir. You've got a bat on you, sir.

Ratbat: *backpackin'!*

Patrick: *nod* I know.... Ratbat's mostly harmless. He won't hurt you if you don't try to hurt him.

Corp. Morris: *surprise* Sir?

Patrick: I'll explain on the way. *and he'll also hope that Motormaster isn't in a "Darian Roadkill" mood today*

Corp. Morris: Yessir. *bends to grab his duffel*

Ratbat: *licks Patrick's shirt*

Patrick: *raised brow for Ratbat* Do I have something on my shirt, Ratbat?

Ratbat: Drool.

Patrick: .... *sigh*

Corp. Morris: *peering cautiously through the SUV window to see if this door that won't open is locked*

Patrick: *will move to get back into BJ's passenger compartment* *quietly, over comms* //Let him in.... We can check his brain-breaking limits on the road.// *is that permission for minor shenanigans?*

BJ: //Rachel says you use to tell people to knock it off.// *opens door*

Corp. Morris: *slight wince as the opening door raps his knuckles painfully* Thanks, sir.

Patrick: *nods to Corp. Morris* Any questions about Ark Base before we get going?

Corp. Morris: *heaves duffel in back, then gets in, shuts door, and fastens seatbelt* Yessir, but I should probably wait till we've started out. *frowns and looks around through the windows, his expression a bit unsettled but determined*

Ratbat: *squeaks as Patrick sits back*

Patrick: Alright. *buckles up*

Corp. Morris: Uh. You know you're sitting on the bat?

Ratbat: *quiet complaints over comms*

Patrick: .... *sighs and unbuckles before leaning forward*

Ratbat: *crawls out and goes back behind Patrick's seat*

Corp. Morris: *watches this with a frown*

Patrick: *double-checks that there's nobody clinging to his back this time before buckling up again*

BJ: *MUSIC as he backs out of the parking spot and turns*

Corp. Morris: *giving his new CO a shocked look*

Patrick: *calmly* You've signed the NDA Major McHale sent, right?

Corp. Morris: Yessir, I did. *continued shock at Patrick's taste in music and music volume*

Patrick: *oh-so-calmly* BJ, turn the volume down a bit, please.

BJ: I like this song, Chief.

Corp. Morris: *starts, his brows shooting upward as he looks closely at the dash of the Hummer*

Patrick: I understand, but I think Corp. Morris might be a bit uncomfortable with the volume.

Corp. Morris: Nossir. Just surprised. *ducks head slightly to look under the dash*

BJ: I don't wear underwear, so looking down there's not going to show you anything.

Corp. Morris: ...

Patrick: *chuckling now* You know, I bet if we asked, that crazy fangirl in the Nexus would make you a pair of underwear, BJ....

BJ: Why? It's not like I have anything to hide. The joy of being a bot. *sounds smug*

Patrick: *sounds a bit wistful* True....

Corp: Morris: *turns head and looks at his shoulder as he realizes it's being licked*

Ratbat: *there's the coffee stain he wanted!*

big black semi: *goes speeding past, will blare its horn as it drives by*

Patrick: .... *sigh* I really hope Darian's not laying in the road again.

Ratbat: Darian's at your house, being bored of a popcorn ball.

Corp. Morris: *slaps hand to where he usually wears his gun, then turns his head and GLARES at the bat* Warn me next time!

Patrick: ... Alright, so Motormaster's just taking Fleur for a drive. *relaxes* *to Corp. Morris* Ratbat won't hurt you.

Corp. Morris: *gives a Look to his new CO* *coolly* Yessir.

Patrick: *calmly, as he watches the road ahead* Corp. Morris, you're riding with a Wrecker, one of the best people to get information from, and someone who knows how to handle himself in a fight. You're in no danger, unless the Decepticons suddenly drop from the skies and ambush us.

Corp. Morris: Permission to speak freely?

Patrick: *expression neutral* Granted.

Corp. Morris: *quietly* That was a low down dirty trick, sir.

Patrick: *slight quirk of a grin* It would've been even worse if Lt. Col. Trach had come to get you.

Corp. Morris: Would be better to just tell people what to expect, instead of hazing 'em.

Patrick: *seriously* Would you have believed me if I had told you what to expect?

Corp. Morris: I would've tried.

Patrick: *quietly* Most of the time, it's just easier to introduce some of the more combat-ready Cybertronians first....

Corp. Morris: Cybertronians. What's that mean?

Patrick: Mechanical beings from the planet Cybertron.

Corp. Morris: *slight nod* ETs. Got it. Him too? *jerks head toward Ratbat*

Patrick: *nod* BJ is one... *quieter* From a different reality....

Corp. Morris: *frown*

BJ: I came in pieces. Now I come in peace.

Ratbat: Thrrrpt. Lame.

Patrick: *soft snerk* Yeah.... One of the local Autobots, Bluestreak, tends to find the people who can't go home.... But Joe found the last Exile that was brought to the base....

Corp. Morris: I don't understand most of that, sir.

Patrick: Exiles are people who either died in their reality of origin, or their realities no longer exist.

Corp. Morris: ...Are you serious?

Ratbat: Ugly as BJ, people from this reality are not.

Patrick: I am being serious.... You'll get to meet some of the Exiles living on base once we're there....

Corp. Morris: *frowns more deeply, then indicates Ratbat* Why's he talking like Yoda.

Ratbat: Yoda like me is talking. *licks more*

Patrick: He's watched too many movies.

Ratbat: Thrrpt. Not have I.

Patrick: *Look for Ratbat*

Ratbat: *floofs and does cute*

Patrick: *headshake* Honestly, I wonder sometimes if I'm nothing more than a glorified babysitter.

Corp. Morris: *shaking his shoulder slightly* Sir?

Patrick: Hm? *looks over*

Ratbat: Eeek! *holds on and tries not to use claws*

Corp. Morris: Why's that, sir? *shakes more*

Patrick: Between Ratbat's siblings, and some of the other people on base... *slight shrug*

Corp. Morris: *as the aforementioned bat slips down behind his seat with another eeek* I think that's normal for a military base, sir.

Patrick: ... *blink blink* Oh.

Ratbat: 911... 911

Patrick: *looks over*

Ratbat: *huddled on the floor* 911

Patrick: .... *checks in with the base* //Blaster, what's going on?//

Blaster: //Buh? Where, Chief?//

Patrick: //.... Any trouble on base? Ratbat's huddled on BJ's floor and repeating "911".//

Blaster: //Uh. No.//

Patrick: //Alright...// *to Ratbat* What's wrong?

Ratbat: 911

BJ: *sudden shudder* Whoa, is that a roach?

Ratbat: Yes!

BJ: ACK!

Patrick: .... *facepalm*

Corp. Morris: *grabs the 'oh slag' bar* Hey, watch the shaking.

BJ: ACK!

Patrick: BJ, pull over.

BJ: *shuddering as he does so* Get it out!

Ratbat: *distressed squeaking*

Patrick: *unbuckles and climbs to where Ratbat is* Hold still so I can.

Ratbat: *shuts his eyes and shivers as the big fat roach waves its feelers*

Patrick: *pulling a face as he makes a grab for the roach. Moves far faster than any human should*

roach: *tries to move. Too late! Squish*

Ratbat: *faint*

Patrick: .... Ew. *sigh*

Corp. Morris: *looking back there* What happened?

BJ: I'm going to blow a gasket.

Patrick: I got the roach.

Corp. Morris: ...But?

Patrick: It's now squished all over my hand.

Corp. Morris: *hand in pocket. Fast food napkins being offered*

Patrick: Thank you. *will wipe his hand, and pull an "ew" face in the meantime*

BJ: *faintly* Sterile wipes in the glovebox.

Corp. Morris: *gets one out and offers it to Patrick* *has a thoughtful expression on his face*

Patrick: *thanks the Corporal, will wipe his hand and move to get back into the driver's seat*

BJ: *rocks slightly* I'm really gonna hurl, Chief.

Patrick: ... *grabs Ratbat* *to Corp. Morris* We need to get out.

Corp. Morris: *as he moves to obey* What's he going to chuck?

Patrick: Energon. *gives Ratbat a bit of a shake*

BJ: *transforms, and then vanishes with a swish and slight flash*

Corp. Morris: *eyebrows UP*

Patrick: .... Well, at least he's at home now.....

Corp. Morris: Uh. Right. *looks at Ratbat, blinking. The brain break has happened*

Patrick: Let's get to base. *offers Ratbat*

Corp. Morris: Sir? *nearly jumps out of his skin as a grey and black cab over semi appears beside them*

Patrick: *looks to the semi* ... *brows up*

Road Queen: *gruffly, sounds like she's laughing at something* Need a lift?

Patrick: That would be appreciated, Road Queen.

Road Queen: *opens doors to let out the sound of a female voice trying to express ire without cussing*

Corp. Morris: *blinks* Nicky?

Tunnel Rat: I think I'm gonna hurl! *does NOT like PINpoint travel, it seems*

Corp. Morris: I think we have enough of that happening, Nicky. *slight grin as he climbs up into the cab, but then he stops and blinks at the car seat strapped onto the bench seat in the sleeper*

Gertie: *looks back and quirks one little eyebrow, small toes in black crochet foot gloves wriggling contentedly*

Tunnel Rat: *blink blink* *STARE* *quietly, disbelief clear in her voice* Lamont?

Corp. Morris: Yeah. They never told me this is where you went. *settles into the passenger front seat* ...Who's the rugrat?

Tunnel Rat: *slight wibble* *quieter* My kid. Her name's Gertrude....

Patrick: *as he moves to climb into the driver's seat* Gertie followed after Private Lee when she went to report to Major McHale.... And refused to go with anyone else.... *so much gentle amusement in his voice*

Corp. Morris: But... that's not how it works. *staring at the tiny girl now*

Gertie: *stares right back*

Road Queen: Is too. *shuts doors* Do up the slaggin' straps.

Corp. Morris: Hey! *scowl* There's a kid in here.

Road Queen: Yeah? So?

Patrick: So, Hattie will have words for you if you cuss in front of a child. *buckling up*

Road Queen: So? *puts herself in gear and starts forward*

Patrick: *headshake* *sigh*

Tunnel Rat: *talking quietly to Gertie*

Gertie: *sudden scowl for the strange man who won't stop looking at her* No!

Corp. Morris: Sorry. *wince*

Tunnel Rat: *soothingly* He's a friend'a mine, Gertie....

Gertie: *turns stink eye to her* No. Rat.

Corp. Morris: Rat? Where?

Tunnel Rat: *a bit sheepishly* It's part'a my nickname.... Everyone calls me Tunnel Rat.....

Corp. Morris: *frowns at Nicky, and then grins slightly* Well, I guess it fits.

Tunnel Rat: *slight blush at the grin* I guess....

Corp. Morris: *can't help grinning a little more*

Tunnel Rat: *more blush* *quieter* I missed you....

Corp. Morris: *quietly* I was starting to think they'd booted you.

Tunnel Rat: *slight quirk of a smirk* Naw.... Ark Base's the best place I could'a wound up.... Even if my CO's nuts....

Patrick: *didn't just snerk, you can't prove it*

Corp. Morris: *frowns and glances at Patrick, then back to TR*

Tunnel Rat: *amused stinkeye for Patrick* That one's nuts too. Thinks it's fun ta spend all day with his nose in a book.

Corp. Morris: *alarm in his eyes* *very quietly* What're you saying? He's right there, Nicky.

Tunnel Rat: *softly* He don't gotta stick up his butt.... Most'a the base gives 'im a hard time.... *quieter* Like a big family...

Corp. Morris: Still... *worried* You don't want to get moved again if you have a kid depending on you.

Tunnel Rat: *quietly* The base's got.... Well, it ain't exactly a daycare....

Patrick: *as he looks to the road ahead* Autobots aren't big on breaking up families.... They're also not too fond of breaking up groups of children....

Corp. Morris: *startles badly, and then looks at him* Sir?

Patrick: *quieter* Family is important, whether it's blood or chosen.

Tunnel Rat: *small grin* What he said.

Corp. Morris: *quietly* So you're saying she's going to get away with all her crazy... *bites off the word and glances at Gertie, who scowls at him*

Patrick: She's been behaving here. *slight quirk of a grin* And she's actually a bit more sane than the majority of the soldiers on base.

Corp. Morris: *eyes widen* Ah. I... uh. Oh, one of those places.

Road Queen: *snort* No. Just one run by a different army's rules.

Patrick: *nods in agreement*

Tunnel Rat: You'll see what Queenie means when we get there.... *attention going to Gertie*

Corp. Morris: Okay... *then notices something and blinks* What're you wearing on your feet?

Tunnel Rat: *grin* Foot gloves.... They won't let me run around without shoes.

Road Queen: It's got nothing to do with rules about going without shoes. You don't have the right kind of feet for that.

Tunnel Rat: *bronx cheer*

Road Queen: There's the base. *speeds up a bit, and then pulls onto the driveway* *honks at the guys guarding the gate!*

Corp. Morris: *brain broken expression as he turns his head to look around*

Patrick: *amused headshake as the guards startle and open the gate* They were spacing off again....

Road Queen: There's a game tournament on the social channel. *pulls up the drive, making sure to pause and spin dust on the guards in passing*

Patrick: *as Tunnel Rat snickerfits* Sheesh.....

Road Queen: *swerves around the barbie doll on the road*

Corp. Morris: Somebody's toy?

Patrick: One of the Stunticons'.....

Tunnel Rat: The guy wigs out if it gets roadkilled. *rolls her eyes*

Corp. Morris: Then what's he leave it there for?

Road Queen: ...You'll learn not to ask dumb questions soon. Oooo. Booty.

Patrick: *looks up* Oh, Drift's practicing his forms....

Corp. Morris: *follows his gaze*

big white bot: *over near the barn. Is moving gracefully and slowly through some sort of martial arts form*

Corp. Morris: Is that a sword? ...And another big bat?

Patrick: Drift doesn't use any sort of gun.... and Wing is a cat from a different world.

Corp. Morris: A cat with wings. o.0

Tunnel Rat: Yup. Real friendly thing, too.... *chuckle*

Patrick: Wing is Drift's partner.... As is Fire Robo and the Aider Robos...

Corp. Morris: That red guy? *looks around as the truck stops and then rocks very slightly*

Road Queen: $#@#$. Stop polishing me, you overgrown meatbag.

Tunnel Rat: Bhuh? *puzzled blinking as she gets Gertie unbuckled*

Road Queen: Argh! *transforms, humans landing on the ground* *stink eye for Briti*

Briti: *chained to the yard light pole, had been loving and stropping on the pretty truck person. Now he's just abashed and confused*

Corp. Morris: *manages to land on feet, and then he's backing up slightly as he spots that huge orange creature*

Gertie: *gripping the sides of her car seat and scowling*

Patrick: *snickerfit* *moves to gently patpat Briti's chest*

Tunnel Rat: Sheeeeesh, Queenie! A little warnin' next time!

Drift: *looks over at the sudden commotion* *will move to approach* Is everyone alright?

Road Queen: *snorts and walks off, muttering about cat hair chamois*

Corp. Morris: *finally manages to make sense of what he's seeing* That's a liger...

Patrick: His name is Briti. *chuckles*

Drift: *curious as he studies Corp. Morris* New arrival, Prime?

Wing: *chirping as he glides over to sit on the big cat and wash ears*

Briti: *closes his eyes, raises his head, and ups his Richter scale a few notches*

Gertie: *pointy finger of scolding toward Tunnel Rat*

Tunnel Rat: Hey, I didn' tell the big furball ta love on Queenie, Gertie.... *will get Gertie out of her car seat and situate the little one on her hip*

Patrick: *to Drift* Yes. This is Corporal Lamont Morris. He's in Major McHale's squad.

Drift: *sympathetic and amused look for Corp. Morris*

Corp. Morris: *notices that look and sighs* I got a lousy posting, didn't I?

Drift: Depends on your tolerance for stupid, really.

Tracks: *as he saunters past* Oh he's not that bad. At least he realizes he's been on a date. *cocks an eye at Drift* You're not having lunch?

Drift: *looks to Tracks* What's on the menu? And who cooked it?

Tracks: Melissa, of course. But I can't stop to chat. Ta ta! *into the barn*

Gertie: *wants to pet cats. Points commandingly* Rat! Rat!

Tunnel Rat: Alright, alright... Sheesh.... *amused as she moves closer to Briti*

Drift: .... *grin* *transforms to alt mode* *looks like he could be related to Tunnel Rat now*

Corp. Morris: *double take* How'd you do that?

Drift: *blink blink* Subspace...

Patrick: *chuckle* Well, why don't we go get some lunch? We can do the grand tour of the base afterward.....

Corp. Morris: Yessir. *turns. Sees his duffel laying by the door, and goes to get it* *knows it's his, because of the big cockroach TR drew on it that time*

Drift: *scoots to talk to Fire Robo, will head down to the atrium shortly*

Wing: *goes with Partner!*

Patrick: *heads for the barn, nods to the behemoth that's standing by a slightly smaller yellow bot as he thoughtfully studies Jake's button quail* Hello, Starscream.

derpScream: *looks down* Hello, Patrick.

dMoonshadow: *soft clicks, is sticking close to mate, though she is curious about the tiny things*

Corp. Morris: *waves good bye to Tunnel Rat and Gertie, and follows Patrick, then blinks and frowns, wondering why these two bots look so different. And so ugly*

derpScream: *blue optics curious as he studies Corp. Morris* Is this the new recruit Jerry spoke of?

Patrick: *nods* This is Corporal Lamont Morris. Corp. Morris, this is Starscream, and his mate, Moonshadow.

derpScream: *small nod* *politely* It is nice to meet you, Corporal.

dMoonshadow: *huh? Someone said her name? Looks up from the tiny things*

Corp. Morris: *not quite sure how to address this guy, since the bot used his title* Yeah. Likewise. *nods to the yellow bot* Ma'am.

dMoonshadow: *blink blink, hesitant click. It's little, but it doesn't read like Prime, so she's a bit confused*

derpScream: *patpats her hand* We're on our way to the atrium.... It's almost time for the creche to be served lunch...

Patrick: *small nod* We'll ride the lift with you.

Corp. Morris: *sudden startle* Wow! Ow! *looks down at the massive slab of muscle and orange fur that just stood up and caught hold of his pant leg* Uh. Hi. That kind of hurts.

Steeljaw: Mrroooowwww.....

Ravage: *up Patrick's leg to see why he's carrying Ratbat*

Patrick: Steeljaw, down. No using the newbie as a scratching post.

Corp. Morris: *brow rises at the term 'newbie', but he doesn't say anything*

Ravage: *slaps brother in the face a few times, and then chirps as he startles and chitters at her with groggy irritability*

Steeljaw: *amused huff, tailswish*

Patrick: I'll call Rachel.

Steeljaw: *will sit on the ground then*

derpScream: *shakes his head and moves to guide his mate over to the lift*

Ratbat: Sister... stop... should. Ugh. Roach.

Ravage: *bittymu, chirp* //Roach? Crunchy?//

Ratbat: *out cold again*

Ravage: o.0 *pat pat*

Patrick: *to Ravage* It went squish when I caught it.

Ravage: :p //Icky.//

Corp. Morris: *quietly as he watches* Sir?

Patrick: Hm?

Corp. Morris: Is that a cat?

Patrick: No.... Neither is the guy who hooked his claws into you....

Corp. Morris: And the two outside?

Steeljaw: *root mode, kthx* They're cats.

Corp. Morris: *startles a bit and blinks. Then lifts an eyebrow* So're you. Just a metal one.

Ravage: *sneezes on Ratbat, and then wipes her nose on him*

Steeljaw: *so amused* *back to alt mode*

Patrick: Which two were you meaning, Corporal?

Corp. Morris: The winged one and the liger. *looks toward the lift as it buzzes and complains about the door being held open*

button quail: *run to the side of their pen to check out the buzz!*

derpScream: *slight quirk of a grin on his strange face* I'd get onto the lift, if I were you....

dMoonshadow: *clicks softly*

Patrick: Wing and Briti are from off-world. *heads for the lift*

Steeljaw: Mmmyup. *will move to scale derpScream, looking smug as he does so*

Corp. Morris: But they're just cats. Not somebody. *heads toward the lift*

Patrick: Try telling that to Wing... *chuckle*

derpScream: You need the mess hall's level, right? *pushing a couple of buttons on the elevator controls*

Corp. Morris: I'm following the Commander.

Patrick: We're heading for the mess. *nod*

derpScream: *small nod as the lift starts descending* Melissa made lunch today. Baked sandwich surprise..... There's a version that uses vegetables and cheese as part of the filling, a version made with blitzbread and gummi cheese... *slight headtilt as he listens to something* And she also heated up one of Javan's bacon fatties....

Patrick: .... I thought we didn't have any more bacon fatties left.

derpScream: Javan made more. *amused at the "ick" face Patrick just pulled*

Corp. Morris: *had been looking dismayed at the thought of a vegetable and cheese sandwich, but perked at mention of fatty* Now by 'fatty' do you mean meat wrapped around more meat, and maybe some cheese?

derpScream: *nods* They're Javan's specialty...

Patrick: I think I'll have the blitzbread version of the meal....

Steeljaw: //Meeaaat.//

Ravage: :p

Corp. Morris: *grinning* And I can have some of that fatty?

derpScream: *amused chuckle* You and maybe two or three other soldiers will be the only ones eating it.... Including Javan, since he and Pietro are here for lunch, for once....

Corp. Morris: And this' every day rations?

Patrick: *nods* Melissa usually handles the lunch shift, and she and Lisa take turns with dinner.... Unless we have a big base-wide cookout.... Then Javan handles the meal....

Corp. Morris: *surprise all over his face* Wow...

Patrick: *nod* Just so long as Samuel and Seamus are never let into the kitchen, the food is never bad.

lift: *dings as it reaches the atrium level*

Corp. Morris: *steps out of Starscream and Moonshadow's way*

derpScream: *gently herds dMoonshadow out of the elevator* It was nice talking to you, Corporal. See you later.

Corp. Morris: *nods* Yessir. *then frowns as he wonders if he just said the wrong thing*

lift: *shuts door and continues* *stops at next level, which isn't the mess level*

Wesson: *gets on with his wife*

Maria: *blink blink* *snerks as she sees where Ratbat and Ravage are* Found our missing not-bat....

Wesson: *grins at Corp. Morris* Hey, man. Welcome to the Ark. *looks at Ratbat and Ravage, and then helps himself to them* You guys...

Steeljaw: *will come see Wesson too!* Mrrrppp mrrroowwww....

Patrick: *to Corp. Morris* This is Lt. John Wesson, and Lt. Maria Wesson. *to the Wessons* This is Corp. Lamont Morris.

Corp. Morris: Sir.

Wesson: *grins as he acquires a Steeljaw* At ease.

Steeljaw: *hamming it up for Wesson!*

Patrick: Corp. Morris is on Jerry's squad.

Maria: .... *soft snerk* *to Corp. Morris* If you see any snakes when on patrol, don't show 'em to Jerry.

Corp. Morris: ...Is there a reason, sir?

Maria: Yeah. He's scared of 'em.... So's Lt. Col. Trach, but she's getting better about 'em....

Corp. Morris: Understood. *looks to the door as the lift stops again*

Tracks: *gets on with Denver... and Billy Bob* Honestly, darling. You just got a new child of your own, and you're stealing someone else's?

Denver: *smug grin* 'T ain't lahk th'y ain't 'n th're way t' th' mess. *totally aped her sisters by ganking BB*

Maria: *amused* Speak of the devil and she shall appear.

Patrick: *snickerfitdie*

Wesson: Lt. Col. Trach, this' Corp. Morris. *grins at her over his armload of fuzzies*

Billy Bob: *peeking through Denver's hair at the person he doesn't know*

Denver: *nods to Corp. Morris* 'Lo.

Corp. Morris: Sir.

Tracks: *cheerfully rolls eyes at the new guy*

Denver: 'T ease. *amused*

Wesson: And that's her husband, Major Trach. And her nephew, Billy Bob MacKenzie.

Tracks: You should know by now that I absolutely refuse to let you stick labels on me, John. *brow quirk*

Wesson: *grin* Dork.

Denver: Pot, kettle.

Maria: *rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Is grinning though*

Corp. Morris: *is starting to understand what Patrick had been telling him. Is also looking at Billy Bob with curious interest* Your nephew, sir?

Billy Bob: *ducks down a bit, overcome by shyness*

Denver: *nod* Yup. BB's 'un 'f mah cousin's sons. *soft, reassuring clicks for Billy Bob*

Corp. Morris: ...Permission to speak freely?

Tracks: You mean "Permission to ask questions about all this weirdness". *steps out as the lift stops*

Corp. Morris: *blinks and blushes slightly* Yessir.

Wesson: Ack! You little #$#$#@s! *has ferrets down his back and on his head*

Rewind: *pipping cheerfully as she surveys the kingdom from the top of the world*

Patrick: *cackling now*

Denver: *subtle bootshop for the Prime*

Wesson: Ack! *not cuss. Squirm!*

Tracks: Ooooo, I like the new dance routine. And I just bet Maria loves it.

Maria: *snickering and trying to help catch ornery woozles*

Steeljaw: *abandon ship, yo!*

Ratbat: *just followed Steeljaw's example and then flew off down the hall*

Ravage: *trying to spank ferrets, little paw is wapping Wesson mostly*

Denver: *snickerfit*

Billy Bob: *quietly* Frenzy, Rumble, Rewind, that's not very nice.....

Rumble: *pops his head out of the neck of Wesson's shirt* Hey, he's our big brudder, so yous mind yous own bidness. *back down!*

Tracks: *herds people off the lift so that the doors can close*

Corp. Morris: *wondering if he should help*

Rewind: *gonna scramble down Wesson's front and visit the new guy now, kthx*

Corp. Morris: *bends down to try and catch that little ferret, and then lets out a whoop as the red one winds up in his pants!*

Tunnel Rat: *snickerfit* I think they like ya, Lamont!

Rewind: *razz* Frenzy, quit being a derp!

Eject: *chasing Major McHale down the hall* Frank Burns eats worms! Frank Burns eats worms!

Tracks: *arm around Denver and BB* Oh this is better than TV.

Denver: *cackling now*

Billy Bob: .... But we don't have anyone named Frank Burns....

Maria: *shoulders shaking as she hides her face on her husband to keep from falling over in a fit of snorting giggles*

Patrick: .... *facepalm, snickerfit* The natives are restless.

Wesson: *rumbling his own laughter as he watches and squirms slightly at Rumble's movements*

Corp. Morris: *accidentally slams into his new CO*

Eject: Awk! Frank Burns eats worms!

Major McHale: *startled curse as he's slammed into*

Corp. Morris: *floor time! Thankfully someone broke his fall...*

ferrets: Run away! Run away! *do so!*

McHale: *muttering curses about the ferrets and about being used as a crash pad*

Patrick: .... We really need to get a different movie for them to watch. *moves to help McHale and Corp. Morris up*

Denver: *makes sure Billy Bob is wrapped so he won't fall, moves to help sort the soldiers out*

Tunnel Rat: *scooting to help too, will fuss over Corp. Morris a bit*

Gertie: *peeking around the door jam with her mouth on it as she watches all this*

Patrick: *starting to be a bit more certain about whether or not Corp. Morris and Tunnel Rat are a mated pair. Carefully dusts Major McHale off* Everyone alright?

Eject: *as he flaps into the mess* Frank Burns eats worms!

Tunnel Rat: *absently* Shaddup, Eject.

Wesson: *still snorting and sniggering* Think... think I broke somethin', Prime.

Tracks: What a *snerk* Tragedy.

Patrick: *to Wesson as McHale indicates that he's alright* Go bother Russell.

Wesson: I was joking.

Corp. Morris: *absent hand on the arm that TR has put around his chest to support him as he watches Wesson crack up again*

Tunnel Rat: *still fussing just a bit*

Patrick: Go see Russell, just to be on the safe side.

Wesson: Nah. *huffs and wipes tears from his eyes* I'm alright. It's McHale we gotta worry about.

Tracks: So, Jerry. Is that the meeting you were rehearsing for your new squad member? *smirk*

McHale: *such a dirty look for Tracks*

Tracks: *smirrrrrk* *looks at his mate* Shall we, darling? I'm sure BB's hungry.

Denver: Le's go....

Billy Bob: *still worried about the soldiers who crashed into one another*

Tracks: *leads away mate and nephew, still smirking*

Tunnel Rat: *quietly, to Corp. Morris* You sure you're alright?

Corp Morris: *also quiet, as he watches the man that he knows he'll be answering to* Yeah, Nicky. I'm fine.

McHale: *grumbling about insufferable gits now*

Patrick: Yes, I know, he can be, but he's still a good soldier, Major. *not the least bit concerned about McHale's words* We were on our way to the mess hall.... Would you care to join us?

Gertie: *comes marching out, one little foot glove and one little bare foot. Plants herself in front of McHale. Puts a hand on her hip and points at him* Worms!

Corp. Morris: Ack!

Tunnel Rat: Ack! Gertie! Where's yer other glove? *moves to fuss over her daughter*

McHale: ... *facepalming muchly now*

voices: *from within the mess comes a rousing chorus of the Worm Song*

Gertie: *frowns at TR* Worms!

Tunnel Rat: That don't tell me where yer glove went, kiddo....

Gertie: *hands on hips, huffs and rolls eyes skyward*

Corp. Morris: *stands to attention to McHale* Sir. Reporting for duty.

McHale: At ease, Corporal. I take it Lt. Col. Oberson hasn't fully debriefed you? *pays the face Patrick makes no mind. Totally used the rank to bug the Prime*

Corp. Morris: He's told me a lot, sir.

Rumble: Bet he never told yous yer a daddy. *cackles and scoots*

Corp. Morris: *puzzled frown for ferret* ...Do Cybertronians get drunk?

Patrick: Yes, but he's sober.

McHale: Cybertronian family dynamics are a bit different from what we're used to.

Corp. Morris: *to Patrick* I think you mentioned that, sir. But I don't understand how they can make me a father.

Patrick: *will do his best to explain the dynamics of Cybertronian families and how those dynamics apply in regards to humans*

Corp. Morris: But, sir. I'm not married, and I only met this little girl today.

Gertie: Rat! No! My foot!

Tunnel Rat: Jes' lemme clean it off and we'll get yer glove back on. *paying no attention to the conversation*

Patrick: *just a bit puzzled now* Then you and Private Lee are only friends?

Corp. Morris: 0.0

Gertie: *looks up in time to see that. Laughs*

Tunnel Rat: *looks up* ... What'd I miss?

Corp. Morris: He... asked if you and I were just friends. He says I'm Gertie's daddy.

Tunnel Rat: 0_0 Wait, what?! *BLUUUUUSH*

Gertie: *cheerfully laughs at that too* *and puts her foot back on the floor*

Patrick: .... *makes a note to not assume things about new arrivals* Er.... Alright then.....

Corp. Morris: *quietly, to TR* It's not like we could be anything else, because of the rules.

Tunnel Rat: *bites her lower lip and nods*

Patrick: *quietly, as he moves to head into the mess* You wouldn't be the first couple on base.

Corp. Morris: *takes in a deep breath, and then looks at McHale*

McHale: Prime's right. There're a lot of couples here, married and dating. *seriously* They might not follow the same military rules that we have, and it might seem like a madhouse here, especially with some of the yahoos, but this is really one of the best bases to be stationed at if you want to make a difference.

Corp. Morris: *quietly* Understood, sir. *doesn't notice the tall blonde that passes by on her way into the mess*

Gertie: *points to Osk* Butt!

Osk: Eeek! *hurries out of sight*

Gertie: *pleased little girl is pleased*

Tunnel Rat: *groan, bends to pick Gertie up* You've been spendin' time with Dion.....

McHale: *distracted as he watches Osk hurry out of sight* Why don't you two have a talk? *follows the tall blonde*

Corp. Morris: *picks up his duffel by the strap* Is there someplace we can sit and eat, Nicky?

Tunnel Rat: Yeah... *will move to grab his hand so she can lead him into the mess. Intends to bring him to one of the quieter corners of the room*


Inside the mess


Scarlett: *pings Patrick's comm*

Patrick: //Yes, Scarlett?//

Scarlett: //Are you coming to this party or not?//

Patrick: //Just let me grab something to eat.... Melissa made baked sandwiches. Should I bring some for everyone else?//

Scarlett: //Slag yeah, old man. All we have is junk food and popcorn.//

Patrick: //Alright. There are veggie and cheese sandwiches, blitzbread ones with gummi cheese, and some of one of the bacon fatties Javan made.//

Scarlett: //Sounds good.//

Patrick: //How many of what should I bring back?//

Scarlett: *cheerfully* //As much as Screamer doesn't shoot you for taking.//

Patrick: *chuckles* //And plenty of the blitzbread ones for Ferdy?// *heading to the kitchen to get sandwiches and sammiches*

Scarlett: //I guess.// *distracted already* //No, I ain't gonna kick you in the fraggin' head, Wildrider.//

Patrick: //....Do I want to know what's going on there?//

Scarlett: //He's trying to see my boxers.//

Patrick: *facepalm* //I am not responsible for what your mate does to him. And I'm not explaining this to Xiaobei.//

Scarlett: *cackles over the link* //She just kicked his head for him.//

Patrick: //...She just told me the same thing...// *so amused* //And that Shadowmaru threatened to fart on Wallace.//

Scarlett: //Yeah, he sat on him. Ali, stop throwing packing peanuts at me, or I'll put one up your nose.//

Patrick: //Alicia, that's enough.//

Alicia: *razz over comms*

Scarlett: //Oh #$#@@#$#@, there went the bookcase.// *line goes dead*

Patrick: .... *facepalms and goes to get the food*

((Written with random_xtras))