A big thank you to everyone who has commented. For some inexplicable reason, when I click the 'Reply URL' link in the emails I get a 404 error page instead of being able to PM reviewers. Sorry about that. I've contacted FFNet to find out what the problem is and am awaiting their reply.
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Part 1 - Nuts and Bolts
"Arson? That's not good." Graham frowned, and Poppy bit her lip.
"Do you think it's connected? To Ligh... Sinewave?"
Graham raised an eyebrow.
"He's using his original designation?"
"I'm trying to persuade him to. Vault as well."
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea..."
"We'll worry about it later... Do you think the pub burning down is connected?"
"I'd say it's quite possible." The officer paused pensively. "We'll have to mount our own investigation. It's possibly connected to the tainted energon too."
"Oh... what's the latest on that?"
"The additives were acetone, ethyl acetate and sodium chloride - in other words, nail varnish remover and common salt."
"Yuck."
"Yes, very unpleasant. Not actually lethal to our guests, unless, possibly, taken in large quantities over a fair length of time, but certainly nasty enough to cause some internal damage."
Poppy almost growled. How dare someone try to hurt her friends! But Graham was still speaking.
"However, they are all earth-based chemicals: it does appear that the sabotage was human, not Decepticon."
"But why? Mine are harmless!"
Graham eyed her for a moment.
"With respect, Poppy, we don't actually know that for certain."
"... what do you mean?"
"Just because they don't transform into massive, weapons-bearing soldiers doesn't necessarily mean they're harmless. Light... Sinewave and Vault were pretty famous on Cybertron - even Sideswipe recognised their names and he was designed as a warrior with no interest in anything except battle."
That's going to make life interesting if the war ever stops... Poppy thought, nodding at the officer.
"And we don't yet know what the others were..."
"I know - I'm going to try to find out as soon as I can. Planning a family conference this afternoon."
Graham nodded.
"And in the meantime, I'm sending a couple of squaddies to make sure you stay safe."
Poppy blinked.
"What?"
"Don't worry. They'll be discreet." He grinned. "Do you have enough room to put up a handyman and a gardener?"
xxx
Poppy had been so taken aback she'd not had the wits to mention her idea of having the transformers work, but actually it would probably be better to talk it over with them first anyway. Accordingly, after lunch she called them all together in the lounge - and for the occasion brought a small measure of energon in for them. Chill took charge of sharing it out while Poppy considered how best to approach the purpose of the meeting.
When everyone was settled, she leaned back against 'Beat's leg and smiled around at the curious faces.
"I'm sure you all know by now what happened yesterday..." A chorus of nods. "...and it seems to me it might be good for me to know what you all used to do, back home, and what your real names are."
A faint buzz of unease, and Steamy raised a paw.
"Are... aren't you happy with us as we are?"
"Oh no, don't ever think that!" Poppy hastened to reassure them. "I'm just curious. Knowing how famous Sinewave and Vault - and 'Beat - were on Cybertron, it seems terribly unfair for you all to have to pretend to be something you aren't. I'm just interested to know what everyone is... If you don't mind telling me, that is. I won't insist."
"Tho... do you want to thee our original formth ath well?"
Poppy blinked.
"Can you do that?"
'Spin tilted his head to one side.
"Well, we haven't tried thince we got here and took human-made thapes - but I can thtill remember."
Poppy felt her heart skip, and took a quick deep breath.
"I'd be honoured..."
She watched, enthralled, as 'Spin's physical components twisted, inverted, warped into another shape, still sturdy but less bulky than before, a little taller, somehow more dignified. Certainly more alien. He stood straight and raised his hands.
"Thparkthpinner."
Poppy fought back a giggle. The lisp appeared to be inherent.
"Sparkspinner? That's lovely!"
If he'd been human she was sure he'd have blushed.
"But 'Thpin ith more practical for everyday uthe."
She nodded, laughing gently.
"OK. I'm used to that, at least. What was your alternative form?"
"A thmall vehicle."
It suddenly clicked. "You all had vehicle modes, didn't you? No public transport - you were the transport."
"Well, yeth."
"And when not vehicles you were what you did... Oh wow..." She shivered as a little sliver of real comprehension settled in her mind. "That's... amazing..."
"It'th rather different from earth, from humanth."
Poppy clasped her hands together, laughing delightedly.
"It's wonderful. You're wonderful. All of you."
Murmuring between themselves, the others began to transform too.
xxx
Some were very different: Blurt would much rather use his original Farscan designation, please, and had been just that, responsible for specific frequencies of deep-space scanning: his original form was incredibly spiky and wholly alien to Poppy. On the other hand, some had barely changed: Ramp's Cybertronian basic form was the same as she'd seen at the beginning, as was his function - data analysis, storage and communications. His original designation had been Rampup, but he was more than happy to leave it shortened. TeeVee, Blue and Downbeat didn't look much different to their earthly forms, and were also in the field of communications, though TeeVee had specialised in interplanetary comms during Cybertron's golden age. His original designation had been Listener, but he preferred TeeVee. Blue and Downbeat were also very happy with their earthly names, for which Poppy was grateful: her mind was spinning dizzyingly at this point.
Livewire and Cable - their original designations - had been in communications too, but on the repair side. Being so small, they'd been able to access the tiny spaces in the vast comms arrays that the bigger transformers couldn't reach, and hence had been greatly valued.
Grounds, Hotpot and Hooker had been involved in energon production, and would be quite happy to get back to their original work if at all possible.
Airhead and Sucker were cleaners, plain and simple, ensuring that sensitive workspaces were kept free of contaminants. Hardly glamorous work, but satisfying to them, they insisted. And they really didn't care what they were called, so if it was easier for Poppy to keep the names she knew them by, that was fine by them.
Muncher had been an estates groundskeeper for a Senator. He'd hated it, and had made his escape as soon as he could. He loved it here, and wanted to stay with Poppy. Well, with the house and grounds, anyway!
Steamy's original designation really was Heatsteamcontroller - apparently it was much shorter in Cybertronian! - and his function had been to monitor and control the application of heat and steam in any required manufacturing process...
Poppy flopped back against 'Beat, trying to take it all in, trying to swallow the lump in her throat as she fought back tears. The little alien that cooked her food had once been responsible for ensuring that the heat seals of space-going craft were space-worthy and safe for their crews...
It was so unfair!
Yet they were so grateful - to have a refuge, to at least have each other. They'd survived, when so many had not.
Poppy pulled herself together and started considering how best to proceed. With the exception of Muncher, she could easily imagine the rest fitting in quite smoothly, especially the communication operatives. And she was sure that NEST would appreciate assistance in the production of energon for them all.
Now she just had to convince the rest of her species...
xxx
And that had to start with Graham, who stared at her, bemused.
"And you came up with this idea by yourself..."
"Well, not altogether. I mean, it's unfair, the way the transformers have to hide, the way we treat them. When I heard what had happened to them, what they used to be and do... They may never be able to go back, and their work is so important to them, why shouldn't we try to... integrate them. I mean, they're all specialists at what they do. I'm sure there's ways they can become... what's the term - useful members of society. They'll feel better too, doing what they were designed to do. They love their work. They don't call it love, but you should see how Livewire and Cable almost lit up when they were describing what they used to do. And Muncher's voice goes all soft and dreamy when he talks about his duties in the garden. It's just... it must feel a bit like being slaves, to them, to be stuck here doing what they do for me. And it's not fair."
Graham smiled.
"You do see the world in black and white, don't you?"
"No. Well, not all the time. OK, call it unjust and cruel, if you want to be picky."
The officer chuckled.
"Your own passion is very appealing... You understand we can't do anything without discussing it with Optimus, don't you. He is still their leader in exile."
Poppy nodded - then frowned.
"Hang on. Isn't Optimus the Autobot leader?"
"Yes."
"But my transformers are neutrals. That would mean he's not their leader, wouldn't it?"
"Well, true, more or less - but he's also the Prime. Their Prime. It's very unlikely they'd be willing to do anything without his OK." He paused for a moment. "You should ask them what the Prime is, for them. He's not just the leader of a faction, or the chief of the good guys - Primes are... almost god-figures." He shook his head. "We don't really have anything comparable here. They'd explain it better."
"I'll ask them."
He smiled.
"But they'll agree with me, and since Optimus is, ultimately, the public face of the transformers, it is essential that he both knows and agrees to anything you want to do. If for no other reason than that he'll take the fall if anything goes wrong."
Poppy nodded.
"Fair enough. So how do I go about all this?"
"I'll put forward the proposal to NEST, to start with, let the general know what you want to do. Then we'll discuss it with our own transformers, see what they think."
"D'you think they'll go for it?"
He hesitated, then shook his head.
"I honestly don't know. Especially with the pub and the poisoned energon situation still not resolved."
"Oh. Of course."
"But..." he added, "personally, I think it's a great idea. Even if they can only work within a military context to start with. Or NASA, or ESA. Or CERN! There are a lot of science bods who'd welcome the chance to work with them, I'm sure."
"As long as it's with them and not on them..."
"Of course. Their safety must be paramount. Speaking of which, your two handymen should be arriving soon."
"I'd better go and put the kettle on, then!" She grinned at the officer. "Thanks. I'll keep my fingers crossed it all works out OK."
He gave her a casual salute and Ramp closed the connection - just as the doorbell sounded.
"That's Second Lieutenant Philip Collier and Staff Sergeant Robert Walker, 'handyman' and 'gardener' respectively." Ramp announced quietly as he transformed. Poppy giggled.
"You know everything that goes on here, don't you?"
Ramp nodded gravely, but his eyes twinkled.
"It's my job, Poppy. To monitor you, my colleagues, the premises, and the surrounding area. To keep an eye on what comes in and goes out, electronically. And also the sites you access, to ensure your financial and personal safety."
Poppy stilled, then blanched, then flushed bright red.
"Um... you mean..."
"Yes, Poppy. I looked at the... fanfic you've been reading. It's quite inaccurate, you know."
Poppy pushed herself upright, face flaming.
"Do the others know?"
"No. I didn't feel it was any of their business."
"Thanks. I think." She rubbed her face. "Well, now you've thoroughly embarrassed me, I'd better go and meet the squaddies and hope they think my red face is because I'm too hot..."
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© JAT 25/11/11
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The mention of fanfic is a reference to my accompanying cycle of humorous little stories, Poppy Dreams, also on FFNet. The fics are rated M, for occasional bawdiness and double entendre, but not for any graphic descriptions or language. (Well, not so far, anyway.)