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 frowns more. "Really? Sounds like you are."

Wait, why is he even bothering to argue?

Oh, Kia's tried the stuff in the bowl. He absently thinks that nothing could quite compare to a Sunrise when she asks him what's wrong.

And he has to think about that.

What was bothering him? Other than things that break his processor? Thinking about the sibling thing has really messed him up.

[random_xtras]

Kia waits a moment, then frowns slightly as she looks down and scoops up some of the mineral mixture from the pot. Over she trips to her mentor, then reaches up and stuffs the spoonful of tangy sweet goodness into his mouth.

Treats fix all, right?

[astrotechmech]

It gets his processor to stop working so hard anyway.

Okay, this isn't too bad. Not a Sunrise, but not too bad.

[random_xtras]

She gives him a sweet smile, then turns and looks toward the door as a little blue, orange, and white head looks in. "Oh, I don't know you yet."

"I'm High Wire," says the Minicon. "Do you think a big log swinging across the trail would knock one of those big four legged ATATs over?"

"Why are you asking me?" Kia blinks at him.

"Because the other two are busy arguing, your mentor looks like he needs hugs, and you're the Silver Lining, right?"

Kia blinks again even as she sidesteps and hugs Random. "There aren't any ATATs on Endor. Only ATST."

High Wire makes a small sound of relief. "Well, I know what those weigh. We can tree them easily."

[astrotechmech]

Random returns the hug and holds Kia closer than he probably realizes. Her hug is very comforting.

And this Minicon is talking about using a tree log to batter an Imperial walker.

And the trees here are quite big.

Random shudders.

[random_xtras]

High Wire looks up at Random with concern and disappointment, then turns his attention back to Kia. "Can you rig a rope and tackle, or make the parts for a lever?"

"Can we talk about this in an hour? I think my mentor needs to rest," says Kia gently.

"Yeah... We have that much time." The little bot walks in and pats Random on the leg, then goes over and climbs into Rollbar's hammock and starts a quiet conversation in Minicon.

[astrotechmech]

Random sighs and starts to will himself to relax.

Unfortunately, he manages to hear some of what's going on outside. Someone grumbling at Jetfire and Arcee to stop wasting time and come in?

And then two of the Shield Minicons are dragging in the third and dumping him on the floor.

[Really, Dirt Boss?] Mirage asks incredulously. [You fell for that? I'd've thought even you knew better than that.] He looks at Downshift, pauses a moment, and then looks between Kia and Random. [There anything that can prevent this idiot from turning into a useless statue?]

Random absently murmurs a solvent that can do just that. . . . It's like he's dealt with idiots before . . .

Mirage turns to Downshift with a questioning tilt of his head.

[I've seen that.] Downshift turns and dodges Bulk legs on his way out of the house.

[random_xtras]

"Wait." High Wire sits up. "Take him to the pulga stable and throw him in a manger. They'll lick him clean."

"...You're saying ta feed Smokie's friend ta a bantha." Jetfire gives the slender Minicon a funny look as he ducks to come into the hut.

"They're not banthas. They're bullys." High Wire shakes his head.

[astrotechmech]

[I like that idea.] Mirage turns to yell after the departing Minicon. [Downshift, do that instead!]

[What?!?] Dirt Boss protests as he's thrown over Downshift's shoulder. [What'd I do to deserve this?]

[You mean other than did a dumb?] Downshift asks as he carries Dirt Boss out.

[Because you guys weren't being stupid, too?]

[Not that kind of stupid. What'd Scavenger say?]

And Dirt Boss and Downshift are gone.

[random_xtras]

"If it seems too good to be true, it is," murmurs Rollbar softly. "If it seems like a good idea, run."

Jetfire glances at the hammock funny as he straightens up, then turns to Random. "What else's that solvent good for, Randy? Would it do anythin' interesting if it hit a bot in the face? OW! Y'already hit me there five times, Princess! Give it a rest!"

"Are we ready to talk business yet?" High Wire looks at the newcomers hopefully.

"Yes." Arcee gets her hand under Jetfire's and gives him another sock on the dent. "We are ready to talk business."

[astrotechmech]

Mirage tilts his head in reflection. [Yeah, that. Too bad Dirt Boss didn't take that to spark.] The Minicon shakes his head before heading over to the table to see what fuel is to be had.

Random steps back away from Jetfire and is about to pull Kia behind him when Arcee intervenes. Why was everyone--?

Random looks at High Wire when he speaks. Oh, guess they are having this meeting now.

Gears walks in behind the Bulks, his cat tagging at his heels. "Surprised you haven't started yet."