Log Title: Bonds and Preparations Characters: Goth, Spike, Khamsin, Cerebros, Fortress Maximus Location: Altihex Date: 5/11/2020 TP: Peace In Our Time TP Summary: Spike learns about Goth and Khamsin's relationship an pasts and Fortress Maximus arrives in Altihex. As logged by Goth'
Altihex[]
Khamsin's window may be open if Goth and Kham's relationship is tight enough to allow fly-in visitors. In the meantime, Spike does his best to climb up on the window-sill and sit, journaling at what he sees below.
Goth is comfortably nestled into his pillow nest there in him and Khamsin's little hiding spot, yes, a pillow nest, and he's letting out those familiar squeaky snores that where heard out in the medical bay when he was there with Khamsin... his ears flick every which way as he sleeps, clearly not much of a deep sleeper.
Spike smirks and looks over at Goth. He continues to write "I'm not too sure how far back Goth and Khamsin go. But they appear to be good friends, and have established a level of trust with one another..."
Goth starts shifting and muttering in his native tongue of Eukrian, a strange mix of neo-cybrex that most Cybertronians speak and accident cybertronian that's devolved into its own thing... It's becoming more and more clear that it's not a good dream he's having as he shifts about.
GAME: Spike FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of Very High difficulty.
Spike frowns with concern, looking over at Goth. He continues to write "Khamsin stepped out for a bit, Goth is still sleeping and he seems to be muttering, muttering something that even in Cybertronian I can't understand. I mean, my knowledge of Cybertronian language is pretty limited, but it just sounds...ancient."
Goth's fans could soon be heard, as well as other mechanics as the bats stress levels raise, soon he snaps upward awake with a gasp, as he looks around disorientated, before muttering in that tongue still before placing his hand over his face platting. "Solo ... Solo un sueño ..." he mutters, switching from it to spanish, before he shakes his helm, and yawns.
Spike smirks slightly at Goth and continues to write "I am thankful that I left the Autobots a few years and worked in construction those first few years when we had Daniel - the Spanish I picked up on the construction sites has helped me a great deal here."
Goth grumbles pushing the pillows back into place before he steps out and stretches much like a cat, a few cracks heard here and there, the ambient sound from his frame lowering to their normal silent state, he finally spots Spike. "Ah.. Hola.." He'd mutter tiredly.
Spike nods to Goth. "Como estas."Spike says calmly "Khamsin stepped out, but he should be back."
GAME: Spike PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.
Spike looks up, thinking back, thinking back. He then looks at Goth and says "Cómo has dormido?" but in a tone that's clunky. He's putting forth the effort, but it's a language he hasn't used on a regular basis for awhile."
"Ah Ese... Ese.." Goth frowns and shakes his helm and clears his voice box, though he has a rather nahuatl accent mixed into whatever his native tongue is. "Ah, that explains some things.." Goth says in his prim and proper posh tone as he meanders his way over, bringing a hand up to slick his mane back up between his ears. "Do hope the rest here was not too strange."
Spike makes some room for Goth to sit. He smiles over at Goth. "Sorry...explains 'what?'"
Goth's ears fall back before going back up, he looked taken a back a moment and grunts. "Ah.. Erm.." He'd sigh and grumble. "Nightmares..." He states, seemingly embarrassed with himself. "They tend to be less frequent when my mate is near."
Spike nods. "Gotcha..." He looks at Goth and says quizzically "So...if you don't mind me asking...how did you first meet Khamsin. Was it on Earth, or on Cyb'tron?" Spike stows his journal in his overnight bag just to show that he's not taking any notes at this time.
Goth raises an ear and optic ridge and chuffs out with a chuckle. "Here on Cybertron, quite early on in the war, about.. mmm 3? 4? Days into joining the Decepticons, and he was known by another name.. Prowl had thoroughly, set me on fire and I'd ended up in the medical bay." Goth huffs out in annoyment.
Spike nods at Goth. "So...Khamsin was in the med bay with you?"
Goth nods. "He was the highest ranking medic at the time." Goth pauses in thought. "Had an accent back then as well." Goth nods as he comes to put his winged arms up on the windowsill, folding them. "My luck was not the best back then, quite convinced I was cursed, so I ended up in the medical bay /quite/ often in critical condition... We ended up sending quite some time together."
Spike nods. He looks at Goth. "When he was on Earth all of those years, did you know where he was, or were you worried that he disappeared?"
Goth frowns. "..I was the one that.. vanished first, I was on a decepticon medical envoy when it was struck by something and split and half, was drawn into your planet's atmosphere and.. crashed.. My memory on the situation is foggy from then on out due to damage sustained, I remember bits and pieces, i know I interacted with your species due to my language adaption I had to do, due to my damaged voice box at the time." Goth thinks. "...Apparently they labeled me dead after not finding me for sometime, and thus, Khamsin left the decepticons, despite the risks, to find me."
Spike grins. "Wow...that's...incredible." He adds "When you say 'interacted' with my species, how so?
Goth looks like he's trying to think, if not a bit pained. "I... Think there was a few youths that.. might have spoken with me?" He says, rubbing at his helm. "I think.. I blacked out not long.. after.. Due to the damage."
Spike nods. He fishes in his overnight bag. Three protein bars remain. He takes the first of three. It looks like his trip is set to end in a day or two. He opens the wrapper and takes a bite. "So...how did you two reunite?"
Goth hems. "About 3 or 4 months of despairing, and meeting Des.. It was a chance encounter in valvolux..." Goth thinks back. "Were you there? I recall Cerebros, Dust Devil, Des.. It wasn't till after you left and Khamsin and I went to the medical bay to tend to some of my wounds that he revealed whom he was."
Spike thinks. "I...don't THINK so...I try to spend as much as I can on Earth." He narrows his eyes in curiosity. "So...you didn't recognize Khamsin in the repair bay then at first?"
Goth thinks. "Ah there is the date, reunited with him on the 5th day of the first month of 2020." Goth nods and looks over. "No, I did not recognize him there right away in the medical bay, nor there on the streets at first, you see, Khamsin looked /much/ different back then, his current frame was not the one he was forged with." goth explains. "..That and I thought the gods where playing the cruelest possible trick on me possible."
Spike nods. He makes sure to take small bites of his bar. "So...how did you feel when...you knew it was him?"
Goth chuckles. "I imagine the only thing most who'd been separated from their lover for millions of years, for them to be standing right there in front of you... Joy, shock, guilt for having left them alone so long, to you it was only a few months, having been offline for so many years, desperately trying to find them when you woke on and off, them? millions of years without end." Goth's ears fall back. "What had he done in those years? Had he moved on?.." Goth smiles though. "Kept looking for me though.." He'd say, bringing up the crystalin cube that hung from a chain on his neck.
Spike looks carefully at the cube. "I...didn't know you were lovers..." He says somewhat sheepishly. "Which...I'm sorry I imposed on you two last night. I should have crashed elsewhere..." He nods. "Thank you for opening your living space up for me. I'll see if I can find some quarters tonight so you two can have some privacy."
Goth chuckles. "Quite alright, and.. yes, that is what I mean by mate he is what you humans call my ah.. Husband, or spouse, when you hear the term 'conjunx endura' that is what it means." he explains. "Bah, it's quite fine, not the first time we've had someone visiting us." He'd chuckle. "Blast Off and Vortex used to join us from time to time."
Spike nods. He arches a brow. "I really enjoyed hanging out here last night. Would it be imposing if I crashed here for one more night?"
"It is quite fine by I, long as Khamsin is alright with it, I do not see an issue." He nods with a smile.
Spike nods. "Thanks..." He looks up at Goth. "I HOPE this has helped...I know it's certainly helped for me...spending time with both of you."
Goth nods. "One way to learn of someone, is to spend time with them." he explains, settling in there, before chuckling. "Suppose now Khamsin's motives all make sense I suspect?" he asks Spike.
Spike nods. "Definitely..." Spike looks at Goth. "I know...I've been talking your audio receptors off. Do you have any question about the Autobots, or their motivations...or...me, like...for a human perspective? Or I'm pretty sure you're pretty familiar with humans anyway."
Goth hems. "Humans and their culture have always interested me, however I am also in a.. unique, position, as I was born on a colony that did not cyberform their planet and thus, we lived with the native organic flora and fauna, so I am more knowing of mamaian, reptile, insectoid, craniate, avian, behaviors and such."
Spike grins. "Interesting..."
"Indeed, so things such as breeding, gender, nutrition, all do not surprise me." Goth pauses and blinks. "There was the time I had a human woman ah.. flirting, with my holomatterm that was... an /interesting/ experience I did not know how to handle, admitabbly."
GAME: Spike PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.
Spike grins. "Sorry...your 'holomatterm'?"
Goth pauses and thinks a moment, before settling himself into his pillow nest, looking to go into a hibernative state, before a hologram emergences of a slightly taller than average, dark skinned, clearly spanish, man with bright green eyes, with black hair messy slicked back into ponytail that's held in by a red bow, appears, he's wearing black slacks, matching turtle neck, white boots, slightly pointed ears, a goatee, and fangs partly hanging out of his mouth. "This." He says in Goth's voice.
GAME: Spike FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.
Spike grins and says "Ahhh...sort of like an avatar..." He looks at Goth and tilts his head. "Right?"
"Si." He nods as he moves over and touches Spike, yes, touches, it acts like a real body. "It's a special type of avatar, as you can tell." Goth chuckles withdrawing his hand. "As long as the user has enough understanding of the species the avatar is, it reacts appropriately, there are signs though it is fake, as it has a range limit, and no smell."
Spike grins and walks toward the avatar and offers a hand to extend an arm to shake. "Well...for what it's worth...a connection could be strong enough that you totally forget a person's scent, so they may be a bit deceived. Spike says, "¡Buenos días!" - he says to the avatar as he extends a hand for a handshake."
Goth chuckles. "Yes, Good morning." Goth would shake his hand, despite it being an avatar, it is simulating Goth's actually strength, despite his more feminine appearance, he does seems to have quite the strength in his arms as he gives a firm shake. "I will note this type of Holomatter is.. Older and not as common, newers have a much shorter range, and was typically used for when we where on planets of other races and did not wish to alert netives to our presence."
Spike nods. He looks at Goth. "So...Ghost came yesterday. I tried to make an exit so she didn't notice that I was interacting with you...but Khamsin fears that I may have been discovered." He looks at Goth and says "Should I be worried...or more importantly, should you be worried?"
Spike adds "I do NOT want the Decepticons panicking and thinking the Autobots are trying to aggressively forge an alliance, although...obviously, we would welcome becoming closer allies."
Goth raises a brow. "No, I'd asked her there to deliver the blades she'd commissioned from me to make.." He chuckles. "It.. was quite adorable, how excited she was about them and the personal detailing I put into it." He'd smile. "...I.. suspect she is an alie and friend to us." he'd nod, almost.. knowingly.
GAME: Spike PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.
Spike gulps and says "Understood...but...do you believe that she could have relayed it back to Cybertronian leadership? That Autobots, specifically the diplomatic staff was actively in the area seeking to form ties?"
"No, not unless specifically asked, she is a bit ah..." he'd spin his wrist, grinning. "Annoyed.. With command."
Spike nods and sighs "Cool...I guess..." He gulps "Being annoyed and still following protocol though..."
"She did not hesitate to strike MEgatron when he attempted to get me killed in that event at Polyhex, I suspect.. she can be trusted." Goth nods.
Spike smirks at Goth. "I'm glad you were able to find Khamsin."
Goth's features soften. "As am I.. I do not think I could survive the loss of another mate." Goth huffs out as the holomatter strides back too his frame, fadding before Goth opens his optics propper.
Spike nods and sighs "I feel the same about Carly..." He looks up at Goth. "My wife." Spike grins "Far smarter than me. I still think that her saying 'yes' to my proposal was even more improbable than me meeting an alien species and spending the rest of my life with them."
Goth chuckles. "My first mate died and ...Well after leaving my home planet, I'd resigned myself to not finding another healthy relationship like that again, but by some stroke of luck that I must of been paying for, as my luck was awful afterwards, I met Khamsin."
Spike nods. "Carly...broke up with me shortly before I graduated high school. I was devastated. But...thankfully, I met her at a party about two years later...I had some time to mature and..." He shrugs. "That's that..."
Goth chuckles. "Time does wonders for our personalities." Goth huffs. "..Khamsin has changed so much from how he was before, but still the same yet, much more mature and wise." He'd smile. "Then again I know I am a love struck fool and find myself falling more in love with him each day.
Spike smiles. "That's awesome, I'm glad you found one another again." He sighs and says "I really do feel like I'm imposing though, I mean, this is your home." "Invitation is not imposition in the slightest." Khamsin steps his way in and sets his belongings down, glancing between the two.... "Are you going to lounge in here all day, then, while I walk the city?" He chuckles softly. "It's nice out...I, for one, intend to take stock of things and ensure we are ready. Besides, we may get more guests as the day goes on."
"Haha, This was not my home until.. ahh last week? when I was finally freed of my badge." Goth nods. "And I did not consider this planet my home until a month or two ago so.. you are not imposing, anything, having others around is.. helping" Goth says with a nod. Goth glances out. "...I suppose I should, else my mind may wander to places I do not think many would like." He'd push himself up, stretching once more, making his way to their little supply storage and gets out an energon cube.
Spike reaches into his communicator and radioes Cerebros. After a few brief back-and-forths, he adds "Oh, and bring my suit, thanks."
Goth lifts an ear. "Hmm?" he hems, curiuse.
Spike looks at Goth and sighs "So...as I was telling Khamsin, at least right now...temporarily, I'm 'part' of Fortress Maximus." He adds "It's kinda complicated."
Khamsin flicks his ear, but nothing is said. "Complicated is one way of putting it...right...well, I will be outside. Do catch up if you care to, yes?" He flashes a grin to both Goth and Spike alike before turning to head out of the little domicile and into the streets proper.
Spike is walking outside. He looks at Khamsin and Goth. "He'll be here in a second..."
Khamsin nods as he keeps his hands clasped casually behind his back, ears angled forward as he takes a look around. "Fairly, best to keep to the outskirts as best possible... I would not want to incite too much panic or unfounded rumors within the city proper. That and...hmm. Is there sufficient space available?"
Goth lifts a ridge and tilts his helm, before he can say anything though, his ears perk up, and looks back to Khamsin and he smiles. "Hello Love." He says as he soon follows after his mate on all fours. "Bien!" Goth calls back. "Ah?" he asks Khamsin
A fairly futuristic (think Earth via Blade Runner) approaches and transforms. Walking toward the three is a near-pristine Autobot, like one that just stepped off the assembly line...maybe 330 days ago. Cerebros' approaches Khamsin and bows. "Greetings...I heard you requested me."
Something Spike might notice moreso than Cerebros, but the normal daily activities in Altihex have shifted a slight bit. There is certainly the usual bustle of the comings and goings of those looking to visit the market row, but more still, the actual movement underway is less visiting traffic and more cleanup... the rubble so readily prevalent in the city itself is being pushed, sorted, and organized. Certainly...some of the more valuable finds might be getting pocketed, but the main promenade is quite a buzz with the activities underway. Momentarily, Khamsin is just...distracted, watching the efforts before he gives Goth a grin. That much done, his attention turns to the new visitor, and a polite nod is offered to Cerebros. "Welcome, welcome... I did, yes. I trust your travels here were uneventful? And ...as to why, primarily for logistical coordination. Did...Dust Devil relay what was discussed the other day to you?" He looks at Spike a moment. "Just...to make sure we are all speaking to the same topic."
Spike nods to Khamsin. "Yes..." He looks around. "Should we uh... maybe venture to a slighty more remote location?"
Cerebros looks down at Spike and sets his exo-suit down. Spike begins to fit himself in the protective suit, which includes some small thrusters where his arm panel is.
Khamsin glances at Spike. "If you wish... it may be best to not disturb the actions and activities underway." He takes a moment to look things over. "Wherever works best for you, naturally."
Altihex Desert[]
Goth lifts a ridge and gives Cerebros a nod in greeting, he's met the young mech before, he soon shifts to his hind legs to walk upright, and stocks his way over, much slower then on all fours, over to KHamsin and gives him a peck on the cheek as he wraps his wings around himself and watches the proceedings calmly.
Spike rides with Cerebros. They approach what appears to be like a city in the same vein as Metroplex. But it's a vast battlestation.
Cerebros stops near the entrance of Fortress Maximus and lets Spike out. Cerebros then transforms and heads over to Goth and Khamsin.
Khamsin follows along dutifully and takes a moment to look the fortifications over, his overall reaction to the massive appearance in the desert rather...calm, all said and done. "I must admit...I am impressed." He looks to Cerebros. "This...is why I'd asked for you here, Cerebros. If...the offer for assistance is indeed agreeable to all of you," he looks between Spike, the Cityfortress, and Cerebros, "I must ask...what do you require on my end. What can I do to help ensure you've everything you need?"
From Fortress Maximus' speakers, a voice booms, but does not convey menace. "What I require...is for you to simply relay your request. If you feel you are in danger of being attacked...radio me. And I will assist - if you want me to engage the Decepticons, I will. If you want me to divert them...I will."
Spike looks up at Cerebros and puts on his helmet and grins. "So...ready to give these guys a demonstration?"
Cerebros lets out a pained sign and kneels down for Spike to climb up. "If it is required...then yes..."
Goth blinks up at Fortress, then again he's not unused too titans, he was born form one after all, and spent time around Trypricon, but he does follow beside Khamsin but soon stops and his fur bristles upwards as he quickly covers his ears at the loud voice, an optic twitching. "A-ah.. Loud.." Goth grunts as he attempts to readjust.
Khamsin turns his ears towards the voice. "My request is a simple one. Altihex, and everything within, will be safe from Decepticon assault and any damage that may come from it." He looks at Spike and Cerebros. "I...do not require any...demonstrations if it is out of the way for you. I will trust in what is said." He nods slightly. "I just want to ensure that Altihex weathers the storm without ending up further from recovery than it is." He looks to Goth and grins. "Indeed...just a little loud." He folds his ears back lightly. "But...yes. If the need for support comes, I will most assuredly call."
Fortress Maximus spots Ghost and lowers his voice, slightly "apologies.."
Spike grins and looks up at Cerebros. "C'mon, let's put a face to the titan."
Goth chuckles weakly. "I not your fault I merely have.. super sensitive senses is all." He'd take a vent as he tries to shake of the tickly sensation in his ears, he'd chuckle at Khamsin.
Cerebros lets out another sigh. Hopefully, Cerebros' lamenting is evident of his pacifist nature. "Very well..." he says.
Cerebros then lifts Spike to Khamsin and Goth. He then bows his head slightly, and a panel opens, and the human...crawls side Cerebros' cranial component. Cerebros then stands at attention and looks at Khamsin and Goth.
Khamsin settles in to watch the proceedings, interested to be sure.
Cerebros gives a respectful nod to Khamsin and Goth, and proceeds to walk toward Fortress Maximus.
The desert area is relatively quiet for a few moments. Then, the battlestation's ramps start to contract, forming some of his armored plating. Turrets begin to close. Cannons collapse, and the ground beneath Khamsin starts to rumble. Slowly, the massive structure starts to rise a few dozen stories into the air. The entire process takes a good minute until for form reveals itself of...
Fortress Maximus says, "FORTRESS....MAXIMUS!!!" the titan declares before looking down at Goth and Khamsin."
Khamsin is quiet through the whole of the transformation process, eyes following the movement as his ears fold back in anticipation of the noise due to come... Once the 'introduction' is made, he gives a slight nod. "Fortress Maximus... is my request agreeable, then?"
Goth's fur bristles once more, startled and of course in his typical super stressed nature, gets closer to Khamsin almost protectively, his ears folded back against his helm, but soon he calms down, remembering they are not in danger.
Fortress Maximus looks down at Khamsin and Goth. "It is my core essence to ensure that no innocents will be harmed. I shall do everything in my power to ensure the inhabitants are safe from harm. I give you my word..."
Khamsin nods curtly. "That is all I ask, and I hope the threat of your presence is enough to deter any hostile activities." He mulls over a thought, giving Goth a slightly amused look. "Don't worry...we're quite safe." He grins and looks back at Fortress Maximus. "You're a last resort. I'm hoping it will not be needed, but...we shall see. Thank you for your assitance. All of you."
Fortress Maximus steps back - about almost a mile, and begins his slow transformation back into his battlestation mode.
"S-Shush!" Goth says to Khamsin softly, clearly a bit embarrassed, his face plate right with energon blush, his fur ruffling as he tries to pat it back down.
A few minutes pass, and the (relatively) small form of Cerebros steps out and walks toward Khamsin. He then bows his head and a small panel opens up, allowing Spike to crawl out. Once out, Cerebros extends a hand for Spike to jump on.
Khamsin chuckles at Goth and nods. "Shush I shall, then." He waits for Spike and Cerebros both to move up before giving a nod. "Right...well, that will be that, then...at least until the need arises. Hopefully it won't, but...plan for the worst; hope for the best, yes?" He exhales softly. "And...if you need anything at all, do let me know. I will do everything in my best available power to make it happen."
Cerebros sighs and sets Spike down. Spike looks up at Khamsin and Goth. "So...should we head back?"
Goth huffs, trying his best to recompose himself, but he does smile at Khamsin, and looks over to the other two. "I will do my best to help as well, I'm a medic after all, and do have skills in schematics and craft regarding technology and weaponry." Goth states with a nod.
Khamsin gives a nod as he smiles. "Certainly...let's. The city itself is working on sorting the debris...we've had offers from Valvolux to help with building some fortifications with the salvage. That and...well, city cleanup is also healthy for morale. Clean streets boost confidence and future outlook... I may step away to assist in some coordination and organization, if that is alright, but will join once done."