TPF-verse. Autobot base and the Arctic. Solar Flare
Optimus: *sitting in a corner of the mess, quietly coughing and trying to muster the energy to get off the floor and go confess to Ratchet that she doesn't feel good. Has 'benefited' from Panacea and Eclipse's gracious sharing of Solar Flare*
Ratchet: *trying to get Eclipse to let go of his finger, since the sparklet is currently biting for all she's worth... Maybe if he offers her some energon? Will carry his passenger to the mess and pause when he spots the Prima* Optimus?
Eclipse: *SO MAD*
Optimus: *lifts her face from her arms to disclose the fact that her scar is darkened again and that she's blinking uncertainly. Coughs quietly but wrackingly before frowning* ...Ratchet?
Ratchet: *moves to crouch next to Optimus and scan her*
Eclipse: *bitty teefs goin' 'Skreek skreek skreek' on Ratchet hand!*
Optimus: *blinks again, then makes a small sound and puts her head down again* Hot...
Ratchet: *soft sound of concern as his scan shows Optimus has caught Solar Flare as well. Will ping Torque and Muhlisha with a request for assistance* Easy, Optimus...
Optimus: *another faint, involuntary sound, and then coughs some more*
Muhlisha: *looks in* Yeah, Doc?
Keepsake: *down the hall* Slaggin' hold still, Wake!
Ratchet: *to Muhlisha as Torque arrives* Help me with Optimus... She's caught what Eclipse and Panacea had... *is worried*
Muhlisha: *frowns as she steps over* It wasn't that bad a batch. *touches Optimus then and recoils* Ouch...
Optimus: *gives her a confused look*
Ratchet: *will hand Eclipse over to Torque, and move to try and lift Optimus*
Eclipse: *SO MAD, BITES TORKY*
Torque: Ow! >.o Sheeeeesh....
Optimus: *is burning hot, hence Muhlisha's reaction*
Ratchet: *winces* The sooner we get her cooled off, the better.
Muhlisha: *out, and then back with the hot mitts from Ratchet's toolbox* Where do you want her?
Ratchet: The infirmary.
Muhlisha: *gets the confused looking Prima gently manhandled into position, and then drags her out of the mess*
Optimus: *hazy alarm* Ratchet...
Ratchet: *hurries after Muhlisha* I'm right here, Optimus. Everything's going to be alright.
Optimus: *intaking raggedly by the time she's been dragged into the infirmary and hauled up onto a table. Optics aren't focused, and her tank is making unhappy sounds*
Muhlisha: *scowl* You have a barf bucket?
Ratchet: Er... *no idea what that is, Muhlisha*
WakeJumper: Storage room. *wince, cringe, resists the urge to hop up and down while Keepsake is working on his hand, which is showing clear signs of having been walloped in just the right spot to bust a joint (or two) by Eclipse*
Keepsake: *belts WakeJumper upside the head* Hold still or I'll fraggin' give 'em your helmet.
Ratchet: *hurries to get the bucket, will also grab a tarp and the antivirus for Solar Flare*
Optimus: *shivering and making small, inadvertent gasps as she fights the urge to cough. Is afraid that if she does those strange sounds in her tank will somehow escape*
Keepsake: *frowning toward her* What's that @#$@#@ mark on her face?
Ratchet: *moving to bring the bucket over to Optimus* *quietly* A leftover from when she had the plague.... *will get the antivirus ready and applied*
Optimus: *winces at the application of the program* *hazily* Ratchet...?
Keepsake: ...Plague? *hits WakeJumper again without looking at him*
Ratchet: *softly, to Optimus* I'm right here...
WakeJumper: *yelp!*
Optimus: *intaking rapidly as her temperature increases further* What... *pauses to fight back the coughing* ...What is happening?
Ratchet: You've come down with Solar Flare... You'll be alright. Just rest, for now.
Optimus: *soft gasp* It's hot.... *and there goes the result of the tank rumbling*
Keepsake: $#@$#@$#...
WakeJumper: *gagging now. Can't help it. Gags when the bitties urk too*
Ratchet: *will gently rub Optimus' back as she urks into the bucket, and feel glad that the bucket was there*
Keepsake: Slag, she barfs harder than Torky does. *looks at WakeJumper's hand, and then goes to look in the cupboards* Where's the fraggin' coolant?
Optimus: *heaves even after her tank is empty, and then collapses, nearly coming off the table in the process*
Ratchet: *moves to help Optimus stay on the table* *will also tell Keepsake where to find the coolant*
WakeJumper: .>_<. *trying to keep the contents of his tank in his tank*
Keepsake: Wake, get the coolant. *grabs the bucket* Slaggin' wimp. *carries it out*
WakeJumper: *goes to get the coolant*
Optimus: *hot enough to cause Ratchet discomfort when he touches her. She's causing scorch marks on the cover of the table, too*
Ratchet: *snaps at WakeJumper to hustle, is soon given a large bottle of coolant. Will add the coolant to Optimus' coolant tank and scan her*
Optimus: *blinking dazedly. Doesn't really understand anything that is happening around her at the moment. And despite the heat of her body she's starting to shiver now*
Keepsake: *comes back and stows the bucket within easy reach* How is she, Doc?
Ratchet: *quietly* She's going to need constant monitoring.... *moves to drape the tarp over Optimus*
Keepsake: *presses her lips together* When you old farts get Solar Flare it can get pretty bad.
Ratchet: *quieter* Which is why I'm going to be the one doing the monitoring...
Keepsake: *gives him a funny look* Who the frag else? You're her mate, afthat.
Ratchet: ... *soft sigh* No, I'm not.
WakeJumper: *giving Keepsake a surprised look* *thought everyone knew that Ratchet and Optimus never got bonded*
Keepsake: *rolls her optics* You sleep beside her every night. She kisses you before she goes out. I heard the two of you fraggin' arguin' about your kid the other day. If you ain't mates then what the slaggin' scrap are you?
Ratchet: *quietly, as he smooths Optimus' helm* I'm not even sure anymore....
Keepsake: Torky and Muhlisha do the same slag you two do, and everybody knows they're a pair.
Ratchet: *quietly, optics downcast* Muhlisha isn't Prima....
Keepsake: No. Just bossbot of the Tau Wrecker Guard.
Optimus: *softly, sounding weary and pained* Ratchet...
Ratchet: *attention firmly on Optimus* Easy.... *gentle touches for her helm and face*
Keepsake: *snorts and goes to check on her little sister*
Optimus: *optics flick to watch the tawny femme go, and then return to the medic at her side* *softly* Ratchet... we cannot bond... but I thought... *face creases as she's wracked with coughing*
Ratchet: *softly and soothingly* Everything will be alright....
WakeJumper: *gonna go see if Lt. Col. MacKenzie's here yet*
Optimus: *gasps as the coughing passes, and then looks up at Ratchet again* I give you all the time that I can, love.
Ratchet: *softly, is a bit stunned now that he knows Optimus remembers everything* And I give you all of the time that I can. *will gently take her hand in his*
Optimus: *overheated and trembling hand tries to grip his* My intentions... not clear enough. *coughs again, her intakes wheezing*
Ratchet: *quietly* Rest.... *moving to carefully climb onto the table next to her* I'm right here....
Optimus: *dazed frown* Mind... wandering. So cold...
Ratchet: *soothing* Just rest.... *will hold her as close as he can*
Optimus: *wordless assent as she shuts her optics off*
Control room
Raf: *drawing plans in a notebook as Bumblebee leans over and watches* Of course we can't get Optimus a dress, but we have three different grownups that could take the course we bought, and one of them has to say yes, right, Bee? *looks up at his friend*
Bumblebee: *nods hopefully* Bweebeeboo
WakeJumper: ...Dress?
Raf: *looks up and pushes his glasses back into position* Yeah. A wedding dress.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *absently, as he helps Denver with her homework* You know, it's possible for an adult to get legally ordained over the internet....
Raf: Yeah, I know. Bee and I registered for the course. That's what I was just talking about. We just need you, or Jack's mom, or Agent Fowler to take it and graduate.
Bumblebee: Weeeooo.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *gentle amusement* You didn't go to the Universal Life Church website.... They don't require coursework... As long as you're at least eighteen, you can get ordained there without too much hassle.
Raf: I'm twelve. *pokes his glasses again* And Jack and Denver ran away when I tried to ask them.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *gives his sister an amused look* *to Raf* I'll get ordained...
Raf: *happy grin, but then it fades* But we already paid for that week long online course.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: Then I'll do the course.
Raf: *happy again. Turns his attention back to his computer* What's your email address? I'll send you the stuff.
Bumblebee: *don't mind him. He's shaking his booty*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *gives Raf his e-mail address, too amused at Bumblebee's booty-shaking*
Keepsake: *looks in just long enough to whistle and embarrass the yellow bot, and then walk back out laughing*
Bumblebee: *hangs his head* Bweeee...
Raf: Don't worry, Bee. Girls are mean like that sometimes. Right, Miko?
Miko: Depends on who you're talking about.... *snickers as Denver mutters something that's probably best left unprinted*
Raf: Like, girls that make other girls wear stuff they don't like. *knows all about that bet, Miko!*
Miko: *innocent expression is a go*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *trying so hard not to look amused. Knows all about the bet too....* *blink blink blink as he opens the first lesson and sees that this one seems to mainly be about counseling and finding good places to hold the wedding service in.... and as soon as it's open fully "Going to the Chapel" starts playing* .... *facepalm*
Raf: *looks over, attention attracted by the music* Lt. Col. MacKenzie? What's wrong?
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *dryly* Could this get any cheesier?
Bumblebee: *concerned beeping and clicking*
Raf: He says, "Did we get cheated?"
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: I don't think so... It's just very cheesy....
Raf: Oh good. *relieved young boy is relieved. ...And then looking to see just exactly what Keepsake and Eclipse are now chasing WakeJumper around with*
WakeJumper: *running from crescent wrench, the babby wielding it, and the femme holding the babby!*
Raf: Hey, guys, should you be making that much noise when there are sick people around?
Bumblebee: *laughing soundlessly*
Keepsake: *stops and chucks the little wiggly rubber doll she'd found in the storeroom at Raf*
Raf: *child of a big family ducks automatically, letting the doll depicting the squidfaced, winged horror continue onward and smack the Lt. Col. upside the head*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: Ack!
Denver: Owned!
Miko: *snickerfitdie*
Raf: *oops eek! expression as he looks toward Beau*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *gonna chase Keepsake with the doll now!* *well, after he gets down from the balcony, that is*
Keepsake: *looks down at him, absently holding baby sister under one arm* You gotta be joking.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: I'm not. >3
Eclipse: *babble babble!* Yeeee!
Keepsake: What is that thing, anyway?
WakeJumper: *snickering* Some kind of rubbery human analog....
Keepsake: ...Humans don't have fraggin' tentacles 'n wings, scrap head.
Denver: *from the balcony* 'T kahnda looks lahk Cthulhu.....
Eclipse: *fuss! Whine! Trying to hide against Keepie-sissy from the scary doll!*
Keepsake: *looks at baby sister with surprise* What the slag's a kchoolhoo?
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *tosses the rubber doll at WakeJumper* Cthulu is a creature of mythology that supposedly lives under the ocean and drives people insane or eats them.
WakeJumper: Ack! Hey! *razzes the Lt. Col*
Bulkhead: *as he wanders in at the end of his shift at patrol* So... it's kinda like Fixer?
Keepsake: *mach ten GLARE*
WakeJumper: Fixer'd squish it.
Raf: *doubtful look for WakeJumper*
Bumblebee: *ditto, has been told stories about the monster*
WakeJumper: It's a squishy creature. Fixer'd squish it for getting in her way, especially if it was blocking her from getting to a patient.
Raf: WakeJumper, Cthulhu's mean.
Keepsake: *projects the image of a very big Decepticon facing a tall, slender femme of burgundy and silver. Decepticon fires at the femme, but the shot is deflected by something in the femme's hands. And then suddenly tentacles lash out from her shoulders and electricity arcs as her hulking opponent screams soundlessly*
WakeJumper: Fixer's meaner.
Keepsake: She would'a recycled Lugnut that day, if Stryka hadn't hauled him off. You never saw somethin' that big run that slaggin' fast. *evil grin*
WakeJumper: *nods in agreement* Shame, too. We were running low on supplies that cycle....
Keepsake: Wonder if those two slaarg processors'll ever realize they can't get the jump on Fixer. *snerks and shows another altercation between the big 'Cons and the burgundy and silver medic* *this one is NOT pretty*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: 0_0
Miko: *staring* What.....
Raf: ...Who are they?
Keepsake: What's that slaggin' word? Oh yeah. They're her parents.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: ....
Raf: *looks at WakeJumper*
WakeJumper: *nods* Yeah... They met her when she came out of the Well... Taught her and raised her.... Then they condemned her when she left the gladiator pits and went her own way.... According to Viisaus, she was undefeated. *shrugs a shoulder* *to Keepsake* Do you still have the one where Vissy joined in?
Bulkhead: *blink blinking at those holovids, utter amaze on his face*
Keepsake: Yeah, I got both of 'em. Tweedle scrap 'n Tweedle scrag showed up again after you left. This time it was just them and Vissy. *shows that file first*
WakeJumper: Oooh, I almost feel sorry for them.... *watching with fascination as a teal mech who is clearly far older than Ratchet takes on the two Decepticons, fighting in a similar manner to Fixer. The old mech shows no hesitation in his actions and no difficulties related to his age. After narrowly avoiding a blow that would have decapitated him, he's shooting the 'Con mech in the face with an archaic blaster*
Eclipse: Yeeee! *happy babbles as she points to the holovid*
Denver: Holy.... *cuuuuusss*
Miko: 0_0 *echos the cuss*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *ditto*
Keepsake: *grinning* This is the fraggin' best part. See Fixer comin' up behind 'em?
WakeJumper: *grins* Yeah....
holovid: *dissolves into pyrotechnics and static*
Keepsake: *laughing gleefully*
Bulkhead: 0_0 ...How do they keep gettin' on the station?
WakeJumper: That hold door's always open. *doesn't even flinch at the explosion on the holovid*
Bumblebee: ...Woooo...
Keepsake: There're a lotta good parts in those slaggers. One'a these days we'll get 'em.
Bulkhead: *turns and gives her a slow, shocked stare*
Raf: :o
WakeJumper: We don't have a lot... so we make due with what we can get.
Bulkhead: But... killin' bots for parts?
Keepsake: Nah, they get killed for bein' afthats. All they gotta do is stay the frag away if they wanna live.
WakeJumper: What Keepie said.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: ... I take it your home is a popular destination then?
Keepsake: *rotten chuckle* Not since before I was born.
Muhlisha: *from where she's leaning against the side of the entrance to the corridors* Nobody messes with Tau, except that Lugnut 'n his dame.
WakeJumper: *nod* It's a rough and tumble place to live... But it's home.
Muhlisha: We keep our space clean. And free. *lifts her chin proudly*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: .... *small nod, kind of understands*
Raf: *is still blinking as he tries to imagine all this*
Denver: ... *quiet as she too tries to imagine what life must be like for the residents of Tau*
Miko: ... But why don't you guys try and get help from the Autobots? *trying to make sense of this, really*
Muhlisha: Help for what? They're the ones that need help. Bulkhead, get your aft to bed. You've done enough for a first shift after Solar Flare.
Bulkhead: *scowl* Who died and left you in command?
Muhlisha: Optimus' barfing, Ratchet's takin' care of 'er, 'n Arcee's on patrol. *cracks knuckles* You wanna argue my right to give orders?
Raf: *going to hunker down and hide now*
Miko: *gonna hide behind Denver now!*
Denver: *frowns at Bulkhead*
WakeJumper: *backing up a few steps, will put himself between Muhlisha and Keepsake*
Bulkhead: ... *looks at WakeJumper, and then pings Ratchet*
Ratchet: //Is something wrong?//
Bulkhead: //Uh, Muhlisha's givin' orders out here. Where's Optimus?//
Ratchet: //Resting.//
Bulkhead: *frowns* //Now? But she slept last night.//
Keepsake: *quietly starts a countdown*
Ratchet: *quietly* //She's caught Solar Flare.//
Bulkhead: //... So you're in charge?//
Ratchet: //I'm staying with Optimus to make sure she rests and to keep an optic on her, since she was dangerously overheated.//
Bulkhead: //So who's in charge?// *can hear that count winding down, and is feeling uneasy about it*
Ratchet: //Who's the highest-ranked officer up and about currently?// *no, he has no idea*
Bulkhead: //Uh... Bumblebee. He outranks me.//
Ratchet: *pings Bumblebee's comm*
Bumblebee: *blink* //Bweee?//
Ratchet: //You're in charge for the moment, Bumblebee.//
Bumblebee: //... Thrrrrpt.//
Ratchet: //Do you have any better ideas?//
Bumblebee: *shrugs and projects an image of Muhlisha. Optimus treats the small femme as one of her officers, and she's head of a division at Tau.*
Ratchet: //Well then, Muhlisha's in charge.//
Bulkhead: Slag. *goes to bed*
Muhlisha: *pats him on the arm in passing, then aims a kick at Keepsake*
Keepsake: *scoots out of reach and enriches the vocabularies of the young humans* XD
Eclipse: *scoldy clickstorm!*
Keepsake: Where the slag's Pansy?
Miko: She's up here snuggled between Denver and me.
Keepsake: *looks, and then walks over and offers them her baby sister* Here, keep an optic on this one, too.
Raf: *big grin and offers to take Eclipse, surprise at what he's learned about Tau forgotten for now*
Eclipse: *babble babble, reaches for Raf!*
Raf: *cuddles the bitty and goes to sit on the end of the couch by Denver* ^_^
Bumblebee: *talking softly as he comes and leans over the balcony rail to visit with the little one as well*
Denver: *small smile, back to work on homeworks*
Eclipse: *snuggles and makes cute*
Muhlisha: *grins at that, then watches Keepsake burn out of the base to go look for fun. Quick little ping to Torque's comm* //Stuck yet?//
Torque: //Nope. Hard to get stuck when I transform and pull myself out.// *can you just hear his grin?*
Muhlisha: //Still seen you do it.// *transmits a chuckle* //They stuck me in charge.//
Torque: //Need me to come back?//
Muhlisha: *more chuckle* //I'm squishy and sparklet sitting.// *tone is relaxed and content*
Torque: //'Kay. I'll be back later on... There's more mud to play in.//
Muhlisha: //Don't forget to keep an eye out for 'Cons.// *settles down to sit on a crate by the screens*
Torque: //Will do. I might even save some for you.// *teasing, yes*
Muhlisha: *snerks and send him the sound of a kiss, then closes the connection and glances at the humans and sparklets, and the yellow bot who is silently watching them*
Miko: *sending a text message to someone*
Denver: *grumbling and occasionally giving Miko deathglares*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *working on the coursework*
Eclipse: *has one of her favorite peeps, is snuggling and purring*
Raf: *cheek resting against Eclipse's head, his eyes dreamy as he hums to the sparklet*
Pansy: *is a tiny bundle between the girls, little arms wrapped lovingly around the rough rag dolly that Miko presented to her two days before and whose button eyes she has already thoughtfully eaten*
WakeJumper: *going on monitor duty, is on standby for emergencies*
Muhlisha: *grins at him* Guess this ain't too bad here. I won't feel so bad leavin' Pansy behind when we go home.
Miko: *looks up* You're leaving soon? *worried but not showing it*
Muhlisha: Nah. They don't need us at Tau. The other squad and the old farts can watch things just fine. We're Optimus' right now.
Miko: Okay then... *back to texting June the details of the bet and the fact that Denver lost*
Muhlisha: *leans over and looks* What bet?
Raf: *looks up but doesn't reply*
Miko: *as Denver's grumbling increases* Remember when I got Optimus to spell 'pig' backwards and say 'funny' after?
Muhlisha: ... Yeah?
Miko: Well, Denver bet I couldn't get Optimus to say it. *grin*
Muhlisha: Oh. *plainly doesn't get the significance of the phrase*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: It'd be the equivalent of saying that someone leaks funny. *yes, he's kind of gotten the gist of the different terminology*
Muhlisha: *gives Miko a bit of a stink eye* That's low.
Miko: Well, Optimus doesn't normally say stuff like that, and I was kind of figuring that she would realize what I was trying to get her to say before she said it....
Muhlisha: She probably didn't even know what it me... *turns head alertly as she catches a faint cry from somewhere down the hall* *frown* Solar Flare can't be hitting her that hard.
WakeJumper: *hurries down the hall*
Optimus: *gasping again as her temperature spikes. Is thrashing slightly in the throes of some memory or dream*
Ratchet: *working to try and get her temperature down! Will also try pinging her comm* //Optimus!//
Optimus: *flails* No. No!
Ratchet: *moves to pin her arms down* Optimus! Wake up!
Optimus: *manages to belt him one without realizing it* *faint smoke raises from the mat beneath her*
Ratchet: *winces but hangs on*
WakeJumper: *scanning!*
Optimus: *has overheated to the point of delirium, her systems are straining to cool themselves and function properly, and her spark shows signs of stress*
WakeJumper: *hurries to get a bucket of cold water*
Ratchet: *doing everything he can think of, including opening plating to wick away heat*
Optimus: *senses his hands on her chest and takes a swing at him* Back off, Megatronus! You've had too much to energy.
Ratchet: *boggles. Never suspected that Megatron would have tried to do that....* *soothingly* Optimus, it's me. Ratchet....*reaches for her hand*
Optimus: I will befriend you as your sister, but I will NOT be your mate. Stay with us, Megatronus! Can't you see this is the right way? *desperate sorrow in her hurried voice*
Ratchet: .... *as if he needed another reason to dislike Megatron*
WakeJumper: *back with the bucket, and a few polishing cloths*
Optimus: The Matrix isn't there. *startles, growls, and takes another swing at the memory*
Ratchet: *narrowly avoided the swing, will reach for Optimus' wrist*
Optimus: *sends him across the room toward WakeJumper*
WakeJumper: *startled curse as he catches Ratchet*
Ratchet: *startled and shocked* Optimus....
Optimus: *stands a moment swaying and gasping, and then bolts from the room* So you show your true colours! *bitter sorrow* I may be only a female librarian, but I know that freedom through tyranny is no freedom at all!
Ratchet: *curses and runs after the ailing femme*
WakeJumper: ... Oh, scrap.... *sends a warning to Muhlisha*
Muhlisha: *is that clang as she sets sturdy legs and braces herself right in Optimus' path*
Optimus: *flips tail over teakettle over the smaller femme and lands on her back*
Pansy: *angry shriek from the control room!*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *on his feet* What the?!
Bumblebee: *running to help with Optimus, though he's not totally sure what's going on*
Miko: *acks and grabs Pansy before bailing from the couch*
Denver: *grabs Raf and Eclipse, will hide behind the couch!*
Ratchet: *getting a sedation tab out of storage* Help me get her sedated!
Bumblebee and Muhlisha: *throw their whole weights on the panting Prima*
Bumblebee: *soft squeal of pain at the heat coming from Optimus*
Ratchet: *moving to quickly sedate Optimus* *will also twist the two key wires in her neck as a precaution*
Optimus: *goes limp with a soft whir*
Muhlisha: *hurries to get up, fanning her front and poking at slight blisters on her paint* ...That can't be good.
Bumblebee: *softly, as he stands up and looks down at Optimus with concern* Bweeee...
Ratchet: *scanning and trying to pinpoint the cause of the overheating*
Optimus: *systems weakened by the recent stress of the plague are now overreacting to the presence of the Solar Flare program*
Muhlisha: She needs to cool off.
Bumblebee: *gets a word out* Bath?
Ratchet: *looks up* We'll need to get her there quickly.
Muhlisha: Bumblebee, get her other leg. Wake, you get the top. *no nonsense, quiet commands. This may be Brawn's daughter, but she's also a born leader*
WakeJumper: *moves to go where directed*
Ratchet: *moves to help carry Optimus*
Muhlisha: On three. One, two, three. *lifts her portion of Prima, showing no strain in the least*
Bumblebee: *slight stagger and braced legs as he too lifts his corner of Optimus* Bweebeeboo.
Ratchet: *very little strain as he lifts his part of Optimus*
WakeJumper: *careful as he lifts Optimus' upper torso*
Muhlisha: Okay, Wake, you lead.
WakeJumper: *careful as he moves to bring everyone to the washracks*
Optimus: *slight twitch and soft whimper as a cloud of steam hails her introduction to the pool of water contained in the big tub. There is popping and hissing from her armour as she's lowered*
Bumblebee: Bweeeee.
Ratchet: *soothingly* Easy, Optimus... We're just trying to get you cooled off...
Muhlisha: Can she hear you after you jacked her and crossed her wires? *hunkered on the edge of the pool now, her optics shining softly through the steam rising from it*
Ratchet: I don't know... *will work on trying to get Optimus' temperature to drop*
Muhlisha: *then, in the direct way of Tau* She going to make it?
Bumblebee: *shocked look*
Ratchet: *quietly* She will if I have any say in the matter.
Muhlisha: *nods, accepting this without comment* Is there any danger?
Ratchet: I'm not sure... I haven't seen a case of Solar Flare this bad before....
Muhlisha: *frowns* You're supposeta be the best.
Ratchet: So I've heard.... But even I can face unknown things from time to time... *attention back on trying to get Optimus cooled off*
Muhlisha: You have anymore coolant?
Ratchet: It's in the supply room in the infirmary.
WakeJumper: *goes to get it!*
Muhlisha: //How much is there, Wake?//
WakeJumper: //Enough to replace everyone's coolant at least once... how much more do we need?//
Muhlisha: //You're the medibot.// *looks at Bumblebee and then gets up and jogs out to the control room to look at the humans there. Dismisses Raf at once, and then looks at Beau and the girls*
WakeJumper: //Gotcha.//
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *quietly* What's the situation, Muhlisha?
Denver: *peeks from behind the couch*
Muhlisha: We need to go get... crystallized water.
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: ... Ice.... *calls Agent Fowler and tells him to get as much ice as he can to the Autobot base ASAP*
Muhlisha: Show me where to get it. *holds out her hand to the adult human*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: Stores in town have ice boxes... but we have to pay for it.
Muhlisha: Pay? *thumps the side of the platform that the balcony stands on, voicing a low curse* Do you have credit?
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: I have money. I've also called Bill, and told him to bring ice.
Eclipse: *fussing unhappily now*
Fowler: //Where in the name of Uncle Sam am I supposed to get ice right now, Beau?//
Muhlisha: Well we need it now. Optimus' wires are going to melt if something isn't done.
Panacea: *cranky little growl*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *frustrated sound* We need to think fast.
Miko: ...What about the Arctic?
Denver: ... Wh't 'bout 't?
Muhlisha: *looks at the smaller human girl* What's the Arctic? Is it relevant to this?
Miko: The Arctic's one of the coldest places on Earth. There's ice and snow everywhere. Optimus and Arcee went there one time and nearly froze solid....
Muhlisha: *looks at Beau*
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: ... That might just work. Let Ratchet know.
Muhlisha: //Wake, tell Ratchet to bring Optimus out here. We're taking her to the Arctic.//
WakeJumper: //... Ooo, that's a new curse word....Wonder if Fixer knows it.... We're on our way out.//
Muhlisha: *goes to meet them at the mouth of the hall* *over her shoulder* //Get the bridge going.//
Lt. Col. MacKenzie: *hurrying to get the ground bridge going*
Ratchet: *fretting and worrying*
Muhlisha: *watches the bridge flare to life, and then picks Optimus up easily despite her bulk and carries the Prima through just as a blue motorcycle with no rider zooms into the room from the access tunnel*
Arcee: What the-? Where are you going?
Raf: *small voice* They're taking Optimus to the arctic.
Arcee: ... *transforms* What?
Denver: Opt'mus 's sick....
Eclipse: *gearing up for an upset shriek*
Pansy: *beats her to it!*
Miko: *wince wince wince*
Ratchet: *hurrying after Muhlisha, paying the other conversations no mind*
Muhlisha: *voice comes from the speaker on the computer console* //How deep is this ice? She's sinking.//
WakeJumper: ... *hurries through the ground bridge as well* //Hang on to her, 'Lisha.//
Muhlisha: //Got her. ...Rolling her over to cool the front. She's still sinking.//
Raf: *glances over, and then turns to trying to sooth the sparklets*
Eclipse: *having none of it* *SHRIEK*
Denver: *winces*
Arcee: *wince* Scrap...
Muhlisha: //Ratchet, you can't take this cold. Go back and take care of Pansy.//
Ratchet: //Neither can you!// *is clearly worried about Optimus* *startled curse as he's bodily shoved back through the ground bridge by WakeJumper*
WakeJumper: //We can too, Ratchet. Taubots are comet miners.//
Bumblebee: *sad sounds from where he's taken the sparklets and is trying to comfort them*
Arcee: .... *raised brow* ... They mine on comets?
Ratchet: *looks like he's going to try and go back through the bridge*
Bumblebee: *gives Ratchet babbies!*
Eclipse: *gearing up for another shriek*
Pansy: *shaking with the force of her angry fear. Clings to her smaller big!*
Ratchet: *distracted, will try and stop Eclipse from shrieking, will also do his best to soothe Panacea's upset*
Muhlisha: //WakeJumper, get her started again.//
Raf: *gasp*
Bumblebee: o_o
Ratchet: ... *cycling air quickly*
WakeJumper: //Clear...//
Denver: *ducks her head and prays*
Muhlisha: //Do it again.// *calm, quiet, collected, and showing no reaction to the howling wind that is surrounding her and the others there on the pole*
WakeJumper: //Clear...// *sounding just a bit frightened now*
Muhlisha: //Undo the sedation. You wouldn't come back that time till Fixer unjacked you.//
WakeJumper: //...When was that?// *working!*
Muhlisha: //You don't remember? Dockboss parked the barge on you once. You went nuts and Fixer had to jack you. But then you crashed and bottomed out.//
WakeJumper: //...Huh.... How long ago was this? Easy, Optimus... You're safe....//
Muhlisha: //I was just a sparklet.//
Optimus: *groan sounds clearly over comms, followed by the sound of systems once more stopping*
Muhlisha: //Get her going again.//
WakeJumper: //Clear...//
Muhlisha: *grunts* //Bet she just broke her hand.//
Optimus: *strangled yell*
Bumblebee: *startles at the yell*
Arcee: Something's not right... Even with her being sick... *hurrying through the ground bridge*
Muhlisha: *has the Prima's panels open and is packing her with ice*
Optimus: *gasping and shaking, her optics wide*
Arcee: ... What are you doing?
WakeJumper: Trying to get Optimus' temperature down.
Optimus: *dentae chattering* 0_0
Muhlisha: *still packing* It's not melting as fast.
WakeJumper: *scans Optimus* Once her temperature's dropped to the safe range, we'll bring her home, Arcee. Go back and get warmed up.
Arcee: *frowning as she watches the packing*
Muhlisha: *without turning from Optimus* Now.
Arcee: *hesitates for a moment before she's moving to head back through the ground bridge*
Optimus: *gives another choked yelp behind her as Mulisha finds a new place to put ice*
Arcee: *as she returns* WakeJumper and Muhlisha are working on getting Optimus' temperature down....
Raf: Why is she yelling? It sounds like she's hurt. *worry*
Bumblebee: *softly* Bwee...
Panacea: *so much angry fuss and flail over there in her smaller big's arms! Just accidentally belted Eclipse*
Eclipse: *YELL*
Ratchet: *winces* With as hot as Optimus was running, the shock of the cold might be a bit painful....
Denver: .... Th't's gotta stink....
Optimus: *really sounds unhappy with that yell*
Muhlisha: *glances toward the space bridge, and then pitches a small hunk of ice at Miko* Get back through there, stupid!
Miko: Ack! *skitters back through the bridge*
Muhlisha: *shakes her head and watches to make sure the human doesn't come through again, then puts a hand on the shivering Prima's side* How's she doing, Wake?
WakeJumper: Her temperature's still falling.... Almost to the upper end of the safe range....
Muhlisha: *looks into the Prima's workings, and then adds more snow and ice*
Optimus: Yeeahhh! *squirm!* O...o...o...o...uch!
WakeJumper: *snerks before he can help it, even as he continues to scan* Won't be too much longer before we can all head back to base...
Optimus: *violent sneezing fit, and then coughs lightly before squirming again and trying to scootch away from Muhlisha's ministrations*
WakeJumper: *quick to catch her* Easy, Optimus....
Optimus: *gives him a slight Look. And then sneezes again*
WakeJumper: *snerk* Alright, let's get back to base.... *will scan Optimus as he moves to help her up* ...First thing we're doing when we get back is getting your firewalls reinstalled.
Muhlisha: *looks up at him* What?
Optimus: *kerchoo!* *stagger*
WakeJumper: The overheating burned her firewalls out... and almost killed off the Solar Flare. *so amused by this*
Muhlisha: Scrap. What about her parts? Stuff was melting in there. *pokes a paint blister*
Optimus: *flinch, groggy scowl*
WakeJumper: We'll worry about that once we're back at base. *supporting Optimus* Let's get back before Ratchet breaks something by fretting too much.
Muhlisha: He's got the kids. *hauls the stumbling Prima back through the bridge, and then lets her drop to her knees for a moment to melt and shiver*
Bumblebee: *hurries toward her, 'talking' softly and encouragingly*
WakeJumper: *quick to intercept* Wait till we get her firewalls up and running again....
Bumblebee: *stops short and looks up at the taller mech with wide optics* Weeeeee...
WakeJumper: *hurrying to get the firewall tabs*
Optimus: *on knees and hands, shoulders hunched as she circulates deeply, drips, and shivers. Then sneezes and nearly falls flat*
Muhlisha: *keeps her from falling* Easy, lady.
Panacea: *notices her bigger big, and gets flailing upset again*
Raf and Bumblebee: Watching Optimus. Both showing deep concern*
Ratchet: *soothing sounds, even as Eclipse shrieks her protests*
Panacea: *just made herself lose her lunch because of how upset she is*
Ratchet: *quickly transferring Eclipse over to Bumblebee, will go clean Panacea up and try and sooth away her upset*
Bumblebee: *cautious eying of the orange and black sparklet, and then gives her to Raf. Knows she won't hit Raf!*
Raf: Whoa! Hi...
Eclipse: *fusses and wibbles*
WakeJumper: *back with the tabs, moves to apply them*
Optimus: *slight flinch as he does so* *quietly* What is wrong with the sparklets?
WakeJumper: They're a little upset about something....
Optimus: *raises her head and looks toward Eclipse* ...What? What are they upset about, WakeJumper?
WakeJumper: Well, you were overheating and not aware of your surroundings.... Kinda spooked 'em, I guess.... We had to jump on you and sedate you.
Optimus: *alarm shows on her weary and now dripping face* I was violent?
WakeJumper: Not too bad... You just made a LOT of noise.... Right, 'Lisha?
Muhlisha: Yeah, 'n tried belting the old Doc. *gets a shoulder under Optimus and hauls her back down the corridor toward the infirmary*
Ratchet: *gently trying to interest Panacea in taking in fuel, has gotten her cleaned up*
Panacea: *growls and refuses to eat, but then perks and starts fussing as she sees Optimus brought in. What was that word June and Beau have told her? Oh yeah* Mamamama!
Ratchet: *blink blink blink, looks to Optimus with surprise clear on his face*
Muhlisha: *looks over toward the sparklet after getting Optimus arranged on the table* What's she sayin'?
Panacea: Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Ratchet: *as he moves to bring Panacea over to Optimus* I think she's saying the human word for femme caregiver....
Muhlisha: Ah. *looks through the door, and then leaves the room*
Optimus: *slowly looks down at the little sparklet, then reaches for her* *quietly* We have to send them back, Ratchet.
Ratchet: *quietly* In the morning.... For now, you need to rest and recover. *will gently transfer Panacea to Optimus*
Panacea: *bleah! Mama is wet! Hmm. Licks the water and then spits*
Optimus: o.0 *still shivering. Dentae chattering softly as she watches Panacea*
Ratchet: *will move to drape a tarp over both femmes and turn it on*
Optimus: *quietly* I... hit you?
Ratchet: *softly, as he moves to gently smooth her helm* It was an accident, when you were unaware of your surroundings.
Optimus: Are you hurt? *tries to scan him, but her sensors are still shaky and blurry* WakeJumper... is he damaged?
Ratchet: *soothingly* I've gotten worse from Dion.
WakeJumper: *from the doorway* If you can count scuffed paint as damage.
Optimus: But why did I do it? Why would I strike you, love? *moves head restlessly*
Panacea: *echoes Mama's unrest with angry little crackles and spits from under the tarp*
Ratchet: *quietly, as WakeJumper leaves to find Keepsake and ask her about the time Dockboss parked the barge on him* You were flashing back to what was likely a very upsetting time....
Optimus: *quizzical look*
Ratchet: *quietly repeating some of what she said while delirious*
Optimus: *winces* Megatron became overcharged after his disappointment before the Council. He proposed a bond to me, and when I refused he became convinced that I already had the Matrix of Leadership.
Ratchet: *quietly* I suspected as much....
Optimus: *shuts optics off and sighs* And then, when I returned... you proposed.
Ratchet: *will gently smooth her helm a bit more* *softly* At the time, I had no idea what Megatron had tried....
Optimus: *quietly* I'm sorry, love.
Ratchet: *will gently touch his forehead to hers*
Optimus: *weary sigh. Is weak and run down, but slowly warming up. Is also dripping a puddle under her table*
Ratchet: *quietly* Get some rest.... I'm not going anywhere.
Optimus: *nods, then sneezes and groans before dropping into a deep and exhausted sleep*
Ratchet: *will settle down on a crate to keep watch over her and Panacea. The rest of the world will just have to go on without him for now*
((written with random_xtras))