Nexus and Unnamed world on the way to Nbulung. Hormah's, the swamp and spaceport. Hitching it.
Cheetor: *wakened by the rollicking strains of 'Wakka Lakka'... and by somebody scratching his back between the shoulders. Puts ears back and hides head under blanket* Optimus, you're embarrassing me!
Optimus: *chuckles quietly, but keeps giving the kitty skritchings* Black Arachnia is already up and out of the room, and Nightscream's still asleep. There's no reason for you to be embarrassed.
Cheetor: *purrs despite himself, comforted to know that the 'dad' side of his captain is still there.*
Pink: *swoops in and pounces on the pile of blanket that is Nightscream!*
Cheetor: Ack!
Nightscream: *flail yell, try to escape* Stop doing that! I'm just a kid!
Pink: *love love glomp kissy kiss giggle* So'm I!
Optimus: *laughs and shrugs* Okay, so he was asleep. Mornings don't last long here, do they?
Cheetor: *transforms and sits up to look over at the other big bed, where Nightscream has stopped flailing and is accepting affection with a look on his face like he's being fed tank flushing chemicals*
Optimus: *gives Cheetor a nudge* He looks like he's having as much fun being kissed as you have when I scratch your ears.
Cheetor: *gives him a Look and jumps off the bed, only to squawk with surprise as he comes face to face with Ravage, who is sitting under the bed* Oh man.....
Ravage: *kitty kisses him on the nose* Scratchings from girls are better, but there is no shame in taking them where they come.
Cheetor: Get out of my face!
Ravage: *laughs*
Pink: We're going to the Dog to eat! There's all kinds of good stuff! *snugga love love love a Nightscream*
Optimus: The Dog? *leaps off the bed, landing a few feet away from the felines* Good Morning, Ravage. Did you sleep under the bed all night?
Ravage: Good morning, Primal. No, I did not. *sticks chest out and tail up as he heads for the door* Come, Pink. It is time to eat.
Pink: *happy squee and shoots out of the room*
Cheetor: ...How can she have that much energy this early in the morning?
Nightscream: *jumps off his bed and sullenly pushes his hair out of his eyes*
Optimus: *shrugs with a smile. Though he wasn't near as energetic, mornings came to him easily* Some bots come out of recharge more readily than others, Cheetor. It just happens that the bots on our crew didn't. Or in Rhinox's case, kept on working even though he should have been resting.
Cheetor: *winces at mention of Rhinox* Yeah.... *remembers the time he snuck up on the science officer in the early light of morning and nearly scared him into blowing him away with a chaingun of doom* I guess we better go eat.
Pink: *giggle fit somewhere in the main room as the music changes to the Hamster Dance*
Blk Arachnia: *sits in an early morning sunbeam in the Main Room, brushing out her hair and doing her best to ignore the annoyingly upbeat music. She looks up as the others enter the room, giving them a small scowl* Well, are we going home yet?
Optimus: Not yet, Black Arachnia. Pink says we're going to The Dog for breakfast, and I'm afraid that if I try to argue, they'll send Hormah after me. *shrugs, giving her a sheepish smile. Sometimes, it was best just to admit when you were outmatched*
Blk Arachnia: *narrows her eyes, but sets the hairbrush aside and rises gracefully to her feet* You've been acting strange since we've came here, Optimus. Have you forgotten about Cybertron so quickly?
Optimus: *scowls, looking up into her eyes sternly* You know I haven't. But I have faith that Primus will not lead us astray. And you know as well as I do that we need this. When was the last time you've slept or eaten this well?
Blk Arachnia: *scoffs, tossing her hair over her shoulder* You assume that I slept well.
Pink: *down the hall she comes! (how'd she get back there so fast?) Pauses by Black Arachnia and waves a choccy candy at her, bright blue optics dancing as she does*
Blk Arachnia: *glares at the choccy and Minicon for a moment, then snatches the choccy from Pink's hands and stalks out of the room*
Pink: *happy giggles, and then she zooms over to where Ravage and Cheetor are waiting by the entrance*
Ravage: *watching Optimus with a smile*
Cheetor: *boggling out the open front door*
Nightscream: *leaning on the doorframe and sulking*
Optimus: *shrugs in a "what can you do?" sort of way, and walks up to the door* Well, you know the way better than we do, Ravage. Lead on.
Ravage: *turns and trots out, a quadruped again and seeming content with it as he pads soft-paw toward the sign area and then down a way between two human size buildings* There are two rules for the Black Dog. You do not fight, and you do not molest the puppy. Nemesis knows how to rule her kingdom.
Blk Arachnia: Molest the puppy? *makes a face*
Optimus: *frowns slightly at the mention of Nemesis, but since he's not the original Optimus Prime, lets it slide without comment* I think we can manage that.
Ravage: *ducks a buzz from Pink, who is now a tiny jet* Nemesis' son. She wishes to make it clear that no one is to hurt or frighten him.
Pooka: *sitting on the front doorstep with his mom as the group walks up. Yes, guys, that's a big Maximal baby sitting there on the bayformer femme's foot* Pink!
Pink: Eeeee! Pooka! *hug love snuggle*
Pooka: *wriggle all over and laugh!*
Ravage: *moves to lead his charges past while the sparklet is distracted*
Blk Arachnia: *mutters something about her puppy being better looking, anyway*
Optimus: *regards the pair cautiously, but approaches with a smile* Good morning! Pink told us we'd be having breakfast here. Your son is made of... interesting technology.
Nemesis: *looks down at him over her breakfast cube of sweet low-grade* He got his tech from me and his other creator. You some of Hormah's strays?
Cheetor: *just got Pooka pounced, is laughing and talking to the youngster*
Optimus: You could say that, I suppose. We came in search of our rat, but it seems he's been borrowed indefinitely.
Nemesis: Rattrap? He'll get back eventually. *knocks back the rest of her cube and makes the cube go poof, then turns to go inside* You want the little table up on the bar?
Optimus: Unfortunately, we don't really have the time to wait for him. *sighs, following her inside* Anywhere you can fit us is fine. *pauses as he catches an eyeful of the Prime Table* Are those...?
Nemesis: You'll get him back when you need him. *glances over as she strides toward the bar* Three Optimus Primes, a Rodimus Prime, a Vector Prime, Galvatron Prime, and a Diehard Prime. Oh, and a Red Alert and a Deathscream.
Nightscream: *stops in front of Black Arachnia and stares at the table full of legends*
Blk Arachnia: *almost trips over Nightscream* Hey, watch it, batboy! *she glances to the Primes and regards them with a huff, then moves towards the bar*
Optimus: Three-! *looks at his group, then back to the table. He really, really wants to go over and talk to them, but he doesn't want to just walk away from his crew either* The only name I don't recognize is Deathscream. Is that the Seekerfemme over there?
Nemesis: *nods* Galvatron's mate. Don't take the look she's sending over here to spark. She wants to kill everyone.
Optimus: Trust me, if I took every look given to me by a member of the other faction to spark, I wouldn't have been made a Primal. *smiles pleasantly across the room at Deathscream*
Nemesis: *snerks* She's not the other faction. There's the table and there's the menu. *back behind the bar now and filling herself another cube*
Galvatron: *looks to see what his mate is looking at and gives Optimus a courteous nod*
others at the table: *glance over and give various good mornings. There aren't a lot of people in the bar yet*
Optimus: *gives them a small wave, trying to hold back a blush. Though he held a title with the same weight as any of theirs, he still only considered himself a lowly exploration ship's captain* *climbs onto the bar, goes over to the table Nemesis indicated and glances over the menu* You even serve organic food here? Who orders that?
Nemesis: *sipping* Organic people. Insecticons. Rattrap.
Nightscream: *silently joining Optimus at the table and looking toward the menu*
Optimus: ...I should've known. *shakes his head, then smiles at Nightscream* You can get some fruit like from your old tree, Nightscream. In fact, that sounds pretty good. Anyway you can put together a fruit salad, Nemesis? Extra bananas, if you don't mind.
Blk Arachnia: Ugh, really, Optimus? *wrinkles her nose up in disgust as she sits down* I'm having energon waffles with choccy chips. Side of gummilinks and scrambles.
Nemesis: *to BA* You want choccy cherry syrup with that? And some whipped creme? The cream we have is this one brand of human face cream... I still can't believe the slaggers put chemicals like that on their skin.
Blk Arachnia: *grins, her eyes lighting up* That sounds fantastic! Thank you!
Nemesis: *nods and looks at Nightscream*
Nightscream: *scowling at the menu and pretending he didn't hear Optimus' suggestion* What's a gummi ham steak?
Nemesis: Good stuff. I can put a couple of softies with it, and some hashers, and you'll have the equivalent to ham with soft cooked eggs and hashbrowns.
Nightscream: *intrigued* I guess.
Cheetor: *being flown in by a Pink* I'm gonna diiiieee!
Prime table: *few good-natured laughs*
Pink: *dumps the spotty guy on his butt and then dives behind the bar to steal energon pellets*
Optimus: *offers a hand to help Cheetor up, grinning at him* I'm surprised, Cheetor. You loved flying as a transmetal.
Blk Arachnia: *snorts* Too bad he still can't figure out how to land on his feet.
Cheetor: *scowls at the femme* I did too, after I went transmetal 2. *sheepish look at Optimus* You didn't see how she was flying before we came in.
Pink: *giggles and eats her filched munchies*
Optimus: Oh? I assume it was similar to some of the stunts you liked to pull... *smirks*
Cheetor: *plunks down into the last chair* Yeah, well, you know what they say about assuming.
Optimus: You'd do well to keep that in mind when I tell you not to do something.
Cheetor: *semi cheerfully as he looks at the menu* Whatever.
Blk Arachnia: Would you hurry up and pick something, already? I'm hungry, I want to go home, and you're taking forever.
Cheetor: *scowls and asks for mush with creme and gummi fruit topping*
Nemesis: *nods, smacks Pink flat like a bug, and then heads for the kitchen*
Pink: *giggling*
Pooka: *down on the floor helping the white waitress scratch Ravage's belly*
Optimus: Well, if you all don't mind... *coughs into his hand* While we're waiting for our food, I'd like to go have a look at the table with all the Primes.
Nightscream: Suckup
Cheetor: *gives him a dirty look, then turns back to Optimus* Are you sure that's a good idea, bigbot?
Optimus: *scowls at Nightscream* Why wouldn't it be, Cheetor? Optimus Prime was my hero when I was a young bot. There's nothing wrong with wanting to have a chat with one, or three, as the case may be.
Cheetor: *chuckles* Whatever. *accepts an energon pellet from Pink and bites it* Yeuw... chalky.
Pink: *giggles*
Optimus: *chuckles and climbs down from the bar, heading over to the Primes*
Blk Arachnia: *steals a couple pellets for herself*
Primes: *have been joined by a young TFA style Prima in the meantime, and one of them has his hand on his smaller alter twin's back as she wearily rubs her face*
Deathscream: *eyes Optimus, and is distracted as Galvatron rubs her back*
Optimus: *approaches slowly, very much in awe of the legends that occupy the table. For once in his life, he's not sure how to compose himself* Er... Good Morning!
Rodimus: *grins, his cheek bulging with silibacon* Yo. Have a seat. They don't care if we short guys sit on the table.
dvOptimus: Indeed we don't. Welcome, stranger.
Optimus: I'm... not exactly a stranger. *gives the group a small smile and climbs up onto the table, taking a seat next to Rodimus* I'm Optimus Primal. I was the captain of the exploration ship, the Axalon, back on my world.
cnmOptimus: *looks up from trying to sooth a scolding little golden dragon who is sitting on his shoulder* Optimus Primal? Your name is very close to my own.
Rodimus: *cramming in more flavored silicon strips* That's because in some realities he's your descendant.
Red Alert: Rodimus, hadn't you better chew what you've already got in there before you add any more?
Rodimus: I'm okay. *grin*
Optimus Prima: *just watching with quiet o.0*
cwvOptimus: *similar expression, though his bayformer face conveys it differently*
Optimus: I'm amazed you can talk around all that energon. I think Rattrap's managed more, but he's usually less coherent at the same time. *looks over at cnmOptimus* I'm not a direct descendant, exactly, but Rodimus Prime has the right idea.
Rodimus: *chuckles and offers Optimus a slice of the silibacon, which is silicon and minerals, the energon being added in the form of the botsup that he's got slathered all over it*
cnmOptimus: Not a direct descendant? Will you explain? *winces as the little dragon sounds off again, his hand rising and covering her gently*
Red Alert: Hadn't we better introduce everyone first?
Rodimus: Had we?
Optimus: Oh, I know all of you! I've studied Autobot history extensively, and even though you don't all look exactly the way the datefiles said, I can still tell who you are. *realizes he's gushing and stops, clearing his throat* Though if you'd like to tell me what your world is like, I'd love to hear it.
Diehard: *chuckles, the lights glinting off his silver pinstriping as he lowers his head to look more closely at the little techno-organic*
Galvatron: *gravely* Even Deathscream? My studies of the Multinet had led me to conclude that she'd only happened in one reality.
Deathscream: *giving Nemesis a predatory look as the bartender brings over Optimus' huge plate of breakfast and another order of silibacon for Rodimus*
Nemesis: *ignores her as she sets down the plates* It's canned fruit, but I added more banana. Rodimus, you look like a slagging chipmunk.
Rodimus: *eating the strip he'd offered to Optimus*
Optimus: *picks out a few pieces of banana, feeling his faceplates heating up* I don't know Deathscream, but all the rest of you are familiar.
Rodimus: *points to Diehard* Okay. Who's he?
Optimus: *peers up at Diehard, then smiles* Diehard Prime. I'll admit that I don't know as much about him as the others, but I believe you're an exploration scientist?
Diehard: *shakes his head* I came along a long time after the age of scientists was over.
dvOptimus: He was born shortly after I sent the Allspark away from Cybertron, and after I had left the planet myself in my attempts to stop Megatron from finding it.
Optimus: *looks down for a moment, his shoulders slumping, but quickly perks up again* Well, this is the Nexus, right? Maybe things were different in my reality. Right?
Galvatron: Very probably. I know of another Diehard Prime who is only a sparklet, created here in the Nexus from a LOL. His people are already on Earth.
Red Alert: I've found that realities which are the same are more remarkable than those that are different. Take my own, for example. Our Optimus was female. *sadness shows in his optic band, but he continues evenly* She lead us in the war against Megatron, and managed to bring peace. But then she was damaged by a foolish accident, was trapped in a human body for a time, and then died without ever creating anyone or sharing her specs.
Optimus: Has there been a universe where Optimus Prime doesn't... give his life in battle?
dvOptimus: I haven't. But that was because I had my son at my side.
cwvOptimus: *turns his attention to his plate, his optics darkening with memory*
Prima: ...You mean nearly all of us do that?
Galvatron: My own. Technically.
cnmOptimus: *wry movement of his battle mask* I think I'm the only one that came back as a chibi.
Optimus: I've very nearly done it. *smiles wryly, remembering the way he'd been trapped in the pod headed towards the alien weapon* I was lucky that my friends were able to retrieve my spark before it got too far.
Prima: Sari brought me back with her key after my fight with Starscream extinguished my spark. I... wasn't gone very long, though.
Galvatron: Where I come from Megatron took Optimus Prima's spark, and put it into his own spark compartment, where the two wound up fusing. She was still there when Unicron reformatted them into me.
Prima: *gives him a 0.o and a >_o*
cwvOptimus: *silent*
Optimus: *goes for a more O_O look, his jaw somewhere near his feet*
Galvatron: *looks at their expressions and winces, looking away as he pulls his mate close. The gesture and his expression hint at youth, and remorse*
Rodimus: *looks at Optimus and says something about catching flies*
Optimus: *snaps his mouth shut, his faceplates heating up* Sorry... I just can't... I mean, I've housed the original Prime's spark before, but it was an emergency.
Galvatron: He wasn't protecting her. Their union was entirely surprising to him, I'm told. Yet with time she changed him enough that peace finally came to our world.
Deathscream: *leans against him, those cold optics softening as she nuzzles her face against his shoulder*
Optimus: The Megatron of my time stole the original Megatron's spark for power. I assumed his methods were somewhat similar.
Rodimus: *slight snigger that probably seems out of place*
dvOptimus: Is something funny, Rodimus?
Rodimus: Just remembering a time when I talked to Galvy's Megatron, and what he had to say when he learned about what the Predacon Megs had done to his spark in some realities.
Optimus: We were lucky that he didn't start a second time storm, among other things.
Rodimus: I think Megs was more worried about cooties.
dvOptimus: *face. Palm*
Optimus: *snickers, despite how bad the situation had been at the time*
Vector Prime: *speaks up for the first time from where he's sitting quietly and a little back from the table* I remember that time well. It was most a most trying season in the Time Stream.
Optimus: The Vok thought so too. *suddenly realizes who had spoken, his eyes going wide* Ah.. no disrespect, Vector Prime, sir.
Vector Prime: None taken, young Primal. *pauses then, his face working just slightly* Ah yes, the Vok. Hopefully they have at last learned not to meddle with things that they were not created to manipulate.
Optimus: To be honest, I wish I knew. I haven't heard anything from them since we left Earth.
Prima: They're selling oil to Swindle.
Vector Prime: In your reality, my dear. In many they have merely retreated and gone silent, while.... *pauses as his optics go dark and he looks at other things*
Rodimus: VP? *slight frown of concern shows past his joking nature*
Optimus: They aren't causing trouble, are they?
Vector Prime: Hrrrm. I must go. *and he goes. ...Just vanishes into thin air, actually*
Prima: *meeps with surprise*
Rodimus: *looks at Prima* You mean you didn't realize the table was haunted today?
Prima: 0_0
Several hours later, in another reality.
Dinobaby: *sitting on Spazz as Rattrap pulls them both through the mud, his expression the same stoic one he used to wear when he was larger and rode on a motorized rat* I'm sssloshing.
Rattrap: Suck it up, brat. Yer not th' one walkin' t'rough dis slag.
Dinobaby: *looks up at the sky, which is darkening for the second time since they set out toward the space port*
Rattrap: *grumbles and slips, faceplanting in the mud* *CENSORED!*
Spazz: *twitches slightly, showing the first sign of life since her circuits overheated and locked solid somewhere around noon*
Dinobaby: *frowning at Rattrap, and then starts as his ride makes that small shiver*
Rattrap: *picks himself up out of the mud, swearing colorfully the whole time* Primus slag it! I am SO tempted jus' ta PIN home, even if it's jus' fer a bath! An' a hot meal. Maybe nachos... or a block a' cheese.
Spazz: *speaks, her voice distorted with static and seeming to come from somewhere on the bottom of the lump she's folded herself into* Some.... zzzt *crkle* sleeeeit! ...Coming.
Dinobaby: *looks around quickly, and falls into the mud himself*
Rattrap: *fishes Dinobaby out of the mud, then sets him on his shoulders, grabbing onto Spazz once more* Den I'm findin' some terra firma ta wait fer 'em on, if yanno what I mean.
Dinobaby: *little arms around the top of his friend's head, and he's looking around* ...Iss there any here?
Rattrap: *grunts* If dere ain't, I'm climbin' a root an' waitin' dere. I don' wanna be in dis muck any more den I gotta.
Dinobaby: *looks for roots, and then turns quickly back as his audio sensors pick up the low hum of some kind of engine*
Rattrap: *sigh* Or I could jus' wait here. *pulls Spazz over and sits on top of her*
*The vehicle soon flies into sight. It's an armored, boxy little cross between a flyer and a hovercraft, with stubby wings and a tough under skirt. It lights on a nearby pool, the wind of its passing blowing over the travellers, and then the door pops upward and a green Nebulan face, battered and aged but strong, looks out*
Kal: *in trade pidgin* Hurry! Get aboard before the worms realize you're here.
Rattrap: *replies in the same jargon* Worms? *arches an eyebrow, but hops off Spazz and hauls her over to the ship. He sets Dinobaby inside first, then hops in himself, turning around to try and haul Spazz up after him*
Kal: *reaches down to heave the muddy lump of hardware onto his ship* Yeah. The muck worms. They congregate around the port and eat anybody that's stupid enough to get in their reach. There probably aren't too many out here, but who wants to find out?
Dinobaby: *growly*
Rattrap: We ain't had any problems, an' we been out here fer a while. 'Course, we ain't fleshy like you. *raps gently on Spazz's shell* You okay in dere, Spazz?
Kal: *after setting the lump down he pulls the door shut and latches it, then turns his head and gives Rattrap a quizzical look* Is there someone inside that?
Spazz: *static*
Dinobaby: *sitting and holding his toes*
Rattrap: Not so much inside it as she is it. Her circuits froze up a couple megacycles ago.
Kal: *hunkers down beside that lump of muck* Some sort of machine?
Dinobaby: Robot.
Rattrap: Transformer. We're here lookin' fer more like us, though dey're more likely gonna look like her, but bigga'. Lot bigga'. Y'seen any?
Kal: I've seen a lot of things that look like this, but they weren't robots. *pokes at the muck, and then gets up to answer his radio and start the ship*
Rattrap: Ehn, ya'd be surprised... Gotta get 'er cleaned up an' refueled.
Kal: Well, you'll probably find everything you need back at port. I'm Kal Dar, by the way. In charge of keeping idiots out of the mud and worms out of the port.
Dinobaby: *transforms and is toddling over to bite him because he thinks Kal just called them idiots*
Kal: *lifts the ship up*
Dinobaby: *falls over*
Rattrap: *snatches Dinobaby up, just in case he gets the bright idea to try again to bite their rescuer* Name's Rattrap. Dis lil' brat here is Dinobot, an' th' lump will be Spazz. Thanks fer th' rescue.
Kal: No problem. *skims them in low over the mud and water, around the stilt trees, and right past that... looks more like an overgrown python than a worm....*
Dinobaby: *bites Rattrap instead*
Rattrap: *whistles as they skim past the worm, then yelps in surprise/pain* Primus slag it, brat! What th' PIT?!
Dinobaby: *growls and snaps his little jaws*
Kal: *looks over his shoulder* What the @#$#@#@?
Rattrap: He bit me! I'm gonna t'row y'out dere wit' th' worms, ya lil' menace, if ya try dat 'gain. *gives Dinobaby a little smack on the nose*
Dinobaby: *tries it again with fervor!*
Kal: What is that thing?
Rattrap: A slaggin' brat! *grabs Dinobaby's tail and holds him out at arm's length* Primus, Dinobrat, I'm gonna punt'cha all th' way back ta Cybertron at th' rate yer goin'!
Kal: *mouth falls open* That's the baby?
Dinobaby: *growl wriggle snarl snap!*
Rattrap: I said we was transformers, din't I? Granted, dere's three different kinds a' tech between th' three of us.
Kal: *opens and closes his mouth, and then turns hastily and makes a course correction as a truly massive head lunges from the mud* You're sentient robots?
Rattrap: What, ya coul'nt tell? I mean, I know I got organic bits now an' all, but don' I look like a 'bot ta you? *arches an eyebrow, putting one hand on his hips* Pit, I got wheels built right inta my legs an' ev'rythin'!
Kal: Honestly? I thought you were a cyborg of some kind. *flips a switch as an island with paving and buildings appear out of the ever present rain and mist*
Rattrap: Cyborg? *pauses, running the word through his CPU* Oh, a cybernetic organism, y'mean? Ehn, sorta, but in reverse order. I was a robot infused wit' organic bits. We call 'em technorganics. *looks out at the settlement with visible relief* Cannot wait ta get dis mud outta my circuits...
Kal: I'll bring you to the hostel. *blinking a bit at what he just learned*
Dinobaby: *stops fighting and closes his eyes and mouth so that he can't wibble*
Rattrap: *gives Dinobaby a look, then sighs and holds him close again, giving the little chibi a hug* Thanks...
Dinobaby: *snuggles wordlessly, one little foot closing over Rattrap's wrist*
Kal: Just doing my job.
Rattrap: Still... I coulda handled onea dem worms, but not th' weather. Not fer very long, anyway, an' I'd hate ta have ta give up on our search so soon.
Kal: I've never heard of anything like any of you on this planet, but you could try at the bars. Just be careful, most the people out here aren't that friendly. *lands in the street in front of one of the generic corrugated plastic buildings and gets up to flip the door up and open*
Rattrap: S'all right. I'm useta handlin' a nasty crowd. *grabs Spazz and drags her off the ship* Thanks again, Kal. Fer yer help gettin' here, an' fer th' tip. Ev'ryone speak trade 'round here, or am I gonna have troubles askin' questions?
Kal: Trade's pretty much the local lingo, though the official reports we send back to the old planet every few months are in Nebulan, and you'll meet a few stiff necks sometimes who come and try using it to show they're better than the rest of us. Er, do you have intergalactic credit?
Dinobaby: *back on Rattrap's shoulders, still in dino mode. Has chin on Rattrap's head*
Rattrap: Can't be an intergalatic explora' widdout it, now cin ya? *winks, tilting his head slightly in the Nebulan's direction* An' lucky fer me, I know enough Nebulan ta blow any stiff neck's head right off. *snickers*
Kal: *chuckles as he pulls down the door* Good luck.
Spazz: *static*
Rattrap: Right den... *tilts his head up, smiling up at Dinobaby* Should we go get clean an' find some grub, brat? *grabs Spazz and resumes dragging her, this time in the direction of the building he'd been dropped beside*
Dinobaby: *doesn't lift his head, so Rattrap will feel him talking* Stinky....
hostel: *front door is open, and there's a small stream of water running out of it. This stream has been running so long that it's carved itself a bed in the plasticrete*
Rattrap: I'mma take dat as a yes. *reaches up to rub a scaly leg, then heads inside, doing his best to dodge the stream* 'Scuse me, muddy an' hungry exploras lookin' fer a place ta rest up!
skinny old Nebulan woman: *gets up and looks over the counter that stands to one side of the door* No vicious pets. And if you want to store that whatever it is here you'll have to pay for two cubbies.
Rattrap: *frowns, crossing his arms over his chest* One, he ain't a pet. Two, she ain't luggage.
Dinobaby: Granny, I want a cookie. With no mud. *big eyes*
Rattrap: *snerks* Give 'er th' wibble, brat. You'll have betta' luck.
landlady: I've seen it all before. *frown* How old is he? And what is he?
Rattrap: He's a Transformer. As fer how old... Yanno, I neva' asked. *nudges Dinobaby* How old are ya, brat?
Dinobaby: Now? ...Fourrr weeksss? No, sssix.
Rattrap: Yeah, an' what're ya all tagetha'? Couple hundred, at th' least, right?
Dinobaby: *thinks, and then transforms and topples backward off his friend's shoulders*
landlady: 0_o
Rattrap: *converts the tip of his tail into pincers and snatches him up before he can hit the floor* Y'okay, kid?
Dinobaby: *flails and then you get tired and overwhelmed chibi tears*
landlady: Here, give him this. *holds out a paper wrapped blob of something that smells pretty nice*
Rattrap: *sets the chibi on the ground and takes the blob. He steals a bite for himself, then kneels down and offers it to Dinobaby* Ain't cookies, kid, but it'll tide ya ova' till we find some.
Dinobaby: *frowns* What is it?
Rattrap: *eyes it a moment, then shrugs* Tastes like candy ta me.
Dinobaby: *leans forward and chonks it, then sighs as he feels the foamy crunchiness melting into sweet chewiness in his mouth* Mmmmmmm
Rattrap: Uh-oh. Looks like I'm gonna hafta buy a buncha dat before we leave. *laughs, scooping the chibi back up into his arms* Now, I need a bath fer Spazz. An' prolly some oil.
landlady: I have places to sleep. Baths are down the street. And I have no idea about oil.
Rattrap: Got any repair shops 'round here?
landlady: Probably.
Rattrap: Well, thanks fer all yer help. *rolls his eyes* Guess we're hittin' th' baths first.
landlady: *just gives him a mild Look and turns to go back to her chair* Suit yourself.
Rattrap: *rolls his eyes once more and grabs Dinobaby, setting him up on his shoulders, and then Spazz, dragging her towards the door. He was more worried about getting Spazz running so he didn't have to carry her around anywhere than actually resting.* Baths... baths... Actually, repair shop. Dey prolly got hoses an' stuff anyway.
Neb: *almost runs into the odd group as they reach the doorway* Whoa, hey, watch it.... Uh, I didn't see any ships come in after mine. *giving Rattrap and Dinobaby a confused look*
Rattrap: *eyes Neb* S'cuz we was hauled outta th' swamp, greenbean. We was here first, so youse watch it.
Neb: *frowns down at him, a rough looking guy in serviceable clothes* Guys that take that bad a wrong turn shouldn't call guys who know how to steer names they don't recognize.
Dinobaby: *food in the belly and darkness conspire to make him fall asleep on his perch*
Rattrap: Yeah? Well, guys who're made outta flesh shoul'nt get on th' wrong side'a guys who're made outta metal, if ya catch my drift, bub.
Neb: *raises an eyebrow and pokes him in a squishy spot* Your kid's drooling on your head, cyborg.
Rattrap: Yeah, an' if ya wake 'im up, he'll chew yer arm off. *pokes back, digging his finger into Neb's stomach*
Neb: Sounds like my wife after she's had a few bottles. *very hard stomach for an organic... he's got something on under that shirt*
Rattrap: Too bad fer you, dat's his default state. *holds up his arm, showing off the bitemarks he got earlier while on Kal's ship*
Neb: *laughs, and there's no mockery in it* Nice. *pauses* You know anything about working on a ship?
Rattrap: I'mma "cyborg," *finger quotes included* I think I know somethin' 'bout ships.
Neb: *snort* Even cyborgs can not know their nether regions from a sink hole. Where're you from? And where're you going?
Rattrap: Dunno 'bout what cyborgs you know, but on Cybertron, most 'bots know th' basics a' dere own hardware. I'm lookin' fer more like me, though dey gonna look more like my brick *nudges Spazz with a foot* when she's pulled apart an' cleaned up.
Spazz: *static and a thin trail of smoke* //Nbulung.//
Rattrap: Oh, right. We're goin' ta Nbulung.
Neb: *startled* Right to the planet?
Rattrap: Err... yeah? *shrugs, looking down at Spazz* Our navigator's kinna offline at th' moment, so I dunno much by way a' specifics.
Neb: No one's landed out there for hundreds of years. I can tell you that already. The place hasn't even got a breathable atmosphere.
Rattrap: *snorts* Only one a' us actually gotta breathe, an' I got filters, no worries dere. What we lookin' fer don' gotta breathe, neitha'.
Neb: But like I say, nothing's flown anywhere near that place for a couple hundred years.
Rattrap: Dat's fine. Dey guy we want's been dere fer a couple million.
Neb: *blinks* You're blowing air through your pipes.
Rattrap: Greenie, we're robots. We ain't restricted ta yer puny lil' timeframes. Between th' three a' us, we prolly got a millenia on our own.
Neb: Huh. Well, if you can work your way, my ship and crew'll take you.
Rattrap: Th' brat can't, but me an' Spazz cin, once we get her back in woikin' orda'.
Neb: You said she's a navigator? What ship classes has she worked with?
Spazz: *crackle, smoke*
Neb: *looks down* Maybe I should ask all this later. Do you have credit for repairs?
Rattrap: Whaddyathink I am, an amateur?
Neb: *slight grin* Always have to make sure, in my line of work. *stoops and scoops Spazz onto his shoulder, then turns and walks toward the landing field, unbothered by the water and mud running all over from the sky and the inanimate bot*
Rattrap: *follows along, an eyebrow arched* Ain't she heavy?
Neb: Not really. *leading him past the buildings, and then past scattered ships of all descriptions except 'factory mint'*
Rattrap: Hnn.. *looks at all the ships they pass, a few of them catching his attention* Maaan, what I woul'nt do ta get a good look at somma dose babies...
Neb: You'd probably have to do a lot. People who land here have a lot of secrets. *walks past the last of the ships and heads toward the far edge of the field, where a worm is booming somewhere out in the obscure wet*
Dinobaby: *wakes with a startled flail as they get closer to the eerie, hollow groan/moan/roar*
Rattrap: Yeah, I cin tell its a good spot ta get lost. *quickly saves the settlement's location into his PIN, then reaches up to rub Dinobaby's back* S'all right, kiddo. We're gettin' a ship an' gettin' offa dis place.
Neb: Nebulos would probably forget about it if it didn't remind them it was here. Of course the guys they think are reporting never made it out here to begin with.... *keeps walking toward a shape that seems to be coming out of the mist to meet them, even though it's not moving*
Rattrap: *frowns, warning sirens going off in his head* Oh yeah? What happened ta dem?
Neb: They got persuaded to go somewhere else. Most of them took the persuasion and went. *ship takes full form above them now. Sleek and predatory lines enclosed in signal damping black paint shed the eternal rain with smug ease*
Dinobaby: :o *murmurs poetry*
Rattrap: *grumbles* You would like it. *scowls up at the ship. Though he couldn't deny that it was a gorgeous looking ship, there was something about it made him nervous. It was almost too beautiful, especially in comparison to the scuffed and weathered ships they'd passed on their way here.* So, ya mind if I ask yer story?
Neb: *taps his chest and talks in a language like cut crystal and quicksilver before he replies in his usual amiable tone* I don't mind. But I'm not guaranteeing I'll answer.
Rattrap: Sure, sure. But yanno... *snaps his fingers, tilting his head to the side thoughtfully* I ain't made it dis long widdout havin' a healthy sense a' paranoia. I got a kid wit' me, an' my buddy's outta commission, so what guarantee I got dat'cha ain't onna dese outlaws an' yer gonna get me where I wanna go widdout trouble?
Neb: *gives him a look of non-mocking amusement* You can't go anywhere out here without trouble. *turns and steps onto the lowered lift, Spazz still leaking mud down his back from his shoulder* You coming?
Rattrap: Can't leave Spazz in yer hands, unfortunately. *grumbles, stepping up onto the lift*
Neb: *silent as the lift brings them up into the back of a high tech and efficient bridge that bristles with scanning and monitoring equipment. He takes a quick look around at his crew- none of whom are Nebulan- and then steps off the lift and turns to meet the blue-skinned woman with the finned ears and the ribbon woven scalplock* I found someone, Starpounder. But his friend needs some care.
Starpounder: *looks at Rattrap and Dinobaby with a slight frown, and then turns back to Neb as the light glints slightly off her iridescent loincloth and top* What sort of care, captain?
Neb: *glances at Rattrap to answer*
Rattrap: *shrugs one shoulder* I'd ratha' jus' do it myself, but should jus' be a basic cleanin' an' oilin'. She's got mud in all'a her nooks an' crannies.
Starpounder: *nods and then turns and calls an order in that crystal and quicksilver language. A slender young girl in what looks like the heavily modified remains of a designer outfit, her features showing a mixture of Nebulan and the blue people, nods and then strides out*
Neb: Asha's getting a hover stretcher. She'll show you where you can work. Is there anything else you need?
Rattrap: Fuel. Or food. Th' runt an' I cin run on eitha', but Spazz is gonna want energon.
Spazz: //No. Electric... zzt.//
Rattrap: ...Electric? Seriously? *peers down at her*
Spazz: //Nev... ssst.... enerzzz... till got to... bgrrrrt... xus.//
Rattrap: Err... right. She wants a place ta plug in.
Starpounder: *gravely* That's a good thing, as I have no idea what 'energon' is.
Asha: *back with the stretcher. Is just hopping off of it at the entrance, so it's easy to see that she rode it down the hall by pushing off on the walls. Now she sedately brings it over, bows to Neb and Starpounder, and looks at Rattrap quizzically*
Neb: *carefully sets Spazz on the stretcher and then steps back to lean over and nuzzle Starpounder, who slaps him upside the head and resumes her post at the main screen*
Rattrap: *ignores the display of affection and the look Asha's giving him* Well, lead on? *gestures to the hall, giving the stretcher a small shove* Wanna get 'er back on 'er feet as soon as I cin.
Asha: Yes, old one. *turns and leads him down the hall and around a couple corners, to a largish room that holds tools. And the ship's engine* Everything you need is here, I think. What kind of food do you want?
Rattrap: *grumbles about being called old, regardless of how true it might be* Anything's fine wit' me. Th' brat's gonna want cookies, or whateva' y'got dat's sugary or sweet. *examines the tools, muttering to himself*
Asha: *hesitates with graceful dignity* But I need to know what things will harm your people.
Rattrap: *sighs and turns to her, cocking his hip to the side and resting a hand on it* I'mma robot, sweetheart. I ain't come across anythin' I can't eat yet. If I wanned, I could down a bottle a' engine oil, an' I'd be perfectly fine.
Asha: *slight head bow* Very well, old one. *and out she goes*
Dinobaby: *lets go of Rattrap and flops down onto the stretcher by Spazz, then wriggles irritably*
Rattrap: *shouts after her* I ain't dat old! *grumbles and grabs Spazz, dumping her into the tank that's over in this corner of the room. He hoses her down with water first, then climbs into the tank himself and goes over her shell more carefully, scrubbing out any mud that got stuck in her joints* Bet you love dis, don'chu?
Spazz: //Owww *little static sounds*//
Rattrap: I'm bein' gennle! *grumbles, rolling his eyes. He eases up, anyway, getting her squeaky clean. When that's done, he gets out the oil and starts working it into her joints*
Neb: *comes in with a big bowl of something steaming and spicy. He's taken off the simple outfit he'd been wearing, and the reason his belly had been so hard is revealed... he's wearing power assist full body armor* I brought you some of what the cook gave us. It's just grain with fish and spices, but Asha says you said anything would do. *offers it*
Rattrap: *glances up and rubs the back of his hand over his face, smearing oil over it* Sounds fine, set... ehn, wherever. *looks over Neb's armor, making a small sound in the back of his throat. That would make things hard on him in a fight* Y'bring anythin' fer th' brat?
Neb: We don't have a lot of sweet things on board, but I got this from our permanent passenger. *sets the bowl on the stretcher by the sleeping Dinobaby, and holds out a box of girlish and expensive candies*
Rattrap: *sniggers* Yeah, dunno if he's gonna eat dat. Still, betta' den nothin'. *pats Spazz's shell* Y'got a cord or somethin' I cin plug in, Spazz? I'll finish gettin' ya relaxed afta' some grub.
Neb: *grin* What's wrong with them? Other than that they're sweet.
Spazz: *silent for several clicks, and then manages to extrude her link wire and format the tip in the way she was able to find out should work. It probably shouldn't be hooked up while she's in the water, but on the work counter over by the stretcher there's an outlet*
Rattrap: Cuz dey're girly lookin'. Den 'gain, he spouts poetry, so he might. *shrugs, crawling out of the tank and then pulling on Spazz*
Neb: *want a hand?*
Rattrap: *glares at him a moment, then nods* Yeah, fine... Dat armor probably boosts yer strength, huh?
Neb: *sets the candy down on the corner of the tank and lifts the little femme* Only enough to help me keep up with my crew. *brings Spazz over and sets her on the counter*
Rattrap: *grunts, doing a few mental calculations. That would put him and Dinobaby as the weakest on the ship, in terms of overall physical strength. He hoped that things didn't come down to a fight* So what're you guys? Outlaws, pirates, government?
Neb: Yes. Yes. No. *grins* Your quarters are the two last rooms before the second curve in the hall. *a nod and he turns and walks out*
Rattrap: Well, 'least th' good part 'bout outlaws is yanno ya can't trust 'em. *shakes his head* Ya gonna be okay in here alone while ya recharge, Spazz?
Spazz: *static*
Rattrap: *rolls his eyes* Right. *picks up Dinobaby carefully, resting him against his hip, then grabs the bowl of food and piles the chocolates on top* Keep yer scanners open, anyway. *walks out of the repair bay, heading to his quarters*
Spazz: *listens as best she can to the powerful hum of the engine and the otherwise silence and then very very quietly* Thrrrrpt.
((Co-written with slaggin_preds))
Optimus: *chuckles quietly, but keeps giving the kitty skritchings* Black Arachnia is already up and out of the room, and Nightscream's still asleep. There's no reason for you to be embarrassed.
Cheetor: *purrs despite himself, comforted to know that the 'dad' side of his captain is still there.*
Pink: *swoops in and pounces on the pile of blanket that is Nightscream!*
Cheetor: Ack!
Nightscream: *flail yell, try to escape* Stop doing that! I'm just a kid!
Pink: *love love glomp kissy kiss giggle* So'm I!
Optimus: *laughs and shrugs* Okay, so he was asleep. Mornings don't last long here, do they?
Cheetor: *transforms and sits up to look over at the other big bed, where Nightscream has stopped flailing and is accepting affection with a look on his face like he's being fed tank flushing chemicals*
Optimus: *gives Cheetor a nudge* He looks like he's having as much fun being kissed as you have when I scratch your ears.
Cheetor: *gives him a Look and jumps off the bed, only to squawk with surprise as he comes face to face with Ravage, who is sitting under the bed* Oh man.....
Ravage: *kitty kisses him on the nose* Scratchings from girls are better, but there is no shame in taking them where they come.
Cheetor: Get out of my face!
Ravage: *laughs*
Pink: We're going to the Dog to eat! There's all kinds of good stuff! *snugga love love love a Nightscream*
Optimus: The Dog? *leaps off the bed, landing a few feet away from the felines* Good Morning, Ravage. Did you sleep under the bed all night?
Ravage: Good morning, Primal. No, I did not. *sticks chest out and tail up as he heads for the door* Come, Pink. It is time to eat.
Pink: *happy squee and shoots out of the room*
Cheetor: ...How can she have that much energy this early in the morning?
Nightscream: *jumps off his bed and sullenly pushes his hair out of his eyes*
Optimus: *shrugs with a smile. Though he wasn't near as energetic, mornings came to him easily* Some bots come out of recharge more readily than others, Cheetor. It just happens that the bots on our crew didn't. Or in Rhinox's case, kept on working even though he should have been resting.
Cheetor: *winces at mention of Rhinox* Yeah.... *remembers the time he snuck up on the science officer in the early light of morning and nearly scared him into blowing him away with a chaingun of doom* I guess we better go eat.
Pink: *giggle fit somewhere in the main room as the music changes to the Hamster Dance*
Blk Arachnia: *sits in an early morning sunbeam in the Main Room, brushing out her hair and doing her best to ignore the annoyingly upbeat music. She looks up as the others enter the room, giving them a small scowl* Well, are we going home yet?
Optimus: Not yet, Black Arachnia. Pink says we're going to The Dog for breakfast, and I'm afraid that if I try to argue, they'll send Hormah after me. *shrugs, giving her a sheepish smile. Sometimes, it was best just to admit when you were outmatched*
Blk Arachnia: *narrows her eyes, but sets the hairbrush aside and rises gracefully to her feet* You've been acting strange since we've came here, Optimus. Have you forgotten about Cybertron so quickly?
Optimus: *scowls, looking up into her eyes sternly* You know I haven't. But I have faith that Primus will not lead us astray. And you know as well as I do that we need this. When was the last time you've slept or eaten this well?
Blk Arachnia: *scoffs, tossing her hair over her shoulder* You assume that I slept well.
Pink: *down the hall she comes! (how'd she get back there so fast?) Pauses by Black Arachnia and waves a choccy candy at her, bright blue optics dancing as she does*
Blk Arachnia: *glares at the choccy and Minicon for a moment, then snatches the choccy from Pink's hands and stalks out of the room*
Pink: *happy giggles, and then she zooms over to where Ravage and Cheetor are waiting by the entrance*
Ravage: *watching Optimus with a smile*
Cheetor: *boggling out the open front door*
Nightscream: *leaning on the doorframe and sulking*
Optimus: *shrugs in a "what can you do?" sort of way, and walks up to the door* Well, you know the way better than we do, Ravage. Lead on.
Ravage: *turns and trots out, a quadruped again and seeming content with it as he pads soft-paw toward the sign area and then down a way between two human size buildings* There are two rules for the Black Dog. You do not fight, and you do not molest the puppy. Nemesis knows how to rule her kingdom.
Blk Arachnia: Molest the puppy? *makes a face*
Optimus: *frowns slightly at the mention of Nemesis, but since he's not the original Optimus Prime, lets it slide without comment* I think we can manage that.
Ravage: *ducks a buzz from Pink, who is now a tiny jet* Nemesis' son. She wishes to make it clear that no one is to hurt or frighten him.
Pooka: *sitting on the front doorstep with his mom as the group walks up. Yes, guys, that's a big Maximal baby sitting there on the bayformer femme's foot* Pink!
Pink: Eeeee! Pooka! *hug love snuggle*
Pooka: *wriggle all over and laugh!*
Ravage: *moves to lead his charges past while the sparklet is distracted*
Blk Arachnia: *mutters something about her puppy being better looking, anyway*
Optimus: *regards the pair cautiously, but approaches with a smile* Good morning! Pink told us we'd be having breakfast here. Your son is made of... interesting technology.
Nemesis: *looks down at him over her breakfast cube of sweet low-grade* He got his tech from me and his other creator. You some of Hormah's strays?
Cheetor: *just got Pooka pounced, is laughing and talking to the youngster*
Optimus: You could say that, I suppose. We came in search of our rat, but it seems he's been borrowed indefinitely.
Nemesis: Rattrap? He'll get back eventually. *knocks back the rest of her cube and makes the cube go poof, then turns to go inside* You want the little table up on the bar?
Optimus: Unfortunately, we don't really have the time to wait for him. *sighs, following her inside* Anywhere you can fit us is fine. *pauses as he catches an eyeful of the Prime Table* Are those...?
Nemesis: You'll get him back when you need him. *glances over as she strides toward the bar* Three Optimus Primes, a Rodimus Prime, a Vector Prime, Galvatron Prime, and a Diehard Prime. Oh, and a Red Alert and a Deathscream.
Nightscream: *stops in front of Black Arachnia and stares at the table full of legends*
Blk Arachnia: *almost trips over Nightscream* Hey, watch it, batboy! *she glances to the Primes and regards them with a huff, then moves towards the bar*
Optimus: Three-! *looks at his group, then back to the table. He really, really wants to go over and talk to them, but he doesn't want to just walk away from his crew either* The only name I don't recognize is Deathscream. Is that the Seekerfemme over there?
Nemesis: *nods* Galvatron's mate. Don't take the look she's sending over here to spark. She wants to kill everyone.
Optimus: Trust me, if I took every look given to me by a member of the other faction to spark, I wouldn't have been made a Primal. *smiles pleasantly across the room at Deathscream*
Nemesis: *snerks* She's not the other faction. There's the table and there's the menu. *back behind the bar now and filling herself another cube*
Galvatron: *looks to see what his mate is looking at and gives Optimus a courteous nod*
others at the table: *glance over and give various good mornings. There aren't a lot of people in the bar yet*
Optimus: *gives them a small wave, trying to hold back a blush. Though he held a title with the same weight as any of theirs, he still only considered himself a lowly exploration ship's captain* *climbs onto the bar, goes over to the table Nemesis indicated and glances over the menu* You even serve organic food here? Who orders that?
Nemesis: *sipping* Organic people. Insecticons. Rattrap.
Nightscream: *silently joining Optimus at the table and looking toward the menu*
Optimus: ...I should've known. *shakes his head, then smiles at Nightscream* You can get some fruit like from your old tree, Nightscream. In fact, that sounds pretty good. Anyway you can put together a fruit salad, Nemesis? Extra bananas, if you don't mind.
Blk Arachnia: Ugh, really, Optimus? *wrinkles her nose up in disgust as she sits down* I'm having energon waffles with choccy chips. Side of gummilinks and scrambles.
Nemesis: *to BA* You want choccy cherry syrup with that? And some whipped creme? The cream we have is this one brand of human face cream... I still can't believe the slaggers put chemicals like that on their skin.
Blk Arachnia: *grins, her eyes lighting up* That sounds fantastic! Thank you!
Nemesis: *nods and looks at Nightscream*
Nightscream: *scowling at the menu and pretending he didn't hear Optimus' suggestion* What's a gummi ham steak?
Nemesis: Good stuff. I can put a couple of softies with it, and some hashers, and you'll have the equivalent to ham with soft cooked eggs and hashbrowns.
Nightscream: *intrigued* I guess.
Cheetor: *being flown in by a Pink* I'm gonna diiiieee!
Prime table: *few good-natured laughs*
Pink: *dumps the spotty guy on his butt and then dives behind the bar to steal energon pellets*
Optimus: *offers a hand to help Cheetor up, grinning at him* I'm surprised, Cheetor. You loved flying as a transmetal.
Blk Arachnia: *snorts* Too bad he still can't figure out how to land on his feet.
Cheetor: *scowls at the femme* I did too, after I went transmetal 2. *sheepish look at Optimus* You didn't see how she was flying before we came in.
Pink: *giggles and eats her filched munchies*
Optimus: Oh? I assume it was similar to some of the stunts you liked to pull... *smirks*
Cheetor: *plunks down into the last chair* Yeah, well, you know what they say about assuming.
Optimus: You'd do well to keep that in mind when I tell you not to do something.
Cheetor: *semi cheerfully as he looks at the menu* Whatever.
Blk Arachnia: Would you hurry up and pick something, already? I'm hungry, I want to go home, and you're taking forever.
Cheetor: *scowls and asks for mush with creme and gummi fruit topping*
Nemesis: *nods, smacks Pink flat like a bug, and then heads for the kitchen*
Pink: *giggling*
Pooka: *down on the floor helping the white waitress scratch Ravage's belly*
Optimus: Well, if you all don't mind... *coughs into his hand* While we're waiting for our food, I'd like to go have a look at the table with all the Primes.
Nightscream: Suckup
Cheetor: *gives him a dirty look, then turns back to Optimus* Are you sure that's a good idea, bigbot?
Optimus: *scowls at Nightscream* Why wouldn't it be, Cheetor? Optimus Prime was my hero when I was a young bot. There's nothing wrong with wanting to have a chat with one, or three, as the case may be.
Cheetor: *chuckles* Whatever. *accepts an energon pellet from Pink and bites it* Yeuw... chalky.
Pink: *giggles*
Optimus: *chuckles and climbs down from the bar, heading over to the Primes*
Blk Arachnia: *steals a couple pellets for herself*
Primes: *have been joined by a young TFA style Prima in the meantime, and one of them has his hand on his smaller alter twin's back as she wearily rubs her face*
Deathscream: *eyes Optimus, and is distracted as Galvatron rubs her back*
Optimus: *approaches slowly, very much in awe of the legends that occupy the table. For once in his life, he's not sure how to compose himself* Er... Good Morning!
Rodimus: *grins, his cheek bulging with silibacon* Yo. Have a seat. They don't care if we short guys sit on the table.
dvOptimus: Indeed we don't. Welcome, stranger.
Optimus: I'm... not exactly a stranger. *gives the group a small smile and climbs up onto the table, taking a seat next to Rodimus* I'm Optimus Primal. I was the captain of the exploration ship, the Axalon, back on my world.
cnmOptimus: *looks up from trying to sooth a scolding little golden dragon who is sitting on his shoulder* Optimus Primal? Your name is very close to my own.
Rodimus: *cramming in more flavored silicon strips* That's because in some realities he's your descendant.
Red Alert: Rodimus, hadn't you better chew what you've already got in there before you add any more?
Rodimus: I'm okay. *grin*
Optimus Prima: *just watching with quiet o.0*
cwvOptimus: *similar expression, though his bayformer face conveys it differently*
Optimus: I'm amazed you can talk around all that energon. I think Rattrap's managed more, but he's usually less coherent at the same time. *looks over at cnmOptimus* I'm not a direct descendant, exactly, but Rodimus Prime has the right idea.
Rodimus: *chuckles and offers Optimus a slice of the silibacon, which is silicon and minerals, the energon being added in the form of the botsup that he's got slathered all over it*
cnmOptimus: Not a direct descendant? Will you explain? *winces as the little dragon sounds off again, his hand rising and covering her gently*
Red Alert: Hadn't we better introduce everyone first?
Rodimus: Had we?
Optimus: Oh, I know all of you! I've studied Autobot history extensively, and even though you don't all look exactly the way the datefiles said, I can still tell who you are. *realizes he's gushing and stops, clearing his throat* Though if you'd like to tell me what your world is like, I'd love to hear it.
Diehard: *chuckles, the lights glinting off his silver pinstriping as he lowers his head to look more closely at the little techno-organic*
Galvatron: *gravely* Even Deathscream? My studies of the Multinet had led me to conclude that she'd only happened in one reality.
Deathscream: *giving Nemesis a predatory look as the bartender brings over Optimus' huge plate of breakfast and another order of silibacon for Rodimus*
Nemesis: *ignores her as she sets down the plates* It's canned fruit, but I added more banana. Rodimus, you look like a slagging chipmunk.
Rodimus: *eating the strip he'd offered to Optimus*
Optimus: *picks out a few pieces of banana, feeling his faceplates heating up* I don't know Deathscream, but all the rest of you are familiar.
Rodimus: *points to Diehard* Okay. Who's he?
Optimus: *peers up at Diehard, then smiles* Diehard Prime. I'll admit that I don't know as much about him as the others, but I believe you're an exploration scientist?
Diehard: *shakes his head* I came along a long time after the age of scientists was over.
dvOptimus: He was born shortly after I sent the Allspark away from Cybertron, and after I had left the planet myself in my attempts to stop Megatron from finding it.
Optimus: *looks down for a moment, his shoulders slumping, but quickly perks up again* Well, this is the Nexus, right? Maybe things were different in my reality. Right?
Galvatron: Very probably. I know of another Diehard Prime who is only a sparklet, created here in the Nexus from a LOL. His people are already on Earth.
Red Alert: I've found that realities which are the same are more remarkable than those that are different. Take my own, for example. Our Optimus was female. *sadness shows in his optic band, but he continues evenly* She lead us in the war against Megatron, and managed to bring peace. But then she was damaged by a foolish accident, was trapped in a human body for a time, and then died without ever creating anyone or sharing her specs.
Optimus: Has there been a universe where Optimus Prime doesn't... give his life in battle?
dvOptimus: I haven't. But that was because I had my son at my side.
cwvOptimus: *turns his attention to his plate, his optics darkening with memory*
Prima: ...You mean nearly all of us do that?
Galvatron: My own. Technically.
cnmOptimus: *wry movement of his battle mask* I think I'm the only one that came back as a chibi.
Optimus: I've very nearly done it. *smiles wryly, remembering the way he'd been trapped in the pod headed towards the alien weapon* I was lucky that my friends were able to retrieve my spark before it got too far.
Prima: Sari brought me back with her key after my fight with Starscream extinguished my spark. I... wasn't gone very long, though.
Galvatron: Where I come from Megatron took Optimus Prima's spark, and put it into his own spark compartment, where the two wound up fusing. She was still there when Unicron reformatted them into me.
Prima: *gives him a 0.o and a >_o*
cwvOptimus: *silent*
Optimus: *goes for a more O_O look, his jaw somewhere near his feet*
Galvatron: *looks at their expressions and winces, looking away as he pulls his mate close. The gesture and his expression hint at youth, and remorse*
Rodimus: *looks at Optimus and says something about catching flies*
Optimus: *snaps his mouth shut, his faceplates heating up* Sorry... I just can't... I mean, I've housed the original Prime's spark before, but it was an emergency.
Galvatron: He wasn't protecting her. Their union was entirely surprising to him, I'm told. Yet with time she changed him enough that peace finally came to our world.
Deathscream: *leans against him, those cold optics softening as she nuzzles her face against his shoulder*
Optimus: The Megatron of my time stole the original Megatron's spark for power. I assumed his methods were somewhat similar.
Rodimus: *slight snigger that probably seems out of place*
dvOptimus: Is something funny, Rodimus?
Rodimus: Just remembering a time when I talked to Galvy's Megatron, and what he had to say when he learned about what the Predacon Megs had done to his spark in some realities.
Optimus: We were lucky that he didn't start a second time storm, among other things.
Rodimus: I think Megs was more worried about cooties.
dvOptimus: *face. Palm*
Optimus: *snickers, despite how bad the situation had been at the time*
Vector Prime: *speaks up for the first time from where he's sitting quietly and a little back from the table* I remember that time well. It was most a most trying season in the Time Stream.
Optimus: The Vok thought so too. *suddenly realizes who had spoken, his eyes going wide* Ah.. no disrespect, Vector Prime, sir.
Vector Prime: None taken, young Primal. *pauses then, his face working just slightly* Ah yes, the Vok. Hopefully they have at last learned not to meddle with things that they were not created to manipulate.
Optimus: To be honest, I wish I knew. I haven't heard anything from them since we left Earth.
Prima: They're selling oil to Swindle.
Vector Prime: In your reality, my dear. In many they have merely retreated and gone silent, while.... *pauses as his optics go dark and he looks at other things*
Rodimus: VP? *slight frown of concern shows past his joking nature*
Optimus: They aren't causing trouble, are they?
Vector Prime: Hrrrm. I must go. *and he goes. ...Just vanishes into thin air, actually*
Prima: *meeps with surprise*
Rodimus: *looks at Prima* You mean you didn't realize the table was haunted today?
Prima: 0_0
Several hours later, in another reality.
Dinobaby: *sitting on Spazz as Rattrap pulls them both through the mud, his expression the same stoic one he used to wear when he was larger and rode on a motorized rat* I'm sssloshing.
Rattrap: Suck it up, brat. Yer not th' one walkin' t'rough dis slag.
Dinobaby: *looks up at the sky, which is darkening for the second time since they set out toward the space port*
Rattrap: *grumbles and slips, faceplanting in the mud* *CENSORED!*
Spazz: *twitches slightly, showing the first sign of life since her circuits overheated and locked solid somewhere around noon*
Dinobaby: *frowning at Rattrap, and then starts as his ride makes that small shiver*
Rattrap: *picks himself up out of the mud, swearing colorfully the whole time* Primus slag it! I am SO tempted jus' ta PIN home, even if it's jus' fer a bath! An' a hot meal. Maybe nachos... or a block a' cheese.
Spazz: *speaks, her voice distorted with static and seeming to come from somewhere on the bottom of the lump she's folded herself into* Some.... zzzt *crkle* sleeeeit! ...Coming.
Dinobaby: *looks around quickly, and falls into the mud himself*
Rattrap: *fishes Dinobaby out of the mud, then sets him on his shoulders, grabbing onto Spazz once more* Den I'm findin' some terra firma ta wait fer 'em on, if yanno what I mean.
Dinobaby: *little arms around the top of his friend's head, and he's looking around* ...Iss there any here?
Rattrap: *grunts* If dere ain't, I'm climbin' a root an' waitin' dere. I don' wanna be in dis muck any more den I gotta.
Dinobaby: *looks for roots, and then turns quickly back as his audio sensors pick up the low hum of some kind of engine*
Rattrap: *sigh* Or I could jus' wait here. *pulls Spazz over and sits on top of her*
*The vehicle soon flies into sight. It's an armored, boxy little cross between a flyer and a hovercraft, with stubby wings and a tough under skirt. It lights on a nearby pool, the wind of its passing blowing over the travellers, and then the door pops upward and a green Nebulan face, battered and aged but strong, looks out*
Kal: *in trade pidgin* Hurry! Get aboard before the worms realize you're here.
Rattrap: *replies in the same jargon* Worms? *arches an eyebrow, but hops off Spazz and hauls her over to the ship. He sets Dinobaby inside first, then hops in himself, turning around to try and haul Spazz up after him*
Kal: *reaches down to heave the muddy lump of hardware onto his ship* Yeah. The muck worms. They congregate around the port and eat anybody that's stupid enough to get in their reach. There probably aren't too many out here, but who wants to find out?
Dinobaby: *growly*
Rattrap: We ain't had any problems, an' we been out here fer a while. 'Course, we ain't fleshy like you. *raps gently on Spazz's shell* You okay in dere, Spazz?
Kal: *after setting the lump down he pulls the door shut and latches it, then turns his head and gives Rattrap a quizzical look* Is there someone inside that?
Spazz: *static*
Dinobaby: *sitting and holding his toes*
Rattrap: Not so much inside it as she is it. Her circuits froze up a couple megacycles ago.
Kal: *hunkers down beside that lump of muck* Some sort of machine?
Dinobaby: Robot.
Rattrap: Transformer. We're here lookin' fer more like us, though dey're more likely gonna look like her, but bigga'. Lot bigga'. Y'seen any?
Kal: I've seen a lot of things that look like this, but they weren't robots. *pokes at the muck, and then gets up to answer his radio and start the ship*
Rattrap: Ehn, ya'd be surprised... Gotta get 'er cleaned up an' refueled.
Kal: Well, you'll probably find everything you need back at port. I'm Kal Dar, by the way. In charge of keeping idiots out of the mud and worms out of the port.
Dinobaby: *transforms and is toddling over to bite him because he thinks Kal just called them idiots*
Kal: *lifts the ship up*
Dinobaby: *falls over*
Rattrap: *snatches Dinobaby up, just in case he gets the bright idea to try again to bite their rescuer* Name's Rattrap. Dis lil' brat here is Dinobot, an' th' lump will be Spazz. Thanks fer th' rescue.
Kal: No problem. *skims them in low over the mud and water, around the stilt trees, and right past that... looks more like an overgrown python than a worm....*
Dinobaby: *bites Rattrap instead*
Rattrap: *whistles as they skim past the worm, then yelps in surprise/pain* Primus slag it, brat! What th' PIT?!
Dinobaby: *growls and snaps his little jaws*
Kal: *looks over his shoulder* What the @#$#@#@?
Rattrap: He bit me! I'm gonna t'row y'out dere wit' th' worms, ya lil' menace, if ya try dat 'gain. *gives Dinobaby a little smack on the nose*
Dinobaby: *tries it again with fervor!*
Kal: What is that thing?
Rattrap: A slaggin' brat! *grabs Dinobaby's tail and holds him out at arm's length* Primus, Dinobrat, I'm gonna punt'cha all th' way back ta Cybertron at th' rate yer goin'!
Kal: *mouth falls open* That's the baby?
Dinobaby: *growl wriggle snarl snap!*
Rattrap: I said we was transformers, din't I? Granted, dere's three different kinds a' tech between th' three of us.
Kal: *opens and closes his mouth, and then turns hastily and makes a course correction as a truly massive head lunges from the mud* You're sentient robots?
Rattrap: What, ya coul'nt tell? I mean, I know I got organic bits now an' all, but don' I look like a 'bot ta you? *arches an eyebrow, putting one hand on his hips* Pit, I got wheels built right inta my legs an' ev'rythin'!
Kal: Honestly? I thought you were a cyborg of some kind. *flips a switch as an island with paving and buildings appear out of the ever present rain and mist*
Rattrap: Cyborg? *pauses, running the word through his CPU* Oh, a cybernetic organism, y'mean? Ehn, sorta, but in reverse order. I was a robot infused wit' organic bits. We call 'em technorganics. *looks out at the settlement with visible relief* Cannot wait ta get dis mud outta my circuits...
Kal: I'll bring you to the hostel. *blinking a bit at what he just learned*
Dinobaby: *stops fighting and closes his eyes and mouth so that he can't wibble*
Rattrap: *gives Dinobaby a look, then sighs and holds him close again, giving the little chibi a hug* Thanks...
Dinobaby: *snuggles wordlessly, one little foot closing over Rattrap's wrist*
Kal: Just doing my job.
Rattrap: Still... I coulda handled onea dem worms, but not th' weather. Not fer very long, anyway, an' I'd hate ta have ta give up on our search so soon.
Kal: I've never heard of anything like any of you on this planet, but you could try at the bars. Just be careful, most the people out here aren't that friendly. *lands in the street in front of one of the generic corrugated plastic buildings and gets up to flip the door up and open*
Rattrap: S'all right. I'm useta handlin' a nasty crowd. *grabs Spazz and drags her off the ship* Thanks again, Kal. Fer yer help gettin' here, an' fer th' tip. Ev'ryone speak trade 'round here, or am I gonna have troubles askin' questions?
Kal: Trade's pretty much the local lingo, though the official reports we send back to the old planet every few months are in Nebulan, and you'll meet a few stiff necks sometimes who come and try using it to show they're better than the rest of us. Er, do you have intergalactic credit?
Dinobaby: *back on Rattrap's shoulders, still in dino mode. Has chin on Rattrap's head*
Rattrap: Can't be an intergalatic explora' widdout it, now cin ya? *winks, tilting his head slightly in the Nebulan's direction* An' lucky fer me, I know enough Nebulan ta blow any stiff neck's head right off. *snickers*
Kal: *chuckles as he pulls down the door* Good luck.
Spazz: *static*
Rattrap: Right den... *tilts his head up, smiling up at Dinobaby* Should we go get clean an' find some grub, brat? *grabs Spazz and resumes dragging her, this time in the direction of the building he'd been dropped beside*
Dinobaby: *doesn't lift his head, so Rattrap will feel him talking* Stinky....
hostel: *front door is open, and there's a small stream of water running out of it. This stream has been running so long that it's carved itself a bed in the plasticrete*
Rattrap: I'mma take dat as a yes. *reaches up to rub a scaly leg, then heads inside, doing his best to dodge the stream* 'Scuse me, muddy an' hungry exploras lookin' fer a place ta rest up!
skinny old Nebulan woman: *gets up and looks over the counter that stands to one side of the door* No vicious pets. And if you want to store that whatever it is here you'll have to pay for two cubbies.
Rattrap: *frowns, crossing his arms over his chest* One, he ain't a pet. Two, she ain't luggage.
Dinobaby: Granny, I want a cookie. With no mud. *big eyes*
Rattrap: *snerks* Give 'er th' wibble, brat. You'll have betta' luck.
landlady: I've seen it all before. *frown* How old is he? And what is he?
Rattrap: He's a Transformer. As fer how old... Yanno, I neva' asked. *nudges Dinobaby* How old are ya, brat?
Dinobaby: Now? ...Fourrr weeksss? No, sssix.
Rattrap: Yeah, an' what're ya all tagetha'? Couple hundred, at th' least, right?
Dinobaby: *thinks, and then transforms and topples backward off his friend's shoulders*
landlady: 0_o
Rattrap: *converts the tip of his tail into pincers and snatches him up before he can hit the floor* Y'okay, kid?
Dinobaby: *flails and then you get tired and overwhelmed chibi tears*
landlady: Here, give him this. *holds out a paper wrapped blob of something that smells pretty nice*
Rattrap: *sets the chibi on the ground and takes the blob. He steals a bite for himself, then kneels down and offers it to Dinobaby* Ain't cookies, kid, but it'll tide ya ova' till we find some.
Dinobaby: *frowns* What is it?
Rattrap: *eyes it a moment, then shrugs* Tastes like candy ta me.
Dinobaby: *leans forward and chonks it, then sighs as he feels the foamy crunchiness melting into sweet chewiness in his mouth* Mmmmmmm
Rattrap: Uh-oh. Looks like I'm gonna hafta buy a buncha dat before we leave. *laughs, scooping the chibi back up into his arms* Now, I need a bath fer Spazz. An' prolly some oil.
landlady: I have places to sleep. Baths are down the street. And I have no idea about oil.
Rattrap: Got any repair shops 'round here?
landlady: Probably.
Rattrap: Well, thanks fer all yer help. *rolls his eyes* Guess we're hittin' th' baths first.
landlady: *just gives him a mild Look and turns to go back to her chair* Suit yourself.
Rattrap: *rolls his eyes once more and grabs Dinobaby, setting him up on his shoulders, and then Spazz, dragging her towards the door. He was more worried about getting Spazz running so he didn't have to carry her around anywhere than actually resting.* Baths... baths... Actually, repair shop. Dey prolly got hoses an' stuff anyway.
Neb: *almost runs into the odd group as they reach the doorway* Whoa, hey, watch it.... Uh, I didn't see any ships come in after mine. *giving Rattrap and Dinobaby a confused look*
Rattrap: *eyes Neb* S'cuz we was hauled outta th' swamp, greenbean. We was here first, so youse watch it.
Neb: *frowns down at him, a rough looking guy in serviceable clothes* Guys that take that bad a wrong turn shouldn't call guys who know how to steer names they don't recognize.
Dinobaby: *food in the belly and darkness conspire to make him fall asleep on his perch*
Rattrap: Yeah? Well, guys who're made outta flesh shoul'nt get on th' wrong side'a guys who're made outta metal, if ya catch my drift, bub.
Neb: *raises an eyebrow and pokes him in a squishy spot* Your kid's drooling on your head, cyborg.
Rattrap: Yeah, an' if ya wake 'im up, he'll chew yer arm off. *pokes back, digging his finger into Neb's stomach*
Neb: Sounds like my wife after she's had a few bottles. *very hard stomach for an organic... he's got something on under that shirt*
Rattrap: Too bad fer you, dat's his default state. *holds up his arm, showing off the bitemarks he got earlier while on Kal's ship*
Neb: *laughs, and there's no mockery in it* Nice. *pauses* You know anything about working on a ship?
Rattrap: I'mma "cyborg," *finger quotes included* I think I know somethin' 'bout ships.
Neb: *snort* Even cyborgs can not know their nether regions from a sink hole. Where're you from? And where're you going?
Rattrap: Dunno 'bout what cyborgs you know, but on Cybertron, most 'bots know th' basics a' dere own hardware. I'm lookin' fer more like me, though dey gonna look more like my brick *nudges Spazz with a foot* when she's pulled apart an' cleaned up.
Spazz: *static and a thin trail of smoke* //Nbulung.//
Rattrap: Oh, right. We're goin' ta Nbulung.
Neb: *startled* Right to the planet?
Rattrap: Err... yeah? *shrugs, looking down at Spazz* Our navigator's kinna offline at th' moment, so I dunno much by way a' specifics.
Neb: No one's landed out there for hundreds of years. I can tell you that already. The place hasn't even got a breathable atmosphere.
Rattrap: *snorts* Only one a' us actually gotta breathe, an' I got filters, no worries dere. What we lookin' fer don' gotta breathe, neitha'.
Neb: But like I say, nothing's flown anywhere near that place for a couple hundred years.
Rattrap: Dat's fine. Dey guy we want's been dere fer a couple million.
Neb: *blinks* You're blowing air through your pipes.
Rattrap: Greenie, we're robots. We ain't restricted ta yer puny lil' timeframes. Between th' three a' us, we prolly got a millenia on our own.
Neb: Huh. Well, if you can work your way, my ship and crew'll take you.
Rattrap: Th' brat can't, but me an' Spazz cin, once we get her back in woikin' orda'.
Neb: You said she's a navigator? What ship classes has she worked with?
Spazz: *crackle, smoke*
Neb: *looks down* Maybe I should ask all this later. Do you have credit for repairs?
Rattrap: Whaddyathink I am, an amateur?
Neb: *slight grin* Always have to make sure, in my line of work. *stoops and scoops Spazz onto his shoulder, then turns and walks toward the landing field, unbothered by the water and mud running all over from the sky and the inanimate bot*
Rattrap: *follows along, an eyebrow arched* Ain't she heavy?
Neb: Not really. *leading him past the buildings, and then past scattered ships of all descriptions except 'factory mint'*
Rattrap: Hnn.. *looks at all the ships they pass, a few of them catching his attention* Maaan, what I woul'nt do ta get a good look at somma dose babies...
Neb: You'd probably have to do a lot. People who land here have a lot of secrets. *walks past the last of the ships and heads toward the far edge of the field, where a worm is booming somewhere out in the obscure wet*
Dinobaby: *wakes with a startled flail as they get closer to the eerie, hollow groan/moan/roar*
Rattrap: Yeah, I cin tell its a good spot ta get lost. *quickly saves the settlement's location into his PIN, then reaches up to rub Dinobaby's back* S'all right, kiddo. We're gettin' a ship an' gettin' offa dis place.
Neb: Nebulos would probably forget about it if it didn't remind them it was here. Of course the guys they think are reporting never made it out here to begin with.... *keeps walking toward a shape that seems to be coming out of the mist to meet them, even though it's not moving*
Rattrap: *frowns, warning sirens going off in his head* Oh yeah? What happened ta dem?
Neb: They got persuaded to go somewhere else. Most of them took the persuasion and went. *ship takes full form above them now. Sleek and predatory lines enclosed in signal damping black paint shed the eternal rain with smug ease*
Dinobaby: :o *murmurs poetry*
Rattrap: *grumbles* You would like it. *scowls up at the ship. Though he couldn't deny that it was a gorgeous looking ship, there was something about it made him nervous. It was almost too beautiful, especially in comparison to the scuffed and weathered ships they'd passed on their way here.* So, ya mind if I ask yer story?
Neb: *taps his chest and talks in a language like cut crystal and quicksilver before he replies in his usual amiable tone* I don't mind. But I'm not guaranteeing I'll answer.
Rattrap: Sure, sure. But yanno... *snaps his fingers, tilting his head to the side thoughtfully* I ain't made it dis long widdout havin' a healthy sense a' paranoia. I got a kid wit' me, an' my buddy's outta commission, so what guarantee I got dat'cha ain't onna dese outlaws an' yer gonna get me where I wanna go widdout trouble?
Neb: *gives him a look of non-mocking amusement* You can't go anywhere out here without trouble. *turns and steps onto the lowered lift, Spazz still leaking mud down his back from his shoulder* You coming?
Rattrap: Can't leave Spazz in yer hands, unfortunately. *grumbles, stepping up onto the lift*
Neb: *silent as the lift brings them up into the back of a high tech and efficient bridge that bristles with scanning and monitoring equipment. He takes a quick look around at his crew- none of whom are Nebulan- and then steps off the lift and turns to meet the blue-skinned woman with the finned ears and the ribbon woven scalplock* I found someone, Starpounder. But his friend needs some care.
Starpounder: *looks at Rattrap and Dinobaby with a slight frown, and then turns back to Neb as the light glints slightly off her iridescent loincloth and top* What sort of care, captain?
Neb: *glances at Rattrap to answer*
Rattrap: *shrugs one shoulder* I'd ratha' jus' do it myself, but should jus' be a basic cleanin' an' oilin'. She's got mud in all'a her nooks an' crannies.
Starpounder: *nods and then turns and calls an order in that crystal and quicksilver language. A slender young girl in what looks like the heavily modified remains of a designer outfit, her features showing a mixture of Nebulan and the blue people, nods and then strides out*
Neb: Asha's getting a hover stretcher. She'll show you where you can work. Is there anything else you need?
Rattrap: Fuel. Or food. Th' runt an' I cin run on eitha', but Spazz is gonna want energon.
Spazz: //No. Electric... zzt.//
Rattrap: ...Electric? Seriously? *peers down at her*
Spazz: //Nev... ssst.... enerzzz... till got to... bgrrrrt... xus.//
Rattrap: Err... right. She wants a place ta plug in.
Starpounder: *gravely* That's a good thing, as I have no idea what 'energon' is.
Asha: *back with the stretcher. Is just hopping off of it at the entrance, so it's easy to see that she rode it down the hall by pushing off on the walls. Now she sedately brings it over, bows to Neb and Starpounder, and looks at Rattrap quizzically*
Neb: *carefully sets Spazz on the stretcher and then steps back to lean over and nuzzle Starpounder, who slaps him upside the head and resumes her post at the main screen*
Rattrap: *ignores the display of affection and the look Asha's giving him* Well, lead on? *gestures to the hall, giving the stretcher a small shove* Wanna get 'er back on 'er feet as soon as I cin.
Asha: Yes, old one. *turns and leads him down the hall and around a couple corners, to a largish room that holds tools. And the ship's engine* Everything you need is here, I think. What kind of food do you want?
Rattrap: *grumbles about being called old, regardless of how true it might be* Anything's fine wit' me. Th' brat's gonna want cookies, or whateva' y'got dat's sugary or sweet. *examines the tools, muttering to himself*
Asha: *hesitates with graceful dignity* But I need to know what things will harm your people.
Rattrap: *sighs and turns to her, cocking his hip to the side and resting a hand on it* I'mma robot, sweetheart. I ain't come across anythin' I can't eat yet. If I wanned, I could down a bottle a' engine oil, an' I'd be perfectly fine.
Asha: *slight head bow* Very well, old one. *and out she goes*
Dinobaby: *lets go of Rattrap and flops down onto the stretcher by Spazz, then wriggles irritably*
Rattrap: *shouts after her* I ain't dat old! *grumbles and grabs Spazz, dumping her into the tank that's over in this corner of the room. He hoses her down with water first, then climbs into the tank himself and goes over her shell more carefully, scrubbing out any mud that got stuck in her joints* Bet you love dis, don'chu?
Spazz: //Owww *little static sounds*//
Rattrap: I'm bein' gennle! *grumbles, rolling his eyes. He eases up, anyway, getting her squeaky clean. When that's done, he gets out the oil and starts working it into her joints*
Neb: *comes in with a big bowl of something steaming and spicy. He's taken off the simple outfit he'd been wearing, and the reason his belly had been so hard is revealed... he's wearing power assist full body armor* I brought you some of what the cook gave us. It's just grain with fish and spices, but Asha says you said anything would do. *offers it*
Rattrap: *glances up and rubs the back of his hand over his face, smearing oil over it* Sounds fine, set... ehn, wherever. *looks over Neb's armor, making a small sound in the back of his throat. That would make things hard on him in a fight* Y'bring anythin' fer th' brat?
Neb: We don't have a lot of sweet things on board, but I got this from our permanent passenger. *sets the bowl on the stretcher by the sleeping Dinobaby, and holds out a box of girlish and expensive candies*
Rattrap: *sniggers* Yeah, dunno if he's gonna eat dat. Still, betta' den nothin'. *pats Spazz's shell* Y'got a cord or somethin' I cin plug in, Spazz? I'll finish gettin' ya relaxed afta' some grub.
Neb: *grin* What's wrong with them? Other than that they're sweet.
Spazz: *silent for several clicks, and then manages to extrude her link wire and format the tip in the way she was able to find out should work. It probably shouldn't be hooked up while she's in the water, but on the work counter over by the stretcher there's an outlet*
Rattrap: Cuz dey're girly lookin'. Den 'gain, he spouts poetry, so he might. *shrugs, crawling out of the tank and then pulling on Spazz*
Neb: *want a hand?*
Rattrap: *glares at him a moment, then nods* Yeah, fine... Dat armor probably boosts yer strength, huh?
Neb: *sets the candy down on the corner of the tank and lifts the little femme* Only enough to help me keep up with my crew. *brings Spazz over and sets her on the counter*
Rattrap: *grunts, doing a few mental calculations. That would put him and Dinobaby as the weakest on the ship, in terms of overall physical strength. He hoped that things didn't come down to a fight* So what're you guys? Outlaws, pirates, government?
Neb: Yes. Yes. No. *grins* Your quarters are the two last rooms before the second curve in the hall. *a nod and he turns and walks out*
Rattrap: Well, 'least th' good part 'bout outlaws is yanno ya can't trust 'em. *shakes his head* Ya gonna be okay in here alone while ya recharge, Spazz?
Spazz: *static*
Rattrap: *rolls his eyes* Right. *picks up Dinobaby carefully, resting him against his hip, then grabs the bowl of food and piles the chocolates on top* Keep yer scanners open, anyway. *walks out of the repair bay, heading to his quarters*
Spazz: *listens as best she can to the powerful hum of the engine and the otherwise silence and then very very quietly* Thrrrrpt.
((Co-written with slaggin_preds))