Mission 'verse and Nexus. Axalon and Hormah's sanctuary. Attack
Dinobaby: *sitting on Rattrap's shoulders and gnawing on his head*
Rattrap: *sits near the airlock and plays with his guitar, his visor pulled down over his face. Brightly colored lights flash on the screen, and he moves his fingers over the keys rapidly. He doesn't seem to mind Dinobaby chewing on him one bit*
Dinobaby: *looks up as the airlock slides open, then looks further up as about twentyfive foot of burly black bot comes in* ...Ironhide?
bot: *looks down quizzically* Nope. I'm Starforge. Was made from Ironhide, though. *hunkers down to look at the small bots as the airlock closes behind him* So yer some'a our lil' guides.
Rattrap: *pauses the song he was playing, then pushes his visor up* Who're you callin' lil'?
Starforge: *amiable grin as he points at Dinobaby* Him.
Dinoaby: *bitey!*
Starforge: *chuckles, tickled by the chibi's reaction*
Rattrap: *arches an eyebrow, then shrugs, moving his figners over the keys on his guitar absently* So how long you been on dis ship den, Starforge?
Starforge: *carefully settling his skidplate onto the deck* 'Bout as long as you. Maybe a lil' less, I don't think you disappear as much as I'm out wormholin'.
Dinobaby: *resumes gnawing on Rattrap's head*
Rattrap: I'm prolly gone as long, it jus' doesn't seem like it cuz I jump back close afta' I leave.
Starforge: Y'go home ta check up on things?
Rattrap: Sometimes. Sometimes I jus' go t'relax.
Starforge: *rumbles a deep chuckle* What, it ain't relaxin' enough here?
Rattrap: Not my kinna relaxin'. *shrugs* I'd ratha' be playin' video games or causin' trouble.
Starforge: Video games, huh? Should talk ta Nightwish. She's good at makin' games fer the systems.
Rattrap: *arches an eyebrow* Oh, is she?
Starforge: *watching Dinobaby* Yup. Though I can't say I'm crazy 'bout her last one. Who wantsta get shocked over a trivia game?
Rattrap: *snerks* Oh, I cin think a' a few squishies...
Starforge: ...How'd they get it?
Rattrap: *shrugs* I dunno. But dey were playin' it all th' time on th' last ship we was on.
Starforge: *frowwwn* Yer tellin' me the Keylendar like gettin' fried?
Rattrap: You kiddin'? Dey're like crazy warrior femmes.
Starforge: But that's enough energy ta hurt a guy my size. *scratches head*
Rattrap: *shrugs* Y'think I unda'stand squishies? I jus' hitched a ride offa 'em.
Starforge: Yeah, well, knowing those guys I'm surprised ya got off the ship with ever'thin' ya went on with.
Dinobaby: Went off with credits and wrist guards. *smug little coup counter*
Rattrap: *snickers and reaches up to scritch Dinobaby's head* I think th' brat made a good impression on 'em.
Starforge: *grins at the bitty chibi, then sobers* So they liked 'Wish's zaptrivia, huh? *shakes head and clicks his bemusement*
Dinobaby: Like big boom game with space dragon, too. *gonna gnaw on his own fist now*
Starforge: *brows lift* I like that one too.
Rattrap: *hurms and shrugs* Been havin' fun wit' my guitar game. S'not violent, but ehn.
Starforge: *looks at the thing in his hands and scans it* How's it go?
Rattrap: I've got th' game downloaded onta my harddrive. *pulls down his visor half way* Th' colored keys coincide wit' colored bars dat display on my visor here, an' I click th' buttons in time t'th' music.
Starforge: *checks his wifi to see if he can hear it* Music?
Rattrap: *pulls the visor down all the way and activates the speaker on his PIN. 'Jukebox Hero' starts to play, and he clicks away at the keys, playing along to the song*
Nightwish: *stops just inside the door, an indecipherable expression on her face as Cygnia and two of her brothers fan out to see past her*
Starforge: *optics show his wonder at the sounds and the alien words*
Dinobaby: *bouncing his little butt*
Rattrap: *smoothly rises to his feet and bows his head, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he plays. As he reaches the chorus, he starts to sing along*
Dinobaby: *holding on now* :\
Sirius: *bobbing his head to the music*
Rattrap: *jerks the guitar up suddenly, his visor's screen flaring yellow as he starts to really groove, shuffling his feet and working his hips to the rhythm*
Starforge: *quick hand pass behind the little rocker's back and he's got Dinobaby safely in his hand. Never takes his senses off the music as he does so*
Dinobaby: *growls and hisses at him, and then starts bopping again*
Rattrap: *dances around, too caught up in the rhythm of the song to notice the audience he's drawing. He shuffles and twists, bowing over the guitar, his tail swishing along behind him. As the song comes to an end, he plays the last few notes, then slides into a pose, his chest puffed up and head thrown back*
Cygnia: *applauds as Sirius and Starforge hoot a bit in approval*
Polaris: *looks at sister and brother and is a bit confused*
Nightwish: *snorts and walks off*
Rattrap: *yelps and stumbles back, pushing his visor back* What th'-! Where'd'you all come from? *stares up at them, his faceplates heating up*
Sirius: *grins as Diehard, Orion, Cassiopeia and a few other crew members arrive* The hallway.
Diehard: Outer crew ready for the wormhole trip? *notices Rattraps expression* Did I miss something?
Rattrap: *coughs into a hand and quickly composes himself, shifting his guitar back over his shoulder* No. Nope. Nothin' at all. Not a thing.
Dinobaby: *snerk*
Rattrap: Quiet you. *scowls*
Diehard: Alright... is everyone ready? Polaris, go back to First Aid now, please.
Polaris: *brightens and goes, humming the song Rattrap just played*
Rattrap: You want me 'n th' brat ta head back ta our room?
Diehard: *smiles as he leads the advance guard toward the airlock* If you like.
Dinobaby: *has crawlied off after Nightwish*
Rattrap: *nods, then chases after Dinobaby* Heyheyhey, where'd'ya think yer goin', brat?
Dinobaby: *tries going faster and wipes out* Stinky!
Rattrap: Yeah, stinky all right. *rolls his eyes and scoops up the chibi* Y'can't go outside wit' dem, yer too lil'. Even if y'were full size, y'coul'nt.
Dinobaby: *wriggles and points down the hall the way that Nightwish went* Was going that way.
Rattrap: *arches an eyebrow and peers down the hall* Ain't she s'pposed t'be wit' th' Doom Patrol?
Dinobaby: *as the guards go out* No.
Rattrap: *shrugs and starts to head back to their room* Ehn, whateva'. Nonna my bidness anyway.
Dinobaby: *wriggles and pouts*
Rattrap: What? You gotta thing fer her dat bad?
Dinobaby: Thrrrpt. Pretty femme.
Rattrap: So? Blackarachnia was pretty, but dat don' mean she's good fer ya. Jus' look at what Silverbolt got inta'!
Dinobaby: *was poking at his storage compartment, and now holds up a little nugget of something golden and fragrant*
Rattrap: *is suddenly very distracted by the shiny* Hey, whaddya got dere, kiddo?
Dinobaby: *intent expression as he pokes it at his friend's mouth* Nom....
Rattrap: *jerks his head back a little* Nom?
Dinobaby: Eat. *pokes again* Is good.
Rattrap: *gives him a questioning look, but takes a little nibble at it*
Dinobaby: *grins as the intense and complex flavor of the treat spreads across Rattrap's taste sensors* Well?
Rattrap: *blinks a few times, then takes another nibble* Where th' Pit did'ya find dis, brat?
Dinobaby: *smug* Pretty femme.
Rattrap: *hurms, narrowing his eyes* Did'ya now?
Dinobaby: *even more smug as he nods*
Rattap: Hmph! Well, y'cin keep it.
Dinobaby: *blinks and then looks away to hide hurt expression*
Rattrap: *rolls his eyes and slips into their room* Oh c'mon. She ain't dat great. She'd prolly step on me if she eva' got th' chance.
Dinobaby: *eats his goodie* I like her.
Rattrap: Dat's great. Like 'er all y'want. But'cha know, once we're done wit' dis mission, we ain't gonna see her again.
Dinobaby: *hiding his wibbles now* *grumbles about stinks and no Spazz as the ship starts to vibrate*
Rattrap: Speakin' a' Spazz... where'd she get to? *sets Dinobaby down and looks around the room for a note or some sort of clue to the Sewercon's location*
Dinobaby: *crawls off toward the hammock and Small Cheetor*
Spazz: //I'm on the bridge, yo.//
Rattrap: //Ooooh, dere y'are.// *snickers* //What's up, Spazz? How's th' jump goin'?//
Spazz: //'Bout normal. Except there's a musical accompaniment this time.//
Rattrap: //Er... is dere?//
Spazz: //Yeah, the head of Security is playing one of your Rock Band songs.//
Rattrap: //Wait, Nightwish is playin' what?//
Spazz: //Playing 'Jukebox Hero'.//
Rattrap: *scowls, picking up the datapad with World of Warcraft on it and plugging in. He logs in, and selects his rogue to level up a bit while they're in the wormhole* //Yer kiddin' me, right? How'd she get her hands on th' file? Unless... AW #@%^ no! She recorded me playin', din't she?//
Spazz: //She just played that mistake you always make.//
Rattrap: *cringes* //Slaggin' hammer-ons, I cin neva' quite hit 'em right. Hn. Why'd she go an' do a thing like dat?//
Spazz: //Maybe she likes music?//
black Tauren woman: *throws something at Rattrap's troll*
Rattrap: //Maybe... ACK!// *turns his troll around and glares at the Tauren* /s The &#$^ was that for?
bTw: /Watch your back, teeth.
Rattrap: /Watch your own back, Udderface!
bTw: /dance
Rattrap: /rude *stealths and creeps off*
Dinobaby: *quietly mauling his doll, but gives a wail of surprise as the ship's alarms suddenly blare*
Spazz: //Fragging PIT, what the #$@#$!@# is that???//
Rattrap: *unplugs himself from the game and jerks his head up* //Yer th' one in th' bridge, you tell me!//
Spazz: *is silent as grinding sounds reverberate through the hull, and then comes the rush of many feet*
Rattrap: Aw #$%^. *quickly climbs up onto the hammock and grabs Dinobaby* Dis don' sound good, brat. We gotta make like rats an' vamoose.
Dinobaby: *wriggling and holding onto Small Cheetor with all he's got* Spazz!
Rattrap: Yeah yeah, I know. Gotta get'cha secured first. *finds Dinobaby's shell carrier and straps him in. Once the chibi's taken care of, he pulls on the shell and pokes his head out into the hall*
Dinobaby: *optics enormous as the hallway echoes with chanting. All around them lights and monitors are flickering as something sucks the energy out of the systems*
Polaris: *cry of terror from the medbay*
Rattrap: *finds a nearby port and plugs his tail in, running a quick diagnostic of the ship. He curses in every language he knows, then yanks out his tail and darts towards the medbay*
First Aid: *is down, her optics dimming as a shelled humanoid figure stands with two short arms jabbed into a space between her chestplates*
Polaris: *has a piece of a diagnostic table and is using it as a club to keep four more of the shelled things at bay* First Aid! First Aid?
Rattrap: *bursts into the room with his blaster drawn and fires a few shots at the creature attacking First Aid, aiming for its arms*
shellscouts: *the fired on scout absorbs the energy without even looking around. Two of its siblings, however, are drawn to the rich charge and turn to run toward Rattrap, thrumming that deep chant as they come*
Dinobaby: ...Slag.
Rattrap: *ducks back into the hall and pops a couple explosives from the panel in his leg* Y'ain't jus' whistlin' dixie, brat. Let's see how dem suckas like dis! *arms one charge, then tosses it a little ways down the hall*
Dinobaby: *as the bomb goes off and they're rained with sashimi* Ewwwww!
Rattrap: Bingo! Dat got 'em! Heheh, nothin' cin stand up t'onna Mineseeka's Special Numba' three! *arms the next charge and goes back into the medbay, throwing it at the scout on First Aid*
Dinobaby: Don't boom 'Aid!
Rattrap: *laughs as the shelled humanoid bursts into little bitty pieces, but the med bot is left unharmed (if you didn't count the energy drain and shower of meat)* Don' worry, th' blast is specially contained t'jus' one lifeform.
Polaris: *smashes his assailants as they're distracted by the explosions, then runs to his creator, crying with fear*
Dinobaby: Here comes more lifeforms.
Rattrap: We'll give 'em a Numba' One den. *pulls out a larger explosive and tosses it out into the hall, then hustles over to First Aid's side* S'okay, we're gonna get'cha outta here.
Polaris: *looks at him and visibly struggles to process and talk* Broken. First Aid. Broken.
Rattrap: She ain't broken, kid, she's jus' outta juice. *digs around in subspace, then pulls out a can sized powercell* I hope, anyway. *hooks up the battery to First Aid, turning it on so that the stored energy flows into her*
First Aid: *soft trill of distress, and then she's struggling to rise* Polaris.... Ow....
Dinobaby: *startles as something explodes massively in the direction of the bridge*
Rattrap: *lets out a sigh of relief as First Aid rises, a huge grin on his face* Heya, dollface, you feelin' all right? *flinches a little at the sound of the explosion and leaps to his feet* Slaaag, we gotta move!
First Aid: *shakily* I'm low, but I can move. *takes Polaris's hand* I'm no combat unit, though.
Rattrap: *pulls out a second powercell and hands it to her* Y'cin drain dis while we move. Don' worry 'bout th' shellsuckas', I cin take care'a dem. We jus' gotta pick up Spazz, den we cin get outta here.
First Aid: *draining cell, but then makes a startled sound* The bridge has been decompressioned.
Rattrap: *tenses, then slams his hand onto his com-unit, pinging Spazz* //Spazz, baby, tell me yer okay.//
Spazz: //I'm a little squished, but I'm okay. Where are you? I can't access any of the Axalon's sensors right now.//
Rattrap: //Oh thank &#$%ing Primus!// *relaxes, slumping against the wall* //We're in th' medbay wit' Polaris an' First Aid. I'm comin' ta get'cha, girlie.//
Spazz: //Hold tight, we're coming your way.// *sound of chanting becomes ragged, and there are several thuds and something is swishing*
Rattrap: //We? Lemme guess... Nightwish.//
Spazz: *as a shellscout flies into sight and smashes against the wall up at the bend in the hallway* //Yup.//
Rattrap: *shakes his head, but can't hold back his grin* Crude, but effective.
Nightwish: *bounds into sight, her feet crushing invaders as a massive ax whistles in her left hand. Her right one is closed and held close to her chest. Shellscouts are hanging off of her, but she seems unaffected. The shells, on the other hand....*
Dinobaby: They go boom from Nightwish juice.
First Aid: Yes. Her energy is different from the norm. *standing a little straighter as she watches now*
Rattrap: Well, ain't dat jus' prime?
Nightwish: First Aid, think fast! *hurls Spazz toward the medic*
First Aid: *gasps*
Polaris: *catches!*
shellscouts: *noticed Rattrap and the others and are heading their way*
Rattrap: Dese things're organic, ain't dey? *pulls out a pair of canisters and shakes them up*
Spazz: *being cuddled by Polaris* Yup. And pretty squishy under the outside.
Dinobaby: *licking Rattrap's shoulder* Mmmmm....
Rattrap: *gives Dinobaby a funny look* Well, let's see how dey like th' taste'a dese babies* *pushes down buttons on the tops of the canisters and sends them sliding towards the oncoming shellscouts. Thick green mists billows out of them, filling the room with poisonous gas*
Nightwish: *watches her opponents fall away and try to flee back the way they came, only to collapse and twitch. Calmly starts stomping*
First Aid: *faints*
Polaris: *panics*
Spazz: *comforts him*
Rattrap: *swears colorfully* I'm outta spare powercells too! We gotta get 'er back t'th' sanctuary.
Nightwish: Don't worry about it. Crushed organics does that to her.
Rattrap: *makes a face* Oh, is dat all? *rolls his eyes* Well slag. Is dere anyone else on dis ship who can't take care'a demselves?
Nightwish: No. But the mothership's attached to the side of the Axalon over in Engineering. *crush crush stomp*
Rattrap: Ain't my problem. I ain't got 'n endless supply a' bombs yanno, an' we gotta get th' bots who can't fight ta safety.
Nightwish: *done stomping and now heading for Engineering* Go hard, Vermin.
Rattrap: *makes a rude gesture at her retreating back, then turns to the rest of the bots, one hand putting the coordinates for the sanctuary into his PIN* She may be able ta squish dese energypumps indefinitely, but we can't. I'm takin' us somewhere where th' fightin' bots ain't gotta worry 'bout us.
Spazz: Pick up Rat, and touch First Aid, Polaris. Do you understand?
Polaris: *does so, his face streaked with tears*
Rattrap: *pats Polaris* S'okay, kiddo. I got it all unda' control. *'points away, taking the group back to the sanctuary*
Ravage: *leaps straight into the air with a hiss, but then comes down and gives Rattrap a stink eye*
Dinobaby: *laughing his little goop spattered butt off at that*
Rattrap: Sorry, pussycat. *smirks, snickering* It was 'n emergency.
Hormah: *quietly, from the start of the hallway* What happened, b'y?
Pi: *bright green optics looking over her shoulder*
Rattrap: Some sorta shelled energy suckas' attack th' Axalon. First Aid here was attacked an' she's kinna weak now. *points to Polaris* Dis is Polaris Prime.
Hormah: *looks up at the tall youngling* T'ought ye was goin' fer.... *stops and cocks her head* Boss, yer a right brat sometimes. *beeps a chuckle, then frowns slightly* Git 'im washed, 'n do yerself while yer to it. I'll tend t' 'Aid.
Rattrap: Dere's a couple othas' too, but dey're all grown. *smirks, then takes a few steps towards the bathing room, waving the others along* C'mon den, a bath would be great.
Later
First Aid: *sitting at one of the tables, quietly wishing to be back at the ship and see how her teammates have fared*
Spazz: *got a chibi and a youngbot clean. And taught them both some new words*
Red and Black Motorcycle: *bursts into the sanctuary, its engine roaring as it speeds through the halls. Soon as it hits the main room, there's a shout of "Transform!" and it changes into a nine foot tall mech with green eyes and a familiar cheeky grin* Yo! What's shakin' bots?
Spazz: *stare*
Hormah: *facepalm* Can't turn me #$@#$$#% back fer five minutes.
Red Mech: *puts his hands on his hips and laughs* Crazy, ain't I? Primus, look at me! I got TALL!
Spazz: *hugs Dinobaby* ...Rat?
Hormah: *mutters*
Rattrap: Yep! Dere was dis camera out inna Nexus, an' I wanned t' pose fer it all covered in dat bug goo, right? Next thing I know... *grins and scratches his nose* Dis is th' body I was built in.
Spazz: ...So when you change back is the bug splat coming back too?
Hormah: *stops in mid-mutter* 0.o *facepalm* *snerk*
Rattrap: ....Ew, I hope not.
First Aid: *looking around at the assembled bots* *quietly* I... don't understand.
Rattrap: Man, I don' neitha'! *shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly* But y'gotta know, dis feels great! Th' tech's old, sure, but... man, I feel like I could take on anythin'!
Hormah: *throws a cookie at him* Y'got yer sorry aft LOL'd is what happened, b'y. Ye better slaggin' t'ank Primus ye didn' wind up invisible.
First Aid: What does 'LOL' mean?
Hormah: *explains LOLs*
First Aid: *optics wide and startled*
Dinobaby: *suddenly seriously making shy*
Rattrap: *snerks and shrugs, sauntering up to the table* Sounds like a ball if y'ask me. An' lookit, I got great luck!
Hormah: *rolls her eyes at him and then offers him a couple skewers of breaded and fried meat that she had Ravage grab from the Nexus* Here, fuel up 'n git out. I's got t'ings t' do.
Rattrap: *flashes a cocky grin and snaps off a salute* Yes ma'am! *takes the food and begins to chow down*
Dinobaby: *peeking and watching. When Rat's done eating* Vermin eat worms.
Hormah: Nah, b'y. I got 'im t' slug ones.
First Aid: 0.o
Rattrap: *sticks his tongue out at Hormah* Ehn, s'not like I ain't eaten woise, yeah?
Hormah: *shrugs* T'ey raises t'em t'ing's t' eat. *gives Pi another data chip as he beeps at her*
Rattrap: *shrugs and begins piling a bunch of the meatsticks onto a plate* Man, I am so hungry, I could eat all dis an' still not be full. Dis body prolly runs betta' on energon, now. *pauses, looking down at the plate, then over to Hormah* Say, y'woul'nt happen t'have any pasketti, would'ya?
Hormah: Got gummiroast. *nods toward the plate on the table that holds a chunk of nice smelling green stuff*
Rattrap: *sets down the plate* Oh, I am SO dere! *takes a chunk of the gummiroast and shovels it down, eating almost as sloppily as Dinobaby*
Hormah: *just bounces a piece of blitzbread off his head*
First Aid: *watching all this with quiet surprise*
Polaris: *eating cookies and purring*
Ravage: *passed out on the other table*
Rattrap: *snatches up the blitzbread as it bounces and stuffs it into his mouth with a grin* Say Hormah, is Dinobot still 'round?
Hormah: *gives Pi another datachip* Nah, Blackout come 'n got 'im t'is mornin'. He's restin' to home where it's some quieter.
Rattrap: Ehn... prolly betta'. *shrugs one shoulder, waving a hand flippantly* Jus' thought maybe if he was feelin' up ta snuff, he might wanna come take on some'a dose shellscout things.
Hormah: You was only here t' day afore yesterday fer us, b'y. He ain't all plated yet're nuttin'.
Rattrap: *pouts* Dese things ain't near as tough as th' 'borg though! I mean, even I was doin' fine against 'em!
Spazz: Hey, you're the one that's always fussing for us to stay down and not wreck ourselves again.
Rattrap: Yeah well... *scowls, looking away from her. He couldn't explain it, but he was just itching to go out and do something*
Hormah: *hand on his shoulder* Jes' git t'ese guys to home 'n finish yer job. Ye kin cut loose all ye wants after t'at.
Rattrap: *pouts at Hormah, then perks up* Should head back t'th' Axalon. *glances over at First Aid and Polaris* On my own. Yanno, check 'n see if th' ship's safe yet.
First Aid: *worried expression* That sounds like a good idea, Rattrap.
Spazz: You just want to see if there's any leftovers. *snerks and pats Dinobaby's back, then dances with him a little as he growls and sighs*
Rattrap: *looks over at her, his optics going wide with false innocence* Now, dat ain't true at all. I jus' wanna make sure we don' 'point back inna middle of a swarm!
Spazz: Liar liar, gears on fire! :D
Rattrap: *cackles and makes a rude gesture in her direction, then 'points back to the Axalon, near the engineering room*
Sirius: *GUN!* Oh... it's you. *puts gun away and resumes mess cleaning* How're First Aid and Polaris?
Rattrap: Dey're fine. Cleaned up, fixed up, an' fueled up. *puts one hand on his hip, cocking it to the side* How'ja know it was me?
Sirius: I've got some medical grade sensors. I recognized your spark.
Rattrap: Ah, got'cha. *nods sagely, stroking his chin* So ah... guess th' battle's all ova' den?
Sirius: *nods without looking up from the mess he's scooping into a pile* Yes. The aliens have been dealt with. *slightly quieter* We could really use First Aid back.
Rattrap: *huffs a litle* Maaan, I really wish I could'a seen if my cyber key still woiks. Oh well, lata' I guess. *nods at Sirius, flashing a thumbs up* Be right back wit' 'em, den. *'points back to the sanctuary*
Polaris: *startles and beeps, but then relaxes* Rattrap. ^_^
Spazz: *sitting with a sleeping Chibi and a doll in the cradle on her back*
Hormah: *somewhere in the back yelling at her son that he'd better not fragging EAT that unprintable datachip!*
Rattrap: Hey guys, looks like it's all taken care'a back on th' Axalon. Y'ready t' head back?
First Aid: *concerned look toward the yelling and beeping. She looks torn between getting back to her people and trying to help back there*
Rattrap: *grins at First Aid and pats her* Hey, don' worry 'bout Hormah. Dey need ya back on th' ship more'n she needs ya here.
First Aid: Alright. *stands, then stoops and gently picks up Spazz and Dinobaby before offering her hands to Rattrap*
Polaris: *is ready! Has his brand spanking new afghan in one hand and is watching his creator closely*
Rattrap: *touches the femme's hands and her son's leg, then 'points them back to the Axalon, just moments after he left Sirius* Here we are, safe an' sound!
Sirius: *once more folds his gun away, and then quickly steps forward to catch his femme creator as she faints* Whoops.
Spazz: Eek! *PINs down by Rattrap*
Rattrap: Maaan, does ev'ry lil' thing set 'er off? *shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest* Y'okay Spazz?
Sirius: She had a bad experience with crushed organics. *picks First Aid up and clicks to little brother* I'll bring her to the medbay, so she can tend to the casualties. *turns to go*
Spazz: *nodding, her optics a bit absent as she reactivates her virus program and sees what she can see of the ship* Great. We're dead in space.
Rattrap: What's wrong, got no energy? *looks around, wishing he had his visor back. The one drawback of his old body was the lack of interfacing options, and he's so used to them, he feels blind without them*
Spazz: Yup. And he's partly transformed, too. Not all the decks even have gravity or pressure.
Rattrap: Whoa whoa whoa, wait jus' a moment here! Did'ya say... he's transformed?
Spazz: *looks at him funny* Yeah....
Rattrap: Y'mean dis spaceship is a transformer?
Spazz: Just a drone, but yeah. He's the one that plays that big red troll you were duking it out with yesterday.
Rattrap: *splutters, then throws his servos in the air* Why does nobody tell me dese things, SHEESH!
Spazz: *voice in his head* I thought you knew, dork.
Rattrap: No, I din't know! How was I s'pposed ta know? I ain't exactly been pluggin' away inta 'im like you've been doin', yanno.
Spazz: Guess I thought ships were kinda the same all over the Multiverse. *sheepish expression*
Rattrap: *pouts at her, then shrugs it off* Well, whateva'. D'yanno what we need ta do ta get 'im back in workin' orda'?
Spazz: A lot of energy and some work. *frowny and concerned face, and her voice muttering in the back of his head as the bit of code that's there thinks independently of Spazz herself*
Rattrap: *rubs the back of his head, scowling down at her* What was dat, Spazz? Gotta speak up a lil' bit dere, an' stop mumblin'.
Spazz: *quizzical look, and then peeks at the code in there and snerks softly* I said, 'Man, it really looks like the #$#$@# hit the fan'.
Rattrap: *sticks his tongue out at her* Ain't dat th' truth. We should get ta woik or somethin', see if we can't get Axalon back in ship shape. Or at least clean up somma dis mess.
Spazz: *inside his head and from her vocalizer at the same time* Incoming.
Nightwish: *turns the corner some distance away and strides toward the pile of yuck they're standing beside. Doesn't even bat an optic at Rattrap*
Rattrap: *can't help but pout* Man, what's th' point a' lookin' diff'rent if ain't nobody cares?
Nightwish: *frowns down at him as she reaches them* Nice, I guess. *points a gun at the pile of yuck and vapes it*
Spazz: //Dude... she just complimented you!//
Rattrap: //*huffs* Kinna half-aft 'bout it, though.// Yanno, I useta win races in dis thing. Not jus' play races, real ones, fer fame, fortune, an' femmes.
Nightwish: Any femme that lets herself be used for a prize needs to be scrapped.
Rattrap: No, dey weren't-! Oh, slag you, who cares wha'chu think, anyway? Yer jus' a big, grouchy bucket a' bolts.
Nightwish: Come up here and say that, runt.
Rattrap: Runt dis! *crouches down and bows his head, his engine roaring to life. When he lifts his head again, his optics glow bright and a strange symbol flashes over his exhaust pipes* Cyber key powa'! Exhaust boost! *leaps into the air, flames bursting from his exhaust pipes and sending him flying up to Nightwish's shoulder* HAHA, yeah! Still got it!
Nightwish: *grabs him and kisses him till he doesn't know which way is up, then drops him on his skidplate and strides away*
Spazz: :o
Rattrap: *flails at first, but is quickly overwhelmed by the kiss and goes limp in her hands. He clatters to the floor without so much as a yelp and sits there, his optics dazed and confused* Whaaaaa...?
Spazz: *kneels beside him, worried and herself confused* Are you okay?
Rattrap: I... don't know.
Spazz: She just blew my code right out of your skull. Is yours still in there? *hand on his shoulder*
Rattrap: I dunno, but I think I wanna do dat again. *grins up at her goofily*
Spazz: *blink blink, then shakes her head* You dork. *onto her feet and arms under his as she tries to lift him* C'mon, let's go see what we can do for Axalon.
Rattrap: *sniggers and staggers to his feet, still grinning* Whateva' you say, boss.
Spazz: *leads him off toward the damage* Dork.
((Co-written with slaggin_preds))
Rattrap: *sits near the airlock and plays with his guitar, his visor pulled down over his face. Brightly colored lights flash on the screen, and he moves his fingers over the keys rapidly. He doesn't seem to mind Dinobaby chewing on him one bit*
Dinobaby: *looks up as the airlock slides open, then looks further up as about twentyfive foot of burly black bot comes in* ...Ironhide?
bot: *looks down quizzically* Nope. I'm Starforge. Was made from Ironhide, though. *hunkers down to look at the small bots as the airlock closes behind him* So yer some'a our lil' guides.
Rattrap: *pauses the song he was playing, then pushes his visor up* Who're you callin' lil'?
Starforge: *amiable grin as he points at Dinobaby* Him.
Dinoaby: *bitey!*
Starforge: *chuckles, tickled by the chibi's reaction*
Rattrap: *arches an eyebrow, then shrugs, moving his figners over the keys on his guitar absently* So how long you been on dis ship den, Starforge?
Starforge: *carefully settling his skidplate onto the deck* 'Bout as long as you. Maybe a lil' less, I don't think you disappear as much as I'm out wormholin'.
Dinobaby: *resumes gnawing on Rattrap's head*
Rattrap: I'm prolly gone as long, it jus' doesn't seem like it cuz I jump back close afta' I leave.
Starforge: Y'go home ta check up on things?
Rattrap: Sometimes. Sometimes I jus' go t'relax.
Starforge: *rumbles a deep chuckle* What, it ain't relaxin' enough here?
Rattrap: Not my kinna relaxin'. *shrugs* I'd ratha' be playin' video games or causin' trouble.
Starforge: Video games, huh? Should talk ta Nightwish. She's good at makin' games fer the systems.
Rattrap: *arches an eyebrow* Oh, is she?
Starforge: *watching Dinobaby* Yup. Though I can't say I'm crazy 'bout her last one. Who wantsta get shocked over a trivia game?
Rattrap: *snerks* Oh, I cin think a' a few squishies...
Starforge: ...How'd they get it?
Rattrap: *shrugs* I dunno. But dey were playin' it all th' time on th' last ship we was on.
Starforge: *frowwwn* Yer tellin' me the Keylendar like gettin' fried?
Rattrap: You kiddin'? Dey're like crazy warrior femmes.
Starforge: But that's enough energy ta hurt a guy my size. *scratches head*
Rattrap: *shrugs* Y'think I unda'stand squishies? I jus' hitched a ride offa 'em.
Starforge: Yeah, well, knowing those guys I'm surprised ya got off the ship with ever'thin' ya went on with.
Dinobaby: Went off with credits and wrist guards. *smug little coup counter*
Rattrap: *snickers and reaches up to scritch Dinobaby's head* I think th' brat made a good impression on 'em.
Starforge: *grins at the bitty chibi, then sobers* So they liked 'Wish's zaptrivia, huh? *shakes head and clicks his bemusement*
Dinobaby: Like big boom game with space dragon, too. *gonna gnaw on his own fist now*
Starforge: *brows lift* I like that one too.
Rattrap: *hurms and shrugs* Been havin' fun wit' my guitar game. S'not violent, but ehn.
Starforge: *looks at the thing in his hands and scans it* How's it go?
Rattrap: I've got th' game downloaded onta my harddrive. *pulls down his visor half way* Th' colored keys coincide wit' colored bars dat display on my visor here, an' I click th' buttons in time t'th' music.
Starforge: *checks his wifi to see if he can hear it* Music?
Rattrap: *pulls the visor down all the way and activates the speaker on his PIN. 'Jukebox Hero' starts to play, and he clicks away at the keys, playing along to the song*
Nightwish: *stops just inside the door, an indecipherable expression on her face as Cygnia and two of her brothers fan out to see past her*
Starforge: *optics show his wonder at the sounds and the alien words*
Dinobaby: *bouncing his little butt*
Rattrap: *smoothly rises to his feet and bows his head, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he plays. As he reaches the chorus, he starts to sing along*
Dinobaby: *holding on now* :\
Sirius: *bobbing his head to the music*
Rattrap: *jerks the guitar up suddenly, his visor's screen flaring yellow as he starts to really groove, shuffling his feet and working his hips to the rhythm*
Starforge: *quick hand pass behind the little rocker's back and he's got Dinobaby safely in his hand. Never takes his senses off the music as he does so*
Dinobaby: *growls and hisses at him, and then starts bopping again*
Rattrap: *dances around, too caught up in the rhythm of the song to notice the audience he's drawing. He shuffles and twists, bowing over the guitar, his tail swishing along behind him. As the song comes to an end, he plays the last few notes, then slides into a pose, his chest puffed up and head thrown back*
Cygnia: *applauds as Sirius and Starforge hoot a bit in approval*
Polaris: *looks at sister and brother and is a bit confused*
Nightwish: *snorts and walks off*
Rattrap: *yelps and stumbles back, pushing his visor back* What th'-! Where'd'you all come from? *stares up at them, his faceplates heating up*
Sirius: *grins as Diehard, Orion, Cassiopeia and a few other crew members arrive* The hallway.
Diehard: Outer crew ready for the wormhole trip? *notices Rattraps expression* Did I miss something?
Rattrap: *coughs into a hand and quickly composes himself, shifting his guitar back over his shoulder* No. Nope. Nothin' at all. Not a thing.
Dinobaby: *snerk*
Rattrap: Quiet you. *scowls*
Diehard: Alright... is everyone ready? Polaris, go back to First Aid now, please.
Polaris: *brightens and goes, humming the song Rattrap just played*
Rattrap: You want me 'n th' brat ta head back ta our room?
Diehard: *smiles as he leads the advance guard toward the airlock* If you like.
Dinobaby: *has crawlied off after Nightwish*
Rattrap: *nods, then chases after Dinobaby* Heyheyhey, where'd'ya think yer goin', brat?
Dinobaby: *tries going faster and wipes out* Stinky!
Rattrap: Yeah, stinky all right. *rolls his eyes and scoops up the chibi* Y'can't go outside wit' dem, yer too lil'. Even if y'were full size, y'coul'nt.
Dinobaby: *wriggles and points down the hall the way that Nightwish went* Was going that way.
Rattrap: *arches an eyebrow and peers down the hall* Ain't she s'pposed t'be wit' th' Doom Patrol?
Dinobaby: *as the guards go out* No.
Rattrap: *shrugs and starts to head back to their room* Ehn, whateva'. Nonna my bidness anyway.
Dinobaby: *wriggles and pouts*
Rattrap: What? You gotta thing fer her dat bad?
Dinobaby: Thrrrpt. Pretty femme.
Rattrap: So? Blackarachnia was pretty, but dat don' mean she's good fer ya. Jus' look at what Silverbolt got inta'!
Dinobaby: *was poking at his storage compartment, and now holds up a little nugget of something golden and fragrant*
Rattrap: *is suddenly very distracted by the shiny* Hey, whaddya got dere, kiddo?
Dinobaby: *intent expression as he pokes it at his friend's mouth* Nom....
Rattrap: *jerks his head back a little* Nom?
Dinobaby: Eat. *pokes again* Is good.
Rattrap: *gives him a questioning look, but takes a little nibble at it*
Dinobaby: *grins as the intense and complex flavor of the treat spreads across Rattrap's taste sensors* Well?
Rattrap: *blinks a few times, then takes another nibble* Where th' Pit did'ya find dis, brat?
Dinobaby: *smug* Pretty femme.
Rattrap: *hurms, narrowing his eyes* Did'ya now?
Dinobaby: *even more smug as he nods*
Rattap: Hmph! Well, y'cin keep it.
Dinobaby: *blinks and then looks away to hide hurt expression*
Rattrap: *rolls his eyes and slips into their room* Oh c'mon. She ain't dat great. She'd prolly step on me if she eva' got th' chance.
Dinobaby: *eats his goodie* I like her.
Rattrap: Dat's great. Like 'er all y'want. But'cha know, once we're done wit' dis mission, we ain't gonna see her again.
Dinobaby: *hiding his wibbles now* *grumbles about stinks and no Spazz as the ship starts to vibrate*
Rattrap: Speakin' a' Spazz... where'd she get to? *sets Dinobaby down and looks around the room for a note or some sort of clue to the Sewercon's location*
Dinobaby: *crawls off toward the hammock and Small Cheetor*
Spazz: //I'm on the bridge, yo.//
Rattrap: //Ooooh, dere y'are.// *snickers* //What's up, Spazz? How's th' jump goin'?//
Spazz: //'Bout normal. Except there's a musical accompaniment this time.//
Rattrap: //Er... is dere?//
Spazz: //Yeah, the head of Security is playing one of your Rock Band songs.//
Rattrap: //Wait, Nightwish is playin' what?//
Spazz: //Playing 'Jukebox Hero'.//
Rattrap: *scowls, picking up the datapad with World of Warcraft on it and plugging in. He logs in, and selects his rogue to level up a bit while they're in the wormhole* //Yer kiddin' me, right? How'd she get her hands on th' file? Unless... AW #@%^ no! She recorded me playin', din't she?//
Spazz: //She just played that mistake you always make.//
Rattrap: *cringes* //Slaggin' hammer-ons, I cin neva' quite hit 'em right. Hn. Why'd she go an' do a thing like dat?//
Spazz: //Maybe she likes music?//
black Tauren woman: *throws something at Rattrap's troll*
Rattrap: //Maybe... ACK!// *turns his troll around and glares at the Tauren* /s The &#$^ was that for?
bTw: /Watch your back, teeth.
Rattrap: /Watch your own back, Udderface!
bTw: /dance
Rattrap: /rude *stealths and creeps off*
Dinobaby: *quietly mauling his doll, but gives a wail of surprise as the ship's alarms suddenly blare*
Spazz: //Fragging PIT, what the #$@#$!@# is that???//
Rattrap: *unplugs himself from the game and jerks his head up* //Yer th' one in th' bridge, you tell me!//
Spazz: *is silent as grinding sounds reverberate through the hull, and then comes the rush of many feet*
Rattrap: Aw #$%^. *quickly climbs up onto the hammock and grabs Dinobaby* Dis don' sound good, brat. We gotta make like rats an' vamoose.
Dinobaby: *wriggling and holding onto Small Cheetor with all he's got* Spazz!
Rattrap: Yeah yeah, I know. Gotta get'cha secured first. *finds Dinobaby's shell carrier and straps him in. Once the chibi's taken care of, he pulls on the shell and pokes his head out into the hall*
Dinobaby: *optics enormous as the hallway echoes with chanting. All around them lights and monitors are flickering as something sucks the energy out of the systems*
Polaris: *cry of terror from the medbay*
Rattrap: *finds a nearby port and plugs his tail in, running a quick diagnostic of the ship. He curses in every language he knows, then yanks out his tail and darts towards the medbay*
First Aid: *is down, her optics dimming as a shelled humanoid figure stands with two short arms jabbed into a space between her chestplates*
Polaris: *has a piece of a diagnostic table and is using it as a club to keep four more of the shelled things at bay* First Aid! First Aid?
Rattrap: *bursts into the room with his blaster drawn and fires a few shots at the creature attacking First Aid, aiming for its arms*
shellscouts: *the fired on scout absorbs the energy without even looking around. Two of its siblings, however, are drawn to the rich charge and turn to run toward Rattrap, thrumming that deep chant as they come*
Dinobaby: ...Slag.
Rattrap: *ducks back into the hall and pops a couple explosives from the panel in his leg* Y'ain't jus' whistlin' dixie, brat. Let's see how dem suckas like dis! *arms one charge, then tosses it a little ways down the hall*
Dinobaby: *as the bomb goes off and they're rained with sashimi* Ewwwww!
Rattrap: Bingo! Dat got 'em! Heheh, nothin' cin stand up t'onna Mineseeka's Special Numba' three! *arms the next charge and goes back into the medbay, throwing it at the scout on First Aid*
Dinobaby: Don't boom 'Aid!
Rattrap: *laughs as the shelled humanoid bursts into little bitty pieces, but the med bot is left unharmed (if you didn't count the energy drain and shower of meat)* Don' worry, th' blast is specially contained t'jus' one lifeform.
Polaris: *smashes his assailants as they're distracted by the explosions, then runs to his creator, crying with fear*
Dinobaby: Here comes more lifeforms.
Rattrap: We'll give 'em a Numba' One den. *pulls out a larger explosive and tosses it out into the hall, then hustles over to First Aid's side* S'okay, we're gonna get'cha outta here.
Polaris: *looks at him and visibly struggles to process and talk* Broken. First Aid. Broken.
Rattrap: She ain't broken, kid, she's jus' outta juice. *digs around in subspace, then pulls out a can sized powercell* I hope, anyway. *hooks up the battery to First Aid, turning it on so that the stored energy flows into her*
First Aid: *soft trill of distress, and then she's struggling to rise* Polaris.... Ow....
Dinobaby: *startles as something explodes massively in the direction of the bridge*
Rattrap: *lets out a sigh of relief as First Aid rises, a huge grin on his face* Heya, dollface, you feelin' all right? *flinches a little at the sound of the explosion and leaps to his feet* Slaaag, we gotta move!
First Aid: *shakily* I'm low, but I can move. *takes Polaris's hand* I'm no combat unit, though.
Rattrap: *pulls out a second powercell and hands it to her* Y'cin drain dis while we move. Don' worry 'bout th' shellsuckas', I cin take care'a dem. We jus' gotta pick up Spazz, den we cin get outta here.
First Aid: *draining cell, but then makes a startled sound* The bridge has been decompressioned.
Rattrap: *tenses, then slams his hand onto his com-unit, pinging Spazz* //Spazz, baby, tell me yer okay.//
Spazz: //I'm a little squished, but I'm okay. Where are you? I can't access any of the Axalon's sensors right now.//
Rattrap: //Oh thank &#$%ing Primus!// *relaxes, slumping against the wall* //We're in th' medbay wit' Polaris an' First Aid. I'm comin' ta get'cha, girlie.//
Spazz: //Hold tight, we're coming your way.// *sound of chanting becomes ragged, and there are several thuds and something is swishing*
Rattrap: //We? Lemme guess... Nightwish.//
Spazz: *as a shellscout flies into sight and smashes against the wall up at the bend in the hallway* //Yup.//
Rattrap: *shakes his head, but can't hold back his grin* Crude, but effective.
Nightwish: *bounds into sight, her feet crushing invaders as a massive ax whistles in her left hand. Her right one is closed and held close to her chest. Shellscouts are hanging off of her, but she seems unaffected. The shells, on the other hand....*
Dinobaby: They go boom from Nightwish juice.
First Aid: Yes. Her energy is different from the norm. *standing a little straighter as she watches now*
Rattrap: Well, ain't dat jus' prime?
Nightwish: First Aid, think fast! *hurls Spazz toward the medic*
First Aid: *gasps*
Polaris: *catches!*
shellscouts: *noticed Rattrap and the others and are heading their way*
Rattrap: Dese things're organic, ain't dey? *pulls out a pair of canisters and shakes them up*
Spazz: *being cuddled by Polaris* Yup. And pretty squishy under the outside.
Dinobaby: *licking Rattrap's shoulder* Mmmmm....
Rattrap: *gives Dinobaby a funny look* Well, let's see how dey like th' taste'a dese babies* *pushes down buttons on the tops of the canisters and sends them sliding towards the oncoming shellscouts. Thick green mists billows out of them, filling the room with poisonous gas*
Nightwish: *watches her opponents fall away and try to flee back the way they came, only to collapse and twitch. Calmly starts stomping*
First Aid: *faints*
Polaris: *panics*
Spazz: *comforts him*
Rattrap: *swears colorfully* I'm outta spare powercells too! We gotta get 'er back t'th' sanctuary.
Nightwish: Don't worry about it. Crushed organics does that to her.
Rattrap: *makes a face* Oh, is dat all? *rolls his eyes* Well slag. Is dere anyone else on dis ship who can't take care'a demselves?
Nightwish: No. But the mothership's attached to the side of the Axalon over in Engineering. *crush crush stomp*
Rattrap: Ain't my problem. I ain't got 'n endless supply a' bombs yanno, an' we gotta get th' bots who can't fight ta safety.
Nightwish: *done stomping and now heading for Engineering* Go hard, Vermin.
Rattrap: *makes a rude gesture at her retreating back, then turns to the rest of the bots, one hand putting the coordinates for the sanctuary into his PIN* She may be able ta squish dese energypumps indefinitely, but we can't. I'm takin' us somewhere where th' fightin' bots ain't gotta worry 'bout us.
Spazz: Pick up Rat, and touch First Aid, Polaris. Do you understand?
Polaris: *does so, his face streaked with tears*
Rattrap: *pats Polaris* S'okay, kiddo. I got it all unda' control. *'points away, taking the group back to the sanctuary*
Ravage: *leaps straight into the air with a hiss, but then comes down and gives Rattrap a stink eye*
Dinobaby: *laughing his little goop spattered butt off at that*
Rattrap: Sorry, pussycat. *smirks, snickering* It was 'n emergency.
Hormah: *quietly, from the start of the hallway* What happened, b'y?
Pi: *bright green optics looking over her shoulder*
Rattrap: Some sorta shelled energy suckas' attack th' Axalon. First Aid here was attacked an' she's kinna weak now. *points to Polaris* Dis is Polaris Prime.
Hormah: *looks up at the tall youngling* T'ought ye was goin' fer.... *stops and cocks her head* Boss, yer a right brat sometimes. *beeps a chuckle, then frowns slightly* Git 'im washed, 'n do yerself while yer to it. I'll tend t' 'Aid.
Rattrap: Dere's a couple othas' too, but dey're all grown. *smirks, then takes a few steps towards the bathing room, waving the others along* C'mon den, a bath would be great.
Later
First Aid: *sitting at one of the tables, quietly wishing to be back at the ship and see how her teammates have fared*
Spazz: *got a chibi and a youngbot clean. And taught them both some new words*
Red and Black Motorcycle: *bursts into the sanctuary, its engine roaring as it speeds through the halls. Soon as it hits the main room, there's a shout of "Transform!" and it changes into a nine foot tall mech with green eyes and a familiar cheeky grin* Yo! What's shakin' bots?
Spazz: *stare*
Hormah: *facepalm* Can't turn me #$@#$$#% back fer five minutes.
Red Mech: *puts his hands on his hips and laughs* Crazy, ain't I? Primus, look at me! I got TALL!
Spazz: *hugs Dinobaby* ...Rat?
Hormah: *mutters*
Rattrap: Yep! Dere was dis camera out inna Nexus, an' I wanned t' pose fer it all covered in dat bug goo, right? Next thing I know... *grins and scratches his nose* Dis is th' body I was built in.
Spazz: ...So when you change back is the bug splat coming back too?
Hormah: *stops in mid-mutter* 0.o *facepalm* *snerk*
Rattrap: ....Ew, I hope not.
First Aid: *looking around at the assembled bots* *quietly* I... don't understand.
Rattrap: Man, I don' neitha'! *shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly* But y'gotta know, dis feels great! Th' tech's old, sure, but... man, I feel like I could take on anythin'!
Hormah: *throws a cookie at him* Y'got yer sorry aft LOL'd is what happened, b'y. Ye better slaggin' t'ank Primus ye didn' wind up invisible.
First Aid: What does 'LOL' mean?
Hormah: *explains LOLs*
First Aid: *optics wide and startled*
Dinobaby: *suddenly seriously making shy*
Rattrap: *snerks and shrugs, sauntering up to the table* Sounds like a ball if y'ask me. An' lookit, I got great luck!
Hormah: *rolls her eyes at him and then offers him a couple skewers of breaded and fried meat that she had Ravage grab from the Nexus* Here, fuel up 'n git out. I's got t'ings t' do.
Rattrap: *flashes a cocky grin and snaps off a salute* Yes ma'am! *takes the food and begins to chow down*
Dinobaby: *peeking and watching. When Rat's done eating* Vermin eat worms.
Hormah: Nah, b'y. I got 'im t' slug ones.
First Aid: 0.o
Rattrap: *sticks his tongue out at Hormah* Ehn, s'not like I ain't eaten woise, yeah?
Hormah: *shrugs* T'ey raises t'em t'ing's t' eat. *gives Pi another data chip as he beeps at her*
Rattrap: *shrugs and begins piling a bunch of the meatsticks onto a plate* Man, I am so hungry, I could eat all dis an' still not be full. Dis body prolly runs betta' on energon, now. *pauses, looking down at the plate, then over to Hormah* Say, y'woul'nt happen t'have any pasketti, would'ya?
Hormah: Got gummiroast. *nods toward the plate on the table that holds a chunk of nice smelling green stuff*
Rattrap: *sets down the plate* Oh, I am SO dere! *takes a chunk of the gummiroast and shovels it down, eating almost as sloppily as Dinobaby*
Hormah: *just bounces a piece of blitzbread off his head*
First Aid: *watching all this with quiet surprise*
Polaris: *eating cookies and purring*
Ravage: *passed out on the other table*
Rattrap: *snatches up the blitzbread as it bounces and stuffs it into his mouth with a grin* Say Hormah, is Dinobot still 'round?
Hormah: *gives Pi another datachip* Nah, Blackout come 'n got 'im t'is mornin'. He's restin' to home where it's some quieter.
Rattrap: Ehn... prolly betta'. *shrugs one shoulder, waving a hand flippantly* Jus' thought maybe if he was feelin' up ta snuff, he might wanna come take on some'a dose shellscout things.
Hormah: You was only here t' day afore yesterday fer us, b'y. He ain't all plated yet're nuttin'.
Rattrap: *pouts* Dese things ain't near as tough as th' 'borg though! I mean, even I was doin' fine against 'em!
Spazz: Hey, you're the one that's always fussing for us to stay down and not wreck ourselves again.
Rattrap: Yeah well... *scowls, looking away from her. He couldn't explain it, but he was just itching to go out and do something*
Hormah: *hand on his shoulder* Jes' git t'ese guys to home 'n finish yer job. Ye kin cut loose all ye wants after t'at.
Rattrap: *pouts at Hormah, then perks up* Should head back t'th' Axalon. *glances over at First Aid and Polaris* On my own. Yanno, check 'n see if th' ship's safe yet.
First Aid: *worried expression* That sounds like a good idea, Rattrap.
Spazz: You just want to see if there's any leftovers. *snerks and pats Dinobaby's back, then dances with him a little as he growls and sighs*
Rattrap: *looks over at her, his optics going wide with false innocence* Now, dat ain't true at all. I jus' wanna make sure we don' 'point back inna middle of a swarm!
Spazz: Liar liar, gears on fire! :D
Rattrap: *cackles and makes a rude gesture in her direction, then 'points back to the Axalon, near the engineering room*
Sirius: *GUN!* Oh... it's you. *puts gun away and resumes mess cleaning* How're First Aid and Polaris?
Rattrap: Dey're fine. Cleaned up, fixed up, an' fueled up. *puts one hand on his hip, cocking it to the side* How'ja know it was me?
Sirius: I've got some medical grade sensors. I recognized your spark.
Rattrap: Ah, got'cha. *nods sagely, stroking his chin* So ah... guess th' battle's all ova' den?
Sirius: *nods without looking up from the mess he's scooping into a pile* Yes. The aliens have been dealt with. *slightly quieter* We could really use First Aid back.
Rattrap: *huffs a litle* Maaan, I really wish I could'a seen if my cyber key still woiks. Oh well, lata' I guess. *nods at Sirius, flashing a thumbs up* Be right back wit' 'em, den. *'points back to the sanctuary*
Polaris: *startles and beeps, but then relaxes* Rattrap. ^_^
Spazz: *sitting with a sleeping Chibi and a doll in the cradle on her back*
Hormah: *somewhere in the back yelling at her son that he'd better not fragging EAT that unprintable datachip!*
Rattrap: Hey guys, looks like it's all taken care'a back on th' Axalon. Y'ready t' head back?
First Aid: *concerned look toward the yelling and beeping. She looks torn between getting back to her people and trying to help back there*
Rattrap: *grins at First Aid and pats her* Hey, don' worry 'bout Hormah. Dey need ya back on th' ship more'n she needs ya here.
First Aid: Alright. *stands, then stoops and gently picks up Spazz and Dinobaby before offering her hands to Rattrap*
Polaris: *is ready! Has his brand spanking new afghan in one hand and is watching his creator closely*
Rattrap: *touches the femme's hands and her son's leg, then 'points them back to the Axalon, just moments after he left Sirius* Here we are, safe an' sound!
Sirius: *once more folds his gun away, and then quickly steps forward to catch his femme creator as she faints* Whoops.
Spazz: Eek! *PINs down by Rattrap*
Rattrap: Maaan, does ev'ry lil' thing set 'er off? *shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest* Y'okay Spazz?
Sirius: She had a bad experience with crushed organics. *picks First Aid up and clicks to little brother* I'll bring her to the medbay, so she can tend to the casualties. *turns to go*
Spazz: *nodding, her optics a bit absent as she reactivates her virus program and sees what she can see of the ship* Great. We're dead in space.
Rattrap: What's wrong, got no energy? *looks around, wishing he had his visor back. The one drawback of his old body was the lack of interfacing options, and he's so used to them, he feels blind without them*
Spazz: Yup. And he's partly transformed, too. Not all the decks even have gravity or pressure.
Rattrap: Whoa whoa whoa, wait jus' a moment here! Did'ya say... he's transformed?
Spazz: *looks at him funny* Yeah....
Rattrap: Y'mean dis spaceship is a transformer?
Spazz: Just a drone, but yeah. He's the one that plays that big red troll you were duking it out with yesterday.
Rattrap: *splutters, then throws his servos in the air* Why does nobody tell me dese things, SHEESH!
Spazz: *voice in his head* I thought you knew, dork.
Rattrap: No, I din't know! How was I s'pposed ta know? I ain't exactly been pluggin' away inta 'im like you've been doin', yanno.
Spazz: Guess I thought ships were kinda the same all over the Multiverse. *sheepish expression*
Rattrap: *pouts at her, then shrugs it off* Well, whateva'. D'yanno what we need ta do ta get 'im back in workin' orda'?
Spazz: A lot of energy and some work. *frowny and concerned face, and her voice muttering in the back of his head as the bit of code that's there thinks independently of Spazz herself*
Rattrap: *rubs the back of his head, scowling down at her* What was dat, Spazz? Gotta speak up a lil' bit dere, an' stop mumblin'.
Spazz: *quizzical look, and then peeks at the code in there and snerks softly* I said, 'Man, it really looks like the #$#$@# hit the fan'.
Rattrap: *sticks his tongue out at her* Ain't dat th' truth. We should get ta woik or somethin', see if we can't get Axalon back in ship shape. Or at least clean up somma dis mess.
Spazz: *inside his head and from her vocalizer at the same time* Incoming.
Nightwish: *turns the corner some distance away and strides toward the pile of yuck they're standing beside. Doesn't even bat an optic at Rattrap*
Rattrap: *can't help but pout* Man, what's th' point a' lookin' diff'rent if ain't nobody cares?
Nightwish: *frowns down at him as she reaches them* Nice, I guess. *points a gun at the pile of yuck and vapes it*
Spazz: //Dude... she just complimented you!//
Rattrap: //*huffs* Kinna half-aft 'bout it, though.// Yanno, I useta win races in dis thing. Not jus' play races, real ones, fer fame, fortune, an' femmes.
Nightwish: Any femme that lets herself be used for a prize needs to be scrapped.
Rattrap: No, dey weren't-! Oh, slag you, who cares wha'chu think, anyway? Yer jus' a big, grouchy bucket a' bolts.
Nightwish: Come up here and say that, runt.
Rattrap: Runt dis! *crouches down and bows his head, his engine roaring to life. When he lifts his head again, his optics glow bright and a strange symbol flashes over his exhaust pipes* Cyber key powa'! Exhaust boost! *leaps into the air, flames bursting from his exhaust pipes and sending him flying up to Nightwish's shoulder* HAHA, yeah! Still got it!
Nightwish: *grabs him and kisses him till he doesn't know which way is up, then drops him on his skidplate and strides away*
Spazz: :o
Rattrap: *flails at first, but is quickly overwhelmed by the kiss and goes limp in her hands. He clatters to the floor without so much as a yelp and sits there, his optics dazed and confused* Whaaaaa...?
Spazz: *kneels beside him, worried and herself confused* Are you okay?
Rattrap: I... don't know.
Spazz: She just blew my code right out of your skull. Is yours still in there? *hand on his shoulder*
Rattrap: I dunno, but I think I wanna do dat again. *grins up at her goofily*
Spazz: *blink blink, then shakes her head* You dork. *onto her feet and arms under his as she tries to lift him* C'mon, let's go see what we can do for Axalon.
Rattrap: *sniggers and staggers to his feet, still grinning* Whateva' you say, boss.
Spazz: *leads him off toward the damage* Dork.
((Co-written with slaggin_preds))