hsv, Autobot Base, Christmas Gifts
Screamspark: *sudden poof of light from the spark pot*
Ratchet: *looks over, concerned. Scans*
Screamspark: *laying on the bottom of the pot and barely putting out any energy*
Ratchet: ... *frowns and scans again*
Screamspark: *higher functions seem to be shut down... as a matter of fact it's putting out the readings of a spark that's been 'wiped'*
Ratchet: *pings First Aid's, Galvatron's, and Optimus' comms*
First Aid: //Ack! Ratchet, I'm busy. I'm sorry!//
Optimus: //What is it, Ratchet?//
Ratchet: //Starscream's spark is reading similar to one that has been wiped.//
Optimus: //...What does that mean? Do you require my presence?//
First Aid: //*incoherent static*//
Ratchet: // *explains what a wiped spark is*//
Ratchet: //Almost all of his personality matrix is gone, or so it seems.//
Optimus: *long silence* //I see.//
Screamspark: *fluctuates and flickers weakly, the cracks in its surface showing up darkly*
medbay: *shakes as First Aid clips the doorframe on his way in*
First Aid: *stumbling slightly and looking rather dazed*
Optimus: //I'll send Shockwave.//
Ratchet: //We will need to make a decision regarding his personality matrix...//
Optimus: //...I thought you said that it was gone?//
First Aid: *standing in the middle of the floor and desperately trying to remember what he's here after*
Ratchet: //It can be recreated... but the question is... would the risks outweigh the benefits of doing so?//
Optimus: //...I see. I'll be there in (x) clicks. Galvatron's with me.//
Ratchet: *small nod* //Understood. Ratchet out.//
First Aid: Um... Ratchet? *sways slightly*
Ratchet: *attention goes to First Aid, and then he's going to bring the younger mech a chair* Sit down...
First Aid: *confused note in his voice as he does so* Thank you. ...Er... what did I come here for?
Ratchet: Starscream's spark... we need to decide if the risks associated with recreating his original personality matrix would outweigh the benefits...
First Aid: *blink. Slow second blink* Wait... his personality matrix. *groans and lowers his head to his hands*
Ratchet: *raised brow ridge* Is there a problem, First Aid?
First Aid: *unevenly* I was off duty, so I drank something Ironhide gave me, and then kissed Foxtrot. ...More than once.
Ratchet: ... *Face.palm* What color was what Ironhide gave you?
First Aid: ...I don't remember.
Ratchet: *sigh*
First Aid: I'm sorry ;_;
Ratchet: Just sit tight for now...
First Aid: Yes, sir. *leans back, holding onto the arms of the chair to stay in it*
Screamspark: *poof!*
Optimus: *comes in just in time to see that flare* What??
Galvatron: *on his brother's shoulder, optics wide with surprise*
Ratchet: *Scans the spark again, frowning*
Screamspark: *stabilized, but is now too weak for a fully programmed adult shell* *Starscream, to all intents and purposes, is dead*
Ratchet: *sharp curse*
Optimus: What is it? *optics go from the spark pot to his CMO*
Ratchet: His spark is stable... but it's no longer strong enough for a full protoform... *A bit quieter* This mech is no longer Starscream.
Galvatron: *blinks, then stands on Optimus' shoulder and puts his hand over his chestplate* Primus hold his memory close. He was a $%#$@#, but he was still a part of the creator's spark.
Ratchet: *small nod, sighs* We'll need a sparklet protoform for him...
Optimus: *stunned, as is the human by his feet*
Lennox: ...What do you mean... 'no longer Starscream'?
Ratchet: His personality matrix is completely gone... and with the state his spark is in... any attempts to re-create the original personality would more than likely be unsuccessful... and fatal.
Lennox: *frowning* So... he's alive... but he's dead?
Optimus: *heavily, regret mixed with relief* This spark is alive. But it is not Starscream.
Ratchet: *nods, sighing again and running over inventory to see if there are enough parts available*
Galvatron: *jumps down and looks into the pot* We should get him transfered.
Ratchet: *Another nod* We will need to send in a request for additional parts after this transfer is completed...
Optimus: You don't have any sparklet protoforms ready?
Ratchet: There are four ready... one will be used for the transfer... but we will need more supplies so we have additional protoforms ready for the sparklet that Bluestreak and Wheeljack are expecting.
Galvatron: *sighs* He'll have to be a ground mech for at least a little while. Maybe that will make it easier for the others to accept him.
Ratchet: *nods, before going to retrieve one of the sparklet protoforms*
Optimus: *catches First Aid, and then lays him on an empty table* Do you need us here anymore, Ratchet?
First Aid: *apologizing in a confused voice*
Ratchet: *Returning with the protoform in his arms* No... If it isn't too much trouble, would you take First Aid back to Foxtrot?
Optimus: *blinks* Is that the problem?
Galvatron: *facepalming as he hops down to walk by Lennox*
Ratchet: *Snerks, headshake* No...
Optimus: *quizzical look as he gently scoops the dazed young medic into his arms*
Lennox: Then what's wrong with him?
Ratchet: He had a bit too much holiday cheer.
Optimus: ...I see. Call me with updates. *turns and carries First Aid out of the medbay, Galvatron and Lennox trotting to keep up*
Ratchet: *headshake, sets about prepping for the transfer*
Kia: *peeks into the medbay* Optimus suggested that you might need assistance, Ratchet.
Ratchet: *Small nod* That would be appreciated, Kia. Are you familiar with spark transfers?
Kia: *slightly amused look despite the worry she's carrying around from her mate* Of course.
Ratchet: The spark to be transferred is currently in the spark support unit.
Kia: *goes over in her quiet and nonobtrusive way and starts to prep the spark, clicking softly as she does so. Prep done, she checks the readouts and her own sensor readings, and then brings the unit over to the table where Ratchet has the protoform*
Ratchet: *finishing final prep on the protoform* Perceptor is worried about Showtime, isn't he?
Kia: *softly, her south sea lilt showing even more than usual* Of course. But he is keeping himself busy by preparing for the sparklets.
Ratchet: *soft chuckle* Somehow, I'm not surprised... *attention going to the spark* Let's get him transferred.
Kia: *small, slender hands open the spark support unit, and then coat themselves in a forcefield as she gently lifts the softly shimmering spark from its depths. Clicking softly, the little silver femme then turns and carefully situates the spark into the chest of the tiny protoform and then lowers her hands and scans to see how he's doing*
Ratchet: *scanning the protoform, and praying silently*
Kia: *soft sound and she smiles and closes the little chest* There we go.
sparklet: *optics blinking with confusion as he turns his head and looks around*
Ratchet: *Clicks gently* Easy, little one...
sparklet: *looks up at him with big blue optics that don't even hold the usual newspark knowledge of self, and then reaches one little hand which pauses halfway up*
Kia: *softly* He should not imprint on you.
Ratchet: *small nod, quietly* I wonder how Desinex would handle caring for a second sparklet?
Galvatron: *returning* She'd probably have a fit at first. But I think she's the best choice for parent.
Ratchet: *soft chuckle* The sooner we get this little one and Desinex accquainted, the better... Is she still in the brig?
Galvatron: She is. Will you let me deliver him?
Ratchet: *nods* He needs to be fed soon...
Galvatron: *slight bit of a smile* And that will probably help with the acceptance and bonding process. *holds out his arms*
Ratchet: *gently transfers the sparklet to Galvatron*
Galvatron: *holds the little one carefully and carries him out of the medbay*
In the brig, a short while later...
Desinex: *pacing around yet again, as she has been since shortly after being placed in the brig*
Galvatron: *approaches Desinex's cell, fussing sparklet in arms*
Hound: *looks up from Ridgeback, his brow plates raising*
Ridgeback: *biiig optics at the other sparklet*
Hound: *starts to ask something, but Galvatron shakes his head at him and tells him to let him through the forcefield and into the cell. Frowning, the green mech does so*
Desinex: ... *tilts her head, visor still covering her optics* *frown*
Galvatron: *quietly* You want to finish things with Starscream?
Desinex: *low growl*
Galvatron: *holds up the little one, who is squirming and whimpering* Here you are.
Desinex: ... That's not Starscream.
Ridgeback: *clicking to the other sparklet*
Galvatron: It's what's left of Starscream's spark. Scan him and see if you don't believe me.
Desinex: ... WHAT?!
Ridgeback: *Squeaks and hides against Hound*
Galvatron: The spark was fractured when Skyfire retrieved it. While in the medbay it destabilized and nearly went out. Though it finally regained stability its personality matrix was wiped.
Hound: *optics wide as he rubs his son's back*
Desinex: ... *quietly, as she turns away slightly* Why did you bring him here?
Galvatron: As I said. So you could settle things.
Desinex: *turns sharply with a growl as her visor retracts, revealing the fact that her optics have returned to a brilliant scarlet color* What am I supposed to do?!
Galvatron: *as the sparklet's whimpers turn to a shrill wail* What your spark tells you to do.
Desinex: ... *cycles air for a bit, before she's retracting her claws and clicking to the sparklet* He needs to be fed...
Galvatron: Yes. He does.
sparklet: *quivering with distress as he wails*
Desinex: Does he have a name yet? *moving closer*
Galvatron: Not yet. *absent baby dance*
Desinex: *small frown, clicks to the sparklet as she reaches for him*
Galvatron: *gives him*
sparklet: *vocalizer starting to show signs of strain!*
Desinex: shhhh....It'll be okay... *gentle clicks as she gets a feeding tube out of subspace and gets set up so the sparklet can drink from her tank*
sparklet: *still shaking as he latches on and drinks frantically*
Hound: *has stepped into the cell and now walks over to his mate, his expression plainly showing his concern*
Ridgeback: *peeking* New bubby?
Desinex: *gently rubbing the sparklet's back, moves to carefully lean against Hound*
Hound: *arm around her. Gentle clicks as he looks down at the newspark*
Ridgeback: *Decides that that means "yes", reaches to gently patpat new sibling*
Hound: *blinks and remembers himself* Yeah, Buddy. That's a new brother for you and Lady.
Desinex: *having a hard time looking at Hound and Ridgeback, is still ashamed of her optics*
Ridgeback: *clicks to the newspark, looks up at Mama, clicks to her too*
Hound: *smiles, then looks up with a slight frown as he hears Denver's footsteps coming close*
Denver: *playing a Christmas carol on her speakers, is still being used as a sparklet jungle gym by a few of the sparklets* 'Ey Hound, got somethin' f'r Ridgeback 'n y'all.
Galvatron: *goes to meet her* Careful, Denver. Desinex has a new spark.
Denver: *frowns, stops* 'Nother one?
Galvatron: *nods and quietly explains the sparklet's origin, adding* He doesn't have a name yet.
Denver: *Frowns more, getting a few red velvet bags out of storage* One'a these 'as th' name "Windshard" onnit... Ah'm guessin' th't's 'is name.
Desinex: *watching Denver warily*
Galvatron: *pauses and blinks, then takes the bag and looks at it* What is this?
Denver: Somethin' fr'm th' elf in th' Nexus wit' th' Peterbuilt filled wit' gifts... WakeJumper told us 'bout 'em last year...
Galvatron: *looks up* Did we get anymore Dinobots?
Denver: Ah don' think so.... but there's a bag f'r Snarl...
Dion: *pipes up* There's choccy-covered charcoal! :D
Galvatron: *looks in Windshard's bag. And chuckles* This is a bottle of sweet energon with sparkles. And a little blanket.
Denver: Ah ran int' Cho, 'n Draco's wit' 'er rahght now...
Ariel: *trying to talk, has a big bite of the choccy-covered charcoal in her mouth*
Galvatron: *absently gentle as he turns toward Desinex* Finish what's in your mouth, Ariel.
Desinex: *ducking her head against Hound again, and checking on the newly named Windshard*
Galvatron: *offers her the bag*
Desinex: *reaching with her free hand, is doing so without moving her head*
Ridgeback: *points to one of the bags, clicking to Hound* Treats?
Hound: Yes, I think there are treats in there, buddy. Is there one for him, Denver?
Denver: Yeah... 'ere. *doesn't want to get too close with Desinex being protective, holds the bag out to Galvatron* Ah think 'e's got somea th' choccy-covered charcoal 's well.
Galvatron: *takes it and looks inside, then chuckles* Applewood charcoal and peppermint choccy.
Ridgeback: *headtilt, clicks*
Desinex: *Soft snerk, still not looking at anyone but Windshard*
Galvatron: *goes over slowly and holds it up*
Hound: *takes the little bag and offers it to his son* Thanks, Denver.
Denver: *nod* Ah think th' elf'll still be 'round f'r a bit longer, 'f y'u'n Desi wanna swing by th' Nexus later... Ah gotta go find Starscream 'n give 'er 'n Backwing their gifts. *small smile*
Hound: *looks at his mate, and then takes his hand away from Ridgeback's gift bag to gently touch Windshard's little foot*
Ridgeback: *happy noises, will poke a piece of the choccy-covered charcoal at Hound's mouth in a short while*
Desinex: *clicks quietly, making sure Windshard has had his fill*
Windshard: *drinking in his sleep, hands curled and small optics shuttered*
Hound: *pulls out the little blanket and covers him with it*
Windshard: *startles, and drinks faster, but then sighs and stops*
Desinex: *continues to click quietly as she gently rubs Windshard's back* Can we go back to quarters, please?
Hound: *looks at Galvatron*
Galvatron: *nods* *quietly* Bring him home.
Ridgeback: *Attempt number two at sharing his treat with Hound*
Hound: *blinks and looks back to his elder son* I'm sorry, Buddy. Are you sure you want me to eat this?
Ridgeback: Share. *nodnod*
Hound: Alright. *smiles and has a nibble* Oh, that's good. Why didn't we have stuff like this when I was your age? *as he talks he's leading his mate out of the brig and toward their quarters*
Ridgeback: *happy chatter, even as Desinex looks around warily until the entire family are safely in their home*
Starscream's family trine's quarters
Starscream: *pacing, two steps to the table, two steps to the bed, diagonally across the small room. Backwing is squeaky clean and shut securely in her cockpit, but that isn't easing her agitation and anxiety*
Denver: *pings Starscream's comm*
Starscream: *starts and stops, standing rigidly as she answers* //Starscream here.//
Fireflight: *sitting on his pallet in the corner, hugging Archie and feeling sad*
Skyfire: *still sporting scuffs and dents from having a bit of sense knocked into him by his brother, is sitting in his usual spot on the floor by Fireflight's pallet*
Denver: //Ah'm back fr'm th' Nexus. Ah got somethin' f'r y'u 'n Backwing. Ah was wond'rin' 'f Ah c'uld bring wh't Ah've got by y'all's quarters.//
Starscream: *blinks and looks bewildered* //Something for me?//
Denver: //Yeah... got it wit' th' rest'a th' gifts Ah got when Ah went t' th' Nexus.//
Starscream: *slight frown* //What are you talking about, Denver?//
Skyfire: *very slight headtilt, concern clear on his face as he sees her expression changing*
Denver: //Remember wh'n Ah asked ya 'f y'u' 'n Backwing'd lahk t' come wit' me 'n th' itteh-bitteh kiddeh committeh? We went t' th' Nexus 'n met up wit' 'n elf who 'ad gifts f'r th' bitlets 'n some'a th' adults.//
Starscream: *aloud as well as over coms* //Oh yes, I remember. But Backwing didn't go....//
Denver: //Th' elf gave us th' gifts f'r y'all so we c'uld bring 'em t' y'all, since y'all c'uldn't make it out t' see 'im y'urself.//
Skyfire: *raised brow ridge, glances to Fireflight*
Fireflight: *quietly* She does that sometimes when she's talking over comms.
Skyfire: *just as quietly* Ah...
Starscream: *bewildered again* //I see. Yes... go ahead and bring it.//
Denver: //Ah'll be 'round inna few clicks. Denver out.//
Starscream: //Very well. Starscream out.// *turns and looks at Skyfire* Someone has given us gifts.
Skyfire: Oh? That was nice of them.
Starscream: Yes... though why an elf in the Nexus would do such a thing....
Fireflight: *lights up* You're getting something from the Christmas Elf? Oh that's wonderful!
Starscream: *looks at him* ....
Skyfire: *Gives Fireflight a confused look*
Fireflight: *looks at their expressions puzzledly* What?
Skyfire: *slowly, trying to understand* Christmas Elf?
Fireflight: *nods and smiles* Yes. In some realities they give gifts at Christmas time, to remind everyone of the gift that the Greater Creator gave us.
Starscream: ...He gave us a gift?
Skyfire: *Quietly, as he nods* Life...
Starscream: *looks at him, blinking*
Fireflight: *nods* His life. He came and died so that everything could be rebooted.
Starscream: .... *brain broken expression*
Denver: *walking down the hall towards Starscream's family quarters, Dion clinging to her back*
Powerglide: *looks around* Heyya, Denver. You found that crazy squishy, eh?
Denver: *nods* Yeah... Ah haven't opened mah gift yet... been bringin' everyone else theirs... Th' elf gave me th' gifts f'r Starscream 'n Backwing 's well.
Powerglide: *lifts his browplates* Where's mine?
Denver: Lemme look... *pulling bags out of her storage and subspace* *small frown* Ah don' think 'e gave me y'urs, Powergide... 'm sorry...
Powerglide: What? Nothin' for ol' Powerglide? Everyone knows I've ben more than good!
Denver: Well, whah don' y'u go 'n talk t' th' elf 'n see 'f 'e's got anythin' f'r ya?
Powerglide: *starts to straighten, but then frowns and leans against the wall* Maybe later. The kid needs me right now.
Denver: *nods, offers Powerglide her PINpoint* Th' coordinates're on th's. Jes make sure Ah get th's back, alrahght?
Powerglide: No problem. You can depend on ol' Powerglide.
Denver: *small nod, chuckles as Dion clicks at the older mech* Ah'd bettah give Starscream 'n Backwing their gifts... *moves to knock on the door*
Skyfire: *looks to Starscream at the knock, even as he gets up to answer the door*
Starscream: *nods* *Unnecessarily* It's Denver and Dion.
Skyfire: Ah... *opens the door and steps aside just enough for Denver to hand him five bags of varying sizes* Ah... Thank you, Denver.
Denver: Merreh Christmas! ^_^ *heads off to give Showtime and her family their gifts*
Starscream: Thank you.... *looks at Skyfire as he turns from the door*
Fireflight: *up on his knees and smiling with childlike eagerness* What did we get?
Skyfire: *as he closes the door, he's carefully inspecting the bags for labels* I'm... not quite sure, to be honest...
Starscream: Let me see? *holds out her hands*
Skyfire: *hands Starscream the bags* I think one of these may be for Jetfire...
Starscream: *turns it over and nods, then shows him the cursive machine embroidery on the side of the bag* This is Backwing's.
Skyfire: *curious now* What has she recieved?
Starscream: *opens the bag* A bottle of sweet energon. A small toy shuttle. And a human picture book with hard pages.
Skyfire: *Soft chuckle*
Starscream: *walks over to the table and sets the little bag down, then reaches for one of the others, a slight frown of intent curiosity on her face*
Skyfire: *curious, moves a bit closer to see which bag is which*
Starscream: *turns over the next one she takes from him* This is yours. *offers it back*
Skyfire: Oh... Thank you. *accepts the bag, and opens it, making an intrigued noise as he extracts a bookchip*
Starscream: *scans it curiously* Earth history?
Skyfire: *small chuckle even as he loads the chip onto a datapad*
Starscream: *looks at the other bags, and then defers opening her own in favor of giving Fireflight his*
Fireflight: *pulls out a little flat package and reads the front* 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'! This is just what I wanted! Look, Archie!
Skyfire: *small smile* Shall I call Jetfire and inform him that he has a gift as well?
Starscream: *smiling happily, her worries forgotten as she looks at her trinemates. But then she remembers her own gift and opens it to look inside* Do you think he'll deign to understand you? *pulls out a plaque, made to look like stone* 'Dear child, you are loved. Love, God.' *blink blink blink blink*
Skyfire: *About to comment about Jetfire, notices Starscream's puzzled look* Starscream?
Starscream: *wibbles, still staring at the plaque*
Skyfire: *puts down his datapad and comes over to offer comfort*
Starscream: *holds the bit of fake stone close as she leans against him and cries*
Skyfire: *Clicking and gently rubbing Starscream's back*
Starscream: *cries a lot of hurt and rejection out of her system, and then pushes away gently to turn and set the plaque on the table so that she can see it. She then leans against him as she looks in her bag again and pulls out a card for a clean and wax*
Skyfire: *continues the gentle backrub*
Starscream: *looks at Jetfire's bag* Oh, he's going to like that. He's always complaining in the mornings that his engine's too cold to turn over.
Skyfire: *sends Jetfire a message requesting his presence in quarters, and gets a bit of snark in return, along with a confirmation that the other mech will be there when he can get there* *soft chuckle*
Starscream: *is keyed into that frequency. Chuckles herself and then moves to sit on her berth*
Skyfire: *gets his datapad and moves to settle back in his usual spot to wait for Jetfire to get back*
Fireflight: *reading his disk without even taking it from the package, Archie hugged close as his optics sparkle*
Starscream: *settles down and relaxes, even after Jetfire arrives to receive and complain happily about his heated tarp. The let down from being so tense soon sends her into recharge and so she triggers a sleep cycle and curls up on her berth for the rest of the night*
((co-written with random_xtras))