It's so crowded in here

Mech: *lightly brushes his thumb over Connor's LED, then looks at Darnell, still holding Connor's chin.* You two know each other?

Darnell: *nods* We're a set. He's my partner. We work best together.

Mech: *amused little smirk* Is that so?Zeran: Heh, people say they think I'm good or decent person, most times I'm not so sure. But thank you, that you think so at all means a lot to me.

Darnell: *determined* Yes.

Connor: It's true. His kind designed and built my kind, and the company responsible assigned me to him specifically.

Mech: *amused little smirk* Is that so?

Darnell: *determined* Yes.

Connor: It's true. His kind designed and built my kind, and the company responsible assigned me to him specifically.

Mech: All right. *nods for them both to move back behind him.*

*Darnell nods, /visibly/ relieved and glances at Connor as he moves*

Connor: *LED shifts to blue as he follows, staying close*

Darnell: *goes straight to Data*

Mech: *will pick out a few others, and then turn to Oil.*

*Darnell and Connor close on each side of Data, trying to reassure him.*

Oil: *looks at the mech’s selection* You’ve picked quick a few, mech. I hope you realize they won’t be cheap.

Mech: I’m Ironshade’s partner, Oilslick.

Oil: *perks* I see. I can guarantee they’re all in the best condition.

Mech: *nods* Of course. I’ll have these ones, Oilslick, and I’ll speak with Ironshade.

Oil: Excellent. I hope to leave you with the best of impressions.

Mech: You’ve certainly made an impression.

Oil: *seems pleased and will finalize the sale*

Mech: *pays and will turn to his new slaves and get them moving along to a waiting transport.*

Shai: He perked up a bit more when I spoke with him. If he behaves, Oilslick may release him, and yeh, from the cells before we arrive. If he does, Darnell's interested in helpin' meh find evidence teh use against Oilslick, so he'll neh be able teh take others from their homes again.

Connor: ....you can do that? How can I help?

Shai: *smiles* It's why I'm here. Oilslick wants the financial backing of my friend, but my friend is sickened by what Oilslick does, but the bastard has been careful to forge records of where he gets his "exotic" slaves. So I'm here teh find evidence of those forgeries. *whispering* Behave yehrself while in the cells. If Oilslick will let yeh out, then yeh can help.

Connor: Understood. So...you're undercover as a slave, you don't actually belong to your friend?

Shai: Technically, I do, for my own protection. As I mentioned before, I have neh home teh return teh, and teh make sure nehone else will try teh claim meh for any reason, my friend owns me, but teh him I'm an equal. *like Darnell with Connor...*

Connor: *nods* I understand. *completely...*

Shai: I'm glad yeh do. Many don't.

Laserburn: *returns with Connor's backpack, pausing when he sees Shai.* You're lucky, mech, Master wants you alive when we reach Cybertron so long as you don't cause trouble.

Connor: It's what Darnell does for me back home. *looks at Laser and nods - again, not promising anything, since he doesn't know what he'll need to do to help Shai get the evidence she needs*

Laser: *will fill the canister, then take a bit more Thirium from Connor before removing he straps* C'mon. I'll take you back to your friend.

Jendayi: */gleefully/ chattering at him, answering all his questions as she works on his nails. She /grins/ at Terris and Darnell when they finally come back in.*

Connor: *looks up, wry grin* Don't, Darnell. Androids don't have the same hang-ups about things as humans do.

Darnell: *hands up with a GRIN* Wasn't gonna say a word. I let my niece paint my nails once when she was younger. Heck, my sisters used to paint my nails and taught me how to paint theirs. They claimed it was so I'd be able to do so for my future wife, but I think they were just enjoying tormenting their baby brother. *said with a fond grin*

Jendayi: I could paint yours next.

Darnell: *thinks about it, shrugs* Sure, why not. *he's already wearing a flower crown on his head*

Terris: *chuckles* She'll have you both looking lovely for dinner. *a mild tease...*

Darnell: *snickers* Gotta make a good impression.

Terris: She'll certainly make sure you do.

Jendayi: You'll look your very best for dinner. *or you'll at least have painted nails and flower crowns for dinner...*

Connor: That sounds great, Jendayi. Thank you. *to all present* How do meals work here? There are so many diverse races. Is everyone on their own to meet their dietary needs, or is there a set time everyone eats?

Terris: *looks at Darnell* I imagine you at least will have meals with us. *looks at Connor* You'd certainly be welcome to join us. I don't know how often you need to eat or fuel, or...? *little shrug* The Cybertronians don't fuel often, so if they join us it's mostly to just talk. We tend to take turns cooking for everyone. It's Essen's turn tonight. So far all of our diets are similar enough that we've had no worries.

Connor: Thank you. I'll at least join at the table if no one minds.

Darnell: How many of us are there?

Terris: You've met everyone so far. There are eleven of us that share meals, including you. And there are five Cybertronians here right now.

TC: *folds his arms, regarding the creature* Windstorm, find out what you can about this creature's habitat. There /must/ be someplace safe we can relocate it.

Wind: I-wha-bu-...Sir, most people don't even believe they exist!  There /is no/ known -or even theoretical!- habitat!

Shadow: *light blue flicker.  It's amused.  Poor Wind.*

TC: *frustrated* Well, /something/ must be known, or even /guessed/, about these things. And since /he/ can't exactly tell us directly what he needs...

Wind: ...Maybe he can?  If we ask the right questions.  We know green is "yes", red is "no", and...uh... rainbow is "you fried my processor with that one, try again" so...

Shadow: *there's a soft sound from it, eyes flickering blue...is it laughing?*

TC: ............... *this is /so/ not his area of expertise* Fine. Work with it, then? I have datawork I need to get finished up. *and he'll move off to head for his desk*

Wind: *nods* Okay. *looks at the creature* Okay. So... *and he'll start to ask questions.*

Shadow: *will come trotting over to TC's desk about a half joor later.  It'll hop up on his desk and curl up on a corner.  It kind of melts into itself so it's just a mass of gently shifting shadowy smoke with purple spots of light watching him*

TC: *engrossed in his work, researching something for another case . . . bit of a flinch as the creature hops up into the corner of his sight* .............can I help you?

Shadow: *red and blue flicker.  No, it's content, thanks.*

TC: ............ *nods, then turns* Windstorm?

Wind: *was already stepping into the room* Here, sir.  *will come plop in a chair across from TC* So...he basically just needs a source of fuel.  He's been slipping into homes at night to pull fuel from sleeping mechs, but would rather someone willing to share, and yeah, it needs to come from some/one/.  I couldn't really work out all of why, but something about it being processed or something like that.

TC: Hmn. And if we leave it out and about, one of these days, we'll get another call of some kind of shadow monster in their home when they wake up in the middle of the night. I guess someone's got a new, intelligent pet.

Wind: Mm-hmm...yeah, that's basically the conclusion I came to.  *and he can't help but notice that it came in here to TC when they were done talking...*

TC: *he's...noticed that too, but is choosing to ignore it - gestures at the creature* You're into this kind of thing...

Sky: *nods* I...There’s one more thing.  I’ve been looking into what is required of me in situations like this, and... you two will need to move in with me. As “my” slaves now you’re required to live under my roof, unless I sell you, which I wouldn’t, ever.  Starscream and Skywarp will be welcome to move in too, there is room.

TC: ............. *nodnod* May we continue to put the portion of what we've been making into the mortgage for our current place? Or...a little more to cover Sun's portion. Just to keep it until we know for sure if Sun will ever return to it.

Sky: *nods* Yes, yes, of course.

Zero: *nods* Thank you.  We very much appreciate that.

TC: *nods* Thank you, sir.

Sky: We can work over the next few days to get you moved in, and after that you can return to work full time. 

TC: *glances at Zero* I'd imagine Starscream and Subzero will continue working at the house. I'm not sure what Zero would want to bring with him, but . . . everything I own is easily carried in subspace. I wouldn't need any measurable time to move.

Zero: *nods* None of us own much. *Zero used to have lots of "things", but since his arrest he's gotten used to having nothing, and since Sun was used to nothing, and the Seekers were used to nothing, they...really don't have much*

TC: *nods - he's never really had much anyway, even when he was free*

Sky: *nods and looks at TC* Do let your wingmates know they’re welcome with you.*

TC: *moves over to join his trine, softly* Medic Jumpstart has suggested that we talk to him, give him something to fight for, voices to anchor to.

Warp: *nods* That...k-kinda makes sense, I guess. */huffs/* Can't they just flush his systems or somethin'? Replace whatever's damaged? *frustrated...and scared*

Stars: I'm sure if they could, Skywarp, they would have already.

Warp: *huffs again* There's gotta be /somethin'/. *looks at Sun* H-hey, you, ah . . . you remember how we met? In the market. You were . . . lookin' for a bodyguard. */curls/ in on himself* I-I was so scared. I /needed/ you ta buy me. Ya just /had/ to. A-an' . . . ya did. You saved me. Twice. Y-you . . . ya let me go. When no one else would. Ya saved me a-an' . . . an' I keep failin' ya . . . I-I'm sorry... *three times - when that fragger botnapped him, though it turned out okay because they got TC...and when Sonic "botnapped" him, except it /did/ mean they were able to help a /lot/ of mechs . . . b-but now . . . there's not gonna be a good outcome this time, is there?*

Stars: ....You know he'd say you didn't fail him.  You're always so soft, Sundance, but I guess that's what brought us all together.

TC: You were determined to unite our trine once and for all. As soon as you heard of us, me and Starscream. *shakes his head* I still can't believe that you /knew/ I was doing as little as I could in the arena. You were . . . /so/ adamant that the police not hurt me...regardless of what I'd done to you. You knew I hadn't wanted to. *shakes his head...*

Stars: You gave me my freedom without a second thought.  You didn't even officially own me yet and you were already thinking of freeing me. ...you really are an amazing mech...

*Zero comes back shortly, and will just keep them talking.  Even if just to each other, talking about memories shared and gained with Sun.  About a quarter joor later Skyrunner is shown in.*

Sun: *reaches for TC, imploring* Please.  One of us needs to go with you.  Please let me come with you.  And then I'll go to the hospital, promise.

TC: *pulls back* You don't even recognize me! What did that fragger /do/ to you!? *drops to a knee, gripping Sun by both shoulders* You're like /trine/, Sundance! You're /family/. You're my little brother. *reaches up and /pulls/ off the holoclip, exposing his collar* You're also my /master/, my beloved master. Is /none/ of this sounding even remotely familiar? *searching his optics - /please/ let this snap him out of it!* We've been looking for you for /days/, Sun. Why didn't you make any attempt to contact us? To let us know you're okay, that you're /alive/?

Sun: *gazes at TC, taking all that in.  Voice is soft.* I... I'm sorry.  When I first woke up I had thought to see if anyone might be looking for me, but then I got...distracted.  Please.  You'll understand when you see, but you can't go alone...

TC: .......... *stands, looking between him and Sonic, voice low and /edged/* One of you is telling me /right now/ what it is you say I need to see and why an armed police officer cannot go alone. *there's an "or consequences" in that but he...can't bring himself to say it*

Sun: */stiffens/, that look of cold determination back, just like that day he roasted that bully for beating TC* Because you'll scare them and they /won't/ understand what's going on. 

TC: ...............them who? *voice measured and even...deliberately so - he wants nothing more than to just /scoop/ Sun up and take him to the nearest hospital and get him properly seen to, and get him /back/!...but he also knows Sun, if this is still his core personality unchanged, just with memories blocked, then this really is something he needs to look into...he /trusts/ Sun, knows how much he cares about others...*

Sun: *he looks away to /scowl/ so TC won't think Sun is mad at him.* People others have thrown away as trash. *looks back at TC* They need help and everyone Sonicwing has tried to go to in the past for help has refused, so he does what he can, alone.  He's given up on anyone else caring. He's a /good/ mech, and has given /so much/ for people that would have been left to die and rot because their creators were too stupid to do things right. *he is /this/ close to leaving.  If he’s reading this right he’s not under arrest, and so unless they arrest him, and he doesn’t think they have charges to arrest him on, he’ll leave so he can see to Sonic’s family before going back to town to see what he can do to help Sonic...but it’s been long enough that /someone/ needs to get back...Hell...this officer just said Sun is his master.  He’ll...h-he’ll use that if he has to, but doesn’t want to.*

Sonic: *peeking around at everyone, looking terrified...he's not sure what scares him more, that they'll believe and actually go there or that they won't believe and will take him away.  H-he's just scared that either way his family is going to end up hurt*

TC: .................. *looking between the two, look softening as his stance relaxes . . . finally nods, tone low* Silverwing, Windstorm, take Sonicwing back to the precinct. *look and tone harden for a moment* I'm still going to want to know why you didn't take a /not/-thrown-out-as-trash mech to a hospital. *continues, going back to neutral* Zipline, with me. *to Sun* Let's go meet these abandoned sparks.

Sonic: *frightened trill*

TC: *has put the holoclip back on his collar*

Sun: *reaches out towards the other officers* Please don't hurt him!  And if you fly, please catch him when you land, he doesn’t land very well.

Silver: *exchanges a quick glance with Wind at the landing part, but then looks back at Sun, gentle as he shifts his hold on Sonic* We’ll not hurt him or let him be hurt, not without being given good reason.

Wind: *nods his agreement*

Sun: ...*nods and turns to look up at TC...and then takes a stance to be carried* It’s easiest to get there by flight. *actually, he was worried about how long it would have taken him to /climb/ up had he left on his own...*

Stars: *hesitates, only because he doesn't /want/ to kneel, but...will go to a knee before his Mistress.* ...Mistress, in order to fly as you've commanded I will need to have the restrictions to my thrusters and alt turned off.

Crim: *nods and will do so*

Stars: *STIFF....and finally relaxes, wings flicking as he pushes back to his feet* Thank you, Mistress.  *he hesitates a moment, his wingmates will know she just pinged him...and then he'll turn and SHOOT into the sky*

*TC and Warp follow /instantly/, Warp with a triumphant WHOOP! as he flips into alt, the three Seekers /screaming/ off into the heavens!*

Stars: *HIS SPARK SOARS!! Primus, it feels so wonderful to be /in the sky/ with him /trine/!!*

*His JOY and TRIUMPH are taken in and echoed back to him three fold and more, TC and Warp streaking along just off his wingtips where they belong. Warp and even TC will poke at him to play with them, if he doesn't first - dipping, looping, climbing, breaking off, zipping back together and past and swinging around to rejoin again*

Stars: *it won't take long for him to /play/!  And oh the show they'll put on just having fun together!!*

*Someone who didn't know better might swear that what they're seeing must have been carefully choreographed, that the perfect precision and dangerous stunts couldn't just be on-the-fly maneuvers . . . but such is the power and skill of a Seeker, especially a full trine of high-caliber Seekers, sparks /soaring/ with the glory of the flight! And TC and Warp know that they can fly any time, so this is also a matter of giving their trine leader the best possible memories to hold fast to until he's allowed to fly again.*

*They...will be running on fumes and will have to land...Crim never pings Stars so they’ll land when their bodies just won’t let them stay in the sky.*

Crim: *little grin* You were beautiful to watch.

Sun: *BEAMING* Oh!  You were, you really were!

*Zero, Sky, and Laser are all smiling and nodding*

TC: *is realizing how much of his own fear he's let slip, looks back at Sun in earnest* Just . . . stay out of it if someone comes after me. Please. I'll be fine. Let them get it out of their system and be done with it. /Please/ don't tell me to involve you.

Warp: *restless with the storm of emotions he's getting over the bond*

Sun: ....You're asking me not to care, TC... I... I don't know if I can do that...

TC: I'm not asking you to not care, just to let me handle it. If you want, I'll tell you from now on . . . /after/ the fact. Just not before. That's asking /me/ to not care. To put myself first. I /won't/ do that.

Sun: ...*he finally looks away...and will turn and head for the bearthroom... He just...he can't.  He can't make himself answer.  He loves TC too much to agree to that.  ...He loves TC too much to deny him.  He just...he /can't/.  He doesn't know what to do.*

TC: ............ *slumps, head down, wings low*

Warp: ...........*will fetch cubes of energon, then go after Sun - he's torn, he wants to support his wingmate but also his dear friend, his little brother...TC's telling him to be with Sun, so...he is...*

*It will probably be a rather long night, but morning - and TC's internal alarm - will come, and the Seekers stir reluctantly.*

Zero: *is also reluctant to get up, but he does...and will follow the rest out for fuel.*

Sun: *after fuel he'll give everyone a hug, and will head out to work with Warp. He /does/ tell TC to call him if there's anything he can do for Zero...*

*TC promises to do so, though he's going to borrow Warp first before letting him head to work. He really /should/ have Zero cuffed for transport but knows carrying him that way will be /very/ uncomfortable...really for both of them, and it's a /long/ walk so if they didn't fly, they'd have to call a transport. Easiest to just have Warp teleport them to the station. TC will cuff Zero, again a little a /little/ room so his shoulders aren't needlessly wrenched.*

Zero: *the cuffs at normal would be fine, now that he's not /injured/.  Either way, he complies easily, shifting however TC needs him*

TC: *gets him secured, has Warp leave them in a safe spot in the station, then will lead Zero by a hand on his shoulder to Turbo's office*