ANH'verse. Millennium Falcon and space station. Smokescreens

[random_xtras]

"Whaddya mean, we can't dock!?!" Jetfire's bellow of frustration rang on the bridge. "Gimme a good reason! I know your boss!"

"No one is allowed to dock at the moment, sir," came the calm feminine response. "Please move your vessel out of our airspace, and have a nice oorn."

"Why you...!"

"Here." Arcee put a hand on his chest, though she avoided looking up at him. "Let me try."

Kia watched the older bots from where she sat strapped into a seat toward the back of the bridge, her wide optics taking in the subtle shifts of their body language as Arcee attempted to reason with the docking official and Jetfire continued to shout his objections to the femme's refusal to let them dock. The two of them were embarrassed about something that made their faceplates heat up whenever they looked at each other, and they seemed very angry at each other, but confusingly, it was also very clear to her that they liked each other a lot.

Browplates drawn together with confusion, she looked down at the black Minicon who was snuggled in her arms.

Murphy just shrugged, and then winced as Jetfire let out another bellow of ire.

Comments

[astrotechmech]

"I'm sorry, miss. We've been ordered not to allow anyone--" The feminine voice is cut off as someone tells her something in hushed tones on the other end. She replies back in equally hushed tones away from the mike before there is a slight moment of silence as there is a change in speakers.

"Sorry for the delay and inconvenience. There was a slight . . . concern . . . that needed to be resolved before allowing anyone else into the city. You have permission to land on Platform 3-2-7," a male voice says, taking over for the femme. "Have a good oorn."

[random_xtras]

"Now was that so hard?" Jetfire growls as he goes and flops into his seat.

Arcee rolls her optics at him and thanks the mech on the other end of the line, then barks at an escalating Minicon quarrel back behind Kia's seat.

[astrotechmech]

The male voice ignores him but thanks her in reply before once more wishing them a good oorn and shutting off the line.

One of the small ships that had hitherto been preventing their landing now indicates that they follow them as they lead the way to the indicated platform, which--in the presence of the beautiful Bespin sunset--has been adequately been lit up for their safe arrival.

There is no one on the platform to meet them, but that does not mean no one will be there after they land.

[random_xtras]

The landing is softness itself, and then Jetfire gets to his feet and comes back to lift Kia and Murphy into his arms as the little femme gets up from her seat. "I can't wait to introduce you to Smoky. Don't worry, I won't tell him how old you are, and I'll keep him in line. But being around you'd make anybody's day, kid."

Kia just blinks at him, but then gives a shy smile.

"That's it. Show me the sunshine." Jetfire's chuckle is gentle and happy. "Ol' Randy hasn't got anything to worry about, I'll take good care of you."

Optics still twinkling with his grin, he turns and hits the control for lowering the ramp, and then makes his way toward it, totally ignoring Arcee as he does.

For her part, the princess rolls her optics and shakes her head before following, making sure to sidestep the Cometor and Rollbar discussion on the way.

[astrotechmech]

Now someone is coming--Nope, the door leading to the platform just opened and someone's silhouette can be seen in the doorway talking to someone else, but no one is coming out yet.

[random_xtras]

Jetfire looks toward that opening door as Cometor and Rollbar scoot down the ramp behind him, then gives a guffaw. "Smoky, you old.... I see you over there!"

Arcee pauses beside him, her blue optics shrewd as she studies those outlines.

[random_xtras]

//Ah no. Not really.// Jetfire sounds a little surprised by the admission. //Lately I've just ben playin' taxi for the ladies and that old guy standing up at the top'a the ramp. Runnin' cargo... ain't as profitable as it useta be.//

Then his expression darkens to a scowl as he watches Arcee smile at Smokescreen and laugh softly at his words.

The scowl continues as his friend introduces the little Minicon, and then turns to very slight panic as he tries to think of a good reason on the fly.

"He's giving us a ride," says Arcee calmly, her optics still twinkling with the charmed grin.

[astrotechmech]

//Now that's something I never thought I'd hear from you, old friend.// Smokescreen can't hide the surprise from his voice. //Isn't that awfully quiet?//

Smokescreen chuckles. "Sure. But few people come here just for pleasure or go out of their way to come here. So what can I do for you?"

[random_xtras]

//Yeah, well....// Jetfire's free hand goes to rub Kia's back again as his optics stray toward Arcee. //Kia here likes it quiet.//

"We'd like to stay awhile," says Arcee. "Kia's really not up to a lot of traveling right now, and this looks like a beautiful and quiet place."

[astrotechmech]

//. . .// Smokescreen is momentarily surprised into silence. // . . . Don't take this the wrong way, Jetfire, but you haven't brought any trouble with you, have you?//

"Ah," Smokescreen chuckles, glancing over to where the Bespin sunset paints a colorful picture in the sky and around the clouds. "I know the feeling. Traveling to far off places can be quite exciting, but sometimes sticking around in a beautiful place for a while can become quite preferable. . . . But then wanderlust would hit again, and it was off to the next star system.

"But I think we can accommodate you in the meantime. Liftor?"

Already checked. Plenty of available places in the upper decks.

"So what'll it be?" Smokescreen gestures to the group and leads the way inside. "Oh, and does the Falcon need any maintenance done?"

[random_xtras]

The flybot's reply sounds a bit tired. //Nah. I just need somewhere ta park the girls while I go take care'a some business.//

Jetfire suddenly oozes guilt, and Arcee's sideways look at him doesn't help matters. "Er... that is. You see...."

"We've been working on her," comes Kia's soft, clear voice. "But there's still a lot of stuff that needs fixing yet."

See Jetfire go >.<.

[astrotechmech]

//. . . I sure hope so. I've got a responsibility to the people who live here, Jetfire. . . . They'll be safe here.//

Smokescreen suddenly stops just inside the city. "What did you do to my ship?"

Liftor beeps at Smokescreen. Liftor told him so.

"Yeah, I know! I learned my lesson."

After nearly losing everything.

"Dah! . . . You feeling up to doing a damage report?!"

Liftor is silent for a few moments before he seems to "take a deep breath." Yeah. And then he's off running towards the ship again.

"I'll get my people right on that."

[random_xtras]

"Kia will share with me." Arcee puts a soothing hand on the silver femme's arm and gets a troubled frown in reply, but Jetfire jiggles Kia again before the youngster can speak. "And the Minicons are used to sharing Bulk accommodations, right?" She looks from Murphy to Comettor, who both beep and nod their heads agreeably.

Jetfire snorts at the last comment. "Gettin' lost is the last thing we have ta worry about with that guy."

[astrotechmech]

"Three rooms then." Smokescreen chuckles as he adds jokingly, "Unless you're banishing someone else to the couch. I think we have what you need."

Smokescreen has the "talking over the comm" look for a minutes as he hits the command for the elevator. "The key passes will meet us upstairs."

A slight, barely perceivable frown flickers across Smokescreen's face briefly before it settles into his usual grin as he chuckles again. "I'll take your word for it."

[random_xtras]

"You better!" says Jetfire as he and the others follow Smokescreen. "Found the little glitch livin' in the wilds on the back 'a Tattooin."

[astrotechmech]

"After you," Smokescreen says, waving the others inside the elevator once it arrives before entering it himself.

"Tatooine, huh?" Smokescreen chuckles as he hits the button for the right floor. "If he's from the Outer Rim, then I really do have nothing to worry about."

[random_xtras]

"Yeah, ya say that now." Jetfire makes a soft sound to Kia as she vents her frustration at him with a little cry. "But all I gotta say is the Sand People were scared'a him."

Arcee blinks at the winged mech as she takes her place in a corner of the lift, wondering if he's telling another hoojib story, or if he's serious this time.

[astrotechmech]

Smokescreen chuckled again softly as the elevator eased briefly upward before gaining a steady speed. "If you're implying that I should be expecting collateral damage, I'm way ahead of you."

[random_xtras]

Arcee's glance toward Jetfire is sharp and frowning, but the winged mech is intent on Kia and doesn't even notice Crystal. Murphy too is intent on trying to cheer the little silver femme, but Comettor, down by Jetfire's feet, is giving his large friend a very strange look and trying to discretely catch his attention so that he can see the pretty femme.

[astrotechmech]

"Yep, that I did. Thanks Crystal," Smokescreen replies as he accepts the keypasses. "Everything going all right?"

"Yes, sir. Everything is shipshape and ready for anything."

"Good, good," Smokescreen says distractedly, an odd expression coming onto his face briefly before Crystal speaks again.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?" The way she asks also implies the question, 'Such as take over for you here, so you can get back to work?'

"Nope, I believe I've got everything covered," Smokescreen replies, cheerful grin returning to his face. "But that reminds me . . .

"Arcee and company, this is Crystal. She's in charge of the residences in this section of the city. If you need anything while you're here, you can call her up and she can deliver. Crystal, this is Arcee, Kia, Murphy, Jetfire, and Commetor. Arcee, Kia, Makeshift, and Jetfire's minicons will be staying with us for a few days while Jetfire completes some business elsewhere. Makeshift and Rollbar are downstairs. Makeshift's helping with repairs, and Rollbar went to find a drink in the Bulk bar if I'm not mistaken . . . "

Crystal nods a greeting and wishes the group welcome and well politely before listening intently to her boss. She nods again. "I'll make sure Security knows not to throw him off the station, sir."

[random_xtras]

The Minicons wave and beep, and Arcee nods politely to Crystal.

"You... might wanna let security know to keep everyone else away from him," says Jetfire, still distracted and still not paying Crystal any mind in his distress over Kia's unhappiness.

[astrotechmech]

"So noted, sir," Crystal replies, watching Jetfire with a bit of an odd look that barely mars her expression. If she is as affected by Jetfire's odd behavior as Smokescreen currently is, she does not show it as she turns to look at Smokescreen.

Smokescreen realizes Crystal is looking at him, and he turns to her. The way they look at each other for the next couple of moments implies a conversation over comms before Smokescreen speaks.

"I've got everything covered here; you can go."

"Thank you, sir." And Crystal walks off.

Smokescreen watches her before he returns to himself. "Rooms. Right." He starts off down the hallway. "Just over here."

[random_xtras]

"Yeah," says Comettor belatedly, still giving Jetfire funny looks. [Rollbar might start trying to mix drinks, and I don't think Bulks could hack the results.]

"Now I know why you guys were being so quiet the other day." Arcee glances at the Minicon bemusedly, but then smiles and falls into step with Smokescreen. "It's going to feel good to have a home again."

"Aww, sweetheart, don't be that way," says Jetfire sadly from behind them. "C'mon, smile fer ol' Jets?"

[random_xtras]

Jetfire frowns as soon as the door is closed. "Somethin's buggin' Smokie."

"You just now noticed?" Arcee snorts as she gently steers Kia and Murphy toward the washracks and the berth rooms. "I'd say having a joker like you on his station would probably about do it."

The flier scowls and turns toward the door. "Whatever. I don't need ta stick around and listen ta this."

"Don't let the door hit you on the skidplate on your way out," comes Arcee's parting shot as a door slides shut down the hall.

Jetfire goes >._.< and stomps out of the suite to go see when the 'Falcon will be ready for him to go.

And in another part of the station . . .

[astrotechmech]

Rollbar looks around warily. Something is not right here. Something did not feel right here, and he is gonna find out what.

Rollbar looks up as a door opens for him. Right now he is investigating--

"Who are you?!? You're not supposed to be in here!" a masculine voice in the shadows demands as he walks in.

[Who? Me? Little ol' me?] Rollbar beeps back casually, not sounding fazed as he pauses in his walking and gestures at himself.

"Who sent you?!" comes the voice again, getting closer itself and threatening to put Rollbar into a corner.

[No one, obviously.] Rollbar would be 'rolling' his optics if he could.

"State your purpose!" The voice starts to lose its temper.

"You first!" Rollbar shouts in Basic, as he sets to spring.

"Huh?!"

"Raahhr! Eat slag, $%^&*&^% scum!" Rollbar leaps into action. Clang! Klung! CLANG!

"Ahh!"

The room fills with sounds of a Bulk taking steps back as metal pounds on metal. These sounds are eventually followed by sounds of aimless gunfire, footsteps of another Bulk, skillful gunfire, a pained Minicon groan, and--

Silence as the door to the room swishes shut.