Chapter 37: sweet

The quad was mostly empty. It was late afternoon, just before evening. Most classes were over and students had long returned to their dorm rooms to get out of the damp fog. It had been a cool day and fog had covered the base for most of it, forcing students to use their headlights to avoid running into each other. Cliffjumper was pretty sure many students ended up getting lost between classes though. At least there wasn't any rain, though the base's new shield would have kept them all safe from the acidity.

Cliffjumper sat on a bench near the student convenience store, watching a few bright lights break through the foggy sky. It had been a long day and he was tired, but he didn't feel like returning to his dorm room just yet. Looking at the sky he was reminded of how he and Galvatron used to star gaze, mapping out whatever stars they knew and making up stories about them. A small smile reached his derma before sinking into a frown. Galvatron was gone slaggit…why couldn't he just accept it? Why did those memories keep popping up and why did his spark still call out for him. Even the sparkling didn't want him to let go, always perking up with the memories and growing sad when he pushed them away. Then there was the guilt…guilt for letting Galvatron go along with his crazy plan, guilt for adding to his insanity, guilt for every opening his spark to a stranger. Every time he thought of Galvatron a sharp voice in the back of his processor would yell "traitor!"

Cliffjumper was a loyal Autobot, he knew he was. He'd die for the cuase and would never betray his friends or comrades. But even if he didn't mean to, he had put them all at risk. He couldn't let that go.

He heard soft footsteps behind him, but figured it was probably another student so he didn't stop his stop his stargazing. A few moments later, the doors to the convenience store opened and closed and those footsteps came back, stopping right behind him. A small tap on his shoulder made him turn around to face the bot.

It was Elita-1, Sentinel's team mate. "Hey there Elita" Cliffjumper greeted. Sentinel had introduced them a few mega-cycles back when Cliffjumper had found a loophole to constantly having Sentinel around…though you could also call it a compromise. Cliff didn't want a bot attached to his hip and Sentinel didn't want to be that bot, so he got to go to his classes on his own so long as he checked in when he got there and his off time was his if Sentinel had plans with his team. That first cycle they had split up, Sentinel's team had joined them at a mess hall table, arguing over the idea. Elita-1 and Optimus had introduced themselves then, much to Sentinel's chagrin. All three were named by Kup for their personalities and abilities. Elita-1had the ability to temporarily download the upgrades of other bots by touching them, but was named for her attitude. She could be a bit snobby, though she wasn't afraid to get her servos dirty. Optimus was a great warrior, especially with a battle axe. Kup had named him for his optimism and cheer. Cliffjumper really had to smile at that. Kup still had the skills to read bots like bookpads.

"Hey Cliffjumper" Elita-1 greeted with a smile, "you alright?"

"hm? Yes, I'm fine. Why?" Cliffjumper asked. He hadn't noticed the frown on his faceplate as he stared at the skies. He hadn't felt his shoulders slump or his optics fade. But Elita had. She didn't know the bot very well, but he seemed way too young to be shouldering so much sadness, even subconsciously.

"What're you doing here so late?"

"star-gazing" Cliff replied simply. Elita-1 looked up to the foggy sky, spotting the few bright stars glowing through the mist. She smiled lightly. She'd often gaze at the stars too, imagining the far away worlds and exotic planets.

"Just imagine all the worlds out there…" she whispered, "so many things to see…" Cliffjumper smiled softly. She was still so young. Interested in the rest of the universe without even having seen most of her own world. "Don't you want to visit them Cliff?" she asked, turning back to the small bot.

Humming lightly, he looked back up at the sky. "Maybe a few, later. I haven't even seen most of this planet yet."

Elita one let out a small laugh, "good point!" with a soft sigh she added, "I still want to see them all…"

"That'll take a while, but you certainly have time." Cliffjumper said, drawing the femme out of her daydreams. "What are you doing out so late Elita?"

She held up a plastic bag stuffed with energon snacks, simply saying "snack duty." Then an idea suddenly occurred to her. Digging through the bag she pulled out a small energon-pop. "Here!" she said handing it to him. "A little sugar to brighten up that faceplate of yours" she said with a smirk. Before the bot could protest, she said a quick goodbye and headed for the femme's dorms. Cliffjumper stared after her vanishing form, holding the pop in his servos. Smiling softly at the gesture, he unwrapped the pop and took a quick lick. The sweet taste exploded on his glossa and the sparkling went wild, starting to fly around his spark. Cliffjumper savored the sweet taste and the sparkling's joy. He'd have to get some of these for himself later.

For now, he picked himself up and headed for his own dorms, sucking on the pop all the way. Overhead, the sky cleared, revealing hundreds of other stars, filling the dark night sky with light.

End chapter 37