mbv, NEST HQ, Steps Forward

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Lt. Wesson: *sitting up on his hospital bed and gently picking at a beautiful electric guitar when Ultra Magnus awakens*

Magnus: *blinking a bit and looking around without moving very much. Is feeling a bit disoriented and having a bit of a sensory overload at the moment*

Cpt. Blume: *is a soft sigh over on the other side of this curtain, and then speaks for the first time since he was hurt* John....

Lt. Wesson: *stops and looks up* Yes?

Lt. Reynolds: *smoothing her husband's hair a bit* *quietly* He was awake for a little bit... He smiled and went back to sleep though...

Lt. Wesson: Oh. *leans back against the wall and very carefully picks out some chords from Cpt. Blume's favorite song*

Ravage: *hops up to see Ultra Magnus then*

Magnus: *Slowly moving his hand to offer scritches, the movements hesitant and almost uncertain*

Ravage: *soft chirp, and then her bittypurr*

Dr. House: *coming over to see who the little femme's singing to* Oh. Hello. How are you feeling?

Magnus: A bit disoriented... Everything's different from what it was like before...

Dr. House: Before when you were in your original protoform? Or when you were in the truck?

Magnus: When I was in the truck... I don't really remember what it was like in my original protoform....

Steeljaw: *gonna jump up to greet Magnus now*

Ravage: *chirps to her mate*

Dr. House: *quietly* Yeah, Russell says you didn't have much of a sensor net in that. I know how to turn sensory input down for you guys, if you need it. Oh, and I'm Dr. James House.

Magnus: *Slight nod, attention going to Steeljaw as the large cat settles next to Ravage and purrs quietly*

Dr. House: Steeljaw and Ravage are here to keep an eye on Rachel... er. I guess you'd know her as Ratchet.

Rachel: *sneezes and grumbles awake*

Magnus: *attention going in that direction now*

Destiny: *snuggling Greg and clicking quietly*

Rachel: *turns her head to blink and frown toward where she senses wakeful humans* James? Who's talking about me?

Magnus: *sheepish* Er... That would be me, Ratchet...

Rachel: *blinks more, realizing absently that she's hearing soft, slow music from the other side of them* Mmmm, Rachel. When I'm in this form I'm Rachel Ruteger.

Magnus: *blinks* Interesting designation....

Rachel: *small smile* Having the native form doesn't help unless you have a native name to go with it.

Magnus: *considering look, small nod* That makes sense.

Rachel: *smile twitches* And the 'Ruteger' part's Jack's fault.

Magnus: ... Jack?

Rachel: Wheeljack. Jack Ruteger.

Magnus: ... *SNERK*

Destiny: *Scolding clicks at Magnus*

Rachel: Don't start. He hasn't blown anything up in a couple years now. *soothing clicks to Destiny*

Magnus: But still... He could've been a bit more creative with his designation...

Destiny: *Softly razzes Magnus before returning her attention to cuddling Greg*

Rachel: *soft snerk* Perceptor is Merlin Percia.

Magnus: ... *snerks*

Rachel: And his mate uses the same name in both forms, except she adds the Percia to the end when she's in alt mode.

Magnus: ... He has a mate now?

Dr. House: You've met Kia.

Magnus: ... o_o

Rachel: What?

Magnus: Wow... I should probably congratulate them...

Rachel: *chuckles* There are a lot of newly formed couples here. And couples that will probably be forming soon.

Magnus: *blink blink, will try sitting up to give Rachel a puzzled look* Huh?

Destiny: *muffled* Russ 'n Rinny...

Rachel: *blink* *looks at daughter* Really?

Destiny: *nodnod*

Rachel: When?

Destiny: Asked for week off earlier today...

Rachel: I wondered how long they'd be able to wait. *there's that wry, humorous smile again*

Destiny: Been waiting since after Christmas.

Rachel: Yeah. Crazy whirlwind romance.

Magnus: *chuckles, and then he's settling back down when things start to spin slightly* Well, I knew Hot Rod and Bluestreak woke up earlier.... Ran into them... *No, he has no clue who Bluestreak is... just that she was the blonde that was clinging to the dark-haired guy Bert called Roddy... and he's guessing that that's Hot Rod*

Destiny: *snuggling Greg more, clicking quietly*

Rachel: Another whirlwind romance. *smile and tired sigh as she reaches with the hand not connected to any machinery to gently touch Greg's hair*

Magnus: *gonna give sitting up another go*

Steeljaw: Mrrrpt... *tailswish*

Dr. House: Easy. *hand on Magnus' shoulder*

Magnus: *curious as he watches Rachel* Okay... I know Wheeljack built that guy....

Rachel: *chuckles and turns her head slowly to look at him again* Jack built his shell, but Greg's spark was part of mine till a few months ago.

Magnus: ... *blink blink* ... So... You and Wheeljack?

Rachel: We're word bonded. And we've got four kids of our own creation.

Magnus: The Dinobots? *is guessing, since he remembers what Bert and Autumn said*

Rachel: *slight nod* The Dinobots.

Destiny: *Quietly, sounding a bit sleepy herself* Sarah-sister, Sandra-sister, Simon-brother, and Greg-brother... *Yawns*

Rachel: That's right, sweetheart. *then looks down as something stirs under her blankets* Fluffy?

Fred: *peeks out and beeps*

Rachel: *chuckles*

Magnus: And you adopted Sharpshot and Desinex...

Rachel: And Starscream, and Pandita. Though we moved out when we got Greg,Simon and Sarah and left the attic to Starscream and Moonshadow.

Magnus: ... *slightly choked sound* Starscream?!

Destiny: *sleepily* Is 'Bot.

Rachel: *quiet and calm* Yes. Starscream.

Magnus: ... *Feeling a bit brain broken now*

Destiny: *another yawn before she settles down to finish her nap*

Rachel: *quietly* He got tired of the killing, and realized that it would never bring back the friend he was mourning. So he joined us, and if he hadn't a lot of us wouldn't be here today.

Dr. House: *looking at the monitors hooked up to Rachel* You'd better get more rest.

Fred: *beeps and crawls up to cuddle Mama*

Magnus: *Concerned, will try and get off the bed now*

Dr. House: *looks up from fixing Rachel's blanket and hurries back to Magnus* Easy....

Magnus: *a bit dizzy now, cycling air quietly*

Dr. House: Don't push yourself. *hand on the Cybertronian's shoulder now*

Lt. Ross: *calling Dr. House's radio*

Dr. House: *pokes himself in the ear* Yes, Maria?

Lt. Ross: //Major MacKenzie's on her way to the gym... I think Sgt. Madison'll be coming to the med ward in about an hour or so...// *Sounds amused*

Magnus: *Raised brow ridge*

Dr. House: I'm ready for him. *looks at Magnus* Do you want to go see the match?

Magnus: Match?

Dr. House: Major MacKenzie will be sparring with Sgt. Madison to test his reflexes and responses. Unless the Seeklets aren't feeling well Sky, Rain, and Storm will be there too. I know my wife will be, since the five of them like to work out together in the morning.

Magnus: ... That sounds like it would be interesting...

Lt. Wesson: *chuckles at Ultra Magnus' words*

Dr. House: Do you think you can stand?

Magnus: I think so...

Dr. House: *lowers the bed rail and steps back*

Magnus: *Carefully scooting to the edge of the bed, and then he's sliding his lower half down so he's standing and leaning against the bed*

Dr. House: *hand half lifted to offer support if it's needed* Like I said, I can adjust your sensors if you need it.

Magnus: *Slowly cycling air and getting used to having stabilizers again* I'll be alright...

Dr. House: Are you sure?

Magnus: *nods carefully* Just gotta get used to having stabilizers again...

Dr. House: *pulls something out of the pocket of his white coat and offers the wrapped cinnaSeeker to the red mech* Here, put something in your tank on the way.

Magnus: *blinks and nods, accepting the wrapped cinnaSeeker* Solid fuel?

Dr. House: *grin* It's called a cookie.

Magnus: *slowly unwrapping it, making a surprised sound at the pleasant scent of the cookie, before he takes a bite* ! *pleased sounds*

Dr. House: *grin widens* I've heard them referred to as 'Transformer crack', though they aren't addictive.

Rachel: *mostly asleep* Says you.

Destiny: *clicks quietly in her sleep, has caught scent of the cookie*

Greg: *is smiling now without waking*

Magnus: *blink*

Dr. House: *chuckles* They're popular with the sparklets.

Magnus: Ah... *will have another couple of bites of cookie and feel the energy boost of energon, like he hasn't felt in a long time*

Dr. House: Lets see how well you can walk to the door and back.

Magnus: *will carefully move so he's not leaning on the bed any more* Alright...

Ravage: *sits up, makes little encouraging sound and pretends she wasn't just 'holding her mate down' and licking his face clean*

Steeljaw: *amused, as he always is whenever Ravage 'holds him down'*

Dr. House: *ignores catbots, is focused on his patient*

Magnus: *taking slow, careful steps. His balance is a bit off, but for the most part, he's staying upright*

Dr. House: *watching, decides that nothing needs adjusting* Alright, you can go. *tells him the coordinates of the gym*

Magnus: *small nod* Thanks. *Will head that way then. He'll stick close to the wall though*

Tracks: *sitting on the lowest bench of the bleachers when Magnus arrives. Is in his root mode, and has an arm around WakeJumper as he watches Denver and her friends warm up and exchange banter*

WJ: *not very awake yet, is more interested in snuggling against Papa*

Magnus: *making his way over to the bleachers, having spotted someone who looks pretty familiar* Tracks?

Tracks: *looks up, brow ridges raising quizzically* Yes?

Denver: *Stretching and helping Lt. Ross stretch*

Rain: *showing Sora a new move she learned on one planet she visited*

Magnus: *glad to have guessed right* It's been awhile...

Tracks: *frowning, trying to place the voice and face* You'll have to forgive me, but I can't seem to recall...?

Magnus: Ultra Magnus... *glances to WakeJumper when the youngling clicks quietly* I remember seeing this little one the other day... *chuckles*

Tracks: *expression clears from confusion to surprise* Ultra Magnus! Well, it has been awhile. *looks down then, his expression softening* This is my youngest... *hesitates over saying 'ward'* ...Son. WakeJumper.

Magnus: And apparently, I've been on this planet even longer than everyone else... *chuckles and moves to sit down* Kia menioned that when I talked to her when we were out front of the building...

Tracks: *looks up again* Oh, have you?

Sgt. Madison: *is stretching with ENS. Falman and wondering out loud why he has to do this*

Magnus: *nods* I remember seeing things from the... 2000 Presidential Election...

Tracks: *blinks* Well, then. *and then his optics are slipping toward that group of tall strong femmes who are working out over there*

Sunshine: *spreads her wings, her ears back in mock anger as Sky kicks at her face*

Magnus: *attention going that direction as well* Who are they?

Denver: *reminding Sky that she still owes her a round*

Sky: *hand on Sunshine's face* Okay, bring it on! :D

WJ: *yawning and rubbing at his optics a bit* Is Mama's turn?

Tracks: *chuckles* The one with the atrociously long hair is Skywarp. The brunettes with short hair are Stormsong, Rainbird, and Denver. *voice softens on that last as he rubs WakeJumper's back to wordlessly ask the youngling to wait for an answer* The slightly shorter brunette is Lt. Ross. The young lady with black hair is Sharpshot. The lady with the snowy white wings is Captain House, and that small, dark-haired replica of her who just came to peek through the door is her daughter Naomi.

Magnus: *raised brow ridge as Sora shows Rainbird a move she learned back on Cybertron* ... *Attention sharpens when he hears how Tracks' voice softens* What is Denver's true name? *is assuming that Denver is a Cybertronian*

Tracks: *blinks* Denver Annette MacKenzie.

Magnus: ... She's a native?

Tracks: *chin firms* Yes, she is.

Magnus: *raised brow ridge as he watches the tall woman spar with Skywarp* ... And she's sparring with one of ours?

Tracks: *quietly* She is one of ours.

Magnus: ... What do you mean? *is confused, and trying to make sense of this*

Sgt. Madison: *watching the sparring with a raised brow*

WJ: *After he yawns again* Is Mama.

Magnus: ... *looks a bit brain broken*

Beau: *moving to sit up where he was laying in between the rows of bleachers a bit higher up* 'S Sis sparr'n wit' th' n00b yet? *isn't very awake*

Tracks: *glad for the distraction* Not yet, Beau. But you'd better wake Raoul so he doesn't miss it.

Raoul: Who's asleep? *snort*

Beau: *blink blink* Me.

WJ: *Snerk*

Raoul: *sits up to look down at his blond friend and snerks himself* Dork.

Beau: Thrrrrpt. *stretches*

Raoul: *pokes him while he's stretching*

Beau: Ack! 'Ey!

Naomi: *bouncing over to sit by WakeJumper and click to him, her ears twitching happily*

WJ: *Clicks to Naomi, is glad to see her*

Magnus: ... *raised brow ridge, asking Tracks with a look if this is normal*

Tracks: *greets the little girl with a friendly smile, then looks up to catch the look. Raises one brow ridge quizzically to inquire as to what Magnus is asking about*

Magnus: *tips his head towards Raoul and Beau*

Naomi: *watches the older boys poke at each other, and then snuggles against WakeJumper to share some of her warmth*

WJ: *clicks and tells Naomi about how Mama is going to school the n00b*

Tracks: *smirks a bit* Young humans aren't that much different from young Cybertronians. And Raoul and Beau are brothers.

Magnus: Huh... *chuckles as he shakes his head*

Raoul: *trying to get Beau's head under his arm*

Beau: *Acks and flails, trying to get Raoul in a headlock in return*

Tracks: *shows no sign of irritation at the young humans' antics. Instead his optics return to that tall human woman* So what have you been doing with yourself?

Magnus: Just trying to stay alive... *wryly* It's a bit harder than you'd think, to be stuck as a vehicle...

Tracks: *quietly* I know what it's like to be unable to transform, though it was environment that kept me in my car mode.

Magnus: *blink blink* *debates about telling Tracks about what he went through, decides he doesn't want to scare WakeJumper, since the little mech doesn't seem very old yet*

Denver: *making a joke about a sissy-fight*

Sky: *laughs and catches hold of a handful of her hair to wave it at her friend* It's easy to grab and pull. The triplets do it all the time.

Magnus: ... *giving Sky a surprised look. Hadn't realized that the three little Seeklets were the same age*

Denver: Y'u evah thought 'bout cuttin' 't short, Skah?

Sky: Every time I mention it Streaker nearly cries.

Denver: *rolls eyes* 'E needs t' man up.... *stretches a bit, expression going serious* Ah gotta see wh't th' new gah's capable 'f... *sighs and turns to look for the Sgt., her voice losing most of its drawl as she addresses Sgt. Madison* Madison, you're up.

Sgt. Madison: *a bit startled to hear the authoritative tone Denver used, hurries over to the mat*

Sky: *grin* I like him just the way he is, the suck. *comes over to sit on the same bench as Tracks and Magnus, grinning and greeting the mechs and younglings before turning back to watch the match between Denver and the Sgt.*

Tracks: *absent greeting in return*

Naomi: *happy bounce with her hello*

Magnus: *gives a polite nod, attention going to the mat where Denver and Sgt. Madison are sizing up one another*

Denver: *dodging the punch that Sgt. Madison just threw with ease, before using the shorter man's momentumn to flip him onto his back on the mat*

Beau: *snerks* Th't idiot's 'oldin' back.

Tracks:  *frowns deeply as he watches the match*

Sky:  Stupid rookie.  *attention goes to the door as Sunstreaker enters the gym with Sundog in his arms*

Sunstreaker: *as he moves to settle next to Sky* We need more kids...

Sky:  Yeah, but it's someone else's turn to make some.  *reaching for her eldest son*

Sunstreaker: *Nods, gently transferring Sundog to Sky* Screamer's hoarding the triplets... I've got the bite mark to prove it...

Sgt. Madison: *is quick to get back up onto his feet, looking a bit shocked that he got flipped so easily. WIll try again to land a hit on the Major*

Denver: *catches him by the wrist and slams her knee into his ribs*

WJ: *attention firmly on the match*

Sky:  *soft snerk, both at what her mate said and at Denver's last move.  Gives Sunstreaker a quick kiss and then settles down to cuddle Sundog and watch what's going on over on the mat. Yes, Magnus, that little guy getting loved on is the little warrior you saw yesterday*

Magnus: *Attention divided by watching Sgt. Madison get owned, and watching Sky and her family interact*

Denver: *knocks Madison's legs out from underneath him, and then they're grappling on the floor*

Lt. Ross: *moving to sit nearby with ENS. Falman* Two minutes is my guess...

ENS. Falman: *nods, watching the match*

WO Caine:  *is sitting by his teammates, playing with baby gerbils*

Naomi:  *hiding her eyes and leaning against WakeJumper*

WJ: *moves to put his arm around Naomi, clicks quietly*

Sgt. Madison: *Trying to tap out after Denver gets him into a submission hold*

Raoul:  ...Whatta wuss.

Denver: *Seriously* Do you yield, Madison?

Sgt. Madison: *Pained-sounding* I yield!!!

Denver: *lets him up* Get yourself to the med ward.

Beau: *snerk* 'S 'is own fault f'r trah'n t' go easeh on Sis.

Raoul:  I ain't makin' that mistake.  *bounds around Tracks and company with a whoop and plows into Denver*

Tracks:  Raoul!

Denver: *acks, and then she's laughing*

Raoul:  *pokes her in the ribs and then dances out of reach, his fists raised and his weight on the balls of his feet as he grins*

Sky:  *approving keen*

Denver: *Squirms a bit at the poke, before she's getting into a stance with an ear-to-ear grin*

Tracks:  *face. palm. and mutter*

Raoul:  *dance dance FEINT dance*

Sgt. Madison: *making his slow way out of the room*

Beau: *amused* Th's'll be interestin'...

Denver: *sidestep feint dance*

Raoul:  *circles, still doing his boxer's bounce*

Tracks:  *watching from between his fingers, feeling proud of Raoul despite himself and also unable to look away from Denver*

Magnus: If she gets him on the floor, it might not be a very long match...

Beau: Naw... Raoul's too quick t' get caught lahk th' n00b did.

Denver: *Circling and occasionally doing quick jabs with the intent of getting a feel for how Raoul will react*

Raoul:  *alert, wary, also testing Denver.  Only moves at the very last instant if it seems he'll actually be hit, and is very fast*

Tracks:  *quietly*  He's fought for his life.

Magnus: *distracted from the match, is giving Tracks a surprised look*

WJ: *clicks quietly*

Denver: *if it had been earlier, before she took on Madison, she probably wouldn't be showing very faint hints of being worn out. She's still got a lot of fight in her, if the fact that she's moving about juuuust outside of striking range is anything to go by*

Raoul:  *suddenly a whirlwind flash of action, and the moves he uses are totally different from the ones he'd been employing till then.  There's a soft swish as he hits the mat, one leg lashing out to sweep at Denver's shins, as the other sock clad foot aims right at her knee cap*

Denver: *lunging at Raoul, just barely avoids getting her knee cap kicked. As it is, she's at an awkward angle*

WJ: *frown* Mama's tired...

Tracks:  Yes.  *frowning and gathering himself to get up*

Raoul:  *quick twist as his leg goes behind Denver's, and then he's rolling to his feet again*

Denver: *and down she goes*

Raoul:  *pounces and pins her arms, eyes on her legs*  You yield?

Denver: Ah yield. *sounds amused, if not worn out*

Raoul:  Sweet!  *hug!*

Tracks:  *frowning slightly as he walks over to offer Denver a hand up*

Denver: *gives Raoul a one-armed hug as she reaches for Tracks' hand*

Tracks:  *lifts them both up, and then takes a swat at Raoul as the teen pokes at his side.  Puts his arm around Denver and holds her close as he and Raoul engage in one of their light-hearted scuffles*

Denver: *leans against Tracks, looking pleased*

Beau: *chuckles and nudges Naomi and WJ* Fahght's ovah...

Naomi:  *laughing as her ears twitch in a big grin*  I think ve need breakfast!

WJ: *perks, clicks*

Naomi:  Race you!  *on her feet with a bound and darting toward the door*

WJ: Hey! Headstart! No fair! *hurrying after Naomi now*

Sundog:  *abandoning Mom!*  Wait for me!  *transforms and runs after his creche mates*

Sky:  Hey!  Sheesh.

Sunstreaker: *Snuggle*

Beau: *getting up and following after the others at a more leisurely pace*

Raoul:  *busy holding onto one of Track's hands with both of his own to keep the hand from grabbing his face*

Magnus: ... *Snerks, shaking his head a bit. He can't believe what he's seeing, but he's seeing it. Of that, he's sure*

Denver: *amused as she tells Tracks and Raoul off, before suggesting breakfast*

Raoul:  I need a shower first.  *sniff*  Maaan, I smell nearly as bad as you!

Tracks:  *boots him toward the locker rooms*  That's quite enough from you.

Denver: *Razzes Raoul* Thrrrrrrpt

Tracks:  *puts his other arm around her as it's no longer needed for playing with Raoul*  *softly*  How are you feeling, darling?

others in the room:  *watching, except for Sky.  She's busy kissing Sunstreaker stupider*

Denver: Ah'm jes' a bit worn out rahght now.... But Ah'll prolleh be feelin' th's latah t'day 'r t'morrah...

Tracks:  *frowns, his grip going protective*  You should take it easy for the rest of the day.

Denver: Ah gotta make sure Ah di'n't 'urt th' rookeh too badleh...

Tracks:  We can do that now, if you like.  *doesn't think Denver smells*

Denver: *nod* 'N th'n Ah th'nk Ah mahght need t' take a bit 'f a soak 'n th''ot tub...

Tracks:  That sounds lovely.  *sigh*

Denver: *leans against Tracks more* Le's go.

Tracks:  Alright.  *kisses her gently on the forehead and reaches for her hand*

Denver: *takes Tracks' hand*

Lt. Ross: *turning her attention to doing more stretches*

Tracks:  *will leave the gym with Denver.  He's forgotten about Sky, Sunstreaker, Magnus, and the others*

Sky:  *falls back between the bleachers as the dizziness hits her upside the head*

Sunstreaker: *snuzzles and doesn't care that he too, is between the bleachers. Has mate, is happeh*

Magnus: *moving to get up, intends to do a bit more walking and getting used to having working sensors again. Also intends to get some more fuel at some point. Is glad to see Tracks acting the way he remembers the other mech acting all those vorns ago*


Moments later, in the med ward...


Sgt. Madison: *wincing, since breathing kinda hurts right now*

Dr. House:  *has him sitting on the examining table closest to the door and his shining a light in his eyes*  You know you're an idiot?

Sgt. Madison: *trying not to squint* *in pain* H-how so, Sir?

Dr. House:  Did you honestly think Major MacKenzie's gotten that high in the ranks because of people pussyfooting around her?

Rachel:  *soft snerk from where she's laying half asleep on her bed over there*

Cpt. Blume:  *even softer snerk, though he doesn't seem to be awake*

Lt. Reynolds: *eyeing Sgt. Madison from where she's sitting and waiting for breakfast so she can help her husband with his meal* Did he try going easy on her like Havoc and Wesson did?

Sgt. Madison: *about to respond, winces as he takes a slow breath*

Dr. House:  *takes Madison's wrist and gently feels the bones* *doesn't look up*  Yup

Sgt. Madison: *More wince*

Dr. House:  The good news is you just sprained this.  From the way you're breathing I'm betting your ribs are broken.  And so are these fingers.

Lt. Reynolds: *Sitting a bit straighter once the door to the med ward opens and she's seen who is coming in*

Sgt. Madison: *trying to sit a bit straighter as well, winces even more*

Dr. House:  *still not looking up from his work*  She'll slap you for aggravating your injuries too.

Denver: *from where she's still leaning on Tracks a bit* Darn rahght, Ah will.

Dr. House:  Do you want some liniment, Major?  *carefully making sure that Madison's fingers are straight as he splints them*

Denver: Naw... Jes' came t' make sure Ah di'n't break th' n00b too badleh...

Dr. House: He'll live. He's just got a few cracked ribs and fingers.   *finishes fingers, indicates that Sgt. Madison should take off his  shirt, and then looks toward the door as Jazz is escorted into the room in slight respiratory distress*

Petra: *bemused look* Alice tried getting her squeeze cheese back... but Irene got Jazz before she could...

Jazz: *has the 'kicked puppy look' down*

Dr. House:  *face palm*  Sit him on the other table.  How bad will this affect him?

Petra: I'm not sure... She got him while he was sleeping... *as Jazz coughs again in a fruitless attempt to clear his intakes*

Denver: ... *face.palm*

Sgt. Madison: O.o;; *will carefully, ow, get his shirt off*

Dr. House:  *goes to get a small vacuum tool and hooks it up, then gives it to Jazz*  Here, see what you can do with this while I tend to the n00b.

Petra: *Helps Jazz onto the other table, and soon she's working on getting as much of the cheese product out of the mech's intakes as she can*

Denver: *Quietly, to Tracks* We sh'ld go...

Tracks:  *frowning at Jazz, but then blinks and looks at Denver before nodding and turning toward the door*  Alright.

Denver: *stretches, making a face when her back pops in a few places*

Tracks:  *gives her a 0_o look that's full of concern*

Denver: Th't w'lda felt bettah 'f Ah weren't alreadeh achin' a bit...

Tracks:  We'd better see to you, darling.  *hand goes from hers to her back supportively*

Denver: *nods* Th' 'ot tub'll feel good t'day...

Tracks:  *nods as well and kisses her on the hair, then turns his attention to escorting her to their room and then to the pool room*


Back in the gym...


Magnus: *Walking and feeling a bit more like his old self*

Sunstreaker: ... *Sits up suddenly* That idiot...

Sky:  Huh?  What happened?  Which idiot?  *sitting up as well and pushing her hair back*

Sunstreaker: Seamus. He tried Jet-Judoing someone and wound up in a snowbank. *grumble* He's sharing the experience.

Magnus: ... I'm not even going to ask. *Continues walking*

Sky:  *as she catches an SOS*  Let me guess... Quickstrike?

Sunstreaker: *Nods as he transforms* Yup...

Sky:  *sighs*  We better go haul their afts in for repairs.

Samuel: Before or after we kick them for being idiots?

Sky:  Quickstrike has to be pretty kicked already if he's asking for help instead of slinking off to repair himself.  *climbing out of the bleachers*

Samuel: ... Good point. *Getting up out of the bleachers as well*

Sky:  *through the protective curtain that hangs between the gym proper and the exercise machine area, and then through the patio doors and into bot mode and into the air*

Samuel: *jogging out after her*


In the cafeteria...


WJ: *telling Sean about how his Mama schooled a n00b*

Sean:  I saw.  *nod nod nods as he offers his young friend a lovely rose flavored energon cookie*

Sarah: *Snuggled against Sandra, who is using Simon as a pillow*

Bert:  Firebreak, that goes in your mouth, not your brother's nose.

Ember: *Trying to shove scrambled eggs up Firebreak's nose in retaliation*

Hotspot: *being gently discouraged from doing likewise to Skylar*

WJ: *More interested in talking than eating*

Bert:  Don't you people teach these kids anything?

Melissa:  *chasing coloured cereal rings around in her bowl of milk*

Skylar: Oh, we teach them plenty. *manages to get Hotspot to eat the eggs instead of shoving them up noses*

Sean:  *pauses as he looks in the box that's sitting on the table*  'Onion pickle flavor mudpies?'  *looks up at the adults*

Autumn: *blink blink* Let me see those...

Sean:  *pushes the box over*  It looks like a cookie box from the Nexus.

Autumn: Huh... *gets out one of the 'mudpies' and has a taste* O_O *coughing*

Bert:  *pats her back*  Bee?

Firebreak:  *sniff?  Sniff sniff!  Squeal!*

Autumn: *making a face and offering Bert the mudpie she tasted* XP

Bert:  *takes it and bites it*  ...Heyyyyy.  :D  

WJ: *blink blink* ... Adults are weird. *noms the cookie Sean gave him*

Sean:  Hey, you wanted to taste garlic, right?

WJ: *nods, finishes what he's chewing*

Sean:  Well onions are a lot like garlic.  *reaches to take one of the strange cookies and sniff it, then poke it toward Skylar's mouth*

Skylar: *Leans over, noms*

Sean:  *watches to see what Uncle thinks of it*

Skylar: *making the mudpie vanish with a pleased sound*

WJ: ... *reaching for one of the strange cookies now. Obviously, if Skylar ate it, it must be alright*

Sean:  *gets another and bites, then makes his own pleased sound.  Offers a bite to Ember*

Ember: *clicks, will nom the offered bite*

Thundersong:  Me 'Song want some too.  *laying head nearly in plate to look past the others*

WJ: *gets one and offers it to Thundersong, is still nomming the one he grabbed*

Thundersong:  Thank you.  *eats it with her eggs and ketchup, cracker in one hand and fork for eggs and ketchup in the other*  Mmmmm.  Good.

WJ: *nodnod, happy mechlet is happy* ^_^

Bert:  *startles as he catches the SOS from Quickstrike*  What the....

Autumn: *also startles*

Ember: *clickclickclickclickclick* Him Quickstrike did dumb!

Thundersong:  Dumbaft.  *eats*

Firebreak:  *laugh*  Bad word!

Skylar: *Face.palm*

Rainbird:  *looking to Skylar for orders.  Has nooo idea where her sister and TC are right now, they're not answering coms*

Skylar: Rainbird, take Whiplash, and go see how big of a dumb Quickstrike did... and see if he and Sideswipe need help to the med ward.

Whiplash: *making faces and arguing with Quickstrike silently over their twin-bond*

Rainbird:  Yes, sir.  *takes the last two male Seekers as well.  She knows how big Quickstrike's dumbs usually are*

Sean: *worried look*

Firebreak:  *throws food at Uncle*

Skylar: *ducks* Firebreak, that's not ammo. It's breakfast. Your mother won't be happy if you don't eat.

WJ: *clicks quietly*

Skylar: *going to try and get Hotspot to eat again*

Firebreak:  Did eat!  *looks to Autumn to verify this*

Autumn: You've still got some juice left, Firebreak... *will offer it*

Firebreak:  *goes 0_o at juice, and then drinks it*

Rainbird:  //Commander, there's an unknown Seeker out here beside Quickstrike and Sideswipe.//

Skylar: ... Melissa, will you be alright taking care of Hotspot?

Melissa:  *looks up, suddenly fearful as she reaches for the sparklet*  Did something happen?

Skylar: *headshake* Quickstrike just needs a stern talking to, that's all. *doesn't want to worry Melissa*

Melissa:  Oh.  *relaxing a little and cuddling the small Seeklet*

Hotspot: *LOVES YOU AUNTY MELISSA!!!*

Melissa:  *helpless laughter as she's baby kissed*

Skylar: *small smile before he gets up and heads out the door*

Bert:  Autumn, will you be alright without me for a few clicks?  *frowns as he watches the Air Commander go*

Autumn: *nods*

Bert:  Good.  *squeezes her shoulder and goes*


Out by the lake


lake ice:  *bears a few scars and many paint scrapes, but this lake just froze right to the bottom, so being hit with something like a Seeker won't best it now*

Rainbird and the others:  *standing with weapons aimed at the stranger*

Skylar: *Transforming and aiming at the stranger as well*

Brawn:  *scowling up at the guy*

stranger:  ...Starscream!  *hands up*  Pleasedon'tshootme!

Starscream: Identify yourself. *Serious Seeker is Serious!*

stranger:  *Shaking with fright* I'm Windbreaker.  Only... um.  With wings.

Starscream: .... *looking brain broken now*

Windbreaker:  I don't know what happened!  One click I was hunting around here, looking for Autobots, and the next I'm in some weird place with fishy things flying through the sky!

Starscream: ... How the frag did you get to the Nexus?

Windbreaker:  I don't knowwwwww.  *looks like he's either going to pass out or cry*

Starscream: *moving to circle Windbreaker*

Windbreaker:  *will not move*  There was this funny looking orange femme.  She told me to get my aft home.

Starscream: ... *checking his databanks, headshake* Not anyone I know.

Windbreaker:  Well I didn't know her either.  But I came back.  And then I realized I was too tall, and....  

Starscream: *small nod, frowning slightly as Samuel hauls Sideswipe out of the snow drift*

Rainbird:  *silent command to Whiplash to get his brother*

Whiplash: *nods and goes to help Quickstrike*

Windbreaker:  *shaking worse as he waits for judgement*

Starscream: *Seriously* Windbreaker, if you are to stay with us... You have to swear that you will not harm the Autobots, or the humans.

Windbreaker:  *brain broken*  Sir?

Starscream: *moving so Windbreaker can see the red badges on his wings* They're our allies. I will not let them come to harm. If you try to harm them, you will be stopped by any means necessary.

Windbreaker:  I won't hurt them!  *knees knocking now.  The Air Commander scares the slag out of him*

Starscream: *Optics narrow* Swear it.

Windbreaker:  I swear by my spark.

Starscream: *nods* Okay. *relaxing* *cheerfully* Do you have an alt-mode yet?

Windbreaker:  *confused*  Uh... I guess I have a jet.

Starscream: You'll need one like what the rest of us have... *Transforming*

Windbreaker:  *aft, meet lake ice*  0_0

Samuel: *from over by where he's helping Sideswipe* Primus, why do we keep getting n00bs?

Rainbird:  He's not a n00b.  He's just stupid.  Like Quickstrike and Whiplash.

Whiplash: HEY!

Quickstrike: *Acks as he's dropped*

Rainbird:  *just lifts a brow ridge as Beamrider snerks quietly behind her*

Whiplash: *glaring at Beamrider* Go stick your finger in a light socket, Beam!

Rainbird:  *point made, looks to Skylar for further orders*

Skylar: Let's get everyone inside. Whiplash, don't even think about shooting Beamrider, Beamrider, don't taunt Whiplash or I'll tell Autumn and Bert that you volounteered to keep track of the Dinobots.

Beamrider:  *lifts a brow.  Will mock, but usually is too busy lurking silently to taunt*

Skylar: *Attention back to Windbreaker as he databursts the mech the required information regarding taking on the appearance of a human*

Windbreaker:  *deep breath, and turns into a girl*

Rainbird:  *face palm*

Windbreaker:  *looks down at himself*  ...This doesn't look right.

Rainbird:  That's MY alt mode.  You need one of the less lumpy ones.

Quickstrike: *points and laughs, before going "Ow"*

Rainbird:  *gives Windbreaker an image of a male*

Windbreaker:  *tries again, and now looks like a slightly skinnier and shorter version of Lt. Wesson. With Javan's hair*

Whiplash: *helping Quickstrike up again*

Skylar: *nods* That works.

Samuel: ... He looks like Wesson's little brother. *going to take Sideswipe to the med ward now, kthx*

Windbreaker:  ...No, I'm Softshoulder's big brother.  ...Only... if I have a different shell, and Boomerang didn't build it anymore, am I still his brother?

Skylar: ... *going with the simple and less brain-breaking answer* Yes.

Rainbird:  *as the new Seeker's human form slumps with relief*  You'll need a human name, too.

Skylar: Don't ask me. I'm lousy with names.

Whiplash: *About to speak up*

Skylar: Don't even think about it, Whiplash.

Rainbird:  *gives Whiplash a look*  You still need one too.

Windbreaker:  ...What do human names sound like?

Rainbird:  I go by Rain Preston.

Skylar: My human name is Skylar Jones.

Beamrider:  Ben Sommers.

Heatseeker:  Ryan Bronski.

Quickstrike: Quinn Ward.

Whiplash: *giving his brother a Look* You picked out a name before me? No fair...

Rainbird:  Shut up, Wayne Ward.

Whiplash: *Razzes Rainbird*

Rainbird:  *lifts one foot slightly*

Whiplash: *Meeps*

Skylar: That's enough you two.

Rainbird:  Yes, sir.

Windbreaker:  *clueless, and just wiped out on the ice and went skidding*

Skylar: ... That's it. I'm getting everyone ice cleats.

Rainbird:  *slight snerk*

Quickstrike: *Snickering*

Beamrider:  *mouth twitches in his slight smile*

Brawn:  *is just smirking with his arms folded over his chest*

Skylar: Let's get him inside... Quickstrike, Whiplash, you two get to the garage. There's no room to work in the med ward... I'll get some tools from Dr. House and be out to help you shortly.

Quickstrike: *nods* Yessir.

Rainbird: There's a medic staying in the garage, sir.

Skylar: ...There is?

Rainbird:  Yes, Joe Convoy's mate.

Skylar: Oh. Someone find out if she's willing to work on a Seeker.

Rainbird:  *transforms to human*  Yes, sir.  *turns and slides over the ice toward the lodge*

Skylar: *Will help Windbreaker to his feet*

Windbreaker:  *skid skid skid skid!*  What kind of name is Joe Convoy?

Skylar: *chuckles* You'll get to find out soon enough...

Windbreaker:  *skid!*  Yessir.

Rain:  //She says she will.//

Skylar: //Alright. Thank you, Rain.// Whiplash, take Quickstrike to the garage. The medic there will repair him. *As Whiplash nods and heads that way* Alright. Let's get inside where it's warm.

Windbreaker:  Yessir.  *isn't clinging to stay upright, and you can't prove it!*


Back inside....


Col. Franklin:  ...And Perceptor just started on WakeJumper's modifications, and we just acquired a group of protesters at the front gate.  It's been a busy day, considering it's not even eleven o'clock yet.

Patrick: *Pinching the bridge of his nose* Why did we get protestors?

Col. Franklin:  *grim expression as he says in his usual quiet manner*  Because of the failed military exercise yesterday.

Emilia: ...Wait, what?

Col. Franklin:  *looks at her*  That's the cover story.  

Emilia: ... Oh.

Patrick: *a bit amused* Apparently, we're testing new types of armor....

Col. Franklin:  And remote controlled combat units.

Patrick: *sigh* This'll be interesting...

Col. Franklin:  I'm sorry.  Your new base is nearly finished, and we think it's safe for you to return to your lives.  *lips thin as he wonders if the Decepticons will attack again*

Emilia: *quiet chuckle as she thinks of something*

Patrick: It's going to be chaotic when we get everyone settled back in... Especially the Dinobots...

Col. Franklin:  *quietly*  Would you be adverse to a continued NEST presence at the Ark?

Patrick: *glances to Emilia before giving Col. Franklin an amused look* Well, you beat us to the punch....

Col. Franklin:  *slight smile*  Did I?

Patrick: *nods* We were going to ask if NEST would be interested in continuing the alliance we have...

Emilia: The kids would be upset if they didn't get to see Naomi and everyone else...

Col. Franklin:  So you want Captain House's squad?

Patrick: I think we could work something out where everyone from NEST has clearance to visit the Ark...

Emilia: We could also expand the base a bit more... Lisa's farm has a few hundred acres surrounding it.

Col. Franklin:  We've already installed extensive living facilities.

Emilia: *nods* I was talking about actual houses for the people who prefer that sort of thing...

Col. Franklin:  Ahhhh.  *slight chuckle*  It's easy to fall into the rhythm of barrack life.

Patrick: *chuckles as well, nodding* Well, Lisa did offer to sell the land around her farm to NEST...

Col. Franklin:  We'd have to keep our presence as low profile as possible, for your safety if nothing else.

Emilia: Well, there's enough land that Lisa's wanting to sell to build five or six acreages and make it look like a development...

Col. Franklin:  How thickly populated is the area?

Emilia: Our nearest neighbor's about a mile away. We live past the outskirts of Blacksburg, Virginia.

Col. Franklin:  And you say Mrs. Garcia owns most of the land around the farm?

Emilia: *nods* I know she does, because she complains about the taxes on the land every year.

Col. Franklin:  *smile*  Being a military base would help with that.

Emilia: And it'd be good for business... We're out of the way enough that we don't get a lot of repair work for vehicles other than farm equipment...

Patrick: And my truck.

Emilia: You mean your deathtrap.

Col. Franklin:  I have another question.

Emilia: Hm?

Col. Franklin:  Would your people object to becoming members of NEST?

Patrick: ... That's their choice... But I have a feeling most of us would more than likely choose to do so...

Emilia: I have no objection... But like Patrick said, I can't speak for everyone.

Col. Franklin:  I'm not certain I can convince the government to buy land.  But I'm already authorized to pay salaries.

Emilia: *small nod*

Col. Franklin:  At least things can settle down for you guys now.

??:  //Hey, guys?  Is there anyway I can get past this mob 'a squishies at the gate?//

Col. Franklin:  0_o

((co-written with random_xtras))