ANH. Imperial Shuttle near Imperial Blockade. Out of the frying pan . . .

[astrotechmech]

Random paces up and down the small "corridor" behind the pilots' chairs. It isn't enough that they're using probably very-much-illegally-bought Imperial codes to sneak past the Imperial blockade led by Nemesis Prime's imposing vessel and onto the forested moon holding the shield generator for Unicron's two bodies using Random's ship-clearing formula. But they're also doing it in a ship that he's fixed before while in Imperial service. Not the one he used to get his formula written, but it was still unnerving to be in a ship whose weak points you're all too familiar with.

Especially if you know where the Imperials need to hit in order to instantly blow it up.

All he needs to complete this nightmare is for his old Imperial CO to pop out of one of the shuttle's compartments.

Comments

[astrotechmech]

Random had frowned thoughtfully when Jetfire had corrected Dirt Boss, but his reflection on how Jetfire's started to be nicer around him lately is cut short by the length of time they're spending just out in the open having this conversation.

[Just plotting whose back to piggyback off of,] Mirage says in Minicon as he has the whole time. The other two nod enthusiastically.

[Then we wouldn't need to be kept track of,] Dirt Boss remarks. More nodding.

"Uh, shouldn't we be going?" Random shifts nervously. "This doesn't seem to be the best place to get caught out if there's anyone nearby."

[Oh. You guys know there's a couple of Autotroopers over the next hill?] Dirt Boss beeps casually.

[random_xtras]

Jetfire's head snaps around to scowl in the direction of that hill, then looks toward Kia.

"They're fueling." She grunts and puts Rollbar back down, then boots him very gently a few times. "Or doing something that makes them happy and frustrated like that."

"...Yeah, that's about how ya feel about those ration blocks." Jetfire shrugs one wing absently.

[astrotechmech]

Ah, yeah, those ration blocks. He doesn't miss them from the time they were stuck with them on the 'Falcon.

However, there are other things they should be worried about. Like where those Autotroopers happen to be, which is right on the direct path to the station. "Are we going to have to go around?"

And there's something else . . .

"Wait, where'd Hot Shot go?"

The three Shield Minicons, standing at the feet of Jetfire, turn from where they were plotting to get up onto the flier's back, frown in such a way as to question Random's intelligence, and point in a singular direction.

[random_xtras]

"He went to check on something." Arcee makes a frustrated sound as Airazor gives the Race Team a death glare and Comettor offers to kick the first climber's face, then steps over to catch the nearest one by the arm and give him a little shake. "I'm not carrying anyone, as I know you've noticed. We don't have time to deal with collateral damage from you starting a fight and alerting those troopers with your noise."

[astrotechmech]

"Oh, okay." Random frowns and wonders if that was something he was supposed to have known, considering the reaction he got from the Minicons.

Downshift's face makes a @ _@ as Arcee shakes him, even though her shake wasn't that hard. The expression is followed by a chorus of beeping laughter.

[Is . . . that an invitation?] Dirt Boss beeps hopefully.

Random wonders how they haven't heard them already since the Autotroopers are right there. He doesn't like this.

[random_xtras]

Kia puts a gentle hand on Random's side as Arcee grumbles at the Race Team and points to her back.

"Don't worry," says the little silver lady softly. "They don't hear us yet."

[astrotechmech]

Random looks down at Kia, and then sighs softly as she speaks to him, willing himself to relax. She's probably right. They'd probably know if the Imperials had heard them.

He puts an arm around her in a hug and ignores the Race Team as they quietly pump their fists, broadcast large grins, jump down from Jetfire, and then carefully climb onto Arcee's back.