Transformers2005 - Sunday, October 26, 1997, 6:12 PM
----------------------------------------------------

Ark -- Bridge
Contents: Edward Bryant, Flashback, Bluestreak, Exo-Suit 5680 <Krystal 
Bryant>, Exo-Suit 2588 <Edward Bryant>, Centurion, Jazz
Obvious exits:
 Southeast <SE> leads to Cavernous Entrance.

Centurion is sitting on the floor, looking about as slagged externally 
as he did a few days before, but seems to be operating marginally 
better, as if he's had some repairs done to him.
Flashback is pacing, and looking rather irritated about something.
Rodimus Prime ducks reflexively as he steps through the doorway. "I 
heard about the embargo-break. How bad is it?"
Edward Bryant glances up from his position near Krystal as he hears 
footfalls approaching, and offers a small smile, "Hello, Rodimus..."
Bluestreak is leaning casually against the back wall, not doing 
anything.
Jazz has just entered as well, stopped a few meters inside, arms folded.
Flashback flashes a somewhat hot glance towards Edward, her hands 
clenching at her sides, form stiffening.
Centurion looks up from his position near where Teletran One used to be 
located and says, "Ah... well, a tanker was blown up, wasn't it?"
Flashback lets out a short little 'ooh!', and resumes pacing, moving 
nearer Centurion and Bluestreak.
Bluestreak watches the agitated femme curiously, venturing to inquire, 
"Uh... Something bothering you, Flash?"
Flashback turns to Bluestreak, chattering at him in her rapid staccato. 
The words run together sharply.
Centurion doesn't even bother trying to disect the sentence, instead 
offering, "Hey Tiger.. just come sit down, and talk slowly... and calm 
down."
You say, "Well, can we get the Aquabots out on it? Where's Beachcomber? 
He should know how to contain it."
Edward Bryant frowns, "The oil spill will take about a week to clean 
up.. one frieghter lost."
Bluestreak 's optics flutter in confusion as he tries unsuccessfully to 
sort out the continuous string of words that barrage him. "Yeah... 
But...... Flash!"
Flashback glances back towards Centurion, just furious. She stands 
between both he and Bluestreak, arms folded, glaring at the ground. Her 
foot begins tapping, keeping a sharp, blurring rhythm against the 
ground.
Bluestreak doesn't know what seems to be bothering Flashback, but just 
points a finger at Centurion. "Whatever it is, he did it."
Rodimus Prime clears his throat. "Uh.. excuse me?"
Centurion sighs, "What's the matter? Pacing around and not saying 
anything isn't going to help you at all."
Flashback continues to scowl at the ground, glancing up after a moment. 
Her expression breaks, apologetic, and she clears her throat. "Oh. 
Mmm...nothing, sir..."
Jazz turns around at the other arrival. His recently replaces optic 
visor glints faintly, and he nods in acknowledgement.
You say, "If it's nothing, then quit glaring at people."
Flashback returns her gaze to the ground, murmuring grumpily, "...I'm 
not glaring at anybody."
Flashback adds, with a slightly self-scolding sigh, "...Sir."
Centurion frowns and looks down at the ground, not quite sure of what he 
did but feeling exceptionally guilty about it.
Rodimus Prime hmphs, "Good, keep it that way, then."
Edward Bryant says, "On another note, the remnants of the EDC are 
meeting curently..."
Rodimus Prime glances down at Edward with a dry inquiry, "Where, in 
Mexico?"
Flashback glances up at Centurion, sighing, She mutters to Centurion, 
"...Why... the... act... if... being... bunch... buttheads,... have... 
sit... take it?" 
Edward Bryant says, "San Franscico, actually..."
Centurion looks up from whatever he was thinking about, quite startled 
that she's even talking to him, He mutters to Flashback, "I... what... 
did... time?" 
Flashback eyes Centurion. "...You? Nothing....why d'you think you did 
something?"
Centurion shrugs, "I dunno, you looked at me kind of funny."
Rodimus Prime cocks an audio in Flashback's direction, then shakes his 
head, deciding he doesn't want to hear it.
Flashback sighs, shaking her head. "Naw, you didn't do anything..."
You say, "Well, do you think we should be there for it?"
Centurion nods and sighs in relief, then looks over to Edward, "Really? 
I told Marissa that I'd help them..."
Edward Bryant nods to Centurion, "I know... but they need to get 
themselves together, before they bring in any Autobots."
Centurion nods and turns his attention back to Flashback, He mutters to 
Flashback, "What... you..." 
Jazz shifts slightly, leaning against a wall, simply listening to Edward 
and rodimus, trying to not overhear the Flashback/Centurion 
conversation.
Flashback mutters to Centurion.
Rodimus Prime scratches his jaw. "Well, okay."
Edward Bryant says, "Marissa has retaken control of the EDC from 
Michaels... and hopefully putting them back right."
Rodimus Prime smirks. "Or at least hounding them into wishing they'd 
never enlisted."
Edward Bryant chuckles, "I'd vote for both, most likely."
Krystal Bryant says, "We're going to need some resemblance of 
control..." she relpies quietly, after listening to the conversation. 
"If we're ever to rebuild."
Edward Bryant blinks and looks over at Krystal, "Didn't even realize you 
were awake."
Centurion sighs and nods to Flashback, speaking softly into one of her 
receptors, He mutters to Flashback, "... have... this... job to... 
forever vigilant,... Decepticons... and... to... the... It was hard... 
for them... but... we... the..." 
Krystal Bryant mmms, smiling faintly. "For awhile now. Just practicing 
espionage, you know..." she grins.
Flashback sighs quietly, sweeping her gaze to the floor again. "I -know-
. It's just rude, is all..."
You say, "Well, I'll talk to them as soon as they're ready to, then." He 
lowers his voice, "How're you feeling, Krystal?"
Edward Bryant returns the smile, "That'd be like Rodimus practicing 
stealth...."
Krystal Bryant breaks into a wide grin at Edward's quip, nodding to 
Rodimus. "I'm fine." she replies softly.
You say, "Hey, don't insult the woman, Edward."
Flashback smiles just slightly. She mutters to Centurion, "They're 
awfully... squishy" 
[And how are you holding up?]
Edward Bryant smirks at Rodimus, "What he said... how are you feeling?"
Centurion glances around the room before smirking back, "Yeah.. they uh, 
sure are..."
Rodimus Prime rubs his forehead, looking mildly confused for a moment, 
then shakes it off.
Flashback folds her hands behind her at last, shifting her weight from 
one foot to the other as she peers around.
@pemit *krys=\[Some relief, mostly frustration]
Centurion leans over and says something quickly to Flashback, He mutters 
to Flashback, "Ever... the top... the... here?" 
Krystal Bryant nods in reply to Edward, not feeling the need to 
reiterate that she feels only, well, strange, but fine. Not even all 
that tired. She arches an eyebrow at Rodimus momentarily.
Flashback blinks, glancing over at Centurion, and shakes her head 
slightly to indicate the negative.
Centurion nods, "Want to see it?"
Flashback shifts slightly, then shakes her head. "No, I...I mean. Not 
right now. I think I'm going to go back out, though..."
Centurion nods and asks, almost in a begging tone, "Can I come with 
you?"
Rodimus Prime looks askance at Krystal, shrugs, then lets his attention 
be distracted back to Flashback and Centurion. "Going where?"
Flashback shutter-blinks, optics giving a brief, silverly flash. She 
echoes, giving the words an inquiring lilt. "...Come with me?"
Centurion nods, "Outside..." he looks over to Rodimus and shrugs, 
"Anywhere. Out of here..."
Flashback looks towards Rodimus, hesitating before she admits, "Well, 
I...I don't know..." She shifts. "Away from the empty ones."
Centurion sighs and whispers something to Flashback.
Flashback blinks, glancing at him, her expression somewhat sympathetic. 
She nods quietly, in acceptance.
Rodimus Prime frowns. "Empty ones?"
Flashback nods to Rodimus, shifting. "Yes. Empty, but not like you were. 
-Really- empty. No light at all." She glances around for a moment, but 
most of the bodies have been disassembled or covered over. She gestures 
to one of the cloaked corpses.
Flashback eyes it, as if fully expecting it to rise like some bad horror 
movie cadaver.
[She offers a sense of understanding, though wishing she could erase it 
all, and make it be gone. Forgotten. Never done. But she knows that to 
be impossible, and offers instead her best optimism, her best cheerful 
positivity. It is actually looking up. Things are going to get better, 
it will take some time. It will take all of us. And at that moment, her 
own sense flickers on that of confusion as another...and 
another?....presence wriggles its way in, not-understanding, but there. 
It radiates faintly of the same fondness and care of that of Krystal's 
own.]
Rodimus Prime trails off, "..oh. Well, we'll have to ship the... 
casualties.. back to Cybertron for so they can be properly... disposed 
of," he speaks the last words with distaste. "Put in the morgue or 
whatever."
Edward Bryant frowns at the thought, resolving even more to make his 
idea work.
Centurion follows Flashback's gaze to the corpse and he stops, thinking 
for several moments. Spinning on his heel, he heads out towards the 
Caverns, hanging his head down low.
Krystal Bryant offers Edward a reassuring smile, and looks back at 
Rodimus briefly.
Centurion leaves to the south-east.
Flashback sighs, feeling the words somewhat inadequate. She glances 
after Centurion, the looks up to Rodimus. "...Can I follow him, 
pleaseverymuch?"
You receive a powerful long range radio message from Firestone. It 
reads: "Ah, come in, Rod. Found evidence possibly relating to Elita One. 
Connected to that abberant drone."
You receive a powerful long range radio message from Firestone. It 
reads: "Taking it to AHQ labs. Over."
@pemit *krys=\[Initial confusion, though he doesn't let it show on his 
face, probably used to (by this time) having to keep his "hunches" to 
himself. I'm fine, really. Some concern in return at the double-sense.]
Rodimus Prime blinks at his radio. "Elita-One?"
Flashback sighs, breaking into a swift run as she heads directly past 
him.
Flashback's hands close and vanish into her wrists, form compacting and 
dropping onto a set of light wheels as she transforms into a jade-and-
silver race car.
Jade TechRacer leaves to the south-east.
Krystal Bryant blinks, and glances around the room casually, while 
carefully scanning it with her senses.
[Ummmm....that was.....strange. Did you pick that up?]
Edward Bryant looks over at Krystal, "Is something the matter?"
Krystal Bryant frowns slightly, but shakes her head. "No, I don't think 
so."
@pemit *krys=\[It wasn't you?]
[Uh..not unless I have buried lives, or a split personality....No.]
Whiz wanders into the room to see if anything interesting is happening.
Rodimus Prime shakes his head, dismissing the odd radio. "Firestone must 
be into someone's energon stash again."
Whiz comes in looking refreshed, and stretches her arms.
Whiz heads over to check on her favorite patients.
You say, "Although, we'll need to get some kind of long-range radio 
setup in here if we expect to run things from here for the time being. 
Maybe we could salvage something from Metroplex..."
Edward Bryant nods. "Have some salvage while the US helps to put him 
back together again?"
Whiz sticks her nose into the conversation. "Salvage? Radio? Jury-
rigging? Did someone call my name?"
Whiz grins.
Krystal Bryant scoots away the heavy blankets that have been smothering 
her, grateful for the rush of fresh air as Whiz enters the room. She 
swings her legs of the bed and gently plants her feet on the ground.
Whiz catches the motion out of the corner of her optics. "Krystal, 
you're awake! Wonderful!
Edward Bryant grins, "hey there, Whiz."
Krystal Bryant grunts. "Have been. Just never when you buzzards are 
around." she quips. "Hanging over me like the plague."
Rodimus Prime smirks. "Hi, Whiz. Actually, I didn't hear anyone mention 
rampant destruction."
Edward Bryant hmphs at Krystal, "See if I worry about you again," he 
quips in return.
Whiz says, "Yeah, Edward and I could just leave, if we're not 
appreciated around here."
Whiz mock-pouts.
Edward Bryant grins, "Go into buisness together." he stops for a moment, 
and hmms, "Actually, that would not be a bad prospect."
You say, "Doing what, manufacturing self-pity?"
Whiz says, "Maybe manufacturing Rodimuses. That way we can just have a 
spare next time you get yourself captured."
Krystal Bryant grins up at Rodimus, grateful for the amusing support. 
"Self-pitying self-destruction. I like it." she grins.
Edward Bryant says, "Rodimus clones."
Krystal Bryant sucks in a quiet breath. "Edward." she warns gently.
Whiz smirks, "Cute little plush ones that drink from a bottle and wet 
themselves."
You say, "Hey, I know you guys can't get enough of me, but I think 
that's a little drastic, don't you?"
Krystal Bryant snorts and nearly doubles over in laughter at the very 
thought.
Edward Bryant glances back at Krystal, "What?"
Edward Bryant grins. "Mass production of Plush Rodimus'."
Edward Bryant thinks for a moment, then suddenly frowning at Krystal, an 
apology leaping into his mind as he suddenly realizes what he did.
Krystal Bryant is just about to offer Rod a silent apology for slipping 
and laughing at Whiz's retort when a sharp spasm causes her to silently 
recoil. Covering quickly, she continues to giggle at the amusing 
comment.
Rodimus Prime breaks in bemusedly, "Don't worry about it, Edward. I 
think we all know I'm the real thing here."
Krystal Bryant nods at Edward. "No harm done." she glances around the 
room to check others' own reactions.
Whiz grins. "Yeah, if I'd built a clone, I would have made some 
improvements in your attitude."
Krystal Bryant bites her tongue.
You say, "What, you mean a remote switch that made me say, "Of course I 
don't mind you destroyed that, Whiz. It's all right. I'll blame 
Firestone for it.""
Whiz hmmms. "Now that's a thought."
Edward Bryant smirks a bit as he glances around, "Marissa said something 
about using an air base in Nebraska..." trying to change the subject off 
of clones, "..to place the EDC in position for anywhere in the United 
States."
Centurion walks in from the cavern.
Whiz glances at Centurion and grins. "So, how are you hurt today?"
Centurion lumbers in slowly from the Caverns, head still hung low. He 
walks back to his little area where Teletran One used to be, taking a 
seat with a crunch of metal as some of his armor bends.
Rodimus Prime sighs. "They're really doing this United States versus 
everyone thing?"
Centurion doesn't respond, doesn't even seem to hear.
Whiz frowns thoughtfully as her optics follow Centurion to his seat, and 
she shakes her head slightly.
Krystal Bryant says, "Hey, I think it's great...just like the old days 
my dad and grandpa used to tell me all about." she grins. "You didn't 
mess with us, or we'd just send in our military and run all over you."
Edward Bryant says, "Unless something happens that brings the rest of 
the world around... like another Las Vegas in Europe... I just don't 
know."
Centurion pulls his knees up to his chest and just rocks back and forth, 
head bowed over them. It sounds like he's saying something under his 
breath, though it's pretty difficult to tell what it is.
Krystal Bryant continues to grin over the brunt of another stab of pain, 
ambling to her feet to stretch out a little bit and move her legs.
Jade TechRacer walks in from the cavern.
Jade TechRacer motors in, idling for a moment before her engines cut 
away, and she transforms.
Your gaze is drawn to the jade racer as it begins to shift--delicate 
hands extending from the peripheral jets, center splitting into a silver 
midriff until the lean form of Flashback stands before you.
Flashback glances around for a moment before dipping her head slightly, 
and approaching Centurion.
Centurion is sitting in his area near Teletran One, knees curled up to 
his chest and rocking back and forth slightly, speaking something under 
his beath. He seems wholly disturbed.
Rodimus Prime frowns. "So maybe you can be patriotic about it, but 
dividing the world into factions isn't good."
Flashback eyes the group, one-by-one, before resignedly lowering herself 
into a cross-legged posture on the floor. She stares aside at Centurion, 
blinking uneasily.
Centurion stops rocking and looks up to try and offer Flashback a 
reassuring smile, trying to be strong, but failing miserably. He looks 
back down to the ground between his feet and sighs.
Edward Bryant shrugs. "Not really patriotism... just hopefully the rest 
of the world will come around."
Rodimus Prime grunts. "Hopefully BEFORE another Las Vegas."
Flashback's brows draw together as if pulled by a string, and she tucks 
her legs up, arms wrapping around them loosely. "Uhm. ....Cent?"
Centurion looks up and sighs, softening his expression a bit to 
acknowledge her, "What?"
Omicra steps in from the entrance.
Whiz blinks herself away from mental plans to create an army of tiny, 
subservient Rodimus clones, is momentarily pleased that nobody can read 
her mind to know that's what she was thinking of, and kneels down by 
Krystal to check her over with a medical scanner.
:calls across to Flashback and Centurion, "Okay, guys, there's no moping 
allowed in here, so you're just gonna have to complain like the rest of 
us, okay?" He grins gamely.
Rodimus Prime calls across to Flashback and Centurion, "Okay, guys, 
there's no moping allowed in here, so you're just gonna have to complain 
like the rest of us, okay?" He grins gamely.
Omicra glances at Rodimus curiously as she enters. "Uh...wha?"
Centurion looks up to Rodimus and shakes his head, not at all in a 
jesting mood. He looks back down at the ground, sighing to himself.
Whiz pulls out a medical scanner and runs a check on Krystal.
Krystal Bryant halts her walking, out of fairness to Whiz. "Okay okay 
okay." she grunts, grinning slightly.
Flashback's optics flicker up towards Rodimus. She seems genuinely 
confused for a moment, then grins slightly. "Oh...right, Rodimus-sir. 
Got it..."
Whiz frowns a tiny bit. "Ummm..."
Flashback, for lack of a better remedy, bumps her head against 
Centurion's. A reassuring head-butt? Well, whatever works...
Edward Bryant,casually watching Krystal and Whiz, hmms at the ummm, 
"What is it, Whiz?"
Krystal Bryant grits her teeth only slightly as she takes a deep, 
inaudbile breath. She shakes her head slightly at Whiz.
Whiz waves Edward off cheerfully. "Oh, nothing."
Centurion looks up and sighs, shaking his head but only offering, 
"Thanks for the effort..."
Whiz mutters to Krystal Bryant, "How... you planning to wait before... 
anything?"
Flashback's shoulders drop slightly. She rests her chin in her hands, 
thinking.
Edward Bryant shrugs, and turns from the two, trying his best not to 
hear the horrible mutter.
Bluestreak has disconnected.
Rodimus Prime gives Centurion an exasperated look. "Now how am I 
supposed to be the reassuring leader-guy if you won't tell us what's 
wrong?"
Whiz lifts her head to look EVER so casually around the area.
Bluestreak has connected.
Omicra frowns.
Edward Bryant looks up at Rodimus, "I'm going to try to get a hold of 
President Welborne over in Europe, and see if I can persuade him in any 
way possible."
Omicra walks over to Centurion.
Flashback looks up to Rodimus, saying, almost distractedly. "...He is 
upset because he's confused, sir."
Omicra pulls out a medical scanner and runs a check on Centurion.
Omicra runs a scanner over Centurion.
Flashback eyes Omicra, looking irritated for a moment. An arch nemesis, 
perhaps?
You receive a powerful long range radio message from Firestone. It 
reads: "Come in, Rodimus. Can you get to Whiz?"
Bluestreak stirs quietly, still leaning back against the far wall of the 
bridge. He slowly looks around the room, optics canning each before 
moving on.
Krystal Bryant swallows and looks at Whiz with wide eyes.
Krystal Bryant mutters to Whiz, "I didn't... thought it was like 
before,... it... stop.... time....it's still..."
Rodimus Prime taps his radio receiver again. "Hey Whiz, Firestone wants 
to talk to you."
Whiz grins reassuringly at Krystal.
Whiz turns on her radio.
Whiz looks up at Rodimus distractedly. "Er, yeah. Later."
You receive a powerful long range radio message from Firestone. It 
reads: "This is of... extreme importance. I think. Maybe. Probably. 
Please reply, or have Whiz reply."
Krystal Bryant presses a grin onto her face. "Run away Whiz. She has 
some dastardly favor she wants you to do."
Centurion looks up from his seat, shaking his head at the confused part. 
He takes a quick look around the room, a horrified look crossing his 
optics again as he surveys the corpses again. He shakes his head as if 
to clear something from his mind and hurries off towards the door again, 
picking his way around the sitting Flashback.
Whiz chuckles. "I can hear messages, but I can't send them that far. 
Sorry."
Rodimus Prime sighs. "She says it's important and I don't have a long-
range transmitter I can respond with."
Omicra looks baffled.
Flashback frowns, peering after Centurion. She squints hard for a 
moment, as if concentrating on something.
Flashback transmits a message via radio.
Centurion receives a radio transmission.
Edward Bryant sighs and makes his way over to the exos, casally glances 
outside, and looks at the floor.
Centurion leaves to the south-east.
Omicra just basically looks...baffled.
Flashback receives a radio transmission.
Flashback transmits a message via radio to Centurion.
Flashback receives a radio transmission.
Flashback frowns, squinting her optics even further, narrowing them to 
indigo silvers against the silver faceplate.
Whiz mutters to Krystal Bryant, "There's... to worry... baby's... 
isn't..."
Flashback frowns, letting out a slight hiss of breath in frustration.
@pemit *krys=\[Uncertain concern?]
Omicra just stands there, looking more lost than usual.
Krystal Bryant's hands ball into fists almost involuntarily, as she 
holds as still as possible for Whiz. She nods to her. "Sure." she bites 
out quietly.
Flashback glances around at the cavern, beginning to push herself to her 
feet. She takes a quick count of the bodies which still litter the 
floor, as if struggling to recall something.
Whiz leans in closer to Krystal in one of those girl-talk positions.
Flashback approaches Rodimus, finally, if with great hesitance. 
"Uhm....Rodimus-sir...?"
Rodimus Prime drags a rather distant-looking gaze off of Krystal and 
turns sharply on hearing his name. "Yeah?"
Whiz mutters to Krystal Bryant, "Just... yourself starting to..."
Whiz makes a great show of turning around to smile innocently at Rodimus 
and Edward.
Flashback shifts slightly, as if the commander's attention wasn't what 
she wanted, after all. Clearing the static from her throat, she wonders, 
"...How soon can we get the bodies out of here?"
Rodimus Prime's expression softens grimly. "As soon as we have a cargo 
shuttle free. We're kind of short on supplies right now."
Edward Bryant glances up at Whiz from his work, noticing the smile, and 
hrms quietly as he restarts the systems on his exo, bringing up the 
schematics frame.
Flashback shifts again, explaining in sotto voce, "...I think we need a 
bird house outside." She lifts her optics again, apparently expecting 
him to undrstand the significance of this statement...whatever it means.
You say, "A.. bird... uhm. Sure, I guess."
Omicra stands there, staring at everyone.
Flashback nods, seeming pleased by this. "...Good. To make it easier. 
I'm going to see if Centurion will help me..." She pauses, then looks 
back to the others. "...Does anyone want to come?"
Bluestreak nods to Flashback, catching her attention witha wave of his 
hand. "Sure."
Omicra stands there, staring at everyone.
Flashback peers around at them calmly, gaze already distracted and 
plotting.
Flashback smiles to Bluestreak. "Great. C'mon...let's go find 
Centurion...he needs the birdhouse more than anyone..."
Bluestreak says, "Birdhouse? Centurion?.... What, for the chicken for 
Pow! ?"
Omicra murmurs, "...Birdhouse?"
Whiz mutters to Krystal Bryant, "... awfully close... Krystal.... 
have... feeling..."
Rodimus Prime uhms, "I'll be out... in a little bit." He frowns at 
Krystal and Whiz.
Flashback frowns at him, setting her hands at her hips lightly. "No...to 
clean the place. See, uh..."
Bluestreak says, "Clean the place? The bird is going to be a maid?"
Omicra turns to Rodimus. "Sir, in our current condition, is an aviary 
all that vital?"
Moonracer walks into the area, her sharp optics scaning the place.
Flashback nods to Rodimus, explaining to Bluestreak and Omicra. "...When 
the Chinese move into a new house, they put a birdhouse outside...so the 
spirits that were living inside have a new place. It makes them happy." 
She gestures slightly. "...We need a memorial, like that. Just a little 
one...to put things to rest."
Whiz turns around and flashes that supposed-to-be reassuring smile that 
just looks like she's hiding something.
Omicra shakes her head. "I mean, it's kinda sily if ya ask me..."
Flashback eyes Omicra, looking mildly hurt. "It -isn't-," she protests.
Edward Bryant shuts down the exo quietly, and goes over to Rodimus, 
whispering in a tone that mocks the one Whiz gives to Krystal. He 
mutters to Rodimus Prime, "Methinks they..." 
You sense Edward Bryant shuts down the exo quietly, and goes over to 
Rodimus, whispering in a tone that mocks the one Whiz gives to Krystal. 
"Methinks they are hiding something..."
Omicra says, "Oh...then it's...um...kind of a sentimental thing?"
Flashback thinks for a moment, then gives an uncertain nod. "Well...yes, 
sort of. It's like...what's the word...closure."
Omicra shrugs. "I dunno...I don't really understand, but if it makes ya 
feel better, I think it's okay."
Moonracer wakes from a rest cycle and approaches the group from a far 
corner "Hello guys."
Flashback gestures to them. "C'mon, then...let's go make one..."
Krystal Bryant grimaces again, and nods to Whiz.
Omicra turns to nod to Moonracer.
Bluestreak gives a shrug, nodding as he moves to follow.
Flashback leaves to the south-east.
Bluestreak leaves to the south-east.
Omicra frowns and follows.
Omicra leaves to the south-east.
Krystal Bryant mutters to Whiz, "... woke... a few times,... felt... 
so... fall... asleep. But..."
Moonracer blinks as everyone seem to leave and wonders what they are up 
to
Kup has connected.
Rodimus Prime mutters to Edward Bryant.
You whisper "Gee, you think?" to Edward Bryant.
Whiz mutters to Krystal Bryant, "... now... I... rig up..."
Moonracer turns to those still in the Ark, shrugging "Where did they go 
to?" she points at the enterance
Whiz rises from her knees and heads over to the boxes of supplies that 
have been rescued so far, rummaging for any kind of piping or anything.
You say, "They're.. making a birdhouse, I think. Another of Flashback's 
"gotta-do" things."
Moonracer sighs "A birdhouse?, why in primus's name do we need such a 
thing?"
Edward Bryant shrugs, He mutters to Rodimus Prime. 
You sense Edward Bryant shrugs, "I suppose I'll go find out..."
Whiz begins to fit some bent struts and a few tubes into a rough frame, 
then staples a few large rags over it to make a makeshift curtain.
Krystal Bryant takes a deep breath, and nods, swallowing as she slowly 
and carefully makes her way back to the bed. "Uh....Edward?" she calls 
softly, with only the slightest of quivers in her voice.
Rodimus Prime shrugs. "Morale?"
Edward Bryant blinks from his thought and turns, "Hold that thought, 
Rodimus..." he murmurs as he makes his way back through the room and 
over to Krystal, "What is it, Krys?"
Kup steps into the room, optics scouring the area of the bridge, 
examining each person for a brief moment, before moving on.
Whiz picks up the entire frame and carries it over to Krystal proudly, 
even though it's so roughly made that it resembles the shower from the 
Flintstones.
Rodimus Prime makes a short lunging move as though to tackle Kup as he 
walks in, but keeps it to a feint, just testing for a reaction.
Moonracer shakes her head "What we need for moral is standing our own 
for a litttle, which we are not seemingly doing"
Rodimus Prime turns an odd look back to Moonracer. "What do you mean? 
We're out from underground in the caves, aren't we? We'll rebuild."
Whiz puts the curtained frame around Krystal and Edward and leans in 
with an apologetic look. "Best I could do."
Kup just frowns. In fact, you just about expect him to put his hands-on-
hips. He barely doesn't. In a gruff, scolding voice he says, "Now is 
hardly the time, Rodimus."
Moonracer nods at Rodimus Prime "Well..., as you say."
Edward Bryant gives Whiz an odd look, "Best you cold do for what...?"
Krystal Bryant looks at Whiz, almost horrified as she settles back, but 
the pain quickly envelopes her as she clenches her teeth again. "I know, 
it's all right, Whiz."
Krystal Bryant looks over at Edward, a shaky grin on her face. "I 
think..."
Rodimus Prime pffts at Kup. "No sense of adventure."
Rodimus Prime lets his attention be dragged slowly back to Krystal. 
"...uhm, did I miss something?"
Moonracer giggles lightly at Rodimus Prime's comment "Some wild 
adventure you set for Kup, eh?"
Edward Bryant gets his attention shifted back again, watching Krystal 
worriedly for a moment, "You think what?"
Rodimus Prime shrugs, tossing Moonracer a grin. "Hey, if he can't even 
handle that..."
Krystal Bryant presses her head back into her pillow, swallowing a 
groan. "Okay, Whiz, I think you can do something about how much that 
REALLY hurts now..."
Kup shifts away from Rodimus. For the moment. Speaking to Edward, he 
says, "Didn't happen to find out what was causing that radio signal, did 
you?"
Moonracer grins and turns to look at Kup expecting some speech as a 
reply
Whiz rummages in the tool compartments at her waist and pulls out a 
small leather case, places that next to her knees, and then withdraws a 
slightly battered-looking plush Rodimus Doll and offers it to Krystal. 
"Here, pull on this to your heart's content."
Edward Bryant doesn't even hear Kup as his attention is suddenly locked 
on Krystal as the realization locks on him, "You're not...."
Whiz nods to Edward. "Yes, she is."
Kup's optics brighten, as he too looses focus. Stepping toward Whiz he 
inquires something to her in hushed tones.
Kup mutters to Whiz.
Whiz winces slightly and says, "Um, Krystal, I'm going to need you to, 
ah, take off your..."
Edward Bryant swallows the lump suddenly in his throat, "Oh dear..." he 
murmurs as he stares blankly for a moment, eyes widening.
Rodimus Prime asks tactlessly, "She is what?"
Whiz cuts off, embarassed.
Whiz takes Rodimus as the distraction she needs and whirls around to 
face him. "She's having a baby, doof, what does it look like?"
Whiz says, "Get me some hot water and some blankets!"
Moonracer turns to look at the ongoings "What....?" she asks in surprise
Edward Bryant shakes his head trying to get rid of the fog suddenly 
enveloping it. "What do you need me to do, Whiz?"
Kup steps back quickly, moving beside Rodimus, and clearly away from 
Whiz.
Krystal Bryant's eyes widen as Whiz hands her the plush Roddy doll, a 
look of horror crossing her face at the thought of absolutely no pain 
relief. The thought is quickly washed over in another wave of pain. 
"Whiz..." she mutters, wishing that she could see the look on Rod's 
face, and yet engrossed in the fact that her body is clenched in pain.
Rodimus Prime blinks and takes a startled step back from Whiz. "Uhh... 
water... right."
Edward Bryant grabs for the blankets off the edge of the bed, "Will 
these do?"
Whiz grins weakly at Edward. "I want you to call an ambulance, but it's 
too late. Just sit there and let her scream at you, that's what always 
happens in the movies."
Edward Bryant frowns, and finds his place back next to Krystal, pressing 
his hand into hers, murmuring a soft, "I'm here... focus in on me..."
Flashback walks in from the cavern.
Whiz looks terrified, but determined. "Hokay, we're going to do this 
thing. Everybody, breathe. Especially you, Krystal."
@pemit *krys=\[Completely alien confusion, then gentle reassurance. 
*It'll be fine. Carly did it, right?*]
Moonracer sighs as she looks helplessly at the ongoings
Whiz is crouched over a hastily thrown-togeter privacy curtain, with 
Krystal and Edward inside.
Flashback paces in swiftly, carrying a board in her hands--probably from 
the few supply crates which had been demolished, weeks earlier. She 
pauses, glancing around nervously, then crouches to scoop up a small set 
of tools from the floor.
Flashback, hugging both plank at tools to her chestplate, hurries out 
again.
Flashback leaves to the south-east.
Whiz asks anxiously, "Where's my hot water?"
Rodimus Prime shifts his weight uncertainly. "I'll see what I can 
find.."

You move south-east...
You move southeast to the Rocky Mountains...
Rocky Mountains
Contents: Flashback, Bluestreak, Centurion

Flashback kneels down beside the planks, setting the tools down with 
infinite care.
Centurion is sitting in the same place, still carving away. He's got the 
rough shape cut out. He looks over his shoulder, features still down-
trodden but inquires, "And you left?"
Kup enters from the Cavernous Entrance to the northwest.
Flashback glances up, brushing the back of one hand across her brow. 
"Well, it would be rude to st--" She halts, noticing the others, the 
smiles. "Oh, hellohello...come to help?"
Rodimus Prime skids outside, slipping on loose gravel. "Hey, we need 
some hot water in there. You guys, uh... well, I guess we could find 
some in town..."
Centurion is sitting on the ground with a small pen-knife and a block of 
wooden, carving something out.
Flashback peers up at them, admitting reluctantly, "Uh...we don't really 
have any hot water.."
Centurion remarks calmly, not even looking over his shoulder, "It would 
take me a while to get there."
Flashback blinks for a moment, then offers, "...I can go. Right quick--
yesyes."
Rodimus Prime jumps on the offer. "Yeah, good. Hurry."
Flashback nods, setting the tube of glue down. "Suresure. Be back soon, 
yes I will!"
Flashback turns, racing off.
Flashback's hands close and vanish into her wrists, form compacting and 
dropping onto a set of light wheels as she transforms into a jade-and-
silver race car.
Jade TechRacer leaves to the Environs of San Francisco to the south.
Kup taps his foot impatiently, wishing Flashback could hurry. Like he 
could get there any quicker.
Transmission from Flashback: Sir....how hot is hot?
Rodimus Prime looks back nervously over his shoulder, then back to watch 
the road anxiously.
You transmit a message to Flashback: Uhm... a hundred degrees Farenheit? 
Maybe more? Hot but not hot enough to hurt a human.
Transmission from Flashback: Rightright...
Jade TechRacer enters from the Environs of San Francisco to the south.
Jade TechRacer makes her way nearer, windglass retracted to accomodate 
for something large and rectangular prortuding from her passenger 
compartment.
Rodimus Prime jumps forward as he spots Flashback returning. "Did you 
find it?"
Jade TechRacer says, "Uh...yeah. But, uhm. I think they're going to need 
the container back."
You say, "Come on inside. Why, where'd you get it from?"
Jade TechRacer idles nearer, drawing to a halt. Balanced in her 
compartment is what appears to be a cater's steam case. Sloshing sounds 
can be heard from within, and there is half a pastry on the floor beside 
it.
Jade TechRacer says, "Oh, uh...just...a place..."
Kup's optics narrow as Flash' approaches. "What the...?"
You say, "Oookay. C'mon, I think Whiz needs it now."

Mount St. Hillary
Cavernous Entrance
The doors to the ark open, then close behind you.
Ark -- Bridge
Contents: Jade TechRacer, Kup, Moonracer, Whiz, Edward Bryant, Exo-Suit 
5680 <Krystal Bryant>, Exo-Suit 2588 <Edward Bryant>, Krystal Bryant

Jade TechRacer makes her way in, drawing to a somewhat noisy halt as she 
passes the threshold. The steam case sloshes audibly, though it appears 
to be securely locked.
Rodimus Prime starts to shout triumphantly, then catches himself and 
lowers his voice. "We got it."
Whiz gasps along with Krystal. "Good!Bring it over, like fast!"
Jade TechRacer carries something large and rectangular in her vehicular 
compartment, steam rising from it into the chill air of the cavern.
Thunderbolt wakes up from a rest cycle.
Whiz maneuvers her hands into place and says gently, "Give me a push 
now, Krystal."
Whiz says, "Ed, get those blankets ready for me."
Jade TechRacer idles nearer, at as safe a pace as she can manage, but 
the case is both too large and too heavy for her to practically 
transform.
Edward Bryant grips Krystal's hand in his, as he tries to gardner a 
blanket in his free hand, "Push... you can do it..."
Rodimus Prime hovers on the edge of the room, craning his neck to watch 
over Whiz's back. "Is she okay?"
Thunderbolt remains quiet and watches the others gathered.
Whiz's expression changes, her optics widening suddenly in something 
like amazement.
Edward Bryant, Krystal, and Whiz are behind a makeshift curtain.
Moonracer just looks at the whole scene with curiosity
Rodimus Prime tries to watch, then. ;>
Jade TechRacer's scanners sweep back and forth, taking note of what she 
can, in this mode. She becomes aware of a good deal of fluid, and emits 
a small, uncertain sound.
Kup begins to offer some advice. Surprising he lasted this long, huh? 
"You know... in my experience with biologicals, I've noticed that they 
really are well suited for this sort of thing. People get worried, 
nervous, for no real reason..."
Whiz reaches behind her, groping around for the water that is supposedly 
somewhere around her, without taking her eyes off of what is going on 
with Krystal.
Jade TechRacer emits in a slight murmur, "Oh, wow...that's gotta be 
painful...Oops--" She idles forward another few inches, bringing the 
steam case within Whiz's reach.
Rodimus Prime glares at Kup. "I don't think that's going to help here."
Jade TechRacer wonders aloud, "...Neat--can they all stretch like that?"
Whiz gratefully drags the basin nearer and plunges her hands into it to 
clean and warm them, then prepares a towel and waits for the final push.
Krystal Bryant sucks in a sharp breath, trying to force it back out, as 
it escapes with a howl. Her muscles strain against her as she follows 
Whiz's instructions and pushes.
Whiz winces at Krystal's pain and then says in wonder, "It's.. it's a 
little head..."
Jade TechRacer says, as if in reassurance, "Don't worry, it'll get 
bigger."
Kup looks to Rodimus, and just scowls.
Edward Bryant clutches her hand tighter as he yelps out in the howl, 
"Pushhh....."
Whiz can't help a small, slightly distracted giggle at Flashback as she 
guides the tiny body into the world.
Rodimus Prime pouts. "What's going ON?"
Moonracer blinks "What, you mean another human is coming out of her?" 
and then thinks . o O (gotta be painful)
Krystal Bryant wheezes and gasps again, gathering another breath as pain 
courses through her. She drops back against the pillow despite her 
rigidity, her eyes blinking slowly as her vision blurrs and doubles. 
"Whiz....Whiz, my head is killing me.... what's wrong?"
Whiz stammers, "I don't know, whatever you're doing is working so 
far...."
Jade TechRacer tries to explain, voice tinny from out the external 
speakers. "...She's squeezing something out...it's really weird..."
Moonracer blinks "squeezing a head?, never mind" she decides not to 
inquire further
Whiz says, "Ed, help her, I'm kind of busy here at this end..."
Edward Bryant grunts, "I'm trying to, Whiz... I'm trying..."
@pemit *krys=\[A confused inquiry, frustration that he can't see what's 
going on, and an amateur attempt to block out the pain.]
Whiz watches Krystal's labor pains in a combination of awe and fear, her 
hands steady despite her obvious nervousness.
Krystal Bryant chokes back more terrified and painful sobs. "No...Whiz, 
really...I'm so dizzy, my head is killing me." she tries desperately to 
squeeze her husband's hand, and isn't really sure if she does or not.
Jade TechRacer pipes encouragingly, "You have to push, yes you do! You 
want to hold him, don't you?"
Edward Bryant holds her hand tighter, "Krystal... focus... push it 
away.. push it all out."
Whiz's optics narrrow in concern. "Edward, you're nearer to the medical 
readings. Can you just read them off to me?I want to be sure everything 
is okay...."
Rodimus Prime shifts his feet nervously, focusing on the sound of 
Krystal's voice and alternately casting glances around at the other 
faces in the room.
Edward Bryant shakily reads off the console, saying reasuredly, "They 
all look normal, Krystal, you're doing great..."
Moonracer looks curious and confused
Whiz's voice catches as she says, "Uh, Ed, can you read off that blood 
pressure reading again?"
Edward Bryant rereads the blood pressure, looking at Whiz worriedly, 
still tightly holding his wife's hand.
Rodimus Prime offers uncertainly, "Hang in there, Krystal, we're all 
here..."
Whiz dips a towen in the water hand hands it to Edward. "Put this on her 
forehead. Krystal, calm down. Just a little bit more, come on, we're 
almost there."
Whiz says, "A couple more and we can all relax."
Moonracer shrugs, not really understanding what all the nervousness is 
about
Whiz keeps her voice steady, despite the nervousness in her optics.
Edward Bryant grabs the towel in one hand, twirling it like he is going 
to pop someone as he places it on Krystal's forehead.
Krystal Bryant's heart leaps as she catches the note in Whiz's voice, 
straining to hear Edward read again above the roar in her ears. She 
nods, biting her teeth down hard with a scream fit to peel the paint of 
old walls as she clutches the plush Rodimus doll around the neck.
Whiz pants, "We're getting there, we're getting there..."
Edward Bryant says, "One more good push Krystal... on three..."
Krystal Bryant strains so hard she swears she hears blood vessels pop as 
she grips in one hand, the hand of her husband, and in the other the 
poor throttled Rodimus doll. Willing herself enough weakend strength she 
leans forward slightly on command to push once more.
Whiz says excitedly, "Come on! We're almost there! Big push!"
Rodimus Prime says fretfully, "Hang in there, Krys.."
Krystal Bryant squeezes her eyes shut, her voice howling through a raspy 
breath. "I *AM*, pushing...."
Whiz cups her left hand under Krystal gently, then suddenly dips her 
whole body forward and gasps.
Sidearm walks in from the cavern.
Edward Bryant presses his wife's hand a bit more as he grunts, 
"Almossst... comeon... almost there.." he cuts himself short as a wave 
of pain hits him from Krystal's squeezing.
Whiz gently pinches the tiny form in her hand, and a high-pitched 
squalling fills the bridge.
Jade TechRacer remains silent, scanners flashing back and forth.
Whiz laughs weakly as she uses one of the dampened towels to delicately 
clean off the baby's face. "Edward, Krystal... you have a daughter."
Sidearm walks in carrying a metallic container. She looks around, 
seemingly unsure what she just walked into. "Hrm..." she murmurs, and 
then quietly heads towards a corner to place the large container down. 
She glances at the others, a sort of questioning glance.
Rodimus Prime cranes his neck, trying to see. "Is she okay?"
Moonracer blinks "What just happened?" she feels comfortable enough to 
ask now
Whiz is kneeling next to a very jury-rigged looking privacy screen, with 
Edward and Krystal inside, and is now holding a little baby-type critter 
in her hand.
Krystal Bryant waits for that moment of relief from pain and exhaustion 
to wash over her, when instead her body remains tensed and on edge, 
still contracted in the same pain.
Whiz gently picks up a scalpel and *carefully* ties and cuts the 
umbilical cord.
Edward Bryant starts to look relieved, then glances at Krystal, "Whiz... 
something's wrong..."
Jade TechRacer emits, tentatively, "Uh...Whiz..."
Whiz releases a long breath, as if she didn't kow that she was holding 
it. "Krystal, there should be a few more contractions for the 
afterbirth... uh..."
Sidearm walks up and stands next to Rodimus. "What's happening?"
Whiz finishes distractedly, "But they shouldn't be this bad. Um, Edward, 
why don't you take your daughter?"
Krystal Bryant gasps quietly, sucking in. "Yeah? How bad?" she murmurs 
shakily.
Rodimus Prime grumbles. "I'd know if I could SEE."
Jade TechRacer emits, 'If you'll take this steam case off, me, I can 
transform and make room for you, sir..."
Edward Bryant notes his hand is still in Krystal's, and probably not 
going anywhere soon, "I'm kinda occupieed, Whiz... can you... damn... 
uhm, Rodimus, get your hands warm, and grab a blanket!"
Sidearm nods slightly, still looking a little unsure. "I see, 
well...hrm..."
Whiz says anxiously, "Rodimus! Take baby! Now!"
Krystal Bryant groans and flops back against the pillow, her body 
tensing strongly to take over the work she should still be doing. She 
gasps in suprise and pain as there seems to be no end in sight. "What's 
*wrong*?"
Moonracer frowns and whispers worriedly "Problem?"
Sidearm says, "Baby?"
Rodimus Prime uhhhs. "Right." He grabs the steam case and hefts it off 
Flashback, giving her leeway to transform, and plunges his hands quickly 
in the water before grabbing a spare blanket. "Here."
Jade TechRacer's scanners continue to sweep swiftly. She draws back a 
bit, making room.
Your gaze is drawn to the jade racer as it begins to shift--delicate 
hands extending from the peripheral jets, center splitting into a silver 
midriff until the lean form of Flashback stands before you.
Whiz turns and very delicately puts the crying, towel-wrapped bundle 
into Rodimus' outstretched hands. "Just... don't drop it."
It's hard to understand anything, much less make sense of it, as the 
high pitched squall of the baby girl resounds through the room, 
squirming and kicking as she is transferred.
Moonracer blinks and looks at Rodimus.
Sidearm frowns. "Shouldn't this be done in a hospital?"
Steeljaw walks in from the cavern.
Whiz shouts, "Yes!"
Whiz whirls and turns her attention back to Krystal. "Edward! Readings!"
Flashback watches anxiously, expression drawn and tense.
Edward Bryant scowls, and goes for the readings, yelling them out, along 
with a panicked, "Push!"
Moonracer frowns "The least you can do is calm down for better 
efficency"
Whiz says, "But... the vital signs..."
Rodimus Prime makes a face at Whiz. "Of course I wouldn't drop it."
Whiz trails off, then gasps in realization. "Krystal! You should have 
told me you were having twins!"
Rodimus Prime looks up startledly. "What?"
Whiz yells in abandon, "Towels! More blankets!"
Edward Bryant's jaw locks in dumbfounded shock, "What?!"
Krystal Bryant howls haltingly through gritted teeth. "-WHAT?-"
Whiz says, "Keep pushing for me, Krystal, you're doing fine! The second 
one is usually quicker, I swear!""
Krystal Bryant grates, "Oh my God, not AGAIN. I can't do it again..."
Rodimus Prime remembers himself quickly and lowers his tone, cupping the 
crying baby gently in his hands. "Hang in there," he murmurs. "Mom's a 
little.. busy right now."
Edward Bryant says, "You have to! Now, pusssh!"
Sidearm says, "This sounds like a soap opera." She turns and looks 
around, then heads towards that case she dropped earlier, opening it, 
she rummages through it until she pulls out a few clean cloths, and 
returns to the others. "Will these do? They were going to be used to 
polish my rifles, but this should do. They're brand new and clean."
Whiz is a flurry of blankets and tools and nervous energy.
Whiz cups her hands up into the air. "Throw them here, Sidearm!"
Sidearm tosses the towels towards Whiz carefully. "Right."
Whiz says, "All together now! Krystal, we're all with you! Keep it 
coming, keep it up, you're doing fine!"
Flashback decides she is merely getting in the way here, and hurries out 
again, weaving between the bodies.
Flashback leaves to the south-east.
Krystal Bryant encloses her hand unseemingly tighter around the fluff of 
the Rodimus doll, giving her best effort to bring the second life 
through, but quickly growing weary. "Please, make it fast, Whiz."
Sidearm glances at Rodimus and sort of peeks at what he's holding, 
trying to get a good look.
Whiz urges, "I'm seeing the head, Krystal, give me that push, we're 
almost there..."
Rodimus Prime scoots back well out of Whiz's way, speaking in hushed, 
hopefully reassuring tones to the baby.
As Rodimus tries vaguely to comfort the newborn girl, she continues to 
squirm helplessly while squalling softly. The soft tone of his voice 
quiets her momentarily, as her head turns towards it, though the eyes 
are not yet focused.
Whiz mutters to Krystal Bryant, "... on,... sooner... do... sooner... 
what... will..."
Krystal Bryant growls and leans forward again, her knuckles turning 
white from squeezing as she glowers at Edward. "No more. This is it."
Whiz smiles encouragingly and touches a finger briefly to Krystal's hand 
as she braces to help the baby come into the world.
Krystal Bryant screams once more as she pushes with the last of her 
might, a strangled sort of chuckle trying to escape with her wail at 
Whiz's comment.
Edward Bryant looks at Krystal at level, "You have to, Krystal." he 
protests, offering no chance of rebuttal.
Rodimus Prime grins. "Hey, there ya go..."
Whiz breaks out in a relieved smile as the second baby starts crying 
almost as soon as it is born.
Moonracer walks to a far end and sits in her usual spot, entering a rest 
cycle
Whiz muffles the loud cries briefly as she towels the small face clear 
of gunk and grins. "Matched pair, you two. You've got a son, too."
Whiz smiles proudly as she severs this umbilical cord too ans wraps one 
of the cloths around the kicking legs.
Sidearm's optics flicker. "Can her factory make any more, Whiz? See if 
maybe a third one pops out."
Whiz says weakly, "Don't even joke about that, Sidearm."
Rodimus Prime chuckles. "I don't think Krystal would be too amenable to 
that."
Sidearm nods. "I see, she used up her resources."
Krystal Bryant collapses weakly against the pillow, her hair damp and 
matted against her forehead. "No...no more, please...." she murmurs 
quietly. "I thought one was enough."
Whiz says wryly, "Or her threshold for pain."
Edward Bryant sits down, uncurling his crushed hand as he offers a weak 
grin at Krystal, "It's over...."
Whiz sighs, grinning at the tiny figure, waving its tiny balled fists in 
her hand. "It's okay, little guy, I'm going to give you back to your mom 
now."
Whiz smiles down at the new mama. "Do you have enough energy to hold 
your son, Krystal?"
Krystal Bryant nods slightly. "Yeah.." she mutters. "Over. Two's 
enough."
Edward Bryant nods in agreement for the moment, and glances up at 
Rodimus, "If I may...?"
Whiz nods. "Absolutely." She lowers her hand to the bedside gently, 
revealing the tiny bundle cradled in her palm.
Rodimus Prime lowers himself carefully to one knee, grinning broadly. 
"Oh, come on, Krystal, what about the triplets?" He offers the baby girl 
to Edward. "Here, I think someone wants to see you."
Edward Bryant smirks at Rodimus as he takes the bundle of a little girl 
in his arms, and positions her so that Krystal has a clear view, 
"There's your mom..."
Sidearm mutters to itself, "... do... always... in..."
Whiz towels off Krystal's forehead and pulls her hair back away from her 
face. "See, I told you it would be worth it, Krystal. Now you can 
relax."
Krystal Bryant smiles faintly, reaching out to gently brush her finger 
against the bridge of her newborn daughter's nose, then turns slightly 
towards Whiz, nodding slightly as she takes her son in her own arms.
Edward Bryant looks up at the group, "We'll need to get to the hospital, 
to be checked out..."
Whiz crouches beside the four humans proudly, and nods. "Whenever you 
feel up to it, Krystal."
Sidearm hrms and then tries to get another peek at the babies curiously.
Rodimus Prime offers, "I can take you.."
Krystal Bryant uncurls her cramped fingers from the clutch on the 
Rodimus doll with a sheepish grin. She nods briefly in reply.
Whiz glances at the medical readings. "Krystal's vitals are returning to 
normal levels now."
Edward Bryant nods to Rodimus, "Couldn't think of anyone better..." a 
thought suddenly crosses his mind as he glances at Krystal.
Krystal Bryant smiles softly at Edward, nodding. "Later." she murmurs in 
reply.
Sidearm seems unsure about something, but the thought passes. "My 
assumption is this was unintentional? The birth at the Ark?" she asks, 
since she missed most of it.
Whiz hoooooos weakly, then sits back on her knees and rests her butt on 
her feet.
Rodimus Prime blinks. "Later? I think I missed something.."
Whiz replies, "The hospitals are so crammed with wounded from the Las 
Vegas thing... Edward insisted that they stay here."
Edward Bryant nods quietly, adding a small smile.
Whiz says, "I told you to get an obstetrician, but NOOOO, you had to 
have ME deliver the baby."
Edward Bryant says, "Whine moan gripe."
Whiz ahms, "Er, babies."
Sidearm says, "At least now you can get a merit badge for this, Whiz."
Krystal Bryant says, "It's all right Whiz. You did great. I'd not have 
wanted it any other way. Sorry if I tore your head off. Yours too," she 
grins at Rodimus. "figuratively." she adds, glancing at the doll."
Edward Bryant smirks faintly as he reaches up to touch his daughter's 
hand in his own.
Whiz grins. "Better Rodimus than me."
Rodimus Prime chuckles. "Hey, anything that puts another of those dolls 
out of my misery.."
Whiz says, "Besides, now you can give the head to one of them, and the 
body to the other, and they each have a little piece of Rodimus."
Krystal Bryant chuckles.
You say, "Gee, I know I'd be comforted by a severed head."
Edward Bryant smirks, "Just means we have to buy two new ones... one 
Rodimus and one Whiz?"
You say, "But you HAVE Whiz and me."
Whiz says, "No stuffed Whiz could be as cute as I already am."
Whiz grins widely.
Sidearm says, "The infants may like a cuddleble Rodimus instead, 
metallic may be smooth but not soft."
Edward Bryant says, "Ready, Rodimus? We better get down to the 
hospital... and that includes you Whiz, considering you were the doctor 
on hand."
Whiz says, "The doctors will probably kill me for being an amateur and 
delivering a baby"
Edward Bryant says, "I doubt it. Cops have... normal people have.. just 
the first time a Cybertronian has, I think..."
You say, "Hey, you have a degree, right? And everyone's fine. So don't 
worry about it."
Krystal Bryant nods. "I agree with Rodimus. You did fine Whiz. Better 
than most stories I hear."
Whiz grins. "Well, you were the one doing all the work."
Rodimus Prime pushes himself to his feet. "So, do you guys need a ride, 
then?"
Whiz wonders, "How can something so small be so loud?"
Edward Bryant shhs the little girl as he adjusts the boy into his arms 
as Krystal falls asleep, "We're ready..."
You say, "I ask the same thing about you all the time, Whiz."
Whiz puffs up. "I'm not little."
Rodimus Prime grins. "That's right, you're just short."
Sidearm looks down at Whiz and smiles.
Whiz sighs as a radio message powers into her receptors. "I need to find 
some radio equipment. Firestone's after me again. If it's kept her 
attention this long, it must be important. Sidearm, do you know where 
any long range equipment is?"
Edward Bryant says, "Whiz, you need to get to the hospital ASAP then."
Whiz grumbles under her breath, "And I'm not short, either."
Sidearm says, "Shuttles have long range equipment."
Edward Bryant stands up, and tries to scrounge up some help for Krystal, 
"Ready as we'll ever be, Rodimus..."
Whiz nods excitedly. "That's right. Even if they're broken, the radio 
might be intact. I'd better head toward Metroplex."
Whiz says, "Which hospital are you going to? I can probably land at 
their helipad."
You say, "Step out into the other room, Edward, and we'll get going.. 
err, yeah, where to?"
Whiz says, "And Sidearm, you'd better help Krystal. Ed's hands are full 
with the babies."
Sidearm nods. She glances at Edward and Krystal and says in a polite 
tone, "Congradulations to you both, I am sure this will bring much 
happiness to you two." She wonders if that came out right, she then just 
smiles.
Sidearm glances at Whiz. "Help Krystal? Wha..how? I am not an 
Ambulance..."
Edward Bryant says, "San Franscico Reigonal, I suppose..."
Whiz smiles gently. "Just help load her into Rodimus. And now, I'd 
better get going. Don't want Firestone to get bored waiting. We all know 
what can happen then. If plans change, radio me."
You say, "Just put her inside me once I transform."
Edward Bryant says, "I'd suggest the base hospital at Alameda... but 
that could still be a target for the cons."
Sidearm looks a little relieved. "Oh yes, that I can do..."
Rodimus Prime chuckles. "All right, but don't get too wrapped up on the 
radio."
Whiz takes three steps toward the exit, then leans forward and 
transforms into her airskimmer form, already picking up speed as she 
does.
Whiz's body buckles as she folds down into an aerodynamic airskimmer.
Edward Bryant ignores the shooting pains in his left hand as he 
carefully walks into the next room, carrying the two small packages.

You move south-east...
Cavernous Entrance

Edward Bryant exits from the Ark's bridge and the doors close.
Green Airskimmer exits from the Ark's bridge and the doors close.
Rodimus Prime shifts into what can only be called a high-tech flaming 
Winnebago.
Green Airskimmer blasts through, gaining altitude, then wheels toward 
the wreckage of Metroplex.
Green Airskimmer leaves to the Rocky Mountains to the southeast.
Sidearm exits from the Ark's bridge and the doors close.
Edward Bryant says, "Should I sit in the front or back, Rodimus...?"
Sidearm follows along.
Flaming RV pops open the cab. "I don't think riding in the back would be 
too comfortable."
Edward Bryant nods quietly and carefully makes his way in as one, then 
the other child crank up the crying. He murmurs quietly, trying to get 
them to calm down, "Probably hungry. Had a long day..."
Sidearm walks in carefully taking Krystal's unconscious form and heads 
to the RV. She looks out to see if Rodimus's back compartment is open. 
"They're very small in discolored, I find that very facinating, this is 
normal?"
Flaming RV mutters humorously, "I'll try to keep the ride quiet, then."
Sidearm pauses and stands patiently behind the RV. "Did you just wish 
for me to load Krystal in so that you thr-five can depart?" she asks.
You say, "Uh.. yeah, put her up front. Trailer isn't exactly the 
smoothest ride in the world."
Edward Bryant shhs, rocking the children quietly in his arms.
Sidearm nods. "Good point." She heads to the front and carefully places 
Krystal inside, near Edward. "Will this be okay? I'm unsure about human 
comfort, come to think of it."
You say, "She'll be fine."
Edward Bryant nods to Sidearm. "Thank you..."
Sidearm nods and steps aside. "I'll go unpack the supplies then." She 
waves to them. "Happy trails." She then murmurs, "I think that's the 
right saying..."
Flaming RV closes up and starts his engine, moving off at a relatively 
sedate pace (for him, anyway).

You move southeast to the Rocky Mountains...
Rocky Mountains
Contents: Flashback, Bluestreak, Centurion

Flashback frowns, then admits, "Well...I'm studying medicine...which 
isn't quite the same thing. But this is something I can handle, I 
think..."
Flaming RV drives out of the Ark carefully, keeping to the road for 
once.
Flashback is kneeling on the ground with the others, surrounded by all 
the makings of a birdhouse.
Edward Bryant rocks the two infants fussily, which are both crying to 
their hearts content.
Centurion looks up from his carving as Prime arrives, nodding slightly 
but otherwise his somewhat solemn expression doesn't change.
Flashback turns back to blue, holding out her hand. "Okay. Give me your 
hand."

You move south to the Environs of San Francisco...
Outskirts of San Francisco

Rodimus broadcasts internally, "Is there anything I can do to help, 
Edward?"
Edward Bryant says, "Just keep the ride smooth.. they're hungry.. I 
think."
Exo-Suit 2736 soars down into view from the skies above.
Exo-Suit 2736 has arrived.
You say, "Can do.."
Exo-Suit 2736 flys down from high in the atmosphere. It swings over and 
circles the remains of the statue.
Flaming RV negotiates the outskirts of the city with practiced ease, 
taking a right into the busier part of town.

You move into the heart of San Francisco.
You move north to the Business District...
Business District

Flaming RV presses through traffic toward the hospital, getting more 
than a few startled looks from people not accustomed to seeing Autobots 
driving so obviously through the city.
Edward Bryant waits for the RV to come to a full stop before climbing 
out with the twins.
Green Airskimmer enters from the Uptown San Francisco to the south.
Green Airskimmer soars in from the skies above, lowering herself to 
street level as pedestrians point and scurry.
Flaming RV pulls up in front of the hospital main entrance. "Everybody 
out, before someone tries to ticket me," he announces jokingly.
Edward Bryant grins faintly as he climbs out, the boy still squawling 
loudly as nurses rush out.
Whiz receives a radio transmission.
Whiz transmits a message via radio.
Whiz receives a radio transmission from Fireflight.
Transmission from Sidearm: I was wondering, would it be alright to start 
digging into some of these cavern walls to try and make some room?
Whiz transmits a message via radio to Fireflight.
Flaming RV says a bit disappointedly, "I guess I'm too big to go 
inside.."
Steeljaw enters from the Uptown San Francisco to the south.
Whiz receives a radio transmission.
Green Airskimmer circles and finally lands beside Rodimus.
The green airskimmer unfolds into the Femme Autobot Whiz.
Steeljaw walks in throught the allys in hideing following a sent.
Edward Bryant gets assistance for Krystal as the threesome is carted 
into the hospital, and Edward hangs around outside to fill in paperwork, 
"I can stay out here until I'm needed..."
You transmit a message to Sidearm: Uhm, I don't know. Beachcomber or 
someone should probably make sure it's stable first.
Whiz drops gracefully to the ground, her legs unfolding just in time to 
catch herself and look really fancy.
Whiz transmits a message via radio.
Whiz grins, "Tell them to put them in a window room, so we can peek in."
Transmission from Sidearm: You mean we moved here temperarily without 
checking to see that it is stable first? Interesting. Very well, I shall 
wait, the thought just occured to me.
Edward Bryant asks the nurse gently, "Krystal wants to name the 
children.. I can leave that space blank for now, correct?" After getting 
an affirmative nod, he continues to write until he gets down to the 
delivering doctor's name. Getting a question about the name 'Whiz' he 
points at Whiz, "..her." The nurse looks blank for a moment, then nods, 
murmuring something about not waiting to tell her friends about this, 
and also sees about getting a room with a window on the lower floors.
Whiz receives a radio transmission.
Steeljaw has disconnected.
Whiz transmits a message via radio.
You transmit a message to Sidearm: It's stable NOW. I don't know what'll 
happen if we start digging.
Whiz grins and waves cheerfully at the nurse.
Rodimus Prime shifts to robot mode.
Transmission from Sidearm: I see, that makes sense, no idea what could 
happen. Oh, Scamper wishes good will towards the Bryants and their new 
children.
Rodimus Prime stands up with a glance back at Whiz, then tosses the 
receptionist a grin.
A couple of opportunistic reporters collect in the doors of the San 
Francisco Republican building, pointing at the two Autobots and peering 
at the former Secretary-General. As the group is recognized, they begin 
to talk excitedly amongst each other.
Whiz admonishes, "And keep her in bed for twenty-four hours. I don't 
want her released too early, no matter what she says about being ready 
to come home."
Edward Bryant grins winningly, "Nevermind them, they're just the 
godparents."
Rodimus Prime mutters to Whiz, "We're..."
You whisper "We're parents?" to Whiz.
One of the reporters is pushed forward by his compatriots. He 
straightens his tie as he crosses the street and hides his notepad 
behind his back casually, affecting the look of a normal, everyday 
businessman. He approaches Bryant with a charming smile, showing too 
many teeth. "Excuse me, but aren't you Edward Bryant?"
Whiz looks at her leader with a furrowed brow. She mutters to Rodimus 
Prime, "... think... some... something." 
You sense Whiz looks at her leader with a furrowed brow. "I think it's 
some kind of honorary designation or something."
Edward Bryant glances up at the reporter. "Yes, I am."
Using the distraction, the other reporters dash over. One trails into 
the hospital behind Krystal's gurney, and the other does his best to 
unobtrusively investigate the scene. In the meantime, the reporter 
beside Edward says, "Well, sir, pleasure to meet you. How does it feel 
not to be a fugitive any longer?"
Rodimus Prime interjects, "Hey, guys, his wife just had twins. You think 
you could lay off the fugitive stuff?"
Edward Bryant frowns and makes a motion to the recpetionist, who makes 
sure that Krystal and the twins have privacy and turns back to the 
reporter, "It feels fine..." he responds before Rodimus finshes his 
thought.
The reporter's eyes widen as his smile grows even larger, and more 
calculating. "Really? Twins, eh? That must be a handful...."
The word "Scoop" is almost plainly visible above the man's head.
Whiz nudges Rod with her elbow. She mutters to Rodimus Prime, "Maybe... 
want... announce..." 
You sense Whiz nudges Rod with her elbow. "Maybe Edward didn't want to 
announce that quite yet."
Edward Bryant looks plainly at the reporter, "Considering that they were 
born all of a few hours ago, yes they are. One boy, one girl, and you'll 
have your scoop after we get all of our own facts straight. Fine by 
you?"
Rodimus Prime looks properly chastised. He mutters to Whiz, "... we 
were... the hospital..." 
Whiz senses "Rodimus Prime looks properly chastised. "Well, I thought 
that since we were at the hospital and all...""
One of the reporter's partners pokes his head out of the hospital doors 
and starts pointing excitedly at Whiz, mouthing something 
unintelligible.
The reporter says in a friendly drawl, "Well, sir, I was just curious, 
you realize."
Edward Bryant smiles faintly, "You want a real story..." he says as he 
gives an apologetic look at Whiz, "She delivered them."
Whiz blinks at Edward as she is sacrificed to the reporter in order to 
guard Krystal's privacy.
The reporter's eyes widen with visions of front page headlines. He turns 
slowly to Whiz and asks, "Y... you delivered the twins? The former 
secretary-general's twins?"
Whiz uhhhhhs. "Well, Krystal did all the work."
Whiz takes a sheepish step backward.
Rodimus Prime grins. "Don't short yourself, Whiz."
Edward Bryant offers another apologetic look as he tries to find a 
subtle way into the hospital.
The reporter closes the gap and then some. "Were you trained? Was it a 
sudden labor? Was there an attack? Premature birth? Were the twins 
expected?"
Whiz receives a radio transmission from Centurion.
Whiz acks. "Uh, er, ask Rodimus! He brought the water!"
The reporter looks distinctly unimpressed, and continues to advance on 
Whiz.
Rodimus Prime places himself judiciously between the distracted reporter 
and Edward. "Go on in," he mutters.
Whiz transmits a message via radio.
Whiz receives a radio transmission from Centurion.
Whiz stammers, "I, ah, have a medical degree from the University of 
California. The birth was a little premature, and I didn't expect twins, 
but we did the best we could with what we had, and now we brought them 
to the hospital to make sure they're okay. That's it, really."
Edward Bryant heads inside quickly, while Whiz becomes reporter fodder.
Edward Bryant enters the hospital.
Word has traveled fast in the news community, and a couple of vans come 
screaming around the corner toward the hospital, having heard there is a 
major scoop in progress.
Rodimus Prime shrugs helplessly. "Geez, it's just a couple of babies."
Exo-Suit 2736 enters from the Uptown San Francisco to the south.
Whiz receives a radio transmission.
Exo-Suit 2736 flies over the city at a slow speed, scanning the area.
Whiz cowers as a TV crew spills out of one of the vans, and more 
reporters come over, drawn by the two Cybertronians who obviously stick 
out in the crowd.
Whiz transmits a message via radio to Centurion.
Whiz says weakly, "Nothing to see here, really..."
Rodimus Prime pats Whiz on the shoulder. "Take it easy. They'll get 
bored with us soon enough."
Whiz receives a radio transmission.
Exo-Suit 2736 circles over the street with the vans and Autobots on it.
Transmission from Craig Wallace: Need some crowd control, sir?
Reporters begin shouting, "Is it true that the former Secretary-General 
and his wife have had twins?" "Were they just delivered by an alien, or 
are they actually alien babies?" "Is it true they're already reading 
minds?"
You transmit a message to Craig Wallace: Only if they mob the entrance. 
Don't want anyone blocked out of the hospital.
The first reporter winces and tries unsuccessfully to shoo the later 
arrivals away, watching his big scoop fleeing before his eyes.
Whiz blinks away the flashes in her optics and tries not to look so much 
like a deer in headlights.
Transmission from Craig Wallace: Understood, just let me know if you 
need help, I will be in the area, on patrol sir.
Armored Tank enters from the Uptown San Francisco to the south.
Armored Tank rumbles in from Uptown San Francisco, driving down the road 
hurriedly and emitting a few beeps to try and encourage some of the 
traffic to move faster. His sensor suite turns to the side for a moment, 
surveying the sidewalk and considering it, but decides that the humans 
located there would be rather perturbed if he attempted to do so.
The street is growing clogged with news vans and curious TV crews, some 
of which have only followed other TV crews without knowing what is going 
on.
Rodimus Prime holds up his hands. "Hey!" Gaudy paint-job or not, 
regardless of any inexperience, there's one thing the human reporters 
can't really deny. He's.. really big. And equally loud.
A news helicopter even begins to circle above the hospital, but moves 
off quickly before the hospital's helipad can get irritated.
Whiz stands next to Rodimus in front of the hospital doors, with 
reporters crowding around her feet.
The milling crowd of shoving reporters quiets down and looks expectantly 
at the towering Autobot leader, as cameras being to roll.
Exo-Suit 2736 swings around and over near the copter.
Armored Tank rumbles up to the entrance of Hospital, emitting a few more 
beeps as he works his way around the traffic. Spotting the Commander and 
Whiz, and then noting the traffic in the area he transforms, his not-so-
towering but nigh excessively bulky form rising above the crowd. He 
starts picking his way towards them.
You say, "Look at this, mobbing a hospital.. you guys oughtta be ashamed 
of yourselves. There're sick people who need to get in here. Now look, I 
know you all want a story, but no one's gonna get one if you're all 
shouting too loud to hear any of the answers. Chill out."
The tank shifts and transforms, calling mass from subspace until the 
form of Centurion stands before you.
The crowd generally quiets down, except for a scruffy looking man in a 
trenchcoat and untucked dress shirt, who demands from under his large 
fedora, "Is it true that the baby is half-robot?"
Whiz blinks in confusion at the array of far-out questions and watches 
Rodimus for a cue.
You say, "People have babies every day. It's not the end of the world." 
He sighs. "No, it is not true that the babies are half-robot. Where do 
you people GET this stuff?"
Exo-Suit 2736 circles lower to the street, and seems to look for a place 
to land.
The man in the fedora squints and mutters to one of his fellow 
reporters.
Centurion finally makes his way to the two other Autobots, walking up 
beside Whiz and turning around to speak something softly, as to not be 
heard, He mutters to Whiz, "... cartwheels?" 
Exo-Suit 2736 lands just on the other side of the vans. The Exo starts 
walking inbetween the vehicles towards the back of the press.
The appearance of the Exo-Suit prompts half of the crowd of reporters to 
start shouting questions about the new role of the EDC, and one even 
asks, "Will the baby have an infant-sized exo-suit?"
Whiz grins at Centurion. "Didn't know you were such a show-off."
You say, "All right. Now, you can all just.. throw out all your weird 
alien baby threads, 'cause you're gonna be disappointed..." he trails 
off, staring at the reporter who shouted that one. "Yeah. Sure. An 
infant in an exo-suit. Why don't you think about that one for a while 
then get back to me."
Exo-Suit 2736 transmits over its external speakers, "Alright I will be 
taking any and all questions about the EDC and the episode involving the 
attack on the statue."
Whiz smirks and snickers at Rodimus.
You say, "Thank you, Mr. Wallace."
Exo-Suit 2736 waves to the Autobot Commander, "Not a problem sir, I know 
you have more to deal with, than with the press."
Edward Bryant exits the hospital.
Centurion casts Whiz a surprised look, "Wow, first time I've /ever/ gone 
out in public and not been noticed like.. extensively. I'm not sure 
whether to be proud that I might have lost a ton or something, or be 
offended...". He ends with a smirk, looking around, "It sure feels good 
to be outside though."
Rodimus Prime chuckles. "Hey, we have to take a backseat to the alien 
babies, after all."
One of the reporters shoves a microphone toward Centurion. "Sir! Mister 
Autobot! What is your relationship to the cyborg alien baby?"
Edward Bryant smirks as he steps back outside. "Excuse me..."
Exo-Suit 2736 stands behind the assembled members of the press.
Rodimus Prime comments, "Now there's a trick. Not only cyborg, but alien 
too! It's like the best of both worlds! Hey, why didn't I think of 
that?"
Centurion quirks an eyebrow, leaning down a bit to speak, though he 
looks into the camera for several moments, putting on an obvious "TV 
face". He says, "Well.. uh.. if I remember correctly, the children weigh 
between four and five pounds, and generally metal devices and the like 
weigh a lot more? Listen to the Commander, they're normal .. human, 
children."
Edward Bryant glances up at Rodimus, a small groan escaping his lips. He 
mutters to Rodimus Prime, "... that you're..."  he asks playfully.
You sense Edward Bryant glances up at Rodimus, a small groan escaping 
his lips. "Have they mentioned that you're the father yet, Rodimus?" he 
asks playfully.
The crowd of reporters parts like the Red Sea as several of them detatch 
to attack the EDC soldier. "Sir! Is it true that the EDC has been 
disbanded?" "Where is the next EDC terrorist action going to take 
place?" "Do you think that the Decepticons are going to punish the 
United States for the destrucion of the Galvatron statue?"
Rodimus Prime grins down at Edward. "No, we're working up to that one."
And of course, there are the oddballs in the back. A reporter in a 
flowered shirt demands, "What is your statement on the alien baby?!"
Edward Bryant shakes his head, and sighs, "I can handle any questions on 
the babies." he states sternly, "Two normal, healthy infants, that are 
both human."
Meanwhile, the crowd still focused on the Autobots is still yammering. 
"Miss Whiz! Are you the mother?! Which of these Autobots is the father?"
Exo-Suit 2736 transmits, "Alright, yes the EDC is currently being 
reworked. And whatever form the EDC has now or in the future, we do not 
commit terroristic attacks. If the Decepticons want a fight, I am sure 
they will give us one."
A woman in a red dress thrusts her microphone at Centurion. "Is this 
your first baby? Or did you come to Earth to escape your child support 
payments? You men are all alike!"
The woman kicks Centurion with a high-heeled red pump and stalks away 
without waiting for an answer.
Edward Bryant sighs, "Forget it... they want a story."
Rodimus Prime chuckles. "We should get Kup out here to spin one. That'd 
put em all to sleep fast enough."
Rodimus Prime lowers his tone, "So how's she doing?"
At the sound of the question, about twenty microphones get stuck between 
Rodimus and Edward.
Centurion shakes his head at the woman, "I think you're missing 
something... we don't have kids per se... though I do have a turtle... 
Er! Hey!"
Edward Bryant murmurs back, "She's resting..." as soon as the 
microphones get thrusted, "Mrs. Bryant is fine. If you have any further 
questions, I ask that you please refer them to the hospital's public 
relations department.
Near the Exo-Suit, the statement has not sufficed for some of the more 
rowdy members of the press crowd. "Yes, so you say, but isn't it true 
that the embargo is a result of the statue's destruction? What does the 
EDC plan to do if we starve?"
Another member of the press demands of the EDC officer, "What about 
self-defense? Will citizens be supplied with arms? What kind of 
automatic weapons will work against a Decepticon? Do you sleep with your 
exo-suit on?" A badge on his hat proclaims him to be from "Guns and 
Ammo"
Centurion leans backwards a bit and speaks to Whiz in a hushed tone, 
sounding almost elated, "I think I'm going to be on TV! It's just too 
bad I'm going to look all dented and beat up, but that's okay..."
The question prompts another woman to demand, "Are you married? Do you 
both pilot exo-suits? Can you...." Her question is quickly shouted down 
by the rest of the crowd.
Whiz grins and mutters to Centurion, "It'll show you're a big war hero"
Rodimus Prime gives the intrusive microphone-shoving reporters a baleful 
look and shifts his weight as though to put himself between them and 
Edward again.
Centurion smirks and says more audibly, "Yah. I should have "'Con Aft 
Kicker!" painted on my chestplate for this one... oh well, should have 
thought of that before I left..."
Exo-Suit 2736 seems to chuckle, "No I personally do not sleep in my Exo. 
As for the embargo being related to the destruction of the statue, I 
doubt that. As far as I understand, Galvatron ordered the embargo when 
the United States left the Empire. Starve? I seriously doubt it."
One of the reporters catches on to something, "Mister Prime! Weren't you 
at the Bryants' wedding? Are you married? Do you have any children?"
Rodimus Prime interjects, "Besides, we're here to help break any 
blockades they try to set up. No one's starving... uh... huh?"
A representative from Hard Copy jumps up and down, shouting, "Yes, Mr. 
Prime, can you comment on your recent child support scandal? Mr. Bryant, 
do you have any comments on Rodimus Prime's lawbreaking activities?"
Centurion grumbles to himself, "That reminds me, I'm low on energon 
myself." He turns his head and speaks to Whiz, "How long does this kind 
of thing usually take?"
Rodimus Prime rolls his optics heavenward. "Excuse me. Look at me and 
please tell me how you expect me to have children, because I'm dying to 
know."
Whiz mutters to Centurion, "I... no idea, things... getting... the..."
Exo-Suit 2736 laughs.
The comment prompts a reporter from "Cosmopolitan" to leap forward. "You 
tell us! How does your kind repoduce? Miss Whiz, have you ever has 
a...."
Whiz blushes fiercely and interrupts her with a, "Hey!"
Rodimus Prime grins at Whiz's expense. "You tell us how your vehicles 
reproduce," he counters.
The serious reporters begin to disperse, and the tabloid guys, used to 
being ignored, begin to take off to write whatever they want, regardless 
of the facts they actually gained.
Edward Bryant lets out a breath as the last of the reporters disperse. 
"Damn vultures."
Exo-Suit 2736 shakes it's helmet. "I hate those guys."
Centurion frowns as the last of them depart, "I wonder if they got my 
good side..."
Whiz gapes after the disappearing news vans and lets out a shaky breath.
Rodimus Prime grips Whiz by the shoulder and shakes her playfully. He 
mutters to Whiz, "... tell..." 
Whiz senses "Rodimus Prime grips Whiz by the shoulder and shakes her 
playfully. "Come on, I wouldn't tell them about Mecha-Whiz or 
anything.""
Whiz says, "That was even worse than going through the actual labor..."
Rodimus Prime flashes that grin that makes you just want to hit him.
Whiz smirks back at Rodimus.
Whiz mutters to Rodimus Prime, "Especially since... looks... me,... 
half... what they'd come... with from that?"
Whiz whispers "Especially since she looks half like me, and half like 
you. I wonder what they'd come up with from that?"
You say, "Oh, take it easy. You just have to speak their langua.... uh. 
Hey!"
Whiz giggles, glad to disperse some of her tension.
You say, "That was ALL you! I didn't have anything to do with it!"
Edward Bryant says, "Anything to do with what?"
Whiz retorts, "But it was your idea!"
You say, "It was not!"
Whiz puts her hand on her hips. "Was too!"
Edward Bryant says, "What!?"
Rodimus Prime ignores Edward, caught up in the moment. "Not!"
Edward Bryant throws his hands in the air, "You two act worst than 
Krystal and I!"
Whiz braces to get punched by Rodimus, and grins at Edward. "Rodimus 
said that it would be scary if we combined our best qualities. Said that 
the end result would be able to rule the world."
Exo-Suit 2736 shakes his helmet. "I seriously doubt that Bryant."
Centurion hmmms to himself and looks down at his broken chestplate, 
wondering if it would look cool on TV. "How long until tommorow's paper 
comes out?!"
Edward Bryant snickers suddenly, and tries hard not to burst into 
laughter.
Rodimus Prime grrs at Whiz. "So SHE built that droid-thing and painted 
it to look like me, with her body."
Edward Bryant says, "You mean Mecha-Whiz, right?"
Whiz puts up a hand to ward off any attempts to shut her up, and 
finishes, "So when I built Mecha-Whiz, I made sure she was a good 
combination."
Edward Bryant grins. "So in a sense, you are parents."
Whiz snickers evilly.
Rodimus Prime swats at Whiz's hand. "I am NOT!"
Whiz agrees with Rodimus, for once. "No WAY!"
Edward Bryant grins. "Whatever you say... papa and mama."
Centurion keeps on talking to himself, "I wonder if I could get my own 
talk show..."
Whiz looks at Rodimus and ewwwwwwwwwwwwws exaggeratedly!
Edward Bryant says, "I think you protest too much, Whiz."
Whiz snorts, "I couldn't possibly protest *enough* about that idea."
Exo-Suit 2736 turns and scans the sky.
Rodimus Prime grins. "Yeah, I'm icky."
Centurion starts imagining himself with his own TV show of some type, 
uttering only, "Cent Live..."
Whiz smirks, "Yeah, he's got cooties."
Centurion looks off towards the KNUJ TV station, deciding he'd better 
get fixed up before he tries his TV debut, "Hey Whiz, you think you 
could help me get up to par, aesthetically?"
Exo-Suit 2736 stops scanning and walks over after Centurion.
Rodimus Prime flexes. "Yeah, but you weren't complaining when I drove 
off those menacing reporters."
Whiz turns, her train of thought suddenly derailed. "Aesthetically? 
What, you going to be a movie star now or something?"
Whiz vanishes out of reality.
Whiz has left.
You say, "You know, aesthetic. As in, not... aah, too easy."
Centurion draws his attention from the TV station building to look down 
towards the Exo-Suit, waving, "Hi there!"
Exo-Suit 2736 looks up at the Autobot, "Hello, Craig Wallace, EDC, and 
you are?"
Centurion smiles, "Oh.. I'm Centurion... I actually did some work with 
the EDC a few years back, High Hill research facility in Nevada... I'm 
probably still on record..."
Exo-Suit 2736 nods its helmet, "Good to meet you....man you look pretty 
bad....Did I hear you were low on energon?"
Rodimus Prime interjects concernedly, "If you need a boost, Centurion.."
Centurion looks over his shoulder and shakes his head, "Thanks Prime.. I 
think I'll do okay though.. I just need to get Whiz to fashion me an 
auxiliary power pack or something until someone figures out how to cure 
my disorder..."

================================== Reports =============================
Message: 9/13                      Posted        Author
Birth Announcement                 Sun Oct 26    San Franscico Republican
------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Franscico (AP) - The former Secretary-General, Edward Bryant and his 
wife, Krystal, are proud parents of twins. The five pound eight ounce 
girl and four pound two ounce boy were born in the Autobot base in the 
United States at 7:44 and 8:19 PM respectivley. The as-of-yet unnamed 
children are in excellent condition, thanks to their doctor, the Autobot 
known as Whiz. Neither Bryant offered comment, as Whiz, a graduate of 
the University of California, explained that the twins were unexpected, 
and that the parents needed time to adjust.
=======================================================================