MBV, Nexus. The Black Dog, V-Tech, Skylar's House. Attack

[microbots]

Roughsong's husband: *sitting in the Black Dog with Dallas and talking on a cellphone to his son as a big waspy critter buzzes excitedly all around the red-haired human*

Dallas: *getting a bit dizzy watching the waspy critter* Uh...

son: *clearly heard over the phone* //Dad, remember how you told me to cuddle my wife every chance I got, and to turn blue every time she looked at me?//

Rh: *watching the bug too and sipping his drink* Yeah. You been doing it?

waspy critter: *buzz buzz buzz, fuzz fuzz fuzz. Looks up Dallas' nose*

Dallas: *goes cross-eyed* Ack!

son: //Yeah! And she laid eggs yesterday!//

Rh: *frowning colour change is invisible to Dallas, but Cybertronians at nearby tables see it* Yeah, so? How are they?

son: //Dad, she LAID EIGHT EGGS!//

Rh: *spits his drink all over Dallas*

waspy critter: *moves out of the way and giggles*

Dallas: *startled curse*

Rh: Can we have some?

son: *at same time* //Can you take some?//

Dallas: ... *wiping his face with a napkin* *will get on the phone and call Col. Franklin*

Col. Franklin: //Franklin here.//

Rh and son: *excited yakking!*

Dallas: Roughsong's husband's son's wife laid eggs. *amused*

Col. Franklin: *puzzled* //Er, alright. Where?//

Dallas: Well... I have no idea.

Col. Franklin: //Okay... so why did you call?//

Rh: Nah nah. Mostly girls. Roughsong's got no idea what to do with boys, and we can always visit your baby brother if we need little boy company. Well I didn't say I wanted all of them!

Dallas: *chuckles* I figured you'd want to congratulate Roughsong's husband on becoming a grandpa.

Rh: *aside to Dallas* A dad now! I just got my lady some daughters! *eyestalks waving happily as he shifts colour in pleased patterns*

Dallas: ... *to Col. Franklin* A grandpa AND a dad... *chuckles*

Col. Franklin: //How does that work?//

Dallas: He gave Roughsong daughters.

Col. Franklin: //... Dallas, I'm still confused.//

Dallas: He's adopted some of his granddaughters.

Col. Franklin: *relief in his voice* //Oh, now I get it. Tell him congratulations?//

waspy critter: *whizzes in and lays an egg on Dallas' forehead*

Dallas: Ack! *reaches up to try and get what's on his forehead*

Rh: *catches his hand* Don't. You just got the best pet a squishy human could want.

Dallas: ... *confused expression is a go*

Col. Franklin: //Dallas? What happened?//

Rh: That eggs gonna hatch in a couple days, and then you'll have the best protective suit ever.

Dallas: Er... *to Col. Franklin* I just got a new pet...

Col. Franklin: //Er...?//

Dallas: *will explain about the waspy critter, and how it just laid an egg on his forehead... as well as what Roughsong's husband just told him*

Col. Franklin: //I... what? Some kind of alien larva is going to hatch out on your head??//

Rh: She'll hatch, and then she'll cover him up and keep him safe while she cleans up dead skin and stuff. Then when he kicks the bucket from old age she'll metamorphosis into an adult.

Dallas: ... What he said.

Col. Franklin: //Cover him up how? You realize this is a protected planet yet?//

Rh: The same way clothes cover you up.

Dallas: ... *has no idea that he's quoting Patrick here* Whoever it was who first said "May you live in interesting times" needs to be pelted with fruit. Even if it's retroactively.

Col. Franklin: //...You've been spending time with the Lt. Colonel, haven't you?//

Dallas: ... We had lunch the other day...

Col. Franklin: //Thought so. How soon can you make it to Diego Garcia so we can look at this new pet of yours?//

Dallas: I can be there in twenty minutes...

Col. Franklin: //Alright. We'll be ready for you.//

Dallas: Alright... Might be a bit sooner though... *to Rh* I have to get going.

Rh: *talking to his son again* Okay. Catch you later, Cap.

Dallas: *amused snerk, will PINpoint to Diego Garcia*

Rh: Hey! He just left me with the bill!


At the Dean of V tech's office, in West Virginia


Dean: *offers Patrick 'Marie' cookies*

Patrick: Thank you. *will nom on some of the cookies once he has them in hand*

Dean: Tea?

Patrick: *starting to wonder if something's up* *hesitantly* Sure...

Dean: *pours him some Earl Grey* So, you know that unused building across the campus that technically belongs to the school?

Patrick: *nods* Yes. The library was considering petitioning to use it as book storage a few years ago...

Dean: *offers him the sugar bowl* Well we just got a grant to use it for a facility to teach humans about people from other worlds.

Patrick: *surprised expression is a go as he adds a couple of spoonfuls of sugar to his tea* ...Who is behind the grant?

Dean: *happily* The government. *frown* Which means that if I want to find someone to head the place I'll have to look at my own troops.

Patrick: *raised brow is a go* Well... Why not ask Professor Ruteger?

Dean: *snerk* Um. Jack's not Dean material.

over in the lab across the way: *BOOM!* Eureka!

Patrick: ... What about Professor Percia?

Dean: o.0 Was that... Jack?

Patrick: ... Probably.

Dean: Just a minute. *calls Jack*

Jack: //Hello?// *sounds just a bit giddy about something*

Dean: Er, I just heard an explosion in the chem lab.

Jack: *cheerily* //There wasn't any damage to the lab.//

Dean: So... what exploded? And why? You aren't on the chemistry staff.

Patrick: *facepalm*

Jack: //I'm on my lunch break, and one of the chemistry students said there was no way baking soda and vinegar could ever do more than fizz.//

Dean: *expression shows brain break* Ah...

Patrick: *headshake*

Jack: //The water bottle exploded! I get to keep my chocolate bar!// *laughs*

Dean: Ahhh, maybe you'd better ask in future before using the lab?

Jack: //But Professor Davidson said it was okay as long as I didn't damage the lab!//

Patrick: *trying so hard not to facepalm*

Dean: Yes, but it's really best to leave the labs and lab supplies to the Chemistry professors.

Jack: //Aww... Alright...//

Dean: I mean right now, Jack.

Jack: //Alright... I'll get this cleaned up first though.//

Dean: Thanks. *hangs up, and then gives Patrick a gobsmacked expression* See what I mean?

Patrick: *snickerfit*

Dean: *rubs his temples and then has a cookie and some tea* What were you saying before the vinegar and soda broke all records?

Patrick: *regaining his composure* What about Professor Percia? Or even his wife?

Dean: *thoughtful frown* Would Merlin be interested in the position? I was thinking of offering it to you, since you have first hand experience with extra terrestrial people.

Patrick: ... *just a bit flabbergasted now* Er... I... *gives himself a bit of a shake and tries again, but fumbles over his words. Didn't expect this* *gives himself another shake as he remembers what he's already in charge of* I still think Professor Percia would be a better choice...

Dean: Well... if you're sure. Do you know if he's ever met a visitor? *doesn't notice Nijika tagging after Merlin as that worthy heads for his next class*

Patrick: *chuckles and nods* He's met visitors in the past. He is friends with Jack...

Dean: *startled* ...Oh. Right. I should have realized. You and Jack are friends, after all.

Patrick: *nods, chuckling*

Dean: Alright. I'll ask Merlin if... *eyes go wide as another explosion rattles the windows. Phone out* JACK!

Jack: //That wasn't me!// *sounds just a bit freaked out*

Patrick: *on his feet now*

Dean: *gasps and ducks under the desk due to instinct honed while a young school boy during a big war*

next explosion: *breaks the windows*

Patrick: *ducks and covers* What the heck?!

Justice: //Dad! There are Decepticons flying toward the school, and we heard explosions. Are you alright?//

Galvatron: *appears right there in the office*

Dean: 0_0

Patrick: //I'm fine. I'm in the Dean's office...// *looks up* o_o *moving to stand up* Galvatron? What's going on?

Galvatron: *hand on his new brother* -The slagging 'Cons are attacking the school. You need to get people evacuated while Blitzwing and Astrotrain distract them.-

Patrick: *to the Dean* We need to evacuate everyone. *so serious*

Dean: We don't have any shelters! *looks at the big purple thing that he can see through* ...I don't believe in ghosts.

Patrick: Whether you do or not, he's here. We need to get everyone on campus someplace safe, as soon as possible.

Galvatron: -PINpoint them out! Hurry!-

scream: *comes from outside. Seems ghosty Optimus just encountered one of the invaders*

Patrick: Get all the students, faculty, and staff to the gym. *comming Jack, Sean, Russell, Merlin, and the Aerialbots and relaying similar orders*

Dean: *grabs the PA, and uses it and his cellphone to get the message out* *still eyeing that ghost, but his mind has snapped into action mode*

Patrick: *will get his cellphone out and relay the message to the library staff as well*

Nijika: *suddenly in the office, clinging to Merlin's arm*

Merlin: We must get to the gym immediately. *just a bit shaky, but trying to keep calm*

Patrick: Bring the Dean to the gym. I'll go get the library staff and the students there.

Nijika: *hurries over to take the Dean's arm. Will snag his old Brownie doll that usually sits in a case by the wall but is now laying in a heap of glass*

Merlin: *nods and moves to put a hand on the Dean's arm* Please brace yourself, sir.

Patrick: *will PINpoint to the library*

Dean: ...Where did Patrick go? *absently takes his grandpa's old doll and tucks it protectively into the front of his suit jacket*

Galvatron: *vanishes too. Somewhere outside another 'Con screams*

Merlin: To the library, as he previously stated.

Dean: Oh... Er. Carry on, then.

Merlin: *will make sure Nijika won't fall, then he's bringing everyone to the gym*


Meanwhile, outside...


'Con grunt: *just saw something scary!*

Blitzwing: *smacks a fist into his palm* So. You're done here, right?

'Con grunt: *meeps and nods. Might've leaked a bit of oil as well*

Blitzwing: *nods as well, but then stumbles as someone slugs him from behind* *whirls, and then frowns* ...Sixshot's dead.

'Con grunt: *getting the *BLEEP* outta here!*

Astrotrain: *scowling as he shakes another flunky* I thought he was was dead...

Blitzwing: ...So're Runabout and Runamuck. *nods toward where a pair of bots are standing back to back*

Astrotrain: ... Slag...


Inside the gym


Sean: *runs in, his eyes wide, and looks around for somebody*

Dean: *trying to keep things under control. Is glad for the fact that Jack, Merlin, and several other faculty members are more than capable of keeping cool heads in chaotic situations*

Sean: *runs over to him* Sir, they're getting close. We have to move everyone out, now.

Dean: ... Move everyone out to where though? It's not safe outside.

Sean: *slight grin* Remember who I am, sir?

Dean: ... Right. *bit of a facepalm, then he's taking a deep breath and moving to get everyone rounded up*

Sean: *concentrates, and suddenly there's a rainbow arch against one wall of the gym*

nerdy girl in the crowd: *squee* That's one of Sundog's portals!!!

Nijika: *soft laugh* Let's go through it!

nerdy girl: *going to herd classmates through, yapping excitedly about it*

Jack: *helping guide students through the portal*

Sean: *watches till everyone but the Dean and Jack have gone through, then goes and shoves on the older Autobot* You too, Uncle Jack. You're a non-com.

Jack: *acks as he's shoved* Alright, alright... *will move to guide the Dean through as well*

Dean: *as he watches Sean turn toward the outside door* But he's...

Jack: He's a Destron, and flies with the rest of his wing. *herds the Dean through the portal*

Dean: 0_0

Sean: *through the door and into the air*

Dean: *going to worry about Sean until he's got proof that the youngster is alright*


Skylar's place


Skylar: *getting a mug out of the cupboard, stops short as he sees that the back yard is suddenly full of people* ... What the?

Airwolf: *climbs up and looks over the back of the armchair* Wadda?

Skylar: ... *turns his comms back on since he had them off so he could focus on studying* There are people in the back yard...

Sunstreaker: //Alright, portal's still open. You're the man, Sundog! Come on, Swiper, let's kick 'Con clone skid.//

Skylar: //... What the heck is going on?//

Sundog: //There are 'Cons attacking the school, Uncle Skylar.//

Skylar: //... I'll be there as soon as I can.//

Sundog: //Sweet. Wait, Uncle Patrick's talking.//

Patrick: //Kup, how quickly can your team mobilize? Sora, we might need you and Mirage as well. Drift, no. No 'Ride of the Valkyries'. I don't care if it's epic.//

Rachel: //Wait. What do you mean, 'No Ride of the Valkyries'? We need something to drown out the twins.//

Patrick: //Then play the '1812 Overture'.//

Sean: *blasts out 'Kentucky Gold'*

Patrick: //...That works.//

Fire: //Fire rescue team is in position.//

Sora: //Mirage and I are in position at *names coordinates*// *sounds just a bit shaky at the moment*

Blitzwing: //Slag. They've cloned Soundwave too.//

Kup: //No, Road Queen. I'll mash that slagger myself.//

Blaster: //... Make sure there's enough left for Wesson to play kick-the-can with!//

Kup: //... Wesson's visitin' the in-laws, remember, brainiac?//

Blaster: //...Right. Fine then. Save enough for me to play kick-the-can with.//

Destiny: //Derp.//

Skylar: //...Hang on a moment...// *will go outside and get the Dean*

Airwolf: Booobah whoa. *frowns at the guy his daddy just stopped in front of*

Dean: ... Er...

Jack: *cheerfully* Things got a little crazy at the campus. *will help Skylar herd escort the Dean into the house*

Skylar: I'm really sorry about this, but I have to go. *will give the Dean Airwolf* *to Airwolf* This guy's like Virginia. Play nice. *and then he's hurrying out the door again*

Airwolf: *studies the guy who is now holding him* Bah...

Jack: *chuckles at the baffled look on the Dean's face*

Airwolf: *leans forward and nomphs a button off the Dean's suit jacket, and then points to the TV as a little yellow and green combat jet screams past* Doggie!

Dean: *boggles at the baby eating one of his jacket buttons, and then he's staring at the TV screen*

Jack: And Starscream just showed up. Things are going to get a bit hairy there...

Bonnie: *pushes through the TV watching crowd, and then blinks* Menasor! :D

Airwolf: Saur!

Menasor: *on screen, towering over the buildings as he swings an engine block around his head on a chain. Belts another huge 'Con and sends him tumbling through one of Sundog's portals*

Jack: *looks up to see if the 'Con is coming through here, or if it got sent someplace else*

Dean: ... Who's that? *nods toward a white bot wielding a sword*

Airwolf: *has another button, then looks and squeals* Drift!

Bonnie: Hey, yeah! Hit 'em again, b'y!

Jack: *winces as another 'Con gets dropped by an unseen attack* That'll leave a mark...

Dean: ... What will?

Bonnie: *looks up at him* Mirage jes' kicked 'em in the gearbox.

nerd: *sudden shriek* It's Optimus Prime!

Airwolf: Pime!!

Dean: ... No way...

Jack: Ooh, he's ticked...

Bonnie: Get 'em, Boss! *laughing*

Optimus: *flying bootshop of 'Con that sends it right through a portal* Eightball in the corner pocket. *then turns and starts a rumble with Runabout and Runamuck*

Dean: *boggling and trying to make sense of what's going on*

Airwolf: Kicka #$#$@%! *squeee!*

Bonnie: *hugs Jack* Aw yeah. Kick t'eir afts.

Jack: They've got the Wreckers, Fire Robo and his support team, Sharpshot, Mirage, Starscream's wing, Astrotrain, Blitzwing, and Optimus fighting 'em... They should just quit while they're ahead...

Bonnie: *pauses as music comes over the speaker* T'ey's got Nijika pullin' a Minmay, too.

Airwolf: *eats another button, and then bops*

Jack: *chuckles and glances over his shoulder* Hey, Merlin, your kid's pullin' a Minmay! And doin' a better job of it to boot!

Merlin: Oh, dear... *will try and verify that Nijika is staying out of harm's way*

Bonnie: *now giving Jack a 'did you just say that?' look*

Dean: ... *gives Jack a 'WTS' look*

Jack: ... Oops... //...Er... Rachel?//

Rachel: //Hmmm, sport?//

Jack: //I... Kinda did a dumb thing...//

Rachel: //I don't really have time to come dig, Jack.//

Jack: //That's not it. Nothing blew up... well... not anything physical...//

Rachel: //...Start at the beginning, sport.//

Jack: //I.. Kinda blew Merlin's cover on accident...//

Rachel: //Ack! Who to?//

Jack: //The Dean.//

Bonnie: *finger in ear* //'N ever'body else in t' room.//

Rachel: //Oh boy.// *pings Merlin*

Merlin: //Merlin speaking// *sounds just a bit worried*

Rachel: //The Dean knows about me and Jack. Who else is in the room?//

Merlin: *putting the pieces together* //... Oh dear...//

Jack://The kids that live in the house... We're at Skylar's apartment building...//

Rachel: //Does anybody look surprised or alarmed other than the Dean?//

Jack: //Everyone else is too busy watching the Chief wallop the Sixshot clone that showed up at the campus...//

Rachel: //I think we're safe.//

Dean: ... *now he gets why Patrick suggested having Merlin be the Dean of the ET studies school*

Merlin: *just a bit distracted by keeping tabs on Nijika's location. Is glad for the fact that Mirage got his stealth mod repaired awhile back*

Bonnie: *watches Sixshot clone fly through the rainbow portal* T'at's the last one.

Airwolf: *studies the front of the Dean's now open jacket* Yast one.

Jack: Looks like things've quieted down... ... *soft snerk and a headshake*

Dean: That's good... *and then he realizes his jacket's open* ... How did... My buttons!

Airwolf: Aw gone. *wibble*

Jack: Huh? *looks* ... *laughs*

Airwolf: *just found the Brownie doll* Baby!

Dean: *attention going to that* *quietly* That used to belong to my grandfather... Please be careful with it.

Airwolf: *looks up, frowning thoughtfully at the Dean's quiet tone. Then offers the doll* You baby.

kids: *murmuring and shifting as someone pushes through the crowd*

Dean: *as he gently accepts the offered doll, he'll look up to see what's going on around him*

Starpounder: *steps around a tall boy and smiles at the Dean* Skylar asked me to bring him his son. He said to tell you to ask Jack to verify that it's alright.

Airwolf: Aunty! :D

Jack: *looks over from talking to Will when he hears his name* Oh, hey, Starpounder. What did you need me to do?

Dean: *blink blink*

Starpounder: Skylar said he'd talk to you. *slight frown*

Bonnie: Did you turn off yer phone?

Jack: *bit of a frown as he checks* Oh... *sigh* A text message is not talking... *will call Skylar*

Will: *'scuse him while he facepalms*

Airwolf: *looks quizzically up at the Dean* Woofy to Aunty?

Dean: Er... *glances to Jack, who nods, then he's moving to offer Airwolf to Starpounder*

Starpounder: *takes the sparklet and nuzzles him, then smiles at the Dean and turns to walk away as Airwolf chats to her quietly*

Dean: *very brain-broken right now*

Will: *bit of an o.0 look for the Dean*

Bonnie: *gentle poke for the Dean* You alright, sir?

Dean: I... think I need a vacation once this is all said and done...

Bonnie: *frowns* The fightin' get you t'at bad?

Dean: With everything that's been going on plus the fighting...

Will: *quietly* Civvies aren't s'posed to see fighting...

Bonnie: *deep sigh and sympathetic pat for the Dean* We'se tryin' ta keep it down. Ain't our idea ta do it.

Dean: *small nod*

Will: *biting his lower lip a bit and letting Mama know that everything's quieted down*

Bonnie: *quietly to the Dean* Come see my Granny, 'n get somethin' good ta eat. *hand on his arm that's gentle and supportive*

Wander: *just got through the dispersing crowd* Hey, yeah. That'd be a holiday.

Pandita: *coming over with Endstar on his hip* Who's going on holiday? *totally missed the majority of the conversation*

Wander: This guy ain't feelin' so good. *nods toward the Dean*

Pandita: *concerned expression is a go*

Dean: *to Bonnie* Er... Alright...

Bonnie: *looks up at him earnestly* Are you up ta walkin' back ta the school?

Dean: ... I think so... *then again, maybe not, with how peckish he looks right now*

Pandita: *bit of a frown as he notices that*

Bonnie: *frowns slightly, then looks around* Uncle Jack? S'yer car here in town?

Jack: *headshake* I got a ride with Merlin today...

Bonnie: Uncle Percy?

Merlin: *looks up from conversing with Nijika, has his cell phone to his ear* Yes, Bonnie?

Bonnie: You got a ride here?

Merlin: If it has not been destroyed by the fighting, it should still be in the faculty parking lot on campus...

Bonnie: Kin somebody look? The Dean needs ta get outta here 'n rest.

Merlin: One moment, if I may... *phone back to ear, will comm Skylar and have him check*

Wander: Chair's clear! *just shoved the boy who'd been sitting in it onto the floor, and has a foot on him as he grouches and laughs ruefully*

Bonnie: Come sit, b'y. *gentle tug on the Dean's arm*

Dean: ... Right... *moves to sit down in the chair*

Pandita: *back with a bottle of kombucha!* Here... *offers it to the Dean*

Dean: *takes it and blinks at it, but he's thirsty, and he trusts Pandita. Tips it up and takes a gulp, then sputters slightly before swallowing*

Bonnie: Easy, b'y.

Dean: *drains the bottle, and then lowers it to his knee* *wearily* What is this?

Pandita: Kombucha. It's a tea-based drink...

Dean: *slight smile* Tea. Ah. *then looks around* Professor Percia?

Merlin: *looks up* Yes, sir?

Dean: May I speak to you a moment? *looks up in time to see Bonnie slipping away to go stop some noise in the hall*

Merlin: Of course... *small nod to Jack and Pandita, who move to try and usher the stragglers from the room*

Dean: *as the kids quietly protest that this is their living room and they want to sit down* *nods Merlin to the other armchair*

Merlin: *moves to sit in the other armchair*

Dean: *once the kids are gone* *quietly* Nijika is your daughter?

Merlin: *quietly, after making absolutely certain nobody is around to eavesdrop* Yes, sir... She is.

Dean: I understood that she came from a planet called Zamojin.

Merlin: *nods* This is true... However, due to an incident on that planet many years ago, she has a spark which has part of my coding within...

Dean: *rubs the bridge of his nose between one thumb and forefinger* So you're Cybertronian, and she's half.

Merlin: *small nod* That is correct...

Dean: Is everyone in this town from another world? *partly rhetorical question*

Merlin: *blink blink* I believe the vast majority of the population of Blacksburg are indeed human and native to this world, sir...

Dean: Ah. *looks at his Brownie, and then at his suit jacket* The baby ate my buttons.

Merlin: *blink blink, looks* Oh... Oh, dear... *trying not to sound amused* They were blue plastic ones, correct?

Dean: Black with blue highlights.

Merlin: *small nod* Blue plastic is a popular snack amongst Cybertronians...

Dean: So Skylar's one of you too. *sets Brownie doll down and rubs his temples*

Merlin: *small nod* *quietly* He is part of the same squadron as Sundog... In fact, he is the Air Commander of said squadron...

Dean: *head lifts* Starscream?

Merlin: *small nod* Though he is not as selfish as his 'Shifters' counterpart...

Dean: No... I don't think Sean would put up with someone like that. *has seen the boy on campus around bullies*

Merlin: *thoughtful expression is a go* This is true...

Dean: *sighs and looks wistfully at the empty bottle that had held fizzy fruit tea* The girl with the accent...

Merlin: Miss Rabie is human, though she has a spark...

Dean: Another girl of mixed family?

Merlin: *small nod*

Dean: *slight smile, but then winces and rubs his temples again*

Merlin: *quietly* It may perhaps be advisable to take some personal time...

Dean: *wryly* It seems I'm going to have a holiday at Miss Rabie's grandmother's house. Whether I want one or not.

Merlin: *blink blink* *soft chuckle* Though you would not be traveling too terribly far... Granny Rabie lives in the subdivision that is located within proximity of the military base near the outskirts of Blacksburg.

Dean: *slight huff of a laugh, and then a sigh* Professor Percia, have you ever thought of advancement?

Merlin: *blink blink, surprised by the change in topic* Er... I had not considered the possibility... *thrown for a bit of a loop*

Dean: *quietly outlines the plan for the Institute for Extraterrestrial Studies* Mr. Oberson recommended you for the position.

Merlin: *blinks and nods his understanding* I see... *considering look* May I request time to discuss the matter with my wife before I make a decision on the matter, sir?

Dean: *wearily* Of course.

Merlin: Please excuse me... *will get up and move to stand on the other side of the room before he comms Kia and explains what the Dean has informed him of, including Patrick's suggestion for the Dean of the Institute for Extraterrestrial Studies position*

Kia: -I know, love.- *accompanies the thought with a feeling of outrage at the attack and wondering what Merlin would like for supper*

Merlin: *soft chuckle* -I do believe it is Javan's night to cook in the mess tonight... Perhaps we should consider heeding Ensign Falman and Miss Smith's advice regarding the Japanese restaraunt in town?-

Kia: -You're certain the Decepticon threat is nullified for the present. Hmmm. I must admit curiosity as to the flavour of the coloured varieties of rice.-

Merlin: -Unless there has been word to the contrary, I do believe the threat has been nullified for the moment... And I admit I find myself quite curious about the flavor of the colored varieties of rice as well, love. Shall I make a reservation for this evening?-

Kia: *affirmation and affection even as she shares with him the feeling of trying to get a ferret out of the leg of her grey silk slacks*

Merlin: *gentle affection and a suggestion of distracting the ferret with some Froot Loops if available* -I do believe that if I were to accept the advancement offer, it would prove highly beneficial not only to current visitors to Earth, but future ones as well...-

Kia: -And it would be very pleasing to our daughter, which is a strong added argument in our mind.-

Merlin: -Indeed. Then I shall inform the Dean of our decision.- *more gentle affection*

Kia: -We'll meet at the restaurant.- *mirrors his feeling*

Merlin: -Agreed.- *attention back to the Dean* Sir?

Dean: *startles and looks up* Yes?

Merlin: It would be an honor to assist in any way possible with the Institute for Extraterrestrial Studies.

Dean: *wan smile* I'm glad to hear that. We've already got our first guest professor hired.

Merlin: *surprised expression is a go* Oh? May I inquire as to who that guest professor is?

Dean: *sigh* The information is in my files. I'll share them when I'm not... quite so shaken.

Merlin: Understandable, sir.

Dean: *thinks a moment, and then looks up hesitatingly* Do you know the lady that I am to be the guest of?

Merlin: *nods* Granny Rabie and I often converse in the mornings before I commute to the campus.

Dean: *hesitantly* What is she like?

Merlin: She is a grandmother of a fairly sizable family, and a former citizen of Newfoundland. She is honest, caring, and trustworthy.

Dean: *sheepish as he asks his next question* Does she have any sort of a reputation with food?

Merlin: She is quite skilled with seal and other wild meats, and the bannock she makes has caused several fights over who gets the last piece in a batch.

Dean: Bannock?

Merlin: It's similar to scones, and quite flavorful. *bit of a smile as he talks about one of his favorite treats*

Dean: *hopeful expression* So I'll be able to have tea while I'm her guest?

Merlin: *nods* She is quite skilled at making tea as well.

Dean: *sighs* *quietly* Am I in danger? Is that why your people have decided to move me to your base?

Merlin: *blink blink* I believe it's more a matter of providing a relatively quiet place to review and come to terms with the events of today... Autobots by nature are civilians and very caring, and Miss Rabie is a very care-oriented person as well.

Dean: *expression turns to faintly amused* Ahh. I see. *then frowns with concern* Someone went for a car, didn't they?

Merlin: I did call Skylar Jones...

Dean: *looks around, wondering how long he'll need to wait*

Skylar: *arriving in Merlin's car not even five minutes later*

somebody: *calls from the back of the house* Here's your ride, Mr. Johnson.

Merlin: Shall we then, sir?

Dean: *rises creakily to his feet* I should go home and pick up a few things.

Skylar: *as he comes in* It's been taken care of.

Dean: *startled and quizzical look* Oh?

Skylar: I stopped by your house and talked to your housekeeper.

Dean: *brightens* Ah. Yes. Nancy knows how to pack what I need quickly. *loves his baby sister, he does*

Skylar: *chuckles as he thinks about how efficiently the greying lady had bustled around, given him cookies, and then got the packing done*

Dean: *letting Merlin herd him out of the house, has tucked the old Brownie doll safely into a pocket and is considering what his sister will say when she sees the missing buttons on this jacket* *is also moving slowly and with obvious weariness*

Merlin: *showing what he meant about Autobots being care-oriented as he offers assistance to the Dean*

Dean: *quiet thanks. Is soon installed in the car and will probably sleep on his way to the base*

Rachel: *open channel* *quietly* //The Protectobots just woke up.//

Patrick: //... How are they?//

Rachel: //Groggy. They refuelled, asked a few questions, and now they're sleeping normally. Hopesong's with them. I think she might have had something to do with their waking up.//

Patrick: //I'll talk to them when they wake up next.//

Rachel: //Alright. Oh, and the four Grannies are ready for the Dean.//

Patrick: //... When did we get a fourth Granny?!//

Rachel: *very quiet chuckle, as she's distracted by the attack on the school and keeping track of the bots who are pounding on the attackers out in the Australian Outback* //Your mother was invited into the group.//

Patrick: //... Oh.//

Rachel: //She is a grandmother, Chief.//

Patrick: //True...//

Rachel: //And there went the attackers.//

Tea: //Slaggin' recall device!//

Patrick: //...// *impolite word*

Tea: //I can't even track that, and neither can Skylynx.//

Patrick: //We need to find some way of getting one of the tracking devices... Someone in the Nexus might be able to figure out where they're being sent from.//

Tea: //I could've got them if it weren't for that slaggin' Soundwave clone.//

Patrick: //... Do I want to know what the clone did?//

Tea: //Probably, but you never understand when I explain that stuff.//

Patrick: //...// *sigh* //Alright...//

Rachel: *sighs as well* //Do they need you around the school anymore?//

Patrick: //I'll check... but I don't think so...//

Rachel: //Then come on home and have something to eat and a rest. I saw you playing eightball out there.//

Patrick: //I'll see you soon. Patrick out.//

Rachel: //Alright.// *sighs as she wonders how many more attacks there are going to be, and if they're all going to be out where everyone can see them* //Rachel out. Be safe.//

((Written with random_xtras))