mbv, NEST HQ, Unexpected Happenings part 1

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Denver: *has been up since before first light, going through her normal morning routine, the familiar actions of cleaning her gun, running in the bitter cold, and getting cleaned up providing a degree of comfort when things around her have been changing so rapidly*

Raoul:  *looking around, trying to remember which room in the barracks style building was the one Denver's staying in.  His expression shows the deep anxiety he's feeling*

Denver: *Coming out of her room, rubbing her short hair with a towel, already in her fatigues and tanktop, and intending to go grab some breakfast*

Raoul:  *sees her and strides toward her*  Major MacKenzie, I need some help.

Denver: *pauses, drapes her towel over her shoulders, concern for the teen clear on her face* Wh't d' ya need help with, Raoul?

Raoul:  *Bites his lip slightly, his dark eyes seeking contact with hers instead of his usual glancing away*  Tracks won't wake up.

Denver: .... *might add a new word to Raoul's vocabulary, takes off down the hall that leads towards the shed at a run*

Raoul:  *right on her heels, says the Spanish version of her word as he nearly runs into a big black soldier on the way out of the barracks*

Tracks:  *in car mode, sitting silently in the shed*

Denver: *sharp curse as she stubs her toe on the door, hobbles over to Tracks* Tracks!

Raoul:  *as he comes in behind her*  He don' answer.  I tried everythin'!  *small note in his voice that sounds tearful and afraid*

Denver: *Going into 'Major' mode, trying to stay calm* Raoul, help me get his hood up, and then I need you to go get the Autobot medic, and hurry right back here.

Raoul:  *hood up!  And then the boy is GONE, only a small spurt of snow on the ground outside the doors showing where he'd been*

Denver: *doing her best to determine what's causing Tracks' silence, praying silently that she doesn't inadvertantly make things worse* Tracks, if you can hear me, let me know any way you can...

Tracks:  *no reply.  The special instruments under his hood that are usually busy with lights are totally dark now*

Denver: *trying not to panic, will check over the connections and wires that she can reach easily, though her hands are slightly shaky with worry*

Tracks:  *there isn't even any hum from the box that she's been forbidden to look into.  Nor is the glow she's noticed showing through the edges of it*

Denver: *sound of frustration mixed with rarely-seen fear*

Rachel's voice:  *reaches her from over by the front door of the lodge*

Denver: *takes a few deep breaths, trying to keep calm as she goes to meet Rachel halfway*

Rachel:  *having a little bit of a hard time despite the salt under this newest layer of snow.  She's clinging to Raoul's arm and scowling with concentration*

Raoul:  *helping all he can, one arm out for Rachel to grasp and the other hovering behind her back*

Denver: *moving to help, quietly tells Rachel what she's found*

Rachel:  *looks up, her eyes wide with dismay*  His spark's out????

Denver: *lips pressed thin* That's what it looks like. *yes, her voice is a bit shaky right now*

Rachel:  *sticks her chin out*  *quietly*  Can you pick me up?

Denver: *nods, moves to do so*

Raoul:  What?  What?  What're you talkin' about?  *shoots both women a horrified look and then bolts back inside the shed*

Denver: *carefully hurries after Raoul, also gives some of the soldiers an order to get her the &$#^&%^ing security feeds. She wants to know who has been in and out of this shed, and around this area over the last twelve hours*

Raoul:  *is staring at Tracks' spark compartment when the two women reach the shed, his face blank with shock as one hand grips the edge of the Autobot's underhood area*

Rachel:  *scanning, and then nearly leaping out of Denver's arms*  It's the (whichmacallet thinger) feed!  It's been cut.

Denver: *Sets Rachel on her feet next to Tracks, all but barks orders to get Rachel whatever supplies she needs*

Rachel:  *moving things aside, getting a slender clear tube and then pressing the edges together*  Somebody give me electrical tape for now.  I know you have it, Raoul.

Denver: *going to get the electrical tape. Keeping in motion is good. Keeping in motion is all that's keeping her from breaking down and showing weakness*

Raoul:  *is in shock.  Can't hear anything except Rachel's voice saying that Tracks' spark has gone out*

Rachel:  *gets the tape and seals the line, then yells over her comlink for someone to get out here and bring her a spark jumper*

Russell: *responds, will be there shortly*

Denver: *Pacing now, and trying to stay out of the way*

Rachel:  //We don't have a shortly.  Tracks is OUT.//

Russell: *has no verbal response, almost runs into Denver as he rushes the spark jumper to Rachel*

Rachel:  *opens up Tracks' spark chamber, grabs the jumper, then looks at Raoul*  Get him clear.

Denver: *moves to do so*

Raoul:  *resists, both hands going to grab onto Tracks as his expression changes from stunned and lost to a desperate scowl*

Denver: *gently* Rachel says we need to be clear of him for a bit. She's trying to help him, Raoul...

Rachel:  Get him clear.  Hurry. *focused on her patient, will worry about the boy after Tracks is online again*

Russell: *coming over to help Denver move Raoul out of the way*

Raoul:  *resists and struggles, then starts cursing as he realizes he can't get away from them and they're taking him away from his mentor*

Rachel:  *uses the jumper.  Frowns and uses it again.  Starts praying out loud instead of just in her mind.  Tries it again!*

Denver: *Praying silently, even as she holds onto Raoul's waist with both arms*

Raoul:  *would be damaging people if Russell didn't have his arms pinned!*

Rachel:  *sighs and sags against the blue car*  Tracks... don't scare me like that.

Tracks:  *lights coming back on weakly as his spark wavers in its compartment*

Denver: *ducks her head so nobody can see her cry*

Russell: *lets go of Raoul's arms*

Raoul:  *falls to his knees, stunned again*

Rachel:  Russell, can I have a hand here?

Denver: *going to fuss over Raoul now*

Raoul:  *is shaking, and then the usually strong young man is crying quietly on Denver's shoulder*

Russell: *comes over* What do you need help with, Rachel?

Rachel:  Just make sure I don't fall on my butt when I transform him.

Russell: *nods* Alright... *moves to support Rachel*

Rachel:  Thanks, buddy.  *trips Tracks' transform mechanism*

Tracks:  *laying on the floor of the shed, his optics shuttered and his face still.  Raoul's blankets and stuffed shark lay beside him on the dusty boards*

Denver: *soft noise of surprise. This is her first real look at Tracks out of alt-mode*

Rachel:  *Has Russell help her kneel next to the unconscious mech as she scans him*  *softly*  Come on, Tracks.  Let us know you're gonna be alright.

Tracks:  *silent, but then something registers in his processor and he's frowning*  Raoul?

Denver: *gently urging Raoul to his feet so Tracks can see the teen*

Tracks:  *tries to sit up, only to settle back with a groan*  What... what happened?

Rachel:  *tells him to take it easy, and then asks Russell to help her back to the lodge*

Tracks:  *confused frown as he watches them go, then turns to Denver and Raoul*  Why... is Rachel... so angry?

Denver: *small headshake* She's not angry... *gently nudges Raoul towards Tracks*

Tracks:  I... know Ratchet angry.  *weak, but firm*

Raoul:  *has let go of her now, will go over near his mentor, but is embarrassed and afraid to look at him.  Instead he carefully spreads the plaid car blankets over him and gripes that the floor's a $#@$#@ of a place to lay*

Denver: *takes a few breaths* *quietly* I'll go get some food... *as she heads for the door, she doesn't seem anything like the soldier she is normally*

Raoul:  Wait.  Major MacKenzie, help me get him into the lodge.  This ain't a good place for him when he's like this.  *'especially not after what happened' hangs in the crisp air unsaid*

Tracks:  *too weak to even hold his head up properly as they get the blankets wrapped around him and the stuffed shark stowed on a shelf.  He sounds a little confused as he tries to figure out what he could have done to set the medic off*

Raoul:  *just takes his half of Tracks, braces his shoulders, and heads for the lodge*

Denver: *keeping her expression neutral as she helps Raoul move Tracks into the lodge, though her eyes are showing a bit of the inner distress she's feeling*

Raoul:  *glances at her as they get past the deserted lobby*  You know which rooms're empty?

Denver: *nods, expression still neutral as she lists off room numbers*

Raoul:  *looks at the numbers they're passing*  Here.  Let's get 'im in here.

Tracks:  *optics shuttered again as he drops into a doze*

Denver: *gets the door opened* Once he's settled in, I'm going to go and see if there was anyone in the shed who wasn't authorized to be there. *And may heaven help them if she finds them.*

Raoul:  *looks up at her as they bring Tracks inside and over to the nearest bed*  Lady, I was sleepin' in his back seat!

Denver: That doesn't mean someone couldn't have snuck in, Raoul....

Raoul:  *frowning deeply as they get Tracks dusted off and tucked into the bed*  Wouldn' he have noticed somethin'?

Tracks:  *awake again and blinking*  Energy... low.

Denver: I'll go get something for him... Do you want anything, Raoul?

Raoul:  *shakes his head as he drags the arm chair over by Tracks' bed*

Denver: *small nod, hurries to get Tracks some fuel, will also bring Raoul something for if he changes his mind about being hungry*

Raoul:  *still in the chair when she gets back, his eyes on his mentor's face.  The frightened look is still there, only now it's haunted as well*

Denver: *Sets the cereal bar and fruit where Raoul can reach it* *moves to sit next to Tracks, has a drinking tube in the cube of energon Perceptor provided* *Gently* Tracks... I brought fuel...

Tracks:  *started slightly at the movement of the bed, now he turns his head slowly, his optic shutters lifting*  Major... MacKenzie.

Denver: *gently offering the end of the drinking tube not in the energon* Here....

Tracks:  *his face is very human despite its colour, so Denver will have no trouble seeing his concentration as he takes the tube into his mouth and drinks.  Or the dizziness as he squeezes his optics shut at the first swallows to hit his systems*

Raoul:  Tracks?  Man, what's wrong?

Denver: *Worry showing clearly in her eyes* Tracks?

Tracks:  *quietly*  Just a little light headed....  *starts drinking again to show he's alright, but there's concern and compassion in his expression as he unshutters his optics and trains them on Raoul*

Denver: *small nod, quick glance at Raoul*

Tracks:  Raoul... go to the gym for an hour or two.

Raoul:  *look of protest, but then he's glad.  He needs to work this out*  Sure, man.  Whatever.  *looks at Denver as he gets up, wordlessly asking her not to leave his friend*

Denver: *nods, keeping her expression neutral. She'll stay here. If anything comes up from the security cameras, the other soldiers can come find her. Gets up and goes to call one of her men and tell them to go look at the security feeds from the shed area*

Tracks:  *watches the boy go, and then turns his face back toward Denver and tries to sit up*

Denver: *going to try and push the mech back down now*

Tracks:  It will be easier to drink if you let me up.  *still sounds weak, but is no longer confused*

Denver: *sighs, backs off a bit*

Tracks:  *tries again and winces*  Though a little help would not go unappreciated.

Denver: *helps Tracks lean against the headboard of the bed, the picture of calmness aside from the very slight shaking of her hands*

Tracks:  Thank you, Major.  *reaches for the energon cube, his own hands showing a bit of unsteadiness*

Denver: *Quietly repeating what she's said pretty much every morning* Ah ain't on duty, Tracks... y'u don' hafta be so formal....

Tracks:  *she can see the uncertain look on that handsome face now as he tries to think of what to say and comes up short on his usual low level snubs and witty comments*  ...Noted.

Denver: *yes, she can see that, and Tracks may be more than able to see past the mask of neutrality on her face to the worry and fear that lies beneath*

Tracks:  *browplates drawing together in a slight frown as he notices that*  Optimus will get to the bottom of this.

Denver: *Small nod* As will Colonel Franklin... *despite the certainty of her words, she's still worried*

Tracks:  *quietly and a little randomly*  You're not speaking with your accent.

Denver: *drops her gaze a bit* *quietly, almost as though she's embarrassed* Been trying not to....

Tracks:  *absently holding the energon cube in both hands now*  But why?

Denver: *soft sigh* Had a bit of a falling out with my father the other day, when I called him to see when Beau's flight would be for Spring Break....

Tracks:  *raises his brows encouragingly as he drinks thirstily*

Denver: It probably seems silly... Trying to change how I speak just because of an argument....

Tracks:  *takes the drinking tube from his mouth*  Well I don't understand it.  But I'm not sure that makes it silly.

Denver: *quietly* I didn't want to say anything about the fight Dad and I had... Especially since Beau's still going to be spending Spring Break at my house...

Tracks:  *weary processor working*  Beau is your brother?

Denver: *Nods* He's around Raoul's age, if not a few months younger...

Tracks:  *very slight smile.  It lights up his optics and changes his face slightly* It's an interesting age, isn't it?

Denver: *begins telling Tracks about her younger brother, and about how the teen is involved in different activities through his school. It's clear she's very proud of her sibling*

Tracks:  *listening as he drinks, and interrupting only with the comment that Raoul is himself in the local version of one of the school clubs that Denver mentions*

Denver: *starting to relax a bit, though she is still paying attention to her surroundings* *nods* I was hoping that maybe you and Raoul could spend Spring Break with Beau and me....

Tracks:  *optics widen slightly with surprise*  Were you?

Denver: *nod* I live in Quantico, near the outskirts.

Tracks:  Ah... I'm not sure where we'll be then.  Optimus has been rather close-mouthed about any plans he may have for the future.

Denver: *small nod* Well, if you and Raoul are ever in that area, you're more than welcome to stay with me.

Tracks:  *trying to figure out what to say, but is saved as someone taps on the door.  Turns to look toward it, though he can't see it for the angle of the bathroom*

Denver: *gets up and goes to see who is at the door*

soldier that Raoul had nearly run over back at the barracks: *stands to attention* We've looked at the footage, sir.

Denver: *in soldier mode now* Did you find anything, Lieutenant Wesson?

Lt. Wesson:  No, sir.

Denver: *frown, small nod* Thank you. You are dismissed.

Lt. Wesson:  Yes, sir.  *turns and walks off down the hall*

Denver: *closes the door and resists the urge to try and slam her fist through it in frustration*

Tracks:  Major MacKenzie?  *wondering if he dares climb off this squishy apparatus and go see what she's doing*

Denver: *mad enough that she forgets about trying to talk without her accent* Somethin' ain't rahght. Ah c'n feel it. Someone ain't tellin th' truth, but Ah can't prove it rahght now.

Tracks:  Well of course someone's not telling the truth.  But I didn't even sense anything last night that I can remember, and I never go into full sleep mode.

Denver: *rolls her shoulders a bit, taking a few deep breaths to try and calm down* Ah'm gonna get t' th' bottom'a th's. Th' ones responsible f'r hurtin' y'u're gonna wish they di'n't.

Tracks:  ...Hadn't you better wait for orders, first?

Denver: *Heads back to face Tracks, a picture of calmnes despite the dangerous look in her eyes* Ah dunno how much y'u know 'bout Scottish 'r Southern women, Tracks... But 'f y'u slahght 'un, y'u'd best be prepared t' face th' consequences. Th' $&#%@$# attacked someone Ah care 'bout.

Tracks:  *confused as he looks back at her*  ...Someone you care about?

Denver: *raised brow in a 'Did you just ask that?' expression* Use yer head, Tracks...

Tracks:  But....  *bewildered now*

Denver: *walks over to gently pat Tracks' shoulder*


Meanwhile


Rachel:  *watches Alex, Mia, and Alice leave Colonel Franklin's office, and then turns to look at Patrick with eyes that are snapping fire*

Patrick: *dark, almost dangerous, look in his eyes. The fact that someone, in essence, attacked one of his own right under his nose has the Prime angry.*

Colonel Franklin:  *quietly speaking orders into his phone, his expression grim*

Rachel:  No more staying in the shed for Tracks, Chief.

Patrick: Agreed. Especially considering that the person responsible could have killed him. I want him moved into the lodge within the next half hour, if not sooner.

Rachel:  *lips thin*  Could have but didn't.  The slagger's toying with us.

Patrick: *eyes narrow* What do you mean, toying with us?

Rachel:  It's a lot easier to cut that line completely than it is to cut it halfway, like they did.  And there are a lot faster ways to kill a bot than to dig that particular line out of where it's stuffed back behind everything else.

Patrick: ... *Glad that he insisted that Soli stay with Elita, as now he's LIVID*

Rachel:  They might have been trying to pin it on Raoul, but there's no way he could have done it.

Patrick: *Frown, starts to pace* They know we're here, obviously.... They knew when the best time to disable Tracks was...

Rachel:  And they know all about our internal workings.

Patrick: ...*switches to code* The Borg are among us.

Rachel:  *nods, lips thin*

Patrick: *to Colonel Franklin* We need a list of all personnel that includes when they first became members of NEST, and when they first arrived at this facility.

Colonel Franklin:  *nods*  *quietly*  I can already tell you that all staff members who are here on site have been with us for at least ten years.

Patrick: What about the ones ranked above Lieutenant?

Colonel Franklin:  All of them.

Patrick: *small frown* I would still like to see the enlistment records, if at all possible.

Colonel Franklin:  Under the circumstances I think that's possible.  *starts typing on the keyboard on his desk*

Rachel:  *looks over at the screen, the fire still in her eyes*

Patrick: *Also looking at the screen, the dangerous look still in his eyes*

Colonel Franklin:  *has the required files.  Turns the screen so that both Autobots can see it*

Rachel:  *lips thin further, and she glances at Patrick to let him know that this is in his hands.  She still can't read computer screens very well*

Patrick: *reading the information as quickly as he can scroll*

Colonel Franklin:  *meets Rachel's eyes, his own holding anger that someone has caused him to break his promise to protect her people*

Patrick: *slight brow twitch as he sees that the main suspect on his list has been a member of NEST since they were a Private*

Rachel:  *rubs her face and looks at him*  Anything?

Patrick: *Slight headshake, gives Rachel a look that means he wants to speak to her later, in private*

Colonel Franklin:  *sees that look and understands it*  Do you need to talk to me about anything else?

Patrick: *Another headshake* No... Thank you. *still peeved as can be, intends to go shoot hoops in the gym and let off some steam that way*

Colonel Franklin:  Then I'd better get to work trying to get to the bottom of this.  *go talk to your medic*

Patrick: *salutes and moves to carefully usher Rachel out the door*

Rachel:  *nods to their human ally, then stumbles slightly and catches Patrick's arm*

Patrick: *Apologizes, supports Rachel* *quietly* We need to find the whereabouts of the following NEST staff last night... *lists off a few personnel, including Lieutenant Wesson and Major MacKenzie*

Rachel:  Wesson?  *looks up at him sharply*  He's been helping with Greg a lot lately in the gym.  And Denver... you do realize she's courting Tracks, right?

Patrick: *serious* Wesson and Denver have been with NEST for around the same length of time... *Soft sigh* She's one of the few people who has been close enough to pull off what happened.

Rachel:  *takes out her cellphone and talks for a moment, then leads Patrick down a few halls and over to a certain room.  Taps on the door*  Denver?  It's Rachel, may I come in?

Denver: *answers the door after a few moments, a puzzled look on her face*

Rachel:  *puzzled brow raise at the puzzled look*  I need to see how Tracks is doing.

Denver: Ah... *Steps out of Rachel's way, holding the door open* Come in.

Patrick: *Slight brow raise at the lack of accent from the Marine*

Rachel:  *enters the room and heads over to the bed, noticing the wondering and uncertain look in Tracks' optics as he turns to look at her*

Patrick: *Follows Rachel, keeping a bit of attention on Denver as she closes the door and moves to stand on the other side of the bed*

Rachel:  *settles to sit, then turns her scanners on*  How are you feeling?

Tracks:  Tired.  I could probably get up, though.

Rachel:  No.  Better give your spark some time to recover, and to let that line finish self repairing.  *gently pops his chest open and looks inside*

Tracks:  *turns just slightly so as to shield his insides from Denver, his face heating with embarrassed self consciousness*

Denver: *turns so her back is facing the bed*

Patrick: *watching the woman's every move without seeming to*

Tracks:  Though I suppose it's just as well that I'll have to stay here for a couple days.  Raoul is becoming a bit of a barbarian when it comes to being inside.

Patrick: *nods* *quietly* With good reason, Tracks...

Tracks:  *slight, puzzled frown*  I beg your pardon, Optimus?

Patrick: *Tone allows no room for argument* From now on, you'll be sleeping in this building.

Denver: *moving to turn so she can protest*

Tracks:  *his frown deepens, but then he sniffs and covers his discomfort and worry with snideness*  I trust that order won't continue after we've stopped having to hide like frightened refugees.

Patrick: *small smile at Tracks' attitude* I don't believe so, Tracks.

Tracks:  Then I suppose....  *sucks air in through his intakes and winces as Rachel touches the small crack that she'd accidentally left in his spark chamber in her haste to get it open*

Patrick: *raised brow at Denver when the Marine's hands tighten at the sound*

Rachel:  *softly*  Slag, Tracks, I'm sorry.  Did I do this this morning?  *scanning the crack now*

Tracks:  I think you did, Ratchet.  It wasn't there before today.  *laying back against the headboard and shivering a bit as his circuits jangle from that stab of pain*

Rachel:  *relieved*  It's not bad, just sensitive.  It should be healed up in a couple days.  *smiles at him as she closes his chest*

Tracks:  *smiles back gamely, then draws up one knee a little and shifts his position*  

Rachel:  I know.  The beds are strange.  But you do get used to them.  *pats his arm*

Denver: *relaxes just a fraction of a hair* According to one of the Lieutenants, there wasn't anything on the security cameras... But I think something's not quite what it seems.

Tracks:  *quietly*  You can turn back now, Denver.  I'm decent.

Rachel:  *brows lift as she notes the change in address*

Denver: *nods, turning around and moving to sit on the edge of the bed*

Patrick: *very slight look of surprise, partially due to the change in address, and partially due to what he's observed*

Rachel:  *gently*  How are you feeling, buddy?

Tracks:  *troubled light in his optics*  I'm concerned for Raoul.  If there's someone here who's trying to kill people, then this isn't really a safe place for him.

Denver: Whoever's responsible... *deep breath, serious Marine is serious* They'd better pray that I don't find them.

Tracks:  *pats her hand, and then turns back to Rachel as the medic starts to speak*

Rachel:  *quietly*  They weren't trying to kill you, Tracks.

Denver: ... *looks at Rachel, hoping for an explanation*

Patrick: *quietly* From what Rachel has told me... The line that was cut... it's in a difficult-to-reach location... and since it was only cut partially...

Rachel:  It's so thin that cutting it part way through is a lot harder than just slicing it.

Tracks:  *once more that slight frown*  So then....

Patrick: *quietly* Someone within NEST may be an enemy...

Rachel:  *very quietly*  It could be an Autobot, too.

Tracks:  That's impossible.

Denver: *frown, didn't want to say that possibility, small nod* *quietly, feeling a bit ill now* It's improbable.... but not impossible...

Patrick: *quietly* We need to go over every possibility...

Rachel:  But not jump to conclusions or lose our heads over this.

Tracks:  *is shaken to the point where it's slipping past his composure*  We have to do everything in our power to protect the youngsters.

Denver: *nods, still looking a bit ill* *Quietly* If I knew for certain that it'd be a secure location, I'd more than happily open my home. With things the way they are right now, I don't know if that'd be safe for the kids...

Patrick: While the offer is appreciated, Major, I feel this location is the best choice right now.

Denver: *nods. No, she's not thrilled about what has happened, but darnit if she's going to leave her post to do something about it*

Tracks:  *silent, troubled.  His optics are on the Prime as he waits for some guidance*  ...I should probably ask Raoul to come back from the gym.

Rachel:  *looks at the time*  He'll be safe.  Autumn will have the Dinobots there to work off their breakfast energy rush.

Patrick: *nods in agreement with Rachel, a bit of amusement on his face* And considering how protective Autumn is... Not to mention how combat ready Greg usually is, and how combat able he and Simon are...

Tracks:  *quietly*  ...I feel just sick thinking about this.

Denver: *reaches to gently pat his hand, not taking her eyes off of Rachel or Patrick* We'll get this figured out... and whoever it was will be stopped.

Rachel:  *nodding, her expression grim*  *and then she turns her head as a tap sounds at the door*

Patrick: *frown, goes to answer the door, noting how quickly Denver tensed up*

Lt.  Wesson:  *bemused expression.  He's got a Seeker baby under one arm and a big floofy orange cat laying on his shoulders*  I don't know where her family is.

Steeljaw: Mrrrrrppppptttt.....

Firebreak:  *boredly nomming her fist*

Patrick: *pings Sky's comm*

Lt.  Wesson:  *turns his head and cricks his neck to give Steeljaw a quizzical look*  You comfy?

Sky:  //Not now, Captain!  Important cargo's missing!//

Patrick: *as he holds his arms out to accept Firebreak* //The important cargo has been located by Spock. Report to Crusher's and my location to retrieve it.//

Steeljaw: Mrrrpt... *stretches out and snuffs at Firebreak*

Firebreak:  *takes a friendly swing at the floofcat*

Lt. Wesson:  *gently catches her hand so she can't hit Steeljaw, then hands her over to Patrick*  *slight frown*  This is the first time I've ever seen one of these guys on the floor.

Sky:  *running down the hall toward them just a few moments later.  Skylar is with her*

Patrick: *Gently cradling Firebreak in his arms until Sky arrives and he can transfer the little explorer back to her mother*

Steeljaw: *Strreeeeeeetches, jumps from Wesson's shoulders to the floor, pads over to Rachel, 'talking' the entire time*

Rachel: *bends down from where she's still sitting on Tracks' bed to scoop the big cat up and cuddle him* What's going on, buddy, hmm?

Steeljaw: *Gently headbutts Rachel, turns on the thunderpurr*

Sky:  *clicking and giving her little daughter a quiet dressing down, which Firebreak contentedly ignores as she grins and makes cute at Uncle Skylar*

Skylar: *waaas going to gently scold Firebreak, but darnit, he can't resist the cute*

Lt. Wesson:  *watching Skylar's interaction with his niece, one brow lifted slightly with interest*

Skylar: *is a complete and total suck for little ones, it seems, is clicking and making baby-talk to his niece*

Sky:  *tells the baby she's not having any orange juice for three days, then looks at Patrick*  Thank you, sir.

Patrick: Thank Lieutenant Wesson... He's the one who brought her here... *Wondering if he should go and check on his own daughter in a bit*

Sky:  *gives the stranger a wary look, but then gives a courteous nod*  Thanks.  *cuddling her baby with her cheek on the little one's head*

Lt. Wesson:  *gruffly*  Just doing my job, ma'am.

Skylar: C'mon... Let's go make sure TC hasn't been pelted with pureed bananas or oatmeal... *chuckles and moves to gently urge Sky back towards the cafeteria*

Sky:  I think I've finally got Samuel and Seamus to understand that that stuff belongs in the bowl or their stomachs....  *gives Patrick and Lt. Wesson a last nod, and then turns and goes with her wing leader*

Denver: *getting up and coming to the door to dismiss Lt. Wesson*

Lt. Wesson:  *gives Denver an embarrassed and apologetic look when he sees her*  Sorry, sir.

Denver: Is there anything else to report, Wesson?

Lt. Wesson:  No, sir.  *being careful to look at her face like the gentleman he's always been*  The southeast hall is quiet.  Not even any of those tiny robots have gone through.

Rachel:  *from inside the room*  That's because we've got them penned up.

Steeljaw: mmrrrrrrowww... *kittykisses Rachel, wiggles and indicates that he wants to do the same to Tracks*

Denver: *Small nod* Alright. You are dismissed, Wesson.

Lt. Wesson:  *salutes and then turns and strides away down the hall*

Tracks:  Ah... I appreciate the offer, Steeljaw, really.  But if you don't mind terribly I'd really rather pass.

Denver: *Returns to her spot besides Tracks, gives Steeljaw a bemused look that really doesn't hide how worried she is*

Steeljaw: *fine. Will go and kittykiss Denver*

Rachel:  *gently tugs on Steeljaw's tail as he goes.  Is waiting for Patrick to come back*

Steeljaw: *'talks' at Rachel*

Patrick: *sighs and closes the door once he's certain Lt. Wesson is gone. Returns to where he was standing*

Rachel:  So now what?  *looks up at Patrick*

Tracks:  *looks up, silently seconding the question*

Patrick: For now... we run the data we have... check for any inconsistancies in behaviors... and pray that the attacker doesn't strike again.

Denver: *a bit darkly* For their sake.

Tracks:  *looks at her a little chidingly*  We're not violent people, Denver.

Denver: *lips thin as she takes a few deep breaths and nods*

Tracks:  *gentle hand pat*

Rachel:  *sighs*  I should get back to Jack.  I've got a checkup with Kia in an hour.  Are we telling anyone anything, Chief?

Patrick: I'm worried that if we do, it may create wide-spread panic and distrust...

Rachel:  *shuts her eyes and then opens them*  Few of us are soldiers, most of the ones that are, are hotheads.  Or else they have someone to protect.

Tracks:  But at the same time, it doesn't feel right to just leave everyone without any warning.  *troubled expression*

Denver: *Quietly, lips still drawn thin* But suppose they do tell... You guys wouldn't trust us, we wouldn't trust you... and that's a good way to destroy something from within...

Rachel:  You're a soldier, Tracks.  Maybe they'll leave the civilians alone.

Patrick: *small nod* They could've harmed Raoul... yet he was left in peace...

Tracks:  *bit of hope coming into his tense expression*  That's true... though it could have been because he was inside a locked vehicle.

Rachel:  If they could get under your hood they could have gotten into your passenger compartment.

Denver: *up and pacing again*

Patrick: *Watches her pace*

Rachel:  *gets up and limps over to put a hand on Patrick's arm*  *quietly*  Let's go, Chief.

Steeljaw: *Follows, tail up as he goes*

Patrick: *nods and moves to help Rachel out of the room* *To Tracks* Get some rest...

Tracks:  *quietly and absently*  I'll try, Optimus.  But I can't really make any promises.

Patrick: *small nod, helps Rachel out the door, making sure said door closes fully behind him, and that Steeljaw's tail isn't caught in it*

Tracks:  *listens to the door shut, and then clenches his fists and bows his head*  God... if You're listening like Raoul swears You are....

Denver: *quietly, as she moves to sit back down where she had been sitting before Rachel and Patrick showed up* I think they suspect me...

Tracks:  *looks up quickly*  Oh don't be ridiculous!

Denver: I'm not, Tracks... I saw how your boss was watching me the entire time he and Rachel were in here....

Tracks:  *frowning, but then nods slowly*  I would imagine he suspects nearly everyone.

Denver: I can't say I blame him... In his shoes, I'd do the same thing.

Tracks:  *quietly*  Well, I certainly don't suspect you.  I've never told you anything about my Cybertronian components and how they work.

Denver: *quiet chuckle* Other than that I couldn't touch that box under your hood...

Tracks:  *nod*  You understand why I'm so ticklish about it now, I suppose.

Denver: *nods* *studious look*

Tracks:  *quietly*  That light is what makes us alive.  Without it we're only machines.

Denver: *another nod* *Quietly* It's your soul... or the equivalent of a soul...

Tracks:  *pause*  But Raoul says that 'soul' just means a living being.

Denver: *tips her head back, trying to think of how best to explain what she means*

Tracks:  *unaware of the fact that he's absently rubbing his chestplate at memory of the pain when Rachel poked the crack in his spark compartment*

Denver: *Quietly* The meaning of 'soul'... it's different for each person... For me... it's their personality, their quelque chose de spécial, and everything that makes someone alive...

Tracks:  *nods his understanding, and then accidentally automatically replies in Puerto Rican Spanish*  [I understand what you're saying then.]

Denver: *slight cough to try and hide her snicker at the accidental slip, fails, settles for covering her mouth and chuckling*

Tracks:  *blinks and gives her a bewildered look at her reaction.  Totally doesn't realize what he just did*

Denver: *gently patpats his hand, responds in Mexican Spanish, since she's not as fluent in Puerto Rican Spanish as she'd like to be* [English would be my preferences for conversation, but if you wish, I can speak in Spanish.]

Tracks:  *and now he's embarrassed*  Oh, I'm so sorry.  Speaking with Raoul has put me so in the habit of using his language that I sometimes don't realize I'm doing it.

Denver: *small smile* It's alright. I need the practice anyways.... *still studying Tracks' features and construction*

Tracks:  You're too polite.  *notices that study and gives her a quizzical look*  Do I have a paint chip on my face?

Denver: *headshake* No... *faint blush as she tries to think of how to ask about the mech's wings without being offensive*

Tracks:  *lifts his brows*  Now you're alarming me....

Denver: *is now flustered and trying to calm down enough to ask Tracks about his wings*

Tracks:  *reaches to pat her hand* *tiny bit of humor* I'm not sure what I said this time, but whatever it was I apologize for it.

Denver: *headshake, manages to gesture to Tracks' wings*

Tracks:  *turns his head to look from one to the other, searching for a muddy patch or something*

Denver: *another headshake, starting to regain her composure* *mumbles something about curiosity*

((co-written with random_xtras))

Part two is here.