mbv, NEST HQ, Passing

[microbots]

Bert:  *digging through his dufflebag for something.  Pauses when he sees the reflective strips that he got for Christmas and sighs wistfully as he looks forward to the day when he'll get to run at night again.  He misses his time of simple doing and quiet thinking*

Sarah: *peeking over Brawn's shoulder, both of her human dolls in her arms and a wide-eyed look on her face*

Bert:  *remembers the little girl and tucks the strips away again as he pokes around under his socks for the hair scrunchie he's sure he's seen in here*  Ah, here it is.  *shows it to her*  See all those little strips and points on it?  Doesn't it look like the skirt on that fairy in the picture?

Sarah: *nodnod* Make a good fairy skirt for Summer.

Bert:  Yeah.  Here, let's see her.  *turning as he kneels to reach for the little Corelle doll*

Sarah: *carefully hands Summer over to Bert*

Bert:  *frowns intently as he pulls the hair scrunchy over the doll's head and arms, then lifts the arms and settles it around her waist*  Hmmm, the elastic's kinda big....

Sarah: *Frown, pout*

Bert:  Hold on.  *gets the elastic untied and then pulls the knot tighter and secures it*  There you go.  *grins as he lifts the toy to face Sarah, its arms out toward her*

Sarah: *Gleeee! Moves to hug Bert before taking Summer back and making happy sounds* Summer is fairy princess now! :D

Bert:  *grins*  Like in your story book.

Sarah: *nodnod* ^_^

Bert:  *wonders what to do now*  Should we go see how your mom's doing?  And Sharpshot?

Sarah: *nodnod, small wibble*

Bert:  *as he stands*  Hey, they're going to be just fine.

Sarah: *gets up and moves to hide her face against Bert* *muffled* Still worry.

Bert:  *hugs her and the dolls.  He doesn't know what to say, so he just gives his adopted niece an awkward and hopefully comforting kiss on the hair*

Sarah: *snuggles against Bert* Lulu needs kiss too...

Bert:  0_o  Are you sure I won't mess up her hair?  *looking at the big doll doubtfully*

Sarah: *Wibble*

Bert:  *sighs and kisses Lulu on the hair, hoping like slag that no one's got a hidden camera in here*  You want to go back and watch your brothers and sister play basketball with Autumn?

Sarah: *nodnod*

Bert:  *grins at her encouragingly, and then talks about the fairy story as he leads her out of the room*

medical ward

Rodney: Javan, I don't care WHAT you say. Pickled pig's feet do NOT belong in the medbay OR anywhere near any of us! Especially not before lunch!

Javan: Maaan, you don' know WHAT you talkin' 'bout, Roddy....

Irene:  *picks a mustard seed out of the jellied mess in the jar Javan's holding, puts it in her mouth and then winces slightly*

Rachel:  *snuggles against Jack, her head on his chest as they lay in one of the hospital beds*  Roddy's not going to win.  He should know that by now....

Jack: *soft chuckle, snuggles with Rachel* Has that ever stopped him before?

Rachel:  *slight headshake, then closes her eyes and nuzzles against the flannel shirt she'd woken up to find her husband wearing*  *contented, tired sigh*

Rodney: *making a face as Javan holds one of the pickled trotters in his face*

Javan: Jes' try it.

Rodney: No way.

Irene:  *fishing through the jelly for another mustard seed.  Has already had six*

Javan: It ain't even smoked! Why you complainin', Roddy?

Rodney: Because it smells nasty! *Trying to avoid the trotter if he can help it*

Javan: Maaan, you got NO taste, Roddy.

Rodney: Like slag I don't.

Irene:  0_0  >_o  :p

Javan: *puts the trotter back in the jar in favor of fussing over Irene*

Irene:  *snuggles?  Arms slipping around him*

Rodney: *mutters and goes to check on Sharpshot and Kup*

Kup:  *is giving him a dirty look*  Slagging punk.  Got no respect for the people who're tryin' ta sleep around here.

Rodney: *Startled, yelps and trips, transforming before he lands on his skidplate* Kup!

Jack: *lifts his head to look at Kup and Hot Rod*

Rachel:  *small sound of protest and snuggles*

Kup:  *disgusted grumbling and cursing*

Jack: *Snuggles Rachel*

Sharpshot: *actually moves this time when she makes a soft noise, though it's not very much of a movement*

Hot Rod: *up in a flash and hurrying out to go find Tracks*

Irene:  *unaware of anything else going on in the room, has Javan and his smiling at him as she hugs him*

Javan: *small smile, snuggles Irene*

Kup:  *runs out of steam to curse with.  Turns head slightly to look toward some sounds and BLINKS when he sees the two organics standing there*  Oh slag....

Javan: *looks up, gives Kup a small smile* 'Ey, Kup.

Kup:  *frowns deeply*  I... know that voice. *but it hadn't belonged to an organic the last he knew*

Jack: *Doesn't want to move, but knows he probably should try to diffuse the potentially bad situation before it can start*

Javan: *gently, to Irene* Lemme go f'r a minute, 'kay?

Irene:  *smile fades and she lifts a brow at him*

Javan: Is jes' f'r a minute 'r so..

Irene:  *bit of a frown but does so*

Javan: *gives Irene his most charming grin, before transforming*

Kup:  0_o  *and then he winces and grasps at his chest as his spark monitor complains*

Jazz: *coming over* *Soothingly* Eeeaasy, Kup... Y'u still gotta rest 'fore ya do much'a anythin'...

Sharpshot: *another movement and soft noise*

Irene:  *perks and goes over to look at Sharpshot*

Sharpshot: *monitors still showing the same readings they were yesterday*

Kup:  Jazz, you slaggin' #@@#$%&%$$.  What the %#$#@@&... gah....  *wincing and circulating air*

Jazz: Shh... Don' try t' push yerself too much right now, Kup... We only found ya yesterday...

Jack: *really doesn't want to leave Rachel, but knows explanations are needed*

Rachel:  *asleep again, her face buried in his shirt*

Kup:  *shaking slightly from weakness and a small bit of shock as he moves his optics from Jazz to the room they're in*

Jack: *That settles it. Pings Colonel Franklin's cellphone and Patrick's comm with a request that they come to the medical ward since Kup is awake now*

Jazz: Welcome t' the medical ward'a NEST HQ. It ain't th' Ark, but it beats bein' out in th' cold.

Kup:  *frowning as he manages to access his chronometer*  How... slaggin' long...?

Patrick: *enters the medical ward in time to hear that question* We've been here about two weeks... We arrived on Earth about four years ago

Kup:  My... chrono sez I've ben here longer 'n... that.  *turns his head a bit and frowns deeply at the Prime*

Patrick: *nods* The escape pods from the Axalon landed before the Ark... Unfortunately, we haven't been able to locate more than a handful of the crew of the Axalon.

Kup:  *shutters optics and circulates, then winces again*  ...Broke up... over that big... gas giant.  Nearly twenty... steller cycles.

Patrick: *frown, small nod* Jupiter... *Trying to think of what to say next*

Kup:  Hound's usually... better tracker... than that.  I... didn't move that slaggin' much.

Patrick: *somber expression* *Quietly* Kup... What's the last transmission you recieved from your team?

Kup:  *weary*  *sends him a databurst*

Patrick: *accepts the databurst, though he doesn't expect much from what he's found out*

databurst:  *Kup's personal record of the day.  Coming down, crashing, pulling themselves from the wreckage and mourning Springer.  Then walking till Kup couldn't continue and sent Hound, Ironfist, and Sharpshot ahead to try and find some sort of place they could make a base.  Then pulling himself onward after they left, digging himself in inside the old toolshed.  Waiting... and darkness*

Patrick: *deep breath* *quietly* Get some rest... When you're feeling better, I need to talk to you in private.

Kup:  *gives him a Look*  Spit... it out, Optimus.

Colonel Franklin:  *hurries in, a slightly fussing baby in his arms*

Irene:  *Baby!*

Desinex: *slipped away while Autumn and Bert were distracted trying to keep up with Greg, followed Colonel Franklin*

Patrick: *hates it when he gets that Look, especially from Kup* *quietly* Hound, Ironfist, and Sharpshot were captured by a group of humans working for a company called Stark... They were held there for years... Ironfist and Sharpshot are the only ones to have survived, though they aren't as they once were....

Kup:  *stares at Optimus.  Then doesn't cuss; doesn't growl.  He only shutters his optics and bows his head*

Desinex: *Frown, clicks quietly and moves to snuggle Rachel and Jack, but doesn't take her optics off of Kup*

Kup:  What'd they... do t'... 'em?

Patrick: *Quietly* Hound... was de-sparked... Ironfist's spark was placed into a shell with no sensor net... *deep breath, sigh* Sharpshot... *trying to think of how best to explain what happened to the femme*

Desinex: *clicks more, though now she's clicking at Kup*

Irene:  Sharpshot!  *pokes the femme*

Sharpshot: *soft sound*

Desinex: *noise of protest* Stop it!

Irene:  *frowns slightly*  *softly*  Sharpshot?

Kup:  *blinking as he turns his head to look that way*

Desinex: *Frowwwwn, headshake* Still sleeping.

Irene:  *gently strokes Sharpshot's head, clarity in her eyes for the moment*

Kup:  *frowning deeply as he watches them and tries to figure out who the human and that other blue femme are*

Desinex: *frown, torn between wanting to snuggle Mama, and wanting to go to her sister*

Patrick: *Quietly* The trauma Sharpshot went through caused her personality matrix to fracture... and eventually split into two separate entities...

Kup:  *tenses as he understands what he's seeing, and then groans and puts his hand to his chest again*

Irene:  *soft clicking for Sharpshot*

Colonel Franklin:  *concerned for Kup*

Desinex: *attention goes to Kup*... *Wibbles, before ducking her head against Rachel and Jack*

Kup:  Where... where's Iron... fist?

Irene:  The one you knew?  Nobody knows.  *serious look*

Jazz: *Quietly and carefully puts his arm around Irene's waist*

Kup:  *blinking.  His spark monitor's getting angrier*

Colonel Franklin:  Maybe you'd better get some rest.

Patrick: *Quietly* Kup... We will catch the ones responsible.

Kup:  *sudden twitch of alarm as it finally registers that Ironfist is standing over there leaning on Jazz*  Where's Prowl?

Patrick: We'll get him. *pinging Prowl's comm* He's on base currently.

Kup:  *relieved but confused*  Who else?  From Axalon?  Who else... here?

Petra: *Arrives a few minutes later, looking like she just woke up and hasn't even had her first cup of coffee. Has epic bedhead*

Jazz: *coughs to hide his snicker*

Hot Rod: *returns* Tracks still can't transform... One of the soldiers, Raoul, and Bluestreak're working on fixing that spring...

Kup:  *nearly normal volume*  Not you again.  Slaggin' no good punk.

Colonel Franklin:  0_o

Hot Rod: *soft snerk, is over his shock* Glad to know you're alright, Kup. *to Patrick* Elita's awake now, sir. I saw her getting breakfast, so if you're gonna do it, do it soon.

Patrick: *resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose* Thank you, Hot Rod...

Jack: *from where he's snuggling Rachel* You still haven't proposed, Chief?

Kup:  *laying back wearily, his arm across his chest*  *frown*  Propose?  I saw you two get hitched.

Patrick: That's true, Kup... but Cybertronian word-bonds don't hold any legal precedence under the laws of the United States yet. *yes, he's done his research*

Kup:  *frowwns deeply at that.*

Soli:  *squeakfit!*

Patrick: *acks softly and moves off to the side to see what Soli needs*

Soli:  *just expressing herself.  If she weren't so tiny and weak this would be a frightening row*

Kup:  *Looooking*

Patrick: *Clicks quietly in a soothing tone* Shhh... It's okay, Soli...

Hot Rod: C'mon, Chief. Go talk to your girl and make Blue and Denver squeal like morons. *Grins and gently shoves Patrick out the door*

Soli:  *squeak!*

Patrick: *Acks as he's carefully shoved out of the medical ward*

Jack: *Waits till the door closes before snickering*

Petra: ... Did Hot Rod just shove Patrick out the door? *yes, she's starting to wake up more*

Irene:  Myeeup.

Petra: ... Okay, so it's not a lack of coffee making me see things...

Hot Rod: *is back, and chuckling*

Kup:  Roddy.

Hot Rod: Hey. He's been stalling on proposing for months. Just ask Ratchet when she's awake.

Kup:  *snorts faintly*  Who else, kid?  Who else from... my ship?

Hot Rod: *all seriousness now* Tracks, Moonshadow, and Kia. If there are others, we haven't located them yet.

Petra: ... *yaaaaaaawwwwwn, transforms*

Kup:  0_o  *nearly normal volume from surprise* The pit, Prowl?

Colonel Franklin:  *thinking his son is going to be fluent in Cybertronian cursing*

Prowl: *bleary blink, points at Jack* Blame Wheeljack. He based my alt mode off of my size class by mistake.

Jazz: Yeah, but tha' don' stop ya from ownin' th' bad guys, Prowlie. *grin*

Prowl: *didn't just kick Jazz's shin, and you can't prove it.*

Irene:  *pushes Prowl and growls at him*

Kup:  *looks brain broken*

Jack: Hey. I said I was sorry... and I even offered to fix it, but you keep saying that it'd just lead to confusion. *patpats Desinex's hand when it tightens on a handful of his shirt*

Prowl: *gives Irene an amused look that's also got a bit of "I'm too tired to care right now" mixed in*

Jazz: *clicks to Irene, patpat*

Kup:  *shutters his optics, his mouth working slightly*

Colonel Franklin:  *quietly*  I'm sorry your introduction to Earth left so much to be desired.  But you're safe now.  And if there's anything I or my people can do to help you, we will.

little Franklin:  Babow.  *nodding*

Desinex: *peeking at Kup, quiet clicks*

Kup:  *very quietly*  Sure.  Whatever.  *can see Optimus trusts the guy, and the little squishy sparklet's cute*

Colonel Franklin:  *hesitates, and then*  Get some rest.  If you need anything, just ask one of the staff or troops for Colonel Franklin.

Kup:  *small nod, not answering now*

Colonel Franklin:  *not offended.  He looks at the others and nods to them, then carries his son from the room*

little Franklin:  Bubye!

Desinex: *Clicks to Colonel Franklin and his son as the pair leaves, and then wiggles away from Rachel and Jack*

Hot Rod: *Small sigh, glances to Kup* Do you want anything to eat?

Kup:  *grunts*

Desinex: *trying to sneak over so she can give Kup snuggles as well*

Kup:  *abruptly*  S'wrong with Ratchet?

Desinex: *freezes in place*

Jack: *bites his lower lip, before sighing quietly* She was injured when her shuttle crashed...

Kup:  *frowns without unshuttering his optics*  Crashed?

Jack: *quietly* Yeah... We had to split off from the Ark... most of us were in separate shuttles...

Kup:  Why?

Hot Rod: *Quietly, and a bit bitterly* Why else but the 'Cons?

Kup:  *shaky sigh and puts his arm over his optics*

Hot Rod: Known survivors from both the Axalon and the Ark number around twenty. Recent additions to the teams have pushed our numbers closer to thirty-seven.

Kup:  *frowns questioningly behind his arm.  Recent additions?*

Hot Rod: The Aerialbots, Sunstreaker's team, a mech named Skyfire... *glances to Jack and Rachel* The Dinobots... Showtime, and the recent addition of two former Decepticons to the team. *no, he's not counting Sky and Samuel's children, or Soli* Oh... and one mech from another reality that we've come to refer to as "Joe".

Kup:  The frozen slag's a 'Dinobot'?

Jack: One of the three youngsters Ratchet and I built.

Kup:  *long silence*

Jack: They'll probably come to check on us at some point... *gives Hot Rod a Look* He forgot to mention Brawn.

Kup:  So... more kids... than Optimus 'n 'Lita's.

Jack: Yeah... and even more than he mentioned... but that can wait till later.

Desinex: *Soft clicks, got distracted from going to give Kup snuggles by her sister*

Sharpshot: *foot twitches as she makes a soft, distressed sound*

Kup:  ...Maybe.

Desinex: *Frown* *Softly* Sharpshot...

Irene:  *clicks softly to the comatose femme*

Jack: *raised brow, pings Kup's comm* //Just what do you mean by 'Maybe'?//

Kup:  //I mean I kin hear Dancer callin' me.//

Jack: //...// *getting up carefully, scanners going*

Kup:  *spark quietly fading despite the spark support*

Jack: *cuss! Calls Red Alert, and gently tries to wake Rachel*

Rachel:  *startles and looks up at him*  What...?

Jack: *databursts his scan results to Rachel, already getting out tools as Red Alert all but slides into the medical ward*

Rachel:  *pushing herself up, brows drawn together with concentration and concern*

Hot Rod: *giving Jack a "WTS" look at the cuss* What's going on?

Kup:  *uncovers optics and looks around*  'N there's Springer.

Hot Rod: ...

Desinex: *slight wibble, before she's moving to grab Kup's hand* Don't go.

Kup:  *blinks at her slowly*  Kid... everything... created... has an end.  I've ben... around a... long time.

Rachel:  *on the floor and expressing herself*

soldier:  *coming to help her*

Desinex: *quietly* Sharpshot... still needs you. She needs you.

Red Alert: *Getting his tools out and trying his hardest to stay calm as Hot Rod all but shakes him*

Rachel:  Up the power on the spark support.  Give him an extra dose of energy.  *barely aware of the burly African American human who's holding her*

Jazz: *lets go of Irene to restrain Hot Rod so Red Alert can work*

Kup:  *looks at Desinex steadily*  You have Ratchet.

Irene:  *lays down by Sharpshot and pulls the blanket over both their heads*

Desinex: *firmly* Sharpshot needs you. You are her... *Trying to think of the right word* father.

Kup:  *optic shutters drooping*  Been... father... to... a lotta bots.  Most've... 'em're with Dancer.

Sharpshot: *Quietly, almost impossible to hear* K-kup...

Kup:  *intakes hitch*

Irene:  He's going away....

Sharpshot: G-gotta... warn... K-Kup... d-danger...

Desinex: *Puts up a fuss when Red Alert tries to make her move* No! Sharpshot needs Kup!

Kup:  *pings Sharpshot's com, winds up getting both of the twins*

Sharpshot: *small spasm*

Desinex: *holding on tightly to Kup's hand*

Kup:  //Sky, can you hear me?//

Sharpshot: *another small spasm* *softly* //K-Kup...?//

Kup:  //I know, kid.  I got the message.  You're safe now.  Ratchet 'n Jack'll take good care'a you.//

Sharpshot: //Tried... to find you... lost...//

Kup:  *gently*  //I know.//

Sharpshot: *trying to move towards Kup, doesn't have the strength to right now* //failed... mission....// *Intakes hitch*

Kup:  //You didn' fail, sweetheart.//  *pauses to rally his strength a little*

Irene:  Jazz, help me.  *sitting up and throwing the blanket on the floor*

Jazz: Tell me what t' do, Ironfist. *over to help*

Sharpshot: //Failed... Hound... Failed Ironfist... Failed Springer... failed you...// *shaking as her intakes hitch again*

Irene:  She needs Kup.  *lifting the other femme to a sitting position*

Rachel:  *fighting to keep Kup online*

Red Alert: *Also fighting, and cussing like never before*

Kup:  //You didn't fail.  Sky... you didn't fail.//

Sharpshot: *limp in Irene's arms, fighting to stay awake* //Failed... to protect... *even quieter, and a bit doll-like* broken... useless... failed experiment... dispose...//

Jazz: *small nod, helps lift Sharpshot*

Rachel:  *glances toward the movement at the corner of her eye and then starts*  Sharpshot?

Kup:  //NO.  You're not.  ...You're not....  Slag... the song....//

Sharpshot: *still in that doll-like voice* // Test subject Lucille... Disposal date: June Thirtieth, unless subject responds to latest techniques discovered with test subject Matthew.// *Shivers*

Desinex: *tensed* //Help me.//

Kup:  //Your name's Sharpshot.  You're one of the best snipers... in....//

Rachel:  *gasps and yanks open his chest plate*

Red Alert: *getting the emergency chargers ready, looks to see what the state of Kup's spark is*

Desinex: //Kup!//

Kup:  *gently touching Sharpshot as she lays in Jazz's arms*  -Kid... that's not who you are.  Try'n remember.-  *washes her in his memories of her*

Sharpshot: *shivers continue. She's locked in a memory of one of the more painful and frightening 'experiments'* -N..no... Don't come near me! Why can't you people just leave me alone?! Kup! Help me!-

Kup:  *enters the memory and drives away the torturers, his face grim and vengeful*

Rachel:  Try again, Red.  Clear!

Jazz: *trying to get Sharpshot to wake from the memory*

Sharpshot: *shaking, memory-self clings to Kup, looking very much as she did just before she began to lose track of time on occasion, her chestplate hanging open and various instruments and tools hanging off of her frame* -Kup... Y...you came... E...even though... I couldn't protect them...-

Kup:  *rubbing her back and then gently cleaning her up and closing her chest*  -Of course I came.  And hey... if I remember right it was Ironfist I told to protect everybody.-  *finishes the fixing and hugs her close, ignoring the song that he can hear calling him*

Sharpshot: *clings tightly even as she shakes* -They... they hurt Hound... I could hear him screaming, begging them to let him go... they wouldn't let us go... They did something to Ironfist...- *crying now*

Rachel: Hot Rod, calm down. That's not helping.

Jack: Sharpshot's starting to fluctuate, Ratchet!

Rachel:  *turns her head with shock and then directs the soldier holding her to go to where Jazz is supporting the femme*

Kup:  *rubbing Sharpshot's back*  -Hound's fine now.  And Ironfist's okay.  The bad stuff's over, Sky.  It's all over.-  *pause*  -Slag.  Kid, hold on.  You can't leave your sister.-

Sharpshot: -Sis....- *spasms, and would've fallen out of Jazz's arms if the mech didn't have her in a firm hold* -D...Desinex...- *and suddenly, there she is, having figured out what the cable in her wrist is for, and having located her sister's wrist port*

Desinex: -Kup... Please stay...- *moving to put a hand on Sharpshot's shoulder, over Kup's hand*

Kup:  *sighs*  -Kid, I'm tired.  And I'm hearin' voices I ain't heard since the great war.-

Rachel:  *calling Lisa as two soldiers try to calm the nearly hysterical Hot Rod*

Lisa: *Hurrying to the medical ward after a hasty apology to Raoul, Tracks, and Denver*

Desinex: -...- *confused*

Sharpshot: *hides her face against Kup* *quietly* -Promise you'll visit if you can?-

Kup:  *cuddles her*  -I promise, sweetheart.  'N if I can't I'll see you someday.-

Rachel:  *still working on Sharpshot, wincing occasionally at the tussle Hot Rod's putting up*

Desinex: *Frown. Doesn't like this. Not at all*

Kup:  *offers Desinex a hug too*

Desinex: *Frowwwwwn, reluctant hug, still doesn't like this*

Bluestreak: *Holding a hysterical Hot Rod by the waist, and doing her best to keep him out of the way*

Kup:  *kisses Desinex's mental self on the hair*  -Take care of her for me, okay?-  *affection and reassurance*

Desinex: *small nod*

Sharpshot: *Quietly* -Tell Hound I said hello?-

Kup:  -I will.  I'll give 'em a hug for you.  Okay?-

Sharpshot: *nod*

Kup:  *kisses her on the hair too*  -Good girl.  Now I better go talk ta the punk before he does somethin' stupid.-

Sharpshot: -...Which punk? Springer or Hot Rod?- *showing signs of her old sense of humor*

Desinex: -Hot Rod is the one glitching.-

Kup:  -Yeah... I can hear Springer laughin' at him.-  *sighs and lets go of her*  -I love you.  Both of you.  Remember that.-

Sharpshot: *nods, gives Kup a crisp and proper salute*

Desinex: *Small nod, vanishes as she removes her link cord from Sharpshot's wrist port*

Kup:  *gives Sharpshot a last grin, and then goes over and touches Hot Rod*  -Knock it the slag off, punk.  You're gonna hurt somebody.-

Hot Rod: *Freezes, cycling air and earning him much fussing from Bluestreak*

Kup:  -That's better.-  *soft poke*

Hot Rod: -Kup...- *sounds a bit choked now*

Kup:  *gruff, though gentle.  The tone the same as he'd used for a much younger Hot Rod*  -That's my name.-

Hot Rod: *intakes hitch* -D...Do you really have to go?-

Kup:  *quietly*  -Like I told Sharpshot 'n her sister.  I'm tired.  And I'm hearin' voices I haven't heard since the great war.-

Hot Rod: *ducking his head, small nod. Is quite visibly upset by this*

Kup:  -It's not your fault, kid.  Everything wears out sooner or later.  Everything created.-

Hot Rod: -... What'm I gonna tell Tracks?- *scared now*

Kup:  -Tell 'im I've ben lyin' all these stellar cycles about him owin' me money.  And that he's a gullible drunk.-

Hot Rod: *intakes hitch again, as he nods*

Kup:  *sends him comfort*  -Oh.  And I did know your creator.-

Hot Rod: *Head snaps up*

Kup:  -He was my great grandson.-

Hot Rod: -...- *legs give out on him about an astrosecond later* -!!!-

Bluestreak: *FUSS*

Kup:  *wince, comfort Hot Rod*  -And the reason I never looked at those femmes you tried gettin' me interested in... well, she's callin' me now.-

Hot Rod: *floored, can only manage a nod*

Kup:  -Take care'a Blue.  I'll see you when I see you.-  *affection*

Hot Rod: *small nod, arms around Bluestreak's waist as he holds the femme close*

Kup:  *steps back, though not fully out of contact yet*

Hot Rod: *Quietly* -Sorry I was such a pain in the skid all those vorns ago...-

Kup:  *snerk*  -You were just like me, punk.-  *and then he's gone*

Rachel:  *running scans on Hot Rod as the burly soldier kneels beside her*

Hot Rod: *has strained connections in his arms, no doubt due to his fit of hysteria earlier*

Rachel:  Roddy?  Can you hear me?

Hot Rod: *nods* Yeah...

Rachel:  What happened there?  You just fell over.  *and the abruptness about scared five years off her life*

Hot Rod: *Quietly* Kup... knew my creator... His great grandson...

Rachel: .... *turns her head to look toward the empty shell beneath the blanket* Yeah....  He told you?

Bluestreak: *shocked into silence for the second time in two days*

Hot Rod: *nod* Yeah...

Sharpshot: *Quietly* Springer was laughing at Hot Rod.

Rachel:  0.o.  What do you mean?

Sharpshot: Kup said so...

Desinex: *nodnod, smoothes Sharpshot's helm gently*

Rachel:  *cautiously*  Is Kup still here?

Jack: *scanning, clearly worried*

Desinex: *headshake* Kup got called...

Rachel:  *looks at Hot Rod*  He just stopped to tell you guys goodbye.

Hot Rod: *nods* *quietly* I know... *being helped up by Bluestreak now* I gotta go talk to Tracks...

Rachel:  *firmly*  And then I want you in bed, resting.  Do you understand?

Hot Rod: *nods* Yes, Ratchet, I understand.

Rachel:  I better find you doing it, too.  Or Red had better.  Whichever of us gets over there.

Bluestreak: *finding her voice again, quietly* I'll make sure he rests, Ratchet.

Rachel:  Thanks, Blue.  *rubs the bridge of her nose and then turns to her twin daughters, her mouth twitching at the corners despite herself as she holds out her arms to Sharpshot*

Sharpshot: *reaches for Rachel, and with Desinex and Jack's help, is able to get to her for a hug*

Rachel:  *hugs her close*  Welcome back, sweetheart.  *has no idea she just used the same pet name that Kup used to*

Sharpshot: *slight intake hitch as she's hugged*

Desinex: *gently patpats Sharpshot's hand*

Rachel:  *hugs gently but firmly and then sits back to smile at Sharpshot*  Look at your wrist.

Sharpshot: *Puzzled as she looks at her wrist, and then she's smiling as she sees her new bracelet*

Rachel:  You'll need to switch it to your alt mode once you have one.  That was your Christmas present from Colonel Franklin.  *who is going to need to be told about Kup's passing.  As is Patrick.*

Sharpshot: *nods* Alright... *slightly distant look for a moment, before she nods again, looking around the room* ... *small frown* Tracks is here, right?

Rachel:  He's in the shed outside, I think, because he can't transform right now.

Sharpshot: *Frown, nods* I want to talk to him sometime, please.

Rachel:  That shouldn't be a problem.  *winces and shifts her weight*

soldier:  *quick to help her change how she's sitting*

Rachel:  *thanks him and turns back to her daughters*

Desinex: *moving to snuggle against Rachel*

Jack: ... We should tell Simon, Greg, and Sarah that Sharpshot's awake.

Rachel:  *one arm around Desinex, the other hand reaching for her cellphone*  Autumn?

Autumn: *Sounding a bit rushed* //Autumn here... What's up?//

Rachel:  If you can get a word in edgewise, would you tell the Dinobots that Sharpshot's awake?

Autumn: //Yeah... Just lemme catch my breath...// *and in the background, Bert is being pwnt*

Rachel:  Thanks.  Are you alright?

Autumn: //For the most part... I think Bert just got owned though...// *pauses as Sarah can be heard fussing that "Uncle Bert got squished!!!"*

Rachel:  *frowns*  Is he alright?

Autumn: //Hey Bert, are you okay?//

Bert:  *in background*  //Yeah.  I just hit my head.//

Autumn: //... Do you need me to call Red?//

Bert:  //Nah.  Greg, I saw that!//

Greg:  *in background*  //Me Greg am king!//

Autumn: //... I think things are okay here...//

Rachel:  *sigh*  Good.  I'll see you when you get here.  Rachel out.

Autumn: //Autumn out.// *hangs up*

Rachel:  *slight smile fades and she dials Patrick's number*

Patrick: *answers, with the sound of Denver and Emilia squealing in the background* //Patrick speaking.//

Rachel:  *quietly*  Rachel here, Chief.  I've got some tough news.

Patrick: *serious now* //... I'm listening.//

Rachel:  Kup's spark gave out.  He's passed on.

Patrick: //...Do you need me in the medical ward?// *silence in the background. Seems Emilia and Denver heard that as well*

Rachel:  You can come, if you want.  But the excitement's over.  *more quietly*  He finally told Hot Rod.

Patrick: //How's Hot Rod?//

Rachel:  I think he's going to be alright.  He strained some connections in his arms struggling with two of the guards, but he's going to rest after he's talked to Tracks.

Patrick: //Has there been any change in Sharpshot?//

Rachel:  *soft chuckle and offers the phone to the young femme in question*  Do you want to say hi to the Chief?

Sharpshot: *Blink, hesitantly greets Patrick* *Serious expression as she answers his questions*

Desinex: *snuggles against Rachel, gives the beefy, dark-skinned soldier a mild stinkeye*

soldier:  *just looks mildly back*

Rachel:  *cuddling Desinex and watching Sharpshot, she muffles a yawn with her free hand*

Jack: *crouches next to Rachel, all but radiating concern and protectiveness*

soldier:  *nods to him and withdraws, nearly falling over as he quickly steps fancy to avoid Steeljaw*

Steeljaw: Mrrrrrrrrrpt... Mrrrrrowwwww... *gently headbutts Rachel's arm*

Rachel:  *croons to him softly, then glances over toward Kia's bed, which is surrounded by the curtain*  *to her family*  Should we go to our room after the others get here, and just have some quiet time?

Sharpshot: *small nod to Rachel, still answering questions*

Desinex: *nod*

Jack: I'll call Autumn and have her bring Simon, Greg, and Sarah.

Rachel:  Thanks, sport.  *sighs*

Sharpshot: *small nod, gently nudges Rachel* He wants to talk to you again.

Rachel:  *thanks her and takes phone*  Yeah, Chief?

Patrick: //Has Colonel Franklin been informed?//

Rachel:  Not yet.  I'm thinking it'll hit him hard.

Patrick: *Quietly* //More than likely...// *Sigh* //Should we make an announcement later today then?//

Rachel:  *blinks and looks toward a curtained window*  How late is it?

Jack: It's about eleven thirty in the morning...

Rachel:  Ugh, and I need another nap already.

Patrick: //Hmm?//

Rachel:  Never mind.  That sounds like a good idea.  Oh, and Chief?

Patrick: //Yes, Rachel?//

Rachel:  *quietly*  I'm sorry.  I know you've known him a long time.

Patrick: //You did what you were able to for him. That's all I'd ever ask of you to do.//

Rachel:  Red did more.  I was, well, on the floor most of the time.

Patrick: *quietly* //You brought him here.//

Rachel:  *nods, understanding*  *also quiet*  Yeah.

Patrick: //Get some rest, Rachel...//

Rachel:  Yes, sir.  Oh, and congratulations.

Patrick: //Thank you, Rachel.//

Rachel:  Rachel out.

Patrick: //Patrick out.// *hangs up*

Rachel:  *calls Colonel Franklin and lets him know.  Offers some words of reassurance and comfort to the shocked and upset man, and then finally hangs up and looks at her husband*  Bed time, sport?

Jack: *nods as he hangs up his phone* Autumn will bring Simon, Greg, and Sarah to our room.

Rachel:  Yeah, they'll need a nap too, after all that basketball. *very slight grin, and then snugs Desinex before letting the younger femme go and holding up her arms*

Jack: *helps Rachel up, as does Sharpshot*

Desinex: *transforms before moving to help support Rachel*

Rachel:  *finds herself wobbly and grumps under her breath*

Jack: Easy... We've got you.

Rachel:  *grumble*  Better just pick me up, buddy.

Jack: *chuckles and proceeds to do so*

Rachel:  *slight yeep and arms around his neck.  Then puts her head on his shoulder*

Jack: *clicks quietly, moves to head for the door of the medical ward*

Rachel:  *automatic check to see where the girls and Steeljaw are*

Destiny: *helping Sharpshot, despite the older femme's soft protests*

Steeljaw: *rounding up Moofy, Lyra, Fred, and Bubba*

Rachel:  *smiles a little and whistles for her little ones*

Moofy: *Beetles over, with Bubba in tow*

Lyra: *urging Fred to follow Moofy and Bubba*

Fred:  *giving a quick look around, but finally finds his pen cap.  Then scurries after his siblings*

Steeljaw: *Tailswish, follows after the drones*

Red Alert: *slips out after Steeljaw, clearly going to find Serenity*

Rachel:  *silent till they reach their room.  Then she sighs as Jack sets her down on the couch, which has had the back laid down to make it into a bed*  I'm soo tired.

Sharpshot: *looking around, even as Destiny helps her to one of the beds*

Jack: *moves to settle so Rachel can snuggle against him better* Let's get some rest...

Sarah: *peeks in, before scooting into the room and all but pouncing on Destiny*

Lyra: *Deedles and plays a quiet lullaby*

Destiny: *cuddles Sarah*

Rachel:  *hides face against warm flannel, but then looks at the boys, who are subdued after playing so hard.  Slight smile and hides face again*

Sharpshot: *a bit wary of snuggling*

Jack: *suggests that Sharpshot wrap a few blankets around herself for now*

Simon:  Me Simon and him Greg can sleep on floor.

Greg:  *pout*

Sharpshot: *headshake* no... there's a second bed for a reason.... I just don't want to accidentally hurt Desinex or Sarah...

Simon:  ...Them were just playing basketball with him Grimlock.  Me Simon don't think you Sharpshot can hurt.

Sharpshot: ... *still a bit unsure, at least until Destiny all but pulls her down to snuggle*

Destiny: Enough fussing.

Rachel:  *very soft chuckle as she hears Sarah join the snuggle*

Jack: *also chuckling as Lyra joins the other girls*

Steeljaw: *noses Bubba towards the boys' bed*

Moofy: *happy chirrup, scrambling up onto the bed as well*

Steeljaw: *once he's herded the other drones to the boys' bed, he goes to evict Fluffy from HIS bed*

Fluffy:  *playing a 'booooo' track as he's shoved out of the little armchair.  Goes to crawl into the lining of Jack and Rachel's couch*

Steeljaw: *Kitty razzes Fluffy, before getting comfortable*

Rachel:  *sighs softly and sleeps, though her sleep winds up being full of dreams of her arrival on Earth*

Jack: *is there each and every time to wake her up when the dreams get to be really bad*

((co-written with random_xtras))