Title: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Chapter: 01 - Little Star
Warnings: gen (for this part, mystery/suspense/horror in later chapters)
Continuity: G1 [part of ultharkitty's Dysfunction AU, post season three]
Characters: Vortex, Blast Off, Brawl
Rating: PG-13 (whole fic, PG for this chapter)
Disclaimer: Sadly, nothing is mine.
Beta: ultharkitty

Summary: Vortex, Blast Off and Brawl are on a mission to get an alien energy source from an abandoned space station.

Note: Inspired by Dead Space (video game). :)
My contribution to Halloween this year. It's just the beginning; it will be creepier in later chapters. ;)

"Talking"
'Comm-link'


Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are...


Part 1 - Little Star

Blast Off's floodlights only emphasised the dark metal they fell on. And with the sun hidden behind the nearest planet, Vortex couldn't help but think that it appeared slightly menacing.

When they'd been farther away, and still approaching the alien space station, it had seemed so small next to that giant planet. Brawl had made a stupid remark about the bulk of dark metal, and Blast Off had snapped at him. However, the moment the tank realised that it was far bigger than he thought it was, he'd fallen silent.

Vortex also didn't dare to speak, and it was only partly because Blast Off had told them to be quiet while he manoeuvred around the ship to dock on the entrance tunnel.

During the flight, Blast Off had explained a few bits about the alien race which had built that station. Apparently, they had been a third again as tall as the human species, but thinner, due to a weaker gravitational field on their home world. This was really good, because it meant the corridors and rooms on the station matched more the Cybertronian race's size. It still made Vortex uneasy, though, to know and to see that there were organic races out there who were as big and developed as Cybertronians. Because of this, Vortex was quite relieved when Blast Off had told them that the civilisation of this particular race went extinct vorns ago.

"It's all dark…" Brawl muttered and flinched.

"Of course, it's abandoned," Vortex said in a matter-of-fact way and with more confidence than he felt. For once, his rotors were completely still, and even if he was somewhat used to exploring alien planets, Vortex wasn't very fond of the idea doing that with the possibility of back-up totally nullified. The flight had taken them three decacycles - three boring decacycles, and if they got into trouble… Well, then they had to find their own way out.

Vortex shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"It's out of order," Blast Off finally answered. They still hadn't reached their destination. "If it wasn't, its weapons would still be online and we wouldn't even be able to get near it."

So, Vortex thought dryly, good to know that there were automatic weapons on that station. Most certainly high developed automatic weapons. How reassuring.

Vortex glanced again out of Blast Off's windows, and wished Onslaught could be there.

Letters came into view, letters Vortex didn't know, written with white paint on the black metal; one almost half as big as Blast Off's alt-mode.

"Uhm, what's that?" Brawl broke the silence again, and tilted his head.

"The name of the space station."

To Vortex surprise, Blast Off's tone lacked his usual condescension. Floating next to a gigantic alien artefact, the shuttle might not feel that well as well? Vortex shifted his weight again, and wasn't sure if this was a good or bad sign.

"What's its name?" Brawl wanted to know.

There was a huff of onboard vents and static through the speakers; And Vortex knew when Blast Off had been in root-mode, he probably would have shaken his head in that disdainful way of his. But this time it wasn't directed at Brawl, or Vortex.

This time, the shuttle's voice was full of condescension, and Vortex had to agree that the name was quite inappropriate for a dark, floating mass of dumped metal.

"Little Star."