Fading Starlight

Blueshade shrunk down closer to Path. Path had to move to avoid getting sideswiped.

"They're just fooling with you, Blueshade. You're fine." Path said. He was glad Reverse was safe inside his chassis. He would be easy pickings out here.

"No no no, I'm being serious." Helixon replied.

"He's not." Path said, but his words were directed at Helixon. If Path said something wasn't, it wasn't.

Tarmac pulled to a stop outside a small cave system. He transformed back to his bot form, changing one of his hands to an ion blaster. He looked up at the sky and motioned for the others to move into the cave.

Helixon didn't reply after that. Once they reached the cave he transformed back into bot mode.

Altrock transformed with his blaster in hand.

Path transformed, careful to catch Reverse when he ejected. He set him down, allowing him to transform. He slung his rifle over his shoulder.

Tarmac moved everyone inside. "Helixon, Altrock, help me move this boulder to block the entrance.

Reverse transformed, and nodded to Path in thanks.

Altrock put his blaster away. He joined Helixon and Tarmac to move the boulder.

Path turned on his lights, searching in one of the supply packs for a lamp. He found one and set it on the floor in the middle of the small room. It was cramped, but they all fit. He leaned his rifle against the wall and sat down.

Blueshade didn't lower his weapons till he was sure the boulder was firmly in place. He then went and sat next to Path, leaning against the wall. He fidgeted with his hands, still acting nervous.

Helixon was next to Blueshade, and Altrock was next to Helixon. Altrock had put away his shoulder guns. Reverse was on the other side of Path.

"Everyone comfortable?" Tarmac didn't wait for a reply. "Good. Lights going out." He turned off the lantern in the middle of the room.

"C'mon Tarmac, they're not gonna see that light." Path said, leaning against the wall and stretching his legs. They were gonna be here a while.

Blueshade hugged his knees against his chest and sat where he was.

Helixon got comfortable on the floor, feet knocking over the lantern. Altrock sat there, chilling.

Reverse chilled, just sitting there counting in his mind. Also not wanting to get crunched.

"You good kid?" Path said, talking to him for the first time since they'd set out.

Tarmac sat closest to the door. He kept one hand at the ready in case he needed his blasters. Blueshade flinched at every little noise from outside.

Reverse nodded.

Helixon closed his optics, blocking out the world.

There were some noises from outside. Skittering of creatures on the ground above them. Path didn't sleep, his optics still glowed in the dim light. He sat between Blueshade and Reverse, as calm as can be. Even so, his rifle was still right beside him if the need arose.

"We take shifts tonight. I'll go on first watch." Tarmac said. The others nodded.

Altrock slept.

Reverse stayed awake, thinking.

Blueshade eventually settled. That left Path and Tarmac the only ones left not resting or lost in thought.

"You think the cons are onto our mission?" Path asked quietly.

"Not sure. We'll find out when we reach Nova Station." Tarmac said.

"I've got a bad feeling about this trip. We're going to need to be on our game tomorrow. No more fooling around." He glanced at Altrock and Helixon.

"I'm working on it." He muttered. "Get some rest, Path. I'll wake you when it's your turn."