Helterskelter 'verse. Near Tranquility. Second chance, part 1.

[random_xtras]

It's New Year's Eve. Snow blows over the highway and patters against the two weary figures who trudge at the side of it. A car passes, and the man, dark-haired and thinly dressed for the weather, turns and sticks up his thumb. Receiving only a roar of engine and acceleration of the car as response, he turns again and once more walks, trying to shield his companion from the worst of the wind. They've been walking for a long time. Today they crossed a state line, but he doesn't know which state. He never bothered to upload the local alphabet when he had the chance, and now he's functionally illiterate. In all their walking they've seen one car; the one that just sped past. Thankfully the cold isn't affecting them, but lack of energy is.

Galvatron: *tosses hair out of his eyes and glances at Cho, who has her head down as she pushes forward doggedly. Noting an irregularity in her gait, he frowns* Are you damaged?

Cho: *not looking up* I'm fine, sir.

Galvatron: *scowls and looks around, knowing that she'll stick to that assertion like grim death even though it's obviously untrue*

Desinex: *engine roaring as she heads down the highway, heading for the Autobot base. She slows as she spots a pair of beings who look human, before activating her holoform driver and slowing to a stop on the shoulder of the highway a short distance ahead of the pair*

Galvatron: *pauses for a beat, but then catches at Cho's arm to urge her forward before jogging ahead himself to speak to the driver. Opens the passenger door and stoops to look inside* Where are you going?

Desi-holo: Just outside of Tranquility. How far do you need to go?

Galvatron: We're trying to go to Mission City.

Cho: *standing beside him now and watching with emotionless dark eyes as she speaks in slow Cybertronian* [Tranquility is where the boy lived, sir.]

Galvatron: *stops and looks at her as he replies in kind* [The one who killed Megatron? Perhaps we can find a lead with him.]

*turns back to Desinex* Tranquility is good.

Desi-holo: *small frown, tries to be discreet as her main body scans the pair before she responds in slightly accented Cybertronian* [Who are you?]

Galvatron: *freezes and looks at her, then looks at the dash, seeking for insignia*

Desi: *alt lacks any faction insignia*

Desi-holo: *small smirk* [You won't find anything... I had my insignia removed when I found out the truth about something important to me.]

Galvatron: *trying to hide his dismay* [You're Cybertronian.]

Cho: *hands clench*

Desi-holo: *nods* [Ex-Decepticon at that. I promised I wouldn't hurt anyone else, so if that's what you're worried about, don't be. I'm a femme of my word.]

Galvatron: .... [Neutral?]

Desi-holo: *nods again* [For now.]

Galvatron: *think, weigh, scowl, look back to the holoform* [We need to find the Autobots. I need to talk to Optimus Prime.]

Desi-holo: *nods* [You're in luck. I'm actually on my way to a party at their base.]

Galvatron: *considers. Either she's a Decepticon and she's lying and they're dead, or she's what she says and they've finally found what they're looking for. Pushes the seat forward and climbs into the back*

Cho: *waits till he sets the seat back in place, then shakes rather dog-like and sits in the front, her hands awkwardly fumbling for the seat belt*

Desi-holo: *reaches over to help Cho with the seatbelt, as she closes the door* You never did answer my question. Who are you? I've met humans who had spark fragments, but they're not mechanical in nature. *Serious expression*

Cho: His name is Galvatron now. I'm Cho.

Desi-holo: *nods as the car pulls back into traffic carefully* My designation is Desinex.

Cho: *works her hands and frowns at them* I haven't heard of you. *then they start forward and the dizziness hits. The dark-skinned femme closes her eyes and holds on to the arm rest, her expression finally changing to show her discomfort*

Galvatron: *silent and watchful in the back seat*

Desi-holo: *Frown* Maybe we should get you to a medic....

Galvatron: Yes. Do you know... *tries to remember the English designation* [... Ratchet?]

Cho: I'm alright.

Desi-holo: *nods, a small, wry smile on her face* [Way better than I'd like to. He's had to patch me up no less than six times in the last three weeks.]

Galvatron: *frowning into the rear-view mirror as Cho twitches and makes a small sound* You are not alright.

Cho: *grim* I'm alright.

Desi-holo: *shakes head* Nice try, but even I can see you're not at 100%... We'll go to Ratchet and get you fixed up.

Cho: My lord Galvatron needs to speak to Optimus Prime. I'm fine.

Galvatron: Not your lord.

Cho: Yes, sir.

Desi: He'll get to when we get there... but you're still going to see Ratchet. *firmly*

Galvatron: [She needs energy. These shells are garbage even by human standards. You'd think after poking at Megatron for so long that they'd be able to build decent robotics.] *this is spoken in a grimly unhappy tone*

Cho: *wants to assert her wellness, but instead winds up huddling in her seat and passing out*

Desi-holo: *raised eyebrow* Maybe I should call ahea-Gah! *holo reaches over to check on Cho, before the car speeds up*

Cho: *nothing can be told about her condition by touch- the android body continues to run as it was built to. But the spark lodged in the bulky processor in its chest is unconscious. The bigger, complete spark is, that is*

Galvatron: [Cho! Cho, wake up!] *shaking her slightly*

Cho: *eyelids flutter* Uh?

Desi-holo: *frowns* I've called ahead. Ratchet knows we're coming... I think it'd be best if we got you two into actual protoforms instead of the bodies you're in now....

Galvatron: *awkwardly patting his mate's shoulder as she shuts down again* [How far is it? She needs energy.]

Desi-Holo: Shouldn't be too much farther... *said as the car pulls up to a guard post* Hang on a sec... *Holo holds up a form of ID and is allowed entrance into the base* Too bad the greenhorn's not out and about... he's got a better bedside manner than Ratchet....

Galvatron: *apologetic and embarrassed* [I didn't understand some of that.]

Desi: [They've got a medic who's still relatively new. He's new enough not to be cranky about certain things.]

Galvatron: ...[But he's not here?]

Cho: *twitching slightly again*

Desi: [He left the common room earlier with his femme in tow. He won't be around for about a week, I think... newly bonded.] *flashes her lights at a painfully neon SUV* [There's Ratchet... guess he did pay attention after all....]

Galvatron: *silent now as he looks at the Hummer, knowing that the Autobot CMO is more than capable of recognizing their spark signatures if he can get his processor past the fact that they're both supposed to be dead*

Desi: *Swears loudly as Ratchet speeds past her* Fragger! *grumble grumble, swears over her comm at the CMO*

Galvatron: *turns to watch him go, frowning* Now what?

Desi: *still cursing, tones it down as she spots the red car that followed Ratchet out* Well, looks like someone came out to help....

Perceptor: *approaches, before transforming*

Galvatron: *recognizes the red and black mech, and frowns slightly as he watches him. One hand is protectively on Cho's shoulder*

Desi: Picked up a couple of hitchers... they're both low on energy....

Perce: *nods, before carefully opening the door of Desi's alt to assist Galvatron and Cho*

Galvatron: *trying to wake Cho up, but this time she doesn't respond*

Perce: I believe it would be best if we got her inside.... *gentle smile, trying to be reassuring*

Galvatron: *gruff* [Lift her. I can't get out.]

Perce: *nods and undoes the seatbelt before gently lifting Cho out of Desi's alt*

Cho: *moves and opens her eyes to frown up at him, then tries to sit up despite the dizziness pulling her to one side* Autobot....

Perce: *nods* Yes, I am an Autobot.... *scans Cho once she's clear of Desi's alt* ... *glances at Galvatron*

Galvatron: *catches foot in seatbelt and faceplants on the way out* [Slagging pit!]

Cho: *confused frown*

Desi: *Snerk*

Perce: *quietly* Miss, were you aware that you're with sparkling?

Cho: *blink. Another blink* What?

Galvatron: *sitting on the ground going 0_0*

Perce: Your spark.... You've got a sparkling... *trying to be as polite as he can about this*

Cho: *yet another blink, and then she twists around to look over his fingers at Galvatron*

Galvatron: *0_0 as he looks back at her* [When did we make that?]

Perce: *moves to pick up Galvatron as well so he can get them both to the medbay*

Galvatron: *squirms away in a bit of a panic* I can walk.

Perce: *nods* I believe this would be faster.... Our base is rather large....

Galvatron: *frowning as he gets to his feet and realizes just how small he is now. But then he looks at Cho* I need to talk to Optimus Prime.

Perce: *nods and quickly comms Optimus* He will meet us in the medbay....

Galvatron: *cusses himself out for a coward and holds up his arms* Alright.

* * *

Perce: *is as careful as he can be as he sets Cho on one of the exam tables, and sets Galvatron near her* I believe there may be a couple of protoforms that are no longer in use...but I fear they may be sparkling protoforms... is that acceptable?

Galvatron: *stumbles a bit because of the clumsy shell* [I don't understand the human language that well. Can you say it again?]

Perce: *nods, switching over to Cybertronian. His accent is very different from Desinex's, but he's still quite understandable* [There may be some spare protoforms in storage, but if memory serves me correctly, they are sparkling protoforms... would that be an acceptable alternative to the shells you and your companion have currently?]

Galvatron: *nodding* [I doubt our sparks are big enough to control anything bigger... and I don't want any weapons.]

Perce: [Very well then. I shall go and retrieve the protoforms...] *smiles and goes to the storage area of the medbay. He returns not even a minute later, with two small protoforms carefully held under each arm. One of the protoforms is a bit bigger than the other, and appears to have been recently stripped of paint. Perceptor sets both protos down gently nearby*

Galvatron: *kneeling next to Cho, with a hand on hers as she looks at him like he's grown another head*

Perce: *soft 'ahem'* [I've brought the protoforms....]

Galvatron: *looks up, his expression slightly uncertain as he ponders the fact that this being affectionate toward his bonded is not working well* [Transfer Cho first.] *Pause. Blink. Frown* Please.

Perce: *nods and gets everything he'll need to do the transfer* Optimus should be here shortly....

Galvatron: *nods, expressionless, though Cho tries to sit up, wanting instinctively to protect her master. Galvatron pushes her back down gently* [Don't move. Let the medic work on you.]

Perce: *gently* Miss, I need to put you into stasis so I can get your spark and the sparkling's spark transferred safely....

Cho: *has no problem with English* This shell has no stasis. You'll have to cut it open to get us out, too.

Galvatron: *scowls as he catches the gist of what she said*

Perce: *not too thrilled at the idea, but nods nonetheless*

Galvatron: [Do you want me to leave?] *he's rarely been around a true medic in recent vorns, but he can remember back on Cybertron. And then he perks and looks toward the door* [My brother's coming.]

Optimus: *steps through the door and nods to Perceptor, but then frowns down at the small being on the table* You wanted to talk to me?

Galvatron: [I do... brother.]

Optimus: *optics flicker* [Brother? What... wait... I know that spark signature... but you died!]

Galvatron: [He called it a second chance. I don't intend to throw it away. But we shouldn't talk here.]

Optimus: *looks at Perceptor, and at the femme on the table, then gently scoops his brother up and leaves the room*

Cho: ... My master....

Perce: *tries to soothe the femme before he starts working on transferring both sparks*


a couple hours later


Optimus: *once more enters the medbay, setting Galvatron on the table and then covers him protectively with his hand as he looks toward Cho* How is she, Perceptor?

Perce: *frown* The sparkling isn't as healthy as it should be, no doubt due to the lack of sufficient energy.... *concerned*

Optimus: *frowns as well, though it's plain he's distracted by something else* Is there any danger?

Perce: Given time, rest, and energy, I believe both shall be alright.

Optimus: *nods, then asks quietly* Do you know who she is?

Perce: *shakes head*

Optimus: *voice still quiet* When I saw her last her name was Blackout.

Perce: ....

Optimus: *uncovers the still and weary form beneath his hand* And this was Megatron.

Perce: *stiffens slightly, but nods*

Optimus: They are not prisoners. *looks down at Galvatron* Do what you can. I have some people to speak to.

Perce: *nods, understanding*

Desi: *sneaky sniper is trying to sneak some energon to the medbay*

Optimus: *turns and nearly runs into her on his way out* ...Desinex?

Desi: *Surprised, nearly drops the cubes of high grade she was holding* Urk.... Hi? ^_^;;

Optimus: *looks at the cubes, then at her* Who's this for?

Desi: Galvatron and Cho.... *figures it's no use to lie to the Autobot Prime*

Optimus: *wearily amused* Don't you think that's a little strong for them? They're both run down, and Cho's expecting.

Desi: ...Well, frag.... *heads back to the common room to get some mid grade*

Optimus: *exchanges a glance with Perceptor, his expression somewhat lightened, then turns and leaves to talk to humans*

Galvatron: *wakes and tries to get his run down shell to respond. Doesn't even manage to twitch*

Perce: *returns attention to Galvatron, smiling a bit* [Shall we get you switched now?]

Galvatron: *tries to respond. Does manage to twitch this time*

Perce: *begins to work on transferring Galvatron to the other protoform he brought with him from the storage room*

Galvatron: *this doesn't feel as bad as having the Allspark crammed into his chest, but it's still not fun!*

Perce: *works as quickly and carefully as he is able*

Galvatron: *shudders as the new shell comes online, then blinks and gives a slight subsonic rumble of discomfort. Then he pauses, and despite low energy, finds the internet and downloads the slagging language*

Perce: [How do you feel?]

Galvatron: *static* *frzzz* *zzzzip* Slagged. How... how's Cho?

Perce: She's recharging now... *gently* Perhaps you should do the sa... *trails off, spotting Desi, who is standing in the doorway, a cube of high grade in one hand and a cube of mid grade in the other*

Galvatron: *tenses and turns his head to see what's wrong*

Desi: ^^;; Hi? *moves closer, offering Galvatron the high grade*

Galvatron: ...Thank you.... *frown* I'm too low to move.

Perce: Would you like some assistance?

Galvatron: *quizzical look, he's not sure what the larger mech means*

Perce: I can help you sit up, if you'd like... it would make taking in energon easier....

Galvatron: *brow plates lift, but then he nods* I would like that.

Perce: *nods and moves to help Galvatron to a sitting position, while keeping one hand on the mech's back so he doesn't fall over backwards*

Galvatron: *trying to assist the process without much success. And then his hands move... but his arms are laughing at him. Scowls with determined concentration... and gets laughed at harder*

Desi: *moves closer, before frowning as she considers something*

Galvatron: *hanging head with embarrassment and weariness* Do you have a drinking tube?

Perce: I'm not quite sure....

Desi: *moves until she's right next to the exam table* Here.... *holds the cube of high grade so one edge rests against Galvatron's lips*

Galvatron: *startled, but activates his drinking pump. His optics half shutter as he feels the fuel flow into his tank* Mmmmm

Desi: *small smile, but makes no comment as she helps Galvatron*

Galvatron: *by the time the cube is empty he's blinking like a sparklet, his optic shutters insistently pulling downward as his shell registers the weariness of his spark and tries to shut down* Thank... thank you.

Desi: *nods* *gently* Get some rest....

Galvatron: *turns his head toward his bonded, remembering that movie they saw. Turns and goes on all four toward her and then lays next to her and puts an arm around her. He's out in the next moment*

Desi: *soft chuckle* C'mon Perce.... *pulls the scientist away, despite his quiet protests* Let 'em rest for now.... We'll send Ratchet in when he gets back.... *sound of her voice as well as Perceptor's fading away as the sniper drags the scientist off for a bit of holiday celebration*


((co-written with maserati_sniper))