mbv, NEST HQ, Of Coneheads, Turbofox cubs, and New Beginnings

[microbots]

Wander:  *looking into the shed, which holds the folded body of the sleeping Stunticon, Motormaster*  Boy... she looks mean even when she's in stasis.

Lisa: *is also peeking into the shed* Yeah.... I mean, under any other circumstances she'd be tearing things apart with her brothers and all that but apparently she and they will listen to Nightbird when she tells them to behave and I really don't understand why they don't listen to Megatron since he did create them and all that...

Wander:  I read in some book the other day that the female of the species is always scarier.  *looks from herself to Lisa, and then turns her head to look at the soldier that's with them*  Um....

Lt. Johnson: *Snerks*

Lisa: Ooooh, you mean like how most of the guys are intimidated by Major MacKenzie, Lt. Ross, Sunshine, and all the other girl soldiers and Sky, Storm, Nightbird, Comet, Sidewinder, Rain, Emilia, Mia, Rachel, Sora, Autumn, and Alice? I mean, I can kinda understand why Major MacKenzie'd be scary, because she spars with the Seekers every morning that she's not hurt and she usually goes running out along the lake path, but she hasn't lately... I wonder if it's because of the cold or because of something else like her not wanting Tracks to worry about her or something?

Lt. Johnson: ... *gaping at Lisa now*

Wander:  ...Tracks worries?  *caught that much!  :D  *

Lisa: *nodnod* I've seen him fuss over Raoul, Beau, and Will, and I saw how he was fussing over Denver the day she was sick with something that made her shiver and shake and how he's given her a lot of courting gifts and I think they're mates now, because why else would he do all those things and why would he trust someone with his kids if she wasn't his mate?

Wander: *absently transforms*  Which guy is Tracks again?

Lisa: The one that Raoul and Beau and Will usually flock to when they're not with the creche. He's the one who causes the Aerialbots to sometimes walk into doors and stuff because his alt-mode is apparently really attractive or something but I just think he seems a bit out of sorts with the whole human alt-mode thing and apparently Denver really likes how his alt-mode looks but I think she liked it better when his alt-mode was a 1973 Shelby Cobra, then again, that was one really nice car, I wonder why Tracks changed his alt mode?

Wanda:  *looks up from examining her hands*  Maybe it's hard to kiss somebody when you're a car?

Lisa: Hmm... You know, that might be it but I'm not sure and I don't think Tracks'd appreciate it if I asked and I don't think Denver'd appreciate it either so I think maybe it's not really any of our business, but I can't help but wonder, since his old alt-mode was so nice and everything and I kinda feel silly for being so proud of the Thunderbird that Emi, Mia and I restored and were gonna take to the Nexus sometime to show off because Mia promised some guy named Jay that she'd show him the car and it's been awhile since we've gone to the Nexus so he may not even be around anymore because of the way the Nexus is...

Wanda:  *frowns and thinks about this for a moment, then tells Frank not to pee on that jeep tire and turns back to her friend*  ...I forgot what we were talking about again.

Lisa: *Small smile, gentle patpat* That's okay. I think it's almost someone else's turn to guard Motormaster anyway and then we can go in and get some lunch or something to drink from the cafeteria. ^_^

Wanda:  So we are on guard duty.  Sweet!  I remembered that.  :D    Oh yeah, did you borrow that guy's thinger so you could buy shoes for that femme?

Lisa: Yup! :D

Wanda:  :D    She got a good pair?

Lisa: Eheheheheh.... ^_^;; We... kinda went nuts buying shoes...

Wanda:  0.o  What do you mean?

Lisa: Well... Rachel saw a lot of pairs that she wasn't able to wear before and that she really liked, and she got a lot of shoes for her girls as well and Brandon's either going to laugh or be a bit peeved but I think he's going to be more amused than anything but I could be wrong but I really hope I'm right...

Wanda:  *concerned expression*  Can't you pay him back?

Lisa: Yeah, but we kinda spent a lot of money all at once and I don't know how close to the purchasing limit Brandon's card was when he gave it to us...

Wanda:  ...So that's really bad.

Lisa: Maybe? *Shrugs*

Wanda:  *frowny frown, then brightens as she sees her turbofoxes bouncing around Alex and Mia's feet*  Hi!

Mia: *chuckling and clicking to the turbofoxes*

Alex: It's our turn to guard Motormaster. You three go inside and get warmed up. *making it sound like a suggestion instead of an order, seems pretty relaxed*

Wanda:  Okay!  Frank, don't pee on him either.  Sheesh, where did you learn that?

Frank:  *doesn't pee anyway.  But he did see a coyote lifting its leg to things the other day*

Lt. Johnson: *nods, saluting, before she's heading inside to get some hot chocolate*

Lisa: C'mon! :D   *gonna grab Wanda's arm and drag the other woman inside now*

Wanda:  *meeps and is dragged!*  Bye, guys!  :D

Alex: *Chuckling and moving to lean against the door jam as Mia moves to lean against the opposite side*

Wanda:  *lands on her butt as she's trying to pull off one oversize, scarf-stuffed rubber boot*  Oof!

Lisa: *Will help with the boots* It's easier when you're sitting down. ^_^

Wanda:  I think I found that out before, but I forgot.  *mrphs as she gets turbofox kissed*  Guys!

Lisa: *Gigglefit*

Candid and Frank:  *love Wanda!  Wag wag bounce!*

Lisa: *more giggling, isn't going to be any help*

Wanda:  *soft chirping sound that has both turbofoxes stopping and cocking their heads, big ears swiveling to try and find the glitchmouse they think they hear*

Candid and Frank:  *and now they hear Nosebiter!  Run into the lobby to see the turkey*

Wanda:  Phew.  *shakes head and gets up, bare toes wiggling*

Lisa: *too amused for her own good, fails to notice Rodney sneaking up on her, startled squeak when she's scooped up by the hispanic man*

Rodney: *Laughs and snuzzles his wife*

Wanda:  *watches them*  Yeah, he's a lot easier to kiss than a car.

Lisa: *laughing now and snuggling against Rodney*

Wanda:  I'm gonna go find Pandita, kay?  *while she remembers the thought that's on her mind*

Lisa: *Absent nod, is focusing on snuggle time with her mate*

Wanda:  See ya later.  *trots into the lobby, and then goes looking for the tall flier*  //Hey, Pandita?//

Pandita: *a bit absently* //Yes, Wanda?//

Wanda:  //You busy?//

Pandita: //I'm helping plan the course of action to remove Megatron's  mirrors from around the sun... The Seekers and I are currently in the cafeteria.//

Wanda:  //Is it okay if the I and the foxes come see you?//

Pandita: //At this point, you, Candid and Frank would be quite the welcome distraction.// *Meaning: Please come to the cafeteria*

Wanda:  //Okay!  Here we come!//  Candid, Frank, find Pandita!

foxes:  *yip and dart toward the hall door*

Wanda:  *runs after them, overlarge military parka flapping*

foxes: *zip into the cafeteria.  And then Candid jumps into Pandita's lap and wags all over*

Pandita: *Chuckles and offers scritches*

Skylar: *Soft snerk*

Wanda:  *comes trotting in, looking flushed and mussed and like she walked in the mud somewhere and didn't wash her feet since then*  Hi.  :D

Skylar: *more snerk, nods in greeting and turns his attention back to the schematics that Nightbird drew up* *slight frown* Either I'm seeing this wrong... or we'll need more fliers than we have already to take this down...

Wanda:  *gets hot chocolate and absently dumps her coat on the floor, then walks over to look through the French doors at the lake as she drinks it*

Frank:  *goes with, he knows only one fox can sit on Pandita at a time*

Stormsong:  How many more fliers?  *frown*

Skylar: I'd say three or so... Three adult fliers.

Sky:  Where are we gonna find three more jets?

Wanda:  There are three standing out on the lake.  *still sipping her hot chocolate*

Skylar: ... *up in a flurry of motion and hurrying to the window to see for himself*

Wanda: *points to the two standing and one laying bots*

Skylar: *Surprised* Coneheads....

Sky:  Slag!  Dirge and his buddies are alive.

Wayne: What? No way! *going to the window to press his face against it, as is Quinn*

Rain:  ...And his buddies aren't falling on their afts.

Wayne: *Shares a quick look with Quinn, and then they're both hurrying outside and transforming... only to wipe out on the ice*

Beamrider:  ....  *slight smile*

Skylar: ... *facepalm*

Ramjet: ...*giving the two Seekers a look that clearly says "You. Are made of FAIL."*

Skylar: *Sighs* Sky, TC, let's go out and meet them... at the very least, we should find out what they want... Oh, and don't forget your ice cleats.

Sky:  *amused look for her CO as she absently buttons her shirt*  Like we've ever needed them?

TC:  *jumps over the deck railing and transforms, then waits for his trine sibs*

Skylar: No point in making ourselves look as dumb as Quickstrike and Whiplash.... Though we'd have to fail spectacularly to do so... *chuckles and heads outside before transforming*

Sky:  *follows, then takes her place at Starscream's right after she transforms*

Sidewinder:  *still in her human form as she scowls and leans against the deck railing to watch what happens out on the ice*

Thundercracker:  *taking his place on Starscream's left, his expression serious*

Dirge: *is the Conehead who is laying on the ice. Is also rambling about something nonsensical*

Ramjet: *Sights the trine and goes wide-opticed*

Thrust: *Soft 'Urk' as Starscream approaches*

Skywarp:  *is wearing her trademark smirk as she looks at the two upright Coneheads*  [You guys got here just in time.]

Ramjet: *A bit warily* [We did?]

Skywarp:  *continues to smirk the smirk that vanished after Starscream deserted*  [Yup.]

Thundercracker:  [...Wow... Dirge is really wasted.]

Thrust: *hesitantly* [When Lord Megatron.... Ordered the purge... Mistglider left.... And we were all that was left of our kind...]

Ramjet: *reaching to smack Thrust* [You know she wouldn't have left willingly... Megatron probably offed her like he offed Lady Nightbird.]

Thundercracker:  *has pulled a broom out of subspace and is poking Dirge*

Starscream: *rolls his optics* [Clearly you three are still gullible enough to believe whatever slag is passed off as truth. Thundercracker, quit poking him.]

Skywarp:  [You didn't even know you were on the list, huh?]

Thundercracker:  *stops.  But pokes Skywarp instead*

Skywarp:  *IGNORE*

Thundercracker:  *puts the broom away*

Ramjet: *Scowls* [We left when Acidstorm tried to slip something into Dirge's energon.]

Skywarp:  *not surprised.  Folds her arms across her chest*

Starscream: [How many cubes did he drink, anyways?] *moving to pick up Dirge, who whimpers something about wanting off the ride*

Thrust: [...Er.... I lost count after the fifth one...]

Starscream: *Sighs* [Let's get him to the garage... There's no way he'll fit in the other med ward....]

Skywarp:  [I'll warn Bee we're coming.]

Ramjet: [...] *moving to stick close to his trinemate, even if Starscream scares the slag out of him*

Starscream: *small nod* *Switches to English* Whiplash, Quickstrike, get your skids inside.

Whiplash and Quickstrike: *Working on that!*

Thrust: *moving to follow Ramjet, snorting a bit as Whiplash and Quickstrike wipe out again*

Skywarp:  [She's ready.]

Thundercracker:  *shakes head and decides to help Whiplash with a swift kick to the skidplate*

Whiplash: *Yelps and faceplants shortly after getting away*

Thrust: *facepalm*

Starscream: *Small nod, heads in the direction of the garage*

Ramjet: *watching this* [... They're not very good at walking on this stuff, are they?] *Sounds just a bit smug*

Skywarp:  *shrugs as she follows Starscream*  [So long as they know what they're doing in the air.]

Ramjet: *grabbing Thrust and all but dragging him after their trinemate and the Seekers*

Soundwave:  *in that empty parking spot one SUV away from the door, the steady beep of his life support sounding softly*

Thrust: o_o *With a bit of disbelief* [Slaaaag... Who got him?]

Thundercracker:  [Motormaster thought he was still taking orders from Meggy.]

Ramjet: [....ohslag. Soundwave defected?!]

Thundercracker:  [He's been protecting this base for a couple lunar cycles now.]  *heads on past the incapacitated Decepticon*  [Still calls himself a 'Con, though.]

Ramjet: *Shares a "WTF" look with Thrust before they're following  Starscream as he moves to the back of the big tent*

Mistglider:  *will come into sight as they go past that big troop truck.  Is laying curled on her side under a heated tarp as she recharges*

Thrust: [.... You've got to be kidding me...] *Carefully peeking under the tarp*

Mistglider:  *soft sound and grips it with both hands without waking*

Bumblebee:  *in common Cybertronian*  [Hey, don't bug her.]

Thrust: *moves away from Mistglider, a small ghost of a smile crossing his features*

Ramjet: *Very slight hint of hope creeping into his voice* [....If Mistglider survived... Does that mean Lady Nightbird is alive as well?]

Thundercracker:  [Sidewinder is.]  *knows that's all the answer he needs to give*

Thrust: [...] *looks like he wants to let out a victory whoop, but knows better*

Thundercracker:  *gives him a sock on the shoulder, then looks over at Bumblebee as she speaks*

Bumblebee:  Rachel says you have to take him out and make him purge in the toxic waste tank.  *despite the immobility of her face it's clear this is ewwwwww*

Starscream: *Pulling a face* Ewwww...

Ramjet: *headtilt, doesn't have the language yet* [What do we have to do?]

Thundercracker:  [Make him barf.]

Ramjet: [...Oh joy. Where do we need to take him to do that?]

Thrust: [...He's gonna be in for a rough couple of cycles...] *Kinda not feeling sorry for his trinemate, but at the same time, is*

Bumblebee:  *looks at Ramjet*  [There's a tank outside for it.]

Mistglider:  *slowly sits up then*

Dirge: *Soft sound of surprise when he sees her, and then* [uuuurrrrgh... I think I'm gonna purge...]

Ramjet: *shares a very quick look with Thrust before they're both grabbing Dirge and hurrying him outside*

Skywarp:  *laughing her butt off*

Thundercracker:  *hurrying out to make sure they know where to aim him*

Ramjet and Thrust: *Glad for the directions. They're soon supporting Dirge as the conehead retches into the toxic waste tank*

Starscream: *covering his audios, likely has them muted as well*

Bumblebee:  *sighs and asks Joe to make her another bed place*

Joe:  *carefully picks up an SUV and moves it outside, then plugs it in before glancing toward the Conehead trine and coming back inside*

Bumlbebee:  *gets a tarp and looks hopefully at Starscream and Skywarp to see if they'll spread it out for her*

Starscream: *moves to do so, clearly has his audios muted*

Mistglider:  *watching all this in curious silence.  She's surprised to see the others, having thought they were dead*

Bumblebee:  *getting other gear that she can use to drain some of the high grade from Dirge's tubing*

Dirge: *Eventually stops making retching sounds, and is brought back into the garage by his trinemates, looking very shaky and weak*

Mistglider:  *lifts her warm tarp up on the backs of her hands and peeks at the trine over it, her crimson optics wary*

Bumblebee:  *directs Ramjet and Thrust to lay Dirge on the tarp across the way from Mistglider*

Ramjet: *nods and then he and Thrust are carefully setting Dirge down on the tarp, reassuring him that he'll be alright*

Bumblebee:  [You guys all need the local language.]  *hobbling over to scan Dirge*

Skywarp:  *is a big grin behind Starscream*

Dirge: *shaky from purging his tank, still has a fair amount of high grade in his tubing*

Starscream: *Databursting Ramjet and Thrust a language pack, and keeping an optic on what Bumblebee's doing*

Bumblebee:  *offers the language pack to Dirge, though it's the English that she herself uses....*

Dirge: *Squinting a bit, accidentally rejects the file*

Bumblebee:  *patiently offers again*

Ramjet: *Trying out his name in English*

Thrust: *Frowning a bit* Dirge's still kinda loopy....

Bumblebee:  I know.  *offers again* But it'll be easier for me to do this if he knows English.

Ramjet: Lemme try. He knows Thrust and me...

Bumblebee:  I kinda think he's just too wasted to know how to upload the files, but okay.

Ramjet: *Silent for a few moments, then he's cursing under his breath* Yeah....

Bumblebee:  *sighs and shakes her head*  [Dirge, this is going to sting.]  *sets to work*

Mistglider:  *watching*

Dirge: *Soft whimper, can't get coordinated enough to try and squirm away*

Starscream: *optics wide*

Bumblebee:  [You need to hold still.]  *creaks and over balances with a soft squeal*

Joe:  *over and catches her, then helps her straighten up*

Starscream: *locks up*

Bumblebee:  *hears this and gives the Wing Commander a look of surprise*  Skywarp, catch him.

Skywarp:  *catches him.  Then shakes him*  Screamer?

Starscream: *Would be pale if he were in alt-mode*

Ramjet: ... *Raised brow ridge*

Joe:  *doesn't notice all this, he's helping Bumblebee sit down so that she can finish sticking the shunt into Dirge's fuel line and then hook a tube and pump to it*

Skywarp:  ....  *raps on Starscream's helm*

Starscream: *lights are on, but noone's home*

Skywarp:  *nods to Thundercracker, and the two of them pick their CO up and haul him outside.  Where they throw him in a snowdrift*

Ramjet: *Snerks*

Dirge: *Whimpers a bit*

Bumblebee:  *soothing clicking as she watches the energy leave his lines*  [I'm almost done.  Just lay still.]

Dirge: *Quietly* [Feel like....stomped by a gestalt...]

Bumblebee:  *pat pat*  [No, only by stupidity.]

Joe:  0.o

Ramjet: *snerks again and tries to databurst his trinemate the language pack again*

Dirge: [...The pit...?]

Mistglider:  *sneeze.  Shiver.  Lay down and cuddle under her warm tarp again, feeling the heat seep into her aching armor and joints*

Bumblebee:  [No,] Virginia.

Dirge: ... *doesn't get the joke, if there is one*

Starscream: *is that yelp outside. Seems he's rebooted*

Bumblebee:  *looks that way, one browplate quirking upward quizzically.  Then returns her attention to her patient*  [You really need those files.]

Dirge: *Quietly* Got 'em.... *slight squirm*

Bumblebee:  Good.  Now hold still.  Or I'll have to have Joe hold you still.

Joe:  *looks up from examining his own chest and frowns at Dirge*

Ramjet: Thrust and I can hold him down.

Bumblebee:  *looks up in her innocent way*  But that's not as scary as having my assistant do it.

Ramjet: *Smirk*

Dirge: *holding still, will be good. Doesn't want to be held down by anyone, plzandthnks*

Joe's chest:  *is suddenly letting out a clickstorm*

Joe:  *opens the panel and takes Oriana out*  Had enough nap?

Oriana:  Enough nap.  *nod nod click click, reach for Mama!*

Ramjet: ... *headtilt, confused. Has never seen a sparklet that wasn't a Conehead or a Seeker*

Bumblebee:  *takes her daughter and gives her a kiss, wincing slightly as little fingers accidentally poke her in a scar*  Hey, Baby.  Do you want to go back to the creche?  Maybe Aunty Autumn and Uncle Bert've got some snacks.

Oriana:  *matter of factly*  Unca Bert's got it bad for Aunty Autumn.

Bumblebee:  ....  *snerk*

Thrust: ... *raised brow* Who the slag are they?

Joe:  *looks over*  Our creche guardians.

Ramjet: ... Huh....

Oriana:  *happily clicking out the tune to the 'sitting in a tree' song*

Joe:  Oriana, that's not nice.

Oriana:  0.o

Joe:  You can't repeat everything you hear Uncle Sideswipe say.

Thrust: *Surprised sound*

Oriana:  ....  *repeats something she heard Uncle Sideswipe say*

Joe:  ...I have to talk to Seamus. *then looks over at Thrust quizzically*

Thrust: That scrapheap's still functioning?!

Joe:  Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are both part of Alpha squadron.

Ramjet: ... *looking a bit brain-broken at that*

Thrust: ... You're yanking my servo! >/

Joe:  Ask Starscream.

Oriana:  *will nom her foot now and watch the funny new guys*

Thrust: ...Errr..... *quick glance in the direction Starscream's yelp came from, shifts from pede to pede nervously*

Joe:  *then turns his head with a grin as Sean comes trotting in to fetch Oriana back to the creche*  Thanks, Sean.

Sean:  No problem, sir.  *grins, then looks up at the Coneheads as he gets Oriana onto his back*

Thrust: .... *headtilt*

Ramjet: *Doing likewise as he studies Sean*

Dirge: *decides that since he's gotta stay put, he's going to get a nap in*

Sean:  *politely greets the older fliers in Seeker*

Thrust: ... *surprised* [Who are you?]

Sean:  [I'm Sundog.  I fly at Skywarp's wing.]

Ramjet: ... *Shares a look with Thrust*

Thrust: [Okay then...] *clearly a bit uneasy with the fact that the three scariest Seekers are close by*

Sean:  [I'm also her son.  And Sunstreaker's.]  *young Seeker knows how to state himself*

Ramjet: *brain-broken expression is a go*

Sean:  *slight, cheerful grin, and then he's tipping his head back and laughing as Oriana pulls his hair*  Okay, lets go!  *and out he runs*

Joe:  We have a lot of sparklets here.  *checks on Bumblebee as she creaks*

Thrust: .... *looking even more brain-broken than Ramjet now*

Joe:  Is there a problem?

Skywarp:  *laughing her aft off outside*

Starscream: *going to throw snowballs now and try and see how Skywarp likes having snow in HER circuits!*

Thrust: ... This place... is nuts!

Joe:  *lifts a brow ridge*  Why do you say that?

Thrust: We haven't been slagged yet, either by Autobots or by the Seekers, for one thing! *was clearly expecting that*

Joe:  ...You've got a problem with that?  *sounds like he thinks Thrust is nuts*

Thrust: Slag, no.

Joe:  Then why are you complaining?

Ramjet: It's... kinda new to us... *ducking a bit*

Joe:  You'll get used to it.  *helps Bumblebee shift position, and then hands her things and takes things from her as she removes the shunt from Dirge's fuel line and patches it*

Dirge: *sleeping peacefully*

Joe:  *helps his mate spread a heated tarp over the sleeping Conehead, and then helps her over to her stool and makes sure she has her cane*

Bumblebee:  You guys should report to Ratchet or Red Alert, and get your mod packages.  ...You're staying around, right?

Ramjet: Where else can we go? *small scowl* Megs wants us dead.

Thundercracker:  *comes up behind him*  You guys need alt mode specs?

Ramjet: *Startles badly*

Thundercracker:  *gives no sign that he did that on purpose*

Thrust: *Epic scowl for you, Thundercracker!*

Stormsong:  *coming up behind her mate, scowls right back at Thrust*  Did I miss something?

Thundercracker:  *perks and turns to grin at her*  Nah, I was just offering these guys some secondary alt specs.

Ramjet: *mutter* Dirge'll need 'em too....

Bumblebee:  *from her corner between the two ailing Coneheads*  Yeah, but not for a little while.

Stormsong:  Bee can help him with that.  *slips an arm around Thundercracker's waist*

Thrust: *more scowl for a few moments, before he's sighing and nodding*

Thundercracker:  *databursts him some images of male humans*

Thrust: *Shares the images with Ramjet* So how do we use 'em?

Thundercracker:  You stuff all the extra bulk into subspace.

Ramjet: *Shares another look with Thrust, and then they're both transforming. Moments later, there are two nearly identical, scruffy-looking human males standing there*

Thundercracker:  *blinks, and then transforms himself*  Did you choose the same specs?

Stormsong:  *also transforming to her athletic brunette alt mode*

Shorter-haired man: *Scowl* So what if we did? *is Ramjet*

Thundercracker:  *chuckles*  Dorks.

Thrust: *more scowl*

Lt. Wesson:  *pulling an SUV into that empty spot there.  Just back from bringing a load of stuff to the Ark.

TC:  *heading for the SUV to say hi*

Storm:  Stand down... Theo.

Thrust: ... *confused look*

Storm:  We all use different names when we wear our human forms. I'm Storm.

Ramjet: *Silent for a few moments before he's nodding* Reggie.

Storm:  *thinks of a certain cartoon character and snerks*  You can't use the second name of Mantle.

Reggie: ... *doesn't get it*

Theo: ... *tips head towards Dirge* What about him?

Storm:  *hums a bit of a song about a man in a kilt, but then resists the urge to offer the name*  Dirk?

Theo: *considering look, nods*

Storm:  ...Dirk O'Donaldson.  *gives in to temptation after all*  And you two are both Yorks.

Reggie: Okay. *doesn't quite get the signifigance of that, but oh well*

Storm:  *nods and turns toward the door*  Come with me.  They cleared out another shed the day before yesterday when Ratchet modified Comet and Sidewinder, and it's better for you to have the mods right away.

TC:  *gives Wesson five and accompanies his wife as she passes him*

Reggie and Theo: *Following, attention going to the sky as Starscream shoots by overhead*

TC:  *looks up, and then snerks and looks over to where Skywarp's laying on her back in the driveway and kicking her heels against the frozen gravel*

Sidewinder:  *came to see what was happening, is now staring at the other Seeker femme like she thinks she's lost her mind*

Comet: *in root mode, just scooped up an armload of snow, will drop it on her wingmate!*

Sidewinder:  *starts and transforms, then turns to give Comet a Look*

Skywarp:  Don't wreck the kids' snowhouse, alright?

Comet: Alright. *Grins and takes off, chasing after Starscream*

Reggie: ... They're nuts, too.

TC:  Nah, they're just playing.  *grinning as he watches the chase*

Theo: ... She is, for courting Starscream...

TC:  *gives him a funny look*  She's not courting Starscream.  He's spark bonded.

Theo: ... o_o

TC:  Yeah.  I know.  But he is.  She's a ground unit, too.

Reggie: *now it's his turn to boggle*

TC:  But she can really cook.  *grin*

Reggie: ..... Cook?

TC:  She can do really wicked things with energon and calcien.

Theo: .... Huh. *intrigued*

Storm:  You can find out more about that once Red Alert's done working on you.

Reggie and Theo: *Share a slightly worried look*

TC:  It doesn't hurt... much.

Later that afternoon

Wanda:  *sitting by Pandita and listening to the planning.  Keeps glancing at the two new guys*

Candid:  *is looking at Theo.  Look, look, look.*

Theo: *learning first hand what a double bacon cheeseburger with a fried egg and avacado slices tastes like*

Reggie: *listening to the discussion and eating a slice of energon loaf*

Javan: *Pleased expression from the kitchen doorway as he sees how quickly Theo is making the burger vanish* *Mighty Hunter indeed*

Irene:  *walks up behind Javan, grabs his pants, and yanks downward*

Javan: *Startled yelp, tries to keep everyone from seeing his heart boxers*

Wayne: *Being a brat, wolf whistles*

Rain:  *kicks him under the table*

Quinn: *Snickers*

Rain: *gets him too*

Quinn: *Yelps!*

Skylar: *ignoring this, is pointing out aspects of the mirror design to Reggie and Theo*

Wanda:  *suddenly*  So they're concave?

Pandita: It would appear so....

Wanda:  So that means they're pretty strong.  A direct hit might not do much unless it's really hard.... or right at the apex of the back of the curve.

Skylar: Which is why I think we need to aim for the framework between them... And the stabilizers that keep them in place.

Wanda:  But if you hit the apex they'll shatter.

Skylar: If we take out some of the stabilizers, they'll fall into the sun.

Wanda:  Won't that cause sunspots or something?

Scott:  *leans forward and looks quizzically around Heatseeker*

Felicity: *patpats Scott's shoulder and offers him a cookie*

Skylar: It'll release a lot of heat and energy for certain, which is kinda what we're after....

Scott:  *softly*  She said Sunspot....

Warren:  *soft snore from where he's sitting on the other side of Felicity with his chin on his chest*

Ben:  *kick*

Warren:  *snore*

Ben:  *kick*

Warren:  *snore*

Felicity: *just as softly* She meant the thing you're named after.

Scott:  Oh.

Wanda:  Oh.  Okay.

Pandita: *Frowning as he studies the schematics again*

Wanda:  *distracted by watching his face.  Thinks of Lisa and Rodney.  Daydreams*

Sidewinder:  *scowling intently as she pretends to consider what's been said but really watches Pandita*

Reggie: *in between bites* So how're we gonna trash it?

Skylar: *Dirty rotten chuckle* We blow it up.

Ben:  *kicks Comet instead of Warren*

Comet: *Acks and kicks back*

Ben:  *nearly stands, but then gives her a Look*

Comet: *gives him one right back*

Sky:  Settle down, you two.  *isn't even looking at them*

Quinn: So we get to play with explosives?

Warren:  Explosives?  *blinks awake*

Skylar: *Nods* Ones that'll take out most of the structure of the mirror ring.... Hard part's gonna be getting them onto the rig without getting attacked...

Sidewinder:  Could we not use missiles?

Skylar: If they were normal, flat mirrors, I'd say yes... but like Wanda said, they're concave.... and who knows what ol' Megsy used to make the framework?

Sidewinder:  *looks to her wingleader*

Nightbird: *Names the alloy in between sips of green tea*

Skylar: *sharing a wicked grin with Pandita and then looking around to all the fliers* We're gonna need flame throwers... >3

Wanda:  *blinks*  Flame in vacuum?

Skylar: *headshake* Not flame throwers... What're the one things that Jack uses again?

Pandita: Blowtorches.

Skylar: Yeah. Those things. That alloy basically becomes like glass when it's exposed to the two gases that make up hand held blowtorches... which means we could use missiles after all. *cackles*

Susana: ... It'd only take one solid hit....

Wanda:  Ohhhhh.  *picks up her pickle filled burger and has a bite, then chews thoughtfully*

Frank:  *licks Skylar's foot*

Skylar: *Acks* Hey!

Quinn: Where're we gonna get enough blowtorches to make the whole thing brittle enough?

Skylar: *Thoughtful expression* Well, there is an arms and materials dealer I know of in the Nexus.... For the right price, she'll do business...

Sky:  ...Blackout?

Skylar: *nods*

Pandita: *Just went a bit pale*

Wanda:  *takes a hand off her burger and puts it on his*

Sidewinder:  *gives her a commanding death glare*

Skylar: *Sees his friend go pale* Quinn, Wayne, you two are going to see if Blackout has *names his best estimate of the number of blowtorches needed*. *Slightly mischeivious glimmer in his eyes* And if she does, and sells them to you, be sure to thank her.

Quinn and Wayne: Yessir...

Skylar: Here. *gives Wayne a PINpoint* Better get going.

Sky:  *looking sideways at her trine brother*

Skylar: *the picture of innocence as he tells Wayne how to use the PINpoint*

Sky:  *kicks Skylar under the table*

Skylar: *very slight wince*

Storm:  Are we done here in the meantime?

Skylar: *nods*

Sky:  You're all dismissed.

Wanda:  *goes to break up a turbofox spat in the hall*

Sidewinder:  *goes after her*

Wanda:  *yelps from the hall, and then there's a thud as her head hits the wall*

Sky:  The slag??

Pandita: *On his feet and hurrying out to the hall* Wanda?

Nightbird: *hurrying out to the hall without a sound*

Sidewinder:  *has the smaller femme by the throat and is holding her against the wall as she hisses threats at her*

Pandita: *Does a dumb by trying to separate the two women*

Sidewinder:  Please, Pandita.  This is femme business.

Wander:  Urk.... >_o

Nightbird: *Calmly* Let her go, Sidewinder.

Sidewinder:  I need to make her understand something.

Nightbird: That wasn't a request, Sidewinder. *eyes narrowing just a hair*

Sidewinder:  *drops Wanda*

Wanda:  *thud*

Pandita: *moving to fuss over Wanda*

Sidewinder:  *frowns at that fussing*

Nightbird: *quietly, over private comms* //He has been courting her since shortly after her arrival, according to what Ratchet has said.//

Sidewinder:  //But if there is a better femme available....//

Nightbird: *very slight tip of her head towards Wanda* //She is the Messenger.//

Sidewinder:  *puzzled frown*  //The Messenger is an old legend.//

Nightbird: //And sometimes legends are more than stories.//

Sidewinder:  //She is still weak and stupid.//  *Seeker pride standing out very much*

Nightbird: //Do not judge a person based soley on a few observations of their behavior, Sidewinder.//

Sidewinder:  //It has always been our way that the strong pushed aside the weak.  Pandita is the male who seems most compatible to me.//

Nightbird: //He is not a warrior. He is a scholar.//

Sidewinder:  //But he is able to process, and he is the Air Commander's brother.//

Nightbird: //Leave him in peace.//

Sidewinder:  *stands to attention* //Yes, Lady.//

Pandita: *Is quite concerned and putting up an epic fuss over Wanda*

Wanda:  *bit dizzy, but tries to get his hand and squeeze it*  I'm okay.  She only hit my head.

Pandita: *Will carefully scoop Wanda up as he pings Rachel's comm* Let's get you to Rachel, to make sure you're not seriously injured.

Wanda:  Uhh, okay.  *rubs the back of her head*

Nightbird: *reaching to grab some of Sidewinder's sleeve, indicating that the taller femme needs to let Pandita and Wanda pass*

Sidewinder:  *steps aside, her gaze going through the door into the cafeteria as she frowns and calculates*

Mirage: *coming to get some snacks for the creche, looks a bit rumpled, as Destiny tackleglomped him not even an astrosecond after he had entered the gymnasium*

Wanda:  *gives Mirage a little wave in passing*

Mirage: *small nod, beeline for the kitchen*

Pandita: *Brings Wanda to the med ward as quickly as he can without jostling her*

Rachel:  *looks up from reading a tweens adventure novel and stands from where she'd been leaning her elbows on one of the examining tables*  Put her here.

Pandita: *nods and moves to do so*

Rachel:  So what happened?  *taking her scanner off where it was hanging in a holster at her hip*

Pandita: I'm not quite sure.... Though I suspect Miss Sidewinder had something to do with it...

Wanda:  I must've kicked her under the table or something.  She picked me up by the neck and hit me against the wall.

Rachel:  *wonders where the turbofoxes were for this, but just frowns and scans Wanda's head.  Then blinks, looks closely at the scanner, and scans again*

Pandita: *Concern growing now* Rachel?

Rachel:  *surprised voice*  ...I know why it's so hard for Wanda to remember things.

Wanda:  ...There's a reason?

Pandita: ... *raised brow, inviting Rachel to continue*

Rachel:  It's because there are blocks set in her processor.

Pandita: ... *Surprised look*

Rachel:  It looks like someone was trying to protect information.  *shows Wanda the readings*

Wanda:  Uh....  You better show Pandita.  That doesn't mean much to me.

Rachel:  *tilts the little screen so that he can see*

Pandita: *slight headtilt that he does when he's reading*

Rachel:  *soberly*  And they've been there too long to be removed without messing up her personality matrix.

Pandita: *Sharp curse in a long-dead language*

Rachel:  *lips thin slightly*  Yeah.

Pandita: *lips thin*

Rachel:  But I can tell something from her processor even with the blocks there.

Pandita: *blink*

Rachel:  *quietly*  She was created before the Quintessons came to Cybertron.

Pandita: .... [If Starscream makes ONE joke about her being a cradle robber, best friend or not, I'm slugging him.]

Wanda:  *perk*  [Cradle robber?]

Rachel:  *pauses in nodding to Pandita and bites her lip to hold in her grin*

Pandita: [You're an earlier model than I am, Wander.]

Wanda:  [Okay.  But.... Cradle robber means somebody who bonds with someone younger than they are.]  *eyebrows lifting*

Pandita: [It also means someone who dates someone younger than they are.]

Wanda:  [Are we dating?]  *hopeful tone*

Pandita: *Faint blush as he nods*

Wanda:  *sits right up, throws her arms around him, and kisses him but good*

Rachel:  *snerrrrk.  Hand over mouth*

Pandita: *surprised, but will put his arms around Wanda's waist*

Wanda:  *breaks kiss*  Owow... dizzy.  >_o

Rachel:  *edge of hand in mouth to keep from laughing as she stands behind Pandita*

Pandita: *has the doofiest grin EVAR on his face*

Wanda:  *sighs and lays her head on his shoulder, her arms still around his neck*  ...Kinda nice dizzy, though.

Pandita: *nuzzles* Yeah... *still has the doofy grin on*

Wanda:  'N you smell good.  *happy little femme is purring*

Rachel:  *notes to herself that there are three purrers in the ranks, and not two*

Pandita: *Happy sounds as he cuddles*

Rachel:  Anyway.  I don't see any damage, so you guys can go cuddle somewhere else, okay?

Wanda:  *not paying attention in the least*  'Kay.  *happy inhale of Pandita's aftershave*

Pandita: *Absent "Mkay" as he gently picks Wanda up again*

Rachel:  And guys?  *pokes Pandita*

Pandita: *suprised, blink blink* ?

Rachel:  Maybe wait till after we deal with the mirrors before you bond?

Pandita: .... Ooooh, right.... *sheepish grin*

Rachel:  *lifts an eyebrow and shakes her head at him slightly*

Pandita: *Quick glance around the med ward, counting heads, and then he's grinning*

Rachel:  *snerk*  Yes, I'll witness.

Col. Pax:  *sits up with interest over in the far bed*

Denver: *raised brow, looks to Tracks for explanation*

Tracks:  Romeo's all on fire to marry his Juliet before she gets to think twice.  *smirk*

Denver: ...Ooooh.... *chuckles as Dion squeaks quietly*

Tracks:  *slips out of bed and then turns and moves to lift Denver and Dion into his arms*

Rachel:  Though....  *lets Skylar know what's going on over open coms*

Skylar: *Does make a joke about Wander being a cradle robber, but gives his blessing*

Pandita: ... *private comm to Samuel and Seamus, giving them permission to harrass Skylar*

Rachel:  //What?  You don't want to be a witness at your best friend's wedding?//

Skylar: //I'm already gonna be his best man...//

Pandita: //Keep pushing your luck, Skylar.//

Rachel:  //Dork.//  Okay, Pandita.  I'll witness.

Col. Pax:  *slipping off his bed and coming over a wee bit unsteadily*  As will I.

Tracks:  Oh he only needs three.  *sniff as he brings Denver and Dion over*

Dion: *Squeaksqueaksqueak!* n_n

Tracks:  *chuckles and clicks to his baby brother, then looks at Pandita and nods his head*  What are we waiting for?

Rachel:  *gives Tracks a mild Look*

Pandita: *soft chuckle, before he's turning his attention to Wanda* You're mine.

Wanda:  *hides her face for a moment so no one can see how hard she's blushing, but then looks up*  And you're mine.  *massive grin*

Rachel:  I've witnessed their bond.  *looks at the guys on the other side of the table*

Denver: 'N Ah do, too.

Dion: *squeaksqueaksqueaksqueak!*

Pandita: *big grin, snuzzles Wanda's head gently*

Col. Pax:  *gravely*  I think three witnesses have already spoken up.

Tracks:  Yes, but the silly rules say that the witnesses have to be of age.  So I second Dion's witness.

Col. Pax:  *smiling*  As do I.  Three witnesses have agreed to your claim.  You are a mated pair.

Wanda:  *small squee*

Pandita: *more grin, snuzzles and loves upon his wordmate*

Rachel:  Alright now, you lovebirds.  Get out.

Tracks:  *checked on Magnus as he was leaving the bed, now gives Rachel an impish grin*  If you insist.  *and out he goes!*

Rachel:  *face palm as Col. Pax laughs*

Denver: *is that laugh that just came from outside the med ward*

Wanda:  0.o  What just happened?

Pandita: *chuckling* Tracks was being himself...

Wanda:  Oh.  Oh.  That's the guy who stopped being a car.  Okay.  *grins up at her word mate, her dark eyes twinkling*

Rachel:  *helping Col. Pax over to the rocking chair*

Pandita: *more snuzzles, moves to carry Wanda out of the med ward now*

Wanda:  *purrs and cuddles, peeking at the gleefully squeaking Dion as they pass Tracks and Denver*

Denver: *clicking to the blanket-wrapped sparklet and snuggling against Tracks*

Wanda:  *gives the human woman a little smile, and then turns her attention back to Pandita* *Softly* So now what?

Pandita: *just as softly* We'd probably better get back to planning our course of attack against the mirrors... *clearly would rather spend time cuddling*

Wanda:  But buddy there said we were dismissed.  Won't your brother call us back when he needs us? *Wistful look.  Doesn't want to be around the other guys right now*

Pandita: ...True... *will carry Wanda to that classroom that he noticed an armchair in, since he's sure it will be empty*

Wanda:  *looks around the plain room with its tables and chairs and blackboard.  Then notices that beat-up old chair and grins*

Pandita: *moves to settle in the armchair, snuzzles!*

Wanda:  *is going to try that kissing deal again.  And purr*

Pandita: *making happy noises, even as his processor begins to spin again*

Wanda:  *small meep at the dizzy.  Clings to him and once more hides her face against his shirt*

Jack: *sneaking in while everyone else is busy, was going to grab some chalk to snack on, freezes when he sees that he's not alone in the room* *Acks and scoots right back out*

Wanda:  *face still hidden* ....  What was that?

Pandita: ... No clue... *snuggles*

Wanda:  *sigh*  This is nice.

Pandita: *Contented sound of agreement*

Wanda:  Hey... you sound good too.  *eyes closed as she concentrates on how he sounds, feels, and smells*

Pandita: *faint blush, snuggles*

Wanda:  But something's wrong.  *purr stops*

Pandita: Hm? *curious*

Wanda:  Where's Candid and Frank?

Pandita: *moving to get up* Let's go find them.

Wanda:  Here, lemme walk.

Pandita: Alright... *Gently setting her on her feet*

Wanda:  *gets his hand and turns toward the door, a frown on her face*

Melissa:  *over the general frequency*  //Skylar?  There are foxes in your suitcase.//

Wander:  *mouth falls open*  Oh no way!

Skylar: //...wait, what?//

Pandita: ...

Wander:  The cubs!  *sets out running*

Pandita: *Acks and hurries after her*

Melissa:  //Candid and three little foxes are in your suitcase on your undershorts.//

Skylar: *excuses himself from the other Seekers* //I'll be there soon. They won't hurt you, Melissa.//

Wanda:  //They're babies!  Three!  WOW!//  *hits the doorframe on the way into the suite and knocks herself flat of her back*

Pandita: *Scoops her up again, and moves to bring her over*

Skylar: *is there a few moments later*

Melissa:  *standing near the big suitcase where it's laying on the floor partially packed.  Her eyes are enormous from the crash, and as soon as she sees her husband she hides on him*

Candid:  *looking pleased with herself as she watches the little ones cuddle and sleep*

Skylar: *Arms around Melissa, soothing clicks*

Pandita: *setting Wanda on her feet again and crouching, clicking quietly to Candid*

Candid:  *perks her big ears at Pandita and makes a little sound, then noses the cubs to where he can see them better*

cubs:  *lifting their heads sleepily and making little yowling sounds as they blink*

Pandita: *d'awww-ing softly and clicking to the cubs*

little black cub:  *tries to stand up and go to him, but is too wobbly yet.  Yowls and peeps and looks at him with big blue optics*

golden cubs:  *watching the black one*

Wander:  A black one.  Ohhh cool!

Melissa:  *peeking*

Skylar: *quiet rumblings of approval*

Pandita: *more clicks, offers gentle ear scritches*

black cub:  *tilts his head and peeps, then yawns hugely and puts his head down again.  Shutters optics*

Candid:  *soft, encouraging yip for her babies*

Pandita: *will give very gentle scritches* ^_^

Wanda:  This is so cool.  *smiling and leaning against her mate*

Pandita: *Nodnod, feels like a sparklet in a goodie store* ^.^

Wanda:  Uh... but they can't stay in this.

Pandita: I think I can pack everything I have here into one suitcase... They can use my other one as their bed...

Wanda:  Yeah, I don't think she'll want to have them up on my... our bed.  They might fall off.

cubs:  *asleep now, curled together*

Pandita: *headshake* That wouldn't be safe for them at all... Stay here... I'll go get my spare suitcase and some towels for them to use as a nest... *getting up and heading for the door*

Wanda:  *clicking gently to the babies*

Raoul:  Heya!  *grins at him in passing*

Pandita: *nods to Raoul, massive grin on his face*

Will: *peeking at Pandita from behind Raoul* ?

Raoul:  *pauses when he notices that grin*  Hey, what's up?

Pandita: Candid and Frank have a litter of turbofox cubs! :D

Will: *headtilt* More babies?

Raoul:  *stops short, his hand over Goldie*  Puppies?

Pandita: *nodnod, grins and ducks into his room to get his spare suitcase and some soft towels*

Raoul:  *looks at the suitcase and frowns*  Nah, man, that's not a good bed.  Here, Will, hold Goldie.  I'll be right back.

Will: *Carefully holds his hands out to hold the gerbil*

Raoul:  *makes sure the tiny pet is safe, then loops the other end of her leash around Will's thumb before turning and racing away*

Will: *Sits down carefully and sets Goldie on the hem of his t-shirt, clicking all the while*

Goldie:  *will beetle about on the shirt hammock, holding her tail up, and then sit up with her little front paws posed as her whiskers twitch*

Will: *makes kissie sounds and clicks to Goldie* ^_^

Goldie:  *stands up and looks at him, then explores some more.  Is very happy with world-size masters*

Raoul:  *back with a big cardboard box from the cafeteria and an old sheet*

Will: *clicking and squeaking at Goldie*

Pandita: Ah, that will be much better... ^_^

Raoul:  Yeaaaah.  You can cut a door in the side so the mom can get in and out without accidentally jumpin' on any of the babies.

Pandita: *nods*

Raoul:  *gives him the stuff*  Can Will 'n Beau 'n I come see them in a couple days?  How's a mother turbofox make babies, anyway?

Pandita: *Nods* I believe it would be alright... You know... I'm not quite sure...

Will: *Clicks and chirrups*

Raoul:  Huh.  *looks down at little brother*  Well, we gotta get back to the creche, we were just grabbin' my mp3 player.

Pandita: *nods, chuckling a bit* Thank you for your help, Raoul.

Will: *nodnod, carefully lifts Goldie up before he stands*

Raoul:  You wanna carry her?

Will: *smiles a bit and moves to set the gerbil on his shoulder the way he's seen Raoul do*

Goldie:  *kissies fingers and then tugs on her leash to see how much she's got to scoot around on*

Raoul:  *chuckles and herds brother and gerbil away*

Pandita: *Brings box, blanket, and towels back to Skylar and Melissa's suite*

Melissa:  *holding the black cub as Frank supervises carefully*

Candid:  *also watching the holding of her baby*

Pandita: *Clicks and sets the box on the floor, before arranging the sheet and towels so there's a nice, soft nest*

Wanda:  Oh that's great.  *grins and picks Candid up to move her to the box.  Will get the cubs next*

Candid:  *soft sounds of protest*

Pandita: *Soothing clicks, moves to cut a door in the side of the box for Candid and Frank*

Wanda:  *moves the golden cubs, and Candid settles down, her ears perked as she watches the door making.*

Candid: *Small, curious yip*

Pandita: This is so you can get in and out of the box without having to jump. ^_^

Candid:  *churrs, and then nuzzles her golden ones*

Frank:  *gently trying to take the black one from Melissa*

Melissa:  Oh....  :(

Skylar: *Clicks and gently rubs Melissa's back*

Wanda:  When they're little they need to rest a lot, and Candid and Frank want to protect them.  Don't worry, you can play with him more later on.

Melissa:  Alright.  *wistful expression.  She wants that baby*

Frank:  *tucking the last cub into the nest box and then sitting and looking pleased*

Pandita: ^_^

Skylar: *offering cuddles to Melissa*

Melissa:  *likes cuddles, cuddles back with a sigh*

Wanda:  Pandita, am I moving to your room?

Pandita: If you'd like, Wanda.

Wanda:  Uh... do you want to move to mine instead?

Pandita: Well.... which suite has more room? *is trying to mentally compare spaces*

Wanda:  Yours is the smaller room attached to this one.  I have both halves of my suite.

Pandita: .... *blink blink blink* Oh yeah....

Skylar: *Resisting the urge to facepalm*

Melissa:  *peeking over Skylar's arm at their usually intelligent and focused friend*  0.o

Wanda:  ...Are you feeling alright?  *frowning at her word mate*

Pandita: Yeah... *Sheepish grin*

Skylar: *Mutters* [Dork.]

Wanda:  You sure?

Pandita: *nods* Yeah...

Wanda:  Okay.  *moves to try and pick up that big box and its occupants*

Frank:  *Yip!*

Pandita: *Soothing clicks, moves to help Wanda with the box*

Candid:  *calm as the box is moved.  Even goes to sleep*

Pandita: ^_^

Wanda:  *steers Pandita and the box, tries not to step on Frank*  Oh hey, those guys are back.  They just announced it over the open line.

Skylar: *Snickering as he hears Quinn and Wayne gripe about getting grabbed and tasted by a mammoth*

Wanda:  0.o  What's a mammoth?

Frank: *jumps up on the spare bed once they reach Wanda's room.  Wants the nest here, plz*

Pandita: A large, furry mammal that is related to the elephant.

Wanda:  Okay.  ...What's an elephant?

Pandita: *Databursts her a picture of an elephant from one of his books*

Wanda:  ...Whoa.  That's even weirder than that thing I saw in that one place.

Pandita: *Clicks to Frank as he moves to set the box down*

Frank:  *happily looks over the side of the box and churrs to his mate, who sleeps*

Pandita: *Sneaking a quick picture, because it's just that cute*

Wanda:  *grinning*  Frank's such a good dad.  Should we go back to the meeting now?

Pandita: Sure... ^_^

Wanda:  Okay.  *happy grin as she reaches for his hand after making sure that the pet dish is full of plain energon*

Pandita: *Gives her hand a gentle squeeze and moves to lead her out the door*

Rainbird:  *one of several who are laughing their afts off as the couple arrive in the cafeteria*

Quinn: *trying not to laugh, lest he earn more of his twin's ire*

Sidewinder:  *just frowning and wondering aloud why they didn't simply kill the beast*

Samuel: *Giving her an incredulous look* And frag off Blackout?

Sidewinder:  Are you cowards or Decep... Autobots?

Pandita: *as he moves to sit down* Blackout is protective of what is hers, and Sparky is most definitely hers.

Seamus: Like Pandy said... Plus, Nemesis'd prolly scrap anyone who tried... *sagely nod*

Sidewinder:  Cowards.  *frowns*

Wanda:  You don't just kill somebody's pet for bein' curious.  *sits on mate*

Pandita: *nods in agreement with Wanda* Plus, there's the Anti-Violence Field in the Nexus... They wouldn't have been able to if they had tried.

Wanda:  *looks at Wayne*  So a big elephant nommed your head?

Wayne: *Sulks and nods*

Wanda:  You know it could mean she likes you.

Seamus: Who? Blackout?

Wanda:  No.  The elephant.

Seamus: ... *raised brow as he finally sees where Wanda is sitting* Er.... I don't think so....

Wanda:  My pets taste people they like.

Sidewinder:  *just nearly launched out of her chair with surprise after being on the receiving end of Rain's favorite chastisement*

Nightbird: *Raised brow at Rain*

Rain:  *head tilt, and then looks at Sky and Storm to see if she was out of line*

Sky and Storm:  *still sniggering about Wayne the mammoth goodie*

Nightbird: *isn't scolding, was just curious as to what Rain did*

Rain:  *boots her sister by way of explanation*

Storm:  Ack!  *swat!*

Quinn: Anyways.... We talked to this guy named Requiem... He said he could get the chemicals and put 'em into warheads for us...

Wayne: *Mutter* But it'll take about five days....

Rain: You know, that might be okay. It's going to take a few days for Dirk and Misty to recover fully.

Sky:  How many did you order?

Wayne: *gives Sky a Look* We got as many blowtorches as the Air Commander told us to get.

Sky:  *kicks him under the table*  And how many is that?  *doesn't trust his memory when put into a big shiny bar*

Wayne: *yelps*

Quinn: About five or so for each of us, including the newbs.

Theo: *Scowls at Quinn*

Sky:  Wow.  *looks at Skylar*  He remembered.

Skylar: *Surprised expression*

Seamus:  *to Samuel*  Did we bet on that?

Samuel: ... nope.

Seamus:  Aw nuts.

Wayne: *kicks Seamus*

Seamus:  *yelp*

Sky:  *gives both Wayne and Seamus a Look*

Wayne: *And now he's back to sulking*

Skylar: Okay. So in six days, we move to strike. That will give Dirk and Misty time to recover, and an extra day to get everything we need in one spot to save time. Sound good?

Sky and TC:  *nodding, though TC had been distracted by the Seeklet he brought to the meeting*

Firebreak:  *is the other Seeklet at the meeting.  Sitting in a big people chair.  Pats table*  Yup!

Sky:  So, have you made up your mind about Sean?

Skylar: To be honest... I'd prefer he stay with the creche.... But we need every capable flier we have, and since I know he'll stick close to you if he chooses to accompany us, he's welcome to do so.

Sky:  *nods and looks to Samuel to see what he has to say*

Samuel: *soooo not pleased, but knows there's no point in trying to argue about it*

Sky:  I'll leave it up to him, then.

Wanda:  *quietly to Pandita*  Are you goin'?

Pandita: *small nod* Someone has to make sure Skylar gets back to Melissa in one piece... Plus, I can carry more than they can...

Wanda:  *leans against him*  Be careful, alright?  I kinda wish I could fly.  But I can't even chart a straight course on foot.

Pandita: *Snuzzle* If I have my say, I'll just be carrying stuff...

Wanda:  You're good at that.  *bit of a smile*

Sky:  *watching them with a slight smirk and glancing from them to Skylar*

Skylar: *Quiet chuckle, nods a bit*

Sky:  *clears throat*  We have anything else to go over, Screamer?

Skylar: *gives her a Look for the nickname* No... Unless someone else has something to bring up?

Sky:  *looks at Nightbird.  She's pretty sure the Squad members that she knows are alright*

Nightbird: *headshake. Has nothing more to say on the matter, though she is curious about what Theo was eating earlier, if her glances in his direction are anything to go by*

Irene:  *is that announcement from the kitchen*  They're done.  We gonna feed 'em now?

TC:  *what's this?  Turns to look toward the kitchen with interest*

Javan: *Doing the "Fix the wedgie" dance*

Nightbird: ... *raised brows as she watches this*

Quinn: *pointing and laughing*

TC:  What the....  *facepalm and snerk*

Sky:  Oh boy.

Rain:  *cacklefit*

Seamus and Samuel: *on the floor, holding their sides as they laugh hysterically*

Wanda:  ...I missed the joke again.

Sidewinder:  *did too*

Pandita: Irene got the better of Javan.

Storm:  Again.  *sympathetic sobriety*

Wanda:  And that's funny?

Pandita: *nods* You should have seen the time Javan woke up wearing a deconstructed sandwich.

Wanda:  ...A what?  0_o

Pandita: *tells about how Javan woke up with bread on his face*

Wanda:  *and now she's laughing too*

Sky:  *shakes her head and gets up to go help Javan and Irene serve what they've got going in there, which whatever it is smells good*

Storm:  *goes with*

Nightbird: ... *more raised brow*

Rain:  *looks at the former Warlady*  People serve here without losing face.

Nightbird: *Seems mystified by this new revelation*

Rain:  It's even considered a sign of strength.  A person who serves others is someone others want to have for a friend.  ....  *kicks Seamus*

Seamus: Owww

Tracks:  *pauses in the doorway.  Brought Denver and Dion a little early so as to get the best possible seat.  AKA the one far away from Samuel and Seamus*

Dion: *squeaking with wonder, more new place, Oooooooo!!!*

Tracks:  *smiles at bitty brother, and then puts a hand on Denver's back and leads her over to a nice table away from the windows*

Skylar: *Bebeh radar is tingling! Looks to Tracks* ... *Raised brow*

Rain:  *hears that squeaking, and also hears the two little femmes at their table start a clickstorm.  Turns her head to look*

Skylar: *up out of chair and moving to see the bebeh!*

Denver: *Attention going to Skylar*

Dion: *Ups his squeaking, new person!*

Tracks:  *steps between Denver and Skylar, his expression dangerous*  Dion's not up to visitors right now, Skylar.

Skylar: *Stops short, very slight pout* Alright... *heads back the way he came*

Denver: ... o_O;; Jes' wh't w's th't all 'bout?

Tracks:  *blue eyes icy as he turns back to her*  Haven't you noticed Skylar's habit of making off with any sparklet that's not held down, and several that are?

Denver: ... *frown*

Dion: *click!*

Skylar: *back at the Seeker table.  Is cuddling Firebreak and being a sucker for the cute*

Denver: ... Aneh kid 'e 'n Missy 'ave 's gonna 'ave 'im wrapped 'round theah li'l fingah.

Tracks:  *smirks*  The others already do.  Do you want to sit in this chair?  That will leave me between you and the aisle.

Denver: *nods and moves to sit in the indicated chair, clicking to Dion all the while*

Tracks:  *slow smile*  They're serving your burgers, darling.  Except I think they're using beef instead of that meat you like.

Denver: *chuckles* Th't's alrahght... *meaning, she'll eat it anyways* Ah wondah wh't they've got th't y'u 'n Dion'd lahk?

Tracks:  *concerned look*  Dion's probably not strong enough for any more than his mild energon and a little calcien cake.

Denver: Well, 'f they've got th' burgahs... means J'van's doin' th' cookin'...

Sky:  *sets down a plate of pasgetti and a hunk of blitzbread*

Tracks:  *distracted*

Denver: *Raised brow, tips her head toward the pasgetti*

Dion: *Curious squeak*

Tracks:  *slight grin*  You can't tell me Javan made this.  This is Swindle's secret recipe.

Denver: *Chuckles*

Dion: *more squeak! Whatever that stuff is, it smells nice!*

Sky:  *cheerful shrug*  Javan heated it up.  What do you want on your burger, Denver?  *eyes going to the little bundle in her friend's arms*

Denver: Bacon 'n 'n egg, please.

Sky:  There's double smoked dinoham.

Denver: ... 'N s'me'a th't.

Sky:  Along with the bacon?  Any cheese?

Denver: Wh't kahnd'a cheese?

Sky:  Jalapeno jack, swiss, and Asiago Pressato.

Denver: Swiss. *clicks to Dion as the sparklet continues to squeak*

Sky:  Want me to bring something for him too?

Denver: *nods* Mahld energon 'n a li'l calcien cake.

Tracks:  *offers Sky the sparklet's bottle, smirking*

Sky:  *gives him a mild Look for being unhelpful, but takes the bottle and grins at Denver before turning back to the kitchen*

Denver: *notices Pandita and Wanda sneaking out* Wondah wh're those two're goin'?

Tracks:  *sniff*  They've been married for three hours.  Where do you think they're going, darling?  To look at those new turbofoxes and be total nerds.

Denver: *Snerks and clicks to Dion*

Dion: *happy squeak!*

Tracks:  *settles back in his chair to watch them interact as he waits for their lunch to arrive*

((Co-written with random_xtras))