(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *they’ll sit in comfortable silence together.  Zero lost in his thoughts, TC guarding them.  When Warp’s shift is up, Zero will finally settle back to try to rest, just as he promised he’d try when TC laid down to rest.*

*The Seekers will switch places, with Warp /very/ carefully pulling away Sun for TC to take and snuggle with him and Warp taking the chair by Zero's berth.*

Zero: *softly* Rest well? *yes, he's...daring to speak up.  He just...needs to feel out Warp a bit.*

Warp: *winces a bit* Sorry . . . didn't wake ya, did I? An'...yeah, mostly. *huffs* Almost lost Sun again today. *looks at Zero...and offers his hand* I know TC's said it, but...I wanna say it. /Thank/ you for savin' him. For shieldin' him, for diggin' him out /with/ ya, for bringin' him ta help when you could run an' disappeared. We owe ya. Big time. Me an' TC both.

Zero: No, I was awake.  *he accepts the hand, a little smile on his face*  He’s a brave mech.  It didn’t feel right leaving him there. *and shielding him was instinct...*

Warp: *n-nods, looking at Sun* He is. He kinda had ta be before he bought me. A mini all alone livin' in the slums . . . he bought me because he was lookin' for a bodyguard cuz he couldn't afford ta pay someone. A-an' . . . an' a friend. He wanted a friend too. *fond grin* He /so/ didn't know how ta be a master. Didn't wanna know either. *soft huff* He's the only reason I'm finally free. *shudders as he remembers* Actually...he's the only reason I'm even still alive, an' not dead deep underground somewhere.

Zero: *little frown* ...The mines...your master was going to send you to the mines?

Warp: ................... *glances at Zero, and...nods, gaze dropping to his lap* I had barely a breem or two left when Sun came by an' I managed ta convince 'im ta buy me.

Zero: *softly* I'm glad he did.  No Seeker should ever be underground.

 

Comments

[dragondancer5150]

Warp: *hunches, nodding . . . huff/buzz* An' ya wanna know the best part? *by his tone, he means "worst"* Sun found out for me that I shoulda been freed more than six vorns ago, before that. I...I spent my whole /life/ in slavery, almost died buried an' forgotten in the mines . . . *voice drops to a low whisper* An' all I did wrong was stole some energon because I was hollow an' nobody'd hire slum trash so I couldn't buy it.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: ...I'm sorry. I...can't tell you how many I came across in the same situation, held beyond their sentence. I'm glad you're free now.

[dragondancer5150]

Warp: *nods* I never even knew how long I had. Judge's gavel came down, I got a collar locked on my throat, I was /beaten/, an' they dragged me out ta my first slave market. Nobody'd tell me /anythin'/, not then an' not after. Police'd just shrug me off an' say that was between me an' my master, an' masters always /beat/ if I ever tried ta ask 'em. I...I thought maybe I'd just been condemned for life. *finally looks up at Zero again* TC's squad is different, though. Even before he joined 'em. They've been workin' on buildin' a database ta /track/ slaves so that /someone/ checks on 'em an' makes sure they get released when it's time.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *nods* I'm glad to hear that. There are far too many out there that should have been freed a long time ago.

[dragondancer5150]

Warp: Yeah… *low huff* Anyway, you should get some rest. I'll letcha know if anyone comes in at all. If ya don't wake up on your own.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *gives him a little smile.* Thank you. *and... he really will manage to get some sleep.*
Medic: *comes on later, long enough later for TC and Zero to get decent rest, and will check on Sun and Zero.* All right. You're clear to leave.

[dragondancer5150]

*Warp warns the medic to stay back until he can get the others awakened, nudging at TC over the bond and carefully at Zero, ready to block a reactionary attack if needed. TC wakes relatively easily and gets Sun up. They're /glad/ to hear that both Sun and Zero are cleared, both Seekers thanking the medic for all his work*

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *wakes easy...because he woke the moment the medic stepped in. He sits up slowly when Warp moves to wake him.*
Sun: *will snuggle back up to TC.* Thank you, doctor. *looks at hos brother, looks at Zero, leans up to whisper to TC.* Think you could carry him to fly?

[dragondancer5150]

TC: *arms wrapped around Sun, nods* If he's not afraid of heights.

[socrowdedinhere]

Sun: *nods* Subzero, are you afraid of heights?
Zero: *shakes his head* No, Master Sundance, heights do not bother me.
Sun: Great! Then we'll fly home so I can finish your repairs.

[dragondancer5150]

*TC will get the bills arranged and paid, then they'll head out. TC had insisted the medic concentrate on Zero's damage from the bomb and then the whip wounds and now he's doubly glad, /knowing/ how much it HURTS to be pressed back against something or someone when injured like that. He'll direct Zero to position himself while Warp scoops up Sun, then they'll take off for home. It's a modest little one-berthroom, but it's theirs and it's in a safe enough neighborhood.*

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *is also glad. And while the flight is short he /does/ seem to enjoy it. When home he settles without protest wherever Sun directs and will sit quietly while the mini works on his repairs.*

[dragondancer5150]

Warp: Hey, Sun? You're gonna be okay, right? TC's here if ya need anythin'. I'm...I'm gonna head back ta the crisis site an' help some more. *has been loathe to leave Sun, but also antsy to get back and help more*

[dragondancer5150]

TC: */snorts/* It's because they don't fragging /care/. They demand as much out of us as they possibly can - and it's surprising how much you can wring out of yourself to avoid yet another flogging - for as little as they can get away with. And it makes them feel superior in just one more way when they know they're enjoying better fuel than you are.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *barks a humorless laugh* Isn't that the truth? *sighs* ...So...when does this dream end for me? Or do you know yet?

[dragondancer5150]

TC: Unfortunately, I don't. If I can help it, it won't. *looks at his cube* Inspector Turboslide once told me that he'd personally place me, and in a good home where I'd be safe, if Sundance couldn't or wouldn't take me. I'll ask him who he had in mind and if I can contact them about taking you in.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: ....Thank you.
Sun: ...Maybe we could take you in? You /did/ save my life, several time, yesterday.
Zero: ....I would love that. I... will likely be quite expensive, though, and I don't wish to burden your home.

[dragondancer5150]

TC: You wouldn't burden our home. We have a fuel converter for energon, the house is paid for, and push comes to shove, Sundance is a really good, self-taught medic and can take care of most any needed repairs. You'd just have to either recharge out here or pile in the berthroom with three other mechs. Seekers enjoy the close company, but I understand that not everyone does. As for expense . . . we'll have to see. A judge might award you to him like they did with me.

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *won't get his hopes up* Thank you. I really appreciate it.

[dragondancer5150]

TC: *nods* Excuse me. *stands to go make a call, checking in with Turbo or Twin whoever answers first to find out things are going*

[socrowdedinhere]

Turbo: //Thundercracker.// *he'll give TC the current death count and state that he thinks they'll have everything more-or-less cleaned up in a few days.*

[dragondancer5150]

TC: *grimaces* //At least it wasn't more. Could have been much worse. I know Skywarp's out there, but could you use another two pairs of hands? Master Sundance is fine. The medics cleared him early this morning.// *a beat, then realizes he could be taken in error* //The two pairs being me and Subzero, not me and Master.//

[socrowdedinhere]

Turbo: //I leave that up to you to decide.//

[dragondancer5150]

TC: //Thank you, sir.// *and if there's nothing else, he'll bid the inspector farewell and cut the comm, rejoining the others to finish his fuel - to Zero* How are you doing? Would you like some more?

[socrowdedinhere]

Zero: *mild grimace* I think that's as much as my tank can handle for now. But thank you. I'm actually feeling really good right now. *which is so surreal.*