mbv, The /Ark/ and the Sweet Doll Ranch, Rescue Part 1
Sean: *sitting up and wide awake in the living room at 7 am in the morning when his dad carries a fussing triplet out of the bedroom. Intent on his laptop*
Samuel: *Trying to figure out what's got Hotspot so fussy*
Sean: *small sound as he frowns and types rapidly*
Hotspot: *Fuuuussss!*
Sean: *still typing* Try turning him upside down. He's got a bubble in his tank.
Samuel: *Blink blink, will do so and click quietly to Hotspot as the little Seeklet's fussing ceases*
Sean: *typety!*
Hotspot: *going to suck on his fist once he's upright* *nummy fist*
Sean: *pauses and considers something* Hotspot, dinosaur or parrot?
Hotspot: *blink blink* Dino.
Sean: Dino. Great! *type!*
Hotspot: *headtilty*
Sean: *typy typy typy... droop a little, force his eyes open. TYPE!*
Samuel: Maybe you should save what you're working on and go get some sleep....
Sean: I can't, Dad. I have to get this done.
Samuel: What are you working on, anyways?
Sean: A game that Will can play. *typing faster*
Samuel: ... What's wrong with the one he plays now?
Sean: *presses his lips together* They told him he was too old to play it anymore.
Samuel: ... Sheesh...
Sean: He doesn't know yet. I delayed the note. But he'll get it this afternoon. So I have to get this coding altered before then. *speech distracted and choppy. It's clear he's operating under strain*
Samuel: *Small frown, pings Sky's comm with a message about what their eldest is doing*
Sky: *frowns and sits up in their room, wondering how she should react to this* //...Screamer?//
Skylar: //Hm?//
Sky: //Sean's been up all night making a game for Will. Streaker says he's exhausted, but he doesn't want to stop till it's finished.//
Skylar: //...Have you told him to go get some rest?//
Sky: //If he won't listen to Streaker he won't listen to me. I know that kid.//
Skylar: //Alright.// *Switches frequencies* //Sundog, go get some rest.//
Sean: //I can't, sir.//
Skylar: //I'll find a way to distract Will for a few hours while you rest.//
Sean: //I have to get this finished.//
Skylar: //You need to rest.//
Sean: //Will needs this game more.// *frightened at disagreeing with his wing leader, but determined*
Skylar: *playing a bit dirty* //Will would feel bad if you got sick while trying to do something nice for him.//
Sean: //Uncle Skylar, he NEEDS this.// *upset creeping into his voice* //And I'm almost done.//
Skylar: //Why does he NEED it?// *is a bit confused*
Sean: //Because it's his happy thinking place.//
Skylar: //...Oh...// *Silent for a few moments* //How close to done is 'almost' done?//
Sean: *databursts him the exact amount of code that needs to be changed on his copy of 'Lords of Haltair' to make it into 'Sunfun Islands'*
Skylar: //Do you need any help with anything?//
Sean: *falters slightly* //Can you do that kind of coding?//
Skylar: //I can't, but Blaster and Tea can.//
Sean: //But....// *tired and uncertain* //It's got to get done.//
Skylar: //If you give Blaster the specifics and a set of guidelines, he'll more than likely have it done in about an hour or so, and that's even with him taking a break to get breakfast.//
Sean: //....// *uncertain youngling at the thought of bugging the adults at seven in the morning*
Skylar: //If you're worried about waking him up, he's been up since five this morning, trying to be a pest to a couple of Autobots in France.//
Sean: *Seeker pride asserts itself* //Alright.// *open channel* //Mr. Grant? Are you busy?//
Blaster: *Sounds amused* //Other than being cussed at in Parisian French and talking to someone else, nope.//
Sean: //I need some help. Can I talk to you on your channel?//
Blaster: //Sure thing... Gimme a click...// *tells Warpath he'll call back later, then he's opening up his personal channel for Sean*
Warpath: *hasn't quite signed off as Sean says hi to Blaster. Pauses* //#Pow!# Who's this, Blaster?//
Blaster: //#One of Starscream's flock.#// *To Sean* //What's up?//
Warpath: *hears that English!* //He sounds pretty young. Hi! I'm, blam! Wade.//
Sean: *small squeak*
Blaster: *chuckles* *To Warpath* //Weren't you going to go pester Hans?//
Warpath: //But now I'm blam! curious!//
Sean: *suddenly and firmly* //My name is Sundog. I'm Sunstreaker and Skywarp's oldest creation.//
Warpath: *very startled silence*
Blaster: *Chuckles* //He's as good a kid as any Seeklet.//
Warpath: *quietly and sounding shocked and awed* //We have kids?//
Blaster: //Yup. Gotta whole crechefull... And some of 'em are natives.//
Warpath: //But... Vector Sigma?//
Blaster: //I'll explain when the Boss, 2nd Lt. Havoc, Tea, and I come across the pond... *Chuckles*//
familiar femme voice: //#Blaster, what did you do to my mate? He's quiet.#//
Blaster: //... #Flareup... you're bonded to Warpath?#// *Sounds a bit brain-broken*
Flareup: //#Don't change the subject.#//
Blaster: //....// *Definitely brain-broken... Tea, you might have to handle this one*
Tea: //#He introduced him to one of the Ark's sparklets. The second oldest Cybertronian youngster we have in the creche, and the first to be created after we left Cybertron.#//
Flareup: //.... #You're going to explain that when you come here, right?#//
Tea: //Yup, but Blaster needs the line now, so go snog your mech and quit hoggin' it.// *click* *grins at mate*
Blaster: *Gives himself a good shake before turning his attention to Sean* So, what's up?
Sean: *databursts him all the information. What he's using as base, what he's planning the finished game to look and be like, and the coding that still needs doing*
Blaster: //Huh... Who's the target audience?//
Sean: //Guys like Will. Twelve to thirteen range, or slightly younger or older, so long as they're happy with the game and playing nice. There'll be a slight focus on kids with disabilities or trauma on the parents' explanation page.//
Blaster: //Gotcha... When do you need it by, at the latest?// *is already starting to work on the coding*
Sean: //Will's going to get notice of being banned from his game at one this afternoon. He needs to have already been playing Sunfun Islands for at least two hours before that.//
Blaster: //So sometime before 10:30 then.// *Yes, a half hour earlier than necessary, but knowing Blaster, it'll be done well before then* //Gotcha. I'll get right on it.//
Sean: //I want to have a hut and a hammock and that little orthoraptor dinosaur there waiting for him when he starts, as rewards for testing the game.//
Blaster: //Okay.// *Coding that now*
Sean: //Thanks, Mr. Grant.//
Blaster: //You're welcome, Sean. Go get some rest.//
Sean: //Yes, sir. Sean out.// *looks up at his dad a little blankly*
Samuel: Bedtime?
Sean: *starts to nod, and keels over instead*
Hotspot: *scrambling to Daddy's back as the older mech moves to catch Sean* *Fuss!*
Sky: *comes shooting out of the bedroom, leaving the last two triplets on the bed as she hurries over toward her eldest*
Firebreak: *sits up and watches Mama go* :(
Ember: *Quiet clicks as he moves to sit up too* Bubby?
Sean: *sleeping hard and slightly warm to the touch*
Samuel: *Calling Russ*
Sky: *seeing if she can't gank Sean from Samuel. Also crooning softly and feeling proud and just a little exasperated at her son* //Screamer, he completed the mission.//
Skylar: //Understood... Is Russ on his way over?//
Samuel: *protests Sean-gankage*
Sky: *cuddles Sean and pushes husband and Hotspot down on the couch so she can snuggle them* Is Russ coming?
Samuel: Yeah... he should be here soon... *Snuggles and gently smooths Sean's hair as Hotspot patpats his brother's cheek*
Sky: //Yeah, he's coming.// *looks toward the hall as the sound of crawlybugging reaches her ears*
Skylar: //Alright. I'll see if we have any soup left... Skylar out.//
Sky: //Warp out.// *reaches down and adds a Firebreak to the snuggle pile, then grins and adds the quilt the baby had been dragging in her teefs as she came*
Ember: *Crawling after Firebreak and blanket*
Sky: *reaches down to get him by the arm and add him too. Tucks him under the quilt*
Firebreak: *from under the quilt* Him Ember fall off bed again. Me Firebreak slide down with blankie.
Ember: *Soft huff, snuggaMama*
Sky: That little fall won't hurt him. Besides. I heard him land on the quilt. *grins as she thinks of the nice, four foot high platform that the family canopy bed now stands on*
Russell: *Knocking on the door*
Firebreak: MIN!
Hotspot: *yells an agreement to what Firebreak shouted*
Sky: *makes sure they haven't startled Sean, and frowns when she sees him still sound asleep*
Russell: *quietly entering the family quarters* Sky? Samuel?
Samuel: We're in here, Russ...
Russell: *Enters the room, moves to scan Sean*
Sean: *energy badly depleted, but no virus is present. Sleeping hard and probably will need to rest for a few days*
Firebreak: *pops out from under the quilt to show that she's wearing her diaper... and a speedo for a vest* Bubby sleep.
Russell: Well, at least this time there's no virus... He just needs to rest for a few days.... *Soft chuckle as he sees what Firebreak's wearing*
Hotspot: *points to sister* Togs!
Ember: Undies!
Russell: *Snerk*
Sky: *blinks and looks, then snerks herself* Hey, she looks better in it than Streaker does.
Samuel: *Sulk*
Russell: ... Didn't need that mental image, Sky.
Sky: *looks at him sideways* Then you better get out of here before I wrap this quilt around Sean and carry him back to bed.
Russell: ... *Going*
Sky: *wraps up Sean and whichever of the triplets doesn't get away fast enough, revealing that she's in her usual crop top and underpants sleeping outfit* Grab some sippy cups will you, Streaker? *carries all four sparklets to the bedroom*
Samuel: *Goes to get the sippy cups and then comes back to snuggle and sleep in*
Meanwhile
Raoul: *hushes the Dinobots and then knocks on Patrick's door*
Patrick: *coming to the door* *Surprised expression is a go, has one of his loafers in one hand. He was looking for the other when Raoul knocked on the door*
Raoul: Dinobots reporting for duty. *grin*
Greg: *not awake yet, so not contesting Raoul's right to announce the reporting. Is too busy hugging a couple stuffed dinos and looking bleary *
Patrick: *raised brow* What duty, Raoul? *is going to alert Bert and Autumn about this once he finds out what's going on*
Sarah: *Snuggling against Simon*
Raoul: *quirks a brow* Doc Ruteger told me to take these guys and go with you to Texas.
Patrick: ... Do Bert and Autumn know you're here?
Raoul: Tracks 'n Major Mac 'n Doc Ruteger do. Doc said she'd tell those guys.
Simon: But them sleeping yet, Mama say.
Patrick: ... *Drat, defeated by logic* Alright... *moves to the side so everyone can come in*
Jake: *Will help gently usher everyone in, looks a bit nervous being around Patrick, and so will likely remain silent unless absolutely necessary*
Raoul: *flops on the couch and grins* Got any orange juice?
Simon: *perk* Juice?
Sandra: *Sleepy murmur that sounds like "Me Sandra like juice..."*
Patrick: *nods and goes to get the carton and several glasses*
Raoul: Thanks.
Patrick: *nods again as he sets the juice where it can be accessed easily* //Picard to Crusher...//
Rachel: //Hmmmm?//
Patrick: //Care to explain why I am currently entertaining several guests?//
Rachel: //You're going to dig something up, and the Dinobots haven't seen anything more exciting than a Seeklet stuck in a tree for months.//
Patrick: //And Jake is here to help as well?//
Rachel: //.... You'll have to ask Jake about that.//
Patrick: //I'll do that then.... Picard out.//
Rachel: //Crusher out.// *sounds so peaceful and snug in her nice soft bed...*
Raoul: *making sure all the Dinobots have juice according to the patience level of each*
Jake: *helping with the juice glasses*
Greg: *chug chug chug chug* *blink* Did me Greg have any breakfast?
Raoul: Sure you did. You had a nice egg 'n loxy muffin, remember?
Greg: Right. *drink*
Sandra: *Grumbling about the lox*
Raoul: *pokes Sven* You awake, man?
Sven: No. *leaning against Simon and Sarah*
Jake: *very quiet chuckle*
Simon: Sandy, lox not really stinky fish. Rollymops is stinkier, but you Sandy like them.
Greg: Yeeeuch.
Sandra: Thrrrpt...
Patrick: ... *headshake* That's almost as bad as Javan's liking of pickled pig's feet for breakfast.
Dinobot chorus: Ewwwwwww!
Jake: *Pulling an epic face at the thought*
Raoul: Aww, they ain't that bad. So long as they ain't cold. And I'm really hungry.
Simon: Poor piggy. :(
Raoul: *blink blink. Feels like a heel*
Sven: *sleepy murmur, snuggles Simon and Sarah*
Raoul: So.... *drains his glass and looks up at Patrick* We ready yet?
Patrick: *moves to go find his other shoe* We will be shortly....
Raoul: Okay. *watches him go, and then turns back to the Dinobots* Boy, it's a good thing ham is made from dinosaur, or I'd starve around you guys.
Sandra: *razzes Raoul*
Patrick: *Has his shoes on* Alright... Let's get going.
Simon: Her mama sent two trucks.
Patrick: *chuckles and nods, before calling Col. Franklin to let him know*
Col. Franklin: //Alright. Drive till you're out of town and in a deserted area, then PINpoint yourselves and the vehicles to these coordinates.// *sends them*
Patrick: //Understood. I'll call with an update in about an hour and a half.//
Col. Franklin: //Alright. Franklin out.//
Greg: Me Greg TIRED!
Patrick: //Oberson out.// *To Greg* We'll be on the road soon, alright?
Greg: Me Greg TIRED NOW!
Raoul: You can sleep in the car.
Jake: *nods in agreement with Raoul*
Greg: *getting all set up to complain*
Simon: *offers him a marshmallow peep*
Greg: *distracted* Bunny...
Patrick: Raoul, you have a PINpoint, right?
Raoul: Yeah. But I thought we were drivin'. *quizzical look*
Patrick: We're driving till we get to a deserted area, then PINpointing the rest of the way.
Raoul: Ohhh. Gotcha. *nods* Don't you got one?
Patrick: I have one, but everyone won't fit in one vehicle, unless the trucks are the bigger ones?
Raoul: *chuckles* Lt. Wesson 'n WO Caine each got one too. 'N they're the drivers.
Simon: Is normal black trucks.
Patrick: *Doing a quick headcount and frowning when he realizes that with the Dinobots, Raoul and Jake, there's not going to be enough room in the SUVs for everyone who was sent to go retrieve the mystery mech* We're going to need another SUV...
Raoul: Oh, nah. Mrs. Convoy's comin' as medic. She don't mind carryin' people.
Greg: *busy zipping the purple peep into the mouth of one of his dinosaurs*
Patrick: *nods* That would work...
Raoul: *bounces off the couch* Okay, what're we waitin' for? Let's get this show on the road.
Jake: *Will move to gently usher Sven and Sandra towards the door*
Simon: *up and grinning eagerly as he waits for orders*
Raoul: *looking at Patrick*
Patrick: Let's go.
Sarah: *Quiet clicks*
Raoul: *takes Sarah's hand and makes sure Greg's aimed at the door as he talks about dinosaur eaten peeps and parts of New York* You ready, Simon?
Simon: Me Simon ready and going.
Sandra: *Gets gently steered towards the door by Jake, and from there, out to one of the waiting SUVs*
Sven: *Grumping sleepily as he's guided as well*
Sarah: *more quiet clicks, is soooo not awake right now*
Raoul: *gets Greg and Sven in the back seat of the SUV that Lt. Wesson is driving, then settles between them and coaxes them into fastening their seatbelts* Simon, you get the front, okay?
Simon: Me Simon sit in shotgun. *settles and straps himself in*
WO Caine: *helping Jake get the girls arranged in the back seat of his SUV*
Jake: *Quietly* Th-thank you, Uncle Gavin...
Caine: *juuuust caught the boy's mouth moving from the corner of his eye. Looks up and grins, then points to his ear and shakes his head to let Jake know that he can hear even less now than when they met last*
Jake: ... *small frown as he closes his eyes and tries to remember what he learned in the ASL class he took last year. Hesitantly, going on memory, signs "Thank you."*
Caine: *nods* (s)Saw.(s) *then nods toward the lovely black Camaro that's sitting to one side and playing a sad song with lots of bass to herself, indicating that Jake better go grab his ride*
Jake: *Blink blink, small smile, nods and moves to head for the Camaro as Patrick moves to approach Caine*
Caine: *slight stand to attention, cheery blue eyes on Patrick as he watches for orders*
Patrick: At ease... We're going to head out and find an empty stretch of highway before PINpointing to our destination. *Will databurst the orders and coordinates to Wesson*
Wesson: *quick salute as he finishes handing out Twinkies to his passengers, then slips into the driver seat and gets his SUV going*
Caine: *ditto the salute, then settles in the driver's seat as he too opens a treat package. The aroma of cinnamon buns fills the SUV*
Patrick: *Chuckles as Sarah murmurs something about noms* *Will get into the front passenger seat and buckle up*
Caine: *passes a big fat cinnamon bun with icing and raisins to each little girl, then lots and lots of napkins*
Sarah: *Sleepy murmur that may very well be a "Thank you"*
Caine: *sees the murmur in the mirror, and then offers the last bun to Patrick*
Sandra: *will get about a fourth of the way through her cinnamon bun before she starts nodding off*
Patrick: Thank you. *Will begin to carefully and neatly eat the cinnamon bun once he's got it in his hand*
Caine: *nods and crumples the box, then puts it in the trash can that sits on the hump between footwells before starting the SUV and heading out after Wesson's*
Bumblebee: *quietly, as she follows the SUVs* Hi. You're Jake, right?
Jake: *nods* Y-Yes'm...
Bumblebee: I'm Bea. What kind of music do you like?
Jake: 'S-s n-nahce t' meet y'u, Bea... *sheepish grin as he admits his musical tastes* Ah l-lahk th' B-Beatles 'n s-similar b-bands...
Bumblebee: *silent for a moment, then hopefully* Beach boys?
Jake: *more grin* E-early 'r late?
Bumblebee: *starts playing 'Spring Little Cobra'*
Jake: *thinks he just found a new friend to geek out about something with*
Patrick: *Databursting Bumblebee coordinates, as well as the same orders he gave Caine and Wesson*
Bumblebee: *acknowledges, and then acks softly as she realizes that she forgot something. There's a shimmer in the driver seat, and then her big-eyed little gothic holodriver is checking her rearview mirror* Sorry about that.
Jake: *Raised brow* 'O-ologram?
Bumblebee: *nods* Yeah. Hard light. I'm not the same tech as the other guys, so I can't take a human alt mode.
Jake: 'Mkay.
Bumblebee: And my bot mode's kinda creaky, so this makes interacting easier.
Jake: *concerned* C-C'n y'u git f-fixed s-so y'u don' creak?
Bumblebee: Not anymore. My self repair got burned out.
Jake: *slight wince* Th-th't s-sounds b-bad...
Bumblebee: *quietly* I guess so.
Jake: *bites his lower lip a bit and reaches to gently pat the seat, sympathy clear in his actions and expression*
Bea: *eyes on the road as her radio starts singing about a little deuce coupe* How much do you know about alternate realities and Cybertronian history?
Jake: S-s'me... M-met Beau, Raoul, 'n Denver's alternates f-fr'm a Bayverse reality...
Bea: So you don't know about the war.
Jake: Ah've read 'b-bout 't 'n Gran'ma's comics...
Bea: *nods* Well in my reality the Autobots lost.
Jake: ...
Bea: *quietly* I'm sorry.
Jake: *Just as quietly* G-guess different realities c-c'n b-be really different....
Bea: Yeah. I'm glad they are. *slight grin* So... You're part of Raoul and Beau's family?
Jake: *nod* Denver 'n Beau're mah c-cousins...
Bea: What does cousin mean again?
Jake: Denver 'n Beau's ma w's 'un 'f Gran'ma's kids, 'n s-so 's mah dad...
Bea: *slight frown as she works that out, and then nods* Okay, I get it.
Jake: *About to ask if Bea has any siblings, blinks as a yawn sneaks past him*
Bea: *tilts her head, and then opens her glove compartment* Chocolate covered coffee beans?
Jake: *headshake* No th'nks...
Bea: Okay. *glove compartment shuts* Thought I might have found a way to keep them away from Joe. *slight chuckle*
Jake: *raised brow* 'E lahks th'se?
Beau: He eats them to try and stay awake, the dork.
Jake: *soft snerk*
Bea: *slight grin* Maybe you better recharge. I can sense your brain waves slowing.
Jake: *small nod, covers his mouth as another yawn escapes. Then he's laying back against the seat and closing his eyes. His breathing soon evens out as he goes to sleep*
Bea: *slight smile, and then rests her forehead on her steering wheel for a moment as she remembers another guy his age. Soon straightens though and stares straight ahead at the tail lights of Caine's SUV*
Caine: *checks the girls in the rear view mirror*
Sarah: *sound asleep, head resting on her shoulder slightly*
Sandra: *in a similar state, though her face has cinnamon bun frosting on it*
Caine: *grins and glances at Patrick*
Patrick: *Keeping his focus on the traffic, though his eyes sometimes go to the rear view mirror and a slight smile crosses his face*
Caine: *silent chuckle and looks up toward Wesson's vehicle*
Wesson: *checking coordinates, is satisfied that there are still a few miles to go before they reach a safe place to PINpoint from* Sven, don't you go wipin' that on my truck.
Sven: *Grumbles about the filling being too sweet*
Wesson: That's what those napkins're for.
Sven: *more grumbling, accompanied by some fussing as one of the napkins sticks to his hand*
Raoul: *quietly and calmly* Here, you need a hand with that? *reaching for Sven's hand and the napkin*
Sven: *Grouses and offers his hand to Raoul* Stupid napkin...
Raoul: *takes the napkin off and wipes Sven's hand, then gets out a wet wipe and washes it* There you go. Better?
Sven: *nod nod, still wants to sulk a bit*
Raoul: You got anythin' other than twinkies, Lt. Wesson?
Wesson: Yeah, just lemme get them open. *sound of crackling*
Simon: *perks and sniffs* Is chicken nuggets?
Wesson: Is hand made turkey jerky. But not from Nosebiter. He was tryin' to eat it, though.
Sven: Ewww.
Wesson: *slight chuckle and offers him a chunk anyway*
Sven: *Will nom, was "ewww"-ing the idea of Nosebiter eating turkey jerky*
Wesson: *hands the jerky all around, and then gets himself a handful before passing the package back to Raoul* That better? Not too sweet? *chuckles, knows there's no sweetening added to the jerky at all*
Sven: *nod nod*
Wesson: Good. *more chuckle*
Greg: Them turkeys dumb. Me Greg not mind eating not Nosebiter.
Raoul: Yeah, well, if you ever meet Freddy, don't eat him either.
Sven: *Blink blink* *Through his mouthful of jerky* Who him Freddy?
Raoul: Jake's dad's turkey. He's not as big as Nosebiter, 'n he's brown 'n shiny.
Greg: *frowning and listening even as he pretends he's not*
Simon: *not pretending*
Raoul: 'N he likes to dance.
Sven: ... *headtilt*
Greg: You, Raoul, telling story. Me Greg not dumb enough to believe that. Turkey not dance.
Wesson: Sure they do. It's how they court their ladies.
Sven: *bewildered by the idea*
Raoul: They fan out their tails, 'n fluff up their feathers. And then they do fancy footwork.
Greg: *yawns* Aww, who cares about stupid turkeys?
Simon: Me Simon think it interesting. *yawns too*
Sven: *blink bliiiiink, fighting a yawn*
Raoul: *slight chuckle and then pulls out three neck pillows* Here, guys. Why don't you crash?
Sven: *squishing his pillow*
Simon: *happy sound* Lamby pillow. *puts it around his neck and then leans back and shuts his eyes*
Greg: *stink eyeing his pillow* Me Greg want a dog.
Raoul: It is a dog.
Greg: REAL dog!
Sven: Want... *Biiiiiiiiig yawn*
Raoul: Put your pillows on and go to sleep. *slight grin*
Sven: *sleepy grumbles as he moves to do so*
Greg: *puts dog pillow around neck and grumps about Raoul being bossy, then conks out*
Wesson: *realizes something and signals, then pulls over and stops the SUV as Caine and Bumblebee follow* This ain't my truck. Gavin' and I got 'em switched.
Raoul: You just wanna drive for the Chief 'cause he ain't asleep.
Wesson: That too. *getting out*
Caine: *comes over, sees what Wesson says. Looks at the keyring in his hand and grins, then swaps and comes to drive for the three sleeping boys and the one that's going to sleep*
Wesson: *settles in the other SUV with a big grin* There. *starts it up and follows Caine's back into traffic*
Patrick: *Raised eyebrow, soft snerk so he doesn't wake Sandra and Sarah*
Wesson: Hey, it was early when we set out 'n I wasn't watchin' which truck I got in. *slight grin*
Patrick: *chuckle* Alright...
Wesson: *pause. Sniff. Slight frown as he glances into the rear view mirror*
Patrick: *offers part of what's left of his cinnamon bun*
Wesson: You sure?
Patrick: *nods* I had breakfast at home.... Susana insisted on it... *chuckles*
Wesson: *chuckles* I did too. But there wasn't any cinna in it. *offers him jerky as trade*
Patrick: Thank you... *amused librarian is amused* So, are we almost to a safe PINpoint location?
Wesson: *follows as Caine pulls off onto a gravel road* Almost, sir.
Patrick: *nods* Alright.
Wesson: We'll still have about an hour's drive from our arrival coordinates to the ranch. *checks the mirror for Bumblebee and grins slightly when he sees she's following alright*
Patrick: More than enough time for me to put a tie and jacket on... *Yes, he's got "fancy" clothes stored in subspace*
Wesson: *slightly surprised look*
Patrick: Mr. Keller is a retired Marine. And I'm one of several people representing NEST... Albeit not as a soldier....
Wesson: Ahhhh. Understood. *slight nod*
Patrick: *Mutter* Still hate the slagging things...
Wesson: *brows suddenly go up a little* You have shades too?
Patrick: ... *SNERK* No... because my jacket and tie are not black, nor are... *checks his pants, which are actually a very tiny plaid print that looks grey from any distance greater than two feet away* Nope. Pants aren't black either.
Wesson: *grin* So no Men in Black.
Patrick: Unless the Col. shows up.
Wesson: He's gonna be there.
Patrick: ... Shades and all? *is trying to be serious, really*
Wesson: We are gonna be in Texas, sir.
Patrick: ... True... *is trying, and failing, not to snicker* *Guess who saw Men In Black the other day?*
Wesson: *perks as Caine signals, and then signals before stopping the SUV and pressing the button on his PINpoint. Looks around as they come out into semi arid Texas countryside*
Patrick: ... Wow... Haven't seen terrain like this in awhile...
Wesson: *looks around after putting his own shades on* Irrigated fields. Way to salt the place down, people. *starts driving again*
Patrick: *Quietly, as his optics adjust to the changes in light* They'll learn, eventually...
Wesson: Yeah, but salt's a lot easier to put in than to take out. *glances back at Bumblebee and grins slightly as he catches the music she's playing faintly on the wind*
Patrick: *small nod, wondering for a moment what the fate of the human race will be*
Wesson: *points* Guy out checkin' fences with a horse.
guy: *on quad, is followed by interested pinto*
Patrick: *looks and chuckles*
Wesson: *grins at his own play on words, then checks the coordinates and turns on the air conditioning so that the girls won't be uncomfortable in their coats and hats. This done, he looks into the rear view mirror as two more black SUVs and a flatbed truck pull out of a side road and join their convoy* There's the Colonel.
Patrick: *more chuckle* This promises to be an interesting day....
Wesson: What day don't? *glances back at the girls and frowns slightly* You wanna grab that little furry thing that's stickin' outta Sandy's bag and put it around her neck?
Patrick: *Turns to look, will soon have the furry kitty pillow tucked around Sandra's neck*
Sandra: *Sleepy murmur, but doesn't wake*
Patrick: *Very soft chuckle, glances to see if Sarah's got a travel pillow*
fuzzy fake sheepskin bunny pillow: *in her fuzzy bunny bag*
Patrick: *Will tuck the bunny pillow around Sarah's neck and click quietly to the sleeping girl*
Wesson: *grins, though he's keeping careful watch on the road and Gavin's SUV so that he won't have to stop quick while Patrick's twisted around like that*
Patrick: *considering look, before he's moving to carefully remove hats and coats so the girls don't get too warm once they're outside of the SUV* *That done, he moves to sit facing forward*
Wesson: *turns the radio onto easy listening and settles down to drive*
back at the Ark. Trach family home.
Tracks: *already up and poking around the kitchen for Denver's favorite things. Has left Will still sleeping with Denver and Dion, though Beau, Jake, and Raoul are already gone for their various activities of the day*
Will: *Quiet clicks as he starts to wake up*
soft comm ping: *lets him know somebody left him a message*
Will: *beeeg yawn, checks his message*
Sean: //Hi, Will. I emailed you a download for my newest game. Do you think you could beta it for me today?//
Will: *Blink blink, sends a confirmation before going to get his laptop so he can have a look at the game*
game: *in the email talks about how it's a fun game with pets and your own island, especially designed for guys twelve and up. Tells how the game has no fighting, and how you can make it so only the people you want can visit your island. Tells about lots of storage space for your stuff, and a friendly pet to help you take care of the island while you're away* *Also tells you the best way to download the file*
Will: *Curious, will go and show this to Tracks before he downloads it*
Tracks: *glances at the laptop screen* From Sean? Well, most the games he's made seem to be alright. *knows not who made Seamus' favorite game, nor who made that deuced Girly Game*
Will: *nodnod* He wants me t' beta test it...
Tracks: *smiles and offers him a toasted bagel with butter on it* Would you like to do that?
Will: *Nods as he grabs the offered bagel*
Tracks: *wipes his hand and gently ruffles his son's hair, then moves the containers of hand blended cream cheese closer to Will* Then go ahead, just be careful about crumbs in your keyboard. You know how that upsets Goldie.
Will: *nodnod, reaches for the container of blueberry cream cheese, as well as a knife to spread his choice onto his bagel*
Tracks: *adding soy milk to Tazo Chai Elixer and stirring carefully as he consults his sleeping wife's desires in regard to breakfast* Eggs and hash. Hmmm.
Will: What's hash?
Tracks: Potatoes and shredded meat. But today your Mama is going to have a much healthier version. *goes to the cupboard and gets the chunk of lovely smelling smoked flavor green gummi ham, then also takes out botatoes and energon scrambles*
Will: *Small nod, works on downloading and installing the game, his attention going to the scrambles and botatoes*
Tracks: *carefully combining things and seasoning them with just a tiny touch of that lovely lovely mineral known as Seeker salt. Sets them all in the warmer and then looks at Will with a smile* Would you like me to make you something else?
Will: *headshake* Mama's breakfast smells good though...
Tracks: *chuckle* Shall I make you some of that?
Will: :3
Tracks: *sets to work and makes another large plate of the desired meal* *apologetic* I'd like to save the Seeker salt for your Mama. Is that alright?
Will: *nodnod*
Tracks: *smiles and puts Will's breakfast in the warmer, then takes out Denver's. Squirts some purple botsup into a container and sets it by Will before taking the rest of the bottle and setting it on the tray by Denver's plate and a vase containing a white rose*
Will: *installing the game and getting started while he waits for the food to warm up*
Tracks: *considers the tray, and then adds a single strawbaby cream filled white choccy candy with sour glitter on a small plate next to the rest of the breakfast. Smiles and carries it down the hall to the master bedroom* -Wake up, darling. Your dreams about breakfast are coming true.-
Denver: *Soft sound as she start to wake up* -Hmm?-
Tracks: *shares with her the scent of her breakfast as he stops in the door to smile at her*
Denver: *Waking up more, soft chuckle as Dion starts clicking quietly in response to her moving to sit up*
Tracks: *comes in and sets the elegant little carved wooden tray on its feet over her lap, then sits beside her and reaches for Dion* I hope you don't mind my adding a little something to your order. *small smile and glance for Denver*
Denver: *more chuckle as she leans to kiss Tracks on his cheek and transfer Dion as the little guy clicks even more at the scent of breakfast*
Dion: *Clickstorm!*
Tracks: *arm around Denver, and a gentle kiss for Dion's head. Then takes his arm from his wife to snag a bit of scramble and aim it at his tiny brother's bitty mouth*
Dion: *Happy sounds as he eats*
Denver: *Amused, and then she's making pleased sounds as she digs in and begins eating*
Tracks: *watches her, feeling very pleased with himself, then offers Dion a bit of gummi ham* Do you like green ham?
Dion: *Babbles and noms on the offered gummi ham*
Tracks: *smiles and pulls a bit energon cake out of his pocket, then holds that up in front of the hungry sparklet. A soft scent of lavender comes from it*
Dion: Oooo? *Clickstorm, reaches for the cake*
Tracks: *chuckles and gives it to him* I thought you might like something that you could feed to yourself. *Optics twinkling*
Dion: *Happy babbling, nom*
Tracks: *cuddles him and beams softly, love for his tiny brother warming his spark*
Denver: *making her breakfast vanish, has surprised herself with how hungry she is all of a sudden*
Tracks: *blinks and lifts his head to look at his wife, his expression mirroring her surprise* Do I need to make more?
Denver: *A bit sheepish as she nods*
Tracks: *soft chuckle as he kisses her on the cheek. Then gets to his feet* We shan't be too long. Do you want another like that, or something else? Or a different amount?
Denver: Wh't y'u made b'f're's fahn...
Tracks: Alright, darling. *gentle sending of love over their bond, and the admission that her mineral supplement's blended into that lovely strawbaby cream that she has her finger in*
Denver: *amused Look for Tracks as she moves to eat the treat* -'T least 't tastes bettah th's way...-
Tracks: *smiles and goes to prepare her second breakfast* Would you like to sit in your chair, Dion, or on the floor?
Dion: Chair! :3
Tracks: Chair it is. *pauses to look into Magnus and Rain's room and check on them*
Magnus: *blearily blinking and holding onto Rain*
Rain: *turning her head and wondering where they are*
Tracks: *sees the movement and steps softly inside* *quietly* Magnus, can you hear me?
Magnus: *attention going to Tracks, small smile* Hey...
Tracks: *smiles a bit in return, his optics flicking to Rain as she gives him a bleary frown* How are the two of you feeling?
Rain: ...I have too many arms and legs. *rubs face with hand*
Magnus: Same here.... When'd you get back, Tracks?
Tracks: Just yesterday, though we'll be leaving again for that beastly reunion. But Denver's inlaws were stressing her and the new sparklet too much for us to stay any longer. *cuddles Dion protectively*
Magnus: *Frowns, then his attention's going to the door* Who's that?
Dion: *Happy babbling* Gramma! :D
Tracks: *looks over himself*
Hattie: *From where she's standing in the doorway* So who're y'all talkin t'?
Tracks: *slight smile* Mrs. Lamont. Won't you step inside and meet my creche brother and his mate? But please walk softly, their bond isn't fully settled yet.
Rain: *lifts her head and looks, blinking* It's an old human woman...
Hattie: *Moving to step inside, being careful to step lightly* Ah'm Denver, Beau, Jake, 'n th' Dahnobots' grandmothah.
Magnus: *Brows up as he remembers overhearing Jean talking about 'Granny'*
Dion: *Clickstorm*
Tracks: This is Magnus, and Rain. In their root modes we call them Ultra Magnus and Rainbird.
Rain: *lost track of her vocaliser controls... finds them again!* Hi. *head back on mate's shoulder as her tank makes a little grumpy sound*
Tracks: *tiny smirk as he waits for his 'new sparklet' comment to sink in*
Magnus: *Wait for it.... wait for it...* ... Wait, what was that about a new sparklet?
Hattie: *Soft snerk*
Dion: Sissy!!!
Tracks: *smirk grows* Denver's carrying.
Rain: *tries to sit up, grinning widely. But then groans and lays down again*
Magnus: ...You're slagging kidding... *and then he's cycling air and clinging to Rain even more*
Hattie: *Frown, moves to check on the couple*
Tracks: *hand on Rain's shoulder, since she's blocking his ability to reach Magnus'* Easy. And no, I'm not. The little one's a femme, and she's growing nicely.
Rain: *clinging to mate and grumping about spinny, but she's still grinning with joy for her sister*
Magnus: *Grinning a bit despite his discomfort* Congratulations, Tracks.
Tracks: Thank you, Magnus. *looks to Hattie* Oh, I guess that means you're Rain's grandmother too, since she's Denver's sister.
Hattie: *Soft snerk, amusement sparkling in her eyes as she carefully adjusts blankets* Ah git th' feelin' th't Rain 'n Magnus 'ave moah sense th'n s'me people....
Tracks: Whatever gives you that idea?
Hattie: F'r 'un th'ng, th'y ain't bein' cheekeh t' y'u.
Tracks: *snerk* Oh that's just because they're having too much trouble figuring out where one ends and the other begins. Trust me, Magnus has got his moments.
Magnus: Heeeey...
Tracks: *gentle touch for creche brother* *quietly* You know you do.
Magnus: Yeah, but you went and spoiled the surprise... *chuckle*
Tracks: *bit of a sniff, and then a chuckle of his own*
Hattie: *chuckling as Dion babbles at Magnus*
Tracks: Well I have to get Denver the rest of her breakfast. Shall I send the two of you some energon cake?
Rain: *silent nod*
Magnus: That'd be great.
Tracks: We have lavender and choccy.
Magnus: *perks*
Rain: You pick. Thinking makes my head spin.
Magnus: *can smell the lavender coming from Dion, thinks it smells really good* Lavender.
Dion: *Clickstorm, waving what's left of the chunk of cake Tracks gave him in an offer*
Tracks: *chuckles and holds the sparklet within reach of his older brother* Do you want to share, Dion?
Dion: *Babbling happily, will poke his goodie at Magnus' mouth as the older mech tries to reach for him* Bubby! 'Ain-Sissy! :3
Tracks: Just take the cake, Magnus. I don't think you and Rain are ready for an active sparklet yet. But I'll bring him back when he's ready for his nap.
Magnus: *Pouts a bit but moves to share the cake piece with Rain*
Tracks: *quiet, supportive clicks, and a squeeze for Rain's shoulder as she has a bite of the cake and closes her eyes at the pleasant flavor* You should get more rest. I'll be somewhere around the house if you need anything.
Magnus: *nods and snuggles his mate, optics shuttering as he relaxes*
Tracks: *watches them for a moment, then turns and puts a hand on Hattie's shoulder to guide her out of the room*
Hattie: *Quietly* Th'y're gonna be okay, rahght?
Tracks: *slight smile* This is perfectly normal, Mrs. Lamont. It took Denver and I several weeks to recover. Of course our bond is deeper, but Magnus did his best considering the damage his spark is carrying.
Hattie: *concerned* 'E's 'urt?
Dion: *Quiet clicks, reaches to patpat Gramma's cheek*
Tracks: He received a shot to the spark several months ago that shattered a small piece off of it. *hand still on her shoulder as he brings her and Dion to the main living area and steers toward the kitchen*
Hattie: ... *Raised brow, is putting two and two together as she looks at Dion*
Tracks: *over into the kitchen he goes, then takes Dion's hooded towel and sets it on the counter by the sparklet's high chair. Triggers the little guy's transform, and then takes off all his clothes but his diaper* Let's get you ready for breakfast....
Dion: *Babbling and waving his arms happily*
Tracks: *grins and clicks to him, then sets him in his chair and goes to the counter to cut one of the cinnamon raisin bagels into many thin slices. Sets the pile of slices on Dion's tray and then grabs the wild cherry jam and dumps some into a metal gyro bowl* Go ahead and help yourself to bagels or chai, Mrs. Lamont. But please do be careful about the things that glow.
Hattie: 'Ow c'me? *is going to get herself a cinnamon raisin bagel and plain cream cheese*
Tracks: *sets the gyro bowl on Dion's tray* Because energon isn't very good for organic people. *washes his hands at the sink as he grins and clicks at Dion, then turns to making another big plate of breakfast for Denver*
Dion: *babbles and chatters at his bowl before he's dipping his fingers into the jam and laughing*
Hattie: Energon? *spreading cream cheese on her bagel before her attention goes to Will when the youngster laughs about something on his laptop*
Tracks: Our original energy source. *considers, and adds a bit more hash and scrambles to this plate than the last one held, then sticks it into the warmer and grabs himself another chunk of energon cake*
Hattie: Ah... *snerks as a glob of jam makes a beeline for Tracks' back due to Dion overexhuberance*
Tracks: *sidesteps smoothly and puts up his hand to block the projectile, then washes his hand off in the sink* The shortage of energon is one reason that the Autobots had to leave Cybertron. Dion, darling, you're clearly showing your roots.
Dion: Thrrrpt! *Giggle*
Hattie: *Small frown* 'N y'all stahted eatin' stuff lahk 'umans 'cause'a th't?
Tracks: *winks at Dion, but then makes a face* That's why the others have taken to eating organic fuels.
Hattie: 'N y'u lahk t' drink fabric soft'ner...
Tracks: *slight smirk* With such a lovely flavor and aroma, how could I resist?
Will: *Curious chirrup, looking up from his game for a moment*
Tracks: *glances over toward the chirrup* What is it, Will?
Will: What kind'a fabric softener?
Tracks: *chuckles and goes to get a small bottle out of one of the lower cupboards, then offers to toss it to him*
Will: *big grin, moves to catch*
Tracks: Though I must warn you. It's good for you. *rests skidplate against counter again and resumes chewing his cake*
Will: *snerk, carefully unscrews the cap and has a sniff before he sips from the bottle*
Dion: *Having a grand time eating breakfast and making a mess*
Hattie: *amused headshake, but then she's wondering about something* Jes' 'ow old're y'all?
Tracks: *quizzical glance* What makes you ask that?
Hattie: 'M jes' curious, 's all...
Tracks: Well, Dion is four months old. Will is eighty five. And I... stopped counting at three million.
Hattie: *Boggling now*
Tracks: *smirks and has another bite of cake*
Hattie: *A bit flabbergasted to learn that one of her grandkids is actually older than her by a couple years*
Dion: *Babbles and noms bagel*
Hattie: 'Ow c'me Will 's so old wh'n th rest'a mah new grandkids aren't?
Tracks: *turns to get Denver's breakfast out of the warmer as a ding announces its readiness* Will's not old. The others are all just newsparks.
Hattie: Old c'mpared t' most 'umans....
Tracks: Yes, but Ratchet is six million years old. Please excuse me, I'd like to bring this to Denver while it's still warm. *heads for the hall*
Hattie: .... *Brain-broken expression*
Will: 'M a youngling... The other kids're sparklets... *nodnod, returns to his game*
Hattie: ... *Still a bit brain-broken*
Dion: *Scores a hit on a nearby wall with some of his jam and laughs about it*
Hattie: *Startles a bit before moving to clean up the jam*
Will: ... *Laughing as he realizes that to help Bobbinhood, he has to pie the sheriff's men and rickroll the sheriff*
Tracks: *gone for several moments, and his step is a little unsteady when he comes back into the living room. Optics are also bright, and there is no sadness in his expression in the least*
Dion: *Laughs at that*
Tracks: *grins at bitty brother*
Will: *looks up, snickers and captures an image to send to Raoul's phone*
Hattie: *Cleaning up another successful wall hit, attention going to Tracks* ... Well, s'me'un 's inna good mood...
Tracks: *gives Hattie a wide grin, and then turns his attention back to Will* Is Sean's game that funny?
Will: *nodnod* Gotta pie the main baddie's minions. :3
Tracks: *surprised expression* Whatever for? *reaches for his youngest son so he can sit with an arm around Will and watch his computer screen*
Will: 'Cause the sheriff's a meanie. *nodnod, shows Tracks the mission objectives as he snuggles close* *then pies one of the sheriff's men*
Tracks: Oh, I see. It's a mission to get back muffins he's stolen. What are you supposed to do with them after you get them?
Will: Take 'em back to Bobbinhood so he can give 'em back to the rest'a the people on the island.
Tracks: Well that's a nice change. *tips his head slightly to watch*
Will: *Works on the quest, clicking quietly to himself all the while*
Tracks: *watches as Will's avatar comes before the sheriff. Wonders if he'll get pied too*
Will's avatar: *lets rip with "Never Gonna Give You Up"*
Tracks: o.0 You're rickrolling him?
Will: *nodnod, giggling*
Hattie: ... *raised brow, hadn't expected Tracks to know about rickrolling*
Tracks: *watches the evil pink teddy bear that is the sheriff run away screaming* My word... I know how he feels.
Hattie: *Snerks and moves to get Dion cleaned up once the little guy finishes eating and making a gleeful mess*
Tracks: *watches Bobbinhood and Will's av bring the muffins back to the villagers and game Will be rewarded with a hundred muffins for himself* Good work.
Will: *grin*
Tracks: *gives him a one armed hug* What will you do with them?
Will: Use 'em t' upgrade my island 'n stuff....
Tracks: *surprised raising of browplates* You mean they're money?
Will: *nodnod*
Tracks: *chuckles* How does Sean come up with these ideas?
Will: *Shrug*
Hattie: *Gently sets Dion down on the floor and chuckles as she watches the little guy crawl over to the stuffed snail that's sitting where it was left the night before*
Dion: *Happy babbling and telling Mr. Snail about breakfast*
Tracks: *looks over there, and then gives Will another one armed hug before going and laying on the floor by baby brother and spending a little time with him*
Hattie: *Moves to clean up the dishes from breakfast as Raj and Sora finally emerge and move to help*
Meanwhile, en route to the Sweet Doll Ranch...
Patrick: *mentally prepping to talk to Mr. Keller*
Wesson: I see the gate. *looking past Caine's SUV as it slows*
Patrick: Should we wake the girls?
Wesson: Yeah, don't need Sandy doin' her grumpy routine while you and the Colonel're tryin' ta talk to somebody.
Patrick: *Chuckles softly and turns to try and gently wake Sarah and Sandra*
Raoul: *calling to Sven and Greg. Gently elbowing them and waving around a couple cinnaSeekers* Hey, guys, we're almost there. Wake up!
Simon: *watching them as he munches his cookie*
Sven: *Grumbling about being woken up from a perfectly good n-huhwhutcookie?*
Raoul: *chuckles as Greg gives him a stink eye and takes the cookie anyway, then gives Sven his* We're just about there. You guys get to dig soon!
Sven: Dig in dirt! :D *Noms cookie*
Greg: Me Greg KING of digging in dirt! *and of stuffing cookies in mouths whole*
Raoul: *just shakes his head* Whatever, man. *chuckles, then sits up and looks as the SUV slows to let two others past it. Recognizes Patrick and the Colonel in the other two and waves* Did you guys see the Chief?
Greg: *mumble grumble. Wasn't looking for any stupid Chief*
Sven: *Harumphs. Wants to dig!*
Wesson: *clicking to Sandra as he follows Colonel Franklin's SUV through the gate and pulls it to a stop in front of a big low, comfortable looking stone house with a wide shady porch. There's a grey-haired man sitting on the running board on the shady side of a pickup truck, listening to the flute music that's coming from the shadows of the porch. Four big shaggy dogs- two wolfhounds, a herd guard, and a herd dog, come to investigate the SUVs as they stop*
Greg: DOGS!
Sven: DOGS! *Smushing his face against the window now to see the dogs*
Sandra: *grumping a bit, isn't all the way awake yet*
Sarah: *rubbing at her eyes sleepily* At bot landing spot yet?
Wesson: We're nearly there. We jes' gotta let the bosses talk ta Lt. Keller, 'n then follow him out to the spot. *then looks at Patrick to see if he overstepped by answering there. But he's so used to helping care for the Dinobots that it came out automatically*
Patrick: *Nods* Then we can start digging up the Autobot.
Sarah: Mmmkay.... *yawns, covering her mouth the way Aunt Lucy showed her*
Wesson: *relaxes and shuts the SUV off*
Lt. Keller: *comes over to meet the convoy that just pulled into his yard, telling the dogs to go lay on the porch as he does*
Greg: Nooo! DOGS! *in agony as he watches them leave*
Sven: *SULK*
Col. Franklin: *steps out of his ride and offers a hand, which gets wrung strongly as the sharp but good-natured eyes of the ex-Marine study him frankly. The sweet music from the porch continues*
Patrick: *Gets out of the SUV after helping Sandra and Sarah unbuckle and moves to approach*
Lt. Keller: *turns and gives him the same searching look. Holds out a hand* Chuck Keller.
Patrick: *reaches to shake hands* Patrick Oberson.
Lt. Keller: *has a strong grip. Is very clearly an honest man who takes and gives no guff* *notices Col. Franklin's glance toward the porch* That's my daughter River. She likes playing her flute in the morning before it gets hot.
Greg: *hanging out the SUV window* ...Is hot, stupid guy.
Patrick: *Sighs*
Lt. Keller: *inquisitive look toward that dark-haired guy that just called him stupid, his eyes searching and showing no insult, only question*
River: *stops playing and comes to stand at the top of the steps. Is a girl of about sixteen with wide, wary blue eyes and golden hair. Looks nothing at all like her father. Also has a very clear spark signature*
Patrick: *Attention going to River* *Politely* Good morning.
River: *frowns and then retreats into the house*
Lt. Keller: Please forgive River. She's skittish around strangers.
Raoul: *standing by Jake and the black Camaro that is Bumblebee* *frown*
Jake: *slight headtilt*
Col. Franklin: *lets Patrick know with a glance that he'll let him do most of the talking*
Patrick: *small nod* *To Lt. Keller* How long has she lived with you, Lt. Keller?
Lt. Keller: *surprised* Most people don't realize she's adopted till they see my wife.
Patrick: *about to insist that Lt. Keller answer the question when Sven asserts that he wants to dig NOW*
Raoul: Hey, Sven. Cool it, man. The Chief's talkin'. *goes over to offer the Dinobot another cookie* You keep mouthin' off and you don't get no more of these.
Sven: *Sulk! After he has the cookie*
Lt Keller: It's been five years since we found River in the Rio Grande. Nobody was ever able to figure out where she came from, so they let us take her.
Patrick: *Small nod* And I'm guessing the robot you found is in the same area?
Lt. Keller: *blinks and frowns as he tries to figure out why Patrick's connected his daughter to a buried robot* No, River was quite a ways downriver of it. Though there was a meteor hit the night we found her. That's why I was out by the river.
Patrick: That was probably one of the escape pods or shuttles from the Ark...
Lt. Keller: *straightens* The Ark?
Col. Franklin: *brows raising behind his shades*
Patrick: *nods* It's what the people of the Cybertronian race called one of their ships...
Lt. Keller: Cybertronian? Mr. Oberson, will you explain?
Col. Franklin: *holds out a clip board with forms on it* You'll need to sign these first.
Lt. Keller: *surprised as he takes the clipboard*
Patrick: *and now he's getting glomped by Sarah*
Lt. Keller: *reads, and then looks up, his eyes going from Patrick to Col. Franklin* You're pulling my leg.
Patrick: *Eyes serious behind his glasses* We're not.
Sarah: *headtilt, curious about Lt. Keller*
Col. Franklin: *short nod in agreement with Patrick*
Lt. Keller: But... folk from other worlds?
Col. Franklin: Just read the forms and sign on the lines, and we'll answer any questions you have, Lt. Keller.
Lt. Keller: *goes to attention slightly* Yes, sir. *eyes go to the forms, his lips moving slightly as he reads rapidly and easily*
Greg: Me Greg want dog. >:\
Wesson: *pat pats Greg, and then goes back to standing with his arms crossed over his chest and watching the world through his shades*
Caine: *watching the dogs, perks as he notices them look toward the house, then pokes Wesson and signs briefly in field sign*
Wesson: *quietly* River jes' took off out the back door.
Lt. Keller: *looks up and frowns* What?
Patrick: ... *glances to Col. Franklin* Maybe we should have Swoop check where she's going?
Sarah: *perks up, giving the Col a hopeful look*
Col. Franklin: We can't do anything like that till Lt. Keller signs the forms. *frowning with concern*
Keller: *flips through the papers and signs everywhere he sees an X* I don't want to hold you people up.
Raoul: Hey, man. You might wanna read those.
Keller: Nah. It's standard 'don't say anything about what you see today. Ever'. *gives the clipboard back to Col. Franklin and then lifts his chin*
Raoul: ....
Greg: Stupid guy.
Simon: *getting out of the SUV now and going to Sarah* Her yellow girl scared, Chief?
Patrick: *Quietly* It looks like it...
Simon: Why?
Col. Franklin: Alright, Lt. Colonel Oberson. The ball's in your court.
Keller: *watching, his eyes sharp and curious around the concern for his daughter*
Patrick: *checking flight paths and telling Sarah not to go too high as he helps her with her shoes before setting her on the ground* Lt. Keller, part of the reason we had you sign those forms was because some of the Cybertronian race is here today...
Sarah: *scoots away from the group before she transforms and moves to take off. She has been practicing, and it shows, as she only has to hop a few feet before she's airborn and gaining altitude*
Keller: *startled staring, and then snaps an even more startled look at his dogs, who are only watching with curious interest* *concern in his voice* Then that robot in the sand is a person?
Patrick: *nods* His name is Trailbreaker.
Keller: ...And River...
Patrick: *Quietly* I could pick up on her spark signature from here... She doesn't have a blocker in place, or if she does, it's damaged...
Keller: *frowns* I hope you explain that after all this. But first I want to go get m... *looks up as a shriek comes from somewhere behind the house* What the... *starting that way at a fast walk, his limp only now really showing*
Patrick: Hold your position! *Moving to follow Keller*
Col. Franklin: *will stay with the men and kids*
Raoul: *grumbles about having to stay put*
behind the house: *a small vineyard and orchard, with a frightened girl cowering at the far side of it with her hands over her head as Swoop circles above her*
Patrick: *Calling to Swoop as he hurries over*
Swoop: *moves to come in for a landing, ends up mis-judging the angle and goes tip over teakettle*
Keller: *shout, and now he's concerned for both girls!* *keeps going* River. Honey, don't cry. It's alright. They're friends.
Swoop: *getting up and hopping over to chirr quietly* Me Swoop not hurt you River... *slight headtilt* You River sound like him Blaster....
River: *lifts her head and stares up at the young Dinobot, her eyes looking enormous in her pale face*
Keller: *reaches the girls* River can't talk, Swoop. I've never heard her say anything till that scream just now. *lowers himself to one knee and puts his arms around his daughter*
Swoop: Aww, her River needs hugs... *transforms and offers hugs, clicking quietly all the while*
River: *shaking as she leans against her adopted father, but her eyes go questioningly toward Patrick as he approaches*
Patrick: *Calling Col. Franklin and letting him know there's no danger. Then he's crouching a short distance away and clicking quietly as well* *Gently* It's alright, River... I'm an Autobot as well.
River: *short nod* //I know. I can sense your spark past the shielding.//
Patrick: *small smile* //We were originally coming out here to get Trailbreaker out of the quicksand...//
Sarah: *Quietly* Why you River run away? Us Dinobots and him Chief no hurt you....
River: //I couldn't sense what you were till you got close. I thought you were... were 'Cons.// *shakes more* //Trailbreaker shoved me out of the mud and told me to run.//
Keller: *explains to Sarah again* River can't talk.
Sarah: *sheepish look*
Patrick: Sarah tends to forget how to work her comms... *Patpats the youngster's shoulder gently*
Keller: Comms? *gently smoothing River's hair as she huddles in his arms*
Patrick: Comm-links. Built-in walkie-talkies.
Sarah: Her River talk with comms. *nodnod*
Keller: Oh... *looks back to his daughter* You must've been scared out of your mind.
River: *bites her lip and shuts her eyes for a moment, but then looks at Patrick* //The Hopesong is at the bottom of the river. Trailbreaker got out, and brought me. But I think everyone else was knocked into stasis lock by the impact.//
Patrick: We'll find a way to get the Hopesong out of the river....
Keller: *quietly* Hopesong?
Patrick: The name of their shuttle...
River: //The Protectobots and Beachcomber are aboard.//
Patrick: *surprised*
Sarah: *making with the snuggles and clicking*
Keller: ...And you're sure it's in the river? That was the meteor?
Patrick: We're going to find out, and odds are, that was the meteor.
Keller: ...Do you have the equipment to get it out of the quick sand? It's deep on the river bed. *still comforting River, though his attention is on Patrick*
Patrick: Col. Franklin brought equipment to get Trailbreaker out... and we've got five Dinobots who like to dig....
Sarah: *looks at Uncle Patrick, but continues to click and snuggle River*
Keller: Dinobots?
Grimlock: *ROAR!*
Keller: 0_0
River: *shriek!*
Sarah: *Cuddles* Him Grimlock being dummy....
Keller: *slowly, as he turns his head and gapes at a glimpse of something over the roof of his house* ...Grimlock?
Patrick: One of the first Dinobots....
Keller: ...Does River have to sign papers too before you start explaining?
Patrick: ... *Asking Col Franklin this now*
Col. Franklin: //Do you know who she is?//
Patrick: //She's one of Blaster's, according to Sarah, and I trust Sarah's opinion.//
Col. Franklin: //If she's one of your people then I don't think we need to make her sign nondisclosure forms.//
Raoul: *from the front* Grimlock! Put your alt mode back on!
Grimlock: NO!
Patrick: *To Keller* No... *And now he's sighing and pinging Raoul's comm* //Tell Greg he can't meet the lady if he doesn't... and if Simon, Sven, and Sandra are behaving, they can come around back...//
Simon: *jogging around the house a few moments later, a couple of the dogs trotting alongside curiously* We, Dinobots ignore him Grimlock till him be good.
Keller: *sits up and watches the tall dark-haired men and the little dark-haired girl come through the orchard and vineyard*
Sven: *paying no mind to Simon, is more interested in trying to pet the dogs*
Sandra: *Grumping just a bit*
Simon: *stops suddenly and looks at something on one of the vines he was passing* This looks like grape berries. 0.0
Sandra: Grape berries? *Curious now, all grump gone*
Simon: Look. See? Big pink grape berries. *points to the cluster that caught his attention*
Sandra: Oooo.....
Sven: Come back here, doggy.... *quiet clicks, wants to pet*
black and white border collie: *noses Sven's hand*
Simon: *excited* And here yellow grape berries, Sandy! Look!
Sven: *gentle and happy ear scritchies for the dog*
Sandra: Pretty!
((Written with random_xtras))
((Continued here.))