[All Blackout could do was nod, miserably. Oh, he believed him, and it was hard to think about how many people had tried to tell him about this and he'd dismissed it, or ignored it, or rationalized it away...
Not something to dwell on now, though. Even if he'd wanted to dwell on it, he couldn't have, not with his processor devoting so much of its power to the still very worrying problem of his damaged spark.
He was aware of Dirge, though, and his anger, and a surge of alarm that the dumb jet would actually attack made his rotors rattle. He rocked his weight forward, trying to rise to his feet, to put himself between his current Lord and his former one. Even as he did it, he could recognize the motion as compelled--what could he do in his condition to stop Dirge, if the Malgian was determined to fight Megatron
( ... )
[Dirge jumped backwards a step when Blackout fell in front of him, optics wide and startled. His wings quivered as his gaze twitched between Magnum and the prone Tyran. Blackout really was going to die if this continued for much longer...
The clone swallowed against a lump in his throat, engines whining with indecision. A few more seconds went by until finally the jet held out the box, entire body slumping with defeat. Once Magnum had taken it, he turned away, shifting immediately to jet form.]
[...and that was Blackout for you. Loyal, to the very last thread of his existence--to the last wire of his spark.
Now he knew, and now that one hurdle had been vaulted they could start on the next...
Provided that the Tyran lived.]
Do not move, Blackout. That is an order.
[He might have knelt, too...considering calling Glit or Barricade...but he refrained from doing the former at Dirge's words.]
I'm in your room.
[He glanced around.]
You don't have to be the one who goes--and if you stay...
...I think that might be considered 'proof' enough.
[The box was tucked away.] The Arena is closed; your mission is complete. Blackout knows about the box. My plans can progress. It has been...rocky... [He growled, a bit,] but it is now done.
[He picked up the claw that was still resting on Dirge's berth, and tossed it towards the jet.]
There are still some things worth being happy over.
[The clone transformed again just in time to catch the tossed item, staggering slightly as the weight hit him.]
....Yes. There are...
[Something seems to have occurred to him, but he doesn't give voice to whatever it is. A tiny grin edges at the corner of his mouth...and then he sets the claw down to kneel beside Blackout.]
[He laughed, sending a message to Barricade to come tend to this...issue.]
...and I will remain for now, as well.
[Not kneeling, though. He did move to stand beside Blackout...and...behind Dirge, even, but he was fully awake now and not interested in sitting down.]
Are you still interested in an appropriate explosion for Lugnut?
[It wasn't surprising Magnum didn't exactly trust him to be left by himself with the helicopter. The jet glanced at his fingers- still covered in Blackout's energon- and popped one in his mouth.]
Yes. Very much so. [He answered after a moment sucking at it- looking back up at Megatron.]
[Barricade didn't bother with stealth on the way over, this time; his sirens howled most of the way to the Hollow. Though he is kind enough to shut them off before actually getting there. Secret bases, etc etc.
He barges in with little to-do, arms still splattered with energon from fixing Blitzwing's legs.] So. What'm I looking at?
[What he was looking at was Blackout toppled on the floor in Dirge's room, not moving but for the moment still alive. Scorponok was flung protectively over his host's back, trying to bristle and cling simultaneously and not really managing either effectively. Dirge was kneeling next to the fallen chopper, gore on his hands; Magnum stood behind him.
Blackout was...aware of Barricade's entrance, though only marginally (and that mostly because Scorponok flooded his processor with excited chatter at the arrival of the other Tyran). Scorponok slithered down off Blackout's back, scurrying a few steps towards Barricade before halting and retreating to his host's side again.]
::barricadebarricadecomehurrypleasefixfixfix::
[He could feel his host dying, and he didn't like it.]
Good. Because that is going to be starting up soon.
[The jet received a nudge to the cheek with a few fingers, uncertain if he was scolding him for acting like a protoform or offering camaraderie to a stressed minion..
...and deciding that it didn't matter, because Barricade was here, and there was work to do.]
Blackout.
Had his spark cage pulled out of his chest by an un-named party.
[The fingers dropped to Dirge's shoulder, and squeezed in a manner that conveyed nothing gentle.]
I'd like him to continue being alive, if possible.
I look forward to it... [Dirge purred, glad of a chance to give Lugnut a better send off.
Regardless of Magnum's intent- the jet only enjoyed the brief physical contact. His hands were so large and thick in comparison to Dirge's slender claws...
Oh ho, Barricade was the medic attenting to Blackout? The jet favored the cop car with a knowing smirk, which quickly changed into a wince when his shoulder was given a harsh squeeze.]
[The one good thing about having two sets of optics? He can focus the higher on Magnum, and the lower on Dirge, with significant looks for both.]
Mm. Hope this... un-named party doesn't run into me later. This sort of conduct is only acceptable on the battlefield.
[Oh, he knows you did it, Dirge. Scorpy did tell him, after all. Consider yourself reprimanded. Again. He eventually breaks his gaze from the pair to trot over to Blackout, immediately clamping off the broken fuel lines. Stop the bleeding, then reconnect the lines as quickly as possible. Simple.]
Don't worry, Scorponok. Not gonna let your host offline.
::goodgoodonotwantnotagainnotagain:: [Feeling Blackout die while he'd been trying to recover in Qatar had been...beyond terrible. The memories were distant, since he'd been reunited with his host in the Nexus, but the horror of it still haunted him and informed Scorponok's current panic.
The repairs were simple, and something Blackout could have done himself--on any other mech. As he was currently, about all he could do was try not to twitch and slam his plating closed as the medic went to work on his spark. As soon as the damaged lines were repaired, the worrying flickering diminished, the glow dimmer than it had been before, but otherwise steady
( ... )
[With Barricade present...Magnum's reason for remaining was a much less pressing matter. He removed his hand from Dirge's shoulder, folding it into the crook of his elbow-joint until both arms were reasonably crossed.]
I trust you can take it from here, Barricade... though I do suggest you utilize the guest room at the end of the hall when you are finished. There's a recharge berth in there, and Soundwave can get you a cube for your trouble.
[He saw that energon on your arms, and knows its a bit of an arduous journey getting into the Hollow when one is in top condition.]
If you would make sure Blackout knows I wish to see him when he's capable of moving...
[He tapped the Tyran on one of the rotor-stubs, knowing he was fully aware and would get the message.]
Then I would be most grateful.
As for you.... [He stepped around Blackout, making sure to brush against Dirge's wing as he did.]
...behave. I'll go see about getting you a jet to fly with.
[The clone scowled at Barricade's comment- it sounded too much like Megatron's earlier scolding about taking from the enemy instead of his own side.]
...So I've been told.
[He grumbled, watching the cop car go about fixing Blackout's major damage. The unexpected touch to his wing made him shiver, his attention returning to Megatron.]
You will? A wing-mate or two would be wonderful...
[He automatically used the old name he'd given Frenzy, without thinking. He only vaguely caught what Magnum said - something about catching a rest here, which he knew he shouldn't. He ought not get Soundwave on his case again so soon. But he's focused on his work, super-heating the barrel of his rifle to meld the ends of the fuel lines together again. He doesn't bother offering a warning about it beforehand; the shock of the melting would hopefully keep Blackout aware.]
I'll be sure t'let him know. And this is no trouble; Scorp shouldn't be without his host.
[Make certain everyone present knows he's here for the symbiont. Hedge his bets, a little bit.]
[Scorponok whimpered softly, multiple sets of optics blinking up at Barricade. He crept a little higher on Blackout's supine body, settling flush to his host's plating and nearly clinging.]
::barricadewillwillfixscorponokknows::
[And it really was that simple for him. Barricade was working on Blackout, and Blackout was obviously feeling better--everything would be all right.
It had to be.
Blackout was no nearly so sanguine, but he wasn't as simple as his symbiont--and the pain made it hard to feel very positively about anything. Still, he was awake and aware, nodding fractionally and trying not to shiver at the contact to the rotor stub. He'd be there--later.
Right now, he was going to shutter his optics and clamp his mandibles and just wait for Barricade to finish.]
Not something to dwell on now, though. Even if he'd wanted to dwell on it, he couldn't have, not with his processor devoting so much of its power to the still very worrying problem of his damaged spark.
He was aware of Dirge, though, and his anger, and a surge of alarm that the dumb jet would actually attack made his rotors rattle. He rocked his weight forward, trying to rise to his feet, to put himself between his current Lord and his former one. Even as he did it, he could recognize the motion as compelled--what could he do in his condition to stop Dirge, if the Malgian was determined to fight Megatron ( ... )
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The clone swallowed against a lump in his throat, engines whining with indecision. A few more seconds went by until finally the jet held out the box, entire body slumping with defeat. Once Magnum had taken it, he turned away, shifting immediately to jet form.]
Get him fixed. I'm leaving.
[Was all he had to say.]
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Now he knew, and now that one hurdle had been vaulted they could start on the next...
Provided that the Tyran lived.]
Do not move, Blackout. That is an order.
[He might have knelt, too...considering calling Glit or Barricade...but he refrained from doing the former at Dirge's words.]
I'm in your room.
[He glanced around.]
You don't have to be the one who goes--and if you stay...
...I think that might be considered 'proof' enough.
[The box was tucked away.] The Arena is closed; your mission is complete. Blackout knows about the box. My plans can progress. It has been...rocky... [He growled, a bit,] but it is now done.
[He picked up the claw that was still resting on Dirge's berth, and tossed it towards the jet.]
There are still some things worth being happy over.
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....Yes. There are...
[Something seems to have occurred to him, but he doesn't give voice to whatever it is. A tiny grin edges at the corner of his mouth...and then he sets the claw down to kneel beside Blackout.]
I will...watch him.
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Preferably not alone.
[He laughed, sending a message to Barricade to come tend to this...issue.]
...and I will remain for now, as well.
[Not kneeling, though. He did move to stand beside Blackout...and...behind Dirge, even, but he was fully awake now and not interested in sitting down.]
Are you still interested in an appropriate explosion for Lugnut?
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Yes. Very much so. [He answered after a moment sucking at it- looking back up at Megatron.]
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He barges in with little to-do, arms still splattered with energon from fixing Blitzwing's legs.] So. What'm I looking at?
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Blackout was...aware of Barricade's entrance, though only marginally (and that mostly because Scorponok flooded his processor with excited chatter at the arrival of the other Tyran). Scorponok slithered down off Blackout's back, scurrying a few steps towards Barricade before halting and retreating to his host's side again.]
::barricadebarricadecomehurrypleasefixfixfix::
[He could feel his host dying, and he didn't like it.]
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[The jet received a nudge to the cheek with a few fingers, uncertain if he was scolding him for acting like a protoform or offering camaraderie to a stressed minion..
...and deciding that it didn't matter, because Barricade was here, and there was work to do.]
Blackout.
Had his spark cage pulled out of his chest by an un-named party.
[The fingers dropped to Dirge's shoulder, and squeezed in a manner that conveyed nothing gentle.]
I'd like him to continue being alive, if possible.
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Regardless of Magnum's intent- the jet only enjoyed the brief physical contact. His hands were so large and thick in comparison to Dirge's slender claws...
Oh ho, Barricade was the medic attenting to Blackout? The jet favored the cop car with a knowing smirk, which quickly changed into a wince when his shoulder was given a harsh squeeze.]
Hello again, Barricade.
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[The one good thing about having two sets of optics? He can focus the higher on Magnum, and the lower on Dirge, with significant looks for both.]
Mm. Hope this... un-named party doesn't run into me later. This sort of conduct is only acceptable on the battlefield.
[Oh, he knows you did it, Dirge. Scorpy did tell him, after all. Consider yourself reprimanded. Again. He eventually breaks his gaze from the pair to trot over to Blackout, immediately clamping off the broken fuel lines. Stop the bleeding, then reconnect the lines as quickly as possible. Simple.]
Don't worry, Scorponok. Not gonna let your host offline.
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The repairs were simple, and something Blackout could have done himself--on any other mech. As he was currently, about all he could do was try not to twitch and slam his plating closed as the medic went to work on his spark. As soon as the damaged lines were repaired, the worrying flickering diminished, the glow dimmer than it had been before, but otherwise steady ( ... )
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I trust you can take it from here, Barricade...
though I do suggest you utilize the guest room at the end of the hall when you are finished. There's a recharge berth in there, and Soundwave can get you a cube for your trouble.
[He saw that energon on your arms, and knows its a bit of an arduous journey getting into the Hollow when one is in top condition.]
If you would make sure Blackout knows I wish to see him when he's capable of moving...
[He tapped the Tyran on one of the rotor-stubs, knowing he was fully aware and would get the message.]
Then I would be most grateful.
As for you....
[He stepped around Blackout, making sure to brush against Dirge's wing as he did.]
...behave. I'll go see about getting you a jet to fly with.
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...So I've been told.
[He grumbled, watching the cop car go about fixing Blackout's major damage. The unexpected touch to his wing made him shiver, his attention returning to Megatron.]
You will? A wing-mate or two would be wonderful...
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[He automatically used the old name he'd given Frenzy, without thinking. He only vaguely caught what Magnum said - something about catching a rest here, which he knew he shouldn't. He ought not get Soundwave on his case again so soon. But he's focused on his work, super-heating the barrel of his rifle to meld the ends of the fuel lines together again. He doesn't bother offering a warning about it beforehand; the shock of the melting would hopefully keep Blackout aware.]
I'll be sure t'let him know. And this is no trouble; Scorp shouldn't be without his host.
[Make certain everyone present knows he's here for the symbiont. Hedge his bets, a little bit.]
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::barricadewillwillfixscorponokknows::
[And it really was that simple for him. Barricade was working on Blackout, and Blackout was obviously feeling better--everything would be all right.
It had to be.
Blackout was no nearly so sanguine, but he wasn't as simple as his symbiont--and the pain made it hard to feel very positively about anything. Still, he was awake and aware, nodding fractionally and trying not to shiver at the contact to the rotor stub. He'd be there--later.
Right now, he was going to shutter his optics and clamp his mandibles and just wait for Barricade to finish.]
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