It's so crowded in here

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*

*In the Decker Room, the team's been debriefed on the situation before the two ninjas arrive.  When they walk in, the team stands…and at Deckard's signal, salutes in unison.*

Kage: *stands awkwardly to the side and just behind Maru, wings quivering softly with nerves.* *he'll give them a bow, rather than a salute* I am glad for the opportunity to meet everyone, and ask your forgiveness for previous encounters.

Saejima: *quietly*  Brave Police… *unspoken "at ease" – the group relaxes from the salute – he steps forward, standing at the edge of the dais*  Kagerou . . . if anything, I think it's we who owe /you/ an apology.  …/I/ owe you an apology.  Nobody fully understands how Super AIs work or what all is possible with you.  But if anyone should have known better than to handle things the way they were back then, it's me.  We've all learned better . . . in part thanks to you.  Can you forgive /us/?

Deckard:  *nods*  Commissioner Saejima is right.  You were poorly handled from all angles.  I can't say how /any/ of us would have handled what you faced, if we would have been any better.  I'm sorry you were wronged as you were.  */bows/*

*McC, PJ, and Dmps do as well.  After an instant's hesitation, DB does too just because his brothers are.  GM and Duke are…kinda staying out of it, though they're watching.*

Kage: *kind of...looks around at all of them...finally, softly.* There is nothing to forgive. *he turns to Saejima* I hope that my return can be a further source of learning of what our Super AI's are capable of. *he doesn't even have an AI chip like the others now. Zero used some kind of chip to house his spirit, but it's not an AI chip so much as a conduit holding his soul.*

Saejima:  Agreed.  Will you let Chief Toudou go over your systems, Kagerou?

Kage: *nods* Yes, sir. Though...I will say now, they will not be as he expects.

Saejima: *glances at Maru – he's already been told the ninja was rebuilt by an /alien/ robot*  I'm sure he'll be eager to discuss the differences with you.

Kage: *nods again* Yes, sir. *will look at Maru, and will either follow his brother or head for the maintenance bay...at least he's assuming Toudou-san is already here and waiting to see him. When he sees the engineer he'll give the man a small bow* Toudou-san.

Maru: *will go with him*

Toudou: *turns from his work, looking up as the two ninjas approach*  Kagerou… *eyes wet, looks like a father who's prodigal son has returned, aggrieved and /happy/ at the same time*

Kage: */affected/ but the expression on the man’s face.  He....hesitates, and then steps up and kneels, very carefully resting a finger on the man’s shoulder...and then gives him a small, warm smile.*

Wing: *noticing DB hasn't taken off yet. He'll step over to make sure everything is okay.*

McC: *nods*  Sounds like a psychokinetic ability.  *looks at Wing*  Yes, everything's fine.

DB:  You ready, kiddo?

Wing: *smiles and nods.* Get her settled okay? *can't help an...interested look.* Wow, you really are made by smaller people, aren't you? *amazed*

Jendayi: *smiles and waves to them.* Yup!

McC: *nods*  We were designed by people very much like her mother.  We all have compartments designed to be able to take a human driver.  Our…what you'd call alt-modes were made to mimic existing vehicles that humans already have. *small grin, looking at DB as he takes off*  Well…almost all of our alt-modes.  Drill Boy is the first driller with flight capability. *amused*

DB:  */whoops/ as he takes off!*

Wing: It's amazing. Before meeting you, heh, even after, until coming /here/ I found it hard to believe there could exist organic life larger than a few cells. It's....well, amazing.

McC: *nods solemnly*  Life is amazing. *turns to look up at DB, then out across the trees*  Would you like to explore a little, Wing?

Wing: I would love to. *will step up by McC to walk with him.*

*And off they'll go, McC offering to answer any questions Wing might have about…anything*

Deckard: Ah! No, wait! I'm not going to hurt you. *tries to make a grab at her one-handed but doesn't want to injure her by accident, or do more damage to the woman by dropping her (yes, he's aware she's...probably dead...but he's not going to /assume/ so)*

Duke: *will drop to a knee and deftly scoop her up in both hands*

Child: Ah! *she curls up in Duke's hands, shaking and sobbing.*

Duke: Shhhh...it's okay. You're safe now.

Dmps: She probably doesn't understand you.

DB: *over Deckard's shoulder, anxious* Deckard...?

Deckard: *gently checking the poor woman over, finally shakes his head and lays her down, smoothing her hair with bloodsoaked fingers*

PJ: */angry/ for her sake...and the child's* What kind of sick /freaks/...?

GM: /Sick/ ones. *disgusted by the men*

Child: *peeks at Duke. After a few minutes, when he's not done anything to her, she starts to calm, though her gaze keeps darting about to all the giant metal men around her.*

*GM, Deckard, and Dmps turn their attention outward, guarding, while Duke patiently waits for her to calm, continuing to reassure her - at worst, she'll hopefully hear the soothing in his tone. DB and PJ stand on either side, watching in worry.*

Duke: *when she finally calms enough to look up at them, gives her a grin* Can you understand me?

Child: *frowns, bottom lip quivering....and says something they won’t understand...it’s a half whine and probably her saying that she doesn’t understand.*

Kage: Mn...I think that’s a “no”.  *not surprised at all.* Deckard-danna? *kind of a “what now?” tone.*

Deckard: *glances at Kage, pulls out his badge* McCrane, come in. Any luck with those men?

McC: McCrane here. No. Sorry, Deckard. They bolted into a small cave connected to an extensive cavern system. We lost them, so we're on our way back.

Deckard: Understood. Meet us back at the ship. *puts away the badge and gives the child a grin, offering her his...well, finger - points at himself* Deckard. *points at each of the others, slowly saying their names, gaze on her so he's clearly speaking to her*

Child: *gaze darting between Deckard and each person he points to.....finally she points at him and softly speaks.* D-Deckard? *she points to herself* Jendayi...

Deckard: *grins* Jendayi. */wants/ to add "yoroshiku" because it's what culture says he should, but he resists, knowing she'd not understand, just offers her his fingertip again*

Jendayi: ......... *she...she reaches to touch his fingertip* *she...seems to be relaxing a bit, no longer looking so scared...she'll even shift to sit up*

Steel: Ah...h-hey, Subzero, sir?

Zero: *ut-oh, sparkling is nervous, he either has what he believes others will consider a "stupid question", or he has a favor to ask.* What is it, Steel?

Steel: Erm. Since...Kagerou's spirit is still around, do you think it would be possible to reattach him to a new body?

Zero: *finds himself studying Kage, thoughtful.* It...might be.

Maru:  We don't want to impose – you've already done so much. *but if it's at all possible…*

Zero: *wry smile* You'd really love to have your brother back. I understand. And you're not imposing. I won't try to get your hopes up. In theory, I can see how or why it would work, but that doesn mt 'mean it actually will. I will try though.

Maru: *DEEP bow*  Even your trying is more than we can ask.  Thank you, Zero-san.

Kage: *looking between Maru and Zero* //Shadowmaru? What's going on?//

Maru:  *Kage will be able to /see/ the HOPE he's trying to hold back* //Steelback asked if it'd be possible to build a new body for you.  Subzero-san says he can't promise anything, but he's willing to try for us.  If you're willing…//

Kage: *eyes go /bright/ and he looks back at Zero....and gives him a deep bow* //Thank you, for even being willing to try. I cannot tell you what that means to me.//

Maru: *translates*

*The other BPs are staying back…but man, if this works…*

Zero: It's my pleaure. I truly hope I can get something to work. *grins* I guess the first order of business would be having a body for him to return to, yes? Can't even try if we have no body.

Maru: *translates, then*  Agreed.  I was built based on him, and I have a lot of his data in my memory units.  If you'll let me, I can help you recreate the body he was originally meant to have.

Zero: *nods* That will be a big help. Come. *he'll put an arm around Maru's shoulders and lead him off to get to work.*

Maru: *readily goes with, translating for Kage*

*The others will…wander, not really sure what to do with themselves.*

*Wing and Radia will take the others and start introducing them to different activities they can do. Stars will later join Zero and the ninjas. It'll be about two weeks before they're ready to try bringing Kage back to life.*

Zero: Ready to try this?

Zero: Deckard. We're ready for you, and Stars wants to know who's up next?

Deckard:  *nods and stands to follow*  Duke is.

*The team's figured take care of the team heads, then the others go in build/serial order – McC, Dmps, PJ, DB, then GM*

Zero: *grins* You two with me then. *waves for them to come with him*

*Duke stands, and the two will follow him out.*

Stars: *is doing the last little bit on Deckard's new body. He glances up.* You ready for this?

Deckard: *nods*  Thank you for all your hard work for us.  *glances to include Zero*

Duke: *looking around in interest*

Stars: *smirks* You'll owe me.

Zero: *rolls his optics at Stars and addresses Deckard* You're welcome. *will offer them both a hand so he can move them to the table.*

*The two will readily sit in his hands to be moved.*

Zero: *sets them down gently and will direct Deckard aside a bit.  He’ll shut the Brave down and will get his memory units and Super AI transferred.  Once Deckard is up he’ll give Duke a smile* I’m in need of some recharge, so I’m going to leave you in Starscream’s capable hands, all right?

Stars: *already pulling up Duke’s blueprints*