It's so crowded in here

GM: *flinches at the first comment, shifting to look*  S-shadow…m-maru?  *the voice doesn't sound quite right, but it's been so long…and he can't see well enough right now to tell either . . . he's quiet and offers no resistance when Kage gets him down, /clinging/ more than he wants to admit as he fights to regain his own feet, /growling/ at himself as he does*

Kage: *won't answer that right now. Will just get GM steady on his feet and walk him away from there....his Seeker family is closest so he pings Stars to see if he'll do repairs. Despite sounding put upon Stars is ready and sends Warp to teleport the two home* Hang on. Help is coming. I'm going to get you fixed up before we see Deckard.

GM: *nods*  Hmn . . . you sound different.  Shit, what'd they do to /you/?

Kage: *hesitates...* I'm not Shadowmaru. *Warp shows up and Kage will warn GM of what's about to happen before the Seeker teleports them, and then they're in a medbay and Kage is getting GM settled so Stars can fix him. GM will have a moment to react to Kage's confession, but not really ask anything.*

Stars: *will get to work on GM, and it's not long before GM can see for himself who rescued him.*

GM: */jerks/, starting to pull away, but then someone else is there and then the world turns itself inside out and back and he's still recovering from /that/ when he's laid out on a repair berth . . . he's silent and still but TENSE as whoever these people are work on him . . . finally the cameras behind his lenses are repaired, the video feeds reconnected to his processor…and he /frowns/ - the one mech looks a /lot/ like Maru but…no, wait…make that he looks /exactly/ like…but that's not /possible/*  Who are you people?  *to the imposter*  How do you know me?

Kage: ......I don't think you'd believe me if I told you. I've called Deckard. He'll be here as quickly as he can.

GM: ………….."Deckard".  Right.  *this from someone masquerading as a BP unit that was destroyed /decades/ ago . . . but if they're going to repair him, he'll be a good boy scout and lay there for now to let them do it*

Kage: *will leave the medbay to me Deckard at the door.* He's this way. *leads Deckard in.*

Stars: *workyworkyworky.*

Maru: *prowls after him, intent on studying him first...*

Bot: *He'll...prove kind of hard to follow.  The mech will actually manage to disappear on Maru a couple times, if only for a moment. At one point he'll lose the bot again, only to be suddenly grabbed and slammed to the ground, pinned there.*  Why are you following me?

Maru: Ah! *goes down . . . and goes still and silent, /cursing/ mentally*

Bot: ...Who are you, and why are you following me? *notes the collar* Who's your master?

Maru: .................

Bot: ................... *turns him over, sitting on him and keeping his hands pinned down* ........*and studies him.....* ...........Are you Shadowmaru? *fits the description he was given...*

Maru: *STRUGGLES as he's shifted, /fighting/ back . . . and goes defiantly still again . . . optics brighten at the name, but his chin tucks, refusing to speak*

Bot: *smiles, triumphant* You are. I'm not your enemy, Shadowmaru, I'm a friend.  I'd like to help you, if you'll let me...

Maru: *optics only darken suspiciously*  How do you know my name?

Bot: A bot named Deckard has been living with me for the last month.

Maru: */flinches/ at that, optics brightening again*  You have Deckard!?

Bot: Yes.  He's safe and well.

Maru: *LONGING in his optics before he manages to bury it again, bitter and defensive*  What makes you think you can do anything?

Bot: How do you know I can't?  How much do you know about me?  You have to know something, as I assume you were following me for a reason.

Maru: .............. *goes silent and defiant again, /braced/*

Bot: ......................You were sent to kill me, or something else along those lines, huh?  Can’t say I’m surprised.  From what Deckard has told me you and I have similar skills....I just have millennia of experience with espionage, and the money and resources behind me.  I can free you from your master.  Getting your collar off would be easy, helping you disappear would be easy. *doesn’t know about DB of course*

*There was a huge explosion.  Deckard was right in the middle of it while out to investigation something for a case.  Thankfully, Yuuta had been in school, so Deckard was alone.  When he wakes he's....not where he should be.  He's strapped down to a table and a large robot is standing over him, gazing down at him.*

Deckard: *softly rubbing his back*  Will you share with me?

Mitham: *face in his hands.* Just...nightmares. *swallows.* I have nightmares often. U-usually of when my parents died, or some of the masters I've had. After I found Shaila, they would often be of failing her, not being able to keep her safe, or even of my second master getting hold of her. *that makes him shudder....and he can't yet make himself say what last night's were all about.*

Deckard: …………….I'm sorry.  *not sure if he should press for more current details or not*

Mitham: ...*soft huff that might be a sob.* I can't...lose you. Not like that. N-not to those /things/. You have no idea what they'd do to you if they caught you. *he can imagine, even if he doesn't know*

Deckard: *quietly*  Better me than you, or anyone else here.  I can be rebuilt. *will catch Mitham's chin, getting the boy to look up at him*  You can't.

Mitham: *meets his gaze, tears in his eyes* Can you, though?  Here? 

Kage: Sirrah-sama can fix us, Mini Boss.  So long as our super AI’s are intact.

Mitham: ........*he curls forward, top of his head thumping lightly to Deckard’s chest.*

Mitham: *will pull a blanket off a bed and end up snuggled up to one of the bots at the edge of the pile sometime in the night*

*Rest is fitful for the bots. They wake each other inadvertently with twitches and soft, distressed buzzes, and soothe each other back down.  Mitham winds up back-to-back with McC, who at one point is making soft, choked sounds almost like crying.*

Mitham: *turns over and wraps his arm up over McC, like he's done for Shaila so many times*

*That actually wakes him, and the realization there's something behind him, /right/ behind him, has him shifting over to look before he can catch himself, optics bright in the blackness . . . and he calms, offering a faint smile.*

McC: Is everything all right?

Mitham: *McC actually waking and sitting up wakes Mitham fully. He gasps softly and sits up to look at McC* Yeah. M'fine. Are you okay?

McC: I'm fine.  Why aren't you in bed?  *concerned*

Mitham: I am. *bed is wherever he ends up sleeping...*

McC: *confused*  No, you're not.  Where's Shaila? *climbs up to a knee, scanning the room visually and with some of his sensors, counting and reading heat signatures*

Mitham: Yes I am. I'm with you guys. *yawns and lies back down* Snuggled up with Zeirik.

McC: ……….Mitham, the floor is no place for a child to sleep, not when there are much better options.  You're not on the streets anymore. *just…trying to look out for him – it's /really/ not right for Mitham to be on the floor like this*

Mitham: *shrugs* I'm used to the floor. I'm fine, McCrane. *looks up at the bot*

McC: …………………. *nods and resettles – hard to tell if he doesn't argue further because Mitham insists he's fine and he is…or if it's something else*

Mitham: .....*he puts out a hand a rests it on McCrane* ....It's okay to argue with me, you know? I know you're just looking out for me, and I know I'm not always going to be right.

Kendra: *peeking around DB at the fox, back enough to not get bitten if the animal does get hostile. She meets the fox's gaze.* Can you talk?

Zeirik: Don't be silly. Animals can't talk.

Jerrin: *normally he'd say the same, but this is /his sister/ asking, and so he's studying the fox.*

Fox: *lifts its head and glances around but then won't look at anyone.*

DB: *looks down at the fox . . . shifts his hold to pick him up and hold him at eye level, checking him out*  Uh . . . do you?  Talk?

PJ: *claps the back of his head*  Drill Boy!  Like Zeirik said, don't be stupid.

DB: *ducks from him*  Hey!

Fox: *soft whine at being moved, ears flattening when DB asks...and is struck for it........ * ....yes. *the answer is soft, but DB, Kendra, and perhaps PJ will hear.*

PJ: *jaw goes /slack/, optics bright*

DB:  Ha!  I was right!  *looks at Kendra*  /You/ were right.  *to PJ, triumphant*  We were right!  *cradles the fox back into his lap, looking pleased*

Dmps: *frowning over at them*   Right about what?

DB: *points at the fox*  He talks!

GM:  *been standing at the edge of the clearing, but right everyone's making so much noise, standing guard is almost pointless, so he crosses to get a closer look*  Last I heard, animals don't talk, Drill Boy.  Not even on /this/ world.

DB:  Yeah, well, they said the same thing about Deckard, didn’t they?  "That's impossible, robots aren't intelligent, they can't talk!"  But he does.  We all do.

PJ: *to the fox*  What's your name?

Fox: *voice soft, strained with pain, but louder so he can be heard.* Kemen.

Kendra: */beams/ up at DB.*

Inami: *wow...but she needs to prepare these medicines...*

DB: Kemen . . . pleased to meet you.  I'm-

Dmps:  Kemen, who hurt you and tied you to that tree?  And why?

DB: *gives Dmps a dirty look for the first instant at being interrupted, but that's forgotten when the questions register, looks down at Kemen for the answer*

Kemen: ...Demons. They needed no reason. Though as I'm Inriomai, I am an enemy.

Dmps: ………demons?  This close?

*The Braves all exchange looks, even DB /serious/.  There's no need for discussion – they'll step up their security measures.*

Inami: Demons....they.... *frowns* And were they planning to come back for you?

Kemen: I don't know.

Inami: .... Drill Boy, Dumpson. Where did you find him? How close to the den?

Dmps: *tells her*

Inami: *frowns.....* I think we should head back to my den.  It’s smaller, but farther from where those demons will be searching, farther from there than this place.  ...I hope Terris decides this is a good move, else we’ll have nowhere to go...

Jimn: *grins at each.* It's a pleasure to meet you all. This is my friend, Aren. What brings you here?

Aren: *smiles and nods.*

Mitham: We want to see if this is really a safe place for our family.

Jimn: *nods* Then allow me to be your guide.

*And again, the Braves will sort of "fall back", following Terris and Mitham in subconscious sort of guard positions.*

*Being evening, people are home and cooking.  Children are running about, laughing and playing. When they spot the bots, the group will find a gaggle of children around them, touching and asking questions. Everything from what they are, and what they eat, to what they like to do and will they come play?*

*The Braves are…a /bit/ bewildered and uncertain.  They'll answer questions easily enough, though they apologize, they're on duty right now and can't play.  But go have fun for them, they'll keep watch.*

*Will they come back? Are they moving in? Can they play later?*

Mitham: *is /grinning/!* Making friends, guys?

Dkd: */sheepish/*  S-sorry . . . we got waylaid.  *will motion for his teammates to come with him and catch back up*

Mitham: *laughs* Don't apologize. Make friends.  It's a good thing.

McC: …we're on duty at the moment.  *aren't they?*

Mitham: *looks around.....and kind of glances at Terris* I think we’re safe here....

Terris: *nods* We are safe here...

Mitham: .......*shifts and gets up on his knees, and will get Deckard to sit up enough for Mitham to HUG him.* There will be.  The numb will go away, and I'll be here for you when it does.

Deckard: ............... *hugs back, but then looks at him*  Why? *not suspicious, not doubtful, just...an honest, almost /innocent/ question*

Mitham: ....Because I wish someone would have been there for me, when the numb went away.  No one should have to grieve alone....

Deckard: *finally /looks/ at him*  You've . . . lost someone?  I-I'm sorry... *for Mitham's loss...and that he's so focused on himself, he shouldn't be, he's got people to protect...starts to push everything down as he moves to climb to his feet*

Mitham: *catches his hand to keep him there* Couple years ago now.  ...Don't go back yet... *he just...wants to sit with Deckard.  He feels like he can connect with the bot...*

Deckard: ...........my team's probably looking for me. I shouldn't have left them. *though he makes no move to pull away*

Mitham: They know you needed time to yourself.

Deckard: .................. *sits back down, looking defeated*  I've failed.  I'd sworn I would protect Yuuta with everything I have.  I . . . I couldn't protect him.  He was killed . . . we couldn't stop it.  It's my job to lead the others and keep them safe.  I'm the team head, but I . . . I-I don't know what to do anymore. *and that...that frightens him, especially with everyone he's ever relied on taken from him*

Mitham: *studies him a moment* .......I don't know Yuuta, so I don't know what he'd say, but....if he really loved you the way it sounds like he did, he'd want to to enjoy your life, to find a reason to keep going, to learn new things, experience new things, and remember him fondly, always. Do that, and I'm /positive/ you'll make him proud.

Deckard: .........we were built for one thing.  /I/ was built for one thing.  I don't know how to do anything else.  I don't /want/ to do anything else.  Even when I was given the chance, I choose to remain a police officer.  Even the others . . . they went off to pursue other things, but they all wound up coming back.  *never mind that it all wound up being a dream, it felt real at the time so they really did do what they did, in a sense*  But here . . . never mind that the laws don't protect /us/ - they didn't back home either.  But . . . slavery?  /Killing/ a child just because of her parents?  Abusing people, especially children, instead of caring for them?  I just . . . I . . . I can't . . . I /can't/ defend that!

Mitham: Then don’t.  We can start our own place, our own city, and bring people there that would be hurt or killed.  They’ll be under your protection, and no one will dare do them harm.  I’m not saying to rush into town and take all the salves, but there are so many people we can help, we can keep safe, give them a second chance at life! *such high hopes...he doesn’t know the first thing about surviving on his own, not.../really/.  He can steal and raid garbage piles, but....but Terris does....and Inami, they’d teach people how to farm, and maybe they can get animals to raise, and make houses, and all of that....right?* We can do it...together.  All of us.

Kendra: *studying Dumpson's face, she'll reach out and touch his cheek, giving him a smile.* You'll keep us safe. *and she puts her head on his shoulder*

Jerrin: *gapes!*

Dmps: *chuckles and pats her head, brushing the back of her hair*  "You're a sweet girl, kiddo." *looks at Jerrin, mild frown of confusion*  "Is everything okay?"

DB: *glancing around for the possible source of trouble Jerrin's staring at*

Jerrin: *sees them glancing around and goes from gaping to amused and sheepish.* Yeah, she definitely sees something special about you two.

Dmps: *has no idea what Jerrin's just said, just smiles*  "It's all right.  She's no trouble at all."  *he frowns a bit again as he looks around*  "We should probably get moving, though.  See if we can find the nearest city or . . . " *or what, he wasn't really sure*

DB: "Maybe Deckard and the others are here too.  We should look for the rest of the team."

Dmps: *nods*  "Good idea.  I'll stay with these two.  You do an aerial sweep, let me know if you can see anything nearby."

DB: *salutes!*"Roger!" *steps back a few feet, transforms, and /takes/ off for the skies*

Kendra: Ah! *startled? amazed?  It’s hard to tell.  She watches DB go, hugging a little closer to Dumpson.*

Jerrin: *gaping again, this time after DB*

Wolf: *will help get the mud cleaned off of Deckard. When he's done, he'll offer Deckard his hand, his other pointing at his face.* Terris.

Deckard:  Terris… *accepts the hand, pointing at himself with the other*  Deckard.  Thank you.  *bows*

Terris: Deckard. *nods* Kagerou? *definitely a question* "Do you know Kagerou?"

Deckard: !?  K-kagerou??  */shock/ - THERE'S a name he never expected to hear again except /maybe/ from Maru . . . and definitely NOT from a bio-experimental creature*  What do you know of Kagerou?

Terris: *motions for Deckard to follow him. He's gentle, trying to lead the BP with him.*

Deckard:  *Oh, yeah, he's /definitely/ following – he wants to know what this creature knows, this…obviously very /intelligent/ creature, even if it - /he/ - speaks a language he's never heard before*

Terris: *leads him to a cave that's well furnished. He'll motion for Deckard to sit.* "Kagerou will be back soon." *he'll bring Deckard a small can of fuel*

Deckard: *confused, just gets that he's to sit (and wait?) and caught Kagerou's name again . . . he settles with a nod, looking around cave-home, accepts the can*  Thank you, Terris.  I humbly accept.  *drinks the fuel slowly, still looking around and…wondering what's happening – maybe this is some kind of…hallucination in a sense, a glitch in his Super AI now that it's been-…*

*Terris is just starting to settle when Kage and the other three return.*

Kage: Terris-danna, I took Je-- *stops at the sight of Deckard* Deckard....

Deckard:  "K-kagerou!?"  *stands so hard, he drops the can, completely forgotten, on reflex he's reaching for his pistol*  "Wha-/HOW/-!?"

PJ: *has the quickest reflexes of the Braves aside from Kagerou – leaps over to Deckard's side, catching his arm before he can get his pistol out*  "Deckard, it's okay!  Well, no, it's not okay, there's a /lot/ that's very.  Not. Okay. about everything, but Kagerou's not one of them.  It's a long story."

Duke:  "Power Joe's right, Deckard.  Hold your fire."

McC:  "We're on some kind of alien world.  None of us know how, but . . . we're in danger here.  We need to find Dumpson, Drill Boy, Shadowmaru, and Gunmax before anyone else does."

Deckard:  *danger to his team, if /nothing/ else, is what gets him to change gears - he straightens, looking around at everyone, serious*  "What kind of danger and how much time do we have?"

Sirrah: "Time. The rest of your team is not in a place of danger." *yes, she's butting in* "Forgive the intrusion, Deckard, was it? I am Sirrah. It is an honor to meet you.  Kagerou has told me about you.  It is good to meet you for myself finally."