ABOUT TOM


Hot Rod is sitting on a bed, looking perfectly well...and
perfectly bored.

Prowl wakes up from his rest cycle and nods to Ratchet in
greeting.

Ratchet enters the repair bay area from the back, relieving
one of of the other staffers as he returns from some much
needed rest. He walks over towards a nearby terminal to
catch up on some of the recent events before checking on
some of the patients....one of whom he dearly hopes doesn't
brake out singing any time soon.

Prowl sits up, looking over at the nearby Hot Rod to see if
he's gotten himself repaired yet.

Ratchet finishes up with the recent happens. So far...there
seem to be precious ittle from the previous night. Thank
Primus for small favors. "So...how are you both fairing," he
asks the two patients who seem awake.

Prowl quietly comments, "Better then I was, apparently.
Thank you for the repairs, Ratchet.".
Ratchet notes that indeed Hot Rod has been
repaired...*twice* over no thanks to some diversion from
last night. He still seems somewhat annoyed at the youngster
for that. He nods to the strategist in reply. "Just as long
as they're taking. You're at least *loooking* far better at
any rate."

Hot Rod sighs again, and then rests his chin on his palm,
tapping his fingers against his cheek.
Prowl quietly comments, "Yes, well I've run an internal
diagnostic and everything seems to be fine. Though I must
admit I do not want to go through that experience anytime
soon.".

Prowl quietly comments, "It seems Hot Rod would rather be
out doing other things then recuperating from his last
couple of fights.".

Ratchet pauses at the injection. "Would seem so. Depends if
Hot Rod would kindly not find another need to make it back
in here so soon." He says this to prowl...but is looking at
Rod.

Hot Rod is actually currently making a mental list of things
he's *rather* be doing than be here. . o O (Number
34921412...waiting in traffic....)

Prowl looks at Hot Rod as well, with that "Command Officer"
kind of expression in his optics.

Hot Rod suddenly gets that feeling of being looked at, and
looks to where the two Autobots are staring at him. He
pauses, and then "What?" But it's clear he means, "What did
I do now?"

Prowl hmmms quietly. "No, Ratchet, I don't think so. Hot Rod
would be hard pressed to behave and keep himself out of
battle."
Prowl still watches Hot Rod while he addresses the Chief
Medic.

Ratchet perks an optic ridge and resets some device to keep
track of a particular system within Prowl which had been
some cause for concern. However, it's not a serious matter.
Just...better to err on the side of caution. "So I gathered.
I'm just grateful young Tom wasn't injured. But...I'm
curious, Hot Rod. What part did Twin Twist have to play in
last night's events again?"

Hot Rod sighs again in frustration, "He dug a trench in the
middle of the highway...and I ran into it."

Prowl softly asks, "Might I ask *why* he dug a trench in the
middle of the highway?".

Hot Rod pauses, "Uhm...he said something about not being
able to see the highway from underground..." he shrugs,
apprantly not thinking that was an acceptable response.

Prowl softly asks, "And what part did this play in the
battle, exactly?".

Hot Rod blinks, "Errr...it wasn't a battle...I was just
driving along the road like normal, and then I noticed a
section of the road was missing..."

Ratchet refrains from rolling his optics. "Somehow I hope
Hoist was able to repair that little peice of highway
already." He flickers a glance at Prowl and shakes his head.
No battle as Hot Rod said. Just...was driving. "You need to
slow down a little Hot Rod...at least where the speed is
concerned. ESPECIALLY when you have a passanger." he moves
off to put away some tools that were used earlier that day.

Prowl aahs. "I misunderstood Ratchet's comment, then."
Prowl nods a silent greeting to Pumpkin.

Pumpkin jumps out of a nap, "I wasn't resting!!" Then
realizes he's not on post, then catches Prowl's greeting and
returns a salute.

Hot Rod just sort of nods, and he's definatly not going to
say that technically it was Tom who was driving, but he
doubts the elder Bots would see the adventure in that. "I
was in control...just was too busy looking in the
skies...should have been paying more attention to what was
up ahead."

Prowl's optics narrow imperceptibly at the shouted comment.
He gives Pumpkin one of those looks which seems to indicate
that he wonders, given the comment, just how often Pumpkin
actually DOES sleep on duty.  Prowl glances at Hot Rod,
then. "Something you should spend a lot more time doing
regularly, perhaps?" A quiet suggestion.

OOC: Pumpkin says, "not enough if I just dosed off
earlier.."
OOC: Ratchet palms :)
OOC: Prowl sighs dramatically. "Kids!"

Hot Rod shifts slightly, "Well...Tom hadn't been out of the
Ark in a long time...just wanted to let him have a little
fun...I mean, what else is he gonna do? Hang out with the
marines?"

Prowl hmms quietly. "Good point. It isn't safe for a child
to be around here. Too many things could happen. Perhaps we
should see to getting him someplace where there are other
children his age. Someplace safer.

Hot Rod's smile instantly fades, "Prowl, if you do that,
he'll run away." He voice has a fair share of pleading into
it now, "Don't do that to him. Don't punish him."

Ratchet just listens to the conversation breifly before
jumping back in. "Was it any more safe for Spike, Prowl? He
was only 2 years older when he and Sparkplug came here over
a decade ago."

Prowl's voice actually sounds saddened. "No, Ratchet. It was
not safer for Spike. He died in my universe, fighting along
side the Autobots. That is exactly why I am concerned for
Tom's welfare. We have no right to put children in that kind
of danger."  Prowl says to the cavalier, "I am not trying to
punish him, Hot Rod, but we will be guilty of murder if he
dies under our care. I am concerned about his welfare and
his safety."

Hot Rod can't help but say, "So what do we do? Let him get
comfortable here, think he's got a home like he's never had
before and then say "Sorry, kid? get lost?" C'mon Prowl!
He's been turned away from everyone...we're ALL that he
has!"

Prowl looks Hot Rod straight into the optics with a serious
expression. "And if he dies right in front of you, what will
you do?"

Hot Rod looks straight back at Prowl, "That's an unfair
question, Prowl."

Ratchet waits until Hot Rod is finished before injecting,
"Then...I assume you mean all the civillans should be
removed from the vicinity. Not just a 12 year old boy. It's
just as dangerous for them."

Pumpkin just kinda sits on his med table, dangling his legs,
listening and thinking...I need to meet this "Tom".

Prowl sighs softly. "It is an unfair world, Hot Rod." He
sits for a moment before turning to Ratchet. "If you are
refering to the Marines and the Navy compliment, they are,
by their standards, full grown adults who have deliberately
decided to go into their military's service and take the
risk and danger which is included in such service. They are
fully aware of what they have gotten themselves into. Tom,
though, I doubt is.

Hot Rod can't help but get himself into more trouble, "Tom
has lived on the street's his whole life, Prowl! He knows
full well what he's gotten into...he's found some people
that didn't turn him away...that treat him as if he's more
than the street trash that's he's considered himself! And so
what are we going to do? Kick him back out? That'll kill him
faster than any Con ever will." Then, the spirited Cavalier
look away, having quite strong feelings about this.

Prowl quietly comments, "When it comes right down to it, Hot
Rod, the final decision is Prime's. We will all have to
abide by it when he makes that choice.".

Ratchet blinks and shakes his head as he puts the rest of
the tools from that section of trays away for cleaning.
"Civillians. There are at least two here in the Ark, one
comatose in the encament if I remember correctly, and
several with clearance to enter besides."

Ratchet doesn't know of the true relationship between
Candice and Tom, other than she appears to have taken on the
role of his caregiver. So, he cannot offer much in that
respect.

Hot Rod just stares holes at the wall, not looking at either
Prowl or Ratchet.

Prowl says, "Hot Rod, please understand that I am only
trying to figure out what is in the boy's best interests. I
simply do not want him hurt any more then he has been."

Hot Rod doesn't look at Prowl yet, "We're the closest thing
to family he has."

Ratchet simply offers, "For the moment...I don't think a
final decision has been made. But...it has been several
months since he was first brought in hasn't it?"

Prowl glances at Ratchet. "Actually, it has been several
months."

Ratchet nods within Prowl's direction. He thought as much.
He hasn't been able to really keep track as he had hoped. "I
thought so. Maybe someone should speak with the person with
whom he's staying with at present then. She must have
obtained permission from either Optimus or Magnus for them
to allow him to stay here in the first place."

Prowl realizes this conversation is getting nowhere and
decides to concentrate on other things. "Ratchet, what does
our recent causulty report look like?"

Pumpkin just sits there, slightly swingly his big clusmy
feet.

Ratchet hmms at Prowl's inquiry before answering. "Well,
Optimus Prime, you, Wheeljack, Hound, Hot Rod, Vanguard,
Groove, Pumpkin have recieved medical care and are now
recovering. Still have to get Splash in here somehow. Dice
still needs to have some repairs take hold before work is
resumed."


Hot Rod turns his head slightly, "I am recovered!"

Splash sits up on his table, and grunts. "Splash awake."

Narrowing his eyes imperceptably, Prowl quietly remarks "A
lot of people. Is it just me, or has the
casualty list gotten bigger in the past few days.".

Splash says, "Splash fine. Ready to go to duty. Go swim and
fish."

Ratchet then moves over towards the Dinobot to see what
needs to be worked on now that he's awake. "The casualty
list became larger. Megatron assuaulted Hillary just 3 days
ago."

Splash shakes his head, and holds up a hand to pause
Ratchet, stating before he has time to think about it, "I am
fine, Ratchet. The repair bot assisting with my minor
damages, I am fit to return to duty."

Ratchet nods idly as he scans Spplash. Yep....one of the
others saw to him already. "Well...you're cleared to go at
least. Just don't overdo it for the next day or so."

Prowl quietly comments, "Ratchet, would you mind if I went
to find Optimus Prime? I have several things I need to
discuss with him.".

Splash slides off the table, and rises to his full height,
clearing his throat in odd embarrassment. "Splash say thank
you."

Hot Rod looks towards Prowl, a slight look of alarm on his
face.


Ratchet sets down the scanner and nods. "As long as you keep
in mind you're to keep it easy for the next few days as
well...your released."

Prowl sees Hot Rod's alarmed look and shakes his head
imperceptably. "No, Hot Rod. More important things than that
right now."

Hot Rod relaxes at Prowl's words.

Prowl gives Ratchet an imperceptable nod. "Thank you." He
moves to the door at a fraction of his usual pace, as if he
is being extra cautious for some reason. "I will be back for
another check up."

Tomcat enters the medbay......pausing long enough as he sees
Prowl coming -out-. No sense in risking getting stepped
on....

Ratchet notes, "I'll have one scheduled for you within the
next two days."

Splash tromps after Prowl. "Splash go fishing."

Prowl has left.
Splash has left.

Pumpkin eyes the lil' 5 footer walking in the door, and
makes sure to not do a lot of moving, in fear of causing a
nasty accident that'll end up solving Prowl's porblem..

Ratchet watches as both of the Autobots take leave.
"Well...at least it's *slightly* less crowded in here," he
notes idly.

Tomcat dosen't make up much to add to a crowd though. And he
immediately makes tracks over towards Hot Rod's medtable.
This time he hasn't got a hoverboard strapped under one arm
though.

Ratchet is quietly working with prepping up some of the
medtables when the new influx of patients arrive. he doesn't
readily notice young Tom at the moment, having his back and
not being on eyelevel...

Hot Rod smiles slightly as he sees Tom, and reaches down to
help him climb up, "Hows it going Tom?"
Tomcat takes the offered hand. Or steps onto it more
appropriately. "Pretty good. Quiet day though. How bout
you?"

Hot Rod sighs, "Bored...I'm stuck here untill he lets me
out. Again."

Pumpkin sits on his table and waves at Tomcat, "I gather
you're the infamous, 'Tom'??

Ratchet looks up and gives the boy a small nod. He then
states to Hot Rod, "If you weren't so 'accident prone' maybe
I would."

Tomcat blinks and glances over towards Pumpkin. "Uh....guess
so. Why.....am I infamous?"

Hot Rod rolls his optics...he seems to do that alot around
Ratchet. "I'm not accident prone."

Pumpkin just shakes his head, "Nothing...I'm Pumpkin.."and
turns to Ratchet, but remembers last night's threat, and
says nothing about accident prone.

Tomcat blinks. Seems the first mistake was even mentioning
he was 'infamous' in the first place. Now he's going to be
investigating -that- one carefully.

Ratchet offers a small groan as his head perks from...the
distress message on the wavelength.

Hot Rod's optics go wide at the call on the Autobot
frequency, "Ratchet!" It's clear that Hot Rod is ready to
hop in a shuttle and get another beating.

Ratchet shakes his head...wondering just who will be
responding to the call. "If the others have need of your
assitance...if not enough are available, then there's no way
I can stop you."

Pumpkin looks to Ratchet...but doesn't know how to fly a
shuttle..

Hot Rod sighs, "Let's just hope that Brawn can wait that
long then."

RADIO: <from Prowl> Who can you release to help Brawn out?
I'm sending Grimlock for an extraction.

Ratchet states to Pumkin and Hot Rod. "You two available?"

Pumpkin nods, "Always...unless...I'm like...missing a limb
or something.."

Ratchet nods and sends a radio back to Prowl.
+radio prowl=Pumpkin and Hot Rod both are available.

RADIO: <from Prowl> Send whichever one of them is fitter to
Grimlock in the shuttle bay


Hot Rod doesn't even bother answering, his smile showing it
all.
Ratchet groans inwardly...and nods to Hot Rod... "You go
meet Grimlock in the shuttle Bay." He turns to Pumpkin.
"Stay in reserve  for now."

Hot Rod jumps from his bed, "Allright!" and is out the door.