TPF. Autobot Outpost Omega One and the Road to Dallas' House. Blast from the Past

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from here



meanwhile, back at the base


Optimus: *directing the setting up of a big bed against the back wall of the control room. Can hear the rumble of mayhem echoing down the main corridor and knows that the morning training sessions are in progress* No, Ratchet. That's not enough padding.

Ratchet: I'll go get more, then. *moves to do so*

Two Bad: *continue to attack the Ratchet feets!*

Ratchet: *doing his best to avoid Two Bad* Someone distract him, please!

Optimus: Two Bad, come here.

Two Bad: *FEEEETS!*

Eclipse: *coming into the control room with a happily babbling Lumen in her arms. Will move to see if it's alright to tuck Lumen in with Predaking, so she can try and corner Two Bad*

Predaking: *turns shocked golden eyes to the little orange and black woman* You wish me to hold your child?

Eclipse: Yeah. He's not too wiggly, and he's about ready for a nap, plus I have to have both hands free in order to try and keep Two Bad from attacking Ratchet's feet again.

Lumen: *chirp chirp, babble yap!*

Predaking: *holds out his good arm* I... am unsure as to how to hold him. *then catches what she said and looks at her quickly* A nap? But it is time to rise.

Optimus: *distracted by chirping at a Two Bad who isn't in the room and fussing over getting the bed right* Lumen's awake all night.

Eclipse: We've resorted to putting him in his playpen with some of his soft toys in order to get some sleep, which works, unless he starts yelling. *will move to tuck Lumen in on Predaking's lap*

Lumen: *chirrrup?*

Predaking: *looks down at the sparklet* *sternly* Night is the time to sleep.

Lumen: Abooo?

Predaking: ...You are not yet sentient.

Eclipse: He's only about ten years old now... Barely an eighth of a vorn.

Two Bad: *back, still harassing feets!*

Eclipse: *to Lumen* You behave. I'll see if I can't convince Two Bad to settle down, too. *scoots off after the baby Predacon*

Lumen: *chirps and clicks, will hold his toes*

Two Bad: *so excited! What's Grandpa doing?*

Predaking: *looks toward the noise his little brothers are making and gasps*

Ratchet: *just faceplanted because he had to do fancy footwork to avoid stepping on Two Bad, and tripped over his own feet* Oooof!

Lumen: *squeak!*

Eclipse: Two Bad! C'mere! Lumen wants to say hi to you.

Optimus: *hurries over to lift her husband out of the pile of bedding* *accidentally drops a big puffy mattress on Two Bad*

Two Bad: *chirp chirp chirp! Scared flat babby!*

Eclipse: *will come to babby's rescue* Aww, it's okay, Two Bad, see? I'm here, and we can go see Lumen and your big brother. *offers cuddles*

Optimus: *relieved that the twins are alright, lifts the other mattress off her husband* Ratchet?

Ratchet: *sigh* We really need to consider a bell collar for those two. Or a better way to keep them entertained and away from feet.

Optimus: *sighs and hugs him, then sets him on his feet and stoops to grab the mats* *sudden freeze* I haven't heard Hot Rod yet.

Ratchet: 0_0 *hurries to find the little mech*

Eclipse: *will bring Two Bad over to Predaking and Lumen, is talking about all manner of things now*

Lumen: *happy whistle as he sees Two Bad!*

Eclipse: *blink blink, looks to her son* I didn't teach you that.

Optimus: *chuckles as she turns her attention back to padding the bed* It's how Saelen calls the dogs.

Predaking: *frowns* Two Bad is not a pet.

Optimus: I think Lumen's too young to know the difference.

Eclipse: Lumen's at the stage where he'll imitate any sound he hears. At least it's not the car alarm going off this time. *nods and moves to add Two Bad to Predaking's lap* It was pretty funny to see Wheeljack run into the doorway that one time, though.

Optimus: *glances toward Predaking's lap as she hears the distinct sound of human gas*

Two Bad: *stops laughing and starts making amused sounds at the noise Lumen just made! Gonna swallow air now!*

Eclipse: *facepalm*

Predaking: ... *mournfully* Why have so many of my brothers failed to engage their processing abilities?

Eclipse: They'll grow into doing that, hopefully.

Lumen: *itty bitty braaaap* *snuggles against the nice, warm big and yawns*

Predaking: *deep sigh* Darksteel will not. He thinks it is funny. *adjusts his lap blanket to cover Lumen with a corner of it*

Wheeljack: *skids into the room and then runs down the entrance tunnel* I regret nothin'!

Lumen: *splatsleeps, is now a ragdoll sparklet*

Two Bad: *nomma Lumen toez*

Lumen: *clickstorm*

Eclipse: ... I really hope Lu doesn't act like Wheeljack as an adult. *goes to chase after her father, intending to find out what he did that he doesn't regret doing*

Ratchet: *watches them go as he returns from his quest for Hot Rod*

Optimus: And to think. This is what happens without Mira. But she's here now.

Ratchet: She won't be on base for much longer this morning. She and Ultra Magnus are departing for Miss MacKenzie's and Knockout's location very soon.

Optimus: They've already left. Wheeljack doesn't realize that his work was for nothing. *slight smile*

Ratchet: ... Do I dare ask what he was up to THIS time?

Optimus: It's complex. I've asked Smokescreen to disassemble it.

Ratchet: Good. *back to work on arranging bedding* Hot Rod is already in the nursery. Lori is currently dressing him up as a princess.

Optimus: *doesn't bat an eye* Has he eaten?

Ratchet: Yes. Lori was waiting on him to finish his breakfast when I arrived.

Optimus: *chuckles. Then steps back to look at the bed and nods her head before going over and rapping her knuckles on the roof of the larger of the two A frames that are sitting on the large raised area behind the computer screens*

Beau: *is that interrupted snore*

Optimus: *waits a moment, and then knocks again from where she's hunkered on the raised area next to the little house* Beau. It's time to get up. Lori's already plotting the sharage of Disney commodities.

Beau: *groggily* 'M up.

Optimus: No, you aren't. *raps again*

Beau: Getting there...

Optimus: You aren't out of bed yet.

Predaking: *realizes he's watching with his mouth open. Closes mouth and turns quizzical, confused eyes to Ratchet*

Ratchet: *chuckles softly* Optimus' human partner enjoys the comforts of a warm bed and is often reluctant to leave said warm bed at the start of the day.

Predaking: *more confused, but plainly wondering if the good treatment will stop if he confesses his lack of understanding*

Ratchet: Col. MacKenzie is considered elderly by his people's standards. The base can be a bit cold at times, which aggravates some of his older injuries.

Predaking: *expression clears somewhat, but then brightens as he sees a slender brunette emerge from the smaller A frame, hand little Orion to Optimus, and then go inside the bigger A frame*

Beau: *is that startled yelp from the larger A-frame*

Denver: Up 'n at 'em, Beau.

Ratchet: *long-suffering sigh*

Optimus: *leaned down to look through the front door of Beau's home* Denver, you didn't need to drag him onto the floor.

Denver: He should've let go of the blanket then.

Beau: I'm right here, you know.

Optimus: *disapproving huff at her daughter* Breakfast's ready, Beau. Kae Yau's maid made homemade corned beef hash.

Beau: *getting up and giving Denver a Look, which the brunette ignores* Alright. Speaking of Kae Yau, I'm surprised she's not already terrorizing the Wreckers.

Optimus: *softly* She's recovering from having another son last night.

Denver: Wait, what?!

Beau: *looks up from changing pants* How'd she have another one so soon?

Optimus: Quincy is ifiri. He might very well be Thomas' twin.

Beau: ... Huh.

Denver: Kae Yau's okay, right?

Optimus: *softly* She has a severe migraine headache. Tobias will be spending the day with her.

Denver: *winces. Knows how painful migraines can be sometimes*

Optimus: *doesn't mention the children that the ifiri woman thinks she's lost* Mitsy put the yellow onions into the hash.

Beau: *quickly buttons his shirt and moves to leave the A Frame*

Denver: You're not sitting next to me at dinner.

Optimus: *sits up to get out of the way of the A frame door* He can hold his onions better than that.

Denver: Says you. You've never been stuck in a car for fourteen hours with him after eating hash.

Optimus: I've been on a two day trip with him after he ate canned hash.

Denver: ... You win this round, Ma. *shudders*

Optimus: *gentle humour* And my trip happened after yours did.

Denver: *thrrpt*

Optimus: *chuckles, and then stands to tiptoe past the A frames and leap lightly off the raised area* Raf is still sleeping?

Denver: Yup. *chuckles and moves to exit Beau's house*

Orion: *awake and making happy sounds*

Optimus: *goes over to Predaking and helps herself to Lumen and Two Bad* *gently lays the three babies on the balcony, and then touches Frieda's shoulder* Will you help me move Predaking to his bed?

Predaking: *surprised look to Ratchet. Hadn't realized that that bed was meant for him*

Ratchet: *chuckles* We discussed it this morning over fuel, and felt it would help you recover if you weren't cooped up in your room the entire time you're visiting.

Frieda: *slight start, but then she's nodding and politely excusing herself from the conversation with the President*

President Pratt: //Optimus has my number, so we can finish talking about hobbies later. See you, Frieda.// *hangs up*

Optimus: *goes and gently pushes Predaking's chair near the bed* I think this will give you a good view of everything that happens in the room.

Predaking: *looks up at her, and then lifts his arms as she gently tugs on his good one to help him up* *really isn't certain about what he should say* *lifts his brows and looks to Frieda. She usually does the talking!*

Frieda: Und here, he ist closer to se infirmary should he need it?

Ratchet: *nods* Yes. Though it's more likely that our resident Wreckers will need the infirmary before he does.

Predaking: I will not need it. I am no invalid.

Optimus: *slight smile at the boy's fierce but cautious pride as she helps him over to the bed with Frieda's help*

Ratchet: I don't doubt it. For one thing, you have more than proven that you know how to use your processor.

Predaking: *glance of surprise for Ratchet*

Optimus: Slide him back carefully, Frieda.

Frieda: *will do so, her movements slow and careful*

Predaking: *wincing slightly, but then sighs and lays back against the raised head of the bed* *quiet dignity* Thank you.

Optimus: *chuckles and kisses him on the cheek, and then walks over to get the babies*

Predaking: o.0?

Ratchet: *will gently patpat Predaking's good shoulder before moving to pick Denver up*

Denver: *cheerfully snarks at the medic*

Frieda: *boggles*

Optimus: *back with babies. Gently tucks Lumen and the wriggly Two Bad in with Predaking, then puts Orion in his basket and adds him* *smiles at Predaking, and then kisses Ratchet in passing as she goes back to the computer to start her morning round of calls*

Predaking: *panic on his face as he looks at Denver* Am I to hold your child as well?

Denver: He'll be fine. Lumen and Two Bad love him and are gentle with him.

Predaking: But I am a stranger. *looks at that tiny, soft infant and sees quizzical eyes smiling up at him* *soft gasp*

Orion: *happy sounds*

Denver: You're part of the family.

Ratchet: Now I know that you haven't had breakfast yet, Denver. *fondness for the human woman is clear in his voice and actions as he aids Denver in finding a comfortable position*

Optimus: *without looking away from the text conversation she's engaging in* And I know you like hash, contrary to what your words to Beau may indicate.

Denver: *rolls her eyes* Quit finishing each other's thoughts. It's creepy.

Optimus: Oh I've heard you and Raf... *breaks off to lean forward and read*

Ratchet: *eyes twinkling* Do it more than once.

Denver: *swats her father* Thrrpt.

Optimus: *chuckles as they walk off down the corridor toward the mess, from which sounds of mirth and argument are starting to echo*

Predaking: *looks at the two more babies that were just added to his pile by that stocky woman who just ran past*

Optimus: *as the runner vanishes down the entrance tunnel* Calypso. Speed limit.

Calypso: Gotta save me wench!

Optimus: At the speed limit.

Frieda: 0_0 Vench?

Optimus: *as Bathilda's face appears on the screen* Her sparkmate, Wheeljack.

Frieda: ... *still a bit confused, but will look to where her mother's face is on the screen*

Optimus: Bathilda, the automated satellites report an organic presence near the Well of Allsparks on Cybertron. It's a Drach.

Bathilda: *as Frieda gasps* //Ist ser a visual?// *wings flared a bit with startlement* *had explained about Francisco going missing earlier in the morning, when Optimus had asked why she had been crying*

Optimus: No. Storm activity in the atmosphere prevents clear image captures. However, there is a large, circular amphitheatre made of stones very near the mouth of the Well. We're picking up large concentrations of Cybertronian life inside and very near to this circle.

Bathilda: //...It ist a nest.//

Optimus: *brows lift* ...A nest?

Bathilda: //Ja... Drachenscwarm used to build stone nests in se before times... Se nests vere solid against se veazher und could be defended easily.//

Optimus: *soft gasp. Turns to look toward the corridor* Ratchet, the Well is active!

Ratchet: *just made a bunch of soldiers laugh with the sound he made, is soon hurrying back to the control room*

Bathilda: //I vill go investigate. Und I vill bring back das bilder.//

Frieda: Moeder... *worried*

Optimus: No. Bathilda, the storm activity is intense.

Bathilda: *a bit sharper than she intended* //[If it's my son, I must make sure he is safe!]//

Optimus: The storms aren't near the surface. *sudden comical sound of surprise* I know that life sign reading!

Bathilda: //Just because Ich bin eine Dame [does not mean that I am fragile. I fought and won my first husband's hand and many squabbles when I was living on his world! I am just as much a warrior as you are, Optimus.]//

Ratchet: *skids to a stop and gasps for air to cool off with* *soft and amazed* Megatron...

Optimus: But I saw him die, Ratchet! *turns eyes and feelings toward her husband- feelings of anguish and anxiety for her worlds and her people*

Ratchet: I don't... I don't understand this. How is this possible?

Optimus: *gasps again* *softly* There's Starscream. And... Skyquake.

Bathilda: *so serious* //Someone must investigate.//

Ratchet: *studying the signatures* There's Airachnid... *boggles* Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy... *soft gasp, hand to mouth* *quietly* Blaster...

Frieda: ... Sey are people you knew? *looking to Ratchet*

Bathilda: //Optimus, bitte, let me bring a team to Cybertron, und ve vill confirm vhat ist happening.//

Optimus: *slumps back, her hand reaching out blindly for support* *softly, voice trembling* Ironhide. Jazz.

Ratchet: *so shocked, can only hold wife close and try not to wibble*

Optimus: *chair rattles as she weeps*

muddy Wheeljack: *looks at the COs, then looks at the screen* What's with them? *points with a thumb*

Frieda: Se Vell ist active again... Und sey recognize some of se personen.

Wheeljack: *brushes mud off one arm, and frowns in thought. Then glances at his mate as she wanders in* Got activity on Cybertron.

Calypso: *surprised obscenity* We be leavin' port soon, Cap'n? *looks to Optimus*

Wheeljack: *looks at the weeping Prime and shakes his head slightly* Never mind her. Muster the Wreckers that're here.

Calypso: *nod* Aye. *quick peck for mate, goes to get the other Wreckers present on base*

Wheeljack: *strides quickly over to Predaking* June'll be out here soon. The little bugs should be alright 'til then.

Predaking: *uncertainly* I do not understand.

Wheeljack: Babies. Kids. The sitter'll be out ta help in a few.

Predaking: *expression clears as bots pause by his bed to add to the pile of tinies laying on him* Ah. Very well. I will protect them until that time.

Wheeljack: *grins and gently punches the boy on the shoulder, then heads to the bridge controls*

Witchblade: *gentle peck on Predaking's cheek as she sets her plump and sleeping son next to the other sparklets*

Torque: *gentle clap on the shoulder for Predaking, then he's tucking Javalina in with the rest of the sparklets and Orion*

Muhlisha: *gets a boost from hubby so she can peck Predaking on the cheek, then runs for the bridge, ready to take charge*

Keepsake: Anybody seen my kid? *stumbling with weariness*

Calypso: Tucked th' lad in wit' Cat 'n Lu already, Keepsake.

Downrush: *arguing with Deluge and WakeJumper at the same time* *gets bootshopped by Deluge AND WakeJumper*

Muhlisha: *as the bridge flares to life* Transform 'n roll! *does so*

Torque: *right behind mate*

Calypso: *moves to grab mate for a good luck snog before they roll out*

Wheeljack: *kiss mate, punts her through, and then transforms and brings up the rear* Wreck 'n Rule!

Optimus: Wait, Muhlisha..! *face palm*

Ratchet: *sigh* And there go the Wreckers.

Optimus: "There they go, and I must follow, for I am their leader."

Ratchet: No, Optimus. This way, they're busy, and not trying to prank each other.

Optimus: Ratchet, Ironhide and Jazz are there! Aerial probably is too!

Ratchet: ... *sigh* We'd better let Beau know.

Optimus: *blank look for husband*

Frieda: Ach! Moeder!!!

Predaking: *looks up from babies* Frieda, what is amiss?

Frieda: Moeder ist gone!

Optimus: Bathilda? *sounds slightly bewildered* *and then tips her chair over backward with surprise as a yelp from Wheeljack echoes through the bridge just before the portal closes*

Ratchet: *startles and moves to catch her*

Predaking: *winces at sight of squished physician*


Meanwhile


David: *snoring softly. Fell asleep shortly after finishing his breakfast*

Mira: *putting her new alt mode through its paces*

Magnus: *too busy gently jiggling the seat to try and wake his partner to notice what his mate is doing at the moment* David. You're going to strain your neck muscles. David? I have a sleeping berth.

David: *soft, groggy sound*

Magnus: Please wake enough to move to the berth, David.

kitten: *chirps, chatters, and calls*

David: *mumbles something, will unbuckle and get up*

Magnus: *glides to an easy stop and pulls over* I put your blanket back there.

David: *another mumble, will sort of gracefully belly flop on the bed in the sleeper compartment* *snore*

Magnus: *gently puts a cargo net over the entrance to the sleeper, and then pulls off the shoulder and continues on his way* //Ground bridge ahead, Mira. ...Mira?//

Mira: //Right behind you. What did you pull over for?//

Magnus: //David needed to lay down.//

Mira: //Gotcha. What's our ETA?// *no, not so she can't speed ahead like she did earlier* *okay, yes it is*

Magnus: //...The bridge isn't opening. It's the time that I asked Optimus to engage it.//

Mira: //... I'll call and check.//

Magnus: //Alright.// *voice holds his concern that something has happened back at base*

Mira: *calls the base* //Mira to base. Ultra Magnus and I are at the coordinates requested for the ground bridge.//

Beau: //Things have been kind of crazy here since you two left base this morning, Mira. We'll get the bridge up.//

Mira: //... Crazy like the time Wheeljack force-fed Mudpuppy the propellant from a bomb?//

June: //No. This is a different crazy.//

Mira: //... What happened?//

Beau: //I'll explain when I know.// *gets the bridge open*

Mira: //... You'd better. If it's a good story, I wanna hear it!// *and then there's a green luxury sportscar zipping ahead of Ultra Magnus*

Magnus: //Mira! Follow the speed limit!//

Mira: //Aww.//

Magnus: //You know the rules, Patch!//

Mira: *curt reply in Cybertronian*

David: *turns over onto his side, mumbles something in Arabic*

Magnus: //David just called you "rowdy grandmother".//

Mira: //THRRRPT//

Magnus: //He needs quiet. Please, proceed with decorum.//

Mira: *would be doing a rude hand gesture if she weren't in alt mode. Just went through the bridge*

Magnus: *follows her* //...I commend your choice of alt mode. From this angle that automobile is very winsome.//

Mira: //...It looked the most like my old one.// *now she's a bit flustered*

Magnus: //The old one didn't have the same slope. And the set of the rear wheels is very pretty, too.//

Mira: //You through the bridge yet?// *yes, she's sounding flustered now. Well played, Ultra Magnus*

Magnus: *voice holds that tender edge that she's only heard a few times* //Of course. It's closed already. Is that a gold fleck paint?//

Mira: //Y-yeah.// *would be blushing if she were in root mode*

Magnus: *delighted* //I see the fine gold detailing.//

Mira: *grumbles a bit* //I miss my patches.//

Magnus: *softly* //But they masked your form.//

Mira: *quietly* //They let me remember the friends we lost.//

Magnus: //We could find another memorial, I'm sure.// *pulls slightly to one side in order to see more of his mate*

Mira: *silent now as she follows the road*

((Written with random_xtras))

Continued here