(Untitled)

[no_obstacle]

Exploration, semi-hostile wilderness and occasionally hostile neighbours are more than enough to keep a Minicon occupied. Add a rogue Autobot youngster and his own in-team antics on top of that, and it’s small surprise that Iceberg hasn’t visited the Nexus much in recent months. He didn’t think it would do any harm.

He’s wishing he’d paid more

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[random_xtras]

Several minutes pass, and then the small, brightly coloured tank trundles into sight and stops several feet away from him as Hormah regards him in wary silence. She's not sure what to think of this summons, but her curiosity wouldn't let her shrug it off.

[no_obstacle]

Iceberg straightens up when he sees her coming and takes a few steps forward to meet her. After their last meeting, he knows he's got ground to make up, and he really hopes he can do it fast.

"Hey, Hormah," he says, adding a pleased whistle to the greeting. "I'm glad you could make it."

[random_xtras]

"Sure, b'y." She rocks slightly on her treads, but doesn't shift. "What's t'is all about, eh?"

[no_obstacle]

He looks her dead in the main gun. "Well, first off, I wanted to tell you sorry for blowing you off last time. It was a tricky situation, but I slagged it up worse, and I'm sorry."

[random_xtras]

"It Minicon?" she asks, absently scratching a patch of bright green paint off a chestplate. "'Re Autobot?"

[no_obstacle]

"Minicon," he says firmly. "That's the point of the place. It's the first of the independent Minicon colonies to actually get up and running, though Regen Beta's not that much younger or smaller."

[random_xtras]

"Ah." Her optics drop to the paint spatter. "Ye sure they're after wantin' t' likes 'o me around?"

[no_obstacle]

"Sure. They don't break out the welcome banners for Decepticons, but that doesn't mean they hate anyone who's not a hundred-percent pure Minicon. You should get the same welcome as the rest of us." He rubs his chin. "If anyone's got anything to worry about, my bet's on Nova."

[random_xtras]

"Most my folk is 'Con 're Autobot." Her frown deepens, her body tensing as she contemplates not going.

[no_obstacle]

Iceberg frowns at her in surprise. "Nothing wrong with Autobots. And what about your friendly neighbourhood couch? He hasn't joined up since the last time I saw him, has he?" he asks jokingly.

[random_xtras]

"But t'at Nova wouldn't be likin' seein' a 'Bot hobnobbin' wit' a 'Con." She lowers her head slightly. "'N Scarecrow's no use fer watchin' me back."

[no_obstacle]

"Yeah, well she's gonna see worse than that if she's sticking with us." Iceberg beeps and shakes his head. "I'm not even gonna point out that we'll be there to watch your back. Like I said earlier, you don't have to see much of each other once we make planetfall."

[random_xtras]

Her fingers pause for an instant as she remembers all his warnings. "... yup."

[no_obstacle]

"You haven't found anyone to disconnect it, or haven't decided if you want to?" he asks quietly.

[random_xtras]

"Ain't really t'ought 'o it 'cept when I used it t'at one time." Her own voice is as quiet.

[no_obstacle]

That hammers through his calm without trying. His optics flash yellow.

"What?" he demands, studying her face to see whether she's upset or guilty. With her, he just doesn't know. She's a bit big for forced linking.

[random_xtras]

"(We weren't using my power when we linked. It was more me and the boss reassuring the techie and Bob as the techie used her power.)" She looks down. "(And I've already showed you I don't need to link to use my power. I've been careful with it, don't worry.)"

Only jumpstarted three sparks, charged a ghost so she was strong enough to show up, and given Snowcat and the Zambonis a funtime... oh yeah, and that thing with Ransack.

"(As for addiction... snuggling my boyfriend feels better than having somebody jittering around in my head.)"

[no_obstacle]

"(And all the techie's power was Minicon, so that just guarantees it's dangerous,)" he points out, not wanting to make her defensive but determined to get the point through. It's vital, for the sake of more than his conscience. "(I already said you don't have to be scared of addiction - the point is: so what good could Primus do?)"

He eyes the ground for a minute. "(You don't have to use it again - so don't. There's more risk in it than burnt-out systems, Hormah. Powerlinking is bad news for everyone it touches, and it touches a vatload more people than you probably realise.)"

[random_xtras]

"(I belong to Primus,)" she replies simply. "(I'm pretty sure he's used my power... because I don't see myself as being able to make a spark with it for someone otherwise.)"

Then she frowns at him, trying to figure out why he's so bothered about this.

[no_obstacle]

Iceberg gives her a long, hard look. "(Bulks belong to him, maybe. I know a few who'd argue and I can't blame them for it. You're more than that, Hormah. You can't afford to forget that.

"(You're right, you must have been channeling him, but unless the spark you made was Minicon, he wasn't using your energy, and that's a different business altogether. It still won't protect you from the dangers of actual powerlinking, and honestly, you can't trust him to. I'm pretty sure the guy just doesn't know what he's dealing with. Slag, I'm not sure if you do: you still haven't answered me about how he's supposed to protect you.)"