#LED-based bulkhead lights

[myblogscmi]

Bulkhead Lighting Market Is Estimated To Witness High Growth Owing To Increasing Demand for Energy-Efficient Lighting Solutions

The global Bulkhead Lighting Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 432.34 million in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.52% over the forecast period 2023-2030, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Market Overview: Bulkhead lighting refers to a type of light fixture that is mounted on walls or ceilings and is commonly used for outdoor lighting, particularly in areas that require sturdy and durable lighting solutions. These fixtures are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for applications such as industrial facilities, commercial buildings, parking lots, and residential complexes. The key advantage of bulkhead lighting is its ability to provide uniform and diffused lighting, which enhances visibility and safety in outdoor areas. Additionally, these fixtures are highly energy-efficient, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced electricity costs. The growing need for energy-efficient lighting solutions in various sectors, coupled with the increasing focus on safety and security, is driving the demand for bulkhead lighting. Furthermore, the rising urbanization and infrastructure development in emerging economies are expected to further fuel market growth during the forecast period. Market Key Trends: One key trend in the Bulkhead Lighting Market is the increasing adoption of LED-based bulkhead lights. LED technology offers several advantages over traditional lighting solutions, including higher energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and lower maintenance costs. LED-based bulkhead lights also have better color rendering capabilities, providing improved visibility and aesthetics. For example, companies like Eaton Corporation and Philips Lighting have introduced advanced LED-based bulkhead lights that offer enhanced performance, durability, and energy efficiency. These products are designed to meet the evolving needs of customers and comply with stringent energy conservation regulations. The adoption of smart lighting solutions is another important trend in the bulkhead lighting market. Smart lighting systems can be controlled remotely using mobile devices or automated systems, allowing users to adjust the lighting settings based on their preferences. This technology offers greater flexibility, convenience, and energy savings. These technological advancements are enhancing the functionality, efficiency, and versatility of bulkhead lights. Key Takeaways: Paragraph 1: The global bulkhead lighting market is expected to witness high growth, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.52% over the forecast period, due to increasing demand for energy-efficient lighting solutions. The advantages offered by bulkhead lighting, such as uniform illumination and durability, make them an ideal choice for various applications. Paragraph 2: In terms of regional analysis, North America is expected to dominate the bulkhead lighting market due to the presence of key players and the adoption of advanced lighting technologies in the region. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region, attributed to rapid urbanization, infrastructural development, and favorable government initiatives promoting energy-efficient lighting. These players focus on product innovation, strategic collaborations, and mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market position. In conclusion, the bulkhead lighting market is poised for significant growth due to the increasing demand for energy-efficient and durable lighting solutions. The adoption of LED technology and smart lighting systems are driving market trends, while favorable political and economic factors support market expansion. Regional analysis reveals North America as the dominant region, with Asia Pacific expected to witness rapid growth. Key players play a crucial role in shaping the market through innovation and strategic initiatives.

[ihaznoclue]

One more try, this time for Bulkhead since I've seen you don't have any fics of him on your masterlist yet

Maybe some general fluff, honestly anything you'd like to do with it as long as its wholesome, Bulk deserves some love too 😔

Pairings -> Bulkhead x Reader

Warnings -> None

Note -> Reader and Bulkhead go out on a midnight drive

Genre -> Fluff

Bulkhead

It was late and Bulkhead was the only one to pick up from work

You were tired but also pissed as you had a rude customer that refused to leave

So Bulkhead decided you and him should spend time together going from a midnight drive

You loved midnight drives

Always have music playing in the background while the window are half way down to get the cool air to blow in your heated face from a long ass day

The green LED lights shining in the car

Bulkhead talking also smoothed you as well

He was always the caring one to take you out whenever you felt angry or just very bored

Now you two were having a conversation to catch up on one another since you were always so stuffed with school and work you never had time to hang out with Bulkhead

But you were glad he came to pick you to cheer you up

He always knows what's on your mind and always make it easier for you to see the brighter side

Even though him and Miko are the pair he thought of you as he's number 1 as well right beside Miko

He didn't like choosing so why not both but Miko is ground by her host parents so she couldn't tag along

Which is okay for you as you needed the peace and quiet for a while

The soothing of the music that Bulkhead played on his radio soothed you to sleep

The cars that went past making a vroom side as they pasted

Their lights shining behind your eyelids as you closed them

Bulkhead noticed how sleepy you were getting as he slowed down a little and turn down the music a little bit down

He reclined the seat back a bit for you to get comfy as he loosened the seat-belt around you

As you were asleep with your side facing the door as you snored away

Which to Bulkhead didn't mind

And it was dark so no-one would suspect someone was not driving

Now he was taking you back to the base to let you rest

-A<3

[bookandyarndragon]

OH my god. I am barely coherent. Your ask broke my brain in the best way. (๑✧◡✧๑)

The Chaplain—and by extension, all the boys—read it and are foaming at the mouth. The fact that your OC is so massive, so psychically powerful, so repressed?? It’s giving them religious convulsions. I (and they) want nothing more than to bring her to her knees. Emotionally. Psychically. Physically. All of it.

And the way you described her discipline—her own denial of touch, the way she isolates herself—delicious. Just imagine the Chaplain whispering:

“You have trained yourself to resist corruption. And yet… here you are.”

ALSO I FUCKING LOVE ONE PIECE so this crossover brainrot is canonically blessed. Thank you for hurling your OC into this chapel of depravity.

PREPARE: a more coherent scene/headcanon-style bullet list is coming. Do you have a preference?

(｡-人-｡) you’ve fed me.

Thank you for giving me an excuse a chance to ramble on about my OC. Im so happy that bit of unhinged brain rot is feeding your plot bunnies.

Her Royal Highness Helene Megara's story thus far is in Of Dragon Scales and Pomegranate Seeds on AO3. I am so glad Meg is sparking joy as she pokes her head up to look at my newest fandom rabbit hole. I'm fine with whatever format you want to want to unleash.

Love that line from Chaplin.

Counter quotable quote: "Evil dreams distorting painful memories and blending them unwholesomely with the present are hardly worth pandering to."

I'll give a thumb nail of her powers personality and appearance for the reading pleasure of you and the small crusade of Black Templars led by Yan!Chaplin under the cut. I hope this gives the Chaplin and the boys more to sink their teeth into.

Powers:

I'm leaving out her DF cause for the purposes of this the ability to swim would cover the same narrative purpose fuck off Kaido's flagship as a wind logia if youve read her story. Also her brother can live or alternatively still die and have his DF reincarnate not directly in front of her for more and worse angst because she has not inherited an echo of his will.

She has Observation Haki to the Gods. Awakened as a very tiny tot; some of her earliest memories are learning how to use it. She manifested the beginnings of Advanced Observation trying to evade being grabbed by Kaido. She saw but she couldn't move fast enough. It's strong enough that she's able to figure out the technicalities of Advanced Armament and Advanced Conquerors of how they're done even though she didn't have the skill to so at the time

Her Second Haki is one that hasn't manifested in her family since third great Grandpa His Royal Majesty Helene Ulysses, Conquers/Supreme King. which she awakened at Kaido. Who thought it was funny. She can control it in that she's not using it accidentally anymore. With enough practice/combat experience she has the potential to use the advanced form.

Her final awakening is Armament Haki. Weakest of the three but with a lot of practice could get the advanced form. She's inclined to be precision fighter using surgical amounts based on her observation rather than going full body to shield and coating her weapons/fists.

Haki strength enough to keep feet at a Yonko level battle aura but an intentional light return swat with conquers haki from Kaido knocked her into the bulkhead but didn't knock her out when she awakened it.

Meg is Strong on a physical level. only partially secretly trained the first time she saw combat she tore a swath through waiters pleasures and gifters and injured one Headliner(Apoo deserves being stabbed). Without the color of armament.

Full combat potential: at full adult height, completed training, and power in one piece setting she'd be on par with a yonko comander or a very strong WG Marine Vice Admiral.

Favored Weapons: This girl given the option has soooo many knives on her person at all times. she was taught knife work because they're easily conceiled about her person. hair ornament? if it's not a knife it's a lock pick. Equaly good with throwing knives and knife fighting. I doubt the templars would let either fly on their ship but fully legal mariage by abduction and lack of seccussful escape or rescue with in 7days was a concern she had to deal with since she first began to bleed. and with her shit dad rescue was not something that would have happened. Given the opportunity she'd like to learn more staff work and branch out into pole arms. Something other than her overabundance of holdouts.

She was taught to dance, not just the whole courtly stuff but more sensual belly dancing types stuff ostensibly to prepare her muscles for the important work of birthing healthy royal babies. The other half of the true reason was to hide and mask the trained predatory quality in her movements. She wouldn't be trying to hide that warrior quality, wouldn't be able to if she tried from warriors of their caliber. I cant picture the Crusade not noticing from the other direction though. "The most important duty of a royal woman is to bear her husband's heirs. I was taught certain dances held to strengthen the muscles used in child birth but they are not seemly for any man but a husband to behold."

Personality:

Megara is devastatingly intelligent self taught student of anything she can get her hands on. Her mother taught her politics and how to rule because one day. Her father who was a raging misogynist by the standards of a country I homebrewd from ancient Greece and Rome despised her size strength and intelligence and tried to curtail it. her mother ensured her daughter learned in secret. Her memory isn't edatic, however she was able to integrate all the knowledge in the royal library before she turned 17.

As you might guess for someone with ridiculous haki she's abundantly blessed in the will department and self-mastery department

Her father was a cruel petty stupid honor-less s.o.b. and Meg has spent her whole life deliberately and intentionally actively choosing to be the opposite. If it kills her, so be it. She will not be him, nor his todies, nor the broken pallid shrunken reflection of herself he did hid damnedest to reduice her to.

One of the most telling lines I wrote regarding Meg when she's backed into a corner is "There is no submission in your surrender and no surrender in your submission." (I feel like this is something Chaplin would latch on to)

Meg's Word is Her Bond. Her oath once given binds her in chains of her own will. If the other party breaks oath they'd better watch out though. If the agreement isn't null and void she's not above going full Fae and fucking over by the letter of the agreement. A sign she really likes someone is that she'll keep not just the letter but the spirit of an agreement.

She loves with fierce loyalty and is protective over those she cares for. (Girl would probably roll with the salamanders temperament wise)

She is a kind person by nature and when duty doesn't afford her the space to be kind or it is not safe to show kindness she refuses to be cruel. Distantly polite and serene.

She is ruthlessly protective of her people and anyone who may have the right to call upon her as a leader/ruler/nakama. She is fully aware of how fucked up the world is. If she can protect those who have the right to call upon her for aid without screwing those outside her care over, she will. But her people's protection come first over and above everything else, even her own needs.

Views The Heavenly Tribute, Monthly payments to yonko, and Imperial tithes the same way. Protection money. What is the best ratio of protection to cost to retribution? She views the great pirate lords and The WG are much the same. the WG is more stable with better press, but pirates are at least honest their depredations. The Imperium of Man has more firepower to bring to bare than either put together.

If she has no one to lead, no nation to protect, she would be happy simply in a job that allowed her to be the competent highly intelligent person that she is. In a space where she isn't made to feel like a freak for her size, strength and powers. (Co-opted into being an analyst or rememberancer for the ultramarines, posibly a dream job under the cross over circumstances.)

not quite personality but Kaido and Black Maria left her with a lot of sexual trauma. Put that on top of being made to believe that she was undesirable and a freak no one would want to take to wife by her father and his couriers? Not a great combinations when memories of being forced to take pleasure in the attacks on her are blending in nightmares with Yan!Black Templar Crusade

Appearance:

Meg's 3m/9' 11" tall built like a curvy brick shit house. Her country is based on Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome pretty heavily and her Real World Ethnicity would be Greek. Her explosion of dark brown curls are normaly pulled back into very lady like clasical styles or put into a thick single braid that reaches just to her waist. She has medium to lightly tanned Olive complexion. Her eyes are blue hazel a mixture of blue grey and green that is a dominate trait that runs through the royal family.(Descendants of the unclaimed royal bastard left behind who took over when the previous royal family left for the Holy Land on top of the Red Line. Meg has glimpsed at a distance Celestial Dragons at the one Revelry she attended with the same eyes as her family. It's one of the things no one talks about. With her Color of Observation, the trip was hell.)

Height Comparison for Meg including her full adult one piece badass the fuck did you do to the cube squared law Anime style height. In a cross over I see her max height topping out 3m. Compared to Firstborn Astartes, Primaris Astartes, Dorn, and Vulkan's most ambitious height according to a brief parusial of Redit. but the brick shit house that is Vulcan might be more acuratly closer to Meg's Full One Piece Badass Height? Feel like the WG Lore Bible might be missing some details when it comes to bio stats. Primarch heights are all over the damn place except for the twins who are short enough that when everyone's wearing armor they blend seamlessly into their legion. Also Admirals and Garp are all Dorn sized?

When it comes to Meg's build Stjepan Sejic's Wonder Woman comes pretty dang close. She has a similar mix of height and curves and muscles.

[sushiithephoenix]

Chapter 15 of A Contract I Regret Signing

Written by SpencerTheDeerHumanHybrid

Celebration! (And A Little Fun In The Berthroom)

It was a bit of a hassle trying to get all the drinks and other stuff for the celebration back at the base but it was so worth it in Bumblebee’s opinion. Everybody was happy in the base, all partying, drinking, and whatnot. Hot Rod and Optimus were in the living room chatting away at the corner, Optimus had a blush on his face for some reason as he listened to Hot Rod’s chatter.

Nova, Bulkhead, and Cliffjumper were talking with one another as the Jettwins played with the Lambo twins nearby.

Jazz and Prowl were having fun messing with Sentinel as they continued to put Sari next to him.

Blurr and Bumblebee sat on the couch drinking a few cubes of high-grade and were just cuddling and chatting. Bumblebee snuggled closer to Blurr’s chassis and looked up at him with loving optics.

“I’m glad I met you, Blurr,” Bumblebee said. Blurr blushed and put their arms around Bumblebee to hold him closer. They laid there for a couple of kilks before Bumblebee got an idea.

”Hey, Blurr,” Bumblebee said, pushing himself a little bit up with his arms. “You’ve done a lot for me and I was wondering if you would like a gift?~” Blurr was slightly confused at this before he realized what Bumblebee meant and blushed hard. Bumblebee chuckled at the speedster and winked at him. Blurr gingerly shrugged Bumblebee to the side of him before he stood up from the couch, grabbed Bumblebee, and zoomed to Bumblebee’s room. Nova watched as Blurr ran from the couch to Bumblebee’s room and silently chuckled to herself.

’He’ll be lucky if he could even move tomorrow,’ She thought as she continued to chat with the others.

~…~

Blurr slammed the door shut and carefully placed Bumblebee onto the berth. Bumblebee shook his head slightly as he was getting out of the dizziness when he noticed Blurr in between his legs.

”Ooo~ Feeling risky there Zippy?” Bumblebee asked, seductively. Blurr smiled up at him as they placed his arms on his thighs and spread them. He then started to lick the pelvis armour as he continued to stare at Bumblebee with lustful optics.

Bumblebee quietly moaned as Blurr licked and rubbed at his pelvis. After a few more cycles of this Bumblebee finally unlatched his pelvis armour and released his spike and valve. Blurr let go of one of Bumblebee’s thighs and rubbed at the valve.

Bumblebee mewed and gasped as he felt Blurr go a little bit faster and pushed one of his digits inside the mush. Blurr rapidly fingered the scout as he felt their own spike throbbing in the armour. Bumblebee let out an aggravated whine as he felt the digit pull out of him, but he gasped as he felt a glossa take its place. Bumblebee clenched his thighs around Blurr’s helm as they lapped at the sensitive valve.

Bumblebee suddenly sat up and gripped at both sides of Blurr’s helm as he felt him practically trying to suck out an overload from him.

”Ahh~ Blurr! D-don’t stop pl-please!!!” Bumblebee moaned as he felt an overload rapidly coming. Bumblebee cried in ecstasy as Blurr happily drank up his overload. Bumblebee flopped onto the sheets, in-venting heavily as Blurr sprang up to put their helm on top of his chassis. They laid there in peace and Bumblebee cooled down from his heavy and warm overload (one of the best he had, in his opinion!).

”Don’t think it’s over yet, Zippy!” Before Blurr could even react, Bumblebee flipped the two of them around which resulted in Bumblebee sitting on top of Blurr pelvis. Bumblebee rubbed his valve against Blurr’s spike panel which was very close to opening up.

”C’mon Zippy, open up! You know you wanna!~” Bumblebee teased. Blurr looked up nervously at Bumblebee and hesitantly opened up his spike panel. Bumblebee’s processor blanked at what he saw; A bright blue, above average spike with a fair amount of girth but it had a few bumps and LED lights that generously made up for it.

’I want that in me, now.’ Bumblebee thought.

”Sorry-if-this-is-going-too-fast-for-you-Honeybee,” Blurr said, cutting Bumblebee out of his thoughts. Bumblebee smiled warmly at Blurr. He held their helm up towards him and said,

”Blurr, you will never ever make me feel like we’re going too fast. I’m happy that I found someone who I can be happy with forever.” Blurr sat up and smiled at Bumblebee before bringing their servos onto his servos, holding them in front of the two of them, and gently kissed him.

Bumblebee leaned down towards Blurr and laid down on his chassis as they continued kissing. Blurr let go of one of Bumblebee’s servos and wrapped it around his waist and flipped the both of them over; Blurr on top of Bumblebee.

They both moaned in each other’s mouth as Blurr’s spike rubbed into Bumblebee’s valve. After a long while, they let go of each other's mouths with a wet ‘pop’ and looked at one another with a lustful yet very loving look, a thin line of oral fluid between them. Blurr let his other servo let go of Bumblebee’s and placed it on his thigh.

“Blurr, take me please,” Bumblebee pleaded. Blurr pushed Bumblebee onto the sheets before them and locked his remaining servo with Bumblebee other servo and said,

“With-pleasure-Honeybee.” Blurr started at a slow pace, trying to get Bumblebee's valve used to being stretched. Bumblebee moaned with delight at the welcomed intrusion. Blurr started to rock back and forth into Bumblebee, gasping softly on how warm and tight Bumblebee’s valve was.

Blurr leaned down on Bumblebee and gently kissed each part of his frame.

”I-love-you-so-much-Honeybee,” Blurr said while still kissing Bumblebee’s frame. Blurr was entranced by the soft, pitiful little moans and gasps that came out of Bumblebee’s intake. After a few cycles of Blurr gently going in and out of Bumblebee’s valve, Bumblebee started to get a little impatient.

”Blurr,” Bumblebee said.

”Hmm?” Blurr hummed as he stopped his movements.

”Go faster and rougher please!~” Bumblebee whined. Blurr looked at him with uncertainty. They also wanted to go faster on him but he was worried that they would hurt him.

”Are….are-you-sure?” Blurr asked. “I-mean-I’m-worried-that-you-can-get-hurt-considering-I-am-known-for-going-too-fast-and-AH!” He yelped as he felt Bumblebee grab his neck and pull his face closer to him.

“Listen here Zippy. I do not care about that. I want you to show how much you love me right here, right now,” Bumblebee said, impatiently. Blurr stared at Bumblebee for a moment before smiling, letting go of his servo to pin both of Bumblebee’s legs on both sides of his helm. Bumblebee flushed and smiled seductively up at Blurr, burying his face on the sheets below him.

”Do your worst Zippy,~” Bumblebee said, winking. Blurr grinned at him before jackhammering into him.

”AH! OH F-FUCK!!” Bumblebee moaned. Blurr went deeper and deeper into Bumblebee's tight heat, their spike forming a little bulge on his stomach. Blurr leaned down to bite down on Bumblebee’s neck cables which caused a little energon to leak. Blurr let go of Bumblebee’s legs in order to grab Bumblebee’s hips and angle them up so he could go deeper and faster.

”FRAG! AH S-SHIT D-DON'T STOP!! Bumblebee yelled. Bumblebee could feel his chassis wanting to open up and didn’t stop to think about it before he opened it. Blurr paused for only an astro-second before doing the same and was about to press both of their sparks together before they saw something else and stopped.

”Why…why did you stop-“ Bumblebee froze when he looked down and saw what you would expect; a bright blue spark. However, something else was below the spark chamber.

’Are-those-energon-pouches?’ Blurr thought. Bumblebee blushed and tried to cover his chassis.

”Shut up! Don’t look at me!” Bumblebee yelled. Blurr realized that he was talking out loud.

“Bee..I- Just shut up!” Bumblebee cried. Bumblebee had tears coming down his optics. He didn’t want Blurr of all ‘bots to know that he had energon pouches! Blurr frowned sadly at Bumblebee. They didn’t want to see him crying just because of this but he knew that he was probably insecure about them.

Blurr leaned down and softly kissed Bumblebee. Bumblebee froze in surprise before kissing back. Blurr pulled back and stared at Bumblebee with a loving and sad expression.

”Bumblebee-I-don’t-care-about-them-you-are-still-so-beautiful-with-or-without-them,” Blurr said. Bumblebee smiled at him, rested his helm on their shoulders and hugged him, pulling him closer. Blurr started the movements again, slowly at first before gradually getting faster and faster, earning delicious moans from the beetle.

“Ah!~ Blurr!! More-OH!-please!” Blurr sped up his movements, his spark chamber getting closer to Bumblebee’s. Bumblebee noticed that Blurr seemed unsure whether or not to actually put their sparks together so he locked his legs around Blurr. Blurr looked at Bumblebee with surprise before smiling and finally putting their sparks together along with one particular deep thrust.

”Ahhhhhh!~" Both of them screamed. Both of their overloads nearly had them crash out on the berth and the both of them panted to ease their overheated frames. Blurr and Bumblebee looked at each other softly and kissed before they fell into a deep recharge.

~…~

Nova Storm was walking towards the kitchen after sleeping outside. She knew that Blurr and ‘Bee would go at it and suggested to the others to go party outside but even that didn’t stop them from hearing the two speedsters. She paused when she saw Bumblebee already at the kitchen grabbing two cans of oil and adding sweeteners to them. She went and grabbed her own can and looked down at ‘Bee as she took a few sips.

”Y’all are loud as fuck by the way,” She said. Bumblebee just shrugged and said,

”Whatcha gonna do about it, Novaload?”

”I told you that in confidence.”

”I know. It’s fun to mess with you.”

“Go frag yourself.”

”Blurr already did that.” Bumblebee chuckled before going towards his room. As he walked away, Nova couldn’t help but think,

’How in the world is he still walking?!’

~…~

Bumblebee opened the door and smiled as he saw Blurr finish cleaning up their mess from last night. Blurr looked up and smiled warmly at him and raced towards him. Bumblebee put the cans down on the table next to him and embraced Blurr as he excitedly kissed them.

”Love-you-Honeybee,” Blurr said as Bumblebee landed a peck on his cheek.

”I know Zippy,” Bumblebee responded. They sat down on the clean berth and silently drank the oil as they sat in a comfortable silence. They looked at the door in surprise as a knocking came from it.

”Blurr! Bumblebee! We have something for the two of you!” Bulkhead yelled from the other side of the door. They looked at each other and shrugged before going towards the living room. When they arrived, Bumblebee gasped at the assortment of new video games and snacks around his usual spot near the TV.

”EEE! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!” Bumblebee yelled as he hugged everyone individually.

“Wanna try them out?” Sari asked. Bumblebee nodded as he and Sari booted up one of the new games. Blurr smiled at his beloved, happy that he was doing better after all this. Everyone else let out either chuckles (Jettwins, Nova, and Bulkhead) or sighs (literally everyone else) at Bumblebee’s brothers glaring at Blurr as they sat next to Bumblebee. Everything was perfect and that’s how Bumblebee wanted it to stay…forever.

[askforbuildwell]

How Ceilings Are Changing the Interior Game in India

Once, ceilings were just... ceilings. White. Plain. Often ignored. But not anymore.

Today, the ceiling is the fifth wall — a critical part of modern design and construction. It shapes lighting, sets the tone of the room, and hides the mechanical clutter of modern living. From gypsum boards to designer tiles and framing systems, ceilings now define how Indian interiors feel and function.

If you're a builder, architect, or homeowner searching for the Best false ceiling and interior products in India, this article is for you. Let’s uncover what’s truly transforming ceilings into statements — both in looks and performance.

From Basic to Bold: The Evolution of Ceilings in India

Gone are the days when the ceiling was just a surface to paint.

Today’s ceilings:

Conceal electrical, AC ducts, and sprinkler systems

Enhance acoustics in offices and homes

Reflect or diffuse light depending on mood and need

Resist moisture, fire, and pests

Add aesthetic character — from minimal to royal

And leading the charge in this transformation are new-age materials and technologies — led by brands like Buildwell, known for offering the best false ceiling and interior products in India.

What Goes Into a Great Ceiling System?

A good-looking ceiling is the outcome. But behind that surface lies a smart combination of materials engineered for performance and durability. Here's what professionals now rely on:

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Everywhere. That’s the short answer.

From luxury apartments to budget homes, from salons to showrooms, Buildwell products are helping contractors deliver high-quality ceiling finishes that:

Absorb sound in meeting rooms

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When professionals choose Buildwell, they’re choosing:

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[luminicouk]

Lumilife 15W LED Bulkhead IP54 - Microwave - White S16173

This LUMiLiFe bulkhead bezel and base are made from polycarbonate and features a micro-prismatic polycarbonate diffuser for an even distribution of light and no individual LED’s can be seen once the luminaire is turned on. EAN: 5055943070318 Inner QTY: 1.00 Master QTY: 0.00 Pallet QTY: 0.00 Brand: LumiLife

[haininglujia]

Led bulkhead ROUND 15W 20W 25W

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[delicatemagazinedreamer]

Bulkhead Lighting Market Is Estimated To Witness High Growth Owing To Rising Demand for Energy-Efficient Lighting Solutions

The global Bulkhead Lighting Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 432.34 million in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.52% over the forecast period 2022-2030, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Market Overview: Bulkhead lighting refers to a type of lighting fixture that is commonly used for outdoor illumination and security purposes. These fixtures are typically made of durable materials such as polycarbonate or die-cast aluminum, making them resistant to harsh weather conditions. Bulkhead lights are popular in commercial and industrial settings, as well as residential areas, due to their longevity and energy efficiency. These lights provide a wide distribution of light, ensuring effective illumination across a given area. The growing demand for energy-efficient lighting solutions, along with the increasing focus on outdoor security, is driving the market growth for bulkhead lighting. Market Key Trends: One key trend in the bulkhead lighting market is the increasing adoption of LED technology. LED lights offer several advantages over traditional light sources, including higher energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and reduced maintenance costs. LED-based bulkhead lights consume significantly less power compared to conventional lighting fixtures, resulting in lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions. Moreover, LED lights do not contain harmful substances such as mercury, making them an environmentally-friendly choice. For instance, Philips Lighting offers a range of LED bulkhead lights that provide high-quality illumination while minimizing energy consumption. Pest Analysis: - Political: Governments across the globe are implementing regulations and initiatives to promote energy-efficient lighting solutions. For example, several countries have banned the sale of incandescent bulbs and have incentivized the adoption of LED lighting. - Economic: The increasing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability is driving the demand for bulkhead lighting. The cost savings offered by LED-based fixtures, in terms of reduced energy consumption and maintenance expenses, are attracting consumers. - Social: The growing awareness regarding the environmental impact of traditional lighting solutions is leading to a shift towards eco-friendly alternatives. Additionally, the rising need for enhanced outdoor security is boosting the demand for bulkhead lighting. - Technological: Advancements in lighting technology, particularly in LED lighting, are driving the market growth. The development of smart lighting solutions and the integration of IoT in lighting systems are further propelling the market expansion. Key Takeaways: - The global Bulkhead Lighting Market Segmentation is expected to witness high growth, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.52% over the forecast period. The increasing demand for energy-efficient lighting solutions is a key driver for market growth. For example, LED-based bulkhead lights offer significant energy savings compared to traditional lighting fixtures, making them a preferred choice for consumers.

- In terms of regional analysis, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing and dominating region in the bulkhead lighting market. This can be attributed to the rapid urbanization, infrastructural development, and increasing investments in smart city projects in countries like China and India. The growing awareness regarding energy conservation and sustainable practices is also contributing to market growth in this region.

- Key players operating in the global bulkhead lighting market include Eaton Corporation, Philips Lighting, Hubbell Incorporated, Zumtobel Group AG, Thorn Lighting, Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc., Wipro Enterprises Private Limited, General Electric Company, Osram Licht AG, Feilo Sylvania, Nordlux A/S, Chalmit Lighting, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited, Dialight plc, and Glamox AS. These companies focus on product innovations, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market position.

[renaultamour]

A 2023 Renault Trafic Van Review

The upgrade Renault Trafic for sale - what’s new inside and outside, but also what improvements to the safety equipment were made?

The Trafic competes against the likes of the Ford Transit Custom and the Volkswagen Transporter. It was previously updated in 2019 when the original 1.6-litre engines were replaced by the new 2.0-litre turbodiesels that form the basis of the current range. These offer up to 170hp and the option of an appealing six-speed automatic gearbox.

What's new for the Renault Trafic?

The front of the New Trafic – as Renault is calling it – is ‘completely new’. Alongside that big grille, there is fully LED lighting with Renault’s signature C-shaped daytime running lights, and beneath it, there’s a redesigned front bumper, described as ‘elegant and dynamic’.

There are no changes at the rear, but as before, the updated Trafic comes in two lengths and two roof heights. The trim structure has been revised a couple of times.

On the inside, there’s a new dashboard with an emphasis on horizontal lines, better-quality door panels with wider armrests, a new gear lever and a new instrument panel. Infotainment options are brought bang up-to-date with Renault's car range, which also lends the Trafic a number of interior trim parts.

Much safer than before

Most significantly of all, however, the prior version of the Renault Trafic was heavily criticised by the Euro NCAP crash safety body because of its lack of an active safety kit – to the extent that it was actually ‘not recommended’.

This updated Trafic has taken serious steps towards correcting this and is now available with a substantial number of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including autonomous emergency braking (which Renault refers to as active emergency braking).

Renault Trafic strengths and weaknesses

Strengths include the impressively comfortable and car-like driving experience, good real-world fuel economy, and the joint-longest loading length in the mid-size van sector, alongside its sister van the Nissan NV300. This is essentially the same as the Trafic (and built by Renault), though the Nissan comes with a five-year warranty as standard.

Up until 2019, the Vauxhall Vivaro was also based on the Renault Trafic (though built in Luton rather than France). But with a change of ownership making the British brand part of the former Peugeot-Citroen PSA Group (now renamed Stellantis) a newer Vivaro has been launched based on the same platform as the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace. This was also true for the Fiat Talento, but the same happened in 2021 as Fiat also joined the Stellantis group.

In terms of weaknesses, you will find that many rivals are available with higher payload ratings. And as we've mentioned, older versions didn't have the greatest safety rating.

Renault Trafic body styles and variants

The Trafic comes in two lengths and two roof heights, making a total of four body variants.

It’s also sold as a panel van, a crew van (with second row of seats) and as the Trafic Passenger, essentially a compact minibus with up to nine seats. A platform cab for conversions is also available, as well as a 'luxury' passenger carrier called the SpaceClass, which competes against the Volkswagen Multivan.

A load-through flap in the bulkhead means items such as pipes up to 4.15m in length can be accommodated. This is fitted as standard on most models.

Full details of load area capacity are listed on this dedicated Renault Trafic dimensions page.

Verdict: Is the Renault Trafic any good?

The Renault Trafic is a good choice for a medium van if you don’t need the highest possible payload ratings. The latest version looks sharp, offers a safety kit that's right at the top of the class, and has a broader range of engines, all of which meet the very latest Euro 6 emissions regulations. The 2022-onwards interior is a big improvement, too.

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Info shared from https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/

[lets-try-some-writing]

Of you could make a TRANSFORMERS show your own take on it what would you do

Oh boy, that right there I have considered quite a few times in light of the newest transformers media. And honestly there are three main ideas I have thought would be good for a show.

Option 1

A show in the aligned continuity based around pre-war Cybertron showing all the nitty gritty details that led up to the war mainly from the perspectives of Ratchet and Soundwave to give us a view of both sides.

I just think it would be really neat to see the biased views of both our main boys right hand mechs. I can see the story starting with when both Ratchet and Soundwave meet their respective future leaders and then everything kind of goes from there. We see the horrors and corruption in the pits as well as the determination and honest desire for a better future from Soundwave. And we see the darkness in the political world and the propaganda that had been rooted deeply within the minds of the citizens from Ratchet's point of view as he gives Orion a dose of reality. It would be amazing to watch everything unfold and to have so many little subplots with both Megatron and Orion meeting mecha who will later become loyal allies. Not only that but it would be so so cool to see how their interactions with each other look from the perspectives of their two biggest supporters. (also come on, world building! little culture dives! lore!)

Seeing the fallout of it all would be even better and I think the best place for the show to stop would be around the time the war gets into full swing and both sides start to become firm in their stance. Preferably around the time Megatron starts to fall and Orion prepares to rise as Optimus Prime so that we can see how it affects everything from the view of a more normal set of mechs. (not that ratchet or soundwave are normal but whatever-)

Option 2

Something akin to Cyberverse but not quite. No human main characters but instead it would be cool to have a show sort of like earthspark in that is would be about a bunch of young bots learning what it means to be Cybertronian.

It would be set after the whole Optimus jumping into the well thing to restore Cybertron and be from the perspective of a new cast of characters. They would learn about the history of Cybertron, help heal the broken land, see the scars of war, come to understand the moral greyness of the conflict, and come to realize that not everything is so clear cut. They would get to experience some culture and meet old veterans from the old cast, maybe even gaining some bot like Arcee or Bulkhead as a teacher for a few episodes. Then they would also meet some older Decepticons and see that side of the war, maybe even leaving some of the new bots doubting if they even want to be Autobots.

It would be a study of culture, of the aftereffects of war, of the pain it leaves, and of hope for the future. Perhaps the overarching plot could be about some lingering Decepticons, or better yet, Soundwave or Shockwave secretly prepping to launch a new attack. I would pay so much money to watch these young bots struggle with their morals and stance faction wise as they try to determine weather to end the threat or support it. (maybe a visit to earth and bumblebee would be enough to push them in either direction?)

Option 3

Megatron redemption arc. Maybe him coming back to Cybertron and having to make things right or perhaps just straight up taking Optimus's place in rid 2015 so that the lore wouldn't need to be disseminated.

It would be lovely to see him think on his actions and deal with the pain, scorn, and aftereffects of all he has done while still trying to find some way to seek redemption. Maybe he could form a friendship with Bee (despite everything) and learn to live again while helping out on earth. He could fight Megatronous instead and perhaps have the oppertunity to speak to Optimus briefly through mystical dream crap or something. The Prime would, in his eternal kindness and willingness to forgive, reassure Megatron and ask him to help the new Cybertronians and ensure nothing like the war ever come to pass again. This would happen about halfway through the show after Megs has proven himself capable of change and then he would set out with the goal of making sure Cybertron is restored for the better.

It would be nice to see him struggle so greatly only to eventually find the corruption growing within Cybertron's new council and against all odds become a hero by saving Cybertron from them with the help of Bee and the remnants of team Prime. Also a chance to make things up with Soundwave, Starscream, and everyone else would be great. Especially if it ends up being a battle of wills over the cause.

[lonestarbattleship]

"After World War I, the victorious Allied powers signed the Washington Naval Treaty in 1922 which sought to limit a new naval race. Japan was allocated 60% of the tonnage allowed to the United States or Great Britain. The Imperial Japanese Navy saw the United States Navy as their most likely opponent for the future and concluded they would have to defeat a numerical superior foe.

The IJN pursued a number of avenues to achieve this between the wars. They included building individually superior ships armed with guns and torpedoes that could strike the enemy at ranges beyond his abilities to reply. Long range submarines and twin-engine naval attack aircraft were built to attack the American fleet as it approached to reduce its strength. The battleships trained to fire from behind a smoke screen with their salvos spotted by aircraft protected by carrier fighters. An accidental discovery led to the development of the Type 91 Armor Piercing Shell (APC).

During the Russo-Japanese War of 1905-05, the Japanese fired 'common' shells which were designed to explode on contact and not pierce heavy armor. The explosive filler was 'Shimose' which was based on a piric acid formula. The results had been spectacular. The shells ripped large holes in high sided Russian battleships whose narrow belts were submerged due to being overloaded. The results impressed RN observers which developed their own common shells using a piric acid-based explosive called 'Lyddite'. While very powerful, Shimose and Lyddite were sensitive and often exploded on contact.

During World War I, the Japanese were impressed by the performance of German APC shells which used TNT as a filler. TNT was less sensitive to shock allowing the shell to remain intact as it passed through armor and explode behind inside the ship. The Japanese obtained samples of these shells post war and worked to develop their own version.

In the summer of 1924, the Japanese Navy conducted tests against the old battleship Aki (安芸, Aki Province) and the new, but incomplete battleship Tosa (土佐, Tosa Province) slated for disposal under the new naval treaty. Both ships were subjected to 16 inch shell fire at a range of 20,000 meters (21,872). Of the shells fired at Tosa yards, two struck the water short of the ship and travelled underwater and into the ship under her armor belt.

The first hit 25 meters short of the ship on her port side and penetrated the hull 6 feet below her armor belt. The shell passed through several torpedo bulkheads and exploded in her after engine room. Over 3,000 tons of water entered the ship. Another hit farther forwards hit 10 meters short of the ship and passed under her armor belt and exploded near her centerline. 2,300 tons of water flooded into the ship. A similar hit on the old battleship Aki sank her."

Trajectories of shells underwater.

"The Japanese sought to capitalize on this effect by developing a shell that could have a consistent underwater path. They estimated the ability to hit underwater effectively doubled the 'danger space' of the target and cause greater damage than normal shells. The Japanese term for this was 'Suichudan'.

The shells used in the Tosa test was adopted in June 1925 as the No. 5 APC shell. The first shell specifically designed for underwater hits was the Type 88 or No. 6 adopted on November 7, 1928 in 8 inch, 14 inch, and 16 inch calibers. The Type 88 featured a blunt nose for a more stable underwater trajectory."

Type 91 AP shell, large caliber.

"The Type 91 APC was adopted in 1931 and featured a two-piece armor piercing cap under a streamlined windshield. On striking the water or light armor, the windshield and upper cap were torn away. The flatter lower cap and blunt shell body would be stable underwater and shoulder of the blunt shell bit into the armor surface struck while the rotating torque from the impact turned the shell into rather than away from the armor surface. The rear of the shell body was tapered into a 'boat tail' shape which extended the shells range and stability in flight. in 1941, a dye pack was added to assist in spotting the fall of shot.

Optimal performance was obtained at an angle of fall of 17 degrees and hitting the water about 40 meters short of the target. The blunt shell body allowed strikes up to 80 meters short to still retain enough energy to penetrate the hull. Shells falling at an angle from 17 to 25 degrees could still make an underwater hit if hitting the water 20-25 meter from the ship. Ballistic differences with different guns gave different ranges for optimal operation.

The Japanese sought to keep the Type 91 and Suichudan secret. However, the British learned about this threat during firing tests to the old battleship Emperor of India in 1931 and a deeper vertical belt was adopted for the new KG V class. The North Carolina class was to have included a lower 3.5 inch belt to protect against such hits, but the 750 ton weight penalty was too much for the treaty limited 35,000 ton design. 3.5 inch armor patches to protect her magazines were added to her inner torpedo holding bulkhead. The follow on South Dakotas and lowas featured an internal belt sloping belt that tapered as it went towards the ship's bottom. In 'Naval Firepower', Friedman speculates that knowledge of the Type 91 may have been obtained through the same radio intelligence that revealed the rebuilt Nagato's trial speed of 26.5 knots late in 1938. In his earlier 'US Battleships: An Illustrated Design History' he notes that tests in the early 30s revealed the threat."

Fragment damage from hit No.6 to bulkhead No. 35, as seen from magazine A-507-M onboard USS Boise.

"In combat, there was only one incident where the Type 91 performed as designed. A Type 91 struck short of the light cruiser USS Boise and penetrated her 6 foot magazine. The shell exploded, but flooding prevented a magazine detonation. In her duel with Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, one 15 inch and three 8 inch shells struck Prince of Wales underwater. The 15 inch shell passed under her belt and ended up against her inner holding bulkhead but did not explode. The 8" hit caused minor flooding through holes in the shell plating."

Information posted by Michael Makanaphy on the Battleships and Battlecruisers Facebook page: link

source, source, source, source, source, source

[earthstellar]

The Cybertronian Class System in Transformers Prime

We know very well about the class system in IDW Transformers and how that contributed to the societal tensions that led to the rise of the Decepticon movement, but what about the Aligned Continuity? 

Novel: Exodus 

We know there is a dual caste and guild system in place. 

The caste system referenced in Exodus is directly stated to be determined through a process in which a new spark is encouraged to take its most natural alt-mode form as soon as it is able. The alt-mode is then used to rank them in society. 

Guilds are less well defined, but appear to be structured around further classification of bots by their relative position within their caste. 

The scientific/academic guilds are stated to be of a very high rank, whereas labourers and manual workers are towards the lowest rank. 

There isn’t much more detail than that, so that is almost all of the information we have to work off of in terms of the TFP Cybertronian social structure.

However, it is worth noting that Functionism in the IDW Transformers comics was developed prior to TFP’s writing, and TFP borrowed the concept of alt-mode determination from the comics. So we can assume that many elements of Functionism are shared one to one between these continuities, although the Functionist Council does not exist in the Aligned Continuity. 

Interestingly, Megatron and the beginning of his social revolutionary efforts are based around the same similar initial core beliefs in both IDW and TFP:

I talk more about how class differences between Orion Pax and Megatronus are largely what caused the war in TFP in this post. 

TFP: Deus Ex Machina 

The episode opens with Miko in trouble at school, when she is picked up by Bulkhead after detention is over. He takes her back to base, and they have a discussion about Miko’s future.

Here’s the relevant dialogue: 

Bulkhead: “Look, Miko. Before I became a warrior, I was a labourer. Construction. I can build stuff, I can break stuff. And that’s it!”

Miko: “I love breaking stuff! I wanna be just like you, Bulk.”

Bulkhead: “Ugh... Why would you wanna be like me, when you could be a... A medic, like Ratchet!”

Two things here stick out to me, the first being that Bulkhead thinks very little of himself, and has class related trauma that likely resulted in his generally low self-esteem. He always claims he isn’t smart, isn’t clever, and so on. But building and construction takes significant skill and knowledge on a material and conceptual level. 

The second thing is that he immediately jumps to using Ratchet as an example of what Miko should aspire to be. Ratchet, of course, is a medic-- Remember the guild system in TFP, where scientific class bots were deemed amongst the highest in social capital and relative value. 

The Wreckers and the Class System

I get the feeling this is why Wheeljack doesn’t like Ratchet very much (at least at first), and why Wheeljack resists Ultra Magnus outright. They are both higher class/upper guild bots who would have been a part of the system that likely kept Wheeljack down. 

We don’t know what Wheeljack’s background is in TFP, other than the fact that he’s a Wrecker, but I get the feeling that the reason why he’s not first and foremost a scientist/engineer in this continuity is because he was likely prevented from joining the scientific guild because he was ranked into a lower class due to his natural alt-mode. 

There’s nothing that supports that in canon, but it makes a lot of sense. 

We also know that Bulkhead and Breakdown know each other, and we don’t have all the details there, but it seems likely their relationship to each other may pre-date the factional divide and they may have been from the same class/caste or guild. 

TFP: One Shall Fall 

The episode opens with the kids erasing photos of Bumblebee from the internet; Infamously, this leads to Jack asking Optimus if he wants to see the cat gif that made Ratchet laugh, to which Optimus replies with a flat no. 

This leads Ratchet to mention that Optimus wasn’t always like this, and he was very different before becoming a Prime, leading to the following dialogue: 

Raf: “Optimus wasn’t always a Prime?”

Ratchet: “On Cybertron, one isn’t born into greatness; Rather, one must earn it.”

I think it’s interesting that as he says this, he takes the posture above: Looking up, even though the kids are all far below his line of sight and off to the opposite side of his gaze here. Like he’s repeating it from memory. And that’s possibly exactly what this is; He’s repeating what he was always told. 

Of course, that statement contradicts nearly everything we know to be factual about Cybertronian culture, but it makes sense from Ratchet’s point of view.

We know Ratchet is old, walked across the Cybertronian continent to reach Iacon to study and train as a medic under Remedy, who was the CMO in Iacon at that time. 

Ratchet, while his spark originated in an undeveloped village, had to travel and work hard to become a medic. 

What he doesn’t seem to grasp, is that he’s quite possibly old enough to pre-date the caste and guild system on Cybertron. 

While we don’t have any definite dates, we do have eras for Cybertronian civilisation which I explore further in this post, and it is entirely possible Ratchet simply became a medic before he would have been defined by his alt-mode. Or perhaps his alt-mode was always some kind of Cybertronian ambulance, and it didn’t make any difference in his case because he wanted to become a medic anyway. 

It’s easy to see why his attitude might grate on bots like Wheeljack or Bulkhead; He’s either very old or very lucky or both, and while from his own POV he did have to earn his place to study in Iacon by way of having to get there first and prove his potential, that is a very far cry from experiencing systemic oppression. 

In Pre-War Cybertron, Ratchet had social privilege above every other Autobot we see in TFP.

I think in light of that, it’s very interesting that he yearns for Cybertron so severely. We know Ratchet cares about others and would not have supported the Functionist society if only because he feels all bots should have equal access to healthcare and a right to be well. 

But we also know he wants Cybertron restored, so much so that the destruction of the Omega Lock nearly causes him to collapse. (I might talk about that scene in a future post, too.) 

What we don’t know, is what Ratchet’s vision for an idealised, restored Post-War Cybertron actually is. 

Do I think Ratchet is a Functionist? No. He cares about his people, and believes in the Autobot key tenant that all bots are autonomous and should have the right to individual choice. (Something Megatron also believes, or believed in the beginning-- He is the one who first put the thought into Orion Pax’s mind.) 

But do I think that Ratchet has been heavily indoctrinated by Functionist beliefs due to his long-standing high ranking position in an intensely classist society? Yes. And I think he’s repeating something that used to be said in his pre-war social circle in the scene above, because surely, he knows better. 

[erimeows]

Feverish

You were surprised to have been called to the med bay a little bit past nine in the evening, woken up by your phone ringing and Ratchet on the other end. You clutched your robe close to your body as you raced through the hallway, sleep in your eyes and worries in your head.

The lead medic had given you no explanation, only telling you to come meet him outside of the med bay as soon as you could before he hung up on you.

You wondered if it was an emergency, if someone was injured or dying, if something had happened during patrol- Wait, no. Their night patrols didn’t start for another hour or so, and if it had been an emergency, someone like Bumblebee or Optimus would’ve called you in a panic.

Still, the whole situation was weird, and you were worried, so when you saw Ratchet outside of the med bay leaning against one of the walls, you immediately approached him with your concern etched in your features. 

Upon seeing you, Ratchet stood up straight, then put a strong servo on your shoulder in a reassuring manner before looking down at you. His pale blue optics burned into your (e/c) eyes, and though you tried your best, you couldn’t read his expression.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the medic spoke.

“Optimus Prime has fallen ill.”

“What?” You immediately sputtered, and your eyes flew to the door of the med bay; closed, you couldn’t even see Optimus. You just prayed that he was okay. In the time that you’d known the Prime and his team, you’d seen him injured or sick plenty, though the former was much more common. He never prioritized his own health and tried to push himself to do things, even when he was unwell, so he took forever to recover... Hopefully it wasn’t something severe. “How bad is it? Is he awake? Have you told the team yet?”

“Hey, hey, slow down. It’s nothing crazy, (y/n), so don’t worry,” Ratchet’s words, said in an uncharacteristically gentle tone, soothed you, if only a little. If it were serious or ‘crazy’ as he put it, he would’ve told you directly instead of lying, so you believed him. “This morning, I was the first to wake and go into the kitchen to make myself an energy booster when I saw him stumble in... As in, he was literally stumbling over himself and I could see steam rolling off of him from overheat. He insisted he was fine, but something was off, so I dragged him to the medbay for testing. He’s low on energon and coolant, he was overheating, and there was a minor glitch in his vents from some battle damage that I had to fix. He’s recovering fine, but my main concern is that his chassis seems to be overheating to kill an infection. I think it’s just your run-of-the-mill space bug based on the labs I did, so I gave him some antibiotics.”

“You didn’t answer some of my questions-” You started, now concerned with whether you could actually go and see Optimus or not.

It wasn’t uncommon for the red and blue bot to ignore his own needs, but for him to have ignored symptoms that could’ve turned into something much worse had Ratchet not caught them... You wondered if there was something bothering Optimus that was making him neglect himself, more than he usually would.

“So demanding, you youngin’s,” Ratchet huffed and rolled his optics at you. “It’s not that bad, he’s awake, and no, I haven’t told the others yet. Our nightly patrol is soon and I have to break the news to them somehow, which is why I called you here. You can’t go with us anyway and they need me since we’re down one bot, so I want you to stay with Prime. He responds the best to you...” You blinked and then blushed at that, (s/c) cheeks burning bright. It was true that you and Optimus were close, but for Ratchet to acknowledge it like that... Well, you were flattered. You’d loved Optimus for as long as you could remember, and even though Ratchet surely meant that in a platonic way, it was nice to know that the effort you put into your relationship with the bot meant something. “His condition isn’t from a decline in his physical health- I had to pry like hell to find out what it was, but Prime finally broke and told me that he couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten an energon cube or ran a self-evaluation to make sure he was functioning properly, which is why he’s energy-depleted and why the damage to his vents went unchecked. He’s so stressed from the leadership that this team needs that he isn’t taking care of himself anymore, and now, it’s led to him falling sick again. I think there’s something else going on in that processor of his, too, but he wouldn’t tell me anything else... I just know it’s more mental than anything.”

You stopped, frowning. What else could Optimus be hiding from everyone? Was he doing something dangerous? Had something happened? Was he breaking down from stress?

“O-Oh.. Okay,” You mumbled and leaned into the servo of Ratchet’s that was on your shoulder, sighing when he ran his thumb over a sore spot on the groove between said shoulder and your collar. The two of you had developed a close bond over the past couple years since they’d been on earth, with you, Sari’s tutor and caretaker, also acting as a second medic for the team with Ratchet’s training. While he’d trained you in how to care for the Autobots, you’d given him the basics of human anatomy and medical care, so with that time spent together, you were close- whether the old grump admitted it or not. “What about his medicine? How often does he take it? Is there anything else I need to do?”

“One pill every six human hours, they’re the white gel capsules that are rationed out on the table by Prime’s med-berth. I just gave him a dose, so don’t get him another one until three in the morning. He also needs to drink plenty of energon, coolant, and lubricant to get better, so make him do it, even if he gets pissy with you- shove it down his throat if you have to... But those are all things that I already told him, and he’s fully capable of taking care of himself. I don’t need you in there to take care of him so much as I need you to stay in there to make sure he doesn’t get up and do anything stupid. You know how he gets when he’s sick.”

“Unfortunately, I do...” You let out a long sigh and crossed your arms over your chest. It was going to be hard dealing with Optimus- hell, you could already imagine how he would be trying to sneak out of the med bay to go on patrol or trying to make you bring paperwork for him to do. You wouldn’t allow either, but considering how much larger he was than you, you’d have to convince him to relax instead of just being able to hold his aft down like Ratchet or Bulkhead could. “I’ll make sure he stays put. I’m assuming you’re taking over leadership until he recovers, Ratchet?”

“As the team medic, I’m second in command, so yeah... I have to. I’d let Prowl do it, but Primus knows he doesn’t want to, and I wouldn’t let Bumblebee or Bulkhead within a ten mile radius of any form of responsibility like this. I’m really the only option.”

“Right...” You imagined what a patrol without Optimus, led by a stressed and grouchy Ratchet would be like, and then cringed. “Good luck.”

“Thanks. I’ll need it.”

With that, Ratchet withdrew his servo from your shoulder and waved at you before turning around and walking down the hallway. You figured that Optimus shouldn’t be left alone for too long, so you quickly entered the med bay and shut the door behind you.

It was dark, with a small night light plugged into the walls that illuminated the room just a bit. You could see Optimus, who looked uncharacteristically pathetic, weakly laying on a med berth with a small side table on the ground next to him. On the table were some energon sticks, a cup of coolant, and the white pills that Ratchet had mentioned. 

“(y/n), is that you?” Optimus asked, trying to sit up, but immediately groaning in what you assumed was pain and flopping back down. His eyes squeezed shut, a strained grimace taking over his face-plates. You pulled one of the stools by a wall-counter to the side of the room where Optimus’s berth was and put it right by his side table so you could sit by him. You were close to his face, so you leaned down to look at it as his optics slowly opened back.

He was sick, and it would take at least a few days if not a week to recover; you could tell just by looking at him. His ocean-hued optics were abnormally dark and foggy, his powder blue faceplates were stained dark with heat, and though he wasn’t steaming like Ratchet had described this morning, there was definitely still heat radiating from his frame.

“Yes, Optimus, it’s me... I’m here to watch over you,” You leaned in to kiss the top of his helm, able to feel just how hot the metal felt against you. When you pulled back, you frowned at the absurd amount of heat- almost hot enough to make your lips sting, while Optimus’s normal temperature was a bit cooler than that of an average human’s by a degree or two. “Ratchet called me down here and told me what’s going on a bit ago. The team’s on patrol right now.”

“Slag, I can’t believe Ratchet told you,” Optimus groaned again, this time in annoyance instead of pain. “I told him not to earlier when he was fixing my vents... He’s probably going to tell the rest of the team, too. I have to get up and go supervise the patrol-” He forced himself to sit up this time, forced back a wince, forced his optics to open fully, but the second you pressed a rushed hand to his chest plates and attempted to push him back, he froze.

“Oh, no you don’t!” You argued, eyebrows furrowing in frustration as a pout formed on your face. 

“Oh, yes I do!” The Autobot argued back without hesitation, but didn’t actually move to push your hand away or leave even though he was fully capable of doing so, only resting one of his servos on the one of yours that was on his chest- stumbling and overheating or not, he was much larger and much stronger than you. Then again, he probably knew that Ratchet would beat him to a pulp the second he recovered if he dared lay a single digit on you to escape the med bay. “As much as I appreciate the concern, I don’t want it nor do I need it, and I certainly don’t want it from my team. It’s bad enough that you know. I know they’ll start asking questions when I don’t go on patrol with them, and if they hear that I got sick from overexerting myself and not getting enough rest and energon, they’ll never let me hear the end of it-”

“Well, maybe that’s what you need, so lay your stubborn ass down! I did not come here with my hair all fucked up and in this stupid robe in the middle of the night when I could’ve been sleeping just to have you run away from me when I’m trying to take care of you! You getting up right now just drives home how bad you are about prioritizing yourself,” Optimus’s plump and normally soft lips, now chapped from dehydration, pulled together into a tight frown- it was the face he made when he knew he was in the wrong. “You’re getting out of your bed when you’re supposed to be resting so you can go lie to your team and tell them you’re fine when you’re not, and for what? Your pride?”

“No, I just don’t want them to worry for me. I’m already stressed out enough and the last thing I need is for that to contribute to their struggles. They’re all dealing with so many of their own problems, and I’m sick of being a burden to everyone around me...”

Optimus huffed, but gave up and laid back down, much to your relief. He still held your hand, though, and you let him- even if he was sick, you didn’t want him to let go.

“You’re not a burden, and just like how they’re dealing with their problems, you’re dealing with yours. You don’t have to be perfect to be loved and respected, and not to insult your acting skills, but... They won’t believe you if you walk out there overheating and struggling to stay standing to tell them that you’re perfectly fine. Ratchet told me how you were stumbling around this morning.”

“I hate that you’re right,” He mumbled, and you wondered why he always had to be so childish when he was sick. 

Then again, as much as you hated Optimus’s stubborn personality, it was a major component of who you’d gone and fallen in love with all that time ago. It was crazy, you thought; just the extent that you loved Optimus Prime to, and how terribly unaware he was of it. You thought it best to keep the fact hidden, as you didn’t know what his feelings were, and he had so much on his plate already... It hurt to think that he didn’t know how loved he was- not just by you, but by everyone around him, who he was always bending over backwards for, completely unaware that they’d do the exact same for him.

“And I hate that you treat yourself like this. Plus, as much as Ratchet threatens us all with consequences for our actions, he’s not going to tell them what’s going on in depth; just that you have a fever and that you’re resting, you know he respects patient confidentiality. He’ll probably even downplay it because he knows that’s what’ll make you happy.”

“No, you’re just trying to reassure me, but...” Optimus paused and let go of your hand, fully settling back into the berth. You took your hand back and looked off to the side, already missing his touch. “I know you want to, and that Ratchet probably told you to spend the night here and take care of me, but I’m alright now. I’ll stay and rest, I promise. You can go to your room to sleep, I know you’re usually not up this late, and I’d hate to keep you up with my problems.”

You didn’t really want to leave him, but you were tired, and you believed his words. His tone was genuine enough.

“Are you sure?” You asked and received a nod in return. So, you stood up and collected yourself. “Okay, if you’re sure... I’ll leave and go get some rest, then come back at three to give you your antibiotics and make sure you’ve got something on your stomach.”

Silence. 

The second you turned around to leave, though, Optimus was grabbing the back of your robe and holding the cloth between his digits, tone low as he spoke again.

“Actually, (y/n), wait... Don’t leave me. I need you.”

You turned back around and looked at him, confused. Hadn’t he just told you seconds before that he was fine and that you should leave to go get some rest so that he could fall into recharge as well? What was with the sudden change of heart? Was there something going on with his physical condition, or was it something else?

“Huh? But Optimus, you said you needed to rest...” You muttered, which earned you a shake of his head in return.

“I will,” Optimus promised. “Please, just stay and don’t question it. I lied to you, I don’t know why, but I can’t be alone right now. Don’t leave me.”

The plead from him was unexpectedly vulnerable, honest, open. You appreciated it, but at the same time, you were concerned about what exactly was going on with him- you felt like there was more to the story than stress and leadership and lack of self-care. While all of that was definitely in character for Optimus Prime, there was something else that he wasn’t telling you about, too. With how close you were to him, it wasn’t abnormal for you to have deeper discussions, but for him to admit that he wanted- no, needed you there with him and couldn’t be alone was something you’d never thought you’d hear in your lifetime.

“Okay, I’ll stay until you tell me to go, then. Thank you for being honest with me.”

With that, you sat back down on the stool and looked at him. A little bit of that light had returned to his optics, but he still seemed like he was in rough shape.

“Thank you.”

Silence again.

Instead of adjusting to get comfortable and slip into recharge, Optimus just sat there with his back against the board of the berth, optics trained on you. It had taken a while to get used to when you’d first met him, but nowadays, you were used to the Prime’s intensity, especially when it came to eye/optic-contact. Still, though, the way he was staring at you now... You couldn’t quite interpret it. Then again, could you usually? Optimus was hard to read sometimes.

“You’re not resting,” You teased, but received a serious response in return.

“I’m thinking, and then I’ll rest.”

“You’re sick, the last thing you need to be doing is overthinking like you always do,” You reached out to him, rested your palm on the side of his face and tenderly ran a thumb over the apex of his cheek. Surprisingly, he leaned into your touch with a smile.

“What if it pertains to you? It’s either I tell you and get my closure, which is daunting, or I sit here overthinking it like I always do.”

You felt your heart drop to the bottom of your stomach and flinched. It had been obvious that something was on his processor, but it had to do with you? What was it? Did it have to do with your feelings? Tense, you talked again.

“...Have I done something? I’d rather you tell me.”

“You’ve made me fall in love with you.”

The words were whispered but still felt so loud, filling the room with their impact in a way that made your cheeks hot and your heart beat hard against your chest.

“Your illness must be making you delusional,” You laughed nervously, but Optimus only gave you a sloppy grin and laughed. You moved your hand to the top of his helm to check his temperature, but it hadn’t changed- as much as you wanted to believe it, you were sure he was being serious and not having feverous hallucinations like you’d initially suspected. Still, you thought it proper to ask. “Do you feel hot? Are you overheating again?”

“No, (y/n), I’m just in love with you,” Optimus peered at you, smile falling a bit. “I mean, yes, I am sick, and I’m still overheating, but I’ve been in love with you for- Ah, I’m actually not sure how long it’s been... I just know it’s been too long.”

There was a pause, in which the two of you seemed to be processing what important things were said; in the span of just a minute or two, Optimus had boldly laid his feelings out for you on the table, unabashed and proud, the tension that came with two years worth of pining that you’d been doing solved so... Quickly. You were surprised you hadn’t felt your jaw hit the floor.

Had he really loved you the whole time? Or was this a recent development? Why was he only telling you now? Had his stress over his feelings for you also contributed to his sickness?

“I’m not sure I can talk about this in good conscience when you’re so vulnerable,” You smiled back at him, (e/c) eyes meeting his ocean-hued optics as you removed your hand from his head. Shyly, he reached out to tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear. “It feels selfish, but... I love you, too, and that’s why I want you to rest and get better, maybe not stress out so much.”

You kissed the back of his servo as he pulled it away, earning what you hoped was a blush and not more symptoms of overheating.

“I’d kiss you if I weren’t afraid of getting you sick,” Optimus sighed. You were sure that you probably couldn’t catch whatever he had going on since he was a Cybertronian and you were human, but you didn’t want to test that theory, so you left it alone.

“It’s okay,” You reached out to hold one of his servos in both of your hands, squeezing reassuringly. “I can feel the sentiment. Just focus on getting better, okay? We have all the time in the world.”

“Sometimes I fear we don’t- Have all the time, I mean, and I suppose that’s why I finally broke down and did this- I like to believe I’m impervious to everything around me, but I’ve already died once, and every time I get sick, I always think about what will happen if I go offline without telling everyone around me just how much they mean. I didn’t want to be scared anymore, not when it came to you.”

“I...” You stood and got on top of the berth so you could sit next to Optimus, curling into his side. “Me, too.”

“Will you be here when I wake up?” The Prime asked and wrapped an arm around you. Gentle. Strong. Warm.

“Would you like me to be?” You asked in return with a tilt of your head.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll be here,” Optimus looked at you, clearly somewhat doubtful, but you only shook your head with a smile. “I promise, I won’t leave you. Just get some rest, okay?”

“...Okay.”

So, you stayed, and when Ratchet walked in the next morning to see you curled up by Optimus’s side on the berth with your (lip/chap)stick smeared on his servos, both of you sleeping peacefully for once, he couldn’t help but think that Optimus getting sick once in a while wasn’t so bad after all.

[pretchatta]

I (accidentally) rewatched the entirety of s1 of rebels recently (in my defense it is utterly flawless and possibly the best star wars content out there) anyway, when I was at the part where ezra is in the jedi temple on lothal and sees the inquisitor killing the rest of the crew his family I thought: what if that was kanan? and then this happened. (ao3 link in the source)

rating: teen, warnings for (non-permanent) character death and violence

---

Kanan was running.

Somehow, the Inquisitor had found him on Lothal. The pau’an had ambushed him at the Kothal market during his supply run and Kanan had barely escaped with his life. As market stalls had tumbled to the ground around them, the people of Lothal had screamed and fled in fear. In the panic and confusion he’d lost both the supplies and his lightsaber, so now he ran.

He just had to make it to the Ghost, and then Hera could fly them all away to safety.

He raced across the plains, prey fleeing from a predator, the waist-high grasses whipping his legs and threatening to entangle his ankles. He somehow managed to stay ahead of his pursuer, but he could feel the Inquisitor gaining on him. He tried to increase his speed, but his legs wouldn’t move any faster through the grass.

By the time he reached the ship, he was barely holding onto his lead. Panic was rising in his chest.

“Hera, take off!” he shouted, racing up the ramp. He came past Zeb coming the other way.

“I’ve got your back, Kanan!” 

Kanan heard the hum of his bo-rifle activating. “Zeb, no!”

He was too slow to stop him. The clash of the staff against a lightsaber reached his ears from behind, and then his friend’s strangled yell. He turned just in time to see Zeb’s body hit the ground at the base of the ramp. 

Kanan stumbled backwards, looking up and into yellow glowing eyes. The Inquisitor’s mouth split into a cruel grin that revealed rows of pointed teeth.

“Hera!” Kanan yelled again desperately. Why wasn’t she starting the engines? Couldn’t she hear him?

His flight instinct took over and he made it to the ladder, scrambling up it. As he passed the nose gun, Sabine ran onto the balcony, blasters out. He opened his mouth to tell her to stop, run, go back, but she was already shooting at the dark figure emerging below. With an almost lazy flick of his saber, the Inquisitor sent the bolts straight back to her. Her body crumpled to the deck, the holes in her bodysuit smoking. Her armour had always been too small for her; she’d left Mandalore too young to have a full-sized suit.

With no way of his own to fight back, Kanan kept going up. At every rung he fought against the pain of knowing his family were sacrificing themselves for him. He made it to the top of the ladder when he heard something that made his heart drop through his feet.

“Stop right there!” 

Kanan looked down to see Ezra advancing on the Inquisitor, who had stowed his lightsaber and was about to step onto the first rung of the ladder. The pau’an turned to snarl at Kanan’s apprentice. A black-gloved hand shot out, fingers twisted into a claw, and Ezra was sent flying backwards. He hit the bulkhead with a sickening crunch and hung there, suspended for a moment, before the Inquisitor dropped his hand. Ezra fell to the floor. He didn’t move again.

“No!” Kanan screamed.

The eyes were back on him, and it was like his whole body was being drenched in fire and ice, the terror all-consuming. He fled upwards into the cockpit where, with a rush of relief, he saw Hera was already in the pilot’s seat.

“We have to go, now!” 

“What is it, love? What’s happening?” She stood up to meet him in the middle, relaxed and ignorant of the slaughter below.

“It’s the Inquisitor, he found me. We have to take off!”

“But he’s already on the ship.” If she knew that, why was she being so calm? “You should take the Phantom and get yourself to safety.”

He nodded; she was right. “Yeah, okay, let’s do that. Come on, let’s go!” He took her hand and dragged her to the door that led to the rest of the ship, but she resisted.

“I’ll hold him off so you can get away.” She took her blaster out of its holster.

“No, we can fight him together!” 

The pale, elongated head was already coming out of the hatch.

“Kanan, we cannot win this battle… You must run.” Her voice sounded different. She pushed him through the door. “Go, I’ll be right behind you.” 

Her blaster was raised and her body half turned towards the cockpit, but she was still looking at him. She didn’t see the dark shadow moving behind her, and he was too frozen with fear to warn her.

Her lips parted in a silent cry as the red blade blossomed from the center of her chest. The light faded from her eyes, and Kanan felt agony rip through his entire body as he watched.

“No! Hera! NO!”

The blade retracted and she sank to her knees, still staring sightlessly up at him. Slowly, she tipped sideways, landing on the deck in a sprawl of limbs and lekku. Dead, like the rest of his family. 

He hadn’t been strong enough to protect them, any of them. They had given their lives to protect him, and now it was his fault they were gone. He wasn’t even worthy of their sacrifice. 

The Inquisitor stepped over her lifeless form, advancing on him. He stumbled backwards, barely staying on his feet, trying to keep the distance between himself and his hunter. His back hit the closed doors at the other end of the corridor.

Was there any point in fighting back, now? What was left to live for?

The lightsaber ignited again, and with a snarl, the Inquisitor lunged forward. As he watched death coming for him, he screamed, for he realised that even after everything he was still a coward. He didn’t want to die.

The lightsaber slashed downwards. Everything went black.

-

-

-

His throat hurt. His muscles ached. Fear – no, terror – permeated every cell in his body. Something sharp was digging into his shoulder. He was screaming, a wordless shout that continued seamlessly from where he’d been a moment before. That was why his throat hurt. He stopped, but it still felt raw. He heaved a gasping breath.

He was in his bunk on the Ghost – no, Hera’s bunk. The sheets were twisted and wrapped around him, and his whole body was covered in sweat. Had he been dreaming? No, it was too real. They were all dead. His family were dead, and it was his fault, and he was dead too–

“Kanan? Kanan, wake up! It’s just a dream, please, love, you’re dreaming, wake up.”

Something was shaking him, and he realised the pain was from fingers gripping his shoulder.

“Hera?” he asked hoarsely, because even though it couldn’t possibly be her, he’d recognise that voice anywhere. 

“It’s me, love, I’m here.”

A soft hand cupped his cheek and turned his head to look at–

“Hera!”

He dived at her, wrapping his arms around her blissfully warm body, the forcefulness of his movement nearly taking them both off the bed and onto the floor. He didn’t care. He squeezed her tightly, feeling how alive she was, how real, clinging to her like a lifeline.

“You’re alive,” he whispered, rocking backwards and forwards, not letting her go. Tears streamed down his face, tears of relief and pain and love and fear.

“It’s okay, it was just a nightmare, you’re okay now,” she soothed, stroking his back with one arm – the other was trapped between them and unlikely to escape from his vice-like grip on her. “I’m okay. Everyone’s okay, you’re on the Ghost, we’re all safe, there’s nothing to be afraid of here.”

“It was – s-so real –” he choked between sobs. His whole body was shaking now, but she continued to stroke his back and just let him hold her.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

He shook his head, burying his face in her shoulder. She pressed a kiss to the side of his face and her hand moved to his head to stroke his hair. Everything about her comforted him; the shape of her body, the way it physically pressed against him, the smell of her skin, the smooth glide of her hand over his head, the soft murmuring of her voice in his ear. Hera made him feel safe in a way that no person or place had since he was fourteen.

Eventually, his heart rate slowed to something nearer its normal pace and his breathing evened out. He loosened his grip on Hera and allowed her to find a more comfortable position, but didn’t completely let go of her; he wasn’t ready for that just yet. The fear and grief from the nightmare still lingered, tendrils of darkness lurking in the corners of his mind, but he felt somewhat in control of himself again. The dream may have been all of his worst fears rolled into one, tortuous visual, but it was just that; a dream. It wasn’t real.

He breathed in and opened himself to the Force. Immediately he felt Hera beside him, her presence blazing with love and a fierce protectiveness. Expanding his awareness outwards, he felt each member of his crew; his family. They all slept soundly, their Force signatures calm and muted, dreaming their own dreams. And alive. 

Despite everything, they were all miraculously, blissfully alive.

[lilyofthesword-writes]

Robotic Friendship - Chapter 14

Summary: The Autobots get a super virus on their computer system. Raf's oldest sister is brought in to help.

Pairing: Ratchet x OC (platonic), Soundwave x OC (platonic)

Word Count: 2179

Warnings/Disclaimers: Injury agitation/pain. Experimentation/borderline torture (kept it short).

Masterlist

Darkness surrounded her. Nikki called out. Nothing answered back, not even an echo. Holding herself and looking all around, she moved forward. The chance of finding someone or something was unlikely, but it was better than just standing around.

A bright light shown suddenly in the distance, dissipating the inky blackness. Nikki let go of herself to cover her eyes, but it didn’t take too long to adjust from the temporary blindness. Large blue crystals rose from what would be the ground if it weren’t for the abyss surrounding the area. But there was something strange. The total height of the crystals was not much greater than her and there seemed to be an outline of a humanoid form in it. From what Nikki could tell, she was standing behind it. Cautiously, she stepped around to reach what was possibly the front of this form and froze at what she saw. The figure bore the shape of a familiar face.

The figure and the crystals were ripped away with a new, brighter light enveloping her and forcing her to squeeze her eyes shut. Upon reopening them, she was met with Knockout’s faceplate which held a bored smile.

“Wakey, wakey,” he chimed, shining a handheld light in her face.

Nikki raised a hand to shield her eyes. It didn’t seem to help much. The blue crystals on her arm were still allowing the miniature sun through. Wait… She shrieked with the realization that nearly her entire arm was covered in Energon.

Knockout lifted her by her clean arm, a sinister smirk crossing his faceplate. “Well, good to see you’re awake now.”

He set her back down as she stared at him in horror. What did he have planned for her? Knockout plucked a vial filled with green liquid from a nearby counter. He did not even have to open it for it to take effect. The crystals from Nikki’s arm swam up her shoulder and neck, and then descended her side. Unable to scream, she rolled onto the opposite side of her body, the only noise leaving her lips being small, panicked wheezing. The crystals on her neck were constricting her breathing, not so much to kill her but damaging enough.

Laughing, Knockout grabbed another vial from the counter. “Interesting results. Now let’s try this…”

Nikki’s mouth flew open, but nothing came out. Her body convulsed as the Energon a part of her body began devouring her even quicker. Knockout pulled the vials away, and her convulsions slowed to random twitches. The pain was fading but the damage was done. Nikki’s mind was nothing but a blur.

“Well, this experiment is over,” Knockout mused, obviously bored now that he had some results. “It seems both the Synthetic and Dark Energon act as a catalyst. However,” he poked at her. “I never did set a control group… Nor do I have the time to continue to test this theory.”

He paused for effect but received nothing but a blank stare. Venting, he continued, “In other words, this ‘experiment’ was all for naught.”

His words sunk in slowly as she regained some semblance of cognitive function. He did it all… for fun. No other reason. Just because he could. She lay there like a third degree burn victim because he wanted to see what damage he could cause. Rage welled up inside her with nowhere for it to go. She didn’t dare move. She wasn’t even sure she could at this point, not that it mattered. All that was left was for her to be disposed of.

-

Raf wandered the halls of the base, kicking his feet at the ground every now and then. He had left the main hall when Ratchet began yelling at Optimus, something none of them had seen in quite a while, and Raf did not want to be a part of that. He needed to be alone. Trying not to think about what the Decepticons were doing to his sister or even what her eventual fate would be, he sifted through his memories to find something nice.

The little scraplet popped into his mind. He looked around at the hallway. It was the same place he met that adorable creature. Then, he remembered how it almost killed his friends. Raf shook his head furiously. Why did so many memories end with his loved ones being hurt?

“Raf?”

He tensed and looked over his shoulder. It was Jack and Miko side by side.

“Hey…” Raf look at the floor. “What’re you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at home sleeping.”

Jack shrugged. “Wasn’t tired, I guess.”

“We felt bad leaving you here on your own,” Miko chimed in, fidgeting with hands behind her back.

Raf turned to face them and smiled weakly. “I’m fine. Really.”

“No…” Jack stepped forward. “I don’t th- “

An alert beeped through the base, effectively interrupting the conversation. Ratchet’s voice echoed alongside it. “We’ve got something!”

-

Knockout held Nikki tightly in one servo as he left the Med Bay, on his way to open a Ground Bridge. Nikki stared blankly into space, barely able to comprehend her surroundings. The crystal growth slowed more so on leaving the makeshift lab but by then only her face was left uncovered. Even her hair had been consumed. The hair tie holding it in a ponytail had crumbled away and left her hair as a wave of semi-flexible Energon.

Doors slid open in front of them. Soundwave was off to the side working away. He made no reaction to show he had been alerted to their presence.

“Now… Where to drop you off at…” Knockout grinned as he checked the maps. “Oh~ Maybe the Antarctic? Mmm… No. It has those little black and white creatures from those movies. The fleshies seem to like them. What about…”

He continued thinking aloud, not noticing Soundwave now standing behind him. The silent mech gazed down at Nikki hanging limply in Knockout’s grasp. The state that she was in… She didn’t even notice the tendril that waves slowly in front of her face. Soundwave tilted his helm and pulled the tendril back as Knockout spun around dramatically on his heels.

“I just can’t decide. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” he said with a sarcastic smile still plastered on his faceplate.

He held Nikki out in front of him, out to Soundwave. “Here. You decide since you’ve dealt with it the most.”

With the utmost care, a tendril rose and lifted her away, Knockout leaving swiftly now that his fun was over. Soundwave examined Nikki closely. The Energon crystals were beginning to climb up her chin. Reaching out to the panel beside him, he typed in some coordinates.

-

Raf, Jack and Miko ran back to where the others were. Ratchet was pinging Bulkhead and Wheeljack back to the base. The kids raced up the stairs and hit the rails hard.

“Did you find her?” Raf gasped.

“It is possible this reading is Nikki,” Optimus answered. “We will investigate.”

The Ground Bridge opened, allowing the remainder of the crew back to the base.

“So, where do we need to go, Doc?” Wheeljack asked, hopeful that Ratchet’s idea worked.

Ratchet closed and reopened the Bridge with new coordinates. “It’s not far, actually. Remember the Energon mine that was around here?”

Arcee flinched. That was the last place Cliffjumper was alive. They all nodded and made their way to the Bridge. Raf went to follow them but Arcee, being the last in line, stopped him. “Wait here. It could be a false reading…”

“Or a trap,” Raf finished.

She reluctantly nodded, uncertainty swelling under her chestplate. Bumblebee shut off the Bridge when Arcee made her way through. He knew he needed to stay behind for Raf’s sake.

Optimus led the way through the mines with Ratchet as a close second. The tunnel opened to a small cavern picked clean of Energon. At the far end stood Soundwave. The Autobots took cover where they could, aiming their weapons at him.

“What are you doing here?” Ratchet hissed.

A tendril slowly made its way out behind Soundwave, something blue glowing in its grasp. They watched as he set it down in the middle of the cavern. Retracting the tendril, he stepped back and opened his own Ground Bridge but hesitated from moving further. The Autobots turned to each other cautiously. Ratchet removed himself from his stalagmite cover and stepped forward, his optics glued to the unmoving Soundwave. With weapons still at the ready, the rest followed suit. Ratchet reached the blue object and knelt down for a better look before scooping it up gingerly in his servos.

Optimus watched Soundwave while the rest huddled around Ratchet, confusion etched across his faceplate. Soundwave nodded before using his Ground Bridge to return to the Nemesis. Ratchet stood as the Bridge closed, staring down at his servos. At least his theory had been correct, but this wasn’t quite what he expected or wanted.

-

A few hours had passed since the Autobots returned to base with Nikki. Raf was pacing on the platform in the main hall where most of everyone waiting while Ratchet desperately tried to help the girl. They heard Ratchet curse as glass shattered. Storming out of his lab and disappearing in the halls, Bumblebee, who had been trying to assist Ratchet, trudged behind.

Taking his chance, Raf flew down the stairs and past Bumblebee. He froze when Nikki came into view. Tears welled up in his eyes. He climbed onto the table to see her better. Maybe he was just hallucinating. He hoped he was hallucinating. He choked when he found that only her open, green eyes remained untouched. He couldn’t speak. He just cried silently while looking down at his sister.

Optimus stood in the doorway, watching the scene unfold while Jack and Miko peered inside. He left the pair to find Ratchet. It was in one of the back halls where Optimus found him. He was resting his helm against a wall littered with dents, refusing to look Optimus in the optics. “She’s not responding to anything,” he huffed quietly.

Though he knew there was not much he could do to reassure his friend, Optimus placed a servo on Ratchet’s shoulder.

“It’s only a matter of time,” Ratchet continued, “Before she is completely consumed…”

-

The doors to the vaults clanked shut.

“Is this really necessary?” Jack asked with his hands resting on Raf’s shoulders to comfort him.

Optimus nodded. “If she is removed from the base, the Decepticons may reclaim her as a source of Energon. And if humans were to find her…”

“Let’s just say that she’s safer in there,” Ratchet blurted.

Raf bit his lip. He wanted to ask if there was a chance for her recovery but was afraid of the answer. This was no fairy tale. No amount of wishing could bring his sister back good as new. All he would have are his memories.

“May I be alone with her for a few minutes?” he asked tentatively.

The Autobots nodded and made their way down the hall. Jack and Miko were more reluctant but decided to respect his wishes, not without hugging him first.

Raf waited until they were all gone before placing his hand on the vault door while closing his eyes. He thought he could still feel her on the other side of all that metal. A tear rolled off his cheek. Looking up, he smiled softly. With that he could at least leave her the same way she left him.

-

At first there was nothing. Everything had gone dark again. Part of her hoped she was dead just so she would not need to feel the inevitable, tortuous pain again. Then, like before, a light shown in the distance. With nothing else in mind, Nikki made her way towards it. Despite all the books and movies that said, “Don’t go towards the light,” she would rather take her chances than wait alone in the abyss surrounding her. Not without caution, she continued walking towards the light that was emanating more brightly. A peculiar sense began to make its presence known as she drew closer: sound.

It was faint, but she knew she had heard something. A voice, maybe? It was becoming clearer. It almost sounded like her name. Yes. Yes, it was. But who was calling for her? It couldn’t be the Decepticons. None of them had ever used her name (like they’d ever bother to learn it). The voice was much more familiar than that anyways.

The light was so close now. A blurred image appeared, wiping away the darkness. Slowly coming into focus, she found Raf was staring down at her, tears saturating his little face. Her gaze locked onto his but only for a moment. He knew though. He knew she had recognized him. With the weakest smile possible, her eyes shut, drifting out of consciousness. She had at least found some semblance of happiness in that moment. She had finally made it home.

[summahsunlight]

Perhaps It’s Fate, Part 17

Rating: T, to be safe

Word Count: 2013

Summary: After joining the Resistance as a mechanic, you were happy to keep to yourself, until a little orange and white bb unit and his master wander into your workshop one day.

Pairings: Poe Dameron/Reader

Taglist: @ms-dont-care​, @starless-eyes-remain​, @elmoakepoke​, @marvelobsessiononastick​, @kiaralein​, @softly-sad​, @totalpoedameron, @ordinarymom1​, @sevvysaurus​, @spider-starry​, @liadamerondjarin​, @jingyuhearteu​, @dream-alittlebiggerdarling​

Sorry that this part took a long time to get up. Hope you enjoy it. I’m loosely following The Last Jedi. Finn and reader’s friendship will really be formed throughout the next few parts and Rose will be introduced. Remember if you want to be added to the taglist, just let me know!

Most of the Resistance had evacuated and headed off to your next base location by the time the First Order showed up at D’Qar. The last of the transport were not on the Raddus and Leia had to make the difficult decision to leave much of the remaining supplies behind in order to get the rest of her people safely off planet.

And of course Poe came up with some crazy scheme to distract General Hux for them to accomplish this. You had no idea about that though; you were blissfully unaware in your quarters that your boyfriend was staring down a dreadnaught. He had crafted it this way; the plan had been designed before the evacuation of D’Qar had even started and Poe had purposefully kept you I the dark because he did not want you to panic.

Poe just wanted to make that dreadnaught disappear; he wouldn’t allow the First Order to hurt you again. 

His recklessness was going to do just that. Even when the dreadnaught burst into flames, a costly yet triumphant victory for the Resistance,Poe had set forth a chain of events that not even he could control.

----

News of the destruction of the dreadnaught travelled fast on the Raddus. 

Everyone was talking about how crazy Poe was for leading that attack, how he had flown out there at first by himself and faced down both a Star Destroyer and then the dreadnaught. You felt sick to your stomach when you heard that; Poe was continually putting himself in reckless, dangerous situations--and this time he had kept it from you.

Furious, you found Poe on the bridge, gazing at star charts with the location of the Resistance’s new base. “Why didn’t you tell me?” you accused him, your voice unusually harsh.

Poe glanced up from the star charts. “Why didn’t I tell you what?”

You crossed your arms over your chest. “That you were going to be stupid.”

“Darling, I’m gonna need more than that.”

“Going up against a dreadnaught! Those are fleet killers, Poe!”

His eyes flickered towards Leia, who gave him a silent nod. Poe gently took your arm and led you off the bridge, to a quiet, private spot on the ship. “We knew it was coming. And yes, I’m aware that they’re fleet killers. It’s why we took it out.”

Your hands were shaking, either from anger or from an oncoming panic attack--at this point you weren’t sure. “You could have... you could have died, Poe! And you didn’t even tell me! I could have...I could have lost you...without ever getting to say good-bye!” 

Now your breaths were coming in ragged, and you knew--it was panic attack.

Poe grabbed onto your upper arms, gently, and coaxed you to take deep breaths, helping you work through the anxiety. This is what he’d been afraid of when he decided not to tell you about the attack on the dreadnaught. Once the panic attack had ceased, he let go of you arms and drew you to his chest. His fingers slipped through your hair. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I thought...I thought I was protecting you.”

“From what?” you mumbled against his flight suit.

“Well, from a panic attack,” Poe answered, honestly. 

“You can’t protect me from those, Poe. They happen without warning.”

“I wish I could.”

You pulled back and looked up at him. His eyes were filled with guilt--maybe because he had not told you about the plan to attack the dreadnaught--maybe it was because he couldn’t stop your panic attacks from happening. You didn’t think they were ever going to stop. They were probably always going to be a part of your life now. This made you incredibly thankful that Poe wasn’t scared off by them, that he was willing to do what it took to prevent you from having them. Even if his goal was a little short-sighted.

Poe lifted one of his hands and gently placed it against your cheek. His thumb stroked softly over your skin. He might not be able to stop your panic attacks, but he could protect you from the First Order. Pulling you in for a kiss, Poe pressed his lips to yours, moving them against you and drawing you in to a passionate embrace. 

Maker his kiss made you forget how mad you were at him. 

His comm going off ended the intimate moment. Poe tugged on your lower lip before reaching into the pocket of his flight suit and pulling out his comm. You ran your tongue over your lips, tasting him there while he spoke to Connix. When he finished the conversation, he put the comm back into his pocket and kissed your cheek. “I have to go.”

“What’s going on?” you asked, anxiously.

“Sweetheart,” Poe sighed.

“Poe. I don’t want to find out through gossip the next reckless thing you did.”

“Leia wants to meet with me. We’re dropping out of light speed.”

“Are we at the base yet?”

“No. But we’re running low on fuel.”

There was worry in his voice; the rest of the fleet had made it to their next base, having evacuated D’Qar a few days prior than the Raddus leaving with the last remaining members of the Resistance. Poe knew that dropping out of light speed to find fuel was risky. They risked being caught with very little protection and there was no way of knowing if the rest of the fleet would be able to help them if they required it. 

You bit down on your lower lip, anxiously. You wanted to ask to go with him, but you had work to do in the hanger--and you were pretty sure he’d tell you no anyways. Poe gave you one more kiss and then headed back to the bridge, leaving you standing there, slightly shaken.

Go work in the hanger, it will get your mind off of things, you told yourself, forcing your legs to move. Not for the first time since boarding the Raddus you found yourself wishing for your little shop where you could retreat to and work without anyone bothering you--or staring at you. 

Not that anyone was actually staring at you as you began to work on a fighter engine. You were just paranoid that they were--that they knew you had panic attacks and they were just waiting for you to have another mental breakdown to make fun of you.

“Y/N, the med bay has been looking for Commander Dameron.”

“Why?”

“Finn’s awake. He’s been asking some questions...”

You dropped your hydrospanner into your toolbox and quickly fled the hanger. Poe had wanted to be there when Finn woke up, but since he was in a meeting with Leia you were certain that he had shut his comm off. 

When you arrived at the med bay Finn was seated on a cot, wearing the jacket that Poe had given him. After things had settled down a little bit Poe had done his best to sew the jacket so Finn would have.  As you got closer to the former stormtrooper, you realized that he was wearing one of Poe’s shirt and pants. The commander had left clean clothes for Finn incase he woke up and Poe wasn’t there. 

Finn glanced up at you when you entered but his face didn’t hint at any emotion. “Poe busy?”

“He’s in a meeting with the General.”

“Where’s Rey?”

“She went to find Master Skywalker. His droid had the rest of the map.”

Concern etched into his features and you were reminded of his worry about Rey when he’d arrived on D’Qar. “How is she gonna find us if we left the base?”

You recalled Leia giving something to Rey just before she left D’Qar. “Not sure, but General Organa figured something out before she left. Don’t worry, Finn, she’ll find us.”

Finn nodded and looked a little lost. You shifted on you heels. “Do you want to come help me work on some engines in the hanger?”

“Ah, I don’t know much about mechanics.”

“That’s okay. I can teach you.”

“Uh... sure...”

Offering him a smile, you led him through the corridors of the ship back towards the hanger. Poe wanted you to be friends, and the least you could do was try and be nice to Finn even if you still had your reservations. Your eased mood changed immediately when alarms started wailing, followed by several heavy rocks of the ship, and then finishing with a loud explosion.

You were thrown several feet into the air, landing hard against the bulkhead, your head slamming against the cold metal. You landed on your stomach in the corridor and you were sure that you could hear Finn calling your name between the ringing in your ears. As you laid there and managed to push yourself up on all fours.

“Y/N!” Finn shouted, falling to his knees next to you. “Are you okay?”

“I...I think so,” you muttered, bringing your fingers to your temple.

They came away covered in blood. Maybe you were not fine. You did feel incredibly dizzy. Finn helped you into a sitting position. “Do you think you can stand?”

Blinking, you tried to focus on what was in front of you, but it was incredibly blurry. “No, I don’t think...I’m really dizzy, Finn.”

Finn helped you to your feet and supported you against him. You were light enough, he would be able to part drag you-part carry you to the med bay. 

----

Rage. That’s what he felt, sitting there watching the hanger burn, watching his x-wing burn; watching as people he called friends died. Poe had been thrown from the blast, having not been in the hanger when it happened, and before the blast doors closed, he’d caught a glimpse of the hanger in flames.

Shock quickly wore off to rage. You had been in the hanger. The First Order had taken you away from him and all he could do was sit there. He didn’t have a fighter to go out and make Kylo Ren pay for killing you. 

You had always worried about him being killed by the First Order, but in a cruel twist of fate, you were the one that was dead and Poe was the one left grieving; a pain so deep that all he wanted to do was kill every last member of the First Order himself.

Grief was not a new emotion for Poe.

He’d felt terrible grief when his mother died, when Muran had been killed--but those losses didn’t compare to losing you. Poe had lost more than just someone he loved, he’d lost the other half of himself. 

BB-8 brushed against his hand when he didn’t move for the longest time. Poe shakily got to his feet and shuffled back to bridge. The Raddus had moved out of range of the Star Destroyers, forcing the fighters to fall back, but they still had a big problem on their hands--the First Order was able to track their ship, and if they were able to track their ship they wouldn't be able to join the rest of the fleet at their new base. 

“Poe?” Leia softly caught him by the arm. “I’m sorry.”

“They didn’t have a chance,” Poe mumbled, tears forming in his eyes.

“We’ll have to mourn later.”

“Yes...yes ma’am.”

Leia moved her hand from his arm and took his in her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. This was the most distraught she had ever seen Poe and she was thankful that there wasn’t a ship for him to fly off in and try to extract revenge on the First Order. She needed him. He was the best pilot she had and he was shaping up to be a fine leader. “We need to figure out a plan before we run out of fuel.”

Poe simply nodded. He would be lying if he said he cared--the truth was--he didn’t, not anymore. You were gone. What was the point of living anymore?