Nexus and mbv, Mall and Lisa's barn, Assistance
Rodney: *trying to see Lisa around all the shopping bags he's carrying, even as the petite blonde drags him to yet another store* C'mon.... are we almost done?
Lisa: Just a few more stores, and then we can go put our bags in the car and then go and find someplace to eat and...I don't think we're in the mall anymore, Roddy...
slightly scorched and dinged looking TFA Optimus: *stops and looks down at them* You're in the mall... but it might not be the one you started from. I don't think there's a 'Linda's Lacey Things' in this mall.
Rodney: ... Another Nexus?
Lisa: *faint blush* Is this mall anywhere near that big, ugly sign that is in that one Nexus, because if it is, i think I know where we wandered to and I have a PINpoint so I can get us back safe and sound and then we can go out to eat or something...
Optimus: The sign's some distance that way. But you don't have to go back to eat. There are good places here. *creaks a little as he goes to one knee to look at them. There is weariness in his optics, and an absent, pushed aside sadness*
Rodney: *Backing up a few steps, feeling a bit uneasy around a larger mech*
Lisa: Oh... I didn't know that... Maybe I can talk Mia, Emi, Rachel, Sky, Melissa, Destiny, Petra and Alice into a "Girl's Day Out" or maybe we can bring Silverstreak like Mia suggested we do after she, Emi and I finished restoring it and maybe we can...*rambling on for awhile along this same vein*
Optimus: *quietly, and looking ashamed to be begging* I'll bring you there for a credit.
Rodney: Actually... this is my first time in this Nexus... maybe you could show us around? Lisa's been here before, apparently, but she's in a ramble-fit... *amused glance at his girlfriend*
Optimus: Alright... what would you like to see?
Rodney: Places to eat, mostly...
Lisa: Safe places to eat, because I really don't want to be LOL'd, most of the LOLs I've heard about don't really sound that nice to have and Skylar's been LOL'd before and even though he didn't seem too upset by it, I don't think I'd want to be LOL'd...
Optimus: The place I've heard the most about is the Black Dog. They have organic food.
Lisa: *perks* Oooo, I wonder if they have stuff that we can't get back home or whether they've got any energon cookies like what Perceptor brought back that one time...
Rodney: *sudden look of "...wtf?!" on his face, is gaping at Lisa*
Optimus: *blinks at her with confusion* Perceptor? Energon?
Lisa: *nod nod, innocent smile* Yeah... The Perceptor from the same reality as Roddy and me came to the Nexus one time and came back with energon cookies for the kids our friend Bumblebee was keeping an optic on and Swoop shared hers with me.
Rodney: *having a serious "WTF" moment*
Optimus: *slowly* You're... Transformers?
Lisa: Yup! Me and Roddy both are! ^_^
Rodney: ...
Optimus: *dismayed now* Oh... errrr....
Rodney: *to both Lisa and Optimus* Who the heck are you?! *sounding a bit worried, and possibly frightened*
Lisa: *startles*
Optimus: *leans back with surprise* Op... Optimus Prime.
Lisa: *transforms, giving Rodney a look* I can't believe it took you this long to notice, Roddy... I mean, Mia and Alex were taking bets on whether you'd find out back home or not and Jack was telling them off just last week....
Rodney: ...*boggling at Optimus slightly, before hesitantly nodding, still a bit distrustful of mechs who are larger than him* I'm Hot Rod... *glances to Lisa, boggles again* Bl-Bluestreak?!
Bluestreak: Yup! ^^
Optimus: *averting his face and trying to sidle away*
Bluestreak: *sees this and moves to try and intercept, chattering away happily about various and sundry topics related to getting shown around the Nexus, and maybe sneaking in an offer to pound out some of the dents that Optimus has?*
Optimus: *turns his face away again, but when she manages to get in front of him she'll see that his faceplates are creased with sadness and guilt. He hardly hears her chatter; he only wants to get away*
Bluestreak: *going to fuss over this Optimus now*
Rodney: *face. palm*
Optimus: I'm sorry. Please... I... I have to go.... *you never saw that wibble. No, because his hand is in the way*
Bluestreak: But you're hurt and it wouldn't be right of me to let you go without at least offering to repair some of the damage or by at least making sure you get to a real medic who can fix all the damage and can make sure there's nothing else that could be hurting.... *setting up to wibble herself*
Rodney: *Sighs and mutters something like "I would end up dating a femme like her...", before transforming and storing the day's shopping in his subspace*
Optimus: *shoulders shaking slightly as he shakes his head*
Bluestreak: *gently, as she moves to guide Optimus to someplace quiet* C'mon...
Optimus: Some... someone's already... seeing to... to me.
Hot Rod: *moving to help Bluestreak, even though he's still a bit uncertain about this particular Optimus* No offense, but you look like slag warmed over...
Bluestreak: Hot Rod! Be nice! *fussing over Optimus a bit more*
Optimus: *on his feet now, his face hidden by one hand*
Bluestreak: *Hrmmms a bit, before an idea dawns on her, and she's got her PINpoint out* C'mon. *PINpoints the group to the barn on her farm*
Optimus: *yelps and crashes to his skidplate, then looks around wildly* What did you do?
Bluestreak: PINpointed us back to the barn on the farmland that I own. It's quieter here, and since Emi and Mia are both at school right now, and I cleared the schedule so Roddy and I could go shopping, nobody'll be around to see us for awhile and I can get started on repairing some of the damage you've got, unless you want me to call a medic, I know Russell and Rachel and Jack and Merlin...wait, Rachel, Jack, and Merlin are at school too... shoot... Um... Russell might be available to do full-on repairs...
Hot Rod: *pinching the bridge of his nose*
Optimus: *so confused and distressed that he blurts without thinking* I have to go back, Bumblebee and Oriana might need me!
Bluestreak: *Blink blink*
Hot Rod: ...Who's Oriana?
Optimus: *stares at him*
Bluestreak: *headtilt* I don't think we've got her in this reality... *going over personnel databases*
Optimus: *starting to look like a deer in headlights as he tries to think of what to say and how to get away and... he's been avoiding other Transformers for so long except for Bumblebee and now her little creation. Being here is bringing back all the memories.*
Bluestreak: *knows that look all too well, and searches her storage and subspace for for one of the light sedation tabs that are often the only way to get Elita to recharge enough*
Optimus: *head in his hands, and then he's back on his feet and looking around wildly for a way to escape*
Bluestreak: *has found a sedation tab and moves to nick Optimus with it*
Hot Rod: *facepalming* Prime's gonna love this... *Sigh*
Optimus: What? No.... *down he goes, facefirst toward Hot Rod!*
Hot Rod: *Acks and dives out of the way*
Bluestreak: *arguing with Red Alert over comms, keeping up the whole "Star Trek Roleplaying Game" vibe by referring to the mech as 'Scotty', as she gets a large tarp and gently drapes it over Optimus*
Optimus: *not totally out due to the lightness of the program* What... are you doing to... me?
Hot Rod: Making sure you get repaired... and knowing Bluestreak, she's probably going to make sure you get some fuel into your systems as well.
Optimus: *winces* No....
Hot Rod: ...*raised brow ridge* Seriously... the damage you've got... I'd have begged Ratchet or Red Alert, heck, even Perceptor, to repair it ages ago if it were me...
Optimus: *shutters optics* Can't....
Hot Rod: Can't? Or won't?
Optimus: *even more quietly* Can't.
Bluestreak: *blink blink* *gently* Why not?
Optimus: *tries to reply, but fades offline*
Russell: *Arrives a few minutes later on his scooter. Once he's inside the barn, he's transforming and applying the antidote to the sedative tab and trying to wake Optimus as gently as he's able*
Hot Rod: Red, what are you doing?
Red Alert: Reversing the sedative, and ensuring I have a coherant patient. I'd rather not work on unfamiliar tech if the 'bot is unconcious.
Optimus: I can't go back. *blinks as he sees yet another stranger, then tries to push himself up off his front*
Bluestreak: ... Go back?
Red Alert: *giving Bluestreak and Hot Rod a Look, which then gets turned on Optimus* Hold still. I need to scan you so I know the extent of your injuries.
Optimus: Can I lay on my back?
Red Alert: *considers this, and nods* Alright.
Optimus: *pushes himself up and turns over gingerly, his joints and internal hydraulics creaking and groaning a weary protest. Once he's on his back he settles down with a slight grunt and then turns his head to look at the three small strangers*
Red Alert: *as he scans Optimus* My designation proper is Red Alert... My local name, which I'm certain Bluestreak mentioned in one of her rambling fits, is Russell Anderson.
Bluestreak: *making faces at Red Alert*
Optimus: *quietly* I'm Optimus Prime.
Red Alert: *slight raised brow ridge, nods* It's a pleasure to meet you. *checking the results of his scan*
Optimus: *burns that had to have been terrible, some of which are covered with inexpert patches. His internals also show signs of old heat damage, and he's got marks from both a fight and some sort of impact*
Bluestreak: *Quietly* What'd you mean about going back?
Optimus: *winces* *quietly* I can't return to my reality.
Bluestreak: *about to fuss over Optimus again, when Red Alert gives her a Look*
Red Alert: *Gently* Well, let's see about repairing the damage...
Optimus: I can't repay you.
Red Alert: *blink blink* I don't recall anyone saying anything about needing to be paid, Optimus Prime...
Optimus: *another wince* And I'm not sure I still deserve that rank. If I ever did.
Red Alert: ... *not sure how to respond to that, settles for starting in on the repairs. First item on the list: applying a pain override* I must admit, your construction is quite different from our own... going by your rank, however, I'm assuming you were, at one point, an Autobot?
Optimus: *tiredly, as he puts an arm across his chest* I still am.
Red Alert: *nods as he starts work accessing the larger mech's internals in order to begin repairing the heat damage, a bit of curiosity coming through in in his next question* Are the other Autobots of your reality similarly-sized?
Optimus: I'm an average sized military model. *optics flick toward Bluestreak as he half thinks he sees Oriana at the corner of his line of vision*
Red Alert: ...*boggling slightly*
Hot Rod: ... wow... your reality's 'Cons must be giants... *sounds a bit frightened by the idea*
Bluestreak: ooo, I wouldn't want to meet one of those, I mean, the local 'Cons are bad enough and yeah, Starscream's an Autobot now, but he's still really scary and I wouldn't want to meet Thundercracker or Skywarp in a dark alleyway late at night either, no matter how nice they are and even taking the fact that Skywarp and Sunstreaker are married now and all that...
Optimus: *stares at her, his mouth open a bit*
Hot Rod: In short, we've got three former Decepticons on our side.
Red Alert: *Grumble* And they're all fliers. *continues his work*
Optimus: *shakes a little, flashing back to the last moments in his own reality* Aren't they all?
Red Alert: No, thankfully... though that doesn't mean the rest of them are any easier to deal with... Most of the ones on Earth appear to have taken vehicular alt-modes... *grumblecurseinGaelic*
Optimus: *frowns at him, then looks toward Bluestreak as she starts to ask a question and then pauses*
Bluestreak: Er... You mentioned someone named Oriana... and I'm pretty sure there's nobody on any of the team rosters by that designation...
Optimus: *gives her a wary look* She's a newspark my... friend built and is training.
Bluestreak: ooooh. *slight headtilt, debating about asking this Optimus who his girlfriend is, but has a slight hunch about that*
Hot Rod: Bumblebee?
Optimus: *nods* *quietly* She's not from my reality. She's a... castaway... like me.
Hot Rod: ...Castaway?
Red Alert: *moving on to another area that needs repairs* Did something happen to make you a castaway?
Optimus: I... I think I died. *his confusion and uncertainty show on his face* But I'm not dead now.
Red Alert: ...No, you most certainly are not dead... *speculating* Perhaps it has something to do with the Nexxi....
Optimus: *quietly* I was fighting Megatron on my ship. We wound up in the cargo bay as it entered the atmosphere of an organic planet, and I opened the boarding chute and kicked Megatron out. *a frown* But he grabbed my leg, and I fell too. That's... the last I remember.
Bluestreak, Hot Rod, and Red Alert: *Wince in sympathy*
Red Alert: Well, that certainly explains the damage....
Optimus: I woke up in a crater in the park by the Nexus sign, and tried to use a PINpoint to get back. ...Only the coordinate reader... can't find any coordinates for me.
Bluestreak: ... that's kinda weird, i mean, for the coordinate readers and all that, but maybe there's someone in the Nexus that can explain stuff better or something... *rambling on as she goes to look for something in her tool chest*
Optimus: They do the same thing for Bumblebee.
Hot Rod: ... *wince* Eesh... that... kinda sucks...
Optimus: *looks up to the ceiling, his mouth turned down and his eyes dark with sadness and confusion*
Red Alert: *arguing with Bluestreak about whether a five-fifteenth welding rod is the same thing as a one-third, even as he continues repairs*
Optimus: *quietly* She says she's dead in her reality.
Red Alert: *as he works* You scanned as a living mech to my scanners... Bluestreak may be right about someone in the Nexus being able to explain what has occurred... but for now, I think it would be a good idea for you to get some rest, and some fuel.
Optimus: *still quiet* You can apparently be dead in some places and not in others. *his stressed and damaged systems are slowing down, his optic shutters flickering*
Red Alert: *small frown, scans Optimus again*
Optimus: *run down... and now in stasis*
Red Alert: *works on finishing repairs and closing the mech up, before covering him with a tarp and telling Bluestreak and Hot Rod to make sure he gets fuel before going on his way*
The next morning...
Lisa: *arguing with another woman about paint chips and whether Delphinium Blue will match better than Denim Blue, opens the barn door*
Optimus: *starts awake and peers toward them blearily, then starts up with alarm as he doesn't recognize where he is*
Lisa: *chipper* Morning!
Mia: Red said t' make sure y' got s'me fuel int' ya 'fore y' take off f'r th' Nexus...
Optimus: *sits up and gives himself a hard smack upside the head, and then blinks as understanding and memory show on his faceplates*
Lisa: *nod nod, grin* I wasn't sure what you'd prefer, but I did manage to sweet talk Roddy into bringing stuff back from the Black Dog. He left about half an hour ago to get it.
Optimus: ...It doesn't really matter. I usually drink oil.
Mia: *soft snerk* Y'u're in th' rahght place th'n... Lisa, Emi, 'n me run a mechanic's shop... *heads over to one of the shelves that's just out of Lisa's reach* Anah brand preference?
Lisa: *About to suggest brands, when her phone goes off. She talks to whoever's on the other end, before facepalming and hanging up* Looks like we've gotta go get the Pancake Truck again...
Mia: Y'u mean you gotta go get it. Ah gotta get th' shop set up so's we c'n git started fixin' Patrick's rollin' death trap 'gain.
Optimus: *watching quietly as he absently leans back against the wall. One hand twists in the tarp he was covered with*
Lisa: *rolls her eyes and grabs the keys on the workbench, before heading out the door with a smile* Later, taters!
Mia: *snerks and glances over at Optimus, before grabbing one of the bottles of oil off of the shelf and walking over to him* 'Cordin' t' Lisa, y'u 'n our boss-bot're alternates...
Optimus: *accepts the small container* Are we?
Mia: *small shrug as she hands the oil over* Y'ur name's Optimus Prime, ain't it?
Optimus: *figures out the bottle as he nods* It is.
Mia: Well, our boss-bot's name's Optimus Prime 's well... 'course, 'e ain't as tall as y'u are... *chuckles*
Optimus: *slight smile, and then he drinks down the oil* The Bumblebee I know said that the Optimus Prime of her reality was leader of all the Autobots there.
Mia: Dunno 'bout all th' 'Bots 'f th' reality, but ours leads th' group 'ere... wh'n 'e ain't buried 'is nose inna book...
Optimus: *sets the bottle down and then draws up one knee and rests his arm on it* Primes aren't the highest rank in... my reality.
Mia: *raised brow, leans against her workbench and gives Optimus a look*
Optimus: *staring at the floor, light years away in his mind*
Mia: *small frown, lobs a spare nut at Optimus's arm*
Optimus: *startles, his wide-eyed gaze shooting toward her as his hand reaches for an ax that isn't there*
Mia: Y'u were starin' at th' floor... *about to ask about what he meant by Primes not being the highest rank, when her attention goes to the big barn door, where a vehicle can be heard being shut off* ... *Cuss! frantically gets the shop part of the barn organized and ready*
Optimus: *frowns and blinks, but then gets up very slowly and starts helping her*
Lisa: *pokes her head in through the barn's side door* Hey, I brought Patrick, since he kinda needs a ride and stuff... *to Optimus* He's our leader, and I think Red told him 'bout you, so I'm pretty sure he'll be alright with seeing you and won't freak out or anything like that... And Mia, put my wrench back where it belongs. *ducks out and goes to pull the big door open*
Optimus: *settles to one knee off to one side, his optics on the door*
very broken and rusted out pickup truck: *being pushed in by a group of six girls, counting Lisa. Steering is an older-looking man with glasses, who raises an eyebrow at Optimus and nods slightly*
tall blonde in a grey sweatshirt-jacket: Almost in guys?
Lisa: Just a few more inches and then Patrick can put it in park, and Mia can put blocks behind the tires.
Optimus: *brow ridges lift and he nods back, then starts to get up and go help before changing his mind and settling back down onto the floor*
Mia: *once the truck is parked, is putting blocks behind all four tires* Wh't'd y'u do t' it this tahm, Boss?
Patrick: Tried starting the ignition.
Optimus: o.0
tall blonde: It went "clunk", and wouldn't turn over. Rinny couldn't even hotwire it to start.
Lisa: *glances at Mia and mouths "Who's Rinny?", earning a small, one-shoulder shrug from the taller woman*
Patrick: I just hope it runs...
Mia: Mebbe y'u sh'ld think 'bout gettin' a newer mode'a transportation'r somethin', Boss...
short woman with black and red hair: No kidding. This thing's a hunk of junk! *moves to kick one of the tires, only to have the whole truck come crashing down* !!!
Optimus: *on his feet, blinking* Uh... I think it's dead.
tall blonde: *pinching the bridge of her nose* Air Raid!
Patrick: ...
Air Raid: What?! It was going to fall apart anyways!
Mia: *Cracking up*
Lisa: ... *shocked speechless for once, and seems to have forgotten what she was about to do*
Patrick: *sighs* Looks like I'll have to spend six month's wages again... in the meantime... *turns to Optimus* If there's any way any of my people can help you find your friends, just say so.
Optimus: *looks down at him gravely* *quietly* I don't think I'll see them again, sir.
Patrick: *reaches to patpat the closest part of Optimus that he can reach* There's still a chance... I know that some of our teammates have access to the Nexus, and can ask around... They might be able to locate your friend and her creation.
Optimus: *blinks* Oh... I'm not worried about meeting Bumblebee again. *worried look* Though I should at least leave her a message in case she comes to see me.
Patrick: I trust you've had a chance to refuel?
Optimus: I've had some oil. *nodding*
Rodney: *PINpoints in, carrying bags that contain a lot of tasty-smelling items. It should be noted that he looks quite frazzled* Someone else can go on the next chow run. No way am I doing THAT again! .>.<.
Optimus: *startled at the smaller mech's appearance and is watching him now with a quizzical expression*
Rodney: *getting boxes of goodies and food out of the bags and setting them on a clear space on Lisa's workbench*
Optimus: *watches a bit, but then turns back to Patrick*
Patrick: *examining one of the cans with a "..." look on his face* ... Pasgetti?
Optimus: *has nooo clue* Sir?
Patrick: *opening the can* ... it smells pretty good... *offers it to Optimus*
Optimus: *kneels slowly to look at the stuff, and then looks at Patrick. The strange substance inside the can means nothing to him*
Patrick: *considering look at the can, then to Optimus, then to Rodney* Hot Rod, was this the only size they had?
Rodney: No... hang on. *transforms and begins digging around in his subspace, before latching onto the end of a much larger can, which appears to be roughly the same size as an oil drum. Mia transforms and moves to help get the larger can out and placed where it won't get knocked over*
Optimus: Er....
Patrick: *blink blink, startles when one of the girls who pushed his truck into the barn ganks the can of pasgetti he's holding*
Optimus: ...What is it?
Chromia: Goin' by th' scent, Ah'd say some kinda energon'r somethin' similar...
Optimus: Ah. *looks at the crowd of people whom he suspects are Autobots and stands* I... should get back.
Patrick: Alright... Be careful. If you ever need our help, this is the safest place for you to come in this reality.
Hot Rod: Here. *holds out the PINpoint he arrived with*
Optimus: *stoops to take it, and then his optics go dark and he topples forward as the position puts stress on damaged components in his processor*
Hot Rod: Whoah! *jumps out of the way, as do Chromia, Lisa, and Patrick*
Optimus: *crashes to the ground and doesn't move*
Lisa: *arguing with Chromia in Cybertronian and moving to try to get Optimus laying in as comfortable position as she's able with assistance from everyone present*
Optimus: *limp. No sign of life other than the soft throb of his spark*
Patrick: *Sends Rachel and Russell an SOS*
Rachel: *no reply to the text. Is writing a test*
Russell: *finds an excuse to duck out of the wellness center, and once he's been informed of the situation, pings Rachel's comm with a request to meet at Lisa's as soon as she's able*
Rachel: //Trouble with the engine, Scotty?//
Russell: //Trouble with the new, big engine that we just received. It's currently held in the cargo bay, under Uhura's watch.//
Rachel: //Is it one of the ones we've been saving for?//
Russell: //Negative. This one's the one that was salvaged from the debris field during Uhura and Dax's recon mission there.//
Rachel: //So it's an import?//
Russell: //According to them, it is. Seven of Nine's already working on repairs, and Captain Picard is assisting, but they've sent up a request for additional assistance.//
Rachel: //I have another test after this one. Ping Geordi. He's got assistants to spot him.//
Russell: //Understood. Scotty, out.//
Sky: *0_0 as she peers into the barn at all the people*
Firebreak: *sitting on Mama's hip as brothers ride in front and back carriers*
Lisa: *Startles, and lands on her butt* Er... Hi?
tall blonde: *over to the door, studying Sky with curiosity in her blue-grey eyes* Who're you?
Sky: *eyes her warily* Sky. I was looking for Autumn.
Lisa: I think she's still in the house, Sky. *getting up off of the ground*
Sky: Okay. *frowning at the big guy on the ground* ...'Con?
Lisa: Nope, 'Bot... and an alternate of Patrick, to boot. ^_^
Sky: .....
tall blonde: I don't get it either...but apparently, Optimus does.
Sky: Patrick's here? *looks again*
Patrick: *helping Chromia with the mech on the ground*
Sky: *takes out her cell phone* Autumn? Will you come get the triplets? I'm by the barn.
Autumn: *answers in the affirmative, and tells Simon, Greg, and Sarah to finish eating breakfast and that she'll be right back*
Sky: *carefully hands over her three littles when the small brunette reaches her, making sure the boys' holders are secure, then steps into the barn, transforming as she comes*
tall blonde: O_O Decepticon!!! *moves to get between Sky and Patrick*
Skywarp: *pauses and looks down* ....
Patrick: *Calmly* Silverbolt, Air Raid, Skydive, Slingshot, Fireflight, fall back to Bumblebee's position.
tall blonde: B-But, sir!!!
Patrick: Silverbolt, fall back to Bumblebee's position.
Skywarp: And stay away from my sparklets. *can't help saying it*
Silverbolt: ... *looking over her shoulder as she ushers the other girls away*
Patrick: *sighs* Sorry about that, Skywarp.
Skywarp: *gives him the usual nonplussed look for apologizing, then continues on her way over to him* You're trying to move him?
Patrick: *nods, transforming* Red Alert and Wheeljack are on their way over. Perceptor's in the middle of giving a test to the students of one of his classes at the moment...
Skywarp: *carefully lifts the damaged mech* Where do you want him?
Chromia: Th' main part'a th' barn's got more room t' roam 'bout... *hurries to open the doors leading to the main part of the barn*
Optimus: in the main part of the barn then....*listening for Russell's scooter or Rachel's car*
Skywarp: *nods and carries the stranger that way, her optics on Chromia to see where the smaller femme wants him put*
Chromia: *indicates a section of the floor directly under one of the lights* Ah'm guessin' Red 'n 'Jack'll be wantin' lotta light t' work in...
Skywarp: *sets him down carefully, on his back and with his limbs straight. Then frowns at him and wonders where his damage is*
Chromia: *heading back to the repair shop part of the barn, returns with her toolchest* Strangest thing... 'e just kinda keel'd over 'n quit movin'...
Skywarp: *pops open his chest panel and hunkers down to frown inside* He's alive.
Chromia: 'n Red repaired 'lotta stuff last nahght.
Skywarp: Did he cross some wires or something?
*Speaking of the medic, he and Jack are hurrying inside now*
Russell: *as he transforms* I most certainly did not.
Skywarp: *quirks a brow ridge at him*
Wheeljack: *coming over with his toolkit* Hey now, save the bickering for after we get this guy up and running again. *moves to scan the larger mech*
Skywarp: Who's bickering? *watches him scan*
Red Alert: *also scanning, and making a point to ignore Skywarp's presence*
Wheeljack: *Low whistle* What happened to this guy?
Skywarp: *stands up to look back into the other part of the barn, bangs head on low hanging work light* Whoops.
Optimus: *flinches as the light falls and hits him in the face, then opens his optics and looks confused* ...What?
Wheeljack: *soothing tone of voice* Easy, big guy. You're safe.
Red Alert: Do you remember what happened?
Optimus: Happened? *looks totally bewildered, but then frowns and puts a hand up to whack himself upside the head*
Red Alert and Wheeljack: *latch onto Optimus' arm in an attempt to prevent the larger bot from thumping himself upside the head*
Skywarp: *blinks*
Optimus: *manages to thump himself anyway, despite having two human-sized bots hanging onto his arm, and then blinks as understanding returns to his faceplates* Patrick was showing me something in a canister.... And then I think I shut down.
Wheeljack: *a bit rattled, but has done much worse to himself, just ask Rachel!* Easy there... You'll be alright.
Red Alert: Sky, if you would make sure nobody else comes in here, that would be ideal... but if Rachel shows up, she's to be let in.
Skywarp: *nodding as she gets up and turns toward the door* He's got something loose in his head.
Chromia: *heading towards the door to the repair shop* Ah'll keep Lisa 'n Boss-bot occupied.
Optimus: *restless, uncomfortable movement as his processor starts a worry loop* Bumblebee might come while I'm here. I need to leave her a message.
Red Alert: So send Hot Rod or Patrick. *getting a strong sedative tab out of subspace* It's more important that we get your processor repaired.
Optimus: *frowning* She just finished building Oriana. I don't know how her new crew's responded. *moves a bit, worrying as his processor loops over those facts over and over*
Wheeljack: Stay still, alright? We'll get you sorted out as quickly as possible...
Optimus: I don't have time. I have to go back. *has already forgotten the suggestion to send someone*
Red Alert: *pings Hot Rod and asks him to head back to the Nexus to look for the Bumblebee Optimus is talking about. Then he's moving to apply the sedation tab to Optimus* Hot Rod is going back to the Nexus to look for her.
Optimus: She'll be worried.... *drops into stasis as the tab's program takes effect*
Red Alert: *soft sigh as he moves to start work on accessing Optimus' processor*
Skywarp: Sounds like an old vinyl Seamus was playing with the other day.
Wheeljack: Where did that walking trouble-magnet get a broken record?
Skywarp: The thrift store.
Wheeljack: ... *headshake, sets to work locating the damaged parts of Optimus' processor*
Optimus: *it's not hard to find... see that big crack? And those melty spots?*
Wheeljack: *mutters a curse in Cybertronian, and points out the damage to Red Alert, before both mechs set to work repairing said damage*
About two hours later...
Rachel: *limps into the garage part of the barn, her kids trailing after her*
Sarah: *headtilting* Him Patrick-truck deaded...
Patrick: *looks over from where he, Lisa, and Mia are peeking into the other part of the barn* Don't remind me.
Simon: o.0 *goes over and pokes truck*
Rachel: What happened this time?
Patrick: It wouldn't turn over, and when Air Raid kicked the tire, it fell apart. *sheepish grin*
Rachel: .... *gives him one of her Looks*
Patrick: Hot Rod and Bluestreak's new friend is in with Wheeljack and Red Alert, being repaired. Skywarp is keeping watch at the main door.
Rachel: Do you know how dangerous driving this thing around was? *quietly angry*
Patrick: *as Mia and Lisa head into the main part of the barn* Yes, and Lisa's already made a call to get a safer vehicle for me.
Rachel: That was irresponsible, Chief.
Patrick: It was the least attention-grabbing vehicle I could get at the time, Rachel.
Rachel: I'm talking about after it got crushed that time.
Patrick: *trying to think of a valid argument, sighs* You're right...
Rachel: Now tell me about that engine.
Patrick: From what I understand, he's not from around here...and apparently, he can't go back to where he came from.
Rachel: *been reading a little during her recent down time* He's an Exile?
Patrick: *Raised brow* Exile?
Rachel: Someone who's alive everywhere except the reality where they started out.
Patrick: ... He might very well be an Exile. Red Alert mentioned that he had been in some kind of crash, and that his reality's Megatron was involved...
Rachel: *grim expression as she limps over to look* He's been staying in that safe house Autumn and the Twins mentioned?
Patrick: I don't know... I don't think he said where he was staying.
Rachel: Who found him? *frowning at the still red and blue form*
Lisa: Roddy and me... We were just trying to help him out and make sure he got repaired so he would be able to help his friend out and wouldn't have to be hurting and stuff like that...
Rachel: His friend?
Wheeljack: *from where he and Red Alert are discussing matters* Version of Bumblebee who can't go home either.
Rachel: His Bumblebee?
Wheeljack: I don't know... my gut's tellin' me no, but we'll find out, hopefully.
Hot Rod: *PINs back in, landing on his skid on the floor of the garage part of the barn*
Rachel: *whirls, flailing slightly as her legs give out*
Greg: *transforms and roars*
Hot Rod: Whoah! *shielding himself with his arms* Don't hurt me!
Wheeljack: *hurring over to Rachel, and putting up a fuss*
Rachel: *on floor and leaning forward, bracing herself with her hands* Grimlock, heel!
Grimlock: *pauses in mid bellow and comes to her*
Hot Rod: *peeking from behind his arms* o_o
Patrick: *Pinches the bridge of his nose* Hot Rod, meet Grimlock, one of Rachel's creations.
Simon: *walks over and hunkers down in front of the mech, his blue eyes serious* He Grimlock me Simon's brother.
Rachel: *letting Wheeljack help her up*
Hot Rod: O-kay...
Sarah: *glomps onto Simon* He Grimlock also me Sarah's brother, same as he Simon! ^^ *snuggaSimon*
Wheeljack: *checking Rachel over for injury*
Rachel: I'm alright, 'Jack. *smiles at him, and then gives Grimlock a stern look* Don't even think of it.
Grimlock: *stops looking at tires and looks innocent*
Simon: *snugga baby sister*
Red Alert: *picking up where Wheeljack left off, repair-wise*
Lisa: *moving to usher Hot Rod into the main part of the barn* Any luck trying to find the big guy's friend?
Hot Rod: *ushered* Kinda....
Rachel: Kinda?
Simon: *tags after Hot Rod, his hand gently holding Sarah's*
Hot Rod: I met a mech, at least, I think he was a mech, who told me where to leave a message for our buddy's friend...
Sarah: *happy to follow Simon*
Lisa: *frown* Was the mech orange?
Hot Rod: *looks at Lisa like she's nuts*
Patrick: What do you mean, you think he was a mech?
Hot Rod: Well... for starters... something about him seemed.... well, it was like running into a powerful spark... only not in a bad way...
Rachel: *exchanges a glance with Wheeljack, then turns back to watching the young mech*
Hot Rod: He didn't really talk much... Said his name was Scattor... and he showed me where the big guy's been sleeping in a Nexus park...
Lisa: *setting up to wibble at the prone bot* He was sleeping in a park?
Rachel: *frowning* But there are all sorts of Transformer friendly places in the Nexus.
Hot Rod: *glances to the bot on the floor* He... kinda freaked at the idea of being around other Transformers...
Rachel: *looks at Patrick, and then looks at her husband*
Wheeljack: *frowwwwwn* He's also got processor damage... so it could be related to that...
Patrick: That... explains his insistance that he had to get back, somewhat...
Rachel: How bad is the damage? *frowning now herself*
Red Alert: *describing, in detail, the damages to the mech's processor, and the repairs he and Wheeljack have gotten done so far*
Rachel: *wincing* But he was coherent? The damage wasn't showing?
Red Alert: It wasn't showing yesterday evening, when I repaired the damage to his frame and armor...
Rachel: But today it was. *gently moves away from Wheeljack and goes to scan the young stranger's processor*
Patrick: *moving to assist by means of bringing requested tools over from the toolchest, and by relaying what he observed*
Rachel: *looks up at him* Chief, it's not safe for him to be alone till that finishes self repairing. And you know how processors are.
Patrick: *nods, frowning a bit* And to my knowledge, the only place large enough to house him is here...
Lisa: Mia, Emi, Autumn, and I can keep an eye on him. I've been needing an excuse to upgrade the lighting and wiring and stuff in here anyways, so I can take time off from the shop and make sure this place is nice and cozy for him and all that.
Rachel: Actually, it won't be hard at all to have him transform like Skylar and the other Seekers do. *moving along Optimus' length, scanning again*
Patrick: ...But where would he stay?
Rachel: Someone would find room, somewhere. Doesn't Merlin have an empty room? *pauses to scan one place more closely*
Patrick: *frowning and getting out his cell phone to call Merlin* If all else fails... I have a two bedroom apartment... *faint blush on his cheeks* The guest bedroom usually only gets used when Emi spends the night...
Rachel: *stops* Aren't you two bonded yet?
Patrick: *Blushing more now, headshake*
Rachel: *gives him a Look*
Patrick: *quietly, knowing he's going to get an even sterner Look* I could ask you and Wheeljack the same thing, Ratchet.
Rachel: We're word bonded. And married.
Patrick: You were there when Elita and I word bonded, Ratchet.
Rachel: Yeah, and I remember it now. What are you doing putting her in the guest room?
Patrick: *blushing again*
Grimlock: *stoops down and studies Patrick's face, then snorts* Dork
Lisa: *shaking with silent laughter*
Rachel: *trying to figure out how to scold a kid when he just told the truth. Finally looks at Wheeljack. This one's yours, buddy*
Wheeljack: *not quite sure how to proceed, settles for* Grimlock, don't call Patrick a dork.
Grimlock: *lowers his big head rebelliously* Him am dork.
Wheeljack: ... Still... it's not very nice to call him that...
Rachel: *turns away from the argument and looks at Patrick again* And now that the girls are here isn't it time you guys started living more like a family?
Patrick: *hunching down, still blushing furiously, mutters something about plans*
Rachel: Plans? I know how long you planned before you finally proposed. Talk to Blaster, Chief. *and she's going to talk to Emilia*
Patrick: *quiet grumbling about a conspiracy as he goes to do so*
Rachel: *watches him go, then looks at Chromia as she returns to Optimus' head and takes out tools* He can stay here for now. But once he's awake will someone ask him if he'd like to stay?
Lisa: *nod nod* Mia and I were gonna offer to repaint his armor so it doesn't look patchy.... but that can wait till he's better.
Chromia: Think we'll haft' lock th' Chief 'n 'Lita inna room?
Rachel: And remind him as often as you need to that he can go back and forth between here and the Nexus as much as he wants. *pause* Again?
Lisa: *nods and goes to fetch her welding tools, in the off chance that they'll be needed*
Chromia: T' make sure they don' try t' chicken out on us.
Rachel: I think Emi learned her lesson the first time. *starts to microweld tiny bits in Optimus' processor*
Chromia: But did th' Chief?
Rachel: If he did I think he forgot. *goggles on, working intently*
Red Alert: *working on another area, shaking his head and muttering in a long-dead language about Patrick and Emilia's relationship*
Rachel: Yeah, Red. We know how much of an expert you are on the subject.
Red Alert: *looks up and stinkeyes Rachel, before resuming his work*
Wheeljack: *Snerk*
Rachel: *quietly, without looking up* Let's just get this kid back on his feet. We can think about all the other details after that.
Wheeljack: *nods* The sooner, the better. *settles down to work himself*
((co-written with random_xtras))