Transformers2005 - Saturday, November 29, 1997, 11:05 PM
--------------------------------------------------------

Reception Room
     The reception area and foyer of Autobot Headquarters provides 
enough room for even the largest Transformers to enter. Polished steel 
beams arch overhead to support the vaulted ceiling, meeting in a gilded 
starburst at the center. A wide archway leads into the main audience 
chamber to the north, and two doorways lead into an exercise room and an 
off-duty lounge. A sealed door blocks off the massive staircase leading 
down to the command level of the building.
Contents: Krystal
Obvious exits:
 Stairway Down <D> leads to Communications Center.
 East <E> leads to Training Room.
 West <W> leads to Off-Duty Lounge.
 North <N> leads to Audience Hall.
 South <S> leads to Central Courtyard and Landing Area.

Rodimus Prime walks in slowly, footsteps echoing hollowly in the 
staggering emptiness of the cavernous hall. He scans the room quietly, 
as though looking for something intangible to the naked eye.
Krystal stands on one of the horizontal steel beams not too awfully far 
from the floor, staring upwards at the soft twilight twinkling through 
the starburst in the center of the guilded ceiling. She pans the 
structure slowly, her eyes wide and intrigued, her mouth parted in a 
sort of awe-struck manner. the sudden presence of another causes her to 
stiffen slightly. Pausing only momentarily to grip the edge of her cloak 
near the neckline, Krystal swallows and continues her silent gaze as if 
no one can see her.
Rodimus Prime's stride falters for a beat as his roving optics pass over 
the humanoid figure, then to all appearances seems to disregard its 
presence as he walks past, stopping at the raised dais to place his 
hands lightly on the edge of the stage, looking up again briefly then 
resting his forehead against the polished metal edge.
Krystal blinks slowly and drops her gaze in front of her for a brief 
moment, a sudden wash of tumultous emotion nicking at her. Clasping the 
edge of her cloak, she takes a quarter of a turn to rest her gaze upon 
the flamboyant color scheme of the young Autobot leader. Her brow 
crinkles in consternation as she studies him, sullenly resting his weary 
head against the steel plank, and her expression suddenly softens from 
beneath the hood. Feeling an irresistable urge to speak to the 
Cybertronian, she silently glides across the length of the beam, 
hesitating a short distance from Rodimus's seemingly prone form.
Rodimus Prime speaks without moving. "I'm sorry. I know I... haven't 
exactly been the best host in the world."
Krystal's boots tap the steel with a soft *clink* *clink* as she steps 
forward a bit more, then bends at the knees to lower herself into a 
steady squat position next to the large robot. "No, don't apologize..." 
she stops before adding *sir*, the distinct idea that such a formality 
would only make him more uncomfortable. So she continues quietly. "My 
timing is not always...appropriate. I understand this must be a....well, 
what am I saying. Perhaps I don't." she replies gently, mentally kicking 
herself for being a sentimental doof. She sighs quietly, shaking her 
head as she reaches up to pull back the hood of her cloak, the faintest 
hint of a self-conscious chuckle escaping her.
Rodimus Prime turns puzzledly to look down at the human. 
"Confusing...time, I think is what you mean," he blurts haltingly. "No 
time to breathe before we have to run onto the next thing, and some of 
us are still a few days behind."
Krystal mmms. "Well, maybe that is it." she agrees gently. "Unexpected 
events? Living in a nightmare....screaming and you can't wake up."
Rodimus Prime shakes his head. "No... not a nightmare." He sighs, 
turning to put his back to the dais and slides down to the floor. "More 
like a... roller-coaster dream." He waves his hands vaguely. "Up and 
down, back and forth, can't tell which end is up."
Krystal Swallows, feeling her own emotions swirl heavily with those of 
the Autobot leader. She gazes on him helplessly, feeling torn and urged 
to comfort him, and wishing to figure out how to. "This way is up..." 
she answers softly, her eyes reflecting a smile in their emerald light 
as she raises her arm to point to the ceiling.
Rodimus Prime smiles, following the pointing finger to the shadowed 
depths above. "Yeah, and not three days ago there were two moons up 
there. So what happened to all the other landmarks to navigate with?"
Krystal does her best not to wilt, a mildly-exasperated look crossing 
her face as she places her palms on the beam and swings her legs down to 
straddle it. "Yes, you're definately difficult. How am I supposed to 
know where things like that go? Do I look like Einstein? I dunno..things 
have a way of...disappearing." she offers casually.
Rodimus Prime tilts his head back down, his smile shifting wryly. 
"Disappearing, then reappearing when you least expect them sometimes."
Krystal struggles with the meaning behind that one, frowning as she 
tries to study harder. "Reappearing?"
Rodimus Prime's smile fades with a sigh, more lost than upset. "Yeah, 
with the kid who doesn't know what the slag he's doing with anything."
Krystal blinks with sudden clarity, her mind's eye suddenly breaking 
through just enough to understand. She remains silent, her mouth forming 
a silent "oh" as she begins to see.
Rodimus Prime bangs the back of his head against the dais, rolling it 
over again to put the human in his line of sight. "Sorry. My problem, 
not yours... Lieutenant, right?"
Krystal tilts her chin up slightly, taken aback at the vibrance of color 
that radiates from the Cybertronian's turquoise optics. Her gaze locks 
momentarily, and she takes a quiet breath before nodding in reply. 
"Yes...Krystal MacKenzie." she draws her brow together in empathy, 
shaking her head, not only at the lost puppy in front of her, but her 
own unwarranted...concern? "Is it really a problem?" she asks 
tentatively, "Or a challenge?"
Rodimus Prime exhales loudly, pondering that question. "I don't know 
yet."
Krystal smiles gently. "I'll buy that."
You say, "I guess I'm not exactly making the staggering first impression 
I'd like to."
Krystal wrinkles her nose in a wry expession. "How often do we really 
make them as we'd like?" she replies, keenly aware of her own 
shortcomings in the 'first impressions' category. "And anyway, does it 
look like I'm mortally offended?" she throws her hands up in mock 
indignation, putting on her best annoyed and prudish expression. "I'll 
just have to trapse back down to Earth and proclaim to the UN that you 
were the most repugnant host--you did not serve me tea and crumpets, and 
I demand restitution." she finishes with a huff of exasperation, then 
fixes her gaze upon Rodimus with a knowing smile. "Relax. You don't have 
to impress anyone here..." she says, with a sweep of her arm that 
encompasses the room. "Been there. Done that."
Rodimus Prime blinks, then smiles slowly. "I just meant... uh, well, I 
guess I'm not sure what I meant. Sorry, I'm new at this diplomacy 
thing."
Krystal nods, and whispers secretively. "Keep it that way. Diplomats are 
a bunch of stuffed-shirts."
Rodimus Prime asks bemusedly, "So what does that make you?"
Krystal pats herself down as if paranoid. "Hey...Hey..." she shoots 
back, looking herself over. "Do *you* see a rank insignia that denotes 
'diplomat' anywhere on these threads, huh? I *don't* think so."
You say, "Well, you ARE a long way from home here..."
Krystal sighs, as if defeated. "Point. But seriously...I wasn't forced 
to come up here on some hide-kissing expedition."
Krystal says, "And I'm no diplomat."
You say, "So why'd you come?"
Krystal blinks, looking vacant. "Ah, that's a pretty good question..."
Rodimus Prime gestures vaguely to encompass the surrounding area. "I 
mean, it's not exactly the resort hot-spot of the galaxy.
Krystal shrugs. "Perhaps..." she answers, following his gesture. "Would 
you believe that my being here was based on nothing more than an 
idea...a premonition...if you will." she offers. "We *did* locate 
survivors."
Rodimus Prime scoots forward a bit to rest his forearms on his knees. 
"Yeah, but still... I mean, no offense, but most humans don't get along 
too well out here."
Krystal leans forward, stretching out her back as she folds her forearms 
and rests them on the steel beam. "Right. Well, no offense taken. I find 
the planet intriguing...a bit dark and dismal, but nothing about it has 
frightened me yet. Should it?"
Rodimus Prime shakes his head. "It's just dangerous. It'll get better 
though," he adds quickly, a faraway look touching his optics. "With 
Galvatron gone and the Decepticons out of the way, we can rebuild -- 
it'll be better than ever."
Krystal nods, trying to bridge the information gap with bits and pieces, 
the task proving to be a strain.
Rodimus Prime rambles on, warming to his topic, oblivious to his 
audience's lack of background. "I mean, sure it's torn up now, but we 
WON. We can rebuild now. Especially with Earth's help," he adds quickly, 
jumping from point to point in leaps and bounds rather than a straight 
line. "We'll be able to rebuild a new golden age, and no one will tear 
it down this time..."
Krystal swallows, her eyes darkening in concentration, her head 
beginning to ache in the attempt. She tries to focus, nodding and 
landing on each word Rodimus says with primed ears.
Rodimus Prime pauses suddenly. "Sorry, I'm running off at the mouth 
again. Just how much DO you know about us, anyway?"
Krystal tilts her head to the side. "Ah, well...let's 
see....approximately 20 or so years ago you guys appeared on Earth, when 
actually you'd been there long before...something about a crash landing 
in the region of the globe now the state of...oh, in the US anyway. I 
don't remember the details...I was barely walking at that time...I saw 
lots of stuff growing up on television...but didn't readily experience 
much of it. I know there was a lot of trouble. Destruction. Decepticons 
were always after something. And well, frankly, I don't care what any of 
those greasy cheese-puff politicians say, the Earth would have be 
dessacrated almost immediately if not for the aide of the Autobots." she 
ponders a moment. "Honorable...you didn't really have to stay. So what 
if they plundered a planet that didn't belong to you? Could've 
left....anyway. Details...you had left...here! Cybertron....that's when 
the crash happened." Krystal frowns, as if drawing a blank. She shifts, 
and drums her fingers along the steel beam. "The Autobots built a 
ginormous city in the outskirts of San Francisco....construction began 
about when I moved to California for civilian training..."
Rodimus Prime blinks at the sudden deluge. "I, uh, well... you seem 
pretty up on things. I didn't even get to see Earth until after Autobot 
City was almost complete. Stuck up here in the trenches the whole time."
Krystal says, "Yeah, so...I was assigned to the naval base in San 
Francisco for training. Dad thought it was a good idea, since school 
didn't seem to work out for me. Thought I should at least know how to 
fend for myself in this crazy world." her expression darkens as she 
bites her lip, murmuring to herself, "I sure learned all right.""
Krystal looks across at Rodimus. "Really? Well."
Rodimus Prime swipes at the air before him, offering a smile. "Beating 
up the bad guys."
Krystal grins offhandedly. "A real hero."
Rodimus Prime's smile fades inexplicably and he drops his hands to his 
lap with an abrupt clatter of metal. "Yeah, I guess so."
Krystal cringes inward as she realizes she must have overstepped and 
said something out of line. "I, ah,...sorry. I was doing really well 
there, and then I had to send you back to...reality."
Rodimus Prime smirks. "Don't worry about it. The... hero thing just 
isn't all I thought it was cracked up to be."
Krystal says, "I see. Not part of the job description, but a common 
complaint of the highest ranking in the market." she chides gently, 
trying to lighten the somber mood. "Time is a healer, Rodimus. Take what 
you need, and just because there are changes, doesn't mean you have to 
change who you are inside. The best are never fully prepared.""
Rodimus Prime squints at Krystal puzzledly, rubbing the back of his 
neck. "Yeah, I guess you're right... you some kind of psychologist or 
something?"
Kup enters from the Central Courtyard and Landing Area to the south.
Krystal chuckles softly. "Not at all. Just a person, not unlike 
yourself."
Rodimus Prime hmms, "Like me, huh? So... blown up any planets lately?" 
he attempts levity.
Faint footsteps are heard as Kup approaches, drawing nearer to Rodimus 
and his companion.
Krystal arches her eyebrows, "That's...a new one. Can't say that I 
have."
Rodimus Prime smirks. "It's all right. I don't recommend it."
Rodimus Prime's optics trace an uneasy curve around the room to settle 
on Kup's form from the shadows, and he drops his gaze quickly.
Krystal tries to put herself in Rodimus's unlikely shoes. "Exhausting." 
she answers, studying him, her gaze finally skirting across the room to 
see what has silenced the Autobot.
Kup steps out in front of Rodimus, nodding briefly to him. For a long 
moment he is silent, taking his time and choosing his words carefully. 
In greeting he speaks but one word. "Prime."
Rodimus Prime grinds his jaw, forcing a level tone in his response. 
"Kup... so what all-important thing requires my immediate attention 
now?"
Kup shakes his head this time, with equal slowness as the nod. "Nothing 
pressing... Rodimus, just looking about for you."
Krystal keeps her face panned towards the new arrival, but her eyes pull 
to the side in a longways glance at the new leader as she concentrates 
on the sudden flux of thoughts and emotions.
Rodimus Prime relaxes the suddenly tense cast of his shoulders 
cautiously. "Well, that's... refreshing," he remarks slowly.
"I imagine it would be, considering." Kup's eyes then shift to Krystal, 
examining her for a brief moment. Then, in a surprisingly hospitable 
tone he inquires, "And you are...?"
Krystal clears her throat and straightens to a sitting position, 
squaring her shoulders. "Lieutenant Field Commander Krystal MacKenzie, 
Earth Defense Corps." she replies, nodding briefly.
Rodimus Prime adds, "And part-time psychologist."
Krystal glances down quickly, tensing inexplicably for a slight moment, 
before realigning her gaze.
Rodimus Prime's smile fades slightly as he clears his throat. "Well... 
so to speak."
Kup chuckles faintly, nodding as Krystal speaks. "Defense Corps, eh? 
Sounds like a soldier to me." Kup then adds with a grin, "Which happens 
to be right up my alley. Pleased to meet you, lass."
Krystal throws and uncertain glance at Rodimus, the term 'lass' catching 
her off guard. She bows her head in a sort of nod of acknowledgement. 
"Thank you, likewise, sir."
Rodimus Prime returns a wy smile. "He does that to everyone," he 
undertones.
Kup's optics dart between Rodimus and Krystal quickly, attempting to 
ascertain what they're speaking of.
Krystal smiles somewhat. "Ah, Rodimus Prime..." she uses the name in 
full, perhaps so he can here it used in reference towards 
himself?..."was just explaining to me your choice of vocabulary. I was a 
bit at a loss." she apologizes.
Rodimus Prime clears his throat again uncomfortably. "Yeah. So, uh... 
why.. were you looking for me, exactly, Kup?"
Kup nods oncemore to Krystal. "I see. It happens, when your 11 million 
years old. You'll have to excuse me." Chuckling as he turns to Rodimus, 
Kup replies, "No reason, just... trying to find you. See what you were 
up too."
Rodimus Prime shrugs expansively. "Not like I could possibly get into 
TOO much trouble with everyone watching me."
To which Kup plainly retorts, "I wouldn't put anything past you, 
Rodimus."
Rodimus Prime actually relaxes somewhat at that; at least it's a 
familiar complaint. "Aw, come on, you wouldn't trust this face?" he 
grins, showing his age, or rather lack thereof.
Krystal feels her own features relax into a smile as Rodimus's demeanor 
intrigues her further.
Kup grumbles slightly. "About as far as I can throw you." Kup then adds, 
as an afterthough, "Which is even less, now."
Rodimus Prime takes the comment in stride, albeit a rather long stride 
over a mountain stream of rushing icewater -- and pirahnas, lots of them 
-- and replies deadpan, "Well, that alone oughtta be reason to cut me 
some slack, right?"
Krystal finally just decides that there is much more underneath she is 
not getting, and that she is unable to pull it out on her own.
Rodimus Prime gives Krystal a thoughtful look, then comments rather out 
of the blue, "I guess you... kind of had to be here."
Krystal nods in reply. "Of course."
Kup's optics narrow. "No one is tightening a noose around your neck, 
Rodimus. At least... not intentionally. But if it's slack you want, 
you'll have it."
Rodimus Prime hmphs. "Tell that to Magnus."
Kup grunts faintly, nodding to Rodimus. "Oh. I see. Perhaps I will, 
then."
Rodimus Prime continues, "Or Elita, for that matter. No one wants to 
listen to me, they just want to push me around to play figurehead for 
them. Here, look, our trophy from the last battle," he adds sourly.
Krystal glances uneasily from Rodimus to Kup, her expression uncertain 
as she gets hammered with a new rush of tense feelings.
Kup suggests, "Perhaps you aught to... stand up, for yourself lad." 
Kup's optics then obviously focus on Rodimus' chest, before returning to 
the leaders own optics. "There *IS* a reason you lead, and I know you 
know that."
Rodimus Prime grumbles, "Yeah, it's called being in the wrong place at 
the right time. Don't get all mystic on me. You know as well as I do no 
one really takes me seriously."
Kup's optics suddenly lock onto Rodimus', holding the gaze as he speaks 
in a piercing tone. "I do." After a pause, he adds, " *I* - *was* - 
*there*.
Rodimus Prime shifts his optics sideways uncomfortably. "But you've 
still gotta keep track of me, don't you?" he points out. "And you 
weren't... *there* there..."
Kup shakes his head. "No. I just don't think you can do it all by 
yourself." As to the second statement, he replies, "Yes, but... I could 
feel it, Rodimus. Something about you was very different at that 
moment..."
Rodimus Prime sighs loudly, banging his head back against the dais as he 
turns his optics ceilingward again. "So," he reasons, "it doesn't help 
if no one else notices."
Kup says, "They will, in time. It was the same way with..."
Rodimus Prime tilts his head forward again. "With who?"
Krystal clears her throat and leaps in. "Ah, so well, there ya go. Time 
is important, like I said." she says, trying to keep the subject from 
deepening further.
Kup says, "...with Optimus."
You say, "Yeah, right, like I could ever compare to... that."
Kup says, "All I know is, I've seen to many good Autobots sell 
themselves short. I don't want to see you do that too, lad."
You say, "Well, I don't want to either, but I don't have much choice if 
no one will give me a CHANCE."
Krystal clears her throat softly. "Give *yourself* a chance."
Kup sighs faintly. "Well... someone once told me that a negative 
attitude wouldn't get me anywhere. I suggest you abide by that."
Rodimus Prime grumbles, "I tried that already. Ultra Magnus acted 
embarrassed to be around me and Elita just blew me off."
Kup shrugs softly. "I guess you'll just need a chance to prove yourself, 
then."
Krystal says, "Embarrassed? Or uncertain? Remember, just as this is new 
and vague and oh-so-different to you, it is likewise for them. This 
effects *everyone*.""
You say, "Didn't I already prove myself? I opened the stupid thing, 
didn't I?"
Krystal hushes herself, confused, but listens intently anyway.
Kup says, "I would hardly call it stupid, but yes, you did."
Rodimus Prime spreads his hands like that should explain it all. "So? 
Isn't that the basis for this whole leader thing anyway?"
Kup finally adds, "I don't really know what to say, Rodimus. It seems 
they just haven't seen the side of you that I have. The side that lead 
us out of an exploding planet."
Rodimus Prime sets his jaw crookedly, pondering something to himself. 
"Well... that was different. We had to get out. Now... everyone's got 
breathing space to think about whether they want to listen to me or 
not."

< Kup had to disconnect >

Krystal watches the aquamarine form disappear down the corridor as Kup 
leaves, her brow furrowed as she does her best to glue pieces together. 
"Well." she she says softly.
Rodimus Prime repeats quietly, "Well."
Rodimus Prime rubs his forehead. "Sorry," he apologizes again. "I really 
need to get some things straightened out..."
Krystal smiles gently. "You must be absolutely beat. Exhausted. A good 
rest cycle can do wonders..." she offers. "Ah, listen. I don't have 
answers. I don't even really *know* what's going on here...but for just 
as many as you think are against you , or don't take you seriously for 
what you are, there are that many who really do. That many who believe 
in you, something in you, and are counting on you, just as you are 
counting on them. Don't let them, or yourself down. Everybody's got it 
within them. Somewhere. Sometimes the hardest thing in the world to do, 
is find it." she pauses thoughtfully, reaching out tentatively to rest 
an open palm against the large, reddish bulk of Rodimus's arm panel. 
"And I've learned that there are times when all the advice in the world 
can't help some situations. There are just some things we have to figure 
out on our own."
Rodimus Prime is silent for some moments as he digests that. "I guess," 
he says finally, slowly, "I don't know what I am." He glances down at 
his hands. "Other than me, and I'm not even sure who 'me' is anymore. 
Makes it hard when I try to be myself," he adds in an attempt to dig up 
some shred of humor.
Krystal chuckles softly. "I'll bet that, in time, it will come back to 
you. Patience is a virtue. Don't give up. I don't get the impression 
that you're the'quitting' type."
Rodimus Prime smiles softly. "Never."
Krystal nods slightly, "Never say die." she finishes firmly. "Not 
today."
Rodimus Prime tightens a fist as though still unused to the feel of his 
own hand, flashing a trace of his usual cocky grin. "Hey, I'm the Chosen 
One, right?"
Krystal cocks an eyebrow. "That's what they say." she nods her head 
towards him, as if prodding. "What do you say?"
Rodimus Prime exhales loudly. "That things are going to change around 
here if I'm going to be in charge."
tick krys
Krystal says, "Then that's a start."
Rodimus Prime smiles. "Thanks. For.. listening, I mean. I'm not sure why 
you'd want to put up with my whining, but..." he leaves the statement 
hanging.
Krystal simply offers a smile in return.
Krystal grips the edge of the steel beam and swings her legs over the 
side, dropping down to the floor with the ease of a feline. "Rest, sir, 
will do you some good."
Rodimus Prime blinks, taken aback by the title. "Don't--" he catches 
himself and controls his volume. "You can call me... Rodimus," he 
amends, stumbling slightly over the name.
Krystal looks up at the large, brightly colored Autobot. "All right 
then, Rodimus. Rest will still do you some good."
Rodimus Prime smiles. "Yes ma'am."
Krystal cringes. "Oh, no no. Krystal will do nicely. You'll make me feel 
old if you refer to me as "ma'am"..."
Rodimus Prime grins. "Hey, better anyone else than me."
Krystal smirks. "Don't push it." she replies, waving a finger warningly. 
"I'm full of surprises."
Rodimus Prime waves a hand submissively. "Okay, okay. Good night, 
Krystal."
Krystal says, "Good night, Rodimus Prime."

Rodimus Prime . o O (By the way, I'll help deliver your baby in five 
years or so...)
Krystal . o O (By the way, remind me to nail you harder with that plasma 
rifle in the training room!)

Rodimus Prime starts to protest again, then lets it pass, muttering 
something about having to get used to is sooner or later.