dens_tf_den | JOEverse, Shuttle Port in Deep Space, New Discovery

Perceptor: *sitting in his tiny lab, wearily leaning his forehead against his fist as he dictates the findings from his research into a recording device*

Kup: *at the controls of the ship, is doing his level best to keep the ship out of asteroid belts and meteor showers. Has long since tuned Perceptor out, due to ages of familiarity* *over the ship's radio* Perceptor, we're almost there...

Perceptor: *blinks and looks up at the speaker* Thank you for alerting me to that fact, Kup. *muffles a yawn to try and keep his shipmate from hearing it*

Kup: What time's that meeting? *why no, he's not asking so he can make sure you rest, Perceptor, he's just curious!*

Perceptor: *glances at the row of chronometers on the wall* It is scheduled to occur in approximately fifteen mega clicks.

Kup: *scowls at the fast-approaching space port. There's no time for Perceptor to get some rest. Slag.* *Grunts* Hrmph. Let's get this done and over with so we can get paid.

Perceptor: That is the plan, Kup. Will you be seeking employment for yourself or the ship as well?

Kup: I'm thinking about it. *grumbles about the station, the docking crew, and a whole plethora of other things, just like he does every time*

Perceptor: *back in his lab he wears a small smile as he wearily resumes his dictation*

Kup: *more grumblings, though he is occasionally glancing over his shoulder very quickly to check on the scientist*

Perceptor: *aware of the glances. Has learned to leave his lab door open so as to be spared Kup's knocking on said door every fifteen megaclicks. Finishes his report as the ship bumps down softly, and then picks up the other materials that are needed for his presentation before popping out the transcribed datachip*

Kup: *finishes the standard docking procedure and gets up to assist Perceptor, a slight scowl darkening his face* When's the last time you recharged, mech?

Perceptor: *mild look up at his much taller companion* You should know the answer to that question yourself, Kup, since you rather forcibly tucked me into my berth last night.

Kup: *more scowl, grumbles something almost inaudiably*

Perceptor: You know very well that I stayed. *slips while getting off the high stool. Materials go flying as he flails*

Kup: *quick to catch the scientist*

Perceptor: *shaking head ruefully* In all our vorns together you have never learned to save my notes rather than my person.

Kup: *dryly* Datachips are easier to replace than Autobots, Perceptor.

Perceptor: *expression drops* *quietly* Yes, as you have so oft reminded me. Do you see where these particular datachips and their accompanying samples landed?

Kup: ... Er....

Perceptor: *changes to scope mode and searches, once more moving his mind away from the knowledge that Kup and he are on their own since the death of Cybertron* Ah, there they are.

Kup: Where?

Perceptor: *gives the green bot the exact coordinates of each piece*

Kup: *hunkering down to get each piece*

Perceptor: *transforms slowly and carefully, but still winds up falling onto his skidplate* Oh dear.

Kup: *startled, is a bit late to catch the scientist* Okay, something's not right. *much frowning*

Perceptor: *head hanging* I cannot imagine what could be the problem. My routine self maintenance is up to date.

Kup: *Frown* When's the last time you refueled?

Perceptor: At the start of the waking cycle, when you forcibly presented me with a can of rather revolting energon.

Kup: ... *more frown*

Perceptor: And I'm certain that you know my reply to your next question, since we have had this conversation so often.

Kup: *scowls, though Perceptor will likely be able to see the concern that's hidden in the expression*

Perceptor: *knows that the concern is there. Also knows that the source of his energy troubles would probably be easily discovered by a qualified mechanic, but is unwilling to disclose a secret that's been covered so long by his chest panel that he's nearly forgotten what it is* *scrambles to feet and reaches for the datachip and samples* My thanks, Kup.

Kup: *soft sigh* Let's get going then...

Perceptor: *offers his crewmate a sympathetic smile and then moves slowly out of the lab and then diagonally across the back part of the bridge* Is this not the station where you regularly find small cargo in need of delivery?

Kup: *nods* And some of the larger stuff...

Perceptor: ...In need of searching for contraband. *small smile as he walks* Once a security unit, always a security unit.

Kup: *soft snort, moves to follow Perceptor*

About an hour later....

Perceptor: *standing on tiptoe to try and read a sign in the window of a very cheap dining establishment of the sort that is frequented by trunk hoppers*

Kup: *Grousing and griping about surges and how expensive energon is getting*

Perceptor: *soberly* At these prices, I would think that you would put up with a few surges. They're charging half price for salty calcien bites.

Kup: *scowls, before sighing* Yeah...

Perceptor: *encouraging smile, and then starts talking about Dr. Meranson's project as he makes his slow way into the cafeteria*

Kup: *getting about one word in three, and understanding about half of that, is protective of Perceptor, so anyone thinking about trying anything can go through him first!*

Perceptor: *has just stopped to speak to the waitress when a movement from the corner of his eye precedes a familiar and dreaded voice*

Brawl: *elbowing Onslaught with a laugh* Well, well, what have we got here? Some rotten little retro rats.

Perceptor: *small peep*

Kup: *Low growl, moves to put himself between Perceptor and the Combaticons* Slag off.

Vortex: Hey, we were here first. You slag off!

Kup: *More growl*

waitress: *retreating behind the counter*

other patrons: *grabbing their meals and vanishing*

Perceptor: *shaking visibly as he looks toward the door and sees Blast Off standing there with a smirk on his face*

Kup: *If he had 'em, his hackles would be raised, does a quick scan of the room, trying to locate all possible exits*

Perceptor: *second small peep as he spots Swindle lounging in the other exit*

Kup: *trying to look as tough as he can, is feeling a bit fearful himself, but darnit, he has to get Perceptor OUT of here alive!*

Vortex, Brawl, and Onslaught: *move to circle the two Autobots, looking very amused*

Onslaught: You've led us a merry chase. But every turbofox is eventually run to ground.

Brawl: *sniggering* The little one's shakin' in his brake shoes!

Kup: *not giving any sign that he's tensed up so much that he's straining cables* Too bad for you, we're not like every turbofox.

Vortex: No. You'll scream a lot more when we take you apart. *smirk*

Perceptor: *sways*

Kup: *narrows optics* Over my cold, offline chassis.

Vortex: That's what'll make it fun!

Kup: *Very quietly, to Perceptor* When I get jumped, I want you to get the slag out of here and get to the ship. If I'm not there within the next mega cycle, get the slag outta here and don't look back.

Perceptor: *optics on Vortex* I don't think so.

Kup: *quiet, but sharp intake of breath, has a hunch where this conversation will go* Don't even think about it.

Perceptor: I'd very likely perish without you anyway, so there's nothing to be lost by my staying here.

Brawl: HEY! Don't you know it's rude to whisper! *takes a shot at Kup*

Kup: *only concern is shielding Perceptor, grits denta and moves for his own weapon*

Swindle: *goes to shoot the old security bot in the back, only to howl and grasp his hand as Perceptor's shoulder cannon barks sharply*

Blast Off: *shot hits the little red bot right in the chest*

Kup: *Seeing red, and it's not Perceptor's paint! Despite being injured, he's firing off shot after shot... and praying that they connect, even as he moves to grab Perceptor and attempt to book it out of the cafeteria*

Onslaught: Slag! It's the authorities! *starts herding his brothers out the other way as warning claxons announce the teleporting in of the local police squad*

Kup: *ignoring the 'Cons, and his own injury. Is more concerned with making sure Perceptor is going to be alright*

Perceptor: *laying very still in his friend's arms. The only movement is the flicker of his spark through the gaping hole in his chest plate. A spark that isn't blue.*

Kup: ... *raised brow ridge even as he moves to try and pinch any bleeders closed until help can arrive*

one cop: *stays behind as the others go after the Combaticons, his helmet retracting into his armor suit even as he comes to kneel by the Autobots, revealing him to be a policeman Kup knows, a burly JD by the name of Bill Parker* Kup, can you hear me?

Kup: *gruffly* I'm fine. Perceptor's hurt.

Bill: *gently* May I see him? I know mechanical repair.

Kup: *quick glance around to be absolutely certain noone else is around to overhear him* Her... *and boy, doesn't that feel strange?*

Bill: *mouth falls open slightly* What? I.... Oh my.

Kup: *Sounding a bit brain broken* Gotta give the kid credit... *and now his own injury is starting to catch up to him*

Bill: *hears the strain in the old bot's voice and quickly calls for a gurney and more help. In the meantime does emergency repairs to Perceptor to keep the little female from bleeding to death, though he doesn't like how slowly her systems are functioning*

gurney: *arrives, along with the medical crew*

Bill: *goes to gather Perceptor into his arms as a medic tries to get a look at Kup's back*

Kup: *low growl, feels even more protective of Perceptor than ever.*

Bill: Easy, Kup. I won't hurt her. But we've got to get her to the hospital. Do you understand?

EMTs: *waiting for him to give them the go ahead. Are a crew of four motherly looking JD women*

Kup: *Quick glance to the EMTs, reluctantly lets Bill have Perceptor, moves to get to his feet*

EMT: Oh no. Just hold still and let us get you up here. *steps forward and puts a firm hand on his shoulder as Bill gets to his feet, steps back, and shimmers away with Perceptor*

Kup: *doing his best to get to his feet on his own, sets his jaw stubbornly*

EMT: *nods to her teammates, and the four sturdy women firmly but gently hold him down to have a look at his back*

Kup: *puts up a bit of a struggle. He's worried about Perceptor, and also worried that the Decepticons will be back soon*

EMT: Tranq gun.

EMT2: *touches something to his neck. There is a slight sting, and then blackness*

Some time later...

Kup: *Soft groan as he begins to wake up, then he's tensing as he realizes he's laying on a metal table*

nurse: Easy. You're safe.

Kup: *unshuttering his optics, and then he's moving to try and sit up* Where's Perceptor?

nurse: *helps him up and offers him a fuel can* She's still in surgery.

Kup: Slag. *moves to try and get off the table, his only concern being Perceptor's well-being*

nurse: *stops him* You can't go into the surgical bay. Your wife is going to be alright. Just settle down and drink that energon.

Kup: ... Wife?!

nurse: *blinks* Er. She's not your wife?

Kup: Slag, no... I didn't even know Perceptor was... was... *gives himself a slight shake to try and keep his processor from locking up at the shock of finding out that his travel companion's not a male*

nurse: *concerned frown* Didn't know...?

Kup: Thought the ladies... offline... *not having much luck with stopping his processor from locking up* Vorns ago...

nurse: *understanding dawns* You didn't know she was a woman. *gentle hand on his shoulder. She knows the story of what Tyrannous did, though it's old history now for her people* Here, lay back. Deep breaths.

Kup: *laying back and cycling air*

nurse: *soothingly* Is she your friend?

Kup: *nods, not trusting himself to speak*

nurse: *offers him the fuel again, thinking that something familiar might help him come to grips with this new and strange thing*

Kup: *accepting the fuel, will drink quickly. He'll also leave a good deal of the energon in the can, intending to give it to Perceptor*

nurse: *watching him and frowns with concern* Don't you want anymore?

Kup: *Quietly* I've got enough.... Gotta make sure Perceptor has fuel.... *is clearly used to getting just enough to keep his tank from going completely empty*

nurse: *gently shakes her head* We have enough for Perceptor too, when she'll need it. But you need that now.

Kup: *small frown, sighs as he realizes there's no point in arguing, resumes drinking*

nurse: *pats him on the shoulder* Thank you, Kup. You need to take care of yourself, too.

Kup: *soft snort, continues to drink until the fuel can is empty*

nurse: I'm serious. Perceptor's going to need care for a little while after she leaves here.

Kup: *raised brow ridge*

nurse: What is it?

Kup: I've been caring for her since before we left Cybertron. *slight scowl that's long since become his primary expression*

nurse: *nods* Then you understand that she needs you to be in your best health so that you can keep doing it.

Kup: *soft "Hmph", blinks a few times as his systems begin to feel a bit sluggish in response to the good fuel*

nurse: *picks up the little communicator that's hanging from her wrist* Hello? Yes, he's awake and calmed down. Alright.

Kup: *slight frown, absently wonders to himself who the nurse is talking to*

nurse: *gentle pat on his hand* Kup, can you hear me?

Kup: *nods* Yeah...

nurse: They're bringing her in now. Do you think you can stay calm?

Kup: *another nod, is blinking a bit more and fighting against his rebellious systems which are trying to go into recharge*

nurse: *raises the head of his table so he's sitting reclined, then gets up and taps the pad by the door, which slides open*

intern: *pushes in a padded gurney, which holds a small figure covered in blankets and hooked to machines*

Kup: *much frowning now* *quietly* Gonna slag Blast Off next time I see that retrorat....

intern: Not on the station, okay? Not everyone here can take vacuum. *pushes the gurney up into the empty space by Kup's table, then sets the machines up all around it*

nurse: *helping*

Kup: *small nod* 'Bot's honor... *still fighting recharge to make sure Perceptor really will be alright*

intern: *finishes and comes to have a look at Kup* *gently* Besides, if he hadn't shot her we wouldn't have had the chance to repair her.

Kup: *more frown* *quietly* How bad? *meaning, how badly was she hurt?*

intern: Some of her internal relays haven't been properly connected for so long that they'd healed blind.

Kup: *winces*

intern: And then there was damage from around the same time to some connectors around her spark chamber. *glances at the little red and white femm* *soberly* When was she hurt the last time?

Kup: Been ages.... Found her trapped under what used to be a building... *squinting slightly as he tries to remember how many vorns it's been since then* Been a few thousand vorns since then....

intern: *sucks in his breath* You mean sometime around when... when Cybertron died?

Kup: *small nod*

intern: Why didn't... in all that time. Why didn't you get her medical attention? My people already knew about yours.

Kup: *scowls darkly* Prolly 'cause she kept insisting she would be fine and wouldn't hear me out...

intern: What do you mean? *frown* You've been low on energy too long.

Kup: If the slaggers hadn't started killing off women, she wouldn't have had to avoid getting repairs. *blinking a bit more now*

intern: *frown turns to a slightly wondering expression as he realizes that this being saw the ancient history that he learned in school* Yes, well, she's got them now, though it was too late for some of her systems to be restored to full functionality. But we need to clean a lot of sludge out of yours soon.

Kup: *grumbles*

intern: Hey. There wasn't anything keeping you from getting medical attention.

Kup: *snorts at that, is feeling a bit contrary*

intern: You know I'm right.

Kup: Hmph. *starting to lose the fight against slipping into recharge*

intern: *quietly* Get some rest. I'll be here if you need anything.

Kup: *grumbles a bit more, moves to try and turn onto his side so he can keep an optic on Perceptor, is only doing so out of habit*

intern: *moves his table slightly so that he can see the smaller Cybertronian easily* Do you want a blanket?

Kup: *bleary blink blink* Hmph... sure..... *can see Perceptor. Everything's gonna be okay*

intern: What kind do you like? *glances over toward Perceptor, who is nearly lost among large woolen blankets, only her small face showing above them*

Kup: *absently due to being close to shutting down for recharge* Whatever works... *yawns and shutters his optics as he finally powers down to rest*

Twenty four hours later

Perceptor: *talking softly to the young nurse who's currently on duty. Her optics are dim and her vocalizer slightly shaky, but she's lecturing with her usual zeal*

nurse: *soaking up everything her small patient has to say. Black holes are fascinating*

Kup: nnng... *stretching a bit as he unshutters his optics*

nurse: *glances toward him and makes a soothing sound*

Perceptor: *falls silent and nervously vanishes beneath her heap of soft blankets*

Kup: Sssslaaaaaag... How lon... *Trails off and raises a brow ridge as he realizes he's got something draped over him* The Pit is this? *curious and a bit confused*

nurse: That's your blanket. Your chart says you said you'd like one.

Kup: Huh... Must've been pretty outta it.... *moving to sit up*

nurse: *hand on his shoulder to stop him* Easy.

Kup: *scowls and mutters something about being treated like he's an invalid when he's clearly not*

nurse: Right now you are. Your body just shut down into sleep mode for 24 hours while it tried to process the energy from a small can of energon, plus you're waiting your turn for medical treatment.

Kup: *more scowl, sticks his chin out a bit*

nurse: *firm look* You want to be strong to watch out for Perceptor, don't you?

Kup: *Gives the nurse a Look* You... fight dirty.

nurse: I fight wisely. *slight, apologetic smile*

Kup: It's still dirty fighting. *He's not sulking, and you can't prove it!*

nurse: *gentle pat of his blanket covered hand* Do you need anything?

Kup: *checking over his systems, small headshake*

nurse: *nods* Do you want anything?

Kup: Besides wanting to slag Blast Off?

nurse: Yes, besides that.

Perceptor: *small sound from under the blankets. She doesn't even show as a lump in them*

Kup: *frowns, attention fully on Perceptor* *Quietly* Easy, kid... You're safe.

nurse: *watches Perceptor's lack of response and knows these two need to talk* I have to go for a few clicks. If you need something just press this button, alright, Kup?

Kup: *Absent sound of acknowlegement*

nurse: *nods and leaves the room*

Kup: *Quietly* You okay?

Perceptor: *very quietly, sounding subdued and uncertain* I'm given to understand that there is a high percentage of possibility that I will be after the passage of a sufficient length of time.

Kup: *Soft snort* Yeah... And if you think I'm gonna letcha up and around when we're back on the ship, you're nuts.

Perceptor: *without the asperity that would usually be aroused by such words* I do have to complete my research for Dr. Tomkin and Dr. Ruteger if we hope to benefit from their monetary reimbursement.

Kup: So tell 'em that you need more time.

Perceptor: My deadline for both projects is currently set to two oorns hence.

Kup: *more snort, decides to change the subject somewhat* You get'cher systems flushed?

Perceptor: *faintly* Yes.

Kup: *sympathetic wince*

Perceptor: *moves very slightly. Yes, that little wrinkle in the covers is her*

Kup: *slight scowl, almost wishes he were better at the whole touchy-feely thing... Almost.* *a bit gruffly* Next time I tell you to do something, don't argue.

Perceptor: *there's the asperity* If I had not intervened you would very likely have been dead.

Kup: *snort* I coulda taken 'em.

Perceptor: *gives him the exact trajectory of Swindle's blast and then details the damage it would have done to his internals had she not caused it to be diverted* ...Which would have meant a 99.9% chance of it being fatal.

Kup: *more snort* I've lived through worse.

Perceptor: *silent*

Kup: After we get outta here, I'm gonna see about getting a few more jobs....

Perceptor: *objection* Your time is already taken up by employment and the maintenance of the ship.

Kup: We need the funds... The sorry excuse for fuel we've been getting... *grumbles and says something under his breath that's best left unprinted*

Perceptor: I do not wish you to damage yourself. My continued existence is dependent upon that of your own.

Kup: I'll be fine.

Perceptor: *silence. When did the talkative little scientist learn this arguing tool?*

Kup: *more grumbling*

Perceptor: *and then moves as a small sound of discomfort escapes past her guard*

Kup: *moves to try and get up* Perceptor?

Perceptor: It's nothing. Don't trouble yourself, Kup.

Kup: Like slag it's nothing.

Perceptor: In this instance it truly is nothing to be concerned about. The discomfort that I am experiencing is a normal after effect to surgery and systems flushing.

Kup: *Frowns*

Perceptor: ...Despite the pain killer programs that are currently making it rather hard to process.

Kup: *gruff again* Get some rest, kid...

Perceptor: Will you promise that you won't engage in activities that might endanger your continuing functionality while I rest?

Kup: *Grumbles something about having his servo twisted*

Perceptor: *quietly* As I have repeatedly made mention, my own ability to survive and function is directly dependant upon yours. And I do not speak solely of the physical care that you have tendered to my person over the vorns. It is very hard for most beings to survive with emotional and mental faculties intact unless they are able to interact with at least one member of their own species.

Kup: *Soft sigh*

Perceptor: *hesitates when she hears that* ...Am I being too verbose?

Kup: I'd be worried if you weren't.

Perceptor: Yes, but are you able to process what I am saying?

Kup: Yeah, yeah... *grumbles a bit, isn't looking forward to having his systems flushed*

Perceptor: *quietly* Good.

Kup: *more grumbling* Guess I should prolly see about getting stuff done and over with...

Perceptor: *silent*

Kup: I really hate systems flushes...

Perceptor: *silent*

Kup: *doesn't like the scientist's silence, moves to try and get up again*

Perceptor: *silence continues*

Kup: *wincing and cussing Brawl out under his breath, even as he moves to stand up*

soft beeps from monitors: *the only response to his grumbling*

Kup: *moves closer to Perceptor's berth, intending to make sure the other Autobot is comfortable. He'll carefully lift the blankets up to check on the scientist, and muse to himself about all the times he'd thought that the other looked a bit girly... Now it makes sense... Even if Perceptor is a bit plain-looking.*

Perceptor: *head turned slightly to the side on her pillow and her optics shuttered peacefully as she recharges. One slender hand is closed around the corner of the pillow wrapper and the heating pad she's laying on radiates warmth upward into the old security officer's face*

Kup: *studies the woman for a few moments, lip components quirking slightly in a small smile, before he's moving to cover her back up again and return to his table*

((co-written with

random_xtras))