Part 1 - Settling in

Harris stuck his head around Phil's door as the lieutenant was getting ready for a swim. "Hi... uh, sir. Got a minute?"

Phil beckoned him in as he rolled up his towel. "Got five. Poppy'll shout when she's ready."

Harris sat himself on the edge of the bed and frowned. "It's Walker."

Phil paused then turned to face him, expression grim. "I know. We shouldn't have left him there."

"Damn right. If he survived - and I know they got him out, I saw him and that medic in the last truck to pull away - he's going to be even more of an enemy than before. Now it'll be personal."

Phil shoved his fingers through his hair and sighed. "I know. But we were a bit busy at the time, trying to get our own lot away safely."

Harris growled under his breath. "It was sloppy. We should have taken more soldiers and nabbed him while we could. Philips could have kept him stable until we got back here, then we could have kept him in secure custody." He grinned mirthlessly. "Or given him to Star's kids to play with."

"Oh, so tempting..." Phil shook his head. "Well, no use weeping over dribbling lactose, as they say. We'll just have to see what happens, and factor him in if he resurfaces..."

"Phil? You ready?" Poppy's voice sounded from outside, and he grinned at Harris.

"Got to go. See you later!"

Harris chuckled dryly and saluted. "Have fun - sir..."

xxx

Poppy - in a sensible plain black swimming costume and flip-flops, with a filmy sarong tied around her waist and towel tucked under her arm - smiled as Phil joined her. The lieutenant grinned back.

"Not a bikini girl then?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Not a girl at all. And I don't like bikinis - always falling off." She gestured inland. "Lagoon? The water is warmer. And there's less wildlife to worry about."

Phil raised an eyebrow, the comment effectively distracting him from thoughts of skimpy bikinis falling off nicely tanned bodies. "Wildlife?"

She lowered her eyes, cheeks reddening. "Um, sharks. Big fish. Things with teeth..."

Phil fought not to laugh. "Attacks by things like that are very rare, you know."

"Yes, I know. I just watched Jaws a few too many times when I was young and impressionable. And as for rare - well..." She waved back towards the base: Skyfire was standing, towering over the buildings, his profile clear against the blueness of the sky. "I tend to expect the unlikely to happen to me, these days."

She had a point. Phil nodded. "Lagoon it is, then."

They found a pleasant spot, lightly shaded by palms, unrolled their towels and laid them on the sand, then waded into soft warm water. Phil watched as Poppy swam a few strokes out into deeper water then turned on her back to float, eyes closed, smiling into the sunlight. She'd quickly recovered from her ordeal - at least, he thought she'd recovered, and Philips (and Ratchet) agreed, although Philips had warned about the possibility of nightmares or flashbacks. Although in the four days since their return she'd been sleeping fine, according to 'Beat, who was keeping a closer eye than ever on his human. She had not been physically injured, and she'd been more worried for Starsong than for herself, which would help fend off at least some of the worry, he thought.

He sighed quietly and swam out to join her. It was nice to relax, even if it was something of an unfamiliar state of affairs...

xxx

::Jolt will accompany you::

::Awww... but, mu... creator... 'Beat will look after Starsong::

Starsong glanced at the MGC pleadingly. 'Beat inclined his head and hefted the picnic basket.

::No, sparkling, Starstream is right. We need to make sure nothing nasty happens again::

The hatchling's wings drooped, but he 'nodded'.

::Oh, awright then...::

Starstream stroked his head gently.

::Be good, and don't hurt the humans::

::'course not!::

::By accident, I mean::

The hatchling looked at his claws, then nodded.

::Starsong be careful::

The larger jet nodded distractedly, his attention caught by the noise of squabbling hatchlings that emanated from the nest. 'Beat patted his shoulder.

::You go sort them out. We'll take good care of 'Song::

::If there are any problems, comm me:: with one last stroke to his hatchling's face, Starstream engaged his thrusters and ascended to the roof. Jolt watched him go, amusement in every line of his frame, then turned to 'Beat.

::I really never thought I'd see the day...::

'Beat 'chuckled'. ::It does feel strange, doesn't it?::

Starsong caught the hand that wasn't holding the picnic basket, and tugged.

::Poppy and Phil want fuel! We go find them?::

Whirring a laugh, the MGC and the Chevy headed off along the atoll.

xxx

"How is he doing?"

The doctor eyed Aitch dryly.

"How do you think he's doing? Castration is a major trauma even under ideal clinical conditions. Here..." He gestured at the sedated man on the bed. "Well, we've managed to stave off infection, at least. But there's no way to repair the damage. As for the rest, at the moment we believe there's no permanent injury to the ribs or lungs, but there may be residual weakness. We'll need to keep an eye on it." He grunted. "As soon as he's stable and can be woken, we'll set up a series of counselling sessions for him. He'll need them."

Aitch nodded. "Very well. Please keep me advised of any changes."

The doctor saluted him - mockingly, Aitch thought - and turned back to his patient as The Club's second in command left the room.

Heading back to his office, Aitch frowned pensively. As far as he could see, this whole incident could have two results. Either Walker would surrender to his new condition and be a useless invalid for the rest of his life, or it would strengthen his resolve and make him a far more deadly soldier. Aitch suspected the latter. Walker was fuelled by anger: he was unlikely to give in and allow the robots to beat him. But until he was released from the medical bay they wouldn't know for sure.

Settling at his desk, Aitch began to plan out different scenarios.

xxx

::They are very beautiful::

Starstream looked up into Skyfire's large, brilliant optics. The starcraft seated himself ponderously beside the hangar and rested a hand on the roof, watching the family as the three Seeker hatchlings finally settled down to recharge. The jet 'nodded', a little hesitantly.

::I think so::

Skyfire 'smiled' gently.

::Forgive me. We have not been properly introduced...::

::You are the scientist Skyfire::

::Yes:: he paused for a moment. ::We knew each other, long ago::

Starstream 'frowned'. ::I do not remember::

Ignoring the sudden, spark-deep pain the comment caused him, the starcraft nodded.

::I am not surprised. But we worked together well. Might it be possible for us to... start our friendship anew? Or, if that is asking too much, might we make the time to discuss mutually-appealing matters?::

Starstream eyed the massive face for a moment, then 'smiled'.

::I think that would be interesting. What do you know of space bridges?::

Spark lifting, Skyfire softly, delicately, began to share his knowledge with the jet.

xxx

Ratchet scanned the non-Seeker hatchling, who gazed up at him with curious optics.

::Interesting. I believe this one had had a different co-creator::

'Spin petted the little grounder, chirring quietly as the hatchling pressed into his hand.

::Makes sense. But who would have been powerful enough? I mean, the Seekers are Megatron and Starscream's, I assume, but this little one...::

::The Fallen himself?:: Ratchet paused, 'frowning'.

'Spin shuddered. ::What a horrible thought. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, not even Starscream::

::It seems most likely though, doesn't it? No other 'Con here would be powerful enough - at least, as far as we know:: He thought for a moment, then shook his head. ::I can't think of any, and it's unlikely that the Fallen and Megatron would allow anyone else near Starscream::

'Spin gazed down at the hatchling, 'smiling'; the hatchling 'smiled' back up.

::He's such a cheerful little thing, though::

::Certainly is. Luckily. Although that might change when he realises he can't fly and all his siblings can...::

::That's definite?::

::Unfortunately, yes::

::Hm. Well, he has enough fine grounders around as role models::

::True::

::Any idea how big he'll grow?::

::Not yet. Though Starscream was big, and the Fallen bigger. He'll be bigger than me, at any rate::

::A lot of frame moderations then::

::And in a short time frame. It may be best if you remain here for the next few years::

::I can't leave Poppy. And I'm the only medic they have, even if I'm not exactly properly qualified. Now Skyfire is here I can travel over in a matter of minutes:: He paused. ::Slight exaggeration. Less than an hour, anyway::

Ratchet 'nodded'. ::I understand:: He picked up the hatchling, who squealed his excitement and nuzzled the medic's torso. ::You should choose a name, little one. We can't keep calling you the grounder::

::Nova::

Ratchet and 'Spin both stared, startled. ::What did you say?::

::Nova. Me am Nova::

'Spin 'chuckled'. ::Not Star-something?::

The hatchling inclined his head. ::Me not got wings. Want diff'rent name::

Ratchet's optics widened, and he eyed 'Spin sombrely. ::Comm Starstream to let him know. And we need to set up some cognitive testing. I think this one is going to be extremely bright...::

xxx

"Oh, that was good." Poppy waded out of the lagoon, squeezing water from her hair. "I never seem to get the time to swim, at home."

"Perhaps we should get a Consulate pool built."

She grinned at the lieutenant. "Seems a bit extravagant."

"You're worth it. And the other human visitors might enjoy it too."

"Mm. Good point." She dropped down onto the towel and stretched out her legs. "I'll discuss it with Beverley when we get back."

"You do that." He smiled as she lay down on her front. "Want some sunscreen on your back?"

"No thanks. It's shady enough here, and the stuff always feels so greasy."

"If you're sure." He forced down his disappointment and lay on his back, closing his eyes. "I could get used to this..."

She giggled. "I'd get bored after a month."

"There is that..." He turned his head as the sound of voices drifted to them, gradually getting louder. Speaking Cybertronian. He sighed and sat up again. "Looks like we have company."

"It'll be 'Beat and 'Song with lunch."

"Already?" Poppy giggled as his stomach growled quietly, and he grinned. "Yes, OK, point taken."

The MGC and the infant Seeker appeared through the undergrowth from the direction of the path, Jolt a little behind them, and Poppy waved in welcome. Starsong immediately waded into the water, while 'Beat handed Phil the picnic basket and hunkered down close to Poppy, eyeing her closely if discreetly.

"Good swim?"

"Yes, ta, it was lovely." She eyed the basket. "What treats do we have today?"

"Dunno - Private Smith packed it. She said she hopes you enjoy it."

"I'm sure we will."

They did. And Karen had even packed three canisters of enriched energon for the transformers...

xxx

© JAT 01.06.12