mbv, NEST HQ, Second Chances
Rachel: *in a wheelchair, supervising the setting of a protoform on a med table*
Perceptor: *working on signature dampeners for the protoform, has finished one set, and the modifications for one protoform already*
Moofy: *Snuggling Bubba and Lyra and being fussed over by Steeljaw*
Jack: *working away at fixing Moofy's now-removed speaker*
Rachel: No, don't put her hands on her chest. She's not dead. She just hasn't been born yet.
soldiers: 0.o
Perceptor: *looks up, magnifying lenses over his optics* Is there a problem?
Jack: *Soft snerk, steals a quick glance at the spark support units holding the two sparks recovered from the Stark facility*
Dr. House: No. Just... remember this is all new for us, okay? We're trying to help.
Perceptor: *small nod, returns to his work*
Rachel: *wheels over to listen to the sparks and speak to them softly, her hands resting on the clear domes of their containers*
smaller spark: *up near the dome of her spark pot, fizzes a bit. Wants out, plz*
larger spark: *slowly pulses, down near the bottom of her container*
Rachel: Are you ready yet, Perceptor?
Perceptor: I have completed the modifications for one of the protoforms... Signal dampeners for the second are complete, though the fuel processor modifications are still in progress...
Jack: *as he continues to work on the speaker* Maybe we should transfer the feisty one for now...
Rachel: *gentle chuckle and shields her hands, then opens the spark support unit* Alright. C'mere, sweet girl.
Perceptor: *brings the modifications over to the table with the protoform, and is soon explaining the function and schematics of said modifications*
Dr. House: *soaking up the info*
smaller spark: *seems almost glad to be out of the container, as it ceases in its fizzing and settles down*
Rachel: *soft clicks and croons as she holds it close and tries to get her wheelchair to turn with only one hand* [Let's get you on your feet. Ugh, this isn't working.]
Jack: *Sets the speaker down and goes to help Rachel*
Steeljaw: *keeping the drones in one spot*
Rachel: Thanks, Jack. Look at her. She just wanted out of that pot. *saddens a bit* I wonder if she'll be like Destiny.
Jack: *quietly* We won't know for sure until she's able to talk....
Rachel: Yeah. *sighs and looks toward the protoform, squinting as she tries to focus properly*
Perceptor: *fussing a bit about getting one of the settings just so, is clearly anxious about the circumstances*
spark: *makes a snuggling motion*
Dr. House: ...That isn't going to hurt the spark? Being unsupported like that?
Perceptor: *scans the spark, small headshake* While she was showing signs of trauma... *quietly* No doubt brought on by her unusual creation... She is stronger than one would expect... and Ratchet is quite adept at caring for sparks.
Rachel: *offers the spark a bit of energy from her fingertips* You'll be up and around in no time, won't you?
Jack: *chuckles quietly as the spark responds with a gentle pulse* Whoever she is... she seems to have a stubborn streak to her...
Rachel: *nod and small smile* Sharpshot had that.
Jack: *Small nod, glances over to Dr. House and Perceptor*
Perceptor: *blink blink* Oh! *resumes installing the modifications, and is soon finished*
Rachel: *as Jack gets the wheelchair over to the table that holds the protoform she pushes herself up so that she's sitting on the edge of the table, and then, using her sensors and her free hand, she gently installs the feisty spark into her new body*
protoform: *features begin to take shape and settle. After a few moments, the optics power on and the femme begins trying to move, though the motions are a bit uncertain and almost hesitant*
Rachel: *softly, her hand patting the new bot's* Easy, little one. Can you understand me?
Femme: *nods, optics focusing on Rachel's face* ...I... I remember you...
Rachel: *surprised* You do?
femme: *nod, look of concentration* You're... *trying to find the right word* Mama...
Rachel: *mouth falls open slightly as her protective instincts surge* ...Sora?
femme: *headshake* Sora... Is sleeping still... I'm... *trying to remember* I'm Desinex...
Rachel: Ahhh. *squeezes her hand* *gently* How are you feeling?
Desinex: Weird... I can hear Sora... But she's far away... *looks a bit troubled*
Rachel: We better try and fix that. *looking around and suddenly seeming a lot more like her usual self other than the squint* Perceptor, is it ready yet?
Perceptor: Yes, Ratchet. I've just finished installing the modifications... Should I inform Optimus and the Colonel of the current situation?
Rachel: Not yet. Let's make sure both girls come through the transfer safely first. *reaching for Jack's arm so that she can make her way to the table that holds the second protoform* Bring me the other spark pot?
Jack: *holds Rachel steady as Perceptor retrieves the second spark pot and brings it over to the table*
Desinex: *going to try to sit up now, kthx*
Rachel: Oh no. Desinex, just lay still for a little longer. Alright?
Desinex: *laying back down* Alright...
Rachel: Good girl. *resumes her progress to the other table* We just need a few minutes, and your sister will be in her new body too.
Fluffy: *pokes his head out of the drone pile, and then withdraws it*
Desinex: Okay. *studying what she can see at the moment*
Moofy: *snugglesiblings*
Fred: *epic yawn, and then lays his head back on Steeljaw and beeps quietly*
Rachel: *at the table, she goes to work, gently lifting the second spark from her pot*
spark: *not as active as her sister, and still showing signs of being stressed*
Rachel: *soft clicks as she puts the spark into the new spark compartment. Part of her is wondering if Sora/Sharpshot's actually survived all this*
protoform: *as with the first, the features begin taking shape and settling. The femme's optics open briefly, and she manages a soft sound, before she goes into stasis-rest*
Desinex: *turning her head to look in that direction*
Rachel: *gently closes up the femme's chest, and then puts a hand on her as she turns to look at Desinex* Can you feel your sister now?
Desinex: *nods* She's still far away... sleeping... dreaming...
Rachel: And it's Sharpshot? It's Sora?
Desinex: *nods*
Rachel: *voice shakes just slightly* You're sure?
Desinex: *Nod* I know her. She's just asleep right now...
Rachel: Thank God. And Primus.... *going to cry now, even though she doesn't want to*
Jack: *holds Rachel close, rubbing his wife's back and trying to keep from crying himself*
Perceptor: ... *Quietly excuses himself from the medbay, will go find Colonel Franklin now, kthxbai*
Desinex: *Frown* Mama is sad?
Fluffy: *clip of a woman's voice saying she's crying because she's happy*
Desinex: ... *doesn't get this... will try to sit up again now*
Lyra: *Soft deedle*
Rachel: *looks over and tries to go to the newly bodied femme* Easy, don't strain yourself. *trying to wipe the tears off, but more keep coming*
Jack: *trying to keep calm as he helps Rachel back over to Desinex* *soft snerk at the determined look on Desinex's face*
Desinex: *doing quite well at keeping her balance while sitting upright*
Rachel: *will sit on the table beside her and offer her a hug* *softly* You're a strong one. *not that she's surprised by that at all*
Desinex: *Oh, hug? Hug she can do* *quietly* I had to be... to protect her...
Rachel: I know. *hugs her and rubs her back* I'm glad we got both of you back.
Desinex: *content to cuddle, at least until she remembers something* ... *quietly* Those slaggers took our bracelets.
Rachel: *blinks, trying to remember what she's talking about* Your bracelets?
Desinex: *nodnod, slight wibble* The ones Sarah made for us...
Rachel: Ohhhhhhhh. *small laugh escapes her* Don't worry. I'm pretty sure she'll make you new ones.
Desinex: *pout, sighs and nods*
Jack: *quietly* [I'm going to go get some food and some of the energon that was recovered... Do you want me to bring anything specific back with me?]
Rachel: *reaches for her cell phone, intending to call Sarah and her brothers and let them know about Desinex* *sigh* I wish there was something chocolate mint.
Jack: *soft chuckle, gently pats Rachel's hand* I'll see what I can do.
Rachel: *small smile and she turns her hand to give his a squeeze* I love you, Jack. Thank you.
Dr. House: *over at his desk, typing away*
Jack: Love you too, Rachel... *small smile, and then he's heading out of the medbay, and whistling that silly little song he picked up somewhere*
Rachel: *still smiling as she calls Autumn's cellphone*
Autumn: *Answers mid-way through the second ring* //Autumn Thompson speaking.//
Rachel: Hi, Autumn. How are the kids? Is Greg being good?
Autumn: //Sarah and Rewind are playing, and Simon's watching them play. Greg's behaving himself, for the most part... *amused chuckle* What's up?//
Rachel: *quietly* Desinex and Sharpshot survived.
Autumn: //...Do you want me to send the kids back over?// *sounds excited*
Rachel: Ask them if they want to come see Desinex. Sharpshot's not awake yet.
Autumn: *Asking Simon, Greg, and Sarah if they want to go visit Desinex* //Simon and Sarah want to visit... Greg doesn't....// *sounds a bit surprised*
Desinex: *snuggles Rachel, small frown as she studies her own hands*
Rachel: I'd be surprised if he did. *to Desinex* *gently* What's wrong?
Desinex: *gently taps Rachel's wrist* It's different...
Rachel: What do you mean? *asks Autumn to hold on a bit*
Desinex: *gives Rachel a "Did you really just ask that?" look, before holding up her own hand* It's. Different.
Rachel: Ohhhh. That's because you're in root mode, Desinex. I'm in my alt mode.
Desinex: ... Do I have an alt mode?
Rachel: Not yet. But I can help you find one if you want.
Desinex: *thinking* *Quietly* The one we had?
Rachel: You want that one back? *sorting through files for a certain snapshot she took of Destiny/Sora making Christmas cake with Sarah*
Desinex: *quietly* Please? It's... it's familiar....
Rachel: Just let me find it. Oh! *phone back to ear* Autumn, will you send them? But remind them about med ward manners.
Autumn: //Gotcha, Rachel. Autumn out.// *hangs up*
Rachel: *goes to close her phone and then remembers* Right. I don't keep pictures in my processor anymore. *poking buttons on the phone till she finds the snapshot she wants, and then holds it so that Desinex can see the little screen*
Desinex: *Studies the picture intently, trying to figure out how to scan the image and transform*
Rachel: *softly offers a few tips*
Desinex: *there's that determination again! After a few false starts, she finally does transform, blinking and examining her hands after accomplishing this*
Rachel: Good job, sweetheart!
Destiny: *small smile, startles when someone knocks softly on the med ward door*
soldier: *opens door and looks through with a half smile*
Destiny: *Wide eyed and tense now*
Simon: Her Autumn said we can come see she Desinex. Her Mama did too.
Sarah: *trying to usher Simon in* Want to see she Desinex and Mama now...
soldier: *glances to Rachel*
Rachel: *nods to him, smiling as she clicks softly and rubs Destiny's back*
soldier: *lets them in and watches as Simon makes a straight line right for the table where his mother and Destiny are sitting*
Sarah: *hurries after Simon, with Autumn bringing up the rear*
Destiny: *Peeks at Simon and Sarah, before her expression brightens. Remembers these two!*
Rachel: Sarah, Simon, Destiny is your sister now. *slight grin*
Simon: 0.o She sister now?
Sarah: *puzzled* Thought she Destiny and she Sora were sister already...
Rachel: *hadn't realized that the young ones had formalized that in their minds* *blinks a bit, but then nods* She was. I goofed with what I said.
Sarah: *considering headtilt, small nod, moves to offer cuddles to Rachel and Destiny*
Rachel: *makes room for the sparklet between herself and Destiny, and then chuckles as Simon sits beside Destiny and hugs all of them*
Destiny: *making contented sounds, snuggles happily*
Rachel: *sighs, and doesn't realize how tired she was till Simon's shaking her slightly and calling her name*
Simon: You Destiny come to creche? She Mama need rest.
Rachel: *blinking a bit blearily*
Destiny: *glances over her shoulder at the prone form of her sister, before she's snuggling Rachel again and nodding* Mama... have a good rest...
Simon: *carefully moving Destiny and Rachel so that his creator is laying down and his sister is beside him and leaning against Sarah* There. We kids can go now. *looks at Autumn*
Autumn: *holding the door open*
Destiny: *nod nod, wonders to herself how steady she'll be*
Simon: *gently scoops Destiny up like he's seen Jack do with Rachel*
Sarah: *scoots off of the table after giving Rachel one last snuggle*
Rachel: *smiles and tells her sparklets and her protege that she loves them and then shuts her eyes with a tired sigh*
Simon: *kisses Destiny on the forehead and carries her out and back to the rec room that's become the creche*
Sarah: *following with Autumn again bringing up the rear*
Destiny: *looking around, a bit wide-eyed, especially since Rewind is now scurrying around everyone's feet, pipping excitedly*
Simon: We kids making crafts. Good tasting plaster crafts!
Destiny: *blink blink* Plaster?
Simon: *nods* It like energon cookies, only it have no energon, and it taste different.
Destiny: *puzzling over this and trying to remember if she knows what energon cookies taste like*
Simon: What wrong?
Destiny: My memories are a bit fuzzy... I don't remember what energon cookies are like...
Sarah: *going :o at this*
Simon: *horrified expression, and he looks at Autumn as they reach the big room that's been set aside as the nursery*
Autumn: *gently patpats Simon's arm* I'll see if we can send someone out for cookies.
Simon: *perks and then goes inside and gently lays Destiny on the pile of old sofa cushions in the corner before he's getting that expression that says he's going to transform*
Autumn: *Acks* Simon, wait! Remember how we're supposed to stay in alt mode unless there's a fight?
Simon: 0_0 Me Simon remember. Break house if transform.
soldier at the door: ...Break house?
Simon: *ducks his head shyly as he reaches into subspace and pulls out a little bit of cinnaSeeker*
Destiny: *startles before she catches the scent of the cinnaSeeker piece* ... *blink blink*
Simon: *glances at the soldier, but finds himself too shy to explain about breaking house, so instead he kneels by his sister and offers her the little bit of flavored energon plaster*
Destiny: *gives the soldier a wary glance, before she's reaching for the cookie bit*
soldier: *quizzical look to Autumn, and then remembers* Oh, Greg's in the gym with O'Mally.
Autumn: *Small nod* Is he behaving himself?
Sarah: *will wait until Destiny has tasted the cinnaSeeker to hug her*
soldier: *starts to reply, and then grabs his radio and goes wide-eyed* A dinosaur? You're $#@$@#$@ me, O'Mally!
Autumn: *face.Palm* Simon, Sarah, keep Destiny company while I go get Greg?
Simon: Me Simon babysit baby sisters.
Autumn: *glances to Destiny and Sarah, before nodding and asking the soldier to lead the way*
soldier: I can't do that, Miss. Just give me a minute. *talks quickly on radio*
soldier2: *comes in and looks to Autumn, her dark eyes wide* I'll bring you to the gym.
Autumn: *nod* Let's go, before Greg gets outta hand...
soldier2: *hurries out and leads her along a hall and down some steps, past a pool, and toward that sound of bellowing and thumping*
Autumn: *sighs and mutters something under her breath, before pinging Jack's phone with a message* *glances to the soldier* Is it alright if I transform?
soldier2: Go ahead.
Autumn: *Nods, transforming quickly and picking up the pace on her way to the gym*
Grimlock: *roars and thumps as the soldiers shout in what sounds like mild panic*
Bumblebee: Grimlock! You're scaring them! *stern tone, hands on hips, creche-guardian is NOT happy!*
Grimlock: *stops short* Me Grimlock playing basketball!
Bumblebee: *deep breath* *calmly* Why not play in human mode?
Grimlock: That no fun!
Bumblebee: But if you play in your natural mode, it's not fair to the humans...
Grimlock: ...Her Rachel say 'fair' is a crock.
Bumblebee: *Resisting the urge to facepalm* That may be, but we're guests here... We've got to be fair to the people who are letting us stay here.
Grimlock: But her Rachel say FAIR IS CROCK! SAY RESPONSIBILITY AND... AND... me forget rest.
Bumblebee: *makes a note to herself to have a discussion with Rachel about this later* C'mon now... At least give the soldiers a chance to score some points...
Grimlock: *doubtful head tilt* Is responsibility? Taking care of weak?
soldier behind Grimlock: *nod nod nod nod nod*
Bumblebee: *nods* And besides, more people will want to play basketball with you if you stay in human mode...
Grimlock: *epic sulk*
Bumblebee: *clicks, moving to gently patpat Grimlock's leg*
soldier: Hey... we can play with a dinosaur. You just need to be a little more careful.
Grimlock: *blinks and tilts his head to look at the man* Dinosaur can be careful?
Bumblebee: *nods, giving Grimlock an encouraging smile*
Grimlock: ME GRIMLOCK KING! But me careful.
Bumblebee: *nods in agreement, before she startles* Oh! I should probably go and make sure Destiny's not too overwhelmed... Grimlock, promise you'll continue being careful?
Grimlock: Nag nag nag. *chasing the ball around with his nose as one brave soldier goes after it*
Bumblebee: *rolls optics, turns to leave the gym so she can return to her other charges*
Simon: *laying next to Destiny and Sarah, his deep voice rumbling softly in the story of the three little pigs as he rubs Destiny's back in the gentle circular movements that make him have good naps*
Destiny: *sleepy, snuggling against Simon while being gently cuddled by Sarah*
Simon: *perks as he senses Bumblebee* You Bee tell story now and rub back?
Bumblebee: n_n Yup. *transforms back to alt mode and moves to sit down next to the snugglers, picking up where Simon left off*
Simon: *sighs and adjusts the afghan over himself and his sisters, then shuts his eyes and settles down to nap*
Autumn: *continues telling the story and gently rubbing Simon's back, lowering the volume of her voice when she notices Destiny and Sarah have fallen asleep*
Simon: *soon follows his sisters, his face peaceful with the trust of the very young*
Autumn: *keeps watch over the three, even when Jack walks past with a grocery bag filled to almost overflowing with Junior Mint packages and mint hot chocolate*
((co-written with random_xtras))