othmtmte. /Faithful 13/ and Asteroid. Random Debut

[marsthewriter]

Nightwish: *comes into the engine room and looks toward the husky young femmebot by the door* Are you bothering Random again?

Nightstrike: *looks up at her sister from where she's been guarding her brother as he works* Think he's bugging himself again. *attention back toward the sound of clangs and muffled vituperation*

Random: *source of those clangs and vituperation as he THROWS a nondescript part across the room along with a tool* *and another one for good measure*

Nightwish: *shakes her head, though her finely sculpted face shows no ire* Go fuel, 'Strike.

Nightstrike: *nods and gets up to head for the mess without a word*

Nightwish: *leans where the kid had been sitting and listens for a moment*

Random: *CONTINUES* *And you might want to move Nightwish, a part is coming your direction*

Nighwish: *hand goes up and snags the part out of the air, and then her molten gold eyes are lowering to study it* ...So what'd the stop valve do?

Random: *carries on for a moment more before double taking and starting* Huh?

Nightwish: *looks up from the part and smiles toward him, seeing him easily despite the intervening machinery* Were you throwing that at Nightstrike?

Random: *waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay up in the inner workings of the ship* Pfffft. *he hadn't even paid attention to where he was throwing it*

Nightwish: *tone hold kindly command* It's time to fuel. Come on.

Random: Hmph. *considers throwing something but he can't* *for the same unknown reason he first went with her when offered the choice, despite her buying him* I'll be down in a minute. *starts the descent to the floor*

Nightwish: Alright. Where do you want this valve? *also thinking of the day two years before when she'd bought the newly upgraded to adulthood boy and what had made her choose him, the scruffiest and most nondescript of the lot of younglings that had been being offered in that Aracorian market that day*

Random: It's busted beyond reasonable repair. It can go to [heck].

Nightwish: *looks down at the part, and then gives it a quick squeeze and a touch of heat* Good thing I've got a new one.

Random: *behind some of the larger parts now* *probably didn't hear her*

Nightwish: *straightens up and walks to meet him, holding out the part* Did you hear Witchblade run into the ship a quarter of an hour ago? *wondered at the lack of query about the clang. Though she's fairly certain by now that he'd know that the other fliers would have been out pushing the ship while the engine was off*

Random: *takes the part and looks it over as he feels the ship engine kick into gear* Looks nice. *puts it in subspace for later* No.

Nightwish: *hand on his head and tips it up to see his face, as she often does* *serious and kind* What's bothering you now?

Random: *moves away from the hand* *scowl* Nothing.

Nightwish: *gentle squeeze for his shoulder* We're going to be making planetfall in a few clicks. You're joining the away team.

Random: *stops* *not sure if he heard right* What?

Nightwish: You're coming off the ship with me.

Random: *surprised* Why?

Nightwish: *bit of a smile* It's a surprise. We're going to use some of the gear we bought at that nexus awhile back.

Random: *they're going to use that stuff* *he wasn't sure about some of that stuff* What kind of surprise?

Nightwish: Not one you'll have to repair. Come on, let's get you some fuel. *hand away from his shoulder as she turns*

Random: *scowling again* *that didn't tell him what it was!* *reluctantly follows*

Nightwish: We've got some fizzy left, I think. *can never keep track of the fuel types, because she never needs any of it*

Random: *perks a bit* There was earlier, anyway.

Nightwish: Then there probably still is. Only Witchblade likes that stuff, and she likes feeding it to you better than drinking it.

Random: I don't mind it. I just wish she wouldn't try to drown me with it. I can drink on my own.

Nightwish: *chuckles and puts the hand on his shoulder* Witchblade's special.

Random: *not how he would have put it* Hmm.

Nightwish: *looks at the door that they're walking past a moment before it opens*

Witchblade: *cheerfully, from where she's riding on Skyquake's back* I'm weird!

Random: *looks in* *yeah, that's closer to what he would have said*

Skyquake: *no comment as he brings his wife out into the hall, though he nods to his captain and has a smile for Random*

Random: *looks back*

Nightwish: Is there fizzy, Witchblade?

Witchblade: *perks* Yup! The blue stuff.

Random: Mine! *likes cooler shade of blue*

Witchblade: *giggle fit* Well, yeah. *leans over from her perch to rub his helmet*

Random: *ducks out from under the touch*

Witchblade: *just giggles and reaches for him. Till Skyquake turns the corner and bonks her head on the wall. Then she's giggling and swatting Skyquake*

Skyquake: *doesn't even blink*

Nightwish: So how's the engine holding out?

Random: *rubs his helmet briefly to get the femme cooties off of it* Before or after that stunt with warp drive?

Nightwish: *slight smile* Now.

Nightstrike: *looks out of the mess, a blue bubble in one hand as she munches something out of the other*

Random: Now? Almost back to a point where you could do that again. If you were completely stupid.

Nightwish: No necrotitans that need chasing now. *nods to her sister*

Witchblade: That thing was creeeeeepy.

Random: Good. And I'm for keeping it that way. Our current engine set up was not made for that. *now, if you tweaked some things . . . *

Nightwish: *as Nightstrike steps aside to let them in* I see that look on your face.

Random: *going to get some blue fizzy from the cupboard* *opens the cupboard and reaches in without looking* What look? *frowns when his hand comes up empty and looks in*

cupboard: *holds plenty of cans, bottles, and packages, but no bubbles*

Random: Agh.

Nightstrike: *thumps him gently*

Nightwish: That look that says you have an idea. And Nightstrike's got it for you.

Random: *snaps his attention to Nightstrike* *frown still on his face* *soften slightly when he registers Nightwish's word, but he's still annoyed* *holds his hand out for it* Thanks. *to Nightwish* If we had a few more parts, then the engine could hold out for all sorts of stupid.

Nightwish: *as Nightstrike smiles at Random* Make a parts list. We still have enough from that last bounty to be able to swing mechanical gear.

Random: *rubs off the bubble and takes a drink* *grudgingly nodding at Nightstrike* *registers Nightwish's words and then he's beaming* Sweet!

Nightwish: *sits and indicates that Random should take his usual place beside her, then turns her head to show that she's watching Skyquake try to get Witchblade off his back*

Random: *obediently moves to sit down*

Nightwish: *quietly, as she thinks of the raging titan battle that her crew just intervened in* Did you see anything of what was going on while we were on Cybertron? On the screen?

Random: *cautiously, since he knows the rest of the team excludes him from things* Some of it. I kept having to go fix things.

Nightwish: *still quiet, and serious* So what did you think of the world where our people started out?

Random: Wondering if it's always been that weird.

Nightwish: *frankly* A lot of the time. But there used to be cities all over it. There were when I lived there, anyway.

Random: . . .

Nightwish: What is it?

Random: Was just thinking cities might be nice. . . . And then remembering all of the mechs.

Nightwish: *there's the slight smile that only Nightstrike and Random see* You want more people around?

Random: I meant that tons more people might be a bit annoying. All clustered on top of each other.

Nightwish: *nods. She'd known what he meant, but she likes to hear him express his thoughts and feelings* The guys at school were pretty annoying sometimes. Windcharger was alright.

Random: Who's Windcharger?

Nightwish: *smiles the smile for family* He was a short guy with magnetic abilities. He called it his magic arms.

Random: *looks thoughtful* *magnets could be useful*

Nightwish: *replies absently to the look* They'd work differently than his, because he was born with them.

Random: I know.

Nightwish: Next time we're around a medic I'll see what we can do, if you want.

Random: *stops before he realizes what she actually said* Okay. He'd just have to add it to my on-board equipment

Nightwish: *nods* You'd want 'em built in?

Random: They'd be a bit more useful for catching things. *not to mention for climbing*

Nightwish: And for climbing like a scraplet? *smiles*

Random: Pfft. Scraplets use their teeth.

Nightwish: Not for going up walls. They climb with their feet. *eyes hold memory*

Random: *shudder* Egh. *remembers his blue fizzy and drinks*

Nightwish: *quietly* What did you hear about what was happening back there on Cybertron?

Random: *raises an optic ridge* You mean other than Shockwave siccing an undead metrotitan on people?

Nightwish: *smile in her voice for his wording* Yeah. Other than that.

Random: The old tyrant Megatron died, Shockwave had a change of spark and is in jail, Starscream got kicked off the planet, and we left so you guys wouldn't get stuck in leadership roles back on Cybertron

Nightwish: *slight chuckle* It wasn't a change of spark. He just remembered who he had been with the help of some old friends.

Random: *shrug* He'd been siccing undead metrotitans on people five minutes earlier

Nightwish: *somber again* I wonder how much of that idiotic war would ever have happened if he'd never lost his head.

Random: *doesn't have an answer for that as he drinks more of his blue fizzy*

Nightwish: *focuses on him and chuckles again* Remember Ultra Magnus?

Random: *looks up* Yeah? What about him?

Nightwish: Back when I first met Shockwave, he looked a lot like that. Except he changed his paint nearly every other week.

Random: *looks confused* Ultra Magnus only had one optic?

Nightwish: No. Shockwave had two.

Random: Oh. *other way around* *looks down and realizes he's almost done with his blue fizzy*

Nightwish: He built this shell. *yes, the one she once used as a battering ram that time the door at that space station hotel stuck and wouldn't let you out*

Random: *looks impressed*

Nightwish: The school that he ran was for bots who had gifts that weren't connected to their alt modes. Because back then outliers like that were considered undesirable.

Random: Huh?

Nightwish: Bots like Windcharger, and that Trailbreaker guy that I told you about once. Or me.

Random: Bots like that were outliers?

Nightwish: That's what they called us.

Random: *thinks that's stupid*

Nightwish: *to his expression* Me too.

Random: *shakes his head*

Nightwish: *and then looks up a moment before the PA crackles*

Mistfire: //Entering approach trajectory now, Cap.//

Nightwish: Alright. We'll be ready.

Mistfire: //Mist out.// *click*

Random: *looks up* *looks at Nightwish as if asking if this was where the "surprise" is* *and why Mistfire wasn't specific about the location*

Nightwish: Yup. And it doesn't have a name. It's just a big asteroid with a chunk off of one of Cybertron's moons on it.

Random: *raises an optic ridge* This far out?

Nightwish: Luna 2 was further.

Random: . . . Huh. *weird*

Nightwish: *chuckles at his expression* Need any more fuel?

Random: *looks at little remaining of his blue fizzy* *fuel tank is still empty* . . . Yes.

Nightwish: *turns in her seat, ready to get up* Solid or liquid?

Random: Liquid. *reluctantly finishes his blue fizzy*

Nightwish: *gets him a can of the stuff with calcien in it. Have to fill that hollow leg* *as she comes back to the table* Here you go.

Random: *doesn't always remember to say this* Thanks. *will take the can and drink* *and drink faster than intended because of the calcien*

Witchblade: *squealing and squirming and giggling. Seems she finally got past Skyquake's calm-fu and is now being squashed*

Nightwish: *ignores them*

Witchblade: Eeeeeheeheehee!

Random: *scooting over so he doesn't get hit by that, is still busily drinking his fuel*

Nightwish: *offers him a golden energon goodie when he's done*

Random: *finishes quickly* *blinks when he sees the goodie*

Nightwish: *lifts her brows* You're not full yet.

Random: *shakes his head* *but he was actually getting pretty close* *he just didn't recognize the goodie*

Nightwish: It's energon from a pure source.

Random: Oh. *not sure what that means* *will take and eat*

goodie: *sends a zing of quiet warmth and energy through him*

Random: *oh!* *like how that feels!*

Nightwish: *grins, and then gets up* Let's go. Witchblade, don't even think of doing that out here.

Witchblade: Right! *sheepish*

Random: *surprised at how actually feels full* *takes him a moment, but he's soon also getting up* *and not wanting to know what Witchblade is doing*

Nightwish: *heads for the bridge. Wants Random to see the landing*

Random: *follows, not sure why Nightwish is going where she's going* *and how it relates to him actually going on this one*

Nightwish: Sit. *nods to an empty seat even as she braces her feet and looks through the front window* *quietly* There're two of them.

Random: *watching her and then sits in the seat* *absently preparing for landing* Huh?

Nightwish: And there's the ship for the other one.

Mistfire: Yup. Cranky old so 'n so. *bringing the ship neatly to sit on a precarious looking ledge*

Random: *is SO lost right now*

Mistfire: *hands away from the controls and turns to grin as Dreadwing stands and stretches his wings* Not a bump.

Nightwish: I praised you the first five hundred times. *already turning to walk to the airlock*

Mistfire: *snerks, and then grins at Random*

Random: *realizes where they landed* *frowns but can't help but smile a bit back at Mistfire* *she's one of the few that don't crowd his space* *and he finds her stories funny* *and she tried to tell him how to throw a hammer at someone to give him a chance to run, but he's never used it* *hurriedly gets up to follow Nightwish* *doesn't want to miss his one mission!*

Nightwish: *leads the way to the airlock, and then picks up those two big boxes that look like small coffins*

Random: *shudders unconsciously at the comparison* *corpses reminded him of medical procedures . . . *

Nightwish: *closes the inner airlock door, makes sure it's sealed, and then looks to Random* No atmosphere out there.

Random: *oh! Got it* *starts recirculating his air*

Nightwish: *opens the outer lock, and then walks down the ramp, taking in her surroundings with all her senses*

Random: *follows* *TOTALLY not knowing what to expect*

Nightwish: *down off the ledge they'd landed on, and then across a tiny plain to where a sleek little shuttle is waiting* *over open comms* //You know I can see you, Devcon. Stop wasting time.//

Random: *Devcon?!* *what's the bounty hunter doing here?*

Nightwish: *offers one of the coffin boxes to the tall blue bot with red trim who just stepped out from behind the ship* //Yours is the nearer one. I want the girl.//

Random: *frowning* *the girl?* *thought immediately goes back to the day he was sold to Nightwish*

Devcon: *easily* //No problem. Boys are easier to handle anyway.//

Nightwish: //You go on thinking that.//

Devcon: *snorts over comms, and then looks at Random* //Who's the kid?//

Nightwish: //My head engineer.//

Random: *looking at Nightwish, wondering what's going on here. This is an odd place for a market and it's only the three of them* *that HE can see, anyway* *looks at Devcon when he refers to him and frowns* *he might be young, but he was not a kid!* *despite his misgivings about this situation, can't help but feel touched at Nightwish's title for him*

Devcon: *perks and looks again* //You interested in a quick job before we leave this rock?//

Random: *looks skeptical and just barely remembers to use the comm* // What kind of job? //

Devcon: *slightly sheepish look now on that strong face* //My engine keeps making a rattling hiss when I accelerate.//

Random: *without missing a beat* // Sounds like you need to replace the belt and plug up a leak in the forward gasket. //

Devcon: //What will you charge for doing that?//

Random: *charge?* *Nightwish gives him a wage, but he hasn't really done jobs outside of the ship*

Nightwish: //You pay him two hundred shanix on top of what you owe us for the protoform.//

Random: *stops* *that was a little over 16.5 hours of work!*

Devcon: //Deal.// *looks at Random* //You want to do it now, or after you and your captain harvest that spark?//

Random: *still a bit stunned by the sum* *gets back to the topic with a bit of difficulty* *he didn't want to miss this!* *though he didn't like what the other mech said about "harvesting that spark"* // A-after. //

Nightwish: *hand on his shoulder* //Come on, Random. Let's go get her.//

Random: *not sure if he's going to like his part of this* // Al-All right. //

Nightwish: *private comms* //Don't worry. She won't hurt you.//

Random: *not what he was worried about*

Nightwish: *looks at his face* //And there's nothing to repair. Don't worry. I've done this before, though I had to dig Nightstrike out of a rubble pile.//

Random: *internal exhale* *and almost feels better about it until she mentions the rubble pile*

Nightwish: *walks on over the horizon of the tiny planetoid, and then stops and looks down at a softly glowing little light that's sitting in the lea of a boulder* *softly, in a voice Random won't have heard before* //There you are.//

Random: *follows cautiously* *looks around her at the light* *looks up at Nightwish* *is this . . . ?*

Nightwish: *sets the box down and opens it, then offers him the lid* *gently* //That's our newest crewmember. Silly little kid, lighting up out here in the middle of nowhere.//

Random: *takes the lid and holds onto it like a lifeline* // . . . This is a hotspot? //

Nightwish: //Tiniest hotspot ever. It's just Kia here and Devcon's boy.//

Random: // Huh. . . . How did you find out about it? // *Kia, he likes the name*

Nightwish: *quietly, as she digs a bit of the material around the little spark up to take with her* //Primus told me to come this way. And then I heard her singing.//

Random: *looks surprised at the mention of Primus* *but thinks hearing sparks sing is pretty cool* *wonders what "Kia" sounds like*

Nightwish: *gently, so gently lifts the little, sparkling spark, and then just holds it for a moment and smiles*

Kia: *just seems to radiate calm happiness*

Random: *smiles a small smile at the spark*

Nightwish: *wonderingly* //Nightstrike didn't feel like this.//

Random: *kinda wants to hold her, but also thinks that's a bad idea*

Nightwish: //Hmm?// *chuckle* //That's Random. Alright.// *lifts her head* //Set that down and hold out your hands. She wants to be acquainted with you.//

Random: 0.0! // Do you really t-think t-that's a g-good i-idea, I-I m-mean--//

Nightwish: //She's sitting in her nest. She'll be fine.//

Random: *inevitable: what if something happens to her nest?*

Nightwish: *gently* //She wants to meet everyone who's come to see her.//

Random: *silent* *puts the lid down slowly and then stands back up and holds out two trembling hands*

Nightwish: *oh so carefully tucks that little spark into them, and then watches to see what happens next*

Kia: *slightly heavy warmth, and a radiation of contentment and excitement that is very plain to see*

Random: *frozen with wonder and amazement* *surprisingly doesn't drop the spark at the unexpected feelings*

Nightwish: *wipes at her cheeks with one hand, and then turns and starts prepping the protoform inside the box*

Kia: *moves. Snuggles* *soft, soft thread of beautiful music that is more felt than heard*

Random: *still frozen as he watches her snuggle, silently wishing he could snuggle back* *shutters his optics at the music* *it feels so good*

Nightwish: *a few unnoticed moments later* //Alright. Let me take her.//

Random: *startles* *and freezes for a different reason* *checks on the spark*

Kia: *looks perked, and her song sounds curious and eager*

Random: *relief!* *looks over at Nightwish* *loathes to give up the newspark*

Nightwish: *smile is still soft* //You'll be able to hold her better when I give her back.//

Random: *nods understanding that his head knows better than his spark* *gingerly hands her over*

Nightwish: *gently takes the little spark and puts her into the spark chamber of the small protoform, then sits back on her heels and watches as delicate features take form*

Random: *feels the emptiness when she leaves his fingers* *watches as Nighwish takes her and puts her in the spark chamber* *fascinated at the features forming*

Kia: *blinks big blue eyes and looks around, then lifts one slender hand and tries uncertainly to close up her chest panel*

Random: *if human, would be holding his breath* *frozen as he watches her*

Kia: *tries patiently to figure out how to get the panel fully closed, but then finally looks up for help. Gives Nightwish a bright smile, but then quickly looks to Random. Whole face lights up*

Random: *wondering if he can help with that* *and then she gives him the smile* *most of the crew smile at him, but none are as welcome as hers* *smiles nervously back*

Kia: *forgets about her panel and reaches for him*

Nightwish: *wants to pick the little one up herself, but she sits on her heels and watches in silence instead*

Random: *remembers what Kia does not* *but BARELY remembers comms* // Whoa! Hang on! Let's close this up first. // *helps her close her chest panel*

Kia: *hands to her head and a wondering expression on her face as she looks at him*

Random: *was going to hug her, but will try to help her with her dilemma* // Comms? // *points to his own head* // We talk in here because we can't talk out here//--*he points to his mouth*--//here. //

Kia: *big eyes study his face, and seem to be studying his words. Ponders for a moment, but then seems to brush away what she can't yet understand and reaches for him instead*

Random: *will reach back, pull her into his arms, and rub her back while giving her a hug* *it just feels so natural to do so*

Kia: *moves as though giving a big sigh, and then lays her head on his shoulder*

Nightwish: *quietly* //Lift her out of the box so I can get it.//

Random: *pulls the newspark completely out of the box and settles her against him as an answer*

Nightwish: *lid on box and then smiles at the two younger bots before turning to carry the box back to the ship* *that smile is wide, and it's warm*

Random: *starts to feel lack of safety in numbers and gets up to follow Nightwish, the newspark safe in his arms*

Kia: *still warm and heavy and very alive as she holds onto him and pillows her head on his shoulder*

Nightwish: //Steady enough?// *doesn't look back, though she can see them*

Random: *has to carry way heavier sometimes* // I got her. //

Nightwish: //Alright. She'll probably like some of the red when we get back. I filled her tank beforehand, but eating's comforting.//

Random: *oh, yes, she needs good fuel* // All right. //

Nightwish: //I'll give you a jelly for her too. She'll probably love those.//

Random: *will defer to Nightwish's judgment on this* // Okay. //

Nightwish: *glances at Devcon's ship as they pass it, but then looks ahead*

Random: *stops as he sees it*

Nightwish: //He's not back yet. Come on.//

Random: *nods and follows* *making a note to himself to come back later*

Nightwish: *falls back as they reach the hill where the Faithful 13 sits, letting Random and his precious burden go ahead*

Random: *makes his way up the ramp*

Nightwish: *follows them inside, and then sets down the box and closes the outer door*

Kia: *little wiggle, and then lifts her head and looks around curiously*

Random: *leans back when she wiggles, trying to make sure she doesn't fall* *smiles at her* This is home.

Kia: *eyes go round as she hears things a different way, and actually sees where the sounds come from* Home.

Nightwish: *quick glance as she hears the sweet lilt in the new voice* *then turns attention back to opening the inner door*

Random: *notices Nightwish opening the inner door* *glad he didn't speak too early*

Nightwish: *leads them inside, and then turns* Give her some fuel and put her to bed. The jellies are in a box stuck under the counter.

Random: *still holding the newspark close* Will you let me know when Devcon gets back? *doesn't want to break a commitment*

Nightwish: Of course. *smile is small again as she glances at him in friendly fashion*

Random: *actually smiles back* *turns to go before he realizes something else* *looks back at Nightwish* Oh, um, where is she sleeping?

Nightwish: I have space in my quarters... *stops and looks down at him*

Random: *holding Kia close and carefully rubbing her back* What?

Nightwish: You also have bunks in your quarters. *she's giving him a choice*

Random: *doesn't want to let Kia go, but Nightwish knew where to find her and he needs to do that job for Devcon*

Nightwish: *very quietly* Just cover her with that blanket the woman in the nexus gave you.

Random: *thinks that Nightwish probably knows what she's talking about* *nods* *to Kia* Let's go get you some fuel.

Kia: *distracted from looking around. Smiles at him sleepily* Fuel.

Random: *smiles knowingly* And then sleep.

Kia: And then sleep. *absently rubs an eye with her fist. Here inside it's plain that her eyes are very light, but it's not due to stress*

Random: *smiling despite himself as he nods to Nightwish and moves towards the mess*

Dreadwing: *looks up from a datapad as Random enters, and then his smile turns to surprise and wonder as he sees what the young mechanic is holding*

Random: *okay, need the red fuel from the cupboard. And a jelly. Wait, didn't Nightwish say she was going to give him a jelly to give to her?* *self-conscious smile as he notices Dreadwing looking at them* Hi.

Dreadwing: *deep voice quiet* Is this why we came here?

Random: *stuck in place with the self-conscious* *which might be unusual for the bot who is usually cussing at engines and throwing things across the room* Uh, it seems so.

Dreadwing: *picks up his book and rises to his feet* I will keep the others from coming in and confusing her. *and he's also going to wait till Random's away from the door so he doesn't confuse the newborn*

Random: *raises an optic ridge at this, but he is also feeling respect for the mech's actions* *nods in thanks as he moves to get the fuel Nightwish told him to feed Kia*

Dreadwing: *leaves the door and closes it behind him*

Random: *turns and gets the red fuel* *while he's doing that, he remembers what Nightwish said about the jelly in the box under the counter and gets one of those out and replaces the box where he found it*

Kia: *head up, and she's watching what he's doing with tired interest*

Random: *shifts her carefully before grabbing the fuel in one hand and walking over to the table, where he places the fuel down and sits down, rearranging her on his lap*

Kia: *looks up at him, blinking sleepily* Uh?

Random: Getting ready for some fuel. *reaches over for the red fuel, watching to see her reaction* *suspects she's a bit more interested in sleep, but this is what Nightwish said they should try*

Kia: Fuel. *watches his actions intently, even as she rubs one eye again*

Random: *nod* Fuel. *takes a sip himself to show her how it's done and then offers it to her* Want to try?

Kia: *big eyes widen further, and she reaches with both hands* Fuel!

Random: *she seems excited about that!* *hands it to her* Slowly.

Kia: *takes her time figuring out how to do the action, and then sips carefully and daintily*

Random: *smiles at her, glad he didn't have to worry about her getting herself into trouble* Good.

Kia: *continues the careful drinking till nearly half the cube is gone, then stops and looks at him questioningly without pushing it away*

Random: *watches her carefully, making sure she's doing okay* Are you full? *actually a bit surprised at how much she drank, considering Nightwish said her tank was already full*

Kia: *worried look*

Random: Is something wrong?

Kia: *hands flex on the cube, and then she perks and untips it*

Random: You done? *reaches to take the cube*

Kia: *lets him have it, and then rubs her eyes with both hands*

Random: *wondering if she is too full for the jelly and if he should offer it or just put her to bed*

Kia: *little shiver, and then looks up at him with a trace of unhappiness*

Random: Are you cold? *shakes and hugs his arms around her* Brrr?

Kia: *squeaky yawn!*

Random: Let's put you to bed. *shifts her in his arms and stands up, grabbing the fuel* And give you a blanket. *moves to put the red fuel back and keeps the jelly in his hand before moving out of the mess*

Kia: *head down on his shoulder with a sigh, and then squeaks again with shock as a little puff of air escapes her tank and comes out of her mouth*

Random: *rubs her back* It's just your fuel settling. Sometimes air gets in there, too.

Kia: Air. *lifts her head and frowns, then squirms just slightly. Relaxes as another puff comes out, and then lays down on his shoulder again*

Random: *rubs her back as he takes her to quarters* *he just isn't sure where he's going to put her*

Kia: *face mushed against him. Is now totally limp*

Random: *looks*

Kia: *sleepin' newborn*

Random: *smiles at that* *continues his walk down the hall*

Dreadwing: *is a rumble of voice from back around the corner behind him*

Random: *turns back*

Dreadwing: *just explaining to his brother why he's blocking the way*

Random: *had been wondering how he was able to get this far without meeting anyone* *seems Dreadwing was true to his word* *continues to quarters*

Kia: *sleeeep*

Random: *reaches quarters* *does he put her in Nightwish's quarters or his?*

Kia: *snerf of blocked intakes*

Random: *carefully repositions her head as he stands at a literal and figurative crossroads*

Kia: *soft clicks as she snuggles without waking*

Random: *not getting any clearer idea* *will at least get the blanket from his chest in his quarters*

Devcon: //Random?//

Random: *starts* *how did he get his comm?* *oh* *right* // Yes? //

Devcon: *gruffly* //Did I miss you?//

Random: *silent as tries to determine if they've started moving again* // I think we're still docked. Are you ready for me? //

Devcon: *gruffer* //No. I just got this kid put together.//

Random: *not sure if he wants to know* // Oh. //

Devcon: //I'll let you know when I'm at my ship.//

Random: // Yessir. //

Devcon: //Devcon out.//

Random: // Random out.// *wonders if all jobs are like this*

Kia: *sleeeep*

Random: *reminded of his task* *enters his quarters and heads for the chest by the lower bunk where he sometimes sleeps (when he's not in the top one feeling moody)* *has a bit of a time keeping her in a good position while he opens the chest and reaches in for the blanket, but by some miracle he does so without falling over or dropping her* *stands up straight and wonders what next*

Nightstrike: *cautious head out of the cabin across from his, and then freezes*

Random: *frowning as he thinks he has made up his mind, returning to the door when he notices Nightstrike* What?

Nightstrike: *softly* Sorry. *back inside*

Random: Wait! *which may be a first for him*

Nightstrike: *peeks and looks down at him questioningly*

Random: *shift uncomfortably* Can she sleep in there with you? Devcon's going to want me soon. *he thinks*

Nightstrike: *eyes widen slightly, but she nods* Sure, I'll make sure she's okay till you or 'Wish comes back.

Random: *she probably hasn't seen him this uncomfortable at least in a while* Thanks.

Nightstrike: *moves back out of the way so that he can come in*

Random: *holds the newspark close as he walks into the quarters Nightstrike shares with Nightwish*

Nightstrike: *is looking in her trunk* *quietly* I have a doll.

Random: Oh. *looks down at Kia* She might like that. When she's awake. *though he's still holding the blanket*

Nightstrike: *large hand gently extracts a cheap, brightly coloured red and blue plastic doll from the trunk, and then she pauses to glance at him*

Random: *watching this somewhat warily* *though that might be because of the newspark in his arms and being in quarters he doesn't usually enter into*

Nightstrike: *attention has already returned to the contents of the trunk*

Random: *somehow senses this* *and doesn't move*

Nightstrike: *turns toward him after a moment* Do you need a hand?

Random: Where should I put her?

Nightstrike: *quiet look of understanding* I use the top bunk.

Random: *knows Nightwish doesn't sleep* So I'll put her in the bottom. *goes ahead and moves towards the bunk*

Nightstrike: *watches a moment, but doesn't want to be rude or nosey. She knows her brother's temper. Looks back into the trunk*

Random: *shifts Kia to lay her down on the lower bunk* *will spread the blanket over her when he's done that*

Kia: *still limp. Totally trusting and sleeping hard as she processes all this data here in her new processor*

Random: *rubs her blanketed arm and hesitates*

Nightstrike: *steps over and offers the doll*

Random: *looks up at the tallest member of the crew and takes it* *tucks the doll in with Kia under the blanket* And now she has a friend. *feeling a bit better already*

Nightstrike: *grins* He was my CO2 while I saved the worlds. *offers an open candy bag* Red gum?

Random: *surprised, remembers what the doll looked like* Optimus was? *frowns a bit at the rest of the comment and shakes his head at the offer* I'm good. *and it was true. That gold goodie Nightwish gave him has him pretty full still, surprisingly*

Nightstrike: The doll was. *turns to put the bag back into her trunk*

Devcon: *ping*

Random: *realizes what she had actually said earlier* Oh. *responds to the ping* // Random here. //

Devcon: *sounds like he's wheezing, the effect of trying not to overheat while working on sealed systems* //Do you want another job?//

Random: *asking because he's not sure what the other job is* // Are you okay? //

Devcon: //I need someone to help me corner this kid. He wants to look at everything, and he doesn't understand "no" or "come here".//

Random: // Have you tried giving him fuel or a book to read? //

Devcon: //I haven't been near enough to give him anything since he got on his feet.//

Random: // Mistfire could probably catch him for you . . . //

Devcon: *wheeeze* //Could you send her out here?//

Random: // I'll see if I can get her on my way out. //

Devcon: //Thanks. Add it to my tab.// *wheeze*

Random: *not sure how to do that* // Will do. // *pings Mistfire* // Uh, are you willing to help Devcon catch his kid? //

Mistfire: *startled amusement in that easy going alto* //Say what?//

Random: // Devcon's new hot spot kid is being difficult and he'd like some help catching him. Thought you'd know how to get the kid to behave. //

Mistfire: *laughter comes over the line* //Can do that, I guess.//

Random: // Devcon says it'll go on his tab. //

Mistfire: //Alright. Mist out.// *more laughter before the line closes*

Random: // Random out. // *turns back to the people in the room*

Nightstrike: *sitting on her trunk, reading a book. Looks up when she senses him moving*

Random: *gives Kia a last rub on her arm before turning Nightstrike* I better get going. . . . Thanks again.

Nightstrike: *slight smile* She's going to be my little sister too, kinda.

Random: *nods* *it was kinda true* *same way that Nightwish is kinda his and her mother figure*

Devcon: //Okay. I'm here.// *and still sounding winded*

Random: // Be right out. // *to Nightstrike as he rushes out* Gotta go!

Nightstrike: Seeya. *watches him go*

Random: *BOUNDS down the hall!*

Dreadwing: *steps aside with a laugh*

Skyquake: *not quite fast enough. Catches Random, then turns and sets the younger bot free on the other side of him*

Random: *blinks as he's grabbed and set down* *runs off again while calling back* Sorry! *not something heard from him very often, probably*

Mistfire: *standing on the ramp when he reaches it and laughing her skidplate off*

Random: *rate of circulation noticeably calmed down after having to wait in the airlock* *though having all that hot air recirculating may not be the best* *looks to see what she's laughing at*

Mistfire: *straightens up and grins at him* //Devcon's 'n old fogey.// *wipes at her eyes*

Random: *raises an optic ridge*

Mistfire: //A little baby kid outrun 'im.// *too amused* //And he's supposed ta be so hotshot.//

Random: *would think would get used to this comms in space thing* // Oh. Yeah. That IS ridiculous. //

Mistfire: *big grin, and then a thoughtful look upward. Waves, and then makes an easy leap to gain the upper hull of the 13*

Random: *nods to her and watches her go before turning back and making his careful way to Devcon's ship*

Devcon's ship: *entrance hatch closed when he reaches it*

Random: // Devcon? I'm here. //

Devcon: //Alright. Hatch is open. Just palm the lock.//

Random: *finds the it in the usual place and palms the lock*

Devcon: *looks over from where he's sitting in the pilot seat with a sleeping sparklet in his arms* You know your way around a ship like this?

Random: *looks around* I think I can figure it out.

Devcon: It's the hatch right behind the bunks.

ship: *pilot's seat, passenger seat behind that, then two bunks on each side of a very short corridor as the cabin widens out. And then the maintenance hatch*

Random: *nods and moves toward the maintenance hatch* *somehow not fazed by being in a hotshot bounty hunter's ship* *opens the hatch once there and looks in*

Devcon: You have everything you need?

Random: *the more pressing issue* When was the last time you had this thing given a proper overhaul?

Devcon: A year ago, standard time. She's seen action since then.

Random: *head still in the hatch* Then she should be seen to more frequently then.

Devcon: Repairs aren't free.

Random: They're not any cheaper when they add up.

Devcon: Teach your batch initiator to guzzle high grade.

Random: He already does that quite well.

Devcon: Huh. *sound of him shifting in his seat and then clicking to the newspark*

Random: What you got in terms of materials?

Devcon: In the bulkhead by your left elbow.

Random: *looks* Thanks. *opens it out and sorts through it, looking for what he needs* *ugh, no sheet metal* *he raises an optic ridge at the dinged-up tools, no wonder the job wasn't done well* *ah, there IS some sealant and a couple of belts* *grabs these and closes the bulkhead* No sheet metal?

Devcon: Not if it isn't in there. So how'd a guy like you wind up on a hotshot crew like that?

Random: *ugh* . . . What do you mean?

Devcon: You don't really seem the type.

Random: *grips the things in his hand* . . . Nightwish bought me.

Devcon: *silent for a moment. Then* Further rim, huh? Thought I heard it in your voice.

Random: *weakly, since he doesn't know what to say* She got me from the Aracorian market.

Devcon: *nods* Have you ever heard of the Black Angel?

Random: *sounds skeptical* You mean the thing that supposedly snatches up children and newsparks while they sleep and grabs people in the shadows of alleyways? And eats them?

Devcon: She's more likely to snatch up a bootlegger in his sleep, and I've seen her do the grab from the shadows.

Random: *raises an optic ridge* You're making "her" sound like a real person.

Devcon: She is. And you're living with her.

Random: *optic ridge still raised* *remembers when Nightwish dropped her organic masquerade after she bought him* Nightwish?

Devcon: Nightwish.

Random: *blinks some* What's your point?

Devcon: I was just wondering if you knew.

Random: She doesn't need fuel or recharge. *he pretty much knows she's highly unusual*

Devcon: ...I hadn't known that. *and he sounds surprised and perplexed*

Random: *wonders if he should have said that*

Devcon: *absently, still sounding perplexed* The information's not going anywhere.

Random: *still, he doesn't know the mech* *and he doesn't want to be the weak link on the crew*

Devcon: You're sure about that? *turns in his seat to look at the young mechanic's back*

Random: *actually starts* *Was Devcon reading his mind?*

Devcon: *silent for a moment* You're jumpy.

Random: *scowls and frowns* I should go repair your stupid thing. *moves to do so*

Devcon: Right. *looks down at his son and turns again so that his back is to Random*

Random: *starts clanging things around in the maintenance hatch as he replaces the belt and the sealant and tries not to let what Devcon said and didn't say get to him*

Devcon: Hey, be careful of that.

Random: *knows what's he's doing, blast it!*

Devcon: I don't want to pay for something you broke.

Random: Your hull was already broken. And I'm going to replace it anyway.

Devcon: If you hate your situation so much then get another one.

Random: *doesn't know what to say, so curses in Devcon's direction*

Devcon: Nightwish lets language like that on her ship?

Random: *clams up instantly* No. *you seeing how it is, Devcon?*

Devcon: *quietly, after a moment* You'd follow her anywhere.

Random: *silent*

Devcon: Is it just because you don't know anything else?

Random: . . . *was it?* * he doesn't know anything else, certainly, but . . .*

Devcon: Or is it her?

Random: *she was the first person to give him a choice* *and maybe . . . he doesn't know how to do anything else, but she gave him a choice*

Devcon: It is. But you don't think you measure up.

Random: *sounds of him shifting*

Devcon: You know she was a lab experiment?

Random: *after a moment to find his vocalizer again* Shockwave created her. *which pretty much means experiment, right?*

Devcon: Yeah. She was the brightest spark anyone had ever seen. And the last spark the bots that found her ever saw. Shockwave took some unknown metal he'd found in a comet and forged her shell.

Random: *silent as wonders why Devcon is going into all this*

Devcon: The stories say Shockwave created her to uphold his ideal for the galaxy. And that now his ideals have changed he regrets it and can't do anything about it.

Random: . . . Are you trying to say she's a monster?

Devcon: Not all monsters are evil.

Random: *thinking this supposedly hotshot bounty hunter is making no sense*

Devcon: You saw that recent action on Cybertron.

Random: *feels like the correction might prove Devcon's point but has to say it anyway* Some of it. *would have liked to have seen more of it*

Devcon: You never got off the ship.

Random: *not liking the direction of this conversation again* No.

Devcon: Non combatant?

Random: *long pause* No. *no, he is not a combatant*

Devcon: But you want to be.

Random: *Why was this mech--?!*

Devcon: Don't take it out on the ship. I'm right here.

Nightwish: *from empty air* So am I. Stop annoying my Chief Engineer.

Devcon: *out of his seat and crouching, angry baby behind him and gun in his hand!*

Random: *actually hadn't even been touching the ship for the past five minutes* *startles at Nightwish's sudden voice and intakes heavily, trying to keep his emotions together*

Nightwish: *shimmers into sight* He's here to repair your ship, not to be peeled like a krina grub.

Devcon: *sitting on the floor now with his son in his lap and a disgruntled look on his face* Give a bot a spark attack.

Random: *curls in on himself and his intaking gets shaky*

Nightwish: *sets a piece of sheet metal beside him, and then returns to the place by the door to stare at Devcon, who stares back*

Random: *perks up a bit when he sees the sheet metal and drags himself to the task of removing the old piece and replacing it, hands trembling slightly*

Nightwish and Devcon: *continue the battle of wills up in the cockpit*

Random: *hands get steadier as he gets lost in the work* *working faster at it than Devcon might expect*

Devcon and Nightwish: *stare down continues*

Random: *soon finishes that, cleans up his workspace, and drags himself out of the hatch* D-Done. W-where do you want this old metal? It and the old belt aren't even worth scrap.

Devcon: *without looking away from Nightwish* Just stick them in the bulkhead.

Random: *thinks that's a stupid place to put them* 'Kay. *moves to do so*

Devcon: You'd be surprised what comes in handy sometimes.

Nightwish: *snort*

Random: Hope they hold out for whatever you want to do with them. *puts the less-than-scrap into the bulkhead and closes it up again*

Devcon: You have your credit chit?

Nightwish: Don't treat him like a kid.

Devcon: I apologize.

Random: *looking like Devcon asked a silly question* Yeah. *moves to get it out. *doesn't react to the apology*

Devcon: *takes out his own credit chit and thumbs in the activation code* Ready.

Random: *tells Devcon the address he should send to*

Devcon: *thumb moves quickly, and then both cards beep* There you are. Have a good cycle.

Random: *wary of the mech after their conversation* *not sure if believes Devcon's farewell* Thanks. Good luck with the kid.

Devcon: *breaks the eye contact to look down ruefully* Thanks.

Nightwish: *snorts again and opens the entrance hatch*

Random: *out of politness at this point* // You're welcome. // *ready to go*

Nightwish: *follows him off the little ship, and then closes the hatch behind them*

Random: *once out of the ship, he's hyperaware of Nightwish's presence, and he doesn't know what to say*

Nightwish: *walks in silence for a little while, then glances down at him* *quietly* //Random, from now on if you want something, I want you to tell me.//

Random: *flinches slightly at the voice* // Huh? //

Nightwish: *no ire in her expression or voice* //I can do a lot of things, but reading minds isn't one of them. I need to know what you want and need.//

Random: *Devcon seemed to do that pretty well* *and isn't obvious to him since she seems to read him so well* . . .

Nightwish: //I read body language and reactions. And that's what the old man was doing too.//

Random: *looking flustered* *Devcon wasn't even looking at him half the time!*

Nightwish: //What is it?//

Random: *her words suddenly are ringing truer* // I was in a different part of the ship, and I don't think he was even looking at me! //

Nightwish: *nod* //He saw you before that, and he could hear your reactions by how you moved and what you said.//

Random: *still looking perplexed* *liked being readable for Nightwish, but when Devcon did it--he shudders*

Nightwish: //I think the old... I think he was trying to help. Besides trying to get information.//

Random: *blurts out* // I told him you didn't fuel or recharge. // *still feels guilty about that*

Nightwish: *sudden amusement on her face* //I wondered why he was eyeing me so uncertainly.//

Random: *confused by her reaction* // Huh? //

Nightwish: *gentle again* //The information can't hurt me. And it'll keep him on his toes as he tries to figure out what I am.//

Random: *hesitates* // Why did he want me to know you're the Black Angel and that Shockwave created you? //

Nightwish: //He probably wanted you to know what you're dealing with.//

Random: // Does he think you're bad? //

Nightwish: //You heard what he said about monsters.// *steps around a rock* //But there are a lot of people who do think I am, and that the crew is. You probably picked up on that when I told you about the reaction to our badge.//

Random: // . . . I'd heard about it a bit before . . . // *before he got sold*

Nightwish: *nods, and then stops and looks up at the ship* //She's still sleeping.//

Random: // Kia? // *pauses as something else comes to mind* // Why did you choose me? //

Nightwish: *looks down again with a slight smile* //Because no one else was going to, and I knew you had the skills I needed.//

Random: *ouch* *not sure how to react to that*

Nightwish: *settles to sit on a small ledge on the rock wall and nods to the rock that Random's standing beside*

Random: *hesitates but moves to sit down*

Nightwish: //Someone once told me that women were created to solve the little problems. I don't know about that, but I do know that it feels good to feel needed for something other than straightening out packs of homicidal maniacs.//

Random: *thinks he can understand that* *kinda feels the same way with repairing the ship*

Nightwish: *nods in reply to what she sees in his face* //And this probably sounds stupid, but I feel like your batch initiator.//

Random: // . . . I think you're better than my batch initiator.// *still hasn't really forgiven him for the betrayal*

Nightwish: *softly* //All people have equal value in the eyes of God. I've ended a lot of lives, Random.//

Random: *silent as he thinks this over*

Nightwish: *watches him in silence, her glance showing some of the affection she feels for the youngster*

Random: *mention of God is lost on him, but he's wondering what she and Devcon are trying to do by mentioning what she is and what she's supposedly done when he doesn't feel like she's that bad of a character*

Nightwish: *thinking of how young he is despite his adult size shell* //Random? What're you thinking?//

Random: *somehow feeling relief that she's not pulling his thoughts out of him* // I . . . don't understand. //

Nightwish: //What don't you understand?//

Random: // Why what you used to do matters? // *or at least he hasn't really heard of her massacring people lately*

Nightwish: //I want you to know exactly what I am, so that you don't get wrong ideas and then get hurt when you find out the truth.// *looks up toward the ship as she hears something, then back down to him* //I only keep one secret from my crew.//

Random: *not thinking he can trust her now is hurting him* // But . . . are you that person? And what secret? //

Nightwish: *frankly* //I killed people during the recent thing on Cybertron.// *glances away, but it seems to be from slight bashfulness* //Where I go during my downtime.//

Random: *silent*

Nightwish: *turns back to him and studies his face*

Random: *looks like he has no idea what he's thinking*

Nightwish: //You're not happy.//

Random: *snaps out of his muddled thoughts and looks down as he tries not to remember Devcon's words to him just minutes earlier* *unsteadily* // No. //

Nightwish: //Can I help change that?//

Random: // I--I d-don't k-know. //

Nightwish: //What's bothering you the most?// *looks up again* //Dreadwing's got his blanket over his wings again.//

Random: *pause* // Being the weak link. // *too distraught to react to her last comment*

Nightwish: *shows the surprise she feels* //The weak link?//

Random: *a bit taken aback at her show of surprise* *but also kind of relieved that she didn't see that part of his conversation with Devcon* // My shell is cheap and dents even when I'm just climbing, I'm always left behind, and I don't know how to fight. And I blab information to [jerkfaces]. //

Nightwish: *sees his expression* //I never thought you'd think you were weak. For someone with the background and training that you have, your skills are exceptional. And I can buy you a better body, if you want one.// *address the first two first*

Random: *touched by her compliment, but he doesn't see how having exceptional skills means that he isn't weak* // You can? //

Nightwish: *nods* //Yes. No problem. And we've got enough in the medical fund for upgrades, if you'd like them, too.//

Random: *overwhelmed with the idea he might actually be able to get a new shell* *wishes he knew more of what was out there, so he could know what to get* *hesitates, almost afraid to ask* // And can we go somewhere where I can get more books and manuals? //

Nightwish: *slight smile* //How about another trip to that terminal in the nexus where Dreadwing picked up his new books?//

Random: *looking shocked* *not used to being told "yes"* // That's allowed? //

Nightwish: *smile grows a little* //Why not?//

Random: // I don't know. It just seems like it might mess up time things. // *yeah, not afraid of the Black Angel boogeyman, but man, those time things . . .* *and it seems he wants to learn THAT much*

Nightwish: *quick head shake* //It won't mess anything up. And as for being left behind... I wasn't joking when I said you'd be keeping 13 company. If she hasn't got anyone with her, she'll come looking for us.//

Random: *of the Nexus* // Oh. Good. // *hopes she's right* *pauses for a moment* // Seriously? I'm kept behind to keep the ship from following you? //

Nightwish: //I didn't realize you'd want to come along on fighting missions.// *slight, worried frown*

Random: *shifts uncomfortably at the frown* *sheepishly* // I don't even know if I can fight. // *wants to be able to prove himself*

Nightwish: *gently, clearly wanting to understand* //Why would you want to fight?//

Random: // . . . To know if I can make it if caught on my own. //

Nightwish: *face softens* //I think you have what you need for that.//

Random: // I do? //

Nightwish: //You know how to get away. And you're wearing the winged 13.//

Random: *frowns, running is a cowardly thing to do* *looks down at his crew badge, expression changing to concern* // Are mechs really that afraid of it? //

Nightwish: *nods* //Not just mechs.//

Random: *doesn't look entirely convinced*

Nightwish: *quietly* //We've been working in this galaxy for a long time.//

Random: *shifts uncomfortably again, afraid to say* // What about people stupid enough to try? //

Nightwish: //People that stupid usually don't last long.//

Random: // . . . What if I run into one before their time is up? //

Nightwish: //Try flashing the bomb at them.//

Random: *you lost him, Nightwish* // The bomb? //

Nightwish: *lifts brows* //The one Dreadwing showed you how to make.//

Random: // Oh. // *like the one he forgot he had in subspace* // Right. //

Nightwish: *chuckles over comms* //You forgot it was there?//

Random: *sheepish* *nod*

Nightwish: *non mocking laughter*

Random: *smiles a bit* *he supposes it's a little funny* *and he's glad Nightwish isn't mad at him*

Nightwish: *grins at him, and then becomes serious again* //Anyone who knows how to make one of those isn't someone to be messed with.//

Random: *hopes so* *still looks uncertain*

Nightwish: *gentle again* //You're no weak link. You're a vital link.//

Random: // Really? // *hates doubting her, but he can't fight and he doesn't see how not being able to fight is useful* // What about blabbing information to [jerkfaces]? //

Nightwish: //That [jerkface] can't do anything with it.// *smile with no humour* //And it's probably making him shake in his brake shoes.//

Random: *smiles a bit despite himself* *pauses a moment, and then* // Do all clients . . . do that? //

Nightwish: //No. Devcon's a nosy old man.//

Random: *squirms at the memory* // Why did he do that? // *Nightwish already told him the mech thought he was helping, but he has to ask*

Nightwish: //He wanted you to know what kind of people you were crewing with, and he wanted to find out what kind of person you are.//

Random: *the first was old information, but the second is new* // What kind of person I am? //

Nightwish: //Mmmhmm.//

Random: // Why? //

Nightwish: //Like I said. Nosey old man.//

Random: *frowns, not satisfied with that answer* *shudders*

Nightwish: //He's lived as long as he as, doing the job he does, by knowing people.//

Random: // So he always harasses people he hires to fix his ship? //

Nightwish: //If there's no other way to find out about them.//

Random: *looks really uncomfortable*

Nightwish: //Taciturn grunting drives him insane.// *wicked smirk*

Random: *current thought forgotten* // I told him off for not fixing his ship more frequently! //

Nightwish: *chuckles* //That was advice, Random.// *yes, she was telling you how to annoy people*

Random: // Oh. // *maybe that's why a lot of the crew didn't speak* *the thought returns* // . . . I didn't like feeling like that. //

Nightwish: *holds out her hands* //Come here. I'll fix it.//

Random: *looks a bit confused since the pain from his conversation with Devcon wasn't physical but he gets up and comes over to her*

Nightwish: *stands and puts her arms around him, then holds him close in a warm hug*

Random: *doesn't know what's going on at first* *and then he feels her arms and starts to realize* *soon hugs her back and his breathing begins to get shakey again*

Nightwish: *slight rocking on her feet. Go ahead and do that, if you need to. Nobody's going to laugh*

Random: *"cries" harder in the only way he knows how, the process a bit different since being in a place with no atmosphere means he has to recirculate his air*

Nightwish: *hugs and rocks. Will stand there as long as he needs her to*

Random: *at some point, despite actually being full on fuel, his legs give out on him, leaving him to literally cling to her as he cries*

Nightwish: *affection. Affirmation. Mother love and approval*

Random: *crying like a child* *only thing missing is the tears* *he really did not like the hurt Devcon caused him* *and other things are finally coming out as well*

Nightwish: *protection and caring*

Random: *cries for a lot longer than probably realizes* *doesn't even fully recognize that he's crying on Nightwish* *there's a lot of hurt coming out here* *crying continues when . . * *sudden groan over comms* // . . . I'm hungry. //

Nightwish: *soft snerk with no mockery, and she's letting go of him with one arm to offer him another golden candy* //Here. Have this till we get back to 13.//

Random: *tries standing on his own two feet and stumbles a bit* *frowns a bit in confusion* *dismisses it as he reaches for the candy* // 'Kay. //

Nightwish: *supports him with one hand as she gives him the treat* //And I noticed when we were in Devcon's ship that you smell like Cybertron Sunrise.//

Random: *blinks at his sudden weakness* *trembling hand takes the treat and eats it* // Huh? Oh! // *reaches into subspace* *or tries*

Nightwish: //Here.// *hand vanishes and returns with the treat*

Random: *blinks* *did NOT know that could happen*

Nightwish: //I'm the Black Angel, remember?// *slight humour as she pokes the jelly at his mouth*

Random: *nod as he blinks and eats the jelly like a baby bird*

Nightwish: *makes sure he gets all of it* //Let me pick you up.//

Random: *as continues to struggle to stand up straight on his own* *with a bit of fear* // 'Kay. //

Nightwish: *soothingly* //You're going to be alright. Just relax.// *scoops him up carefully, and then bounds up the butte to the ship*

Random: *tries to recirculate, but he hasn't felt quite this bad before!* *stiffens as they bound*

Nightwish: //I've got you.// *reaches the ramp and goes inside, then waits for the airlock to work*

Random: *head back and shutters his optics* *will be glad when he has air to breath* *his systems have been struggling to provide cool enough air with recirulation*

Nightwish: *as the inner door opens* You're good now. I'm going to put you in the hammock in the mess, alright?

Random: *optics still shuttered* *DEEP breaths now that he can breathe* 'K-Kay.

Nightwish: *strides easily down the corridor as though she's carrying nothing, then slips into the mess and nods to the crewmembers there before going over to where the skin hammock that Mistfire picked up years ago as a souvenir hangs* *gently and carefully nestles Random into the soft fur of the willow framed bed and then watches him for a moment*

Random: *burrows down to hide from the others he heard once he's in there, trying to calm his breathing*

Nightwish: *looks over her shoulder, and then takes something from Nightstrike. Turns back and tucks a tiny, warm, form next to him. Covers both with his blanket*

Kia: *big sigh* Is okay, Random. *bitty hand pat pats*

Random: *squirms at the warmth* *looks at Kia, breathes a bit shakily, and then reaches out to hug her as best he can with trembling arms*

Kia: *snuggle* Love you, brother.

Nightwish: *watching two of her kids as the third leans on her*

Nightstrike: *beaming with quiet approval of the cuteness that is Kia*

Random: *fear from not knowing what's going on with his body has him trying to tune out the feeling of being watched while he's like this* *hugs Kia and cries quietly*

Nightwish: *takes something else and then clips it onto the side of the hammock's frame* Here. You need to recharge, Random. *offers him a cable* Plug in.

Random: *hears his mother boss and tries to reach out from under the blanket for the cable*

Nightwish: *puts it into his hand, and will help him connect it if he needs her to*

Kia: *little hand lifts the blanket so he can move more easily*

Random: *trembling hands cause him to miss the port--a lot* *needs the help*

Nightwish: *helps him get his finger in place*

Random: *sighs when it's connected*

Nightwish: *takes something else, and then puts a ration bar into his free hand*

Random: *sees it and bites into the bar eagerly*

Nightwish: *softly* Let me know if you need more. *Kia in her arms now, cuddled so that the little one can see him*

Kia: *watching with big, serious eyes*

Nightstrike: *silent, supportive, concern* *and she's guarding him. Of course*

Random: *lost in the eating, so may not have heard* *as he goes along and the energy is absorbed, he looks calmer and more at ease*

Nightwish: *once that bar's gone* More?

Random: *considers for a moment* *and nods*

Nightwish: *puts a second bar into his hand. This is one of the ones with a thin layer of the stuff called choccy on top of it*

Random: *blinks at the extra flavor but eats anyway*

Nightwish: *studies his workings and his spark as she absently babydances Kia*

Random: *becomes a bit more aware again as he gets more full* *squirms a bit under the study*

Nightwish: *fixes his blanket* Get some rest.

Random: *eats a couple more bites and then slips into recharge as he nods*

Nightwish: *fixes his blanket so that it's more something to hold than a covering, and then nods her thanks to Nightstrike for bringing a chair over. Settles down to cuddle her newspark and watch over her son till he's feeling better*


((co-written with random_xtras))