Redhawk Caldera Back at base, bugs in the software

Eljay sobbed into mommy's fur while he slowly calmed down again, feeling his heartrate slow. He barely registered uncle P's words, but he did register mommy's words as she softly told him that things were okay and that he wouldn't be hurt. Eljay's ears remained flattened as he was afraid to get bugs in any of his variety of holes, and he frowned as he looked around in mild panic, but calmer than before.

Mommy told him that the other pups were feeling scared too and then it hit Eljay that he needed to help them too, 'cause surely they were even more scared than he could possibly be. He would've been when he was little, at least. Eljay looked around, seeing Gannet calm at least a little and then he noticed poor little Peter. Eljay instantly knew what was wrong — he'd been around that block too many times himself. A whine of sympathy escaped his mouth and he quickly moved over to Peter and nuzzled his fur. "I know it's super scary, but I'll get you to safety," he reassured his little buddy, and he tried to stick close, hoping that he could ward off at least some of the bugs despite his own fear.

Eljay felt his own breathing quicken as they started moving towards the cave — if needed, Eljay would carry or protect Peter as much as he could — but the thought of needing to protect Peter gave him the strength not to pull through into a full-blown panic attack.