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Day in the Life of a Decepticon Chick
11/22/01
Command Center
This circular room was formerly the bridge when the base was a viable spaceship. Now used as the Command Center, it is dominated by the large central viewing screen. The screen is linked to the main computer system, and can display anything from energon production reports to tactical updates to topside weather information. The various other bridge control stations have been converted to monitor and control the various mechanisms and activities of the base. They curve around the room from the door to the central viewscreen.
CatsCradle walks into the room, then looks in horror at Hex sleeping surrounded by alien-slimed downy feathers . She lets out a quick sigh of relief when she hears a soft “peep?” She swoops down on the chick, scooping it up in her hands, and scoots out of the room before Hex wakes.
****
Library
This room is used by the Decepticons to study or relax. Located all along the walls are shelves of crystal data cards. There are also several computer stations to read the cards and display the data in various ways. Although all the information stored here is also archived in the main computer, the library serves as a backup as well as a gathering place. Decepticons can meet here for brainstorming sessions and plan strategy or to simply socialize.
Ruse pads in quietly in her foxmode.. Looks like she is learning how to sniff around.
CatsCradle looks up from her chair and gives a little wave. Starscream's chick is sound asleep on her tummy.
Ruse looks up and hms softly, "I thought Slasher had ate it..." She pads over to Cats and the chick, moving to nose the avian fleshcreature softly...
CatsCradle gently tickles the back of the chick's neck. "Almost. I rescued it. Don't tell Starscream though. It's time he learns a lesson about leaving his pets around without anyone to watch them.
Ruse’s optics shimmer in mirth since she can't grin with a steel muzzle, "I will remain silent unless he goes into a frenzy. I don't want Slasher hurt because of this prank..."
CatsCradle gives Ruse a skeptical look. "It isn't so much a prank, I found Hex and the chick in the control room, and the feathers there, too."
Ruse says, "Hmm well, either way..."
CatsCradle snuggles deeper in her chair, careful to not awaken the chick. She curls her hand around it protectively. "'Sides, it's a cute li'l critter."
Ruse hops into one of the tables not in use and lays down atop it. She flicks her tail sideways, "It is, different. Sometimes I wonder. Are we the Decepticon army anymore or the Decepticon gang?"
CatsCradle tilts her head. "How do you see the difference?"
Ruse says, "We have lost alot of our discipline. Don't get me wrong... I never want to go back totally to the way of Straxus. Yet, there isn't a 'feel' of military doctrine about lately. Its as if we forgot we are an army and have become a gang of scavengers feeding on this planet here and there. Perhaps its just because we haven’t had a real engagement with the enemy on a real battlefield in some time..."
CatsCradle is quiet for a long moment. "I think... it's the complacency of this place. We don't have to fight for the energon, really. We can harvest it from just about anywhere on earth. It's not like it was on Cybertron."
Ruse nods, "Perhaps that to... maybe we are going... soft."
Ruse looks to the chick...
CatsCradle smiles tightly. "I was active during those millennia of starvation. I'd rather do without going back to that, thank you."
Ruse says, ".. hm true, but if we get too soft we are going to lose this war."
Baby Chick peeps
CatsCradle snuggles the chick. "Poor li’l thing..."
Ruse says, "I wonder, maybe Soundwave could implant its mind into a little roboshell like he did Nicole's into X?"
CatsCradle brushes her fingers through the downy fluff. "I think part of the appeal is the softness. A roboshell wouldn't have that."
Ruse says, "It will lose that anyway when it ages..."
Baby Chick peeps
CatsCradle says slowly and distinctly to the chick, "Say this... Momma Starscream..."
Baby Chick peeps?
CatsCradle says, "Momma.... Star.....scream...."
Baby Chick peeps
CatsCradle says softly, "Wassa matter, little guy?"
Blood Raven enters the Library.
Megatron enters.
Blood Raven sees Megatron enter and bows in respect she doesn't see Cats however
Blood Raven says, "You wish to speak to me Lord Megatron?"
Megatron stares at Cats, his optics wide. "P...Peeper..." he stammers. The expression in his face is of a kind never seen in the Decepticon leaders face before.
Megatron slowly closes his mouth again.
CatsCradle looks up from her reader at Megatron, her face a mix of conflicting reactions at his expression. "Um... hi?"
Blood Raven raises her optics in surprise "yes My Lord what about Starscream’s pet?"
Megatron says, "But... the feathers in the command center...? We thought... maybe Hex... I...""
Megatron realizes it may be better to shut up and sort his thoughts first...
CatsCradle curls her hands protectively around the chick. "I went in the control room, saw Hex and the chick, and grabbed and ran with it. I think I got there just in time." She frowns. "Starscream needs to take better care of his pet."
Blood Raven 'how odd seeing her commander so confused "Hex ate it? well it looks alright to me?" tries not to smile at Cats or Peepers
CatsCradle snorts. "Hex may have tried to eat it, but I got there first." She snuggles deeper into her chair with the chick. "Let Starscream worry for a bit. He'll start keeping a closer optic on the li'l fluffball."
Megatron rubs his chin. "Yes, CatsCradle. Take care of Peeper for a while, hiding it from Starscream. And - more important - from Hex.
CatsCradle chuckles evilly. "I'm not being all that bad. I could be in my office. Starscream never goes in there, 'cause the room's so small. At least he has a chance of finding me here."
Megatron turns to Blood Raven. "Well, I do not want to disturb CatsCradle again. Let's talk in my workshop."
CatsCradle goes back to her reader, murmuring, "Especially if it's something I'm not supposed to be overhearing..."
Blood Raven nods quite concerned now 'what did I do?'
Blood Raven and Megatron enter his Workshop
Starscream enters the library, heading for Megatron’s workshop.
(quite some time later...)
Megatron transmits to CatsCradle: "Do you still have my son's pet with you in the library?"
Starscream stomps in very irate and angry. He looks to CC and glares, " What are you doing here?"
Ravage arrives from Megatron's Workshop.
CatsCradle transmits to Megatron: "yes"
CatsCradle carefully sets her reader down on her tummy. "Reading?"
Megatron transmits to CatsCradle: I think it is better to the neuronal circuits of us all if he gets it back.
CatsCradle transmits to Megatron: " oh... it was that bad, huh?"
Megatron transmits to CatsCradle: You will find out yourself, I think.
Starscream huffs and slams down into a chair.
CatsCradle shifts the reader to one side and scoops something up into her hands and hold out to Starscream... the baby chick.
Starscream’s mouth drops open and a look of relief spreads across his face instantly. Quickly he scoops Peeper up. Then he realizes someone sees he’s happy about it and quickly he resets his face more professional. "Where did you find him?"
CatsCradle manages to smother her amused expression. "In the control room with Hex. I did a scoop and run."
CatsCradle adds, "I would have said something when you went through the first time, but you were rather... um... storming...."
Starscream’s optics grow in size, " The goo fest had him!!!!! he sighs, " This cant continue. Soundwave has to do the transfer."
Starscream says, "puh"
CatsCradle looks a little dismayed. "You aren't going to transfer him into a metal body, are you? And loose all that soft fluff?"
Starscream nods, " I think a metal bird from would be best for the creature. If nothing else it can defend itself from Hex..."
CatsCradle frowns. "Hmmm... maybe I can make him a soft covering..."
Starscream asks, " why would he want that?"
CatsCradle says as if it was obvious, "Because he's soft and fluffy right now. Wouldn't making him metal kinda ruin some of that... cuteness?"
Ruse says, "I suppose..."
Megatron arrives from Megatron's Workshop.
CatsCradle sighs. "In any case... in this form, he certainly needs careful watching." A subtle hint to the chick's "momma".
Megatron stands in the door, leaning against the frame. He watches, his arms folded in front of his chest.
Ruse is in her foxmode, stretched out on the table... having reawoken from a brief recharge there.
CatsCradle gives Megatron a little grin and a slight shrug.
Megatron smirks slightly.
Starscream folds his arms and looks to CC, " I m doing the best I can. This animals a handful. Id like to see you do better."
CatsCradle grins at Starscream. "Well, my fish are still alive...."
Starscream reminds, " They do not wander about the base on their own accord either though.
CatsCradle nods gravely. "Yes. I picked my pets well, didn't I?"
Starscream says, "I didn’t pick this one. It chose me.""
CatsCradle murmurs something that might have been, "Primus only knows why," but since her expression is still cheerful, that might not be what she said at all.
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