FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

'Yet another remote planet and ends up being another lost prospect.' I think to myself while sitting on the bridge in the captains chair. The Arrow, my ship, is on a mission to find suitable worlds for colonization at the edges of known space for our expanding population. But the planets we find can't have intelligent species living on them, or life that is evolving intelligence. Sadly this planet violates that rule. It hosts a bipedal intelligent species and also many others of various shapes and sizes. Despite the failure we have to stay in orbit and finish the survey. For the council's database of known species. We can't colonize it, but it will be placed on the database of worlds to make first contact with in the future.

Our pilot, Skycrash, and my First mate, Sunfoot, are present on the bridge sitting in front of me. The former is on the helm, the latter is running both the scanners and the communications stations jumping in between them at random intervals. But she seems to pay slightly more attention to the communication systems due to the local broadcasts we are receiving. Both systems are recording all the data they receive, dumping it all into the ships computer data banks for later analysis by us or the council's analysts. Ligerspin, is our resident rookie and Outgear is our engineer both make up the rest of our conscious crew. The rest are in stasis to preserve resources until we find a suitable planet and we need the extra bots to get our job done. Outgear is training Ligerspin on engine management and general engineering now that we have a chance.

"Sunfoot, please don't fill the ships data storage with information on just this planet. We have at least half a dozen more to get too on this assignment." Jokingly chastising her on the amount of data she is recording.

She just rolls her optics at me. " Zakkaision. If that happens it just because this planet is so interesting! It has such an odd culture compared to all the pother biological ones I know about. Can you believe they actually send their young out to collect creatures of equal intelligence?" Shaking my head I think that we are lucky that this ship has zeta-bytes of data storage. With what I have learned of Sunfoot's personality on this tour, when something grasps her interest she doesn't let it go. We almost had to put her into stasis just to have her help us leave orbit from the last planet as she threatened to lock us out of the bridge to keep collecting data on it. Yet this also makes her one of the best bots for the job.

I don't know much about our pilot Skycrash as he has been quiet from the start of our assignment. He also keeps to himself and spends most of his off time in his quarters rather than the common area. As for Outgear he seems to prefer the company of the ships systems over the rest of us, though at his age I would think he would prefer our company over a simple ship. I just hope Ligerspin is not driving him crazy. Just like any other bot out of the academy he is eager for action and adventure and wants to ignore all the boring parts of space travel. Reality gave him a crushing disappointment in the form of being stationed on mapping mission for two mega-cycles. No action and only a bit of adventure in between long stretches of boredom. As for me? I guess I just prefer the quiet time in exploration missions like this along with the occasional intellectual curiosity one might find on them.

All in all this is shaping up to be a nice and quiet mission taking into account the first planet we visited with this one. But with the way Sunfoot is obsessing over every little broadcast we get and every bit of data we get from their communication network. We might have to stay a few extra solar cycles before we have any hope to be able to move on to the next planet. It seems she has settled down to watch one of the planet's stations broadcasting some kind of video presentation. With the ship's computer translating it I can tell it's about some kind of wandering lonesome warrior doing good deeds to whom ever he can. I don't see why Sunfoot is so interested in it really.

I activate the console on my chair and open the ship's flight plan, considering how Sunfoot is acting I think we should schedule in a few more solar cycles here. This will be better than seeing if she can make good on her threat to lock us out of the bridge and the ships systems. With that task out of the way I finally notice that we got a priority message from home. What could it be?

"Heads up lady bots, we have company!" Skycrash yells out over Sunfoot's new obsession.

He brings up the image of a ship entering orbit near us and we don't even have to scan it to know what it is. The ship is an old style predacon corvette the design and style that is favored by the war lords of the predacon colonies. Well there goes my peace and quiet on this mission.

"Ligerspin, Outgear. Get yourselves up here asap! We have some unfriendly company here." Speaking with a sense of urgency into the ships intercom. Sunfoot even stops watching the local broadcast and goes to her battle station.

"We've been spotted! The're adjusting their orbit to intercept and engage." Sunfoot announces as Ligerspin and Outgear enter and take their stations.

"Outgear, we need those shields!" I yell at him while Skycrash takes evasive maneuvers. Yet we can't get away from them while Ligerspin mans the weapons station.

"Weapons are on-line!" Ligerspin announces. Not that much good it will do us because the Arrow is an exploration vessel, not a combat ship. Meaning that corvette is not only faster but also better armed.

"Weapons lock detected! They are opening fire!" Sunfoot yells out as she uses our missile counter measures to stop the incoming volley launched at us. They stop the missiles but not the energy weapons, those go right though our shielding like it wasn't even there. The Arrow shakes mildly and some of the lights flicker are the only signs that we have been hit.

"Damage?" I ask out loud to no one in particular. I just need to know where we stand even though I know it is not going to be good.

"Our shields are gone and we have multiple hull breaches, mostly in the unoccupied decks." Outgear replies We are too slow to run and a few hits took out our defenses. It would be a good bet that our weapons will be less than effective, at least at this range. Wait, that might work. While I'd rather not die, it would be certain death to fight them at this range. Yet if my idea works we will be stranded here on this planet, that is if we survive.

"Skycrash get us as close as you can to their ship. I'll bet you a cup of energon back home that their shielding can't withstand a point blank shot even from our weapons. Ligerspin once we get within one hundred meters open fire and don't even bother with the targeting computer." Skycrash and Ligerspin follow my commands without saying anything. The former getting us closer to the predacon ship and the latter preparing our meager armament for our one and only counter attack. Outgear just tries his best to keep us in one piece and functional as we approach the predacon corvette. Needless to say our ship takes a beating before we get within range.

Ligerspin unleashes our few and low powered plasma cannons once we are in point blank range. The ship shudders, lights and consoles flicker, the emergency lights activate while some consoles do not turn back on all show we did not pull it off unscathed.

"Engines are off-line and they scored a direct hit on the stasis deck. The rest of our crew are either dead or their stasis pods are now floating in orbit." Outgear yells out from his console.

"We are going planet side weather we like it or not! All that is left are thrusters and we are too deep into the gravity well for those to work." Skycrash reports.

"Tell me we gave as good as we got please?" I ask pleadingly to everyone on the bridge wanting to hear some good news.

"From what I can tell we knocked out their engines and did some structural damage to one of the nacelles." Sunfoot speaks up before weapons fire fills the view screen but they miss us by a wide margin. "And their targeting systems too. The good news, if you can call it that, is that they are going down with us."

"Skycrash get us as far away from their ship as possible and if you can make sure we don't crash into the water. Sunfoot try to keep track of where they are going, I want to know where they land as well." I bet Sunfoot is elated about us being stranded here. It would allow her to learn more about the place and keep watching that broadcast that she was watching earlier. As for me it just adds another thing to worry about. This is an under developed planet and we should be avoiding first contact at all costs in normal circumstances. The ship shudders again and we loose everything but the emergency lights which have their own battery packs.

"Dammit that was a lucky shot, must've of hit the backup power." Outgear slams his fist on the dead console in frustration before strapping himself into his seat. Okay I take that back, If we survive this I don't think I would mind having to put up with Sunfoot and her obsession.

"Strap in, this is going to be one hell of a bumpy ride." Yelling out as I double check my own. Everyone else does the same as the ship starts to shudder upon beginning reentry. All I notice before it all goes black is groaning and a snapping sound above me.

Somewhere in the northern part of the Kanto region.

The cold northern night wind bites into a pair of travelers as one of them tries to get some rest. He wishes yet again that his partner did not lose their backpacks which had their sleeping bags. Curling up on the ground he rests his head on a small flat rock wishing that his blue and cream colored fur was enough to keep the chill out. His companion doesn't seem interested in sleep nor does she seem bothered by the frigid air. She seems invigorated by it and the night as she stares up at the stars.

'I wonder if sis is already there waiting for us to arrive.' she thinks to herself while scratching a stray itch near the red crest on her head. Just by chance as she is looking in the right place to see a light show of streaking red and blue lights. Each one comes and goes in an instant and she realizes that she is lucky to be able to see such a colorful display of beauty.

"Hey Lucario look. Shooting stars!" The Weavile gently nudges the spike-less Lucario with the blunt side of her claws being careful not to cut him. The action rouses him from a light sleep while reminding him of the loss of the warmth giving sleeping bags.

"What is it Zerobi? Did one hit you on the head? I was trying to sleep." He complains before yawning.

"Ha-ha Lucario. I have never seen a colored meteor shower before. Have you?" She directs his gaze at the correct spot in the sky for the light show. Only to rub his eyes to clear them and to see if he sees it correctly.

"That." He pauses for a second. "Is new isn't it?" He himself can't recall a time that he has seen such vivid a display. But a part of him can barely grasp a notion that he has seen a meteor shower before. Too him it makes being out here in the cold wilderness worth it, at least for right now. That same part also tells him he would not be able to see such a display in a city.

While they watch Zerobi slowly moves a clawed hand and gently places it on one of Lucario's. She is overly careful not to cut him, or even scratch him, but he neither flinches nor moves his hand away from the gesture. The simple non reaction for some reason makes her heart feel warm in the simple acceptance of her touch. The show lasts a few more seconds before stopping as suddenly as it started.

"Thats it? It's over already?" Zerobi questions the event like it can answer while Lucario just shrugs.

"Wait, looks like there is some more. But they look bigger than the other ones." Lucario speaks as he is the first of the two to notice two brighter and larger streaks and points it out to the female Weavile. The streaks create an inverted V shape as they travel through the atmosphere in a southernly direction. One is heading in the direction of the mountains too the west of them, while the other heads a bit farther east. In the general direction of the Viridian forest or somewhere near the forest. But as they head southward one of them splits into two and the smaller piece spirals away.

The pair continue to watch the night sky for a few minutes more thinking that maybe it is not quite finished. But nothing else lights the night sky other than the stars and the moon. Eventually Zerobi and Lucario move apart and try to get some rest for the day ahead and the journey they are taking

Viridian Forest

The landing must've knocked me into stasis-lock because I don't recall the actual moment of crashing. Just breaking through the atmosphere then suddenly only having my audio sensors working. Sounds like Sunfoot took charge while I was out cold because I can hear her and Outgear talking. They are discussing how badly the ship is damaged and what to do.

Not to long after that my vision and the rest of my systems come back on-line one by one. And of course with those, pain from my damaged arm.

Part of the ceiling of the bridge lies on the floor in front of me adorned with some of my servo fluid and a smearing of my paint job. Great, that paint job cost a pretty credit and now its ruined. It is also the reason my internal systems are screaming at me about a badly damaged right arm is. Never mind the fact I was in stasis-lock only a few minutes ago. Once those systems are silenced I unbuckle myself from the captains chair. The noise attracts the attention of Sunfoot and Outgear who look genuinely surprised.

"Oh good your awake and alive. We were worried when we saw that piece of bulkhead on you that you had died. When we removed it we saw you were only in stasis-lock but with no way to repair you." Yea I prefer being alive to the alternative right now. Wait, what? No way to repair me? In what condition IS the Arrow?

With the use of my still working arm I stand up and look about the bridge. Structurally the bridge looks mostly intact as the damage appears to be limited to; lose panels, broken consoles, exposed conduits, and the occasional piece of bulkhead broken off. Like the one that knocked me into stasis-lock. Personnel wise it is only Sunfoot, Outgear, and me on the bridge. The others are nowhere to be seen and that makes me a bit fearful that they did not survive the landing. Getting stuck here is one thing but I would not be able to take anyone's deaths.

"Where, what happened to the others?" As I navigate the debris to get too the two I ask Sunfoot.

"Alive and undamaged. They're going through the ship deck by deck to catalog the extent of the damage to the Arrow. Personally I don't think she is going to fly again. Outgear says the engines are a pile of scrap, but he could get them working again if we can get the replacement parts from say the predacon ship." After glancing to Outger on that last part she looks me over with concern and closes the distance between us.

"Hey don't move around so much with the medical bay is off-line and you're already damaged." Raising my still functional arm I wave it at her in protest. I may be damaged but I am no cripple.

"I'm fine. I only lost the use of my arm and I am sure I can repair it myself later. Tell me, where did we end up?" She gives me such an angry look for dismissing my damaged arm before sighing. Outgear goes off to salvage some of the consoles while at the same time listening to us. Sunfoot looks around seemingly unsure on how to answer before speaking. "Other than 'not in the water' we don't exactly know. The only ones who do are Ligerspin and Skycrash and with the communication system down we can't ask them." Well this is certainly a wonderful situation we are in. The Arrow could've landed anywhere and as much as I would love that anywhere to be in the middle of nowhere. It could easily be smack dab in the middle of one of the native settlements. The prospect of that being the case does not make me feel any better about the situation we are in. The sound of footfalls echoing from the main entrance to the bridge draws us all to look over.

All of us watch the doorway as we hear the footsteps become louder and out of the barely lit corridor emerges Ligerspin. "Told you he wasn't dead Sunfoot." He gleefully comments which seems a bit odd to me considering the situation and speaks with a tone of excitement in his voice. "Well I have some good news. That last shot did not hit the back up power generator, just the power conduit leading out of it. Skycrash is repairing it as we speak so we should have systems back up shortly." I knew Ligerspin was bored during the trip to our first planetary candidate if not the whole tour so far. But the joyfulness in his voice as he speaks says a lot about his inexperience and the fact that he either doesn't see or doesn't care about the danger we are in.

While its good to hear that the ship's systems will be back up shortly, it doesn't help the fact that we are stranded on an underdeveloped planet. A fact that if we were on this planet under any other circumstance we would be in trouble for interference in their culture. Not to mention any danger the natives could pose to us while we are here. But as I am about to reprimand him on his tone of voice the lights along with a few of the bridge consoles flicker back to life as backup power is restored.

Sunfoot walks over to the communication station and looks it over. "The receiver works but the transmitter is dead." Pounding the side of the console as she says this with an undercurrent of frustration that creeps into her voice. "I do know where we are. And thank Primus that is in the middle of nowhere." She taps on the console for a few seconds commanding the front screen to flicker on with a view of the outside. Displaying a sea of green and brown beyond the smoldering and smoking crater of our landing spot. So it seems we landed in a forest of some sort. At least we have a decent chance to get out of this without the natives knowing we are here which is a relief to me.

"What else is do we have?" Looking over at Outgear while Ligerspin moves a bit closer to the front view screen.

"Our shielding can be repaired with cannibalized parts from other systems. Our weapons broke off during the crash so that system is gone. Sensors can be repaired as they were barely damaged. The good news is that the medical bay is back on-line. But as I told Sunfoot the engines are scrap so we are pretty much grounded." Outgear replies in a mater of fact kind of way as he works on the consoles on the bridge. With the medical bay back up I should get myself repaired but what about after that? Needless to say we need to stay out of sight of the natives while at the same time figuring out where the predacon's landed. Native alternate modes will be needed and as much as I am reluctant to give the one I have up we have no choice.

"First of all it goes without saying that we are now stuck on a planet that has not been evaluated for first contact. Which means we must stay hidden from the natives any time we are outside the Arrow. Second, our plan of action is to either find a way to repair the ship or contact Cybertron to get us off this planet" I look confidently at everyone else here on the bridge. But to be honest with myself I am probably just as scared as everyone but Ligerspin who still seems too excited for his own good.

"But what about the predacons? If we survived the crash they must've too." Sunfoot comments on what I was just going to talk about.

"That was number three Sunfoot. With any luck they are in a similar condition too what we are in right now; stranded, damaged, and unable to call for help from off world. So we need to find out where they landed and what condition they are in. They are a threat to us as well as the natives." I continue with telling them my plan of action. Yet truth be told its more or less what the book says to do with just an alteration to deal with the fact this planet has natives. I guess this is why I am the captain of this ship and now some big cruiser.

"Thats assuming the natives did not spot our little fiery entrance and come looking for what landed." Outgear points out a flaw in my plan of action, one that can't be helped. The native population is of course a wild card in this situation.

"We still have to take the needed measures to keep ourselves hidden. That means each of us taking an alternate mode sourced natively from 'this' planet and not showing ourselves outside without it on. I will go first because I also need to get my arm repaired." I finally grab Ligerspins attention with this and I think I know why. It's not like he has not told everyone on the ship already what he wants to do with the credits this tour of duty would've earned him.

"You mean I can get a new alternate mode for free? Cool, I have been trying to save up for one for a while but they are so slagging expensive! I bet this place has some cool looking wild life." I would sigh and shake my head if this was not exactly what I expected.

"No not cool, these are going to be utilitarian only. Nothing flashy that could draw unneeded attention to ourselves." I look over to Sunfoot. "Load up the scans we made of the local wildlife when we entered orbit. We can make our choices will be from those." Now Sunfoot looks as excited as Ligerspin for some reason. So much so she nearly hops, skips, and jumps over to the nearest working console to load up the scans humming the tune from that show to herself.

Why couldn't I have just had a nice peaceful tour with sane bots? Let those with a death wish handle the dangerous tours, this one was just a nice peaceful mapping mission till the predacons showed up. Ignoring the conversation that has started up on the bridge between Ligerspin and Outgear I leave and head for the medical bay. Upon entering I find the cybernetic recovery chamber already on and waiting for me, thank you Sunfoot! Entering the chamber results in the machine automatically hooking up all the needed wires and tubing to my body before the door slides closed.

Once inside I am alone with my own systems and the ship's computer as it shuts out all other sensory input. The computer then presents me with what it has calculated is the best native form for me based on my body type. A common misconception of our kind is that we can disguise ourselves as anything and admittedly some of us prey on that. But in reality each of us has a body type and that determines what kind of alternate mode we can adopt. Big and bulky bodies can't adopt alternate modes that are too small with fine features and vise versa for example.

With my body type I only get a few choices and the one that appeals to me the most kind of looks a little weird. A tan and brown four legged creature with leaves coming out of parts of it's legs, chest, head, and back. The tail on the creature transitions from an animal one to one large leaf and the same thing happens with its ears. Animal flesh appears to yield to plant fiber. But oddly the creature looks content and peaceful in contrast to its appearance. I don't even bother looking at the other choices that conform to my body type because this one looks good enough to me. I select it then let the machines do their work configuring my body to the new alternate mode. While it works it also repairs my damaged arm. Somewhere during the process I am put into a protective stasis-lock and black out till it's finished.

Unlike the last time I woke up I am not in pain, I just feel a little weird. I have never had a biological mimicry alternate mode so I just attribute the feelings to that. Being four legged in it is going to be difficult to get used to as well yet I can always go robotic when I get tired of it. I also notice that I am not the only one in the medical bay, Sunfoot, Ligerspin, Outgear, and Skycrash are here waiting for their turn in the machine.

"So this is a pokemon?" I hear Ligerspin asking Sunfoot as soon as I exit the cybernetic recovery chamber. Looking over to her I wait for the answer as well. Sunfoot can be considered the resident expert about these Pokemon and I want to know about the alternate mode I chose as well. Considering it will be a part of me for the foreseeable future.

"Well one of many species of Pokemon. They, along with the biped species make up the sentient species of this planet." Sunfoot grins and then eyes the cybernetic recovery chamber. "My turn! I know exactly what form I want!" Sunfoot skips giddily to the chamber before it starts the same routine as it did with me. Connecting wires and tubes before closing the door with a hiss.

I look at the others before activating my transformation systems changing myself into my robot form. Once the familiar sensation of parts moving and shifting cease I stretch and look at them. The bits of my beast mode give me an interesting look to say the least, I could get used to this. "Once we all get our new alternate modes we will first focus on repairing what systems we can. The Arrow will be our base and well, our home now. Once the repairs are done we will take shifts on looking for the predacons." I hope the predacons did not survive even though I know they did. I just hope they are easy to take out so I can just rest and relax while we wait for help.

They each give me a nod in understanding about my orders. So now we wait for the process to finish on Sunfoot so we can see what she has chosen. I was out for most of it so I do not know how long it took for my own systems to be reconfigured. It doesn't take long for the systems to do their work on Sunfoot, maybe because she was undamaged. The door opens with a slight hiss of pneumatic systems revealing another strange four legged creature. Short reddish brown fur covers most of the creatures body except for the; tails, hair crop, paws, and belly. The belly is covered in cream colored fur while the paws are covered in pure brown colored fur. But what stands out the most is the fire orange fur of the six tails and a small crop of fur on the head of the same color.

"Sunfoot? Thats what you chose? What the slag is it?" Asking her before thinking to phrase it better.

"Yup, I found it on our first few scans of the planet and immediately fell in love with it. My original plan was to pay to have my alternate form changed into it when we returned home. But this whole situation presented me with the opportunity and I took it!" She smiles a cute smile as she talks and I just shake my head.

Looking at Ligerspin, Outgear, and Skycrash I wonder who will decide to go next and what they will choose. As I look at them they look at each other with looks that make me realize they too are wondering who will go next. I wonder why though? Maybe they fear the others will choose something better than what they do? Still it seems they are waiting for someone else to go next until finally Ligerspin walks over to the cybernetic recovery chamber putting an end to the tense wait.

"I guess I'm next since no one else will go." The goes through the same sequence again as it did with Sunfoot and me. Only Outgear pays any attention to it as he walks over to the chamber's control panel before quickly entering in a few commands before I could see what he did.

"Outgear, what commands did you just enter?" I ask Outgear curiously as he looks back at me with a smile.

"Making sure the sparkling doesn't choose anything too flashy or too much for him to handle. If you have not noticed his ego doesn't match his skills." Well I had thought he was bored with this posting but Outgear has spent more time with him than I have. Outgear goes back to where he was before to wait for the process to finish. As for Sunfoot, she is too preoccupied with her new alternate mode. Rolling around on the floor examining herself, the fur she is now covered with, and those tails. A bit too much if you ask me considering I have seen other bots become too obsessed with their alternate mode.

I also have no idea what Outgear set the cybernetic recovery chamber too but I hope it is not something useless. Because even as inexperienced as Ligerspin is in just about anything we still need his help. My thoughts are interrupted as the chamber's door opens once again with the sound of a pneumatic hiss filling the medical bay. Ligerspin walks out in a four legged form and tries to strike a dramatic pose. At least it looked like an honest try on his part too. Because his new alternate form makes him look more cute than intimidating or cool in any fashion. In-fact Sunfoot bursts out laughing the second she sees this. I follow suit and even Skycrash covers his mouth in a snicker, only Outgear doesn't laugh. Thats probably because he set it to this form himself.

Ligerspins alternate mode is a four legged creature covered in fluffy tan and brown fur with a bushy tail and a fluff filled mane. The large black eyes complete the cute look of the creature as he stands there oblivious to how he looks to the rest of us.

"Whats so funny? I chose the coolest looking one that fit my body type." Clueless while looking at each of us in turn. Sunfoot is the first one to calm down and be brave enough to break it to him.

"Cool? 'snicker' more like cute! Eevee's aren't cool. They are puff balls of cuteness!" Eevee? Is that the name of the Pokemon Outgear chose for Ligerspin? This reminds me, I am going to have to ask her to tell me the name of the Pokemon I chose as well as the one she did. Ligerspin still stands there confused until he finally realizes something is wrong and looks at himself. Come to think of it he should've known what form he got unless that was one of the commands Outgear entered.

"What? Hey! Wait, this ISN'T what I chose! What the slag happened to me?" His confusion boils away to anger as he inspects every inch of his form. Once he is finished his gaze travels to each of us until it lands on Outgear. I guess he took his lack of mirth at the situation as a sign of guilt or something. Because he bounds over to him with an attempt of an angry look on his face. Which only makes him look even cuter and funnier considering it looks like he is hopping.

"It was you Outgear wasn't it? Why did you do this to me!? If this is your idea of a joke it isn't funny!" Cue another round of laughter and giggling. Seriously is there nothing this creature does that doesn't look cute? Even in anger this Eevee Pokemon looks adorable.

"I wasn't intending it to be a joke Ligerspin. I knew you would try to pick something big, flashy, and attention drawing. Something we do not need so I picked what would work for staying hidden." Ligerspin just stares at him with all the anger he can seemingly muster in this form. But Outgear does have a point that we do not need alternate modes that drew attention to us and say 'hey come here!'.

"And what is wrong with that Outgear? We can use something like that. We have a broken ship and possibly multiple predacons out for our sparks somewhere out there." Ligerspin barks back at Outgear. Time to intervene in this before they trade blows instead of words.

"Okay you made your point Ligerspin, but Outgear is right. Our best option is to lie low with our lack of firepower and the fact we might be out numbered as well. If we can manage somehow to fix the transmitter we can get help and possibly a numerical advantage when dealing with them." I would rather get home with this as little drama and fighting as possible, but I am not above fighting if I have to. Still I give both of them stern looks, Outgear should've asked me first, and Ligerspin should've known better than to go ahead and try to do the opposite of what I said.

"Guess it's my turn then." Skycrash speaks up and ends up helping to diffuse the situation.

Outgear and Ligerspin to back off each other and move to occupy different ends of the room thankfully. With a pneumatic hiss the machine starts the same cycle over again only with a different occupant. A stern look from me prevents those two from going after each other again after they have been staring at each other while we wait. Sunfoot changes from her alternate mode to robot mode then proceeds to move about and pose in front of one of the mirrors in the room. Okay maybe she might be one of those bots who become too attached to their alternate modes. Great, yet another problem for me to worry about while being stranded here. Time passes and again the machine opens unceremoniously letting Skycrash walk out in his new alternate mode.

Like the others it is a Pokemon but I do not know what it's named. I do recognize the purpose of the general shape and the gray feathers or feather like structures that cover it. Not surprisingly Skycrash chose an alternate form that could fly considering his previous one could as well. The form has wings with an alternating band of darker and lighter gray feathers. Other feathers are white forming the bottom half of a star patter on his head and a patch of white on the chest. A lone white feather in the tail adds an odd look to the form. He looks at each of us while half walking half hopping over to where he was standing earlier not saying a word to any of us.

"I wonder if I can find something that would match what forms you have chosen." Outgear comments to himself while making his way to the machine. As the cybernetic recovery chamber works on Outgear, Ligerspin changes to robot mode and stares at each of us. Annoyance and a trace of anger visible on his face as he does this.

"If any of you actually 'need' me, other than a source of humor, I will be in my room." The anger drips from his voice as he speaks and from his foot steps as he deliberately stomps out of the room. Skycrash and Sunfoot both shrug their shoulders when I look at them after he leaves. Okay maybe we did go a little overboard with the laughter at his expense from the sight of his alternate mode. I will apologize to him when he calms down as his attitude right now would make him dismiss it out of hand. We spend the rest of the time waiting for Outgear to exit the machine in silence.

Outgear wasn't the smallest bot I have seen in my life. Stocky with larger than average parts aimed for strength and a surprising bit of agility he seemed purposefully built to be an engineer. What comes out of the chamber just adds to that look. Short and stocky, consisting of what looks like armored plates on the lower body as well as the upper body. Compared to the dark gray belly plates the ones on the back and head look almost white but are in fact a very light shade of gray. Fin like ridges extend from the top of the plates behind the head going the length of the back while flattened spikes protrude out to the sides on the leg plates.

"And here I thought you were not going to choose anything flashy or fancy?" I ask him with a bit of annoyance in my voice as he changes into robot mode to move about easier.

"This 'is' the least flashy option the computer gave me considering my body type. Believe it or not all this plating is organically laid metal and considering none of your forms seem to have an extra layer of armor I thought I could put this to use. Such odd life-forms really." With creatures such as these I have no choice but to agree with him. My inexperience and relative youth shows compared to Outgear who is the oldest of us and has been in more fights than I care to be in. Anyway now that we all have our new alternate modes we have a job to do.

"Now that we all have our disguises we can get to work fixing up the ship. I will go with Skycrash and examine the extent of the hull damage. With luck we may be able to patch enough holes to get the Arrow space worthy. Sunfoot, go and see if Ligerspin has calmed down. You two will need to work on the sensors and communications gear. Outgear, see what you can on everything else." Outgear and Skycrash nod acknowledging my orders before leaving the medical bay.

Sunfoot on the other hand looks at me.

"Are you going to apologize to Ligerspin?" She inquires about how this looks like I am not going to aplogize.

"Of course I am Sunfoot. Who do you take me for? I will just wait for him to calm down first otherwise he might not take it. You on the other hand I know he will take an apology from." She nods approvingly at my response with a coy smile.

"Heh, kind of obvious that I can wrap him around my finger right?" Obvious is an understatement considering you're the only fem-bot on this ship Sunfoot. Which means she has each one of us to one degree or another wrapped around her fingers.

"That and more Sunfoot." Commenting as I follow her out of the medical bay to join Skycrash in examining the hull.