Chapter 16 ~ "Systems upgrade"
Upon returning to the ship, Megatron and EnRyu had to make a little visit to the Medical bay for a systems check up to make sure there was no freeze-damage. Meanwhile HyoRyu was helping Sideswipe make a Cybertronian style Ramen soup for the two mechs while Goldy sat on the couch and watched TV.
The massive orange mech took up most of the couch due to the sheer width of his shoulders and the massive hammer he carried. The remote looked small in his huge orange-and-grey hand as he flipped channels, looking for something interesting. Then he tilted his head as he heard the telltale sounds of someone returning.
There was the sound of shuffling, suddenly the door swished open and a blue and white, organic looking mech was tossed to the floor, completely hog-tied. Prime pointed a finger to the air, planting a foot on the bounty head's back, "WE HAVE..." he said in a heroic voice, "DEFEATED THE DARING VILLAN!" SideSwipe and HyoRyu just looked at him, SideSwipe suddenly smacking his forehead.
VolFogg and the twins seemed to materialize out of nowhere, walking past Prime. "Just don't go forgetting who cornered the bugger," the purple mech commented as he removed his cloak.
Prime's form slumped, and grumbled, "Yeah yeah..." he grinned, pointing a thumb to the mechs, "These guys are talented fighters, need some more techniques though but otherwise did a great job pwning the guy." RaiRyu and FuuRyu smiled, the green twin removing his and his brother's cloak; Prime then allowed them to settle on the couch then slipping into the kitchen after smelling something.
VolFogg watched, then looked at the hog-tied mech. "To the brig with this one?" GunDober and GunGlue pulled off their own cloaks, their body language giving the distinct impression of audial-to-audial grins despite not having visible facial features.
Prime waved them off, "Yeah, it's at the lowest level of the ship..." he smelled something good, "Stay to right!" He slipped passed HyoRyu and looked over Sideswipe's shoulder, the blue mech was stirring a pot of Cybertronian style Ramen. The noodles were green with an aqua-blue liquid sauce, pieces of energon cubes here and there, Prime's optics lit up, "Dinner?" he asked.
The ninja mech suddenly launched a large jet-propelled handcuff, latching onto the squirming prey and literally dragging the captive away. The GunMachine twins both snickered at the sight, then turned as they too caught the scent. GunDober made a mournful sound, reaching up to touch his facemask.
Scavenger had walked in on GunDober's voice and the smell; Megatron and EnRyu were behind him, heavily covered in thick Thermo blankets. Scavenger smiled, placing a hand on GunDober's head and patting it, "Don't worry kid," he said assuringly, "I have a way for you two to eat this new stuff..." The old mech smiled, nodding over to the mechs behind him and they both sat down on the couch.
GunDober looked at the old mech, tilting his head and making a curious chirrup. Wondering just what Scavenger had in mind. They exchanged glances, and GunGlue just shrugged. A few minutes later, Volfogg reappeared, handcuff once again hidden.
Scavenger chuckled at the smaller mech, "Yup..." he tapped at the bot's chest, "You two have a spark now, which means your upgrades are quick, easy, and painless..." He looked up after hearing a loud growl from Sideswipe who was trying to keep Prime away from the not-so-ready-yet dinner. He rolled his optics and shook his head, "Anyway, if you two would come with me, I just got a little package from Red Alert to help with the codes for molding your faces together."
Both of the Gun Robots perked up at that. Volfogg watched with a smile as they trotted after the old mech. Settling into a chair, the purple mech watched Sideswipe fending Prime off with the large metal spoon he was holding.
Scavenger chuckled once more, leading the two bots to the medical bay and asking them to sit on the two tables. After they did as they were instructed, Scavenger went over to GunDober first, feeling around his chest until he found what he was looking for. With a soft click, GunDober's chest opened, metal plates moves and wires spun into place as a shining blue light emanated from his chest.
GunDober peered down into his chest cavity, letting out a sound of amazement as he stared at the blue light. GunGlue came over to see for himself, his optic shield reflecting the blue light. Looking up at Scavenger, he asked what that light was.
"That, my young friend, is your spark, the very thing that is keeping you alive now..." Scavenger said thoughtfully, opening up GunGlue's chest, "And forever giving you independence..." The old mech then took a few tubes and wires, connecting them to each of the twin's spark. He went back behind a control panel, inserting a tiny disk and typed his fingers away at the holo-screen.
The GunMachine twins watched curiously, refraining from moving around too much. Their hidden optics followed every move the old mech made, wondering just what was going to happen.
Scavenger smiled, "All right you two, get ready..." he tapped at the screen, the system asking whether to begin or not, "You guys are gonna feel a little buzz in your heads, but it'll be quick..." With that, he tapped the "Start" option and the wires and tubes lit up with energy, sparks flew and entered into the twin's chest. The holo-screen was counting the seconds till completion, "30 SECONDS."
GunGlue twitched slightly, making a whirring sound. It felt distinctly odd, like an internal itch. GunDober shifted, making a hissing noise as he waited for the feeling to stop.
Scavenger was watching as their bodies both lit up, the system was counting down, "3...2...1...UPGRADE COMPLETE." And with that the charge dwindled and disappeared, Scavenger went over and disconnected the tubes and wires, closing their chest cavities. "How do you both feel? Any changes?" he asked worriedly
The tiger-helmed twin was the first to sit up, rubbing his helm and letting out a purring noise to indicate that he felt fine. GunGlue nodded his agreement, watching as his chest armor was replaced, then looking up at Scavenger, chirping out a question. ::What just happened?::
Scavenger grinned, "Try removing your mask and you'll find out..."
The hawk-helmed mech stared at the old mech, then reached up to touch the familiar facemask and optic shield. Slowly, he unfastened the plates and pulled them away, turning toward his twin. Who stared at him, hidden jaw audibly hitting the bottom of his own mask.
Scavenger laughed, looking at the bot's very young face, "Congratulations boys, you now have faces...." the old mech smiled, "...and a whole pot of food to add to that."
Interestingly enough, GunGlue's features had a vaguely avian appearance, following the design of his helm and body. GunDober stared for a long moment, then removed his own mask, revealing his own features. His were more feline, to the extent that the focusing cameras behind his optic shields narrowed to slits instead of circles.
Scavenger just shook his head with a chuckle, "Come on you two, let's get something eat since you both haven't had the right amount of energon yet..." the old mech walked out the door.
Both scrambled to follow, chattering excitedly. They darted past him, dashing down the corridor, eager to show the others the changes, and get some of the food that smelled so good.
Scavenger couldn't help but laugh as they ran by. He would teach them how to speak like the rest of them but not yet. First they had to learn how their mouths worked... and hopefully when they do learn to speak they don't get themselves into trouble with their mouths. Primus knew they didn't need more sharp-glossa mechs.
The Ryu brothers, GoldyMarg, and Mic along with Vol stared astonished at the twins new features; Megatron had snickered, setting EnRyu back on the couch and handing back his bowl of Ramen that Sideswipe had passed out. The blue bot had given the twins their bowls, hoping they would enjoy the nice meal as Prime was sitting down with RaiRyu next to him and FuuRyu by his side.
VolFogg tilted his head. "Birdlike features and catlike features... why am I not surprised." He smiled at the pair. "Now you two have a lot more new things to learn..."
Optimus looked at the twins and his slurped up a large amount of noodles. He watched the twins as they looked at their bowls not quite sure what to do. He grinned when VolFogg motioned them to sit by him. He watched RaiRyu and FuuRyu slurping up the noodles and licking their lips at the wonderful taste.
SideSwipe sat next to Mic at the counter, both eating their bowls of hot and steamy ramen. Scavenger had picked up his own and was eating it at a steady pace, looking over at the new and improved GunMachines, "You two should start eating before it gets cold..." He heard some one cough and looked over at the couch and catching EnRyu coughing with HyoRyu patting his back.
"They don't know how, yet," VolFogg pointed out. He turned to the twins, demonstrating how to pick up the noodles and what to do with them. The twins exchanged glances, and then slowly reached for their own bowls, looking from the noodles to VolFogg and back.
Scavenger chuckled, "This should be interesting...." SideSwipe had overheard his former mentor and looked over the GunMachines, snickering.
VolFogg ignored the stares, concentrating on the twins. He had the distinct feeling that this was not going to be easy, for him or for GunDober and GunGlue. The tiger-helmed mech poked at the noodles, trying to pick one up. However, he underestimated how slippery it was and it got away. He snatched at it, trying to grab it again.
Sideswipe watched with a smile as the GunMachines were having trouble trying to grab at the noodles with the fork. He saw VolFogg eyeing him, then grinned, pulled out a camcorder and began to videotape the twins.
Scavenger looked back at Sideswipe and rolled his optics, going over to the couch and kicking GoldyMarg out of his spot and sat down next to Prime.
Prime looked back at the GunMachines, "You think giving them mouths was a good idea?" he asked and the older mech just nodded.
"They need to get used to Cybertronian products in order for them to survive..." Scavenger suddenly caught sight of RaiRyu peeking over FuuRyu's shoulder and looking at the GunMachines.
GunGlue yelped at his brother's sudden movement, managing to spill half his bowl over himself in the process. VolFogg sighed, ignoring the audience and continuing to try and teach the twins how to properly handle the food. Finally, GunDober managed to handle a noodle without dropping it, and grinned hugely.
Sideswipe giggled and circled the twins slowly, "It is April 2 of the human month and GunDober and GunGlue are having their very first meal by mouth…"
Prime groaned, "They aren't infants Sides," he finished the rest of his soup, "They just never ate by themselves before."
Scavenger smirked, "In other words that makes them like infants Prime..." Megatron snickered from across the couch, EnRyu and HyoRyu giggling next to him.
It wasn't long before there were noodles all over both the Gun Robot twins, and they even managed to get them all over VolFogg. Then, finally, GunGlue finally began getting the hang of it, making a pleased purring sound. GunDober glared at him from around a noodle hanging off the muzzle of his helm, and the heli-mech only grinned cheekily back at him.
"I hope you realize I'm not cleaning that up," Sideswipe said and grinned at the twins. "Come on Volie give them a hand," Sideswipe snickered to the purple ninja bot.
Prime was picking up the empty bowls that sat on the small table in front of the couch, "You may not be picking up THAT mess but I know you're probably gonna be picking up the mess that Vol may be making out of your ass when he slices you to pieces for that nickname..." The former Autobot Commander headed for the kitchen, Mic following him with some empty bowls in hand as well.
If looks could kill, the glare VolFogg aimed at Sideswipe would have reduced him to ashes on the spot. Putting his huge shuriken between himself and Sideswipe as a pointed warning not to call him that again, the ninja turned back to the twins just as GunDober finally managed to eat a noodle properly. Engine purring loudly, he made short work of the rest of the bowl.
Sideswipe pouted, putting the camera away, "Jeeze cant take a joke can you?"
Scavenger looked back at SideSwipe, "Swipes... stop pouting and get your ass over here..." he ordered, watching the young bot, completely unaware that RaiRyu was looking under the table at the pile of Holo-Vid disk.
He was pulling them out and looking at the titles, one caught his eye and he cocked his head not at the language but at the picture of the disk, "Why does this female have no armor?"
VolFogg snorted to himself, helping the twins get cleaned up. The pair kept looking for more of the tasty noodles; clearly their new appetites were enthusiastic. The purple mech finally had to pin GunGlue down and take a brush to him to get all the bits of food off his armor. Hearing RaiRyu, he paused and looked over at the yellow mech. "Rai, put that down, and leave it alone."
Sideswipe looked at Scavenger, "Why?"
"Because I wanna make sure that you're not crying your eyes out again," Scavenger looked back to the younger bot.
"I'm not THAT much of crybaby you know…" the blue and yellow bot frowned, almost pouted looking at his mentor.
The elder mech chuckled, "I think you need a vacation Sides…" he flashed a grin, "maybe even get laid."
Sideswipe blushed, giving a startled almost frightened grimace.
The purple ninja continued to watch RaiRyu, absently shifting to pin the squirming mech he was currently sitting on. "Rai! Put those things down and leave them!" His glare shifted to Optimus. "Would you kindly get those things away from RaiRyu?"
Optimus looked over when he heard VolFogg, he saw RaiRyu and dashed over and snatched the disk from. "Slagging hell Megs," the blue and silver bot grumbled, "Take your stash somewhere else so innocent optics wont see it!"
Megatron in the meantime grumbled, having being sick he carried his stash of porn to his quarters and back.
VolFogg reapplied the brush to GunGlue. "How the hell did you manage to get noodles into your rotor assembly?" He looked at the heli-mech, then at GunDober. Sighing, he dragged the twins toward the wash-racks. "You two need a bath..."
Megatron looked over at Vol, "The showers are the next level down ninja boy..." he yawned.
VolFogg made a sound that could double as an acknowledgement, dragging the squirming GunMachines in that direction. "Calm down, you two; you're not going to melt! If that stuff doesn't come off, it'll lock up your joints!"
VolFogg had to lock the door to the washracks and practically tie the twins down to get them to hold still. He ended up sitting on top of GunGlue again, pinning the squirming mech down so he could be washed while GunDober watched, distracted from his own thrashing by watching his brother. The purple mech hissed a few inventive curses under his breath as he used the brush on the heli-mech.
About half an hour later, VolFogg reappeared, dripping wet and not looking very happy. Two pairs of green optics peeked around the edge of the door behind him. Stopping in the middle of the room, he shook like a robotic dog, shedding water in all directions. "From the way they act around water, you'd think they were going to melt."
All mechs present quickly jumped out of the way, Scavenger growled, "There were towels in the showers you know..." he shook his arms and tried to get the water off. Prime had to wipe down his head, looking over the twins and Mic and seeing them do the same.
"Those are soaked, too," VolFogg replied. "The twins do not like water. At all." He headed for his room to dry off.
Scavenger wiped off the last of the water on his arms, "I can tell..." he grumbled.
Prime heard a sudden beep from his arm he opened the holo-screen and checked his messages. He sighed, "Well...since we've captured the bounty head, tomorrow we should head out to deliver him and collect the pay... And RaiRyu is due for a check up."
The elder mech looked over at Prime, "We better make sure that the ship is properly stationary before we head for recharge..." he saw Prime nod and head for the Control Deck. Yellow optics looked up into his internal clock and checked the time, "Damn... it's late and morning doesn't come so pleasantly on this frozen planet..."
"Any particular reason why?" Goldymarg had been watching the whole thing from where he took up most of the couch. "Is the weather here that bad?"
"There's a reason WHY not very many organisms live on this planet..." Prime said, after wiping the last bit of droplets, "It gets dark earlier, which means lower temperatures get their chance to do some damage. Wind becomes so fast that it could topple skyscrapers, hail storms, and the threat of leaking snow into the systems..."
Scavenger shrugged, "You know, the typical frozen weather problem."
Goldymarg snorted. "They never bothered me much... and try using EnRyu to de-ice the ship. He comes equipped with a flamethrower."
Prime had settled his three charges in their quarters; RaiRyu with Fuu and Mic shared a room. He felt bodies pass him by and saw EnRyu and HyoRyu head into their quarters; GoldyMarg slipped passed Prime and went into his. Megatron waved a good night, followed by a low grumble and Scavenger had forced Sideswipe into his quarters.
Prime sighed, "That's all of them..."
GunDober and GunGlue had gotten back into VolFogg's room and were sidling up to the purple mech, crooning apologies. Finally, VolFogg relented, moving over and giving them enough room to climb onto the berth. They settled one to either side of him, leaning against his sides and purring softly. He smiled slightly to himself, settling down and drifting into recharge.