mbv, NEST HQ and Merlin's, New Allies

[microbots.livejournal.com]

Franklin:  Alright Patrick Oberson, I have a few questions.

Patrick: *keeping his expression neutral. Also praying that the sparklet continues to sleep peacefully* Really now?

Franklin:  *standing in shadow as a light shines on the man's face*  Yes.  And the security of the United States could depend on your answering truthfully.

Patrick: *slight scowl* May I at least be allowed to see the person asking me the questions? It's a bit rude to shine a light in someone's eyes.

Franklin:  *adjusts the light... so that it hits the prisoner's eyes more fully*  I ask the questions, Mr. Oberson.

Patrick: *squinting against the glare* *mutters something decidely not polite*

Franklin: *ignores the mutter* Who were you before you became 'Patrick Oberson'?

Patrick: *deadpans* Do I really have to give you all the nicknames I had in college?

Franklin:  *calmly*  You were never in college.  Or at least not under the identity you hold now.  Who were you before you became 'Patrick Oberson'?

Patrick: *doesn't think, just responds with the first name he can think of* Orion Pax.

Franklin:  What country did you live in?

Patrick: The United States.

Franklin:  What city?

Patrick: *soft snerk* Well, I don't know if you'd even consider it a town... *names a town that's not even on any maps*

Franklin:  *types something on a hand computer*  Where were you born?

Patrick: Same town.

Franklin:  Convenient.  *types more*  And false.  There are no records of an Orion Pax born in that town.

Patrick: *going "Oh, slag" internally. Keeps his expression neutral*

Franklin:  *calm and cool*  Who were you before you became 'Patrick Oberson'?

sparklet:  *stirs slightly*

Patrick: Orion Pax.

Franklin:  What country did you live in?

Patrick: *swallowing as he feels the sparklet stir, prays silently that she'll go back to sleep*

Franklin:  *repeating himself with no infliction*  What country did you live in?

Patrick: *looking straight ahead, refusing to answer*

Franklin:  *repeats himself again, calmly*

sparklet:  *bigger wriggle*

Patrick: *goes pale, praying feverently that the sparklet won't be noticed*

Franklin:  *still calm*  We know about your involvement with the aliens, Mr. 'Oberson'.

sparklet:  *squeak!*

Patrick: *even paler at the sparklet's squeak* I have no idea what you're talking about.

Franklin:  *says something into his radio and then steps forward to frown down at Patrick, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.  Behind him, two strong soldiers come through the door.  These two men move to lift Patrick by his arms and hold him securely*  What have we here?

sparklet:  *squeak!*

Patrick: *struggling against the two men, and trying his best to keep the sparklet from getting jostled*

Franklin:  *steps forward and grabs his shirt to rip it open*

sparklet:  *upset now because her spark she was listening to doesn't sound right!  Much squeaking and wriggling!*

Patrick: Don't you dare touch her!!! *sudden surge, aiming to ram the heel of his palm into the nose of the closest soldier. If he succeeds in getting one arm free, he'll put up even more of a fight*

soldiers:  *hold him inexorably.  And one headbutts him upside the head with his helmet, too*

Franklin:  *rips the shirt open and then stares at what he can see of the tiny thing under it*  What... is this?

Patrick: *loses any semblance of restraint and control he still had, is fighting MAD now! The soldiers better let go if they don't want to have their kneecaps kicked by an angry father!*

soldier:  *gets him in a neckhold as his partner hits Patrick in a place that would stun a human and render them temporarily unable to move very much*

sparklet:  *very upset now, frightened and angry!*

Patrick: *glad that he's not human, swings a fist that, if it connects in the right spot, will leave the closest soldier winded. Then he's moving to ram an elbow into the solar plexus of the soldier holding him in a neckhold*

Franklin:  *hands are suddenly clenched on either side of the bundled tiny being, threatening so close to her frail shell*  I suggest you stop fighting!

Patrick: *angry yell, moves to headbutt Franklin* DON'T TOUCH HER!!!

soldier:  *winded and in pain.  Hits him HARD over the head with a billy stick*

Patrick: *gave up on decorum awhile ago, cussing in every language he knows cursewords in, and trying his best to get away without injuring the sparklet*

Franklin:  *sudden rip... and he's got the little being in his hands*

soldier:  *hits Patrick again as his partner manages to partially get up.*

other soldier:  *tackles Patrick at the knees*

sparklet:  *thin wail of terror*

Patrick: *Angry bellow, fights like a man posessed, wants his sparklet back NOW*

Franklin:  *turns and leaves the room, closing the door behind him*

soldiers:  *angry themselves now.  And not behaving very rationally*

Patrick: *transforms, doesn't CARE that he's revealed himself, WILL get his sparklet back, and may Primus have mercy on anyone who tries to get in his way!*

soldiers:  *shouts of surprise, one is reporting even as he rips his gun out of the holster, the other's already cocking and aiming*

Franklin:  *bursts back in*  STOP!

Optimus: *has his own weapon out, and is doing something he swore he would never do: is aiming it at Franklin* Give. Me. My. Daughter. NOW.

Franklin:  *eyes no longer behind sunglasses, and they're enormous with shock*  *quietly*  Your daughter?

soldiers:  *glancing at him, guns trained on the robot as they await orders*

Optimus: *narrows optics, the left one twitching in its setting* She's not strong enough to be away from me. Give her back.

Franklin:  *exits again quickly, and returns as quickly with the little one in his hands.  Holds her up in her swaddling as his face works slightly*  I... you have children.

sparklet:  *upset, but too tired now to do much about it.  Her tiny optics are dim*

Optimus: *edging closer to Franklin and the sparklet. Reaches for the sparklet with one hand, distrust of Franklin clear on his face* If you've harmed her in ANY way... I may have to forget that I took an oath to protect others.

Franklin:  *just holds her out*

Optimus: *Carefully grabs the sparklet, before hurring to the opposite corner, and taking the table with him. The table gets flipped onto its side, and then Optimus is barricading the sparklet and himself behind it*

Franklin:  *to the soldiers*  Get out.  He's one of the friendlies.

soldiers:  *go*

Franklin:  *puts his back to the door and looks toward the table*  *quietly, though his voice is shaking slightly as he puts the back of a fist to his mouth*  A lot of things make sense now.

sparklet:  *manages a tiny, unhappy squeak*

Optimus: *holds the sparklet close, clicking quietly to her*

Franklin:  Emilia Smith... she's a Transformer too, isn't she?

Optimus: *Sharp intake of air*

Franklin:  You've been here all along, right under our noses.

Optimus: *cycling air* *quietly* What is it you want from us? We just want to be left alone...

Franklin:  *quietly*  To find you again.

Optimus: ... *peeks from behind his makeshift barricade* ...What do you mean?

Franklin:  *quietly, as he phones Emilia's number*  When I was six years old my dad took me fishing.  I went out too far into the river, and it swept me away before he could get to me.  Someone... flew down and pulled me out, and as I woke up afterward I saw them for a split instant silhouetted against the sky.  *even more quietly*  I've been trying to find that person again ever since that day.

Emilia: *answers on the first ring, clearly did not check to see who was calling* *sounds near hysterical* //Did you find him?!//

Franklin:  He's safe, Miss Smith.  There was a misunderstanding. *goes on an assumption* But he and your daughter are safe.

Emilia: //...Who is this?!// *going from hysterical to angry/scared* //I swear, if you've hurt either one of them, I will personally deal you a southern-style smackdown!!!//

Optimus: *Wincing as he hears Emilia*

Franklin:  *walks over and holds out the telephone*  Mr. Pax?

Optimus: *takes the phone and holds it to his audio* It's okay, Emi... Everything's going to be okay... Breathe... *Wincing when Emilia gives him a piece of her mind as well* Yes... I know... I'm sorry. We're both okay... *gently shifts the sparklet so she's a bit more comfortable* Just make sure Alex doesn't drink the last bottle of cranberry lambic... I have dibs on it and he knows it.

Franklin:  *quietly*  We have the bodies of... the two who were taken by Stark Industries.  Were they your friends?

Optimus: ...*sharp intake of air, winces at the 'thud' that signals that Emilia just sat down hard* *quietly* We knew them... They were friends, though not as close as I wish they had been...

Franklin:  Is there anything you need?  All the resources of my organization are at your disposal.  *looks at the baby robot with concern, his brows raising as he sees one tiny little fist clenched outside the wrappings*

Optimus: *hanging up after telling Emilia to call an emergency meeting* *quietly* A cellphone to replace mine... and a new shirt.

Franklin:  *speaking into his radio*  *then, softly*  What's her name?

Optimus: *quietly* Her name is Soli...

Franklin:  *mouth curves just slightly*  Soli.  Does it mean something?

Optimus: *small, slightly sheepish smile* It's a word that reminds me of sunshine... *yes, he is a bit of a dork*

Franklin:  Pretty.  *turns as someone taps at the door, and then goes over and opens it.  Instead of a human, though, it is Hound's shell that walks in and silently offers a white shirt with a cellphone sitting on top of it*

Optimus: *tenses, and then ducks his head*

Franklin:  *thanks the green bot quietly, and then brings the things over to Optimus*  Here, Mr. Pax.  Do you want me to give you a hand?

Hound:  *standing by the door, his expression blank as he awaits further orders*

Optimus: *quietly* Would you please send him away? *pained expression*

Franklin:  *starts and looks surprised, but turns and tells the drone to go*

Optimus: *carefully transforming, and cradling Soli close to his chest*

Franklin:  *backs up a little, not wanting to invade Patrick's space.  And then he nearly leaps right over the table and shoves Patrick down as something appears right in the room with them*

Sky:  *scanning the room, a gun held in one hand and her hair twisted into a rough braid*

Patrick: *Cuss! Weapon back out, aimed at the percieved threat*

Sky: *gun toward movement!  And then lowers it quickly*  Sir!

Franklin:  *trying to get up without bumping Patrick or Soli*

Patrick: ... Sky, what the slag are you doing here?!

Sky:  *winces, but squares her shoulders*  I got your coordinates from Chekov and decided to come see if I couldn't help.

Patrick: ...*would facepalm, but his hands are full*

Sky:  *face falls slightly*  Sir?

Franklin:  *finally right side up*

Patrick: If Moofy's got my coordinates, then I'm sure Ratchet does as well. I'm not looking forward to that dressing down... *sighs and gently rocks Soli*

Sky:  *quietly*  Ratchet tried driving too late last night and wound up hitting the ditch as a rabbit ran across the road.  She'll have to wake up before she can say anything.

Patrick: ... Is she okay?

Sky:  I don't know.  Wheeljack's not making a lot of sense right now, and neither is Red Alert.  *notices Franklin then and stiffens, her gun coming back up*

Patrick: Stand down, Skywarp. *standing up and fretting a bit*

Sky:  *shocked and confused even as she lowers her weapon*  Sir, our names....

Patrick: He's not our enemy.... Which reminds me... I should probably introduce myself properly... My name, at least, the one I go by now, is Optimus Prime....

Franklin:  Colonel Mike Franklin.  *holds out a hand and then pauses uncertainly*

Sky:  *watching warily*

Patrick: *returning his gun to subspace, moves to shake Colonel Franklin's hand. Yes, he's still shirtless, with Soli held close to his chest*

Franklin:  *quietly*  It's an honor, Optimus Prime.

Patrick: *nods* *quietly* I've called an emergency meeting of the War Council... I think it would be best if we get this misunderstanding cleared, and everyone be informed of the real threat...

Franklin:  I can provide transportation.  We left your truck, but my own vehicle is at your disposal.  *startles at a tap on the door, but ignores it for now*

Patrick: The sooner we get to Merlin's, the better. *attention goes to the door, and he's tensing almost on reflex*

Franklin:  Do you want me to come with you?

Sky:  *opens door and makes a surprised sound*

Hound:  *uncertain, shaky voice*  Op... ti... mus?

Patrick: *sharp breath, nods to Hound* Yes, Hound... *trying not to let the pain of seeing someone he knows is no longer alive walking about show on his face* *Quietly, to Franklin* Come with us...

Franklin:  *confusion shows plainly on his face as he looks from Patrick to the green robot*

Hound:  *struggling*  Dan... ger.

Sky:  *looking spooked royally*

Patrick: *frown, gently* What kind of danger?

Hound:  *pain and despair showing on his faceplates*  Dan... ger.

Franklin:  ...I thought he was dead.

Patrick: *Quietly* His spark is gone... but it looks like some of his programming is still intact...

Franklin:  *also quietly*  His spark?

Patrick: *even quieter* His soul...or the closest thing to a soul that Transformers have...

Franklin:  *turns his head and looks at the green robot with pity and some horror*  What should we do with him?

Hound:  *still struggling to call up the data he needs as he tries to complete his last living action*

Patrick: *attention back to Hound* Is someone in danger, Hound?

Hound:  Autobots.  *face suddenly clears into grim determination, and his voice comes clearly*  Hold them off while I call for backup, Ironfist, Sharpshot.  Hello, can anyone hear me?  Autobots, hello!  Kup!  There's danger.  These natives know about us, and they're too strong for us.  SOS!  Do you read me?  Someone... ahhhhhh!  *goes blank again*

Franklin:  *chin very firm*

Sky:  *growling*

Patrick: *shaking slightly, grim expression*

Sky:  *stiffens*  Sir!  Merlin's base is under attack!

Patrick: ...*Cuss!*

Franklin:  *rushing for the door, yelling orders into his radio*  Come on!

Patrick: *Hurrying after Franklin, putting the shirt on as well as he can with one hand*

Sky:  Sir, what do we do with him?  *points to Hound*

Patrick: Take him to the Ark.

Sky:  *grabs the drone and teleports out*

Franklin:  *leading him to the chopper pad, nearly jumps right out of his skin as a jet suddenly booms into existence overhead*

Patrick: *pings Skywarp's comm* //Go and assist Bones and Gainan! Tell Enterprise to assist as well!//

Skywarp:  //Enterprise is assisting!//  *vanishes as quickly as she appeared*

Franklin:  *in the chopper and reaching for Patrick's hand even as he stares after the jet*  Was that one of your people?

Patrick: *climbs into the chopper with Franklin's help, nods* The one who was here earlier.

Franklin:  *helping him get strapped in, and then nodding toward the special child safety seat in the seat next to Patrick*  ...I thought the larger robots were hostiles.

Patrick: *shakes his head at the safety seat as the chopper takes to the air. Small, wry smile* That one isn't, and I think part of it is because she's married to one of my team... Her brothers aren't hostiles either, though one is a bit protective of his wife.

Franklin:  Was the blue and grey jet that was hanging around the Stark facility one of yours, then?

Patrick: He's one of Skywarp's brothers...

Franklin:  Now more is making sense.  You knew about Hound and the other robot, didn't you?

Patrick: *nods* Ironfist... though they weren't the only ones in that facility. *grim expression*

Franklin:  *frowns*  We never found 'Lucille'.  I'm sorry.

Soli:  *squeaking again, very faintly.  Her parent spark doesn't sound happy*

Patrick: *headshake as he gently and carefully rubs Soli's back* That's because she escaped... She found her way to the apartment of one of the team and was brought to where we were having a War Council meeting... She's been staying with Skywarp's family since then, except for recently. She's been in Ratchet's care for about a week now...

Franklin:  *looks relieved, and then dismayed as he sees the number of vehicles surrounding Merlin's house.  Grabs a bullhorn and bellows through it*  This is the US Military.  Unauthorized forces are ordered to withdraw and leave all occupants of that building unmolested!

Thundercracker:  *goes past with one of his sonic booms*

Soli:  *rigid with surprise*

Patrick: *Clicking to Soli and humming quietly* //Enterprise, what's the situation with Bones' and Gainan's team?//

Thundercracker:  //Bones is d... hurt.  Gainan's barricaded in the basement with the scaly ones... Khan is attempting to restrain Marla, who is showing signs of violence.  She's not aimed at anyone yet.//

Sundog:  *small jet shoots into the air, his shriek clearly audible*  THEY HAVE SORA!

Patrick: ...

Franklin:  *speaking orders into the radio, and then freezing as down below he sees a black-clad Stark forces guy back out of the house, firing repeatedly as he goes.  A white and golden femme rushes after him, not seeming to care about the bullets embedding themselves in her skin as she rips the gun away from him and then hits him over the head with it*

Sundog:  *halo of rainbow light in the air and he's gone*

Patrick: *all but shouting orders over comms for someone to restrain Ironfist, someone deal with that Stark forces guy, and for the love of all things holy, get Merlin's injuries taken care of!*

Jazz: *Running out after Ironfist and the Stark forces guy*

Ironfist:  *in total berserk mode, going after more of the black-clad humans as they pile into their vehicles*

black SUVs:  *suddenly surrounding the area*

Frankin:  *trying to figure out which way the ones that have already left have gone*

Lisa's truck: *arriving on the scene shortly afterward. Emilia, Mia, Alex, Lisa, Autumn and Rodney all pile out and split up. Lisa, Rodney, Mia, and Alex go to help Jazz try to restrain Ironfist, while Emilia and Autumn hurry to get into Merlin's house*

Petra's car: *also pulling up. Almost before it's stopped, Pandita is getting out and following Emilia and Autumn into the house. Alice and Petra are quick to get out on the passenger side, police-issued guns drawn and aimed at the Stark forces guys. They're both yelling at the black-clad men to freeze and drop their weapons*

Franklin:  Do your people know mine are on your side?  *glance to Patrick*

Patrick: They will shortly... *relaying the message to everyone*

Petra: *brief glance upward at the helicopter, moves to tackle a Stark forces guy and handcuff him, as does Alice*

camo clad soldiers:  *restraining guys in black here and there*

soldier:  *has gone inside... and just found where Sunstreaker and his triplets are*

Seamus: *Flying tackle!*

soldier:  Ack!

Firebreak:  *whimper*

Ember: *cling to Daddy, frightened whine*

Hotspot: *frightened noises*

Sunstreaker: *trying to tip Merlin's coffee table over as a make-shift barricade to hide behind with the babies*

Seamus: *knee into the soldier's back, gripping both of the soldier's wrists in one hand* Who the slag are you people?!

Soldier:  US Military.  NEST.  If you're with Optimus Prime, we're with you.  Ouch!

Seamus: *discussing this with his brother without saying a word. Moves so he's not digging his knee into the soldier's back anymore, but still keeping a firm grip on the soldier's wrists*

Franklin:  *orders the chopper down on an empty place in the street, then jumps out and turns to offer Patrick a hand*

Patrick: *accepts Franklin's help out of the chopper, still cradling Soli, and still partially dressed* Autobots! Relieve them of their weapons! *meaning the Stark guys*

Alice: *Wicked grin* Gladly!!! *climbs over one of the cars, and tackles a group of Stark forces, handcuffing them with practiced ease*

Franklin:  Easy.  There's only so much I can plead immunity for.

Ironfist:  *blinks up at Jazz, and then coughs up some energon and starts to spasm*

Petra: *Calmly* They assaulted a civilian. That alone warrents them being arrested... and technically, they're in my jurisdiction. *holds up her badge*

Franklin:  *quietly*  A civilian and a refugee to the United States.  You people also come under my jurisdiction.

Jazz: *frightened and trying not to let it show* Yo! We need a medic over here now! *moving to try to keep Ironfist still without frightening her*

Franklin:  *quick look to Patrick as he hears the shout*  Do you have a medic?

Ironfist:  *slipping into shock*

Patrick: *grim expression* Our primary medic is hurt... *startles when Pandita and Merlin, Merlin looking as though he's seen better days, emerge from the house* ... Merlin! We need your help!

Merlin: *quietly, not meeting Patrick's eyes* Optimus... they took everything I had on hand...

Brandon:  *kneeling by the guy Ironfist hit*  Sir, this one's dead.

Patrick: ...

Franklin:  We have tools and supplies.  *calls an order to his men, two of whom scramble for the biggest black SUV*

Pandita: *makes Merlin sit down and goes to see if he can't help Jazz and Ironfist*

Merlin: *shakes his head* They took more than just tools.... Sora was also taken... I failed to protect her...

Franklin:  *also ordering men to fan out, follow the Stark vehicles, and to work nicely with the blue and grey jet/robot/guy named TC Watson*

Ironfist:  *alarms starting to shrill*

Franklin:  *mouth falls open*  *and then he's turning toward the chopper pilot and telling him to get the back seats out so he can emergency airlift someone back to base*

Jazz: *trying to keep calm, reluctant to let Ironfist out of his sight*

soldier:  *to Jazz, and not caring that the guy's a machine*  Easy, sir.  Try not to get in the way.  We're trying to help your friend.  *looks at Pandita*  Are you a medic?

other soldiers:  *have Ironfist on a stretcher and are carrying her to the chopper*

Pandita: I know a bit of field repair...

Jazz: *Fretting, until he spots Franklin*

Franklin:  *looking toward the dead guy and frowning as he thinks of the ramifications*

soldier:  Is there anything we need to do to keep her with us till we have her back to base?  *helping Pandita into the chopper too*

Pandita: *Scans Ironfist and relays what his scanners are telling him to the soldier*

soldier:  *nods*  Okay... you know more than us.  Just tell me what you need.  *nods to the tools and supplies loaded next to the femme, who has started to shake slightly as the alarms continue*

Pandita: *nods and is silently glad that he decided to stay in alt-mode, as he's certain there's no way he'd fit in the chopper in his natural mode* If we had a spare spark chamber, that'd be great...

soldier:  *apologetically, as the chopper rises and moves away over the rooftops*  Not sure what that is.  But the two robots we took from Stark are back at base.

Pandita: ... The white and gold one's intact, physically?

soldier:  Yes.  We didn't take either of them apart.

Pandita: Can you call ahead and have someone get her laying down and her chest opened?

soldier:  0.o  Sure, no problem.  *on the radio and talking*

Jazz: *back on the ground, realizes they just took off with Ironfist* *Moving towards Franklin, anger clear on his face* You!!!

Franklin:  *looks up, his brows drawing together quizzically*  Yes?

Patrick: *'oh, SLAG' look on his face, moves to intercept, is just a bit too slow as Jazz moves to punch Franklin's nose* Jazz! No!

Franklin:  *staggers back, hand going to his eye as stars explode in his brain*  ....

Patrick: *trips Jazz and restrains the cursing Autobot. He's also apologizing profusely to Franklin*

Merlin: 0_0 My word...

Soli:  *squeaking!  Too much noise!*

Franklin:  *steps away from Jazz and Patrick, not wishing to make things any worse*

Merlin: *reacting by moving over and triggering Jazz's sleep mode*

Jazz: *Quiets down*

Patrick: *cradling Soli and talking quietly to her* Shhh.... Daddy's got you...

Franklin:  *quietly*  ...Was there a reason for that?

Patrick: The femme that was taken by helicopter... is someone Jazz loves...

Franklin:  *slight frown*  So... he was lashing out blindly?

basement window:  *gets a fist through it*

Merlin: No... *flinches*

Patrick: *ignoring the fist through the window* He's on edge, due to seeing what happened to Ironfist in that documentary... Her spark was recovered, but she's not the same as she was when he knew her...

Franklin:  *looking at the fist, his face showing his sympathy and regret*  I see.  *looks back to Patrick now*  Will you and your people come with me?  We can keep you safe.

Patrick: We have to discuss it first... but I'm willing to come with you... *glances to the front door, where Emilia is bringing Seamus, Sunstreaker, the babies, and the soldier that Seamus tackled earlier, out to where everyone else is*

Franklin:  *mouth falls open*  The children... I didn't realize. *very concerned now*

Sunstreaker: *Scowling at Franklin and cradling Firebreak, Ember, and Hotspot close*

Seamus: *stinkeyes Franklin and asks what his brother is feeling* Who the slag are you supposed to be?

Patrick: *Face.palm*

Franklin:  Colonel Mike Franklin.  Of the US government organization known as NEST.

Seamus: *not impressed*

Greg:  *halfway out the window*

Simon:  *has his brother by one ankle in there.  His other arm is around sister*

Sarah: *clinging to Simon, eyes wide*

Franklin:  *quietly to Seamus*  I'm a friend.

Emilia: Excuse me...

Franklin:  *looks at her*  Yes?

Emilia: *Slaps Franklin on the cheek. Not nearly as hard as she's capable of, but hard enough to sting*

Patrick: *boggling at Emilia*

Franklin:  *wincing*  We had no idea who he was.  Or if you were a threat.

Emilia: I'm still mad at you. *going to fuss over Patrick and Soli now, kthx*

Petra: ...*soft snerk, headshake*

Franklin:  *has a tough love mother.  He's not even really fazed by that slap*

Alice: *amused, finishes handcuffing Stark forces guys and comes over with Rewind pipping at Franklin*

Patrick: *getting fussed at by Emilia*

Franklin:  *repeating his offer of asylum.  And then moving quickly to intercept and tackle Greg as Simon calls for his brother to come back*

Greg:  *fighting mad!*

Autumn: *asking Simon to help her out the window as well*

Simon:  *lifts Autumn up and sticks her right through window*

Franklin:  *pwnt!*

soldiers:  *dogpile on the Greg, trying to be careful as he bellows and fights*

Simon:  *looking through window*  Him going to transform!

Autumn: *booking it over to Greg* Greg! Heel!!!

Greg:  YOU NOT HER RACHEL!

Serenity: *out the door, and transforming, only to faceplant as she trips*

Patrick: Grimlock, stop! These people are our friends!

Greg:  ME GRIMLOCK NO FRIENDS!

Simon: *out the window and crying as he smacks brother right in face with fist*

Sarah: *Having a fit, crying and trying to stop brothers from fighting* No fight! No fight!!!

Autumn: *Transforming and trying to get things calmed down* Someone call Rachel!

Alice:  Rachel's still outta it.  *calling Jack*

soldiers who aren't trying to restrain Greg:  *trying to wave off a firetruck that won't be waved off*

Patrick: *recognizes the firetruck, looks relieved as he approaches* You have NO idea how glad I am to see you, Joe.

Joe:  *holodriver looking concerned*  Who are all these people?  What happened?  *sees somebody in bot mode then and quickly shifts down to his human one*

soldiers:  0_o  *trying to figure out just how the $@#$#@ that worked*

Greg: *bound hand and foot and roaring his frustration to the world*

Alice: *got a Russell on the line, is telling him to fraggin' get Jack!*

Patrick: The Stark guys... They've taken Sora... *quietly, so only Joe can hear him* I can't lead the rescue efforts... It would put Soli at risk.... Would you be willing to lead the teams?

Joe:  *blinks*  Me?

Patrick: *nods* I'll help pick the personnel on our part... NEST is on our side as well...

Joe:  *slightly haunted expression as he thinks of his last command*  ...Are you sure?

Patrick: *puts a hand on Joe's shoulder* I have faith in you.

Joe:  *straightens, his chin firming*  Yes, sir.  I'll do my best.

Patrick: *nods* I know you will.

Franklin:  *stunned and being helped up by a soldier*  How... old is that guy?  *both eyes are black now*

Merlin: *Tells Franklin, even as he fusses and tries to help*

Jack: *is finally on the phone with Alice*

Alice:  *bringing the phone to Greg, after setting it on speaker*

Greg:  *still bellowing*

Simon:  *crying and hugging sister*

Jack: //Greg! Heel!//

Greg:  Want you!  Want her Rachel.  Want go home!

Franklin:  *sending people to go get Jack, Rachel, Bert, and Russell*


Later.  Arrival at the NEST base.

Ironfist:  *sitting quietly in the front hall with her back to the wall as she tries to answer the questions a doctor is asking her.  Looks around as Patrick and the others start coming in, a wary expression coming to her faceplates*

Sunstreaker: *fussing because he can't carry all four kids at once*

Franklin:  *worried about the little yellow and green robot in his arms*

Sundog:  *met the others at the door to the NEST base and then collapsed.  Is sleeping deeply now*

Patrick: Arcee and Ironhide are our best trackers. Chromia's good at tracking as well, but her specialty lies in weaponry. Prowl's the strategist... but I almost wonder if sheer brute force would be enough to rescue Sora...

Seamus: *moving to take Sundog* Here... before Sunshine blows a gasket... *Gets a LOOK from his brother*

Franklin:  *carefully hands Sundog over, giving Sunstreaker an apologetic look as he does*  I'd never hurt him.

Jack:  *quiet and weary, one hand holding Rachel's, one hand holding Simon's, shoulders bearing drones*  You're not sending the Dinobots in.

Moofy: *Static*

Simon:  *just holding onto his sister and brother*

Greg:  *has nothing to say, but he's wibbling and has been since before they left town*

Sarah: *wore herself out crying earlier, is just glad to have her family close*

Ironfist:  *stumbling uncertainly to her feet, her optics scanning faces*

Jazz: *wrapped in blankets at Merlin's insistance, is still asleep*

Ironfist:  *looking and scanning, then... very quietly as she thinks she detects a spark signature she seems to remember*  Prowl?

Franklin:  *stops short and tears his attention from Patrick to look at her*

Petra: *Startles, giving Ironfist a wide-eyed look*

Ironfist:  *searching faces, and then starts to back away, only to be stopped by the doctor's gentle hand on her arm*

Petra: *transforms and hesitantly moves closer* Ironfist?

Ironfist:  *startles, but then looks at him with bewildered hopefulness*  Prowl?  My... memory's fragged.  I don't remember... very much.

Prowl: *nods, taking another small step towards Ironfist* It's alright... I'm here... You're safe.

Ironfist:  *glances at the doctor, who makes a small soothing sound to her, then looks back to the Autobot that she vaguely remembers*  Kup sent me with Hound.  To scout.  *looks at the others, searching for someone else she can remember*

Prowl: *nods, sadness clear on his face* Hound was offlined... We haven't located Kup...

Ironfist:  *clenches a fist and holds it near her chest as she works through scrambled memories*  ...Sharpshot?

Prowl: *Quietly* She escaped... but the Stark facility... *cycles air* We're going to rescue her.

Ironfist:  *turns to face the wall, shaking*

Melissa:  *softly from the back of the group*  I know her.

Skylar: *arm around Melissa's waist* ....

Ironfist:  *turning back, looking for the owner of that voice*

Franklin:  *quietly*  Let's get everyone out of the hall.  There's a conference room just through those double doors.

Alicia: *tilting her head a bit as she and her sisters are ushered into the conference room* *to Franklin* Yanno, there's something about you that's really, really familiar... and it's gonna bug the heck outta me till I figure it out...

Franklin:  *looks at her*  Can you fly?

Alicia: ...Well, yeah. All of us can. *Gestures to the other girls who resemble her* We wouldn't be the Aerialbots if we couldn't...

Franklin:  *settles in a seat as he watches the other Transformers spread out through the room*  Were you on Earth forty years ago?

Susana: *nods* All five of us were... we were the preliminary scout team...

Franklin:  *very quietly*  Did one of you pull a little boy out of the Green River?

Alicia: *Blink blink* 0_0 That was you!!! I KNEW you looked familiar!

Franklin:  *smiling now and pulling himself to his feet as he offers her his hand*  Thank you.

Alicia: *grinning as she moves to shake Franklin's hand, while her sisters give her "Bhuh?!" looks*

Ironfist:  *has found Jazz, and she knows that face.  Forgets what she's saying to Prowl in mid-sentence and lays down beside the sleeping mech as she's been accustomed to doing in the other body*

doctor:  *quietly urging that Rachel should be brought to the medical ward*

Jack: *biting his lower lip a bit and talking quietly to Rachel*

Moofy: *Statics and mini-armflail*

doctor:  *comforting hand toward the little drone as he continues to talk to Jack*  It's quiet there.  The kids might appreciate it too.

Moofy: *razzes the doctor* THRRRRPT! >.< *moves to nudge Fluffy*

Fluffy:  *antisocial lump in the blankets by Rachel's feet*

Lyra: *deedles and plays a clip from the Beatles song "Help!". Kinda knows what's got her brother so riled*

Bert:  *gruffly*  We have to wait, Moofy and Lyra.  Optimus is getting everyone organized.

Moofy: *Razzes Bert, before beetling over to Patrick and Joe. Then he's tugging on the nearest pants hem, and trying to ask for the spark signature of the missing person*

Joe:  *hunkers down and offers to pick the little guy up*  *softly*  We're nearly ready, Moofy.  Are you going to help?

doctor:  *finally just has two soldiers bring Rachel to the medical ward, knowing that her family will follow*

Moofy: *Nod nod, statics*

Lyra: *nudges Fluffy and deedles at him*

Fluffy:  *makes a sound like a spitting cat and curls up more tightly, pulling the blanket around him*

Bubba: *crawls off of Jack's shoulder, moves to snuggle Fluffy, happy beeps*

Fluffy:  *sighs*  *some movie guy's voice*  It'll all work out in the end, kid.

Steeljaw: *padding after the soldiers carrying Rachel's stretcher*

Lyra: *deedles at Jack, who is bringing up the rear*

Russell: *has his head down, is staring at his hands, even as Serenity talks quietly to him*

doctor:  *gently nudges Serenity*  *quietly*  I have a silly question.

Serenity: *looks up* Yes?

doctor:  Is the cat one of you too?

Serenity: *Blink blink* Err...

Brandon: Yeah. He's one of my symbionts...

doctor:  Symbionts?  *hand on Rachel's chest, checking for that soft vibration that he's already learned means a spark is there and doing well*

Brandon: Sorta like sentient drones... only the four I have all have spark fragments... *flinches as Rewind climbs up his back to pip at the doctor* And personalities...

doctor:  *automatically reaches a hand for the ferret to sniff*  So they're part of you?

Brandon: *nods* They're like my children... *chuckles as Rewind pips and sniffs the doctor's hand, little ferret whiskers working*

doctor:  Is that how... forgive me for being nosy.  *apologetic look as he gently tickles Rewind's chin*

Ramhorn: *Snorts and rolls his eyes*

Brandon: No worries...

Rewind: *happeh ferret!*

doctor:  *nods to the soldiers to gently transfer Rachel to a bed as they come into the infirmary, then pushes two other beds up against it on one side and suggests to Simon, Sarah, and Greg that they can lay down here by Rachel*

Sarah: *Wibbles at brothers*

Simon:  *trying to get Greg to lay down.  Greg wants to cling to Jack now*

Jack: *rubbing Greg's back and quietly suggesting that everyone lay down together*

Greg:  *finally does so, curling up slightly and hiding his face*

Simon:  *cuddles his twin and clicks to him*

Jack: *helping Sarah onto the bed as well, before moving to lay down close to Rachel*

Sarah: *snuggle brothers*

doctor:  *arranging blankets over them all and asking quietly if anyone wants anything to eat or drink*

Sarah: *headshake, hides face against Greg and Simon*

Simon:  *quietly*  Me Simon am good, thanks.  *stroking brother's hair the way Rachel usually does*

Fluffy:  *starts to play soft music*

Lyra: *snuggles Bubba and Fluffy*

doctor:  *gives everyone a last check and then looks at Russell, who he understands is a medic for these people*  Do you have any sort of sedative?

Russell: *Startles* Huh?

doctor:  *nods toward Jack*  Something to help him sleep.  He needs it.  And I think you do, too.

Russell: *blink blink, nods, getting a couple of sedative tabs out of storage*

doctor:  *takes one and looks at it*  How do I apply it?

Serenity: Here... I know how to apply sedative tabs... *takes the other and gently tags Russell with it on his arm*

doctor: *watches, and then applies one to Jack* *quietly* Is he father to these three?

Serenity: *shifting Russell so he's laying down* I think so... but I'm still pretty new in town, so I'm not exactly sure who's related to who yet...

doctor:  *looks to Brandon*

Brandon: *nods* Rachel's their mother.

doctor:  *quietly*  They look older than the other children, but they act very young.

Brandon: *Shrugs* I only know that they're kids... and that Jack and Rachel built them.

doctor:  Alright.  *goes to Russell to check the vibration of his spark, then glances to one of the soldiers*  One of you ask the man named Merlin if he'll come here?

soldier:  *nods and goes*

doctor:  *quietly*  I know how to treat humans, and I know how to treat the other two races that have visited Earth.  But I've never met cybernetic people before.

Serenity: Merlin's one of our people...

doctor:  I know.  And one with medical training.  And a little more knowledge of my patients.  That's what I need right now.  *looks toward the door as two more soldiers bring in Jazz and Ironfist on one stretcher*  *slightly quizzical expression as he sees how the femme is curled against the sleeping mech*

Merlin: *following after Jazz and Ironfist, looking a bit shell-shocked*

doctor:  *looks at him*  Don't tell me I'm going to have to sedate you too.

soldiers:  *asking Brandon or Serenity to push the last two beds together so they can lay their load down*

Brandon: *Works with Serenity to push the beds together, before Serenity moves to put a hand on Merlin's shoulder*

Merlin: *startles slighty, before shaking his head* I will be alright...

soldiers:  *laying Jazz and Ironfist down and covering them up, then going back to their places by the door*

doctor:  Do you like shortbread cookies?  The peek freen kind?  How about tea?  *wanting to guide Merlin over to where two chairs sit*

Merlin: Tea, if it's not too much trouble...

doctor:  No trouble at all.  *gets him seated*  Earl Grey?

Merlin: *nods* Thank you...

doctor:  *talks into his cellphone, and then sits back*  My name is James House.  And no, I'm no relation to the guy on TV.  *his expression invites introductions from the others*

Brandon: *Coughing to hide his snerk*

Serenity: Designation: Showtime... Alias: Serenity Heineman...

Merlin: My designation is Perceptor... My alias is Professor Merlin Percia...

Dr. House:  *eyes brighten as they give him their own names.  Looks to Brandon*

Brandon: Designation's Blaster... Alias is Brandon Grant

Dr. House:  *nods*  Which names would you rather I use?

Merlin: *quietly* I'd prefer to go by the name I have gone by for the past four years...

Serenity: *Shrugs* Either one's good for me

Brandon: I only really go by my human name at work... so Blaster's fine.

Dr. House:  *nods alright, Professor Percia, Showtime, and Blaster.  It's a pleasure to meet you.  Eyes brighten again as a small tap comes from the door*  I know you people have no reason to trust me yet.  But I'm going to show you something now that is my... and one of America's... greatest secrets.

Merlin: *Blink blink*

Serenity: *perks, curious*

Blaster: ... It's not gonna shoot at us or anything, is it?

Dr. House:  She's not old enough to use a gun, though she'll probably prefer to use her natural weapons like her mother does.  *looks toward the door and says in only his normal voice*  You can bring in the tea, Naomi.

soldier:  *opens the door*

Naomi: *comes in, a slender child with buff brown skin, long pointed ears, mussed black pigtails, paw-like feet, and a black-haired tail something like an Irish Setter's*

Merlin: *wide-eyed*

Serenity: *D'awws softly*

Brandon: *headtilt, small smile*

Naomi:  *brings her tray to Serenity and Brandon first, her black eyes looking up shyly as her ears twitch gently and her mouth curves in a slight smile*  I brought some cookies too.  *there is a slight Germanic accent to her words*

Brandon: *nods, getting a couple of cookies, as does Showtime* Thanks.

Naomi:  *quietly* And here's some coffee too.  *yes, she knows not everyone's as fond of tea as Dr. House is*

Dr. House:  *watching her proudly, then looks at Merlin*  That's my daughter.

Merlin: *surprised*

Serenity: *thanks Naomi as she gets some coffee*

Naomi:  *makes sure both of them have what they need, then comes over and sets the tray down so that she can properly pour tea for her father and Merlin*  *also gives Merlin a shy smile*

Dr. House:  Her mother came to Earth forty years ago, through a dimensional rift.  She'll be going with your search parties, if your leader will allow it.

Naomi:  *tea for Merlin?*

Merlin: *quietly thanks Naomi as he accepts a cup of tea*

Naomi:  *her hand brushes Merlin's as she passes the cup, and that little hand with its slender clawed fingers that somewhat resemble knobby twigs, has a warmth and strength to it that is surprising for one so young*  *smiles at him, and then gives her father tea before getting a hug and a kiss on the hair and being sent back out*

Dr. House:  Professor Percia, I need to know a bit about your people so that I can help these ones here.  Will you help me?

Merlin: *Nods* I will do my best to answer any questions you have, Doctor House.

Dr. House:  Rachel and Jack's children.  They're different from Sky and Samuel's.


Back in the auditorium

Sky and Samuel's children:  *three are howling and one's sleeping like a rock*

Sundog:  *doesn't even twitch at his siblings' volume*

Sunstreaker: *trying his best to calm the upset babies down, wishing he had some food on hand for them*

Naomi:  *opens up the big doors and puts down the kick props, then helps soldiers bring in rolling tables with good things to eat on them.  It's all human food, but it's fresh cooked and good human food*  *This done she turns and perks her ears toward the yelling*

Sunstreaker: *Walking around in circles, trying to soothe the babies, wishes Skywarp was here!*

Naomi:  *walks over and gently pats him on the leg*  Excuse me, sir.

Joe:  *nodding as the teams and plans are finalized.  Looks over toward the child's voice and blinks, then elbows Patrick without thinking of what he's doing*

Sunstreaker: *Blinks and glances to Naomi* ?

Patrick: *reacts, moving to shove Joe away before checking to make sure Soli is unharmed*

Joe:  Sorry, sir.  *wincing, but then looks back toward the alien child*

Naomi:  *to Sunstreaker, as she wipes one hand on the little ruffled pink T-shirt that she's wearing with jeans that have holes in the knees*  Can I bring you anything?

Sunstreaker: Something to help calm these three down? *wincing as Ember ups his yelling*

Patrick: *calming down once he's sure Soli's unharmed. Glances over to Sunstreaker, and sends a request to Skywarp and Thundercracker to report to the coordinates of the NEST base*

Naomi:  *fathomless black eyes wide with sympathy for the babies*  Can they have milk?

Skywarp:  //Yes, sir.  We're coming.//

Sunstreaker: *nods, looking relieved* Yeah...

Naomi: *turns and runs out of the room, her movements showing unusual strength and balance for a child of her apparent age*

Skywarp:  -Nearly back, Sunstreaker.-

Naomi:  *back with three bottles*

Sunstreaker: -Good...Hotspot, Ember and Firebreak are upset... I've got some milk for 'em, but I think they miss you like crazy!-

Skywarp:  *concerned maternal feelings*  -How's Sundog?-

Sundog:  *trembling slightly with fever in his uncle's arms*

Sunstreaker: -he was sleeping peacefully... Sides says he's shaking now... *worried*-

Firebreak:  *eyes wide with surprise as she's offered a bottle of milk by having it poked at her yell*

Sky:  *suddenly there in the room, her slightly queasy looking brother held by the arm*  Slag.  Where are the medibots?

TC:  *urky bleah.  Teleporting's evil*

Seamus: *gently rubbing Sundog's back* C'mon... *moving to lead sister in law to the makeshift medbay*

Sky:  *grabs a baby and hooks him up to fuel as she follows*

Hotspot: *happy noises*

Firebreak:  *nomming this milk*

Ember: *Fuss!*

Naomi:  *murmurs soothingly and pokes a bottle at his mouth too*

Ember: *surprised, but settles down shortly*

Naomi:  *intent expression as she stands on a seat arm and feeds babies*

Joe:  *getting the teams organized in the background, nearly jumps out of his synthaskin as a tall, creamy skinned and golden winged version of Naomi comes in to join the soldiers*

Ironhide: *startles, lands on skidplate* !!!

Chromia: *boggling*

Sunshine:  *notices the reactions and perks her ears*  Don't vorry.  I von't hurt you.  *twitches ears as her golden eyes smile in her impassive face*  Mein name is Sonneherz, but I usually go by Sunshine, or Captain House.

Joe:  ...You're a Schattenfee.

Sunshine:  *shakes her head*  No.  Wustfee.  Ve came first.

Patrick: ....

Joe:  But what are you doing here?  *absently rubbing Moofy's back as he frowns at the woman in confusion*

Sunshine:  In this reality?  I live here now.  It happens sometimes vith mein people.

Moofy: *Statics a greeting*

Joe:  *noticing the curious looks that the soldiers are giving him and can see that they're gauging his reaction to a comrade that they themselves are used to*

Sunshine:  *smiles at Moofy and offers him one twiglike, clawed finger*  Hello, little vone.  Are you coming vith us?

Bluestreak: *scolding Ironhide and Chromia for staring, even as she helps them up off of the ground*

Moofy: *Nod nod, wiggle*

Patrick: Moofy's designed to be a tracker... he can locate any living spark signature within a certain radius...

Sunshine:  That vill be helpful.  The more trackers the better.  *ears perk and rotate slightly*  I can hear your sparks, so I think that I can be another.

Arcee: So that's four trackers, if I'm counting right...

Sunshine:  *nods*  Ja.  *then takes out some papers*  Ve've been following sightings of vehicles like the vones that vere seen by your base, und I think ve know the right direction to go in.  *offers the papers to Joe, since he's here and looking like a leader*

Joe:  *takes them and scans them and then offers them to Patrick*

Patrick: *scans the papers as he accepts them*

Joe:  Do you think they'd try putting up a blind?  *eyes quizzically on his older twin's face*

Patrick: *studying the papers* If they do, it's pointless... We know where to look... and if they try moving, we'll find them.

Moofy: *Wiggles, staticky attempt at his questioning noise*

Joe:  *nods*  Alright then, I'm ready.  *gives Moofy the signature*

Sunshine:  Vait.  *ears perk*  I have a qvestion.

Patrick: *looks up* Yes?

Sunshine:  Your spark sounds just like Joe's.  Is that a common thing for your people?

Patrick: It's not too common... unless you know about alternate realities...

Sunshine:  *ears flick*  I come from vone.  So you're saying you're two versions of the same man?

Sky:  *calling for Sunstreaker to bring the babies to the infirmary*

Sunstreaker: *carries the babies to the infirmary*

Patrick: *nods*

Sunshine:  I see.  *turns and looks to Joe*

Joe:  *leads the teams out*

Tracks:  *suddenly arrives with a swish and a slight flash, one hand on Raoul's shoulder as the teen looks around alertly*

Melissa:  *gives a short scream of surprise and hides her face on Skylar*

Skylar: *protective mode, arms around Melissa*

Pandita: *Startled*

Franklin:  *trying to wake himself up out of a nap induced by a minor concussion*  What?

Patrick: *glances over* *relaxes* Tracks...

Tracks:  *frowns at him, not recognizing him in his alt mode*  Yes?

Franklin:  *sees the red-faced robot and is surprised*  ...You're not on record.

Emilia: *small smile* Well, that's one way to make an entrance...

Patrick: *carefully shifting Soli, doesn't want to transform, lest it upset the little one* Did anyone tell you about the current situation?

Tracks:  *slowly and warily*  Perceptor called me a couple hours ago and told me that I could possibly be in danger.  So I came to the last coordinates he sent me as soon as I got off work.  *is dusty and somewhat scuffed*

Emilia: *purses lips, before transforming and moving to inspect some of the scuffs*

Tracks:  *startles*  Elita-one.  *then waves off her concern at the scuffs*  Raoul will take care of those later.

Raoul:  Yeah, it don't pay to be a beat up lookin' stunt car.  Go figure.

Skylar: *Stinkeyes Tracks, before focusing on comforting Melissa*

Elita: I didn't even know you were on Earth, Tracks...

Tracks:  *pauses*  How odd.  I would have expected Perceptor to have told you as soon as he got back after we accidentally met in the Black Dog.

Patrick: *Frown* No... he never said anything about the trip, other than relaying the story of what happened to Brawn...

Prowl: *Calmly* Perceptor's a bit preoccupied at the moment, Tracks.

Tracks:  *frowning, the concern clear in his optics as he absently hits Raoul on the shoulder for kicking him*  It's been weeks since we met.

Prowl: *nods* And in recent weeks, we've had to deal with the Stark facility's by-products... as well as a misunderstanding between NEST and ourselves.

Tracks:  *expression goes guilty as he puts an arm around his adopted son to stop the scuffle*  I'm partly glad to have kept Raoul out of that.  But then I also feel I should have been here.

Prowl: *studying Raoul for a moment, nods* Going by Colonel Franklin's words... you were far safer than any of us...

Raoul: *pulls a face at Prowl*

Tracks:  *quietly*  We've been working in Hollywood.  *glances toward Patrick, since Elita had been sitting next to him*  Is that Optimus?

Prowl: *nods* I would advise against trying to hug him right now...

Tracks:  *expression changes to mystified*  Whyever would I want to do that?

Elita: *glances over at Patrick, who is quietly singing a lullaby to Soli*

Prowl: *bemused expression* Just warning you... he almost gave Joe a black eye earlier...

Tracks:  *solicitously*  How much rest have you had lately, Prowl?

Raoul:  *pulls away from his mentor and swaggers over to Patrick, then hunkers down to watch the tiny being in her bundle*  Zat a baby, man?

Prowl: The same amount as I average on any given day, Tracks. *glances over to Patrick*

Patrick: *slightly tensed, nods* My daughter, Soli...

Eject: *noise of protest from above to Prowl's words!*

Raoul:  *soft little sounds to the sparklet, who is oblivious to him*

Tracks:  Ah, so you've been shooting override code like it's going out of style.

Prowl: *doing his best to keep a neutral expression, though the twitching of his left optic setting is giving him away*

Elita: *reaches over and baps Prowl, before going over to her word mate*

Tracks:  I thought so.  *watching a soldier gently pick Autumn out of the corner she fell asleep in and then carry her out of the auditorium*

Skylar: So what happened to the Axalon? *has his chin raised in a bit of a challenge*

Tracks:  *suddenly goes very, very still, his smirk dying on his face and his optics darkening*  *quietly*  She broke up over Jupiter.

Raoul:  *looking away from the baby, his concerned dark eyes on his guardian*

Skylar: *frown, gently rubs Melissa's back*

Prowl: ... *quietly* And the rest of the crew?

Tracks:  I don't know.  Kup ordered everyone into the life pods.

Raoul:  *gets up and walks back to stand by him, offering support with his presence*

Prowl: ...Has there been any sign of Kup since then?

Tracks:  *quietly*  Perceptor was the first Transformer I've seen since I landed.

Skylar: *soft snort, focuses on Melissa*

Tracks:  *realizes who he's talking to*  That's very well for you to say, Starscream.

Skylar: *Without taking his eyes off of Melissa* I have a human name, you know.

Elita: *stern* Skylar.

Skylar: *small nod, shuts up*

Prowl: *quietly* Known arrivals from the Axalon include Hound, Ironfist, Sharpshot, Moonshadow, and yourself, Tracks...

Tracks:  *brows lift*  Hound, Ironfist, and Sharpshot were Kup's personal team, along with that annoying Hot Rod.

Rodney: Are you sure you didn't get me mixed up with someone else, Tracks? *Scowl*

Prowl: *quietly* To my knowledge, only Ironfist and Sharpshot are left... though we may be in danger of losing Sharpshot if our teams don't arrive in time to rescue her...

Rodney: *mutters something impolite in Spanish*

Tracks: *confused as he looks at the dark-haired man*

Raoul:  *scowls and retorts in the same language*

Rodney: *about to retort with an even worse insult, gets beaned with a hackey-sack, courtesy of Prowl*

Tracks:  *slowly, as he restrains Raoul*  Hot Rod?

Rodney: *Stinkeyes Prowl and transforms*

Tracks:  *utterly shocked*  You weren't with Kup?!

Hot Rod: No... I was with Wheeljack's team on the Ark.

Tracks:  *slowly*  And the rest of the team is....  *turns away and puts a hand over his optics at the thought that the brave old leader who lead so long and so well is in all probability arguing with Sentinel Prime in the Allspark*

Raoul:  *dismayed by Tracks' actions, really not sure what to do here*

Elita: *Fussing now and trying to get Patrick laying down after the Prime fell asleep in his chair*

Hot Rod: *frown, thinking* When that little drone Wheeljack built gets back... maybe we could see if he can find Kup...

soldier:  *appears at Elita's elbow, offering to help get Patrick to bed*

Elita: *nods, grateful for the help, is definitely looking a bit frazzled by this point*

Tracks:  *excuses himself and leaves the room to go stand in the hall with his head leaned against the wall*

Raoul:  *calls Roddy something nasty, anger clear in his eyes*

Hot Rod: *retorts with an equally nasty response, goes after Tracks*

Skylar: ...*headshake, snuggles Melissa*

Raoul:  *tackles Hot Rod*  Leave 'em alone, you @#$@#@#.  You already done enough!

Melissa:  *squeaks and cowers at Raoul's actions*

Skylar: *a bit sharp* Knock that slag off, NOW, human.

Raoul:  *still has Hot Rod's legs*  Bite me!

Hot Rod: ... *Face. palm*

Skylar: Quit upsetting my mate! *Scowls darkly*

Hot Rod: *mutter* I am NOT in the mood for this...

Prowl: *reaching down to separate Raoul and Hot Rod* That's enough... Right now, we've got friends who are hurt, friends who are missing, and friends going out to find the missing friends. It's not going to help anyone if we're trying to tear out each other's throats.

Raoul:  *struggling*  Then tell that @#$%#@ ta leave Tracks the $#%#$@ alone!

Hot Rod: *wriggling out of Prowl's grip* I just want to know what happened to Kup!

Raoul:  He don't know!  He don't know what happened to none 'a them!  Nothin'!

Melissa: *scared stiff*

Skylar: *counting to ten silently, then scooping Melissa up and taking her some place quieter after stinkeyeing everyone else*

Naomi:  *quietly*  The red faced man is crying.

Raoul:  *horror that he was cussing around a little girl, and then anger at what she just said*

Prowl: *knows the look on Hot Rod's face all too well, lets the younger mech go so he can go apologize to Tracks*

Raoul:  NOOOOOOO!  *fist in a sensitive place on Prowl's plating*

Prowl: *Winces, lets go of Raoul*

Susana: *has had enough of everyone bickering* STOPPIT!!!

Felicity, Alicia, Scarlett and Sabrina: *boggling at Susana*

Tracks:  *bursts through the door and nearly slams into Hot Rod* Raoul??

Hot Rod: *stumbles back and lands on his skidplate*

Raoul:  *hurries to stand by Tracks' side, after shooting an unhappy look at the tear streaks on that red face*  I'm okay, man.  

Tracks:  *looks at him, and then hastily wipes his face as he looks down at Hot Rod*

Hot Rod: *staring at Susana*

Susana: *shaking and crying* All of you, stop fighting!

Felicity: *Reacts first, moves to hug her sister*

Raoul:  *scowling*  Everybody's all uptight about how you girls feel.  But you can't just cut Tracks some slack 'n let him be?

Tracks:  That's enough, Raoul.

Scarlett: *Quietly* It's been a long couple of days for everyone... Maybe we should all get some food and some rest...

Raoul:  Couple days?  *snorts*

Franklin:  *has awakened again and pried himself out of his seat*  There are bedrooms down that hallway, and on other floors.  *hand to head and winces*  I think we'll all be better able to handle this in the morning, hey, Naomi?

Naomi:  *just big-eyed, her ears back with surprise*

Sabrina: *Stinkeyes Raoul, moves to help Felicity guide Susana down the hallway*

Raoul: *thinking of all the nights he woke up because his bed was shaking as Tracks cried and scowls even more darkly*  Women are such crybabies.

Prowl: *Quietly, and a bit coldly* Silverbolt and the other Aerialbots were only reunited with their father a couple of hours ago. He was missing, and nobody knew where to look for him. Add in the stress of knowing that one of her friends was kidnapped and is quite possibly being hurt or worse, and you might have an inkling of what she's going through right now.

Hot Rod: *kinda staring at Prowl now*

Raoul:  *not backing down*  Try livin' like that for years.

Tracks:  *face heating*  Raoul.  That's enough.

Franklin:  As I was saying....

Hot Rod: *quietly, as he heads down the hallway with Scarlett and Sabrina trailing him* I really hope Bluestreak's right about things turning out okay...

Tracks:  You don't have to fight these people, Raoul.  They're my friends.

Raoul:  *shoots him a Look*  Yeah?  Well they sure don' act like it!  *runs off down a random hall*

Tracks:  *sighs and slumps into a seat, then pinches his nose and tunes out the world*

Franklin:  *blinks a few times, and then blearily brings himself to the infirmary*

Brandon: *draping a blanket over Serenity, who has conked out in a corner*

soldier:  *back and offering to pick up the redhead and bring her to a bed*

Merlin: *oblivious to anyone else, though he is awake*

Brandon: *nods and helps lift Serenity*

soldier:  *carries her out with Brandon's help*

Dr. House:  *takes another of the sedation tabs and tags Merlin with it, then moves to catch him and drag him over to the couch on the far side of his work space*

Rewind: *Quiet pips, snuggles Steeljaw and Ramhorn*

Dr. House:  Are you guys alright on the floor?  *pulling off Merlin's shoes and covering him up, then coming to look at Franklin, give him some pills, and send him to bed*

Steeljaw: Mrrrpt... *attention to the door when Eject manages to time his flight just so*

Franklin:  *acks, and then goes to bed*

Dr. House:  Oh, hello.  I take it you're symbiont number four.

Eject: *Crest high, lands on one of the bedrails, bobs his head in greeting*

Dr. House:  Any reason you've decided to camp out in here?  There are a lot of beds in this building.

Eject: *tilts head towards siblings*

Steeljaw: *looks over at the beds where Rachel and her family are* Mrrrpt...maaow.... mrrrowww....

Ramhorn: *soft snort, gently noses siblings around*

Fluffy:  *from under the covers by Rachel's stocking clad feet comes a clip about 'him' being part of the family*

Steeljaw: *nods in agreement with Fluffy* Mrrrowww....

Dr. House:  I see.  And your brothers want to be with you.

Rewind: *pips! Is not a boy!*

Eject: *glides down to where the rest of his siblings are, gently bumps Rewind with his beak* Girly girly girl....

Dr. House:  *blinks*  Sorry, Rewind.  Brothers and sister.

Rewind: *little ferret huff, will forgive Dr. House this time...(and prolly every other time)*

Eject: *preens for a few moments before tucking his head under his wing*

Dr. House:  *settles back in his chair to watch over his patients.  Naomi comes to join him shortly.  And so passes the night*

((Co-written with random_xtras))