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sheepfilms
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Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
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AnasAbdin
Three Goblin Art
oozey mess
PR's Tumblrdome
izzy's playlists!
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ojovivo
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Mike Driver
ç„æ„ / Permanent Vacation
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
tumblr dot com
Janaina Medeiros
will byers stan first human second
KIROKAZE
seen from Poland
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seen from Japan
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@everyone-loves-everyone
i enjoy seeing just what sorts of ship names people come up with for driver versus various ryan gosling characters cause they're always creative and funny, so stuff like driving lessons for him and ryland, stunt driver for him and colt, sunday driver for lars, and so on
and i just scrolled for 4 seconds and him and henry are CAR CRASH??
CAR CRASH??
to this list i can also add the one with holland, which is Drunk Driving
luke is fucking CARTHEFT/CARTHIEF
What about him?
If Robert Robertson had to have a day job prior to SDN; it would either be as an Ethical Hacker helping people get revenge on scammers, and/or teaching computer literacy to little kids (and old people).
He has definitely met Flambae's Niece through the computer classes.
Chad rolls up to pick up his niece from school, and she gives him a "Glad You're Out of Jail" she made in MS Word. The teaching assistant (Robert) helped her laminate it.
It takes Robert and Chad a while to realise they share this connection.
got some wonderful tags for this one
from @ispeekrandom;
+ @kinacchin;
+ @jackalopc;
Imagine being Chad in this situation:
You're fresh out of jail and readjusting to outside life. The Phoenix Program is doing you good. You're reconnecting with you family, and your sister has just trusted you to pick up your little niece from her in-school weekend club.
You and your niece aren't very close. She was born while you where in jail, and you missed out on many milestones.
You stand by your Firebird nervously, trying not to look suspicious to the other guardians.
Your tiny niece runs at you excitedly, a piece of laminated paper clutched in her hands. She offers it to you with a big smile on her face.
"GLAD YOU'RE OUT OF JAIL DAAYI!"
You start laughing.
There, proudly in glittery pink text, is your niece's joy at finally getting to know you. She isn't ashamed or pitying of your past, just happy you can move one.
Your niece tugs at your sleeve, wanting to know your opinion.
All you can do is kneel down, hugging her tight. A tear runs down your face as you express the beauty of her gesture.
You think to the actual make of the card.
Chad: "Azizam, was your teacher okay with you printing this?" Chad's Niece, delighted: "Yeah! He asked questions first, but he helped me print and laminate it too!"
You glance up to the doorway leading into the school. Hiding beyond the crowd of children is the silhouette of a young man. Thin and barely illuminated by the afternoon sun.
You see a soft smile gracing a face decorated with gleaming brown eyes and freckled skin.
You feel your heart catch in your throat.
The Phoenix Program has already granted you so many second chances.
Perhaps...?
You brush the thought aside for now, buckling your niece into the front passenger seat. You let her have free reign of the radio. You end up listening to Ariana Grande for the entire ride to your sister's place.
--
At work, you're assigned yet another new Dispatcher.
Blonde Blazer has been up the Z-Team's ass lately about the state of the Phoenix Program. Rumour has it, that whatever shadow committee controls SDN is planning on axeing it completely. Which is bullshit in so many ways.
It wasn't your fault that the Dispatchers couldn't perform under pressure or that some heroes are shit at their jobs. You shouldn't have to pay for it.
The newest meat on the chopping block is a guy named fucking Robert Robertson. That name sounds too stupid to be legal.
He has more balls than most, that's for sure. He even chews you out on-call for a totally mysterious fire that happened at the park. Totally unrelated to you flying without a licence and getting clipped by a stupid fucking tree. With an annoyed sigh, he sends Golem to smother the flames. He grumbles under his breath about you "Cleaning up your own mess."
What a bitch.
It's Tuesday and Bob-Bob is still here.
Cut day was nerve-wracking but you kept you cool. Except for when Invisigal locked you in that sensory deprivation tank, and you had a panic attack, and would have drowned if not for Bob-Bob's intervention. Robert managed to avoid cutting anyone by having Invisigal "soft demoted" to a purely investigative role. Sonar and Coupe sighed like men spared from the gallows.
You take pride in your security on the leaderboard.
You get a text from your sister. She agrees to be your emergency pickup. After all, how were you supposed to predict a heartbroken super crushing your beautiful Firebird?
Bob-Bob is sympathetic enough to bump up your flight licence test - but not sympathetic about your (righteous) anger towards the janitor tossing away your lunch. Why was the bitch tossing shit away at lunchtime anyway? Save that shit for closing and there wouldn't have been a problem.
Robert commands the room though, and forces both of you to apologise to one another and explain your actions. Waterboy trudges away with trash noodles on his suit and better janitorial advice. You walk away pretending that you learned empathy or whatever. You're a grown man, you shouldn't be talked down to like you're a grade schooler.
Your phone pings again.
Your sister has responded to your food-based complaints with a curt; "Mom made extra zereshk polo ba morgh, you big baby. Come out to the parking lot."
You skip happily towards the lobby. Mom's chicken barberry rice is the good shit.
You hear a voice calling after you as you enter the parking lot.
"Hey!"
It's Bob-Bob. Now what does he want.
With that dumb soft smile, he asks you to watch out for Z-Team's newest part-timer - Waterbitch.
He says that you had some good points back there, and that the nervous wet-dog of a man could gain from your guidance.
Curse him for buttering you up before asking.
"Chad!"
You turn and see your sister in her smart compact and very-unfashionable honda waving you over.
Your niece is in the passenger seat, bouncing with all sorts of excitement. Before your sister can stop her, the little girl bolts from the car to your side. You kneel down for the expected cannonball embrace she's known for.
But her focus is not on you, but stupid Bob-Bob.
Chad's Niece: "Mr Robertson!" Robert, leaning down: "Hi sweetheart!" Chad: "You know eachother?" Robert, trying to play it off: "I teach computer literacy classes on weekends." Chad's Niece: "Mr Robertson helped me make the card I gave you!"
It suddenly clicks.
The brown eyes. The freckles.
The way he treats the Z-Team like misbehaving schoolchildren.
That soft deadly smile.
Your niece tugs your sleeve.
"Daayi making the face he does when he-."
You smother her into a hug before she can finish her sentence.
Robert lets out a warm laugh. Those eyes sparkling with joy as he watches them. There's a tender longing there, one of a man who loves children and wants some of his own one day.
Damn that Bob-Bob.
Imagine if Robert did have powers and it was to hack into stuff (like Sombra in Overwatch) and it comes to light when he get exploded.
[Video transcript:] Person angrily yelling: ââfucking computers bullshit. Itâs fucking sick! Itâs not cool anymore! Itâs not fun! Itâs not fun to be on the fucking computer! They changed everything about it! It used to be so coooool!â
literally saying this every day of my life
Considering fic idea where Robert starts working at SDN, but he has an almost-newborn baby in a lil sling when he signs on.
But I'm not sure what I love more;
Sam: Literal phoenix baby that hatched from an egg Robert found - gets mistaken for Flambert love child.
Abby: Mad science test tube attempt at making a Ditto-style superweapon that imprinted on Robert, and now looks like a Mini-Bob - can copy 1/10 of a persons powers.
Both?
Baby Abby, cause child who can copy powers in a superhero office? And isn't old enough to be reasoned with and/or bribed?
One second the baby is on fire, the next they are breaking all the windows screaming. Turn around for a second and oops the baby can now fly and is floating towards the window.
No one in that office is safe from a Abby induced heart-attack.
Robert; King of the Normies, with a baby that seemingly has all the powers!?
Baby goes invisible, baby spews water all over co-worker, baby turns into bat, baby reverts to original Ditto form and slings mud.
Abigail Robertson is her father's pride and joy, but by god she's also giving him grey hairs.
Could the secret rainbow baby au fit into this?
Oof.
Robert having these lil "almost babies" in the form of a lil semi-stable shapeshifting blob, a phoenix egg, and his own unborn child.
Then the explosion happens, and Robert loses the pregnancy.
Abby doesn't understand why her Daddy is crying, but she tries her best to stay solid enough to give him a hug. That's the day Abby permanently transforms into a mini-Robertson.
Robert cries when he sees his adoptive daughter's new form. Those big familiar brown eyes and messy auburn hair a keepsake of what her sibling may have looked like.
He cries even harder when the Phoenix egg finally hatches, and instead of a wild bird, he finds a mostly-human baby wailing back at him.
It's all so overwhelming. It's fate pulling a cruel joke - taking away his biological child but returning twice fold with ones he took in with kindness.
It helps him recover from the hospital in many ways, but stunt him in others.
His body seems to still be convinced it's pregnant somehow - a physical relic triggered by the presence of an energetic toddler, and a downy newborn. Robert nurses the pair when his chest begins to leak - the act soothing a wound in his heart. (Plus its cheaper than expensive lactose-free formula)
He still vows to take his revenge on the man that took one of his children away.
-
Blonde Blazer is surprised, but very understanding when Mecha Man tells her that he wants to prioritise his children over rebuilding the mech suit. The explosion was a bit of a wake-up call - he needs to be more cautious for the sake of those waiting for him at home.
He leaves out a certain medical detail for now.
The role of dispatcher would suit him for the foreseeable... if he can find a way to juggle two small babies and an office job. The Torrance branch has a small daycare facility on site, but Robert is nervous to let his pair out of his sight for the moment.
Robert shows up to SDN Torrance in a civilian's attire - Abby and Sam on his back and chest in a tandem baby carrier. He wields the diaper bag like a battering ram.
First day goes smoothly enough. The Z-Team are rude and disrespectful, but they (mostly) follow their new dispatcher's orders. They also hastily try to cover up their foul language when they become aware of a tiny pair of ears listening in.
The real shock to Robert's system is when a good number of the Z-Team decide to meet him in the breakroom after his first shift. Seems they wanted to see their bonus juinor dispatcher.
Sonar, ears twitching: "Oh shit! THREE pups!?" Robert, chuckling: "No, just the ones on me." Sonar, confused: "What about that one?" (*points at Robert's lower abdomen*) Robert: ??? Mal, winces: "Ohhh, babes. You didn't know?" Robert, nervous: "Know what?" Z-Team: (*all make cringed, knowing expressions*) Prism, leans in whispering: "Sweetie, you should go to medical and take a pee test." Robert, stunned: "But I-! I'm not-" Prism, gently urging him: "I know it's a shock. Having two little-uns already. You can decide what you want to do later."
Upon seeing his adoptive brother's lost expression - Chase barks at the Z-Team, demanding to know what they did. Prism whispers that there might be "another passenger on board", and Chase just clams up and quickly follows after a numb Robert to medical.
A quick ultrasound confirms Sonar and Mal's senses.
It's a baby. Hiding behind Robert's ribs like the sun behind clouds. Robert and Chase can't believe it.
Calls are quickly made to the hospital to exchange information.
One quick OBGYN appointment later, and Robert has the answer.
His lost child was a twin. One that was destined to pass to make way for it's stronger but shy sibling.
Robert was still pregnant.
Robert also has two babies below the age of two.
He's freaking out a little, but can't stop crying and laughing.
Bouncing Abby on his knee, and Sam against his chest, he asks his pair if they're okay becoming big siblings. Abby babbles excitedly despite not understanding her Daddy's joyful words. Sam grunts, uninterested in anything other than milk and cuddles. Robert kisses them with thick tears streaming down his face. Chase hugs his little bro tight, meeting his hysterical joy with his own cautious one.
(Hiding behind doorways, Invisigal's face blanches. She hadn't known Mecha Man was pregnant when she planted the bomb, let alone that he'd lost one of the babies in the aftermath. She feels like throwing up.)
I think if Robert somehow finds out about Invisgal's involvement in the explosion, he would be way more angry than in game.
The Z team manipulating Waterboy and Flambae to make them food.
And Waterboy canât say no and Flambae tries to say no.
They both give in quickly. Especially Flambae when flattery is said or âyeah I bet you canât make that goodâ is said.
Robert doesnât even have to say or do anything. He just looks so pathetic and when his stomach grumbles for the fifth time followed by the crinkle of a twinkie wrapper, Waterboy and Flambae are summoned with many meals in hand for one dispatcher.
The others get extremely jealous of Robert.
I am getting cooked in this summer heat... I request the monkey clan join me in my suffering.
I'll join you from Ireland.
everybody needs to listen to this hardbass song about shoplifting from a major australian supermarket chain RIGHT NOW
Look how hot it is today!
Considering fic idea where Robert starts working at SDN, but he has an almost-newborn baby in a lil sling when he signs on.
But I'm not sure what I love more;
Sam: Literal phoenix baby that hatched from an egg Robert found - gets mistaken for Flambert love child.
Abby: Mad science test tube attempt at making a Ditto-style superweapon that imprinted on Robert, and now looks like a Mini-Bob - can copy 1/10 of a persons powers.
Both?
Baby Abby, cause child who can copy powers in a superhero office? And isn't old enough to be reasoned with and/or bribed?
One second the baby is on fire, the next they are breaking all the windows screaming. Turn around for a second and oops the baby can now fly and is floating towards the window.
No one in that office is safe from a Abby induced heart-attack.
Robert; King of the Normies, with a baby that seemingly has all the powers!?
Baby goes invisible, baby spews water all over co-worker, baby turns into bat, baby reverts to original Ditto form and slings mud.
Abigail Robertson is her father's pride and joy, but by god she's also giving him grey hairs.
But she never does any of those to her Papa, because she knows he gets anxious.
This is exactly what my boyfriend thinks of CSM.
me when im confronted by the fact that i refuse to accept; im a horrible parent and no one knows
Oh of Grace found out, he'll be having words with those naughty pebbles and their parents!
Very very evil emotion-wracking idea for my series of getting Robert Robertson pregnant in one way or a another:
Tw for Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Depression, and Cryptic Pregnancy/Childbirth.
-
Robert falls pregnant prior to the main events of Dispatch.
It was an accident - either a missed pill, a broken rubber, or sheer recklessness.
But Robert was determined to do right by his baby. He cleared out his cluttered apartment of any sharp tools or gadgets - isolating the mech to one of many garage storage units beneath the apartment complex.
He was half-way into constructing a crib when the news broke of Shroud's escape from prison.
Robert's heart grew cold.
He couldn't let history repeat itself.
As long as Shroud lives, his and his unborn child's fate is left uncertain.
He falls into the trap laid before him at the Steel Mill. Had the hero been less clouded by rage and protectiveness, he might have recognised Shroud's lure.
Robert vowed that once he touched down, he would go into hero witness protection. It wasn't his style to run and hide, but it wasn't just him anymore.
In his relief of escaping the Red Ring's web, Robert noticed the foreign object on the Mech's back far too late.
Mecha Man explodes over the Southland.
When he finally awakens months on, Robert's heart sinks down into his flat stomach.
He lost the baby about a week into his medically-induced coma. The crash, combined with the multiple complications that occured under the knife, were just too much for the bundle of cells to endure.
Robert cries and doesn't stop for hours. He doesn't even register his other symptoms or lingering injuries.
He lost his child in his goal to protect them from the man that ruined his life.
Robert stops responding to the medical team. He stops eating, and cleaning himself. He stares off into space for hours on end.
Chase is called after the third day of catatonia.
Robert swears that the speeding hero broke the sound barrier making to the hospital - but he's shocked to find his adoptive brother aged beyond his years by a power he used so flagrantly.
("It's just like you, Robert. You made him run all the time. You were killing your family long before the crash." The voice in his brain screams.)
Chase is warned of what happened by tje doctors. That Robert was in the explosion, and had lost his pregnancy due to complications. The doctor in charge of Robert's long-term care believes it would be best if the injured hero wasn't alone for a while.
Chase takes Robert and Beef home with him. Even with the overjoyed chunky dog licking his face, Robert can barely muster a smile.
Days pass before the meds start kicking in, and Robert feels alive enough to start talking about what happened.
He cries in his big brother's arms like he's a little kid again.
Chase silently vows to kill Elliot himself if he gets his hands on him. Or at least whomever planted the bomb on the mech suit.
-
Weeks pass, and Robert starts rebuilding his life piece by piece. Starting with the Mech.
The authorities had been so kind as to detain the crashed "aircraft" for investigation purposes, but clearly some parts had been plucked by human vultures.
The Astral Pulse was missing.
Robert's revenge will take much long without his suit's power source.
The press conference goes as planned - save for Meach Man beating Charles Kingsley for five straight minutes as tears ran down the hero's face.
Robert isn't sure if he agrees with the sentinment that Mecha Man would be better off a dead martyr than a surviving has-been.
Blonde Blazer throws him a lifeline.
A steady job managing a team of supers. Benefits include; a salary, health insurance, and access to SDN's tech division.
With time, Robert could become Mecha Man again.
And soon Mecha Man will have his pound of flesh.
But something lingers in Robert's body. Something left undetected before he was discharged from the hospital. Something that hid behind it's dying twin as the parent fought for their life.
Another reason for Robert to reconsider his revenge.
-
Its barely into new job when Robert feels the familar nausea that plagued him before his coma.
He panics, puzzled. He hasn't...?
A sniff, followed by a echoing screech from one of his ex-villains reaches him before he can finish his thoughts.
The manbat Sonar looks equally surprised, smiling light-heartedly.
"Oooof! That explains it! Tiny second heartbeat! Thought I was hearing things."
Robert drops the twinkie he was holding, and promptly throws up from shock. (It hits an hidden, now grossed-out Invisigal.)
Medical confirms it.
Robert is pregnant.
But not *again*.
The OB called in explains it simply; Robert had been pregnant with multiples. The baby that was lost after the explosion was what they call a "Vanishing Twin" - a weakened embryo that simply passes to ensure the health of it's sibiling. The surviving baby was settled in an awkward but sheltered position behind it's twin.
Tears run down Robert's face for entirely new reasons.
He has someone to fight for again.
Someone he vows to protect with his life.
Shroud will die begging before he ever learns of this miracle.
When gay porn prank happened, Robert burst out in tears, causing both Mal and Punch-Up to feel extremely bad for doing it because they get told that Robert's pregnant.
The pop-up prank only occurs if you cut Coupe in-game, but I could def see the Z-Team still doing it to mess with Robert.
Mal is one of the first to know about the baby. She could "sense" that there was more than one soul hanging out around the new dispatcher, but wasn't sure how (possession, demon deal??).
In this timeline, the prank had been cooked up after the first shift. The team wanted to see the stuck-up has-been hero blush or gawk. Only for the hair-trigger hormonal dispatcher to burst out crying at the loud audio and explicit images.
Their faces immediately drop to grimacing "Uh oh."s - thinking they'e unknowingly set off a traumatic trigger.
Punch Up probably goes to punch the monitor as an apology before Visi steps in and just Ctrl+Alt+Deletes the program.
Robert tries apologizing for his reaction.
Robert, sniffling: "Sorry. My emotions are all over the place right now. I just learned I'm having a baby after a loss." Z-Team: (O_O)! ÎŁ(°ă°) Malevola, embarrassed: "Oh shit, thats what Sonar was trying to warn me about!" Flambae, trying to deflect his own shame: "Batboy knew!?" Robert, drying his face: "Yeah. He was actually the one to break the news to me. I had a medical emergency and... I hadn't known there was a twin that survived." Z-Team: (*all make ashamed grimaces*) Punch Up: "Oh feck. My bad for the pop ups, lad." Robert, soft laugh: "It's okay! I just got startled." Flambae: "No, no, no! Pranks aren't funny if they make people cry. Also; No fucking wonder no one noticed! You're practically bones!" Malevola: "You are scary underweight, babes." Chase, overhearing the whole thing: "I've been telling him that for weeks!" Punch Up: "Well that settles it! We can do good by fattening you up!" Robert: "Oh god, Chase what have you done?" Chase: "My duty as that baby's uncle!"
Visi is eerily quiet throughout this exchange...
So cue, as @flippythegodzilla says;
Sonar was, of course, the first to find out about Robert's pregnancy. Hard not to with ears and a nose like his. He thought the new dispatcher was just being quiet about it.
Then Robert's face became one of shock, worry, and hesitant joy.
Then Robert threw up on Invisigal.
(In his defence, she'd been invisible right next to him and didn't get out of the way in time. Seemed like she too was shocked.)
Victor was concerned by Robert's reaction, but chalked it up to a late-detection. Not everybody is a walking sonography map. He shoots Robert a text via the team chat asking if he was right.
Robert responds with a wordless ultrasound photo. Candid photo of a sneaky fetus hiding tilted behind their parent's lower ribs.
Victor, goofy ninja emoji: đ„· Robert, takes ages to finally type out: "I'm literally so happy it's hard to type or speak." Victor: "Cool. Is it aight if I tell Mal? She can sense like life forces and stuff and probably knows already." Robert: "I'll tell the team Monday. I need to process this. I don't have Visi's contact details, can you tell her I'm sorry for the friendly fire?" Victor: "NP. Good luck boss man." Victor: "For the record; that lil heartbeat strong as fuck." Robert: "Thank you for telling me." Victor: đ
Sonar and Invisigal become surprisingly defensive about the new dispatcher. Clearly they know something the rest of the team doesn't.
This leads to the ill-fated prank on Monday, and the whole Z-Team falling over themselves to apologize to their pregnant dispatcher.
Also I must turn your attention to a critical character arc, as pointed out by @yumemiruseiun;
Visi for the entire post Episode 2 storyline;
Invisigal just learned within a few minutes that;
Mecha Man was pregnant when she planted the bomb.
Mecha Man lost the pregnancy.
Mecha Man has been in a depressive spiral since then.
Mecha Man was unaware of a living second baby hiding out in his body.
Robert is literally so happy that he cries right there in the medical ward.
Visi is pretty sure Robert and/or Chase will kill her if they knew her part in the explosion.
Invisigal tries to quit, get transferred to another team, anything to put distance between her and Robert. But the hero doesn't want to give up on her. He agrees to reassign her to a more investigative role on the team, as her asthma makes her ill-suited for field work outside of pair-ups.
Visi has no idea how she could ever make it up to Robert for what she took from him.
Except maybe killing the man that ordered her actions...
Okay but like⊠my mind always goes to Cut Day in Aus like this where itâs either the Z team already kinda have a hint that Robert didnât decide that or Robert very much has a reason why he would stand his ground on not cutting someone. Cause Robert told Sonar that he would let the team know on Monday, implying that he planned to meet up with them even before the first shift ended. With the state Robert was in and how he did genuinely seem to forgive them for the prank, thereâs no way this is a punishment for that. Not to mention they had made it clearly they were gonna help him out and while it seemed begrudgingly accepted it was accepted. Hell even Chase was letting them help him out and he was very clear on his opinions of them beforehand.
So when Blazer comes in before their next shift telling them that Robertâs gonna cut somebody by the end of the day, I think theyâd have some follow up questions. One of them might even text Robert about what the plan for that day was and he might mention touching base with them about expectations moving forward. He might even mention that Blazer had approved them all officially meeting before the shift started. That would be the moment someone calls bullshit to her face. While sheâs not technically lying, the way sheâs telling them makes it seem like the cut was entirely Robertâs idea, not something she decided without telling anyone and then tried to implement in a way that would give him no way to defend himself. When they figure that out, needless to say that Z Team is. Not. Happy
Robert spends the whole of that weekend emotionally processing the news, while also trying his best not to burst into happy tears when he tells Chase.
Chase is of course delighted, but also doubly worried about him.
Chase immediately gets on his computer to help Robert organise his healthcare going forward. Robert needs a GP, vitamins, the health insurance scheme from SDN, maybe even parental leave in a few months.
One of the elder's more immediate concerns is Robert's physical state...
Robert lost a lot of weight while in hospital - muscle and otherwise. Combined with his depressive state and poor diet, him being healthy enough for the second baby to hang on is a miracle.
Robert can only meekly protest, as he knows his brother is in the right. He hadn't been eating right in the last few weeks. After the loss, he could barely muster the energy to eat a lone Twinkie or a sip of water.
Something has got to give.
(Speaking of twinkies, he rediscovered the one he dropped in the breakroom on his desk after he left the medical ward - along with a napkin-wrapped donut of his liking. Now who could have done that?)
Robert's post-shift review with Blazer on Friday had been surprisingly upbeat. Despite the Z-Team's resistance and doubt in his abilities, they still followed Robert's lead. Invisigal's mission at Granny's had been the only major failure, and that was with an untrained medically-compromised solo super.
The three openly wonder if a mixture of tough love and trust is the key with the ex-villains.
Robert himself was trying his best not to shake in his seat from his medical review. The branch's main practitioner had sent him away with recommendations for OBs, and a prescription for pre-natal vitamins.
In Robert's joy, he'd completely forgotten to tell his new boss the good news.
Phenomaman seemed intimidating, but the alien's expression softened immensely as he took in Robert's appearance. In hindsight, he probably sensed something the average person couldn't - and seemed briefly pensive.
-
On Monday, Royd comes around to help transfer the Mech suit from Robert's storage unit to the SDN lab. Robert is honest about his sudden change of plans.
Royd is only mildly disappointed that Mecha Man won't be back in action for some time - but that's drowned out by his infectious congratulations! Plus the delay will give him and his tech team plenty of time to work on the new suit.
Robert requests an eject button and a parachute in the new model - citing that they might have saved the hero a lot of trouble if he had them the night of the explosion. Royd agrees - the mech can be replaced, but not the pilot.
Robert is in a pretty good mood, all things considered.
Then his new work computer yells a bunch of pornographic pop ups at him, and his emotions boil over all over the place. The Z-Team apologise for the ill-thought-out prank, and Robert quickly forgives them.
(Chase still threatens tf out of the team once Robert leaves with Blazer. His baby bro needs support, but he can do a lot better than a group of fuckup ex-criminals.)
When Blond Blazer calls Robert into her office, he thought it was because she overheard him telling the team about his pregnancy.
Being told that he was expected to fire one of the Z-Team was like a slap to the face.
Robert: "Uh, I am not doing that. This is barely my second shift, and if we cut one of them, it just sends the message that we don't care."
A brief argument leads to Robert and Blazer agreeing to see how the Team reacts if they think one of them is being cut. Then they'll hold a meeting about it before second shift.
Sabotage occurs, obviously. Robert is seconds away from kicking their asses when he calls the team meeting.
He formally reveals his medical development to the team. Sonar looks smug about knowing first.
He was not aware of the Cutting before him and Blazer met that morning. He was too busy mentally processing his own shit.
They need to shape up or ship out. Robert knows from today that each of them wants to be in the program, even if they're hesitant to admit it. Blazer's idea may have been short-sighted, but it definitely lit a fire under their asses.
Second Shift goes a lot more triumphantly.
Visi more bluntly tries to quit, only for Robert to reel her back in. He thinks even if her powers aren't ideal for the field, she can do so much good with them. That makes her feel even more guilty...
Thunderstruck is captured with their teamwork, proving Robert's point.
The team feel a little betrayed, but overwhelmingly relieved, when Blazer ultimately decides not to cut anyone from what she's seen throughout both shifts. She discusses having the Z-Team shadow more experienced heroes to better train them up.
Bonus Beef introduction to the Z-Team as suggested by @everyone-loves-everyone ;
In all the time Robert and Chase have known the chunky dog, Beef has shown no aggression to anything except the rare tough piece of meat.
So it's a huge surprise when Robert burst into tears at his desk, and Beef starts growling at the guilty party. Maybe even tries snapping at Punch Up when the Irishman gets too close for the dog's liking.
Chase has to hold the angry meatloaf back for the first time in his life.
The Z-Team are understanding at least, if not amused by the chubby dog trying to square up to them.
Beef is Robert's personal shadow for his time at SDN. The dog will purposefully follow him to the bathroom and breakroom like a little bodyguard.
At home, Robert realises that his beefy boy has been very protective of his stomach for weeks now! Damn dog knew about the hidden baby before anyone else did!
+Delightful Visi ideas from @ispeekrandom
Visi has... so much to repay Robert - not only for what she did, but for what he does to uplift her. He not only believes in her worth as a hero, but openly works with Blazer to better utilise Invisigal's powers and skills.
Robert just thinks the donuts and craving runs are the ex-thief's way of thanking him for the Thunderstruck situation. In reality, it's the smallest way Visi thinks she can start repaying him.
She still has a lil attraction to Robert, but not to the level of canon. Z-Team still teases the heck out of her for having a crush, like they're in grade school. XD
When push comes to shove, Visi will help Robert take his revenge on Shroud. Even if she's the one holding the knife...
This is Beef that somehow got the security job of looking at the cams around Robert.
Ok but the mecha mam reveal and the zteam realizing how Robert lost the first baby
All the zteam will now be gunning on Shroud. Itâs hunting season on the red ring
And gods can you think of shroudâs reaction especially if shroud is Robertâs other dad?
The gang sharing bonding 3am tacos after Robert picks them up from Sardine - their vigilant dispatcher had a gut feeling that they got into a fight + had taco cravings.
Robert beats up a stray Red Ring goon trying to start shit with such anger that it causes the Z-Team to wonder why he holds such hatred for them.
Robert gets emotional, crying over his crunchy taco.
He reveals how he lost his first baby.
He's Mecha Man. He wanted to stop Shroud before he could make an orphan of his future child. He failed. He lost the pregnancy.
He'd been unaware until his first day at SDN, when Sonar heard the heartbeat, that a twin had survived.
The Z-Team are aghast.
Flambae.... wants to be mad at Robert. But he can't. Not when the man he's hated for so long suffered such a tragedy.
Chad may have lost his fingers and years of freedom to Mecha Man, but Robert spent months recovering from the trauma of losing a child.
He flies off to scorch whatever trace of the Red Ring he can find.
-
Shroud had not known of Robert's pregnancy.
It's only in the aftermath, as he stalked the coma ward, that he finds medical records pertaining to the loss.
Elliot feels sick to his stomach.
He was supposed to be a grandfather.
But Robert had been so afraid of him, that he risked his own health and the baby to ensure that Elliot couldn't repeat history.
Shroud tries to ignore Mecha Man's media appearance after the coma. He tries to not notice Robert's voice on the monitored SDN line.
Until he overhears the words "baby" and "surprise".
Robert was supposed to have twins. One of which was sneaky enough to hide behind a few ribs and go undetected for weeks after it's sibling passed.
Elliot hears the Z-Team goofing off, spitballing names and baby shower ideas. Even see his former employee making sure Robert's cravings are met.
Shroud isn't sure what to feel anymore.
The Astral Pulse was his magnum opus. But he's starting to wonder if the next generation will need it.
Flambae's sister arrives and is introduced to Robert and immediately is helping him get the best medicine for pregnant people, how to get rid of acne and even helped get a few baby stuff as well. Flambae is totally not jealous of all the attention Robert gets from his family. And he's totally not jealous of his little Italian Greyhound gives Robert lots of love along with Beef. (Someone made an au of where Flambae has an Italian Greyhound)
Flambae introduces Robert to his sister just to help give him a line of support, only for the whole family to get involved. Flambae's sister tried to keep things quiet, but Mama started asking questions when the spare baby stuff was being retrieved.
Robert is ambushed by Chad's doting, if stubborn, family showing up at his door with new bed, baby supplies, and cooked meals.
They quickly surmise that Robert is Mecha Man, but any reservations they had on his identity fade when they see this underweight pregnant person with very little support system.
(The family rumor mill is also trying to determine the other parent of Robert's baby - many believe it to be Chad himself.)
Chase isn't left out of this. He's absorbed into the small gaggle of Uncles, sharing beers and talking sports.
I love the idea of Flambae having a dainty little dog or cat, and them immediately adoring Robert. Flambae feels betrayed when his dear pet abandons his lap to settle on Robert's. Flambae will have his revenge - by taking Beef to the groomers.
Robert isn't mad when Beef comes back with a shiny new coat. Also I think Chad's family aren't made at Robert for putting him away as they kept trying to get him to turn himself in, only to be told to fuck off (Chad had been slapped by the slipper quite a few times after he became a hero). Flambae's tiny dog is called Cheeto because he found them in a Cheeto bag who loves Robert and Beef happily.
Chad's family have a much different view of his imprisonment than the ex-villain himself. From their perspective; Chad had been on a destructive downward spiral that burned who and whatever was unfortunate to get in the way. Mecha Man was just the one who managed to catch him before he truly hurt someone - including himself.
Chad himself has much harsher things to say about his time in prison (american prison complex not good), but he'll admit that the Phoenix Program really helped him get the mental health support he needed.
Plus its a lot harder to hate the guy who caught him when he turns out to be a child soldier raised with a deliberate black & white moral view of the world.
(Me and the homies on discord have been discussing the hero system vs the american prison complex.)
Beef and Cheese!!!
Barely know eachother a minute, and they become inseparable. Full whining tantrums if they can't find the other.
Z-Team jokes that they look like a pair of loyal henchmen - one stout, one skinny.
Robert is only mildly confused when Beef comes home with a professional groomer's cut and smelling like flowers. Chad just looks smug for some reason - until Cheeto barges past him to demand Robert's attention. (One wonders if Cheeto is acting on his owners hidden wants...)
I love the imagery of Flambae; probably on his way home from clubbing, finding a tiny stray puppy trying to lick the dust from a discarded bag cheese puffs. He's not really a "dog person", but the pup looked like a stiff breeze could have carried him away.
"Just for tonight" quickly became "I can't get rid of this anxiety noodle. We're too attached!"
Cheeto has outfits. Prism helped pick them out.
This is Cheeto and Robert loves to put cute costumes on him and Cheeto allows him to. If Chad or Prism tries, he becomes extremely aggressive (biting, growling even barking). Robert puts a cute toast hat on him and he is wagging his tail. Chad and Prism are totally not jealous about the fact Robert can get Cheeto to wear outfits, and are definitely not jealous at many animals who gravitates towards Robert whenever they go out to get lunch.
Very very evil emotion-wracking idea for my series of getting Robert Robertson pregnant in one way or a another:
Tw for Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Depression, and Cryptic Pregnancy/Childbirth.
-
Robert falls pregnant prior to the main events of Dispatch.
It was an accident - either a missed pill, a broken rubber, or sheer recklessness.
But Robert was determined to do right by his baby. He cleared out his cluttered apartment of any sharp tools or gadgets - isolating the mech to one of many garage storage units beneath the apartment complex.
He was half-way into constructing a crib when the news broke of Shroud's escape from prison.
Robert's heart grew cold.
He couldn't let history repeat itself.
As long as Shroud lives, his and his unborn child's fate is left uncertain.
He falls into the trap laid before him at the Steel Mill. Had the hero been less clouded by rage and protectiveness, he might have recognised Shroud's lure.
Robert vowed that once he touched down, he would go into hero witness protection. It wasn't his style to run and hide, but it wasn't just him anymore.
In his relief of escaping the Red Ring's web, Robert noticed the foreign object on the Mech's back far too late.
Mecha Man explodes over the Southland.
When he finally awakens months on, Robert's heart sinks down into his flat stomach.
He lost the baby about a week into his medically-induced coma. The crash, combined with the multiple complications that occured under the knife, were just too much for the bundle of cells to endure.
Robert cries and doesn't stop for hours. He doesn't even register his other symptoms or lingering injuries.
He lost his child in his goal to protect them from the man that ruined his life.
Robert stops responding to the medical team. He stops eating, and cleaning himself. He stares off into space for hours on end.
Chase is called after the third day of catatonia.
Robert swears that the speeding hero broke the sound barrier making to the hospital - but he's shocked to find his adoptive brother aged beyond his years by a power he used so flagrantly.
("It's just like you, Robert. You made him run all the time. You were killing your family long before the crash." The voice in his brain screams.)
Chase is warned of what happened by tje doctors. That Robert was in the explosion, and had lost his pregnancy due to complications. The doctor in charge of Robert's long-term care believes it would be best if the injured hero wasn't alone for a while.
Chase takes Robert and Beef home with him. Even with the overjoyed chunky dog licking his face, Robert can barely muster a smile.
Days pass before the meds start kicking in, and Robert feels alive enough to start talking about what happened.
He cries in his big brother's arms like he's a little kid again.
Chase silently vows to kill Elliot himself if he gets his hands on him. Or at least whomever planted the bomb on the mech suit.
-
Weeks pass, and Robert starts rebuilding his life piece by piece. Starting with the Mech.
The authorities had been so kind as to detain the crashed "aircraft" for investigation purposes, but clearly some parts had been plucked by human vultures.
The Astral Pulse was missing.
Robert's revenge will take much long without his suit's power source.
The press conference goes as planned - save for Meach Man beating Charles Kingsley for five straight minutes as tears ran down the hero's face.
Robert isn't sure if he agrees with the sentinment that Mecha Man would be better off a dead martyr than a surviving has-been.
Blonde Blazer throws him a lifeline.
A steady job managing a team of supers. Benefits include; a salary, health insurance, and access to SDN's tech division.
With time, Robert could become Mecha Man again.
And soon Mecha Man will have his pound of flesh.
But something lingers in Robert's body. Something left undetected before he was discharged from the hospital. Something that hid behind it's dying twin as the parent fought for their life.
Another reason for Robert to reconsider his revenge.
-
Its barely into new job when Robert feels the familar nausea that plagued him before his coma.
He panics, puzzled. He hasn't...?
A sniff, followed by a echoing screech from one of his ex-villains reaches him before he can finish his thoughts.
The manbat Sonar looks equally surprised, smiling light-heartedly.
"Oooof! That explains it! Tiny second heartbeat! Thought I was hearing things."
Robert drops the twinkie he was holding, and promptly throws up from shock. (It hits an hidden, now grossed-out Invisigal.)
Medical confirms it.
Robert is pregnant.
But not *again*.
The OB called in explains it simply; Robert had been pregnant with multiples. The baby that was lost after the explosion was what they call a "Vanishing Twin" - a weakened embryo that simply passes to ensure the health of it's sibiling. The surviving baby was settled in an awkward but sheltered position behind it's twin.
Tears run down Robert's face for entirely new reasons.
He has someone to fight for again.
Someone he vows to protect with his life.
Shroud will die begging before he ever learns of this miracle.
When gay porn prank happened, Robert burst out in tears, causing both Mal and Punch-Up to feel extremely bad for doing it because they get told that Robert's pregnant.
The pop-up prank only occurs if you cut Coupe in-game, but I could def see the Z-Team still doing it to mess with Robert.
Mal is one of the first to know about the baby. She could "sense" that there was more than one soul hanging out around the new dispatcher, but wasn't sure how (possession, demon deal??).
In this timeline, the prank had been cooked up after the first shift. The team wanted to see the stuck-up has-been hero blush or gawk. Only for the hair-trigger hormonal dispatcher to burst out crying at the loud audio and explicit images.
Their faces immediately drop to grimacing "Uh oh."s - thinking they'e unknowingly set off a traumatic trigger.
Punch Up probably goes to punch the monitor as an apology before Visi steps in and just Ctrl+Alt+Deletes the program.
Robert tries apologizing for his reaction.
Robert, sniffling: "Sorry. My emotions are all over the place right now. I just learned I'm having a baby after a loss." Z-Team: (O_O)! ÎŁ(°ă°) Malevola, embarrassed: "Oh shit, thats what Sonar was trying to warn me about!" Flambae, trying to deflect his own shame: "Batboy knew!?" Robert, drying his face: "Yeah. He was actually the one to break the news to me. I had a medical emergency and... I hadn't known there was a twin that survived." Z-Team: (*all make ashamed grimaces*) Punch Up: "Oh feck. My bad for the pop ups, lad." Robert, soft laugh: "It's okay! I just got startled." Flambae: "No, no, no! Pranks aren't funny if they make people cry. Also; No fucking wonder no one noticed! You're practically bones!" Malevola: "You are scary underweight, babes." Chase, overhearing the whole thing: "I've been telling him that for weeks!" Punch Up: "Well that settles it! We can do good by fattening you up!" Robert: "Oh god, Chase what have you done?" Chase: "My duty as that baby's uncle!"
Visi is eerily quiet throughout this exchange...
So cue, as @flippythegodzilla says;
Sonar was, of course, the first to find out about Robert's pregnancy. Hard not to with ears and a nose like his. He thought the new dispatcher was just being quiet about it.
Then Robert's face became one of shock, worry, and hesitant joy.
Then Robert threw up on Invisigal.
(In his defence, she'd been invisible right next to him and didn't get out of the way in time. Seemed like she too was shocked.)
Victor was concerned by Robert's reaction, but chalked it up to a late-detection. Not everybody is a walking sonography map. He shoots Robert a text via the team chat asking if he was right.
Robert responds with a wordless ultrasound photo. Candid photo of a sneaky fetus hiding tilted behind their parent's lower ribs.
Victor, goofy ninja emoji: đ„· Robert, takes ages to finally type out: "I'm literally so happy it's hard to type or speak." Victor: "Cool. Is it aight if I tell Mal? She can sense like life forces and stuff and probably knows already." Robert: "I'll tell the team Monday. I need to process this. I don't have Visi's contact details, can you tell her I'm sorry for the friendly fire?" Victor: "NP. Good luck boss man." Victor: "For the record; that lil heartbeat strong as fuck." Robert: "Thank you for telling me." Victor: đ
Sonar and Invisigal become surprisingly defensive about the new dispatcher. Clearly they know something the rest of the team doesn't.
This leads to the ill-fated prank on Monday, and the whole Z-Team falling over themselves to apologize to their pregnant dispatcher.
Also I must turn your attention to a critical character arc, as pointed out by @yumemiruseiun;
Visi for the entire post Episode 2 storyline;
Invisigal just learned within a few minutes that;
Mecha Man was pregnant when she planted the bomb.
Mecha Man lost the pregnancy.
Mecha Man has been in a depressive spiral since then.
Mecha Man was unaware of a living second baby hiding out in his body.
Robert is literally so happy that he cries right there in the medical ward.
Visi is pretty sure Robert and/or Chase will kill her if they knew her part in the explosion.
Invisigal tries to quit, get transferred to another team, anything to put distance between her and Robert. But the hero doesn't want to give up on her. He agrees to reassign her to a more investigative role on the team, as her asthma makes her ill-suited for field work outside of pair-ups.
Visi has no idea how she could ever make it up to Robert for what she took from him.
Except maybe killing the man that ordered her actions...
Okay but like⊠my mind always goes to Cut Day in Aus like this where itâs either the Z team already kinda have a hint that Robert didnât decide that or Robert very much has a reason why he would stand his ground on not cutting someone. Cause Robert told Sonar that he would let the team know on Monday, implying that he planned to meet up with them even before the first shift ended. With the state Robert was in and how he did genuinely seem to forgive them for the prank, thereâs no way this is a punishment for that. Not to mention they had made it clearly they were gonna help him out and while it seemed begrudgingly accepted it was accepted. Hell even Chase was letting them help him out and he was very clear on his opinions of them beforehand.
So when Blazer comes in before their next shift telling them that Robertâs gonna cut somebody by the end of the day, I think theyâd have some follow up questions. One of them might even text Robert about what the plan for that day was and he might mention touching base with them about expectations moving forward. He might even mention that Blazer had approved them all officially meeting before the shift started. That would be the moment someone calls bullshit to her face. While sheâs not technically lying, the way sheâs telling them makes it seem like the cut was entirely Robertâs idea, not something she decided without telling anyone and then tried to implement in a way that would give him no way to defend himself. When they figure that out, needless to say that Z Team is. Not. Happy
Robert spends the whole of that weekend emotionally processing the news, while also trying his best not to burst into happy tears when he tells Chase.
Chase is of course delighted, but also doubly worried about him.
Chase immediately gets on his computer to help Robert organise his healthcare going forward. Robert needs a GP, vitamins, the health insurance scheme from SDN, maybe even parental leave in a few months.
One of the elder's more immediate concerns is Robert's physical state...
Robert lost a lot of weight while in hospital - muscle and otherwise. Combined with his depressive state and poor diet, him being healthy enough for the second baby to hang on is a miracle.
Robert can only meekly protest, as he knows his brother is in the right. He hadn't been eating right in the last few weeks. After the loss, he could barely muster the energy to eat a lone Twinkie or a sip of water.
Something has got to give.
(Speaking of twinkies, he rediscovered the one he dropped in the breakroom on his desk after he left the medical ward - along with a napkin-wrapped donut of his liking. Now who could have done that?)
Robert's post-shift review with Blazer on Friday had been surprisingly upbeat. Despite the Z-Team's resistance and doubt in his abilities, they still followed Robert's lead. Invisigal's mission at Granny's had been the only major failure, and that was with an untrained medically-compromised solo super.
The three openly wonder if a mixture of tough love and trust is the key with the ex-villains.
Robert himself was trying his best not to shake in his seat from his medical review. The branch's main practitioner had sent him away with recommendations for OBs, and a prescription for pre-natal vitamins.
In Robert's joy, he'd completely forgotten to tell his new boss the good news.
Phenomaman seemed intimidating, but the alien's expression softened immensely as he took in Robert's appearance. In hindsight, he probably sensed something the average person couldn't - and seemed briefly pensive.
-
On Monday, Royd comes around to help transfer the Mech suit from Robert's storage unit to the SDN lab. Robert is honest about his sudden change of plans.
Royd is only mildly disappointed that Mecha Man won't be back in action for some time - but that's drowned out by his infectious congratulations! Plus the delay will give him and his tech team plenty of time to work on the new suit.
Robert requests an eject button and a parachute in the new model - citing that they might have saved the hero a lot of trouble if he had them the night of the explosion. Royd agrees - the mech can be replaced, but not the pilot.
Robert is in a pretty good mood, all things considered.
Then his new work computer yells a bunch of pornographic pop ups at him, and his emotions boil over all over the place. The Z-Team apologise for the ill-thought-out prank, and Robert quickly forgives them.
(Chase still threatens tf out of the team once Robert leaves with Blazer. His baby bro needs support, but he can do a lot better than a group of fuckup ex-criminals.)
When Blond Blazer calls Robert into her office, he thought it was because she overheard him telling the team about his pregnancy.
Being told that he was expected to fire one of the Z-Team was like a slap to the face.
Robert: "Uh, I am not doing that. This is barely my second shift, and if we cut one of them, it just sends the message that we don't care."
A brief argument leads to Robert and Blazer agreeing to see how the Team reacts if they think one of them is being cut. Then they'll hold a meeting about it before second shift.
Sabotage occurs, obviously. Robert is seconds away from kicking their asses when he calls the team meeting.
He formally reveals his medical development to the team. Sonar looks smug about knowing first.
He was not aware of the Cutting before him and Blazer met that morning. He was too busy mentally processing his own shit.
They need to shape up or ship out. Robert knows from today that each of them wants to be in the program, even if they're hesitant to admit it. Blazer's idea may have been short-sighted, but it definitely lit a fire under their asses.
Second Shift goes a lot more triumphantly.
Visi more bluntly tries to quit, only for Robert to reel her back in. He thinks even if her powers aren't ideal for the field, she can do so much good with them. That makes her feel even more guilty...
Thunderstruck is captured with their teamwork, proving Robert's point.
The team feel a little betrayed, but overwhelmingly relieved, when Blazer ultimately decides not to cut anyone from what she's seen throughout both shifts. She discusses having the Z-Team shadow more experienced heroes to better train them up.
Bonus Beef introduction to the Z-Team as suggested by @everyone-loves-everyone ;
In all the time Robert and Chase have known the chunky dog, Beef has shown no aggression to anything except the rare tough piece of meat.
So it's a huge surprise when Robert burst into tears at his desk, and Beef starts growling at the guilty party. Maybe even tries snapping at Punch Up when the Irishman gets too close for the dog's liking.
Chase has to hold the angry meatloaf back for the first time in his life.
The Z-Team are understanding at least, if not amused by the chubby dog trying to square up to them.
Beef is Robert's personal shadow for his time at SDN. The dog will purposefully follow him to the bathroom and breakroom like a little bodyguard.
At home, Robert realises that his beefy boy has been very protective of his stomach for weeks now! Damn dog knew about the hidden baby before anyone else did!
+Delightful Visi ideas from @ispeekrandom
Visi has... so much to repay Robert - not only for what she did, but for what he does to uplift her. He not only believes in her worth as a hero, but openly works with Blazer to better utilise Invisigal's powers and skills.
Robert just thinks the donuts and craving runs are the ex-thief's way of thanking him for the Thunderstruck situation. In reality, it's the smallest way Visi thinks she can start repaying him.
She still has a lil attraction to Robert, but not to the level of canon. Z-Team still teases the heck out of her for having a crush, like they're in grade school. XD
When push comes to shove, Visi will help Robert take his revenge on Shroud. Even if she's the one holding the knife...
This is Beef that somehow got the security job of looking at the cams around Robert.
Ok but the mecha mam reveal and the zteam realizing how Robert lost the first baby
All the zteam will now be gunning on Shroud. Itâs hunting season on the red ring
And gods can you think of shroudâs reaction especially if shroud is Robertâs other dad?
The gang sharing bonding 3am tacos after Robert picks them up from Sardine - their vigilant dispatcher had a gut feeling that they got into a fight + had taco cravings.
Robert beats up a stray Red Ring goon trying to start shit with such anger that it causes the Z-Team to wonder why he holds such hatred for them.
Robert gets emotional, crying over his crunchy taco.
He reveals how he lost his first baby.
He's Mecha Man. He wanted to stop Shroud before he could make an orphan of his future child. He failed. He lost the pregnancy.
He'd been unaware until his first day at SDN, when Sonar heard the heartbeat, that a twin had survived.
The Z-Team are aghast.
Flambae.... wants to be mad at Robert. But he can't. Not when the man he's hated for so long suffered such a tragedy.
Chad may have lost his fingers and years of freedom to Mecha Man, but Robert spent months recovering from the trauma of losing a child.
He flies off to scorch whatever trace of the Red Ring he can find.
-
Shroud had not known of Robert's pregnancy.
It's only in the aftermath, as he stalked the coma ward, that he finds medical records pertaining to the loss.
Elliot feels sick to his stomach.
He was supposed to be a grandfather.
But Robert had been so afraid of him, that he risked his own health and the baby to ensure that Elliot couldn't repeat history.
Shroud tries to ignore Mecha Man's media appearance after the coma. He tries to not notice Robert's voice on the monitored SDN line.
Until he overhears the words "baby" and "surprise".
Robert was supposed to have twins. One of which was sneaky enough to hide behind a few ribs and go undetected for weeks after it's sibling passed.
Elliot hears the Z-Team goofing off, spitballing names and baby shower ideas. Even see his former employee making sure Robert's cravings are met.
Shroud isn't sure what to feel anymore.
The Astral Pulse was his magnum opus. But he's starting to wonder if the next generation will need it.
Flambae's sister arrives and is introduced to Robert and immediately is helping him get the best medicine for pregnant people, how to get rid of acne and even helped get a few baby stuff as well. Flambae is totally not jealous of all the attention Robert gets from his family. And he's totally not jealous of his little Italian Greyhound gives Robert lots of love along with Beef. (Someone made an au of where Flambae has an Italian Greyhound)
Very very evil emotion-wracking idea for my series of getting Robert Robertson pregnant in one way or a another:
Tw for Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Depression, and Cryptic Pregnancy/Childbirth.
-
Robert falls pregnant prior to the main events of Dispatch.
It was an accident - either a missed pill, a broken rubber, or sheer recklessness.
But Robert was determined to do right by his baby. He cleared out his cluttered apartment of any sharp tools or gadgets - isolating the mech to one of many garage storage units beneath the apartment complex.
He was half-way into constructing a crib when the news broke of Shroud's escape from prison.
Robert's heart grew cold.
He couldn't let history repeat itself.
As long as Shroud lives, his and his unborn child's fate is left uncertain.
He falls into the trap laid before him at the Steel Mill. Had the hero been less clouded by rage and protectiveness, he might have recognised Shroud's lure.
Robert vowed that once he touched down, he would go into hero witness protection. It wasn't his style to run and hide, but it wasn't just him anymore.
In his relief of escaping the Red Ring's web, Robert noticed the foreign object on the Mech's back far too late.
Mecha Man explodes over the Southland.
When he finally awakens months on, Robert's heart sinks down into his flat stomach.
He lost the baby about a week into his medically-induced coma. The crash, combined with the multiple complications that occured under the knife, were just too much for the bundle of cells to endure.
Robert cries and doesn't stop for hours. He doesn't even register his other symptoms or lingering injuries.
He lost his child in his goal to protect them from the man that ruined his life.
Robert stops responding to the medical team. He stops eating, and cleaning himself. He stares off into space for hours on end.
Chase is called after the third day of catatonia.
Robert swears that the speeding hero broke the sound barrier making to the hospital - but he's shocked to find his adoptive brother aged beyond his years by a power he used so flagrantly.
("It's just like you, Robert. You made him run all the time. You were killing your family long before the crash." The voice in his brain screams.)
Chase is warned of what happened by tje doctors. That Robert was in the explosion, and had lost his pregnancy due to complications. The doctor in charge of Robert's long-term care believes it would be best if the injured hero wasn't alone for a while.
Chase takes Robert and Beef home with him. Even with the overjoyed chunky dog licking his face, Robert can barely muster a smile.
Days pass before the meds start kicking in, and Robert feels alive enough to start talking about what happened.
He cries in his big brother's arms like he's a little kid again.
Chase silently vows to kill Elliot himself if he gets his hands on him. Or at least whomever planted the bomb on the mech suit.
-
Weeks pass, and Robert starts rebuilding his life piece by piece. Starting with the Mech.
The authorities had been so kind as to detain the crashed "aircraft" for investigation purposes, but clearly some parts had been plucked by human vultures.
The Astral Pulse was missing.
Robert's revenge will take much long without his suit's power source.
The press conference goes as planned - save for Meach Man beating Charles Kingsley for five straight minutes as tears ran down the hero's face.
Robert isn't sure if he agrees with the sentinment that Mecha Man would be better off a dead martyr than a surviving has-been.
Blonde Blazer throws him a lifeline.
A steady job managing a team of supers. Benefits include; a salary, health insurance, and access to SDN's tech division.
With time, Robert could become Mecha Man again.
And soon Mecha Man will have his pound of flesh.
But something lingers in Robert's body. Something left undetected before he was discharged from the hospital. Something that hid behind it's dying twin as the parent fought for their life.
Another reason for Robert to reconsider his revenge.
-
Its barely into new job when Robert feels the familar nausea that plagued him before his coma.
He panics, puzzled. He hasn't...?
A sniff, followed by a echoing screech from one of his ex-villains reaches him before he can finish his thoughts.
The manbat Sonar looks equally surprised, smiling light-heartedly.
"Oooof! That explains it! Tiny second heartbeat! Thought I was hearing things."
Robert drops the twinkie he was holding, and promptly throws up from shock. (It hits an hidden, now grossed-out Invisigal.)
Medical confirms it.
Robert is pregnant.
But not *again*.
The OB called in explains it simply; Robert had been pregnant with multiples. The baby that was lost after the explosion was what they call a "Vanishing Twin" - a weakened embryo that simply passes to ensure the health of it's sibiling. The surviving baby was settled in an awkward but sheltered position behind it's twin.
Tears run down Robert's face for entirely new reasons.
He has someone to fight for again.
Someone he vows to protect with his life.
Shroud will die begging before he ever learns of this miracle.
When gay porn prank happened, Robert burst out in tears, causing both Mal and Punch-Up to feel extremely bad for doing it because they get told that Robert's pregnant.
The pop-up prank only occurs if you cut Coupe in-game, but I could def see the Z-Team still doing it to mess with Robert.
Mal is one of the first to know about the baby. She could "sense" that there was more than one soul hanging out around the new dispatcher, but wasn't sure how (possession, demon deal??).
In this timeline, the prank had been cooked up after the first shift. The team wanted to see the stuck-up has-been hero blush or gawk. Only for the hair-trigger hormonal dispatcher to burst out crying at the loud audio and explicit images.
Their faces immediately drop to grimacing "Uh oh."s - thinking they'e unknowingly set off a traumatic trigger.
Punch Up probably goes to punch the monitor as an apology before Visi steps in and just Ctrl+Alt+Deletes the program.
Robert tries apologizing for his reaction.
Robert, sniffling: "Sorry. My emotions are all over the place right now. I just learned I'm having a baby after a loss." Z-Team: (O_O)! ÎŁ(°ă°) Malevola, embarrassed: "Oh shit, thats what Sonar was trying to warn me about!" Flambae, trying to deflect his own shame: "Batboy knew!?" Robert, drying his face: "Yeah. He was actually the one to break the news to me. I had a medical emergency and... I hadn't known there was a twin that survived." Z-Team: (*all make ashamed grimaces*) Punch Up: "Oh feck. My bad for the pop ups, lad." Robert, soft laugh: "It's okay! I just got startled." Flambae: "No, no, no! Pranks aren't funny if they make people cry. Also; No fucking wonder no one noticed! You're practically bones!" Malevola: "You are scary underweight, babes." Chase, overhearing the whole thing: "I've been telling him that for weeks!" Punch Up: "Well that settles it! We can do good by fattening you up!" Robert: "Oh god, Chase what have you done?" Chase: "My duty as that baby's uncle!"
Visi is eerily quiet throughout this exchange...
So cue, as @flippythegodzilla says;
Sonar was, of course, the first to find out about Robert's pregnancy. Hard not to with ears and a nose like his. He thought the new dispatcher was just being quiet about it.
Then Robert's face became one of shock, worry, and hesitant joy.
Then Robert threw up on Invisigal.
(In his defence, she'd been invisible right next to him and didn't get out of the way in time. Seemed like she too was shocked.)
Victor was concerned by Robert's reaction, but chalked it up to a late-detection. Not everybody is a walking sonography map. He shoots Robert a text via the team chat asking if he was right.
Robert responds with a wordless ultrasound photo. Candid photo of a sneaky fetus hiding tilted behind their parent's lower ribs.
Victor, goofy ninja emoji: đ„· Robert, takes ages to finally type out: "I'm literally so happy it's hard to type or speak." Victor: "Cool. Is it aight if I tell Mal? She can sense like life forces and stuff and probably knows already." Robert: "I'll tell the team Monday. I need to process this. I don't have Visi's contact details, can you tell her I'm sorry for the friendly fire?" Victor: "NP. Good luck boss man." Victor: "For the record; that lil heartbeat strong as fuck." Robert: "Thank you for telling me." Victor: đ
Sonar and Invisigal become surprisingly defensive about the new dispatcher. Clearly they know something the rest of the team doesn't.
This leads to the ill-fated prank on Monday, and the whole Z-Team falling over themselves to apologize to their pregnant dispatcher.
Also I must turn your attention to a critical character arc, as pointed out by @yumemiruseiun;
Visi for the entire post Episode 2 storyline;
Invisigal just learned within a few minutes that;
Mecha Man was pregnant when she planted the bomb.
Mecha Man lost the pregnancy.
Mecha Man has been in a depressive spiral since then.
Mecha Man was unaware of a living second baby hiding out in his body.
Robert is literally so happy that he cries right there in the medical ward.
Visi is pretty sure Robert and/or Chase will kill her if they knew her part in the explosion.
Invisigal tries to quit, get transferred to another team, anything to put distance between her and Robert. But the hero doesn't want to give up on her. He agrees to reassign her to a more investigative role on the team, as her asthma makes her ill-suited for field work outside of pair-ups.
Visi has no idea how she could ever make it up to Robert for what she took from him.
Except maybe killing the man that ordered her actions...
Beef is registered as Robert's emotional support dog and is growling at the team for causing his Papa stress before licking Robert's belly.
Transphobia is about to be signed into law in the UK. We can fight this.
I am begging the UK trans community and its allies to attend the Mass Lobby at Parliament on June 25th, 11am-4pm, organised by Trans Solidarity Alliance.
Last year we broke the record for an LGBT+ mass lobby of Parliament. Will you help us break it again? Join us on 25th June 2026 to demand be
The new EHRC Code of Practice pushes trans people out of toilets, hospital wards, and community spaces. It normalises gender policing based on appearance and stereotypes. It becomes statutory guidance in the UK by the end of June.
Trans people are now legally their assigned gender at birth and must join gendered spaces accordingly, but if they are perceived as their lived gender, they can also be ejected from those spaces. The guidance says: either break the law, or donât pass too well.
A mass lobby is where you invite your MP to discuss your concerns with you in-person. Ask your MP to:
Demand full parliamentary scrutiny, debate, and use their free vote on the EHRC Code of Practice.
Support any motions rejecting the EHRC guidance. As of June 4th, Labour MP Nadia Whittome has submitted a prayer motion - Early Day Motion 240.
Write to Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities about our concerns
Your MP does not have to be an ally, they do not have to respond to your email for you to show up and greencard them (details below the cut.) What matters is that as many people as possible show up.
I cannot stress this enough: Showing up in person matters. It is much more effective than petitions, emails, and letters.
It is a horrible, stressful time, and I am so sorry if you're trans and live in the UK. But I was at last year's mass lobby and the line for greencarding alone stretched around the back gates. It was a record breaking mass lobby and made us impossible to ignore. Let's do even better this time. Details under the cut:
It's also important for us cis allies to show up and support our trans community members, so think about joining this if you're able no matter your gender identity.
I'm not going to be able to go, but I do have some experience with lobbying my various MPs over the years, so here's some quick advice off the top of my head:
If you're resident in the UK but not a citizen you still have the right to go to Parliament and be seen by your MP.
If you don't know who your MP is you can look it up by putting your postcode into the Find My MP page on Parliament's website (pro tip if you are a uni student, check your MP for both your family home and your uni, one may be a better option for lobbying than the other, you may even be able to Green Card both of them, but I don't know if that's possible, ask on the desk when you ask for the card).
And everyone needs to remember that while officially you're not required to show photo ID to get into Parliament the official guidance from the House of Commons is "you don't need photo ID to get in but we suggest you bring it anyway" (which is just unhelpful)
You will also be required to pass through airport style security which obviously may be a stressful experience for some of the people taking part in the mass lobby. That can take anywhere up to half an hour, the staff are usually pretty nice, but the entry into the security check is a sloped metal ramp with zero shade and nowhere to lean or sit so plan accordingly.
If your MP is not in the building to come and meet you they are required to respond to your Green Card as soon as possible via the contact details you put on your Green Card. While meeting them in person is the ideal you will get a response so it will be worth it even if your MP is unavailable.
Have a safe, productive lobby! Proud of all of you who can go and support the cause.
Tips
People in general, are more likely to take you seriously and want to help you if you are nice and polite to them.
They may not be in parliament. They may be their London offices which are located a 5-minute walk away in the Portcullis House.
They also should have offices in their districts. So if London is too far of a trek you can absolutely go to their local office.
Yes! This is also a good point! MPs are traditionally expected to spend their Fridays in their constituency and to hold regular opportunities for you to meet with them to discuss issues. This is called a constituency surgery. If you are unable to make it to London you can look up when your MP is holding their next surgery and make an appointment to see them in your home town to discuss it there. Maybe even reach out to local pride groups in your area and do a local mass lobby of your MP in order to show them this is an issue that matters in your area too.
Very very evil emotion-wracking idea for my series of getting Robert Robertson pregnant in one way or a another:
Tw for Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Depression, and Cryptic Pregnancy/Childbirth.
-
Robert falls pregnant prior to the main events of Dispatch.
It was an accident - either a missed pill, a broken rubber, or sheer recklessness.
But Robert was determined to do right by his baby. He cleared out his cluttered apartment of any sharp tools or gadgets - isolating the mech to one of many garage storage units beneath the apartment complex.
He was half-way into constructing a crib when the news broke of Shroud's escape from prison.
Robert's heart grew cold.
He couldn't let history repeat itself.
As long as Shroud lives, his and his unborn child's fate is left uncertain.
He falls into the trap laid before him at the Steel Mill. Had the hero been less clouded by rage and protectiveness, he might have recognised Shroud's lure.
Robert vowed that once he touched down, he would go into hero witness protection. It wasn't his style to run and hide, but it wasn't just him anymore.
In his relief of escaping the Red Ring's web, Robert noticed the foreign object on the Mech's back far too late.
Mecha Man explodes over the Southland.
When he finally awakens months on, Robert's heart sinks down into his flat stomach.
He lost the baby about a week into his medically-induced coma. The crash, combined with the multiple complications that occured under the knife, were just too much for the bundle of cells to endure.
Robert cries and doesn't stop for hours. He doesn't even register his other symptoms or lingering injuries.
He lost his child in his goal to protect them from the man that ruined his life.
Robert stops responding to the medical team. He stops eating, and cleaning himself. He stares off into space for hours on end.
Chase is called after the third day of catatonia.
Robert swears that the speeding hero broke the sound barrier making to the hospital - but he's shocked to find his adoptive brother aged beyond his years by a power he used so flagrantly.
("It's just like you, Robert. You made him run all the time. You were killing your family long before the crash." The voice in his brain screams.)
Chase is warned of what happened by tje doctors. That Robert was in the explosion, and had lost his pregnancy due to complications. The doctor in charge of Robert's long-term care believes it would be best if the injured hero wasn't alone for a while.
Chase takes Robert and Beef home with him. Even with the overjoyed chunky dog licking his face, Robert can barely muster a smile.
Days pass before the meds start kicking in, and Robert feels alive enough to start talking about what happened.
He cries in his big brother's arms like he's a little kid again.
Chase silently vows to kill Elliot himself if he gets his hands on him. Or at least whomever planted the bomb on the mech suit.
-
Weeks pass, and Robert starts rebuilding his life piece by piece. Starting with the Mech.
The authorities had been so kind as to detain the crashed "aircraft" for investigation purposes, but clearly some parts had been plucked by human vultures.
The Astral Pulse was missing.
Robert's revenge will take much long without his suit's power source.
The press conference goes as planned - save for Meach Man beating Charles Kingsley for five straight minutes as tears ran down the hero's face.
Robert isn't sure if he agrees with the sentinment that Mecha Man would be better off a dead martyr than a surviving has-been.
Blonde Blazer throws him a lifeline.
A steady job managing a team of supers. Benefits include; a salary, health insurance, and access to SDN's tech division.
With time, Robert could become Mecha Man again.
And soon Mecha Man will have his pound of flesh.
But something lingers in Robert's body. Something left undetected before he was discharged from the hospital. Something that hid behind it's dying twin as the parent fought for their life.
Another reason for Robert to reconsider his revenge.
-
Its barely into new job when Robert feels the familar nausea that plagued him before his coma.
He panics, puzzled. He hasn't...?
A sniff, followed by a echoing screech from one of his ex-villains reaches him before he can finish his thoughts.
The manbat Sonar looks equally surprised, smiling light-heartedly.
"Oooof! That explains it! Tiny second heartbeat! Thought I was hearing things."
Robert drops the twinkie he was holding, and promptly throws up from shock. (It hits an hidden, now grossed-out Invisigal.)
Medical confirms it.
Robert is pregnant.
But not *again*.
The OB called in explains it simply; Robert had been pregnant with multiples. The baby that was lost after the explosion was what they call a "Vanishing Twin" - a weakened embryo that simply passes to ensure the health of it's sibiling. The surviving baby was settled in an awkward but sheltered position behind it's twin.
Tears run down Robert's face for entirely new reasons.
He has someone to fight for again.
Someone he vows to protect with his life.
Shroud will die begging before he ever learns of this miracle.
When gay porn prank happened, Robert burst out in tears, causing both Mal and Punch-Up to feel extremely bad for doing it because they get told that Robert's pregnant.
Dispatch AU where everything's the same except for Flambae
GIVE THE HAMU SOME CLOTHES HE'S NAKEY!
