mbv, The Ark, Miracle of Miracles part 1
Wesson: *busy helping Jack organize the storeroom that now belongs to the engineer in the new Ark base. Nearby, silent but determined, Hound's shell is helping too*
Jack: *acks as some of the empty boxes he was carrying decide to topple off the stack and land on him... one landing on his head like a hat*
Wesson: *looks over and blinks with surprise, then chuckles* You okay, sir?
Jack: Yeah... *Sounds amused as he moves to lift the box off of his head* Good thing the kids aren't around... or we'd have a bunch of box-heads... *chuckles*
Wesson: *chuckles again, though his dark eyes hold sadness*
Jack: *stretches a bit, before sighing as he stacks the boxes again*
Wesson: *gruffly* Where do you want these?
Jack: *attention on what Wesson is asking about* Oh, those can go on the second shelf... *quieter as he moves to pick up another box* Chin up... There's a girl out there somewhere who's just right for you... *yes, he heard about how Wesson reacted to the news regarding Denver and Tracks' wedding*
Wesson: *slight wince, and then he squares his jaw as he carries the boxes over to put them up onto the sturdy metal shelving* *quietly, and even more gruffly* There never was any other girl.
Jack: You never know...
Wesson: *shakes his head* I know.
Jack: *absent shrug as he works* I wouldn't say that... Sora seems to fancy you...
Wesson: *slight scowl* If Dr. Ruteger decided to marry somebody else, how fast would you've looked at a girl that fancied you?
Jack: ... Good point...
Wesson: *quietly* Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for the Major. It's just... hope's been a good friend for most my life, and now it's gone.
Jack: *sets the box he's holding down on a shelf and reaches to patpat Wesson's shoulder*
Wesson: *grumbles and side steps, but then looks over at Hound as the drone makes a surprised sound*
Jack: *attention going to Hound*
Hound: *looking into the box he just nearly dropped, which is emitting a soft glow* Lights....
Wesson: Lights? *hurrying over there, his hand going to his hip where his gun usually sits*
Jack: *hurrying over there as well, and putting out a call to Rachel and Patrick over secure channels*
Rachel: //What is it, sport?//
Hound: *expression twists as with pain* Must... set them free. *lifts the box over his head*
Wesson: No, Hound, stop!
Jack: //There's.... There're sparks in one of the boxes NEST brought with them...// *sounds a bit brain-broken now*
Wesson: *leaps to stop the drone, but too late!*
Hound: *dashes the box to the floor. Glass shatters, and then several softly glowing balls of light are rising up from the rubble* Set them free!
Wesson: *hits the glass and stares at the lights as though mesmerized*
Jack: ... *Startled cuss*
one light: *stops and hovers in front of Hound, singing softly*
Hound: *staring, something like life returning to his blank optics*
Wesson: *bleeding from several cuts, but too caught up in the dance of the lights to realize it*
Jack: *watching the lights and hesitantly moving a bit closer to Hound*
Hound: *doesn't notice Jack. Instead he reaches out to gently touch the light, his expression becoming even more alive*
light: *makes a little bobbling motion, and then darts forward to vanish through the drone's chest plating*
Hound: *startled sound and staggers backward, his hand going to his chest*
Jack: *Acks and moves to catch Hound* //Something just happened!//
Rachel: //I'm just picking Patrick up. What is it?// *sound of strain and concern in her voice*
Wesson: *urgent* Doc, they're goin' out!
Jack: //One of the sparks went into Hound's shell!//
other lights: *fading and vanishing one by one*
Hound: *groans softly and puts a hand to his head*
Jack: *string of cussing and a bit of panic as he tells Rachel how the other sparks are going out, even as he tries to get Hound to lay down*
Hound: *lets himself be lain down, is shaking slightly even as he groans again and winces*
Rachel: *THERE with a swish and a slight flash, her expression full of dismay as she hurries forward and yanks something like a crockpot out of one box in passing*
lights: *all gone but one....*
Wesson: *crying*
Rachel: *gets the spark support pod turned on and scoops that last spark out of the air, then closes it and holds it close as she yanks her handheld scanner out of subspace and looks for the others*
Patrick: *expression grim before he's moving to try and calm Jack down*
Rachel: *quiet and unhappy* They're gone.
Wesson: *hides face and cries more. Is slightly stunned by what he just saw*
Patrick: *soothing clicks, even as he makes Jack sit down next to Hound*
Hound: *blinks up at them and frowns* What...? What happened? *voice doesn't sound quite right for Hound*
Patrick: *gently* What's the last thing you remember?
Hound: *frowns* I... remember? I felt something pulling me.
Rachel: *carefully sets the life support pod down and moves to get Wesson out of the glass and see to his cuts* Jack, are you alright?
Jack: *cycling air and trying to calm down enough to speak*
Patrick: ... Do you know who you are?
Hound?: *nods* I'm Ridgeback.
Patrick: ... May I ask how old you are, Ridgeback? *has a baaad feeling in his gut*
Ridgeback: Um... I'm not really sure how to tell that. *optics go unfocused as he sorts through the data in Hound's processor* I think I'm new.
Rachel: *looks over from bandaging Wesson's arms and chest, and then out comes the scanner again*
Ridgeback: *flinches and cringes as it's pointed at him* D... don't hurt me. Please?
Rachel: *startled look for him, and then soothing* This won't hurt you. It's just a machine to see how you're doing. No hurt at all.
Ridgeback: *very not sure he believes her*
Patrick: Easy... Rachel just wants to make sure you're not hurt.
Ridgeback: Well... you're talking to me, and not calling me 'it', or Matthew.... *obviously still frightened*
Wesson: *leaning back against a crate and watching the green mech*
Patrick: *Soothing clicks, before he moves to transform*
Rachel: *expression giving away nothing as she reports to Patrick over the secure channel* //That's not Hound's spark.//
Ridgeback: *startles but then perks up* You're a Cybertronian!
Optimus: *nods* My designation is Optimus Prime. *To Rachel over the secure channel* //There was no Ridgeback on the Axalon...//
Rachel: *voice sounding grim* //He wasn't on the Axalon.//
Optimus: //He sounds somewhat like Hound...//
Ridgeback: *slowly, as he consults the memories in his new processor* Sir.
Rachel: //That's because he's speaking with Hound's vocalizer, and because he's Hound's son.//
Optimus: *To Ridgeback* At ease. *keeping his expression neutral* //... Who is his mother?// *almost afraid to hear the answer*
Rachel: //Sharpshot.//
Optimus: *Very slight flash of surprise mixed with shock crosses his expression* *quietly* //Then they were bonded?//
Rachel: //I don't know. Remember, some bots manage to make someone new without bonding. But something about Ridgeback's spark suggests he was never carried in the usual way.//
Optimus: //... I'm almost afraid to ask...//
Rachel: //And I don't know. So don't worry.// *sighs and looks over at Wesson and her husband*
Ridgeback: *optics go to Rachel and the others, and hold fear and uncertainty*
Jack: *shaking just a bit*
Rachel: *turns the scanner on him, her expression going to a frown of concern*
Jack: *worked himself up pretty well, but is in no danger of a relapse*
Rachel: *quietly* Lets get you guys all somewhere more comfortable, okay? And then I think I have to go back and get the car before someone thinks aliens abducted the Chief and me.
Optimus: *moves to put a gentle hand on Jack's shoulder* Easy, Jack... Cycle air... Ridgeback is just a sparklet yet... *And then he's snerking at Rachel's words* But Rachel... we are the aliens...
Rachel: *manages a chuckle* I know that, and you know that. *standing and offering Jack her hands*
Ridgeback: *looking from Optimus to the others and back, unspoken questions in his blue optics*
Wesson: ...A sparklet?
Jack: *getting to his feet, is a bit unsteady*
Optimus: *to Ridgeback as he points to Rachel and Jack* Ratchet and Wheeljack. They're in alt-mode right now.... *Pings Rachel's comm again* //I think... it might be a bad idea to introduce Ridgeback to Sharpshot right now...//
Rachel: //Very bad. Destiny might be another story, though.// *pulls Jack close and wraps her arms around him comfortingly, then makes a small urk sound as someone else wakes up*
Optimus: *nods* //She could either react to him like he's another sparklet in the creche, or she could possibly latch onto him like she does Mirage... It's hard to tell with her sometimes...// *concerned* Do you need to lay down, Rachel?
Wesson: *quick look to Rachel, his brows lifting with concern*
Rachel: *quietly* Someone just woke up because they heard their father.
Ridgeback: *brow ridges lift* *quietly* Wait... I know what you mean. You've got a bond spark.
Jack: *will try and fuss over you now, Rachel*
Rachel: *pat pats Jack and leans on him* *quietly* But I still have to go get the car, and you should come too, Chief. *then turns her reassuring smile toward Ridgeback* Yes. They're more common now than Hound's files will recall them being.
Ridgeback: *gravely* That's a good thing. I know what happened to Vector Sigma.
Wesson: *picking up the life support pod and looking curiously through the glass lid*
Optimus: *Slight pout* Do I have to? *yes, he's being a brat, but he's acting almost like he used to back on Cybertron*
Jack: *small nod, sighs quietly* Be careful, alright?
Rachel: Yes, Chief. You have to. *frowns at him sternly, and then looks up at Jack* Take care of Ridgeback for me? He might be hungry.
Ridgeback: *perks, and then startles as his tank rumbles*
Rachel: *laughs, and then winces and gently pushes away from her husband* Ridgeback, this is Jack. He'll take you to the kitchen for some energon loaf, alright?
Ridgeback: ...Okay. *not too sure what that is, though energon he knows*
Jack: *holds his hand out to Ridgeback* After we get you some fuel, would you like to pick out quarters?
Ridgeback: *comes to stand beside him, giving the hand a wry look that's all Hound* Sure.
Optimus: *to Wesson* Take the spark support unit to the medbay... We'll be able to keep an optic on whoever that is better there...
Wesson: Yessir. *looks down at his bandaged arms and chest and winces, then turns to go*
Optimus: And go lay down for a bit, John, or I'll set Maria after you.
Wesson: *gives Optimus a slight Look that's mixed with humor, then continues out and down the hall*
Rachel: Alright, Chief. Let's get going. It looks like you're going to be driving us back.
Optimus: Alright. *transforms back to alt-mode with a sigh*
Jack: *soft snerk, moves to show Ridgeback the way to the kitchen*
Ridgeback: *that look of humor on his face is pure Hound as he watches Rachel boss Optimus, so is the grin he gives Jack as he follows the older mech out of the storeroom*
Wesson: *walks into the med ward, then pauses as he figures the best spot to put the spark pod. Not too close to the room where Soundwave's laying, he thinks*
Mirage: *making his way to the medbay with the intention of getting some patching material to fix a tear in his syntha-skin that he got while helping Lisa with one of the NEST vehicles*
Wesson: *looks around at the sound of foot steps from over where he's just settled the sparkpot on one of the examining tables* Hey.
Mirage: Hello, Lt. Wesson.
Wesson: *turns, exposing the bandages he's wearing and the blood on his shredded shirt* Somethin' wrong?
Mirage: *holds up his hand, showing off the deep gash that just barely missed a tertiary hydrolics line* *Wryly* One of the trucks bit me.
Wesson: 'N I faceplanted in broken glass. *lifts an eyebrow, his eyes doing their own wry twinkle*
Mirage: ... Whichever mischievous entity is plaguing us had best leave, before I find it.... *pauses as he sees the sparkpot* ?
Wesson: *quietly* We found some guys stored in one of those boxes they sent us as unneeded evidence.
Mirage: ... *winces and murmurs something in Cybertronian*
Wesson: *clenches his jaw a bit* I'm not sure how much Optimus wants me to say, but Jack took the other guy to the kitchen.
Mirage: ... *small nod, searches for the duct tape, since his curiosity's piqued, and he doesn't want to wait for Russell to show up*
Wesson: ...Wouldn't a bandaid look better?
Mirage: It doesn't have enough adhesive.
Wesson: *gives him a funny look and then goes and finds a package of those elastic butterfly bandages that stick through being in the water and everything* Try one of these.
Mirage: *slight huff* Very well. *holds his hand out*
Wesson: *slight eyeroll, but cleans and bandages Mirage's finger* There. You wanna lolipop?
Mirage: *gives him a raised brow look*
Wesson: Never mind. *gets a stool and goes to sit by the spark pod*
Mirage: *small nod, heads out of the medbay and moves towards the kitchen, pausing when Lt. Ross sends a request for him to help with the fence, then he's heading back to the main level of the farm*
mess kitchen
Ridgeback: *has been admiring that shiny apple there in the bowl, and now picks it up and has a bite. Brow ridges shoot upward at the taste* Wow.
Jack: Hm?
Ridgeback: This tastes even better than that energon goodie. *grinning*
Jack: *Chuckles as he does a quick scan of Ridgeback* Well, it is fuel... and it does have a natural sweetness to it that isn't bad...
Ridgeback: I'm glad I have that mod that lets me eat fuel like this. *has another bite, obviously enjoying himself very much*
Jack: *more chuckles* Destiny likes those too.
Ridgeback: *swallows his bite of apple and quirks a brow in a Houndish manner* Who's Destiny?
Jack: Another sparklet... Only she's in an adult shell like you are.
Ridgeback: So not anyone I know. *looks at his apple, and then has another bite*
Jack: *hrmms quietly* Not... Exactly.
Ridgeback: *pause* What do you mean?
Jack: Do you know Sharpshot?
Ridgeback: *grins* Yes. Kup's youngest protege.
Jack: Destiny... is the human name of Sharpshot's younger twin...
Ridgeback: *pauses* Sharpshot didn't have a twin. The only twins we had were those crazy frontliners.
Jack: *Quietly, not able to meet Ridgeback's optics* She's got a twin now...
Ridgeback: ...'Jack, what aren't you telling me?
Jack: *Quietly* Part of the reason Hound isn't around anymore is the same reason why Sharpshot has a twin now... A group of humans did some very bad things to them...and Desinex was created as a way to protect Sharpshot...
Ridgeback: *stiffens and says in a quiet, strained voice* I know what they did. I... I.... *shaking*
Jack: *Quietly* They can't hurt anyone else ever again.
Ridgeback: *apple turns to mush with a soft sound as his hands clench* Why... why did they do that? Hound didn't do anything wrong. None of us... them did!
Jack: *Quietly, looking as though he's been wondering that for awhile now himself* I wish I knew... but I will never understand why they chose to do such horrible things... All we can do now is try and help the ones that survived...
Destiny: *Is that lady who just tackleglomped you, Ridgeback* *Happy snuggles and purrs are a go!*
Ridgeback: *soft yelp, and then he's turning his head with a quizzical grin* Hey... hi. I'm Ridgeback.
Destiny: *blinkblink blink, presses her ear to Ridgeback's chest, purrs even more* ^_^
Jack: ... *Snerks*
Ridgeback: *gentle arm around her as he gives Jack a questioning look*
Jack: Ridgeback, this is Destiny. AKA Desinex....
Ridgeback: *grinning now, and his hug is more than just making sure that she won't fall* Desinex, huh? 'Jack was just telling me about you. *wondering why he's feeling so peaceful now, as though he's found someone important*
Destiny: *nod nod, happy purrs*
Jack: Des, where's Sora?
Destiny: Napping with the others.
Jack: *fond sigh* You snuck away from the creche again, huh? *comms the creche guardians and lets them know where she is*
Destiny: Mmmyup. *SnuggaRidgeback*
Ridgeback: *lays his cheek on her head and very softly clicks a sparklet word*
Destiny: *Small headshake, clicks the word for "Friend"*
Ridgeback: *quietly* I can feel it. You're part of me. *snuggle* Family.
Destiny: *Quiet* Sora is Ridgeback [mama]...
Ridgeback: *blinks* Really? But Hound didn't feel about her like that. She was like a little sister.
Destiny: *Nod* Can hear... spark sounds like sister's, but also like Hound...
Ridgeback: *looks at Jack, his embrace of his kinswoman not slacking*
Jack: *frowning a bit, concern clear on his face* What do you mean, Des?
Destiny: *hides her face against Ridgeback now and goes silent. She's not supposed to talk about this! Sister made her promise!*
Ridgeback: *moves to pat her gently, and then winces and cusses under his breath as he realizes he's gotten squished apple on her*
Jack: *Goes to get some of the baby wipes that have been placed in the kitchen for this sort of thing, offers them to Ridgeback*
Ridgeback: *quietly admits that he's not quite sure what to do with those* Are they little chamois?
Jack: Something like that...
Destiny: *Quietly* Is for cleaning...
Ridgeback: Alright. *carefully uses a wipe to try and clean Destiny of the juice. And he's got all Hound's endearing awkwardness with such tasks*
Destiny: *squirms and clicks*
Ridgeback: *soft chuckle* Well, you're kind of making it worse. I really don't think I know what I'm doing here.
Jack: *snerks quietly and moves to help hold Destiny still* She'd squirm like this regardless, Ridgeback. You're doing just fine.
Ridgeback: Oh okay. *grinning as he continues wiping*
Destiny: *Squeaks and transforms reflexively*
Ridgeback: Wow! *looks at her back* Uh... now you have juice inside you.
Desinex: *Squirrrrrms*
Jack: *coughs to hide his snicker* C'mon Des... Back to alt-mode so Ridgeback can finish cleaning you up...
Ridgeback: *with Hound's good nature* It'll dry and get all sticky if we don't get it out. *coaxing grin*
Desinex: *more squirms before she transforms again*
Ridgeback: *clicks to her and resumes wiping*
Irene: *wanders in, singing to herself, then freezes in her tracks*
Jack: *attention going that way* ohslag...
Irene: *has forgotten that she was going to tell someone she gave Lt. Ross some of Javan's new beer. She's forgotten everything but the green bot that she's watching intensely*
Ridgeback: *too intent on finishing his cleaning job to notice anything else* *still clicking coaxingly to his aunt*
Destiny: *Squirrrrming and clicking rapidly*
Ridgeback: Almost done, Desi. Just try to hold still a little longer.
Irene: *turns and bolts*
Jack: *fires a quick ping to Javan, cussing under his breath in a long-dead language*
Irene: *fleeing down the comfortably bright halls, her eyes on the past and her face set and grim as she cusses to herself*
Javan: *Hurrying down the hall, trying to locate Irene*
Irene: *whips around a corner and spins as her shoulder smacks into his*
Javan: Whoah! *reaches to gently catch Irene* Easy... *concerned*
Irene: *gives him a wild look, clearly not recognizing him*
Javan: *Transforms quickly, making soothing sounds* Easy...
Irene: *face brightens and her hands go to his shoulders* They found part of Hound!
Jazz: ... Part'a him?
Irene: *nods, her lips pressing together with anger* But only one piece.
Jazz: Aww... 'S that part okay? *worry clear on his face*
Irene: There were more. There were lots more. *shivers as her expression darkens toward tears*
Jazz: *Soothing sounds as he moves to hug her and rub her back gently*
Irene: Just one. Just one. *and yes, now she's crying*
Jazz: *Soothing clicks, and more backrub* *quietly* 'M sorry....
Irene: *Shakes with the force of her grief for a few moments, but then suddenly goes still, her face still hidden against his shoulder*
Jazz: *Gently* Irene?
Irene: *dully* Slaggin' waste.
Jazz: *quietly* Yeah... *soft sigh, continues to gently rub Irene's back so he can keep from breaking down and crying himself*
Irene: *slight head shake* Wanted to go. *Looks up at him then and puts her hands gently on each side of his face* Don't cry.
Jazz: I ain't gonna cry....
Irene: I can see it in your eyes.
Jazz: I'll be okay...
Irene: *seems to be reading his spark through his eyes, but then she blinks and looks to one side* Just one.
Jazz: *Small nod, more gentle backrubs for Irene*
Irene: *twists in his grasp and reaches for his hand*
Jazz: *Lets her grab his hand* Hm?
Irene: *going to lead him back the way she came from*
Jazz: *will go willingly*
Irene: *silent as she brings him up the hall, around the corners, and to the door of the kitchen*
Ridgeback: *sitting and hugging Destiny as he blinks sleepily. His age is catching up to him now that his tank contains fuel and he's close to someone he's related to*
Destiny: *clicking quietly and snuggling close to Ridgeback, ear over his chest again as she purrs quietly*
Jack: *trying to coax both youngsters into standing so he can take them to one of the guest rooms, as he has a feeling Destiny will throw one of her fits if he tries to separate the two of them*
Irene: *looks up at Jazz, her brows raising*
Jazz: *looking a bit brain broken now*
Ridgeback: *and now his cheek has settled onto Destiny's head, and his optic shutters have dropped, his first big adventure in life is ending in a nap and a snuggle*
Jack: *shoulders slump a bit* Well... shoot.
Destiny: *Quiet little clicks as she snuggles*
Irene: *gentle tug on Jazz's hand*
Jazz: *attention going to Irene again*
Irene: *lifts her brows and tips her head slightly toward Jack*
Ridgeback: *small sound and turns his head, then cracks a sheepish grin* Hey... Jazz. Guess I conked out.
Jazz: Easy... Le's get you 'n Des someplace better f'r nappin'.... *trying to hide the brief flicker of pain that crosses his face at how familiar Ridgeback sounds*
Ridgeback: *nods sleepily, but then blinks awake again* Don't strain yourself... alright? *bit of a grin again*
Jazz: Better me th'n 'Jack... *chuckles*
Jack: *stinkeyes Jazz*
Irene: *dances slightly on her toes* Just one piece.
Ridgeback: *sleepy and quizzical grin for the woman* Are you somebody I know too?
Irene: *spooked look and scoots sideways*
Jazz: *Soothing sounds for Irene* Easy...
Ridgeback: *frowning with concern now. Doesn't like to think he scared someone*
Destiny: *clicking quietly, more snuggles as she yawns*
Irene: *muttering about 'not dead'*
Jazz: C'mon, Irene... Le's go put these two t' bed... *chuckles* 'Cause 'Jack's too old t' do it without creakin'!
Jack: *Sooo gonna get you for that, Jazz*
Ridgeback: 'Jack's not that old... Jazz.... *soft sleeping sound like a very young sparklet would make*
Jack: *will move to lead the way to one of the empty quarters after murmuring softly about "Hound all over again"*
Irene: Part of Hound. *follows*
Meanwhile, in the med ward
Wesson: *sitting and watching the spark in the pod, his expression unreadable*
Lt. Ross: *stumbling a bit as she finally makes it to the med ward*
Wesson: *looks up as she comes in* Maria? You okay? *still in his ripped and bloody shirt*
Lt. Ross: *holds up the bottle of beer Irene gave her earlier* John... I think I'm drunk... *trying not to stumble even more*
Wesson: How the... How many bottles did you have? *getting up to go catch her*
Lt. Ross: It's strong stuff... Just one... *leans against him, blinking a bit* 'N I smacked my thumb with the stupid hammer...
Wesson: *arm around her shoulders to guide her inside and over to the table with the spark pod on it* Let's see.
Lt. Ross: *holds up the hand she smacked, showing that she did indeed bean her thumb pretty good with the hammer*
Wesson: *winces* Darnit, Maria, are you trying to get drummed out of the squad too? *lifts her up to sit her on the table*
Lt. Ross: *Wibbles* I don't wanna leave the squaaaad! *yup. She's drunk. She only gets whiny like this if she's drunk*
Wesson: *pauses to look at her with that look that says she's out of her mind* Man. Just don't kiss Vato again.
Lt. Ross: Thrrrrpt....
Wesson: *stern* I mean it. You gave the poor guy nightmares. *goes and gets the emergency kit that is left sitting in plain sight* Okay, let's see that thumb.
Lt. Ross: *wibbles and looks absolutely pathetic as she holds her thumb out*
Wesson: *studying it more closely, his expression getting grave* I think you busted the bone. I can see the nail's split.
Lt. Ross: ... I fail at Fencing, and fencing... *snerk*
Wesson: That ain't what you said when you stabbed me in the aft that time. *intently studying the injury so he can figure out how to treat it*
Lt. Ross: *setting up to sulk* Jean'd laugh his butt off at me if he saw me....
Wesson: *frowns studiously* Jean's too busy courting to laugh at anything. *no, you did not hear any heaviness in his voice* I think you're screwed.
Lt. Ross: *wibbles* I don't wanna leave the squaaaaad though!!!
Wesson: You're too plastered for me to give you any painkiller. I'm gonna have to do this without.
Lt. Ross: *wibble, nods, holding her thumb as still as she can*
Wesson: *goes and washes his hands, and then comes back and rips open a sterile wipe before taking his friend's thumb between two fingers and trying to very carefully clean the black and red mess up*
Lt. Ross: *trying her best not to look, is also silently praying that she won't need a shot*
Wesson: *finally gets it as clean as he's willing to torture her for, and then installs bandaging and a splint as carefully as he can with one of his own hands bandaged*
Lt. Ross: Done for now? And no needles?
Wesson: You know you're gonna need a needle. *frowning with sympathy and concentration*
Lt. Ross: *goes pale. Wesson, you'd better be ready to play catch*
Wesson: But I don't think I can do it with my hand like this. Here, lay down. But don't knock this off. *moves the spark pod slightly and then offers to help her lay back*
Lt. Ross: *looks like she's on the verge of passing out at the thought of needing a shot or anything else to do with needles* H-huh?
Wesson: *gently lays her down* There's somebody in this crock pot thing. And he's already been busted on the floor once, so don't shove him off the table, okay?
Lt. Ross: *small nod, covering her eyes with one arm as things seem to spin* John... Stuff's spinning again...
Wesson: Yeah, stuff'll do that. *pokes himself in the ear* Hey, Professor Ruteger?
Jack: //Yes, John?//
Wesson: Maria needs a penicillin shot, and I can't bend my right hand well enough to do it.
Jack: //I'll be in the med ward shortly.//
Lt. Ross: *Whimpers*
Wesson: Alright, sir. Wesson out. *tunes out the usual happy comm traffic and turns his attention back to his friend* *quietly* Hey, think of the bright side of things.
Lt. Ross: John... D-Don't talk about it... *shivering a bit*
Wesson: I ain't. I'm talkin' about the guys that died just a little while ago. *leans his hands against the table and bows his head*
Lt. Ross: D-don't talk about people dying... Head's getting foggy....
Wesson: *small sound as his shoulders shake*
Lt. Ross: *barely uncovering her eyes so she can reach for Wesson's hand, frowning slightly when she realizes that he's leaning on them*
Wesson: *eyes are closed and his forehead is furrowed as he weeps silently. The big man has finally met a day that's done him in*
Lt. Ross: *quietly murmurs in Portugese, offering reassurances in her native tongue*
Wesson: *tries to say something, but then squeezes his eyes and mouth shut and bows his head again*
Lt. Ross: *continues to offer reassurances, even as Jack arrives in the med ward*
Wesson: *takes a deep breath and wipes the back of his bandaged hand hastily across his eyes, then stands to attention and looks at Jack.*
Jack: *nods to Wesson and moves to get the supplies needed* Alright... Let's get you sorted out, Maria...
Lt. Ross: *goes even paler than she was before*
Wesson: *gruff and gentle* Here, Maria. *lifts her up so her back is toward him, then puts an arm around her* Better?
Lt. Ross: *wibbles and closes her eyes tightly so she doesn't have to see the needle. She still flinches when Jack gives her the shot, and it's likely that she's fighting the light-headed feeling that usually precedes her passing out* *Has Wesson's arm in a deathgrip*
Jack: *Soothing sounds* All done...
Wesson: *biting his lip a little as Lt. Ross's rigid shoulders press against his injured chest* *quietly* S'pose I need one of those too.
Jack: It'd probably be a good idea... *moving to discard the first needle in the sharps container before he gets a second one ready*
Wesson: *sticks his elbow out slightly so that Jack can reach his arm, but he'll continue hugging Lt. Ross till her dizzy spell passes*
Jack: *Makes quick work of giving Wesson his shot* At least you two don't try and run away from the med ward when you're injured... *chuckles*
Lt. Ross: *deathgrip loosens as she lowers her head*
Wesson: I've seen Captain House goin' after the ones that do.
Jack: *small nod, scans Lt. Ross* It'd probably be better if you lay down, Maria...
Lt. Ross: Y-yeah....
Wesson: *gently and very slowly lays her down, making sure not to bump the spark pod. Glances from it to Jack, one brow rising*
Jack: *scans the spark pot, frowning a bit for a few moments, before he's boggling* Wait a minute... I know who that is...
Wesson: *straightens* You do? It's not another kid like Ridgeback?
Jack: *nods, a bit of a hopeful look coming to his face* This is Rumble... Frenzy's twin...
Wesson: .... *dawning expression of surprise* Whoa.
Jack: I just hope we still have his original shell for when he's strong enough to be back in it...
Wesson: *frowns* What do you mean, when he's strong enough?
Jack: He's been through the proverbial wringer... But give him a few more days to recover and he'll probably be trying to climb out of the pot... *soft chuckle*
Wesson: So he's gotta stay in there?
Jack: Unless I can find where Russell and Merlin stored the spark boosters, yes... *moving to look for them*
Rachel: *from where Patrick's just carried her in* We have an ID? And they're in that drawer there.
Jack: Rumble. *and for once, he actually sounds amused saying the mech's name. Then he's nodding and going to the drawer*
Patrick: ... *moves to carefully set Rachel on one of the unoccupied tables*
Rachel: Rum.... *comming Alice as she lays back with a sigh* Great... now we have an unfair conviction.
Jack: *a bit pointedly, as he moves to set the spark booster he grabbed down near Rachel* There were other sparks there...
Rachel: Yeah, but those people were tried for Rumble's murder. And the other sparks were alive till.... *bites her lip*
Wesson: *frowning as he listens to all that*
Jack: *soft sigh, nods, and then goes to retrieve Rumble's shell from storage*
Rachel: *lifts her head and gives Wesson and Ross a concerned look, then glances at Patrick before looking back toward Jack* How's Ridgeback?
Jack: He got Destiny-glomped... They're snuggling in one of the guest rooms for right now... I checked on them before I came to help Maria.
Rachel: How's he functioning?
Jack: *as he brings Rumble's shell out of storage and sets it on one of the work tables* He's got Hound's memories... but his spark is that of a sparklet... I'm surprised he wasn't more overwhelmed than he was...
Rachel: ...So he's not processing at a sparklet level?
Jack: Hard to say... He did relax a lot when he heard Destiny's spark...
Rachel: But he was talking like he was when I left? How is he interfacing with Hound's memories? *pings Alice again*
Jack: *nods*
Alice: *sounds a bit huffy, and like she just woke up* //Whaaat? We were snuggling!//
Rachel: //Ask Frenzy what.//
Alice: //... Something's got him freaked!// *and she's probably going to try and get up now to fuss over the ferret, unless she's stopped*
Rachel: //Take it easy and come slowly, but bring him to the main ward.// *smiling slightly*
Alice: //Rewind's got him... // *And she's likely going to fuss and try and drag Springer with her on her way to the main ward*
Rachel: *knows Alice well* //Just leave Springer be, alright?// *groans a little and moves to sit up because she can't see very well when she's laying down* Chief, the T-shirts are in that cupboard, will you grab one for John?
Patrick: *nods and goes to retrieve a shirt for Wesson*
Rewind: *in root mode, is gently cradling Frenzy as she brings him to the main ward*
Frenzy: *pipping up a storm, his eyes bright and his ears perked. Is floofed and looks half way to a war dance as he looks around alertly*
Wesson: *looks at the excited ferret from where he's standing and comforting Lt. Ross* Whoa....
Rachel: *frowns* The shell program seems to still be up.
Rewind: No, ya think? *seems amused though, even as she moves to stand out of the way on one of the counters* Think we could talk him into being a chocolate-colored ferret?
Patrick: *coughs to hide his snerk as he offers Wesson a new T-shirt*
Wesson: *slowly taking the shirt as he frowns at the floofed up ferret*
Rachel: I don't know, is there a blue colour for ferrets? I know there is for.... *pokes herself in the ear and laughs* Hi, Ravage.
Rewind: *Happily harasses Ravage over comms, none of her insults holding any heat or malice in them. Then she's laughing at the name Steeljaw calls her*
Wesson: Professor Ruteger says it'll be a couple days before he can come outta the pot. *halfway out of his shirt before he pauses and gives Lt. Ross a wary look*
Lt. Ross: *still has her eyes closed and is taking deep breaths*
Wesson: *carefully whips the shirt off, trying to move fast before she can think to make comments*
Rachel: What shape is he in, Jack?
Frenzy: *getting pretty loud!*
Rumble: *rises to the top of the pod and seems to be pushing against it*
Jack: *chuckles* He's trying to climb out of the pot! *transforms and moves to get Rumble's shell up and running again* The brat!
Rewind: *Trying to keep a hold of Frenzy without hurting him*
Alice: *makes it to the main ward in time to hear Frenzy getting loud*
Rachel: No, John, if he's got the booster he'll be fine. Should be fine. We'll have to see how idiot prone he decides to be. *remembering some incidents that were spoken of all over Cybertron....*
Wheeljack: *whistling a cheery tune as he moves to get the spark booster and install it*
Rumble: *push push sparkle push!*
Frenzy: *wriggle fit and glee!*
Rewind: *to Frenzy* Eeeey! Easy! You'll be able to knock him over and lick his face in a bit! *amused*
Alice: Like you did that one time, Rewind?
Rewind: *Razzes Alice*
Rachel: Alice, grab a seat, the rocking chair's here somewhere. *up on her elbow, since the sitting up had to be aborted*
Alice: *razzes Rewind and moves to find the rocking chair* So how bad do you think Petra'll grouse? *grinning as she settles in the chair*
Rachel: Not as bad about this as she will about something else we found today. And about having to tell the authorities that Rumble's not dead so some charges will have to be modified.
Wheeljack: *Still whistling that cheery tune as he moves to bring the spark pot over to where the shell is waiting*
Alice: ... Oh?
Rachel: Yeah, but the second thing will have to wait till we've called a meeting. It's... sensitive stuff.
Alice: *small nod*
Frenzy: *just lost his mind!*
Rachel: *can't help laughing at the spazzed out ferret*
Rewind: *loves on Frenzy while Wheeljack works on carefully transferring Rumble's spark to his shell*
Frenzy: *fur poofed, is wriggling madly and making all the noise a little red ferret is capable of*
Rumble: *trying to make a break for it!*
Wheeljack: *cheerfully* Oh no you don't, brat... *working on coralling Rumble*
Rumble: *dodge dodge, sparkle, pulse!*
Frenzy: *FREAK OUT! :D :D :D *
Wheeljack: *being patient and still whistling that cheery tune as he works to get Rumble put into his shell* Now none of that! *is clearly amused, even as he all but shoves Rumble's spark into the spark chamber*
Rachel: He's the same during an out of body experience as he is any other time. *glances at Patrick*
Patrick: *Snorts, shaking his head to try and hide the relieved look he's wearing*
Rumble: *finally contained within his shell, he flinches and cringes* Gah!
Frenzy: *pip pip pip!*
Wheeljack: Easy... Do you want a pain override?
Rumble: *brings his visor online and gives Wheeljack a panicked look that changes to confusion* ...You ain't squishy.
Wheeljack:: Nope! ^_^ Welcome to the Ark, Rumble.
Rewind: *Gonna bring Frenzy over now*
Rumble: *frozen, his expression wary* So... I went from bein' a prisoner of da squishies to a prisoner of da 'Bots?
Frenzy: *LOVES YOU, RUMBLE!*
Rumble: 0_o The slag?
Wheeljack: Not a prisoner... *chuckles at Frenzy's antics*
Rewind: *Cheeky grin* Lemme put it in words you can understand. The humans that held you prisoner can't do it anymore, and you're here because someone upstairs decided you were too important to be let go.
Rumble: Frenzy, what the pit are yous wearin'?
Frenzy: *KISSIES!*
Rumble: Thrrpt. Git ahold a yousself! *swats Ferret*
Rewind: Hey! *protective of Frenzy* Ease up! *Scowl*
Rumble: Stay outta dis, dis's between me 'n my brudder. ACK!
Rewind: Well, ya know what? Your sister's married to my brother, so by default, that makes Frenzy my brother as well! *Razzes*
Rumble: *freezes* Whaaaaaaaaaaat????
Rewind: Ravage and Steeljaw are married. Deal with it. *cuddles Frenzy*
Rumble: *face palm* Where da slag's da boss?
Patrick: *Bluntly* Recovering from Motormaster's attempt at his life.
Rumble: *tries to sit up at that, only to have his visor flicker as he falls back with a groan*
Frenzy: *wiggle wiggle pip! Must go to brother!*
Rewind: *Sets Frenzy next to Rumble* A lotta slag's gone down, Rumble... And a lot of things have changed. *gonna go and get something from the kitchen now*
Frenzy: *snuggling like the sweet little pet that he thinks he is*
Rumble: *Hugs brother, bravado forgotten as he looks from Wheeljack to Patrick*
Patrick: *calmly* Megatron put out another decree.
Rumble: ...But da boss is loyal!
Patrick: According to Nightbird, the decree was that femmes and anyone unable to fight were to be eliminated.... Then it went on to include the Conehead Seekers.
Rumble: Uh... yeah, Megs never really did like dem guys.
Patrick: He also struck Nightbird when she expressed her displeasure with the decree.
Rumble: ...So he's dead?
Frenzy: *being a sniffy snuggle*
Patrick: I wish it were that simple... Nightbird and her squadron are here on Earth... as are the Stunticons...
Rumble: *frowning as he holds his fuzzy brother* But none'a dat tells me why Megs sicced da stunties on da boss.
Wheeljack: He didn't. They attacked him all on their own.
Rumble: *deep scowl*
Rewind: *is back with energon loaf... and a few cinnaSeekers*
Frenzy: *sleeping and content. Looks so cute sprawled on Brother*
Rumble: *scowl continuing, though surprise seems to spark in his optic band for a moment before vanishing*
Wheeljack: If it makes you feel any better, Nightbird knocked their heads together. *helps Rewind back onto the table*
Rumble: So when's da boss gonna be better? 'N what's wrong wit' Frenzy?
Wheeljack: No idea about how long it'll take Soundwave to recover... But Frenzy's got a shell program that Soundwave installed... He thinks he's a ferret.
Rumble: ...What??? Why'd he do dat? *looks down at fuzzy brother with dismay*
Rewind: 'Cause everyone thought you were offline, and Frenzy was really weak when Ironhide found him in the shed at the place we were staying.
Rumble: *shivers slightly and dims his visor*
Frenzy: *snuggle snuggle sleep*
Rewind: Odds are, your boss'll remove the shell program when he's stronger, since you're here now... *stretches and offers Rumble one of the cinnaSeekers*
Rumble: *visor brightens slightly* *wary* What's dat?
Rewind: CinnaSeekers. They've got energon and other stuff in 'em and they taste really good. ^^
Rumble: What'm I supposeta do wit''em?
Rewind: ... *gives Rumble an "Are you serious?" look, before poking one of the cookies at his mouth*
Rumble: Murf! *cookie in mouth and quizzical look on his face. The little punk looks too cute for words*
Wesson: *grinning at that*
Steeljaw: *peeking into the medward, amused kitty grin firmly on his face*
Rumble: *taste taste, frown. He's never had to chew fuel before, so he's really not sure what he's doing here*
Rewind: *chomping on another cinnaSeeker now, kthx*
Ravage: *comes streaking in, climbs Patrick's leg, and then bounds to the table that holds her brother. Bitty talk and bitty love!*
Rumble: *loses his cookie* Ack! What... Ravage? *and now he's laughing*
Patrick: *actually laughs at that, then he's laughing even more as Steeljaw pads over before gearing up for a jump that winds up with him nearly sliding off the other side of the table*
Rewind: *Facepalms*
Laserbeak: *as she swoops in* Failjump!
Wheeljack: *soooo got blackmail pictures of that*
Rumble: *cuddling sister and talking to her over the com, looks up at Laserbeak and then he's cuddling her too. Sisters are special people. You can look like a chump for them*
Steeljaw: *razzes Laserbeak*
Rumble: *and then he's giving Steeljaw a wary look as he remembers past fights and considers what Ravage just told him*
Frenzy: *is sleeping through having two sisters piled on top of him*
Eject: *is gonna land on Patrick's head now, and play with the Chief's hair!*
Patrick: ... *facepalm*
Rachel: *curled on her side and trying not to laugh too hard and wake her unborn*
Wesson: *looks at Wheeljack* You never said 'Cons could be cute.
Wheeljack: Eh, depends on the 'Con. *chuckles*
Ravage: *fuss fuss at brother as Laserbeak makes sure he eats his cookie*
Rumble: *gets the hang of the procedure and scarfs the cinnaSeeker, and then passes out*
Wheeljack: *Scans Rumble, even though he has a hunch as to what's going on*
Rumble: *just over did it, and now he's got all this good stuff to use for his self repairs. Not to mention being piled with siblings after being naked and alone for so long....*
Wheeljack: *chuckles again, and goes to get a tarp*
Rachel: Give them one of the plug in blankets, Jack. *up on her elbow again to look at the heap of little bots*
Wheeljack: Alright. ^_^ *grabbing one of those instead*
Wesson: *gently shaking Lt. Ross's shoulder. Wants her to see the cute*
Lt. Ross: *soft sound, barely gets her eyes opened*
Wesson: *arm under her shoulders* Maria, hey, lookit that.
Lt. Ross: *blinking blearily at the heap of little bots* Sparklet pile?
Wesson: Nah. Remember Frenzy?
Lt. Ross: ...The ferret?
Wesson: Yeah. That's his sisters 'n brothers.
Lt. Ross: ... *blink blink*
Wesson: Cute, huh? *rumbles a chuckle*
Lt. Ross: *small nod*
Wesson: *frowns then* Hey, Professor Ruteger?
Wheeljack: *draping the blanket over Rumble and his siblings* Yes, John?
Continued Here.