About time I get back to this.

Learning from the Masters Section 1

After the events of the Space Bridge explosion, Starscream reviewed the explosion as he said, "Such a shame, but I applaud you, Megatron. You certainly made a grand exit." Soundwave came up to Starscream, and the new Decepticon leader said, "Ah, Soundwave, cue the audio visual. I wish to address the Troops." Soundwave did, broadcasting Starscream's image on every screen in the Decepticon ship. "The loss of Megatron, leader of the great Decepticon uprising, is certainly a blow to our cause. Yet, we mustn't dispair over his tradgic demise, but instead embrace his ultimate sacrifice, and build upon the foundation he laid with an even mighter hand!" Starscream monologued, but an Eradicon raised its hand and said, "With all due respect Commander Star- er, Lord Starscream." "Yes, yes. What is it?" Starscream asked. "If we failed to conquer Earth under Lord Megatron's command, what hope do we have now while the Autobots still defend it?" the Eradicon asked. "Allow me to be crystal clear: I studied for millenia under our former master, thus I am equipped to lead you- I, Megatron's true heir, Lord Starscream, Emperor of Destruction!" Starscream said, but the Eradicons just murmurred dubiously.

Starscream was unimpressed and walked away from the audio visual. "What use are troops who can't rise to the task of inflicting unspeakable destruction in my name?" Starscream grumbled as he walked away, and Soundwave showed him the picture of the Autobots young allies, Tracey Connor and Andrew Westoff. "And what about two of the many vermin that infest that foresaken rock?" Starscream asked. Soundwave then showed Starscream video footage of the two humans with three of the Autobots. "You think that those two humans could be Autobot allies? The Autobots would never allow any other humans to help them." Starscream said. Soundwave's now dark and empty screen stared Starscream down, and latter sighed and said, "If you're still going to have these suspicions, then send some Eradicons down to spy on the Autobots if they should ever leave their base." Soundwave turned and left as he sent two Eradicons to Earth.

At the Autobot's base just outside Wessington Springs, Optimus Prime was contemplating to himself when Ratchet walked over to the Autobot leader and said, "Optimus, why so glum? This planet, all planets, are finally free from Megatron's tyranny." "I do not disagree, Ratchet. It's just...a small part of me hoped to change Megatron's mind, not extinguish his spark." Optimus said. "Optimus, his vileness wasn't slain by your hand, but by his own twisted arrogance!" Ratchet said. Optimus sighed,, then Ratchet said, "I'm sorry. I know you two had quite a history." "But the Megatron whom I once fought beside perished eons ago, the day he choose to become a Decepticon. The Decepticons may be in disarray, but they aren't without leadership, and while Starscream is no Megatron, he is far from predictable." Optimus said.

Just then, the two Autobots heard a noise before Andrew shouted, "Incoming!" and a bean bag came flying down. Ratchet stepped out of the way just as Tracey and Arcee came in, and the bean bag hit Tracey in the head. "Ow!" Tracey yelled out, covering the hit spot with her hands, and Andrew, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead came over. "Oops. Sorry Tracey." Andrew said. "What are you doing? Working on our Rube Goldberg project?" Tracey asked. "Yeah, but I think I got the trajectory wrong. And why are you sort of wet?" Andrew asked, noticing that Tracey's clothes and hair were wet. "Rickelle and Kaylee tested theirs on me. I was an involuntary subject for getting water poured on me when it's supposed to go in a cup." Tracey said. "No wonder I didn't see you after school then." Andrew said. "What is this Rube Goldberg project?" Ratchet asked. "According to this paper we got from our science teacher," Tracey said, getting a purple sheet of paper out, "It's a simple machine made out of smaller simple machines to do an easy everyday task." "A simple machine?" Ratchet asked. "Yep. We'll show you." Andrew said, walking over to a catapult. The Autobots walked over to the little human made contraption, and Andrew reset and reloaded the catapult. "We made this catapult for tossing dog toys so dogs can play fetch with their owners, and so far, it worked." Andrew said. "Yeah, but you're going to have to explain this red spot to my mom." Tracey said. "Well, can you take it somewhere else? We've promised Fowler nothing bad would happen to you while you are under our protection." Ratchet said. "Nothing seriously bad, and this isn't serious or your fault." Andrew said. "Yeah, but I agree with Ratchet, we'll need more space if we want to do more tests." Tracey said. "Fine." Andrew said. "Good." Ratchet said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, and Tracey's laptop translated, "Need help with getting your simple machine to the park?" "Yeah. Thanks Bumblebee." Andrew said. "And clearly I don't see why Bumblebee's helping with that. He's not a scientist." Ratchet said. "But he and Arcee are their guardians, Ratchet. Would it hurt to learn more of Earth by helping our young friends with their school work?" Optimus asked. "Well, maybe our young friends should learn more of Cybertron." Ratchet said.

With the Eradicons, they didn't find anything for Soundwave to use as prof that Tracey and Andrew were allied with the Autobots until they found Bumblebee and Arcee heading for the park and followed in secret. Once they got to the park, Tracey and Andrew got their project out of Bumblebee's trunk and set it up. "Okay, the park should be empty at this time, but a lot of people do drive by to get to the store, so Bumblebee and Arcee can't transform until later tonight." Tracey said. "If the Decepticons plan to come here, wouldn't that be a disadvantage?" Andrew asked. "If Starscream orders the attack, which is highly unlikely if Wessington Springs has nothing for them to steal." Tracey said. One of the Eradicons was listening in on the teens conversation, recording it for Soundwave. "Soundwave," Starscream said, checking up on the Decepticon, "Have you found your 'prof' yet?" Soundwave nodded and played part of the converation to him. (Tracey) "Don't you think we shouldn't talk about the Autobots in public?" (Andrew) "What are you worried about if we do? People will think that we'll be talking about the Transformers movies. Trust me, no one will find out about the real deal." Soundwave played to Starscream. "The female speaks wise, but not smart. Order the Eradicons to capture them. If they know the Autobots, they should know where the Autobot base is concealed." Starscream said, and Soundwave gladly did.

 

Learning from the Masters Section 2

Tracey and Andrew finished setting their catapult up when Tracey noticed two dark-purple cars pull up into a gravel parking lot, both looking exactly identical, but ignored them and loaded a bean bag in the catapult. "Okay, let's fire her off," Andrew said, and launched the bean bag. The bean bag flew across the park and hit one of the Eradicons on the hood with a loud thud. "The trajectory is still wrong, but it went far though." Andrew said. "Too far, it hit that car. I'll get the bean bag." Tracey said, and ran over to the other side of the park. Once she was at the other side, Tracey picked up the bean bag, and checked the Eradicon's hood, finding a dent. "Ouch. Better tell Andrew that it left a dent in the hood," Tracey said as she turned to leave, but stopped when she heard transforming. Tracey turned and looked to see the Eradicon in robot form and let out a short scream. "Tracey?" Andrew said, and was surprised to see the Eradicon. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, and Arcee said, "I know, Bumblebee, I see it. Roll out and attack!" Tracey tried to run, but the Eradicon grabbed her as the second Eradicon transformed to take care of Arcee and Bumblebee by shooting down trees to go down on top of the two Autobots. "Let me go!!!" Tracey said, but the Eradicon didn't and started for Andrew. "Uh oh," Andrew said, then launched another item in the catapult, hitting the Eradicon in the head. The Eradicon stepped back by one step, and Tracey said, "Keep shooting things at it!" Andrew smiled as he started to fire multiple items at once, eventually making the Eradicon drop Tracey in the grass.

Starscream was confused to this and asked, "What are those humans doing?" Soundwave soon started to pick up a life signal and reported it to Starscream. "What? A Decepticon life signal? But there's no way that a new Decepticon would be there." Starscream said. Soundwave zoomed in on the life signals location, which was in a familiar space location that the Decepticons were at before. "The site of our destroyed Space Bridge? You're not telling me that life signal belongs to Megatron?" Starscream asked, and Soundwave nodded. "But he was microns from the detonation point, nothing could've survived that blast! Your sensors must be faulty! Ignore the contact! Delete the coordinates!" Starscream said, but Soundwave didn't. Starscream soon realized what he was saying in front of Soundwave, then made up for it saying, "Of course this must be investigated. If Lord Megatron is up there, I shall bring him home." Soundwave stared at Starscream dubiously as the latter said, "Remain here and monitor the outcome of this 'fight' with the humans. When the Eradicons successfully capture them, I will force them to spill the information we seek." Starscream left for the life signal's coordinates afterwards, then Soundwave played back part of what he said, "The information we seek," and sent out his scout to follow Starscream.

Arcee and Bumblebee dodged the falling trees as the sun was almost set in the sky, and Arcee said, "Now would be a good time to transform and attack." Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, agreeing with Arcee, so the two Autobots transformed and started to fight the Eradicon that tried to bury them in trees. With Andrew and Tracey, they soon ran out of items to use as ammunition and the Eradicon was able to catch a break from flying objects. "Any Plan B's?" Andrew asked. "Yeah, split up and hide!" Tracey said, and the two teenagers ran in two directions to confuse the Eradicon into choosing one child to follow. Tracey ran for the playground in the park and hid in one of the playground's tunnels as Andrew ran for the bathrooms to hide in one of the stalls, and the Eradicon followed Tracey's path. Arcee and Bumblebee fought with their Eradicon until it transformed and fled, then got focused on the Eradicon that was trying to find Tracey.

When Starscream arrived at the Space Bridge wreckage, he transformed to robot form, landed on a huge piece, and looked around, finding nothing but broken space bridge. "No one could've survived this. As I suspected, faulty sensors. The last thing I need now are rumors that Megatron is still..." Starscream said, but then heard someone or something gasp in pain. Starscream looked in the direction of the gasp, finding some debris that wasn't a Space Bridge piece, and flew on over to the object, becoming surprised to what it was. "Megatron!" Starscream said with astonishment, but when Starscream hovered a hand over the damaged Decepticon leader's chest, Megatron quickly sprung to life by grabbing Starscream's upper right arm and glaring angrily at him, but soon fainted shortly after. "But how?" Starscream wondered, then found Megatron's Dark Energon shard in Megatron's destroyed Spark Chamber, glowing a strong eerie purple. "Dark Energon," Starscream said with a sly grin, then said, "Everyone believes you are deceased. Who am I to disappoint them, Master?" Starscream then reached into Megatron's Spark Chamber, grabbed hold of the Dark Energon, and pulled it out, offlining Megatron for good. "And this time, stay dead!" Starscream said after the deed was done, but soon heard something flying around and spotted Soundwave's scout. "Uh, Soundwave! If you are listening, I have found Lord Megatron, but he is unwell. We must transport him to sick bay, immediately!" Starscream said, hiding the Dark Energon out of sight as he did.

Arcee and Bumblebee were able to make the Eradicon transform and run, and both Tracey and Andrew came out of their hiding spots. "Thank goodness they're gone!" Tracey said. "But why were they trying to kidnap you?" Andrew asked. "Isn't it obvious? We know about them and the Autobots base location. The Decepticons want that info in order to do serious damage." Tracey said. "Tracey's right. And I bet Starscream was the one who sent them in the first place." Arcee said. Tracey checked her cell phone for the time, finding it was 21:30 hours (9:30 pm). "9:30 pm. Better get home." Tracey said. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow." Andrew said. "See you." Tracey said, and the teenagers and Autobots left for home after cleaning up the mess.

 

Learning from the Masters Section 3

The next day after school, Arcee and Bumblebee arrived at the base with Tracey and Andrew, and they walked into the main control area to meet Optimus, Ratchet, and Bulkhead. "Hey guys." Tracey said. "Hey Tracey. Hey Andrew." Bulkhead said. "So, how was your project received?" Ratchet asked. Tracey and Andrew looked at each other, then back at Ratchet with Tracey saying, "Well..."

*Flashback to science class*
The class was getting their projects ready when Tracey and Andrew, along with a dog Andrew kept, came in without their project. "Oh look, a mangy mutt." Rickelle said as she and Kaylee walked up to them. "Where? Oh right, the ones standing in front of us." Tracey said. "Where's your project? Is it out of sight so you two won't be embarrassed?" Kaylee asked. "No, Ms. Nelson, it's in the hall, but it will be taken outside so it can be tested for a grade," their science teacher said. "Oh." Kaylee said. "Now take your seats, girls. Andrew, keep an eye on your dog," the teacher said. "No worries, Mr. Hawks." Andrew said. "Today, we'll be showing off your Rube Goldberg projects for grades. Who wants to start off?" Mr. Hawks asked his class. "We do!" Rickelle said, raising her hand. "Very well. Ms. Jones, Ms. Nelson, you're up." Mr. Hawks said, and Rickelle and Kaylee walked to the front of the class with their project. "Our Rube Goldberg project is designed to pour water into a cup, or as of last we tested it, on Tracey." Rickelle said. Everyone in the class, except Tracey and Andrew, let out a small giggle before Kaylee continued, "After doing the needed adjustments to the project, we have finally been able to pour water into the cup this time." Rickelle started their project, but instead of pouring the water in the cup, the project poured water on the two girls, getting them wet. The whole class started to laugh, but Tracey and Andrew tried to hold back their laughter. "Well, it poured water, but not in the cup. I'm afraid you two will have to try again after school and clean up this water mess." Mr. Hawks said. "But-" Rickelle said, but Mr. Hawks turned to the class after every student calmed down.

"Who's next?" Mr. Hawks asked. "Well go next, Mr. Hawks, sir." Tracey said. "All right, Ms. Connor, you and Mr. Westoff are next." Mr. Hawks said. "If everyone will please follow us outside, we will show you all our catapult." Andrew said as Tracey got out of her seat, and the class followed them. Andrew's mother was outside with the catapult set up for them as Tracey said, "Mrs. Westoff was kind enough to take some time off work to help us with our project by setting our catapult up and providing our test subject and items." "Our Rube Goldberg project is a catapult for throwing dog toys for dogs to fetch their favorite toy, as we will demonstrate." Andrew said, loading the catapult. Tracey grabbed the dogs leash, let the dog off, and Andrew set the catapult off. "Fetch, boy! Fetch!" Tracey said, and the dog raced to get the toy, catching it in the air before the toy could hit the ground. "Good boy! Good boy!" Tracey said, and the dog came back and dropped the toy at Tracey's feet. Mrs. Westoff gave the dog a treat as Mr. Hawks said, "Very well done, you two! This will ensure you two a good grade for the semester." "Thank you, Mr. Hawks, sir." Tracey said. "Yes, thank you." Andrew said. "Now if we'll go back inside, we'll have the next group present." Mr. Hawks said. Mrs. Westoff collected the project, the dog toys, and the dog so they could go to Andrew's house, and Tracey smirked at the wet duo of Rickelle and Kaylee and said, "Better luck next time with your project, I guess things do backfire when it comes to bullies, and I would suggest cleaning up that make-up issue. It's starting to run."

*Back to the present at the base*
"That actually happened?" Ratchet asked. "Believe me, it did." Tracey said. "She's not lying, I saw her bullies come out with damp clothes and some smudged make-up on their faces." Arcee said. Andrew and Tracey held back their giggles and Bumblebee buzzed and whirred. "Indeed Bumblebee, Tracey was wise to move the project else where." Optimus said. "Why is that?" Tracey asked. "Ratchet was thinking of doing your project his way." Bulkhead said. "Yes, and I made a human scaled model of it as well." Ratchet said, and placed his catapult on the ground. "That looks, er, interesting." Andrew said. Tracey cautiously set the catapult off, and it shot out an item that hit the stairs, turning them into a metal mess, then she and Andrew took a huge step back from the Cybertronian project. "That would've given us a bad grade!" Andrew said. "At least it was just a model." Ratchet said.

On the Decepticon ship, Starscream had Megatron on life support in the sick bay with Soundwave next to him. "The Troops will be pleased to hear of our success of rushing Lord Megatron into stasis. Let us hope that our Master pulls through." Starscream said with a scowl before he and Soundwave left the sick bay.

 

Infestations Section 1

Bulkhead and Bumblebee were scouting for a signal that was detected in the Arctic when Bumblebee buzzed and whirred to Bulkhead. "No, we're not there yet. But it should be just past this ridge, Bumblebee." Bulkhead said. The two then passed the ridge Bulkhead was referring to and looked around for the source of the signal. "I don't get it, these readings are off the meter." Bulkhead said, looking at his scanner. Bumblebee looked to his left, then buzzed and whirred to Bulkhead, finding something in the ice. The two Autobots brought their Arctic find back to base with help from Ratchet, Optimus, and Arcee, and Ratchet performed a defrosting procedure on Bulkhead and Bumblebee later that night. "I told you, Ratchet, we're fine!" Bulkhead said. "The only way to be certain that you're fine, Bulkhead, is to endure standard defrosting procedure. You know prolonged exposure to sub-zero conditions can cause permanent system damage." Ratchet said. "Ratchet, have you learned anything more about our Arctic find?" Optimus asked. "Not yet. The pod can't be opened while it's still frozen solid." Ratchet said. The computer beeped to an incoming call, and Ratchet answered the call, finding it was Tracey and Andrew. "Hey guys." Tracey said. Bumblebee buzzed a "hello" to them, and Andrew said, "Hi to you too, Bumblebee." "What makes you two call?" Arcee asked. "Our parents are going to be seeing a couple of races in Huron for the weekend, and we were wondering if we could help out in the base while they were gone." Tracey said. "Don't you two have school tomorrow?" Ratchet asked. "No, tomorrow's Saturday." Tracey said. "Unless if you're assigned Saturday School for something you did wrong." Andrew said. "Well, we are going to be busy with our Arctic find." Bulkhead said. "They can come as long as they behave." Ratchet said. "Thanks Ratchet." Tracey said. "And are you at Andrew's house?" Arcee asked. "Yeah, my house got a wasp infestation earlier today. Turns out that there was a wasps nest hidden in the attic in the garage shortly after you left, Arcee." Tracey said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred to them, and Andrew said, "Yeah, Tracey and Mrs. Conner were lucky to get out of there without some really bad stings." In a room that was large enough to hold the pod, the ice started to melt, and a tiny hand burst through the pod's outer shell.

The next day, Bumblebee picked up Andrew and Tracey as Optimus and Arcee prepared to go to the Arctic after Ratchet activated the Ground Bridge to the Arctic. "Arcee and I will search for any clue which might explain the origin of our Arctic find." Optimus said. "Only until your sensors sound. Remember, once your core temperature drops into the blue zone, system failures are likely. They're imminent." Ratchet said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred after exiting the elevator, and Tracey and Andrew came walking along beside him. "Hi everyone." Tracey said. "Hello Tracey. Hello Andrew." Ratchet said. "Hi Ratchet." Andrew said. "Your turn for exploration duty, Arcee?" Tracey asked. "That would be correct, Tracey. Arctic exploration duty if you're wondering." Arcee said. "I don't plan on going to the Arctic anytime soon, I'd rather stay in a warm climate." Tracey said. "The Arctic? I've always wanted to see penguins!" Andrew said. "I would invite you to join, Andrew, but the conditions are much too extreme, even for we Autobots." Optimus said. "I understand..." Andrew said. "Besides, Andrew, it's a winter solstice there right now." Tracey said to Andrew, then said to the departing Autobots, "Good luck and be careful." "We will, Tracey." Optimus said, and he and Arcee bridged to the Arctic.

"Transport complete," Ratchet said, then turned to shut the Ground Bridge off when the module sparked, startling everyone. "By the AllSpark!" Ratchet said. "What was that?" Tracey said. "It was just the module, Tracey, but the Ground Bridge will be down until it gets repaired." Ratchet said. "Maybe we should tell Arcee and Optimus that the Ground Bridge is down." Andrew said. "We will when we find out what needs to get repaired. Bulkhead, Bumblebee, I'll need you two to lift these panels." Ratchet said. "Anything we can do?" Tracey asked. "You two can patrol the corridors for anything else that might be malfunctioning." Ratchet said. "Sure thing, Ratch." Andrew said, and he and Tracey started walking down the corridors.

"Have a feeling Ratchet doesn't want us to help too much." Andrew said. "Well, we're here to help anyway we can, even if it gets us out of Ratchet's hair." Tracey said. "But Ratchet doesn't have hair." Andrew said. "Oh, you know what I meant." Tracey said. The two then heard something clang on the ground, and Tracey found a big bolt on the ground. "Whoa. That's a bolt?" Andrew asked as Tracey picked it up, then the two humans heard light tapping patterns that sounded like something was crawling. "Yeah, something is definitely in here." Tracey said, then the crawling continued. Andrew started walking, but tripped and fell to the ground. "Andrew!" Tracey said. "I'm fine." Andrew said, then he came face-to-face with a purple-eyed robot that was the size of a softball and had a body the size of a dinner knife. "Whoa!" Andrew said. "What is that?" Tracey asked. "I don't know." Andrew said as he got to his feet. The little robot walked up to them, and Tracey asked it, "Where'd you come from." The robot just looked at her and blinked it's purple eyes. "The Autobots didn't say anything about pets." Andrew said. "Well, it does look cute." Tracey said, then looked at the bolt and said, "Wanna play fetch?" The little robot jumped around and ran in a small circle, then Tracey threw the bolt and said, "Go get it!" The small robot chased the bolt, then started to eat it. "No! Don't eat that! You're gonna choke!" Andrew said, but the small robot appeared fine after it's small meal and ran back to the two humans. "Or not?" Tracey said, then said to Andrew, "I don't know about this thing, but it could be something the Autobots won't want around the base." "What? It's fine right now." Andrew said as the small robot walked up to them and made sounds like it was purring. Andrew and the small robot walked down the corridor, but Tracey stayed behind to think about somethings when she noticed some broken equipment with softball-sized bites in it. "Uh oh. We definitely met a pest." Tracey said, then ran to catch up with Andrew.

 

Infestations Section 2

With the Autobots, Ratchet was able to find the problem after Bulkhead and Bumblebee moved some floor panels out of the way, taking out a fried conductor. "We most definitely have a problem. But what could've caused this?" Ratchet said. The lights surged before going back to normal as Bulkhead asked, "Or that?" "Might be the Main Grid. Hopefully it isn't a substation malfunction." Ratchet said. "Hey guys, look what we found!" Tracey said as she and Andrew came back from patrolling the corridors. "We're busy!" Ratchet said, but yelled out in fear to the small robot Andrew had in his arms. Bulkhead and Bumblebee started to panic as well, pulling out their guns and backing away a little. "Whoa! Whoa! What's with you?!" Andrew asked. "Scraplet! SCRAPLET!!!" Bulkhead said in a loud, scared voice. "What's a Scraplet?" Tracey asked. "The most dangerous vermin ever to crawl upon the face of Cybertron." Ratchet said. "This? Are you three kidding us? You're giant robots! Scraplets are teeny." Andrew said. "You don't know the damage that teeny thing can do!" Bulkhead said. "Aw, it wouldn't hurt a thing." Andrew said.

The Scraplet woke up and looked at the frightened Autobots, then opened it's mouth, jumped out of Andrew's arms, and ran for the Autobot group. Bumblebee shot at the Scraplet, but the Scraplet dodged the shot and started to eat Bumblebee's leg. Tracey grabbed a crowbar and ran for Bumblebee saying, "Hold still!" and she swat the Scraplet off, then smashed it until it was flat as a pancake, and kicked it away from the Autobots. "Whoa, I did not see that coming! I swear!" Andrew said. "I did. I knew it was going to be bad news when it ate that bolt we found, and when I found some broken equipment with softball sized bites in it!" Tracey said. "Bumblebee, I'm really sorry!" Andrew said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, which Tracey's laptop translated on the table, "I'm fine, Andrew, and Tracey, put your laptop in its case for safe keeping." Tracey put her laptop away immediately as Ratchet examined the damage on Bumblebee, then she and Andrew came to see the damage as Tracey asked, " Is he going to be okay?" "Only a mesh wound, he'll live." Ratchet said. "Now do you believe me? All Scraplets do is dismantle machinery and eat anything metal, especially living metal!" Bulkhead said. "Well, bug squashed, game over, right?" Andrew asked. "Wrong. When it comes to Scraplets, there's never just one, and I fear I know how they got in here." Ratchet said.

After Andrew got a huge wrench to use as a weapon, the entire group checked on the pod that was found in the Arctic, finding a huge hole in it. "It's a trap. A Scraplet trap." Ratchet said as Tracey flashed a light inside of it. "An empty Scraplet trap." Bulkhead said. "Most likely, it was ejected into space eons ago, only to wind up in the Arctic where the temperature kept them in stasis." Ratchet said. "Until we brought the thaw, and now they're awake and ready to have some breakfast." Andrew said. "These things are like a combination of killer bees and ticks to them, so we have to get rid of the Scraplets, fast!" Tracey said. "Tracey's right, and we're facing thousands of them. Power malfunctions and Ground Bridge damage are sure signs that their infestation is well under way." Ratchet said.

In the Arctic, Optimus was climbing down an ice cliff carefully when his sensors sounded and blinked blue on his insignia. "Arcee, what's your status?" Optimus asked Arcee as her sensors went off. "My sensors are going off. Guess we should call for pick up before things get chilly." Arcee told her Autobot leader. "Optimus to base, core temperature reading have reached the blue zone. Prepare to activate Ground Bridge," Optimus said, but got a glitching feedback on the other end of his comm link.

At the base, Ratchet attempted to contact Optimus. "Ratchet to Optimus, do you read? We have a situation." Ratchet tried, but the comm system shut down. "The Scraplets have gotten into the comm link system! If we don't eradicate these creatures immediately, they will reduce the base into a scrapheap!" Ratchet said. "I say we bug out of here and let them keep it!" Bulkhead said, and Bumblebee buzzed and whirred with agreement. "Evacuation is not an option. If we don't get the Ground Bridge back online, stat, Optimus and Arcee will perish." Ratchet said. "They will?" Andrew asked. "Remember in the Transformers movie where Megatron was in the Arctic?" Tracey asked. "Oh yeah, he was frozen solid in stasis for years." Andrew said. "And Optimus and Arcee will end up like that if they can't come back!" Tracey said. "Okay, so how bad can Scraplets be to a single Transformer?" Andrew asked. "Extremely, Andrew," Bulhead said, and the teenagers looked at him. "The Scraplets will pick you apart from the inside out, going for the small juicy bits first, fuse by fuse, circuit by circuit, 'til there's nothing left, and I mean nothing... not even your optics." Bulkhead told them. "Then you have to let us help." Tracey said. "We're not made of metal, so the Scraplets will think we're garbage." Andrew said. "Typically, I find your fleshiness to be your least engaging quality, but it would seem to provide an advantage under these extremes." Ratchet said. "Then it's settled, but we have a problem: Two humans, three 'Bots." Andrew said. "Okay... Andrew, you and Bulkhead go bug hunting, Bumblebee and I will stay with Ratchet while he repairs the Ground Bridge. I'm pretty sure the the Scraplets will make their way to anywhere, including here." Tracey said, and both Bulkhead and Bumblebee shivered to the thought.

 

Infestations Section 3

In the Arctic, Optimus tried to contact the base again, "Optimus to base, do you read?" only to get the same feedback he got on the ice cliff as Arcee stumbled to the ground. Optimus helped her to her feet as she said, "Are you sure a nice long drive wouldn't help? I hear my emy's beautiful this time of year." "The nearest temperate climate is too distant, Arcee. Attempting to reach it would expend too much energy and hasten the freezing process. Until Ratchet send for us, and he will, our best option would be to seek shelter and insulate ourselves." Optimus said.

In one of the corridors, Andrew and Bulkhead were looking around as the boy said, "I get to be your bodyguard for once. How cool is that?" "You and Tracey found the first one here, right?" Bulkhead asked. "Yeah." Andrew said, then the lights went out and Bulkhead screamed. The lights came back on, and Andrew asked, "Did you just scream like a little girl?" "No..... Maybe..... Can we talk about this later?" Bulkhead asked, a little embarrassed. "Don't worry, Bulkhead, most guys scream like girls, one includes Shia Labeouf." Andrew said, and the two continued searching for Scraplets to scrap. Bulkhead flinched to hearing metallic crawling, and Andrew said, "Take it easy, Bulkhead. Just stay focused and everything will be okay." Bulkhead heard the metallic crawling again and shot at the place he heard it, then shot at another place and screamed as something came down over his head. Andrew got ready to attack Scraplets, only to find that Bulkhead was screaming and swatting at cables in fear. "Okay, that's gotta be more embarrassing than his screaming. Bulkhead! You're fine! It's just a bunch of cables!" Andrew said. Bulkhead stopped, then grabbed some saying, "R-Right. C-Cables. Heh," then pulled them down. After he did, metal balls started to rain down slowly, then Bulkhead and Andrew realized they were Scraplets as Bulkhead screamed yet again. Andrew started to bat and beat the Scraplets as the little parasites got ready to eat.

In the control room, Tracey and Bumblebee stood guard as Ratchet was making repairs. "How are the repairs going, Ratchet?" Tracey asked. "I've repaired the damaged conductors and rerouted the central conduits, but the Ground Bridge still won't receive power." Ratchet said. Tracey thought for a moment before Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, then she turned to see Scraplets coming out of a huge vent. "Whoa!" Tracey said, and the Scraplets started to fly off the walls and onto Bumblebee. "Bumblebee!" Tracey said, and started to beat the Scraplets off of Bumblebee, then Ratchet was attacked by the swarm. "Oh scrap!" Tracey said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, pointing at a fire extinguisher, so Tracey grabbed it and said, "Get together, both of you!" Ratchet managed to get by Bumblebee's side, and Tracey sprayed both of them with frost. The flying Scraplets flew away from the Autobots as the ones chewing the two Autobots were frozen solid and fell off. "No so tough when it comes to extinguishers, are you?" Tracey asked as she looked at the fire extinguisher, then Andrew and Bulkhead returned with Bulkhead covered with Scraplet bites. "Ratchet, get the patch kit. I'm leaking Energon like... Whoa!" Bulkhead said, and the group looked at the flying swarm, which had grown in number. "They fly?! You never said they could fly!" Andrew said. "I did compare them to killer bees!" Tracey said. The swarm started to swarm the Autobots, and Tracey and Andrew started to freeze and beat them off of the Autobots.

In the Arctic, Optimus and Arcee were sitting by each other to keep warm when Optimus noticed Arcee had her eyes closed. "Arcee, wake up." Optimus said, and Arcee opened her eyes saying, "Just resting my eyes." "The longer we remain alert, the longer we remain alive." Optimus told her. "What do you suggest... Wait, how about a game? Let's play 'Who Screwed Things Up Back at Base'." Arcee said. "Our predicament could be the result of a simple malfunction." Optimus said. "Caused by Bulkhead. Let's see: No comm link, maybe even no power. The big lug probably tripped over a cord. He's never been too graceful. Remember when we first arrived on Earth and Bulkhead walked into those power lines? Hm hm. Who knew he could dance like that?" Arcee said. "Bulkhead maybe... too large for this world, but his inner strength is without bounds. One should not be judged by size alone." Optimus said, and the two looked onto the landscape as winds and snow started to pick up and blow around.

Tracey and Andrew were able to kill the entire swarm of Scraplets, but their Autobot friends were weak from being munched on. "Did we get them all?" Andrew asked, but the group heard the Scraplets high-pitched drilling in the corridors. "Something tells me we're not even close." Tracey said. "These were just scouts." Ratchet said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred before he laid down, getting too weak to sit up any longer, and Bulkhead said, "So, the rest of them know we're in here?" "If we allow ourselves to become their next meal, Optimus and Arcee will never make it home. We must get the Ground Bridge operational!" Ratchet said. "So we can use it to send the Scraplets back to the Arctic and get Optimus and Arcee back." Andrew said. "We already know the Scraplets die to freezing temperatures." Tracey said, putting the extinguisher down. "Given the body mass of the Scraplets, sub-zero temperature should freeze them on contact. So think, Ratchet, think! If the Ground Bridge is still down, there must be a breach in the Energon fuel line!" Ratchet said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, and Bulkhead said, "If we weren't breaching, one of us could go back there and fix it." "Where do we find it?" Andrew asked, making the Autobots look at the teenagers. "And how do we fix it?" Tracey asked.

 

Infestations Section 4

Tracey and Andrew followed Ratchet's instructions and walked along the Energon Fuel Line to find the breach, tip-toeing past Scraplets that were bearing fang-like teeth. "Remember, we're okay. We're not metal." Tracey said. The two teenagers tip-toed until they found an Energon puddle that was getting bigger by the second, and Andrew spotted where the leak was as he said, "There's the breach. Come on, we have to work fast," and the two started to patch leak up.

Ratchet, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee were waiting on Tracey and Andrew to fix the problem as they were going over what to do next. "So if we get, when we get the Ground Bridge open, do we send the creepy-crawlies out, or bring our 'Bots in?" Bulkhead asked. "Optimus and Arcee will be fresh meat and the Scraplets won't have a reason to leave. We'll need bait." Ratchet said. "Where are we gonna get bait? The Scraplets already helped themselves to everything in here!" Bulkhead said. Tracey just finished patching the leak with a torch with Andrew holding the sheet metal still when the Scraplets started to fly up into the vents. "Uh oh." Tracey said. "They're getting ready to have dinner!" Andrew said, and the two packed up their tools and ran for the control room. The Scraplets flew into the control room, breaking the vent covers off and forming a huge swarm over the entire room. Bulkhead and Ratchet got low as Bumblebee got lower, and the Scraplets started to eat on anything metal on the ceiling.

Optimus and Arcee were still sitting close to each other, but their systems were starting to freeze from the temperatures and slowly start to shut them down. "You know the worst part? After battling all these years, getting smacked down, shot at, blown up, this is how our lights go out?" Arcee said. Optimus raised his head to look at Arcee and said, "Arcee, this may not be the finish that we planned, but if this is indeed the end, if we are to become one with the AllSpark," then the Autobot leader held Arcee's hand when she put her's on his. "It's been an honor serving with you, Optimus Prime," Arcee said, and Optimus nodded.

Tracey and Andrew rushed into the control room as Tracey said, "Ratchet! All systems go!" "Fire it up!" Andrew said. Ratchet used the strength he had to stand up, then said with an exhausted voice, "Ground Bridge activated," and turned it on before collapsing to the ground. The Ground Bridge fired up successfully and opened in the Arctic where Optimus and Arcee were, catching Optimus's attention. Bulkhead looked at the others, then at the Ground Bridge as a piece of metal hit the ground, then at the Scraplets as he said, "Bait, huh?" Bulkhead got to his feet and started to get the Scraplets attention. "Ready for the main course?" Bulkhead asked, and the Scraplets opened their mouths hungrily and flew toward Bulkhead as the Autobot said, "Come and get it!" Bulkhead started to run to the Ground Bridge vortex as Ratchet kept Bumblebee down to avoid the Scraplets from eating them, and the Scraplets pursued Bulkhead through the Ground Bridge to the Arctic. Optimus and Arcee were making their way to the Ground Bridge portal before Bulkhead came through with Scraplets all over him, confusing the two frost-covered Autobots. "Down! Down!" Bulkhead shouted, and fell into the snow as the rest of the Scraplet swarm came flying out of the Ground Bridge. The Scraplets spotted Optimus and Arcee and opened wide to eat, but the temperatures took effect on their small bodies and froze the swarm. Optimus and Arcee covered their heads as the frozen Scraplets bounced off of them, then looked at Bulkhead after the swarm was dead as the green Autobot plucked off dead Scraplets and said, "I'd invite you in, but the place is a mess."

After everyone was back at the base safe and sound, the entire Autobot group was in the sick bay for repairs and defrosting with Tracey and Andrew following Ratchet's instructions. "Report bio-circuitry status," Ratchet said. "Levels are rising." Tracey said. "Exellent. Andrew keep a close watch on Bumblebee's electro-pulse monitor and check Bulkhead's Interface Patch." Ratchet said. "Electro-pulse is steady and Interface Patch is looking good." Andrew said. "Perhaps you should get some rest yourself, old friend. You saved quiet a few lives today." Optimus said with a smile after he was frost-free. "It wasn't all my doing," Ratchet said, looking at Tracey and Andrew as they continued with the repairs, then said, "We're just fortunate that this infestation happened... on a Saturday." "Our human friends may be small, but they are strong." Optimus said. Andrew found one of the dead Scraplets, then said with a sly smile, "Hey Tracey." "What?" Tracey asked as she turned around, but found the Scraplet in her face and let out a short scream before Andrew laughed. "I got you good!" Andrew said, then Tracey said as she cracked her knuckles, "And I'll get you for that!" "Oh boy," Andrew said, then tried to run, but Tracey grabbed his hands as he screamed and tied his hands with his feet using the ponytail holder she used for her ponytail. Optimus, Ratchet, and Bulkhead looked at the teenagers as Tracey clapped dust off of her hands and Andrew tried to get his hands and feet free. "Uh, did you just scream like a little girl?" Bulkhead asked Andrew, and all the boy had to say was, "Yep."

 

Infiltrators Section 1

Tracey finished off bringing supplies into the base with Bulkhead and said as she set the last box down, "Okay, supplies are in. Now can I get back to planning the 'End of the School Year' performance schedule?" "Sure you can, Tracey." Bulkhead said. "Tracey!" Andrew said excitedly as he raced past Bumblebee and Ratchet. "Andrew, be careful!" Ratchet warned, almost stepping on him. "What is it, Andrew?" Tracey asked. "Kaylee's moving after school's done!" Andrew said. "You're kidding me, right?" Tracey asked. "I'm not! Look at her recent blog post!" Andrew said, giving Tracey his phone with the post on the screen. Tracey read the post and said, "Oh my gosh, she is moving!" "One of your bullies is going to live out of town now?" Bulkhead asked. "Yep. According her post, she's going to move to Sioux Falls thanks to her mother getting a job transfer." Andrew said. "That's probably why she was acting all nice to me for the last few days." Tracey said. "She was nice?" Bulkhead asked. "Yep." Tracey said.

*Flashback to Tuesday*
Tracey was walking to her locker when Rickelle and Kaylee walked up to her. "What do you want?" Tracey asked them. "This," Rickelle said, and knocked Tracey's books and papers out of her hands and sprayed her with water. "Ugh!" Tracey said, and Rickelle walked off laughing. Kaylee picked up Tracey's books and papers for Tracey and gave them to her gently. "Um... Thanks?" Tracey said, confused, and Kaylee said, "You're welcome," and walked off. "Okay, that was weird." Tracey told herself, then got to her locker to grab what she needed for her fourth class.

*Friday* Tracey and Andrew were sitting down to have lunch when Rickelle pulled off a classic trick on Tracey by putting sauce packets on Tracey's seat as she sat down. Tracey heard two pops and immediately got up to find she sat on the packets as Rickelle laughed and walked away to a different table. "Doesn't she take a break?!" Tracey asked, taking her jacket and tying it around her waist to hide the stain on her jeans, and Kaylee came and wiped Tracey's chair clean. "There you go." Kaylee said. "Thanks." Tracey said, and Andrew cocked an eyebrow. "Um, Kaylee, can I talk to you for a moment?" Tracey asked, and Kaylee said, "Sure." Tracey and Kaylee walked into the girls bathroom, and Tracey said, "Are you okay? Usually when I'm around, you pull mean tricks on me." "I'm fine, I just wanted to be nice to you for a change." Kaylee said. Tracey knew something was up and asked, "Did something just come up for you?" "No. What makes you think that?" Kaylee asked. "I can hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes." Tracey said. "Tracey, nothing's come up, I promise you I just want to be nice for a change." Kaylee said. "Okay then." Tracey said, and she left the bathroom for her lunch table.

*Flashback to base*
"I thought it was an elite prank Rickelle thought up of on her own." Tracey said. "Well, you should be thankful that Kaylee changed for her final time in Wessington Springs." Ratchet said. "I know, but it's just weird to see a bully change in a snap like that." Tracey said. "Wonder if Rickelle found out about the nice things she's done?" Andrew asked, then his phone beeped to a new post and the boy said after reading it, "Never mind, she found out." "And what did Rickelle say?" Tracey asked. "She's angry and that Kaylee isn't her best friend anymore." Andrew said. "I guess bad things do happen to bad people if they don't change." Tracey said.

The computers started to detect something near Earth and Ratchet checked what it was as Optimus and Arcee came over. "We're receiving a signal on a restricted band. It appears to be coming from a starship inside this solar system." Ratchet said. "Is it Autobot, or Decepticon?" Andrew asked. Ratchet checked the signal and gave Andrew his answer, "It's an Autobot Identification Beacon." "Nice! Another 'Bot is coming!" Andrew said. "I'm guessing the masses were were scattered after Cybertron was finally declared uninhabitable, right?" Tracey asked. "That would be correct, but 'Cons have been know to bait traps with false beacons." Arcee said. "Oh," Andrew said, his excitement vanishing. "Unknown vessel, this is Autobot Outpost Omega One. Identify yourself." Optimus said after communication was opened for the starship. "I've had warmer welcomes from Decepticon Combat Brigades," the starship's occupant said. "Wheeljack? You old 'Con crusher! What are you doing all the way out here?" Bulkhead asked, recognizing the occupant's voice easily. "Bulhead? That you? What's with all the security?" Wheeljack asked. "The rock we're on is crawling with 'Cons. How soon can you get here and even the odds?" Bulkhead asked. "Sometime tomorrow, if I put metal to the pedal." Wheeljack said. "And I quote, another 'Bot is coming!" Andrew said. "Wheeljack? I know him by reputation only. Can you verify his voice print?" Optimus asked Bulhead. "He's 1000 percent the real deal, Optimus." Bulkhead said. "We will send landing coordinates, Wheeljack. Safe journey." Optimus said. "Seen ya soon, buddy. I'll make sure you get a proper welcome." Bulkhead said, and the communication closed. "How do you know Wheeljack so well? The Wheeljack Andrew and I are used to is a scientist and inventor from the movies." Tracey said. "Me and Jackie go way back. We were part of the same war unit, the Wreckers! A different type of Wreckers." Bulkhead said. "Cool! That means the 'Cons will wish he never found us!" Andrew said.

On the Decepticon ship, Soundwave intercepted the communication and searched Wheeljack's records as Starscream said, "A war hero, hm? We haven't much time." Soundwave found the records as Starscream called Makeshift down, and Makeshift came to the bridge in the shadows. Soundwave downloaded everything about Wheeljack into Makeshift, and the latter changed appearances to look like Wheeljack for Starscream's plan. "I, too, know how to prepare a proper welcome," Starscream said with an evil grin.

 

Infiltrators Section 2

The next day, the Autobots, Tracey, and Andrew were watching the monitor as Arcee said, "Wheeljack's ship is approaching the landing zone." "You think he might stay?" Tracey asked. "Maybe! But he'd have to find his own human though." Andrew said. "We're not pulling another civilian into this, Andrew. Fowler would be upset!" Tracey said, then she and the others looked over to Ratchet, who was at the Ground Bridge module. "Ground Bridge cycling up," Ratchet said, then the module sparked, forcing him to pound a fist on it to keep it going. "Blasted Scraplets! The equipment hasn't been the same since the infestation." Ratchet said. "I'm sure once it's debugged it'll be in working condition again." Andrew said. "So, Wheeljack's gonna land in Egypt and you'll bridge him here?" Tracey asked. "We can't risk revealing the location of our base, just in case the Decepticons are tracking Wheeljack's ship." Optimus said. "More precautions, how fun." Tracey said. Andrew looked at Bulkhead, who was pacing back and forth anxiously, and the boy said, "Dude, I've never seen you this excited before!" "Oh, you're gonna love Wheeljack, Andrew. We were like brothers, and tonight, we're gonna party!" Bulkhead said. "One of my favorite pastimes!" Andrew said.

Just then, the monitors alarmed everyone to Decepticons, and Tracey looked at the monitors and said, "Great, six Decepticon boogies!" "Closing in fast on Wheeljack's position!" Arcee said. "Decepticon scum!" Bulkhead said. With Wheeljack, the squad of Eradicons that were chasing him started to shoot at the Autobot's ship, forcing Wheeljack to crash-land after getting hit. The Eradicons transformed and landed near the crash site, only for one of them to get shot down in on shot, then Wheeljack emerged from a dust cloud and said, "If you're trying to ruin my day, you're gonna have to try harder." Wheeljack prepared to battle, but found that it was too easy when he took out three Eradicons in a row. "You 'Cons have gotten soft on me," Wheeljack said, then pulled out two blades and continued to fight the remaining two Eradicons. Starscream had been watching the fight and told Soundwave, "Swiftly, before the Autobots arrive!"

At the base, Bulkhead was impatient to get to Wheeljack as he said, "Open the bridge, Ratchet, we're missing all the action!" Ratchet powered up the Ground Bridge and said, "I'll prepare sick bay." "For who? The 'Cons? This is Wheeljack we're talking about," Bulkhead said, then he, Bumblebee, and Arcee ran through the Ground Bridge vortex to Egypt. When the group arrived, they found that the fight was already over with Wheeljack victorious. "Ever think I might need a hand?" Wheeljack asked, walking toward the group. "What? And spoil the show?" Bulhead asked. "You missed one," Arcee said, and Wheeljack shot the last surviving Eradicon that Arcee referred to. "If this is all you got, the planet's in bigger trouble than I thought." Wheeljack said, and Bulkhead hugged the Autobot as he chuckled happily, "Jackie!" Arcee and Bumblebee looked on with a smile on Arcee's face, and Wheeljack said, "Watch the finish, you old wrecking ball," then the group of four bridged back to base.

The group got back in time before Ratchet deactivated the Ground Bridge, and the module sparked again, making Ratchet groan a little. "Jackie, come here, meet my other best buddies, Tracey and Andrew." Bulkhead said as the two humans met them on the stairs. "Hi ya," Andrew said. "Hello," Tracey said. "You keeping Bulkhead out of trouble?" Wheeljack asked. "We try to," Andrew said. "But trouble finds us anyway." Tracey said. "We're gonna get along just fine." Wheeljack said, then Optimus came over, catching Wheeljack's attention. "Optimus Prime, it's a privilege," Wheeljack said. "Likewise, soldier. What have you to report from your long journey?" Optimus asked. "Been bouncing from rock to rock, searching for any signs of friend or foe, and now I find both." Wheeljack said. "We are few, but strong; we have suffered losses, but we have grown. And we will relish bringing a new member into our fold." Optimus said. "I would be honored," Wheeljack said, and Bulkhead said, "Then let's get this party started!" "Oh joy," Ratchet said unenthusiastically, and started to get to work on the Ground Bridge. Optimus turned to leave, but Tracey ran up to the Autobot leader and asked, "Optimus, where are you going?" "I'm just going for a drive, Tracey." Optimus said. "Well, be careful, then. It should be a peaceful night tonight." Tracey said, and Optimus transformed and left the base.

On the Decepticon ship, Starscream and Soundwave were walking to the brig as the former said, "The moment Makeshift passed through their Ground Bridge, we lost his tracking signal. The Autobot base is no doubt heavily shielded to prevent us from locating it. No matter, I have complete faith in Makeshift." The two Decepticons then entered the brig, which was holding the real Wheeljack prisoner. "Our inside man is already inside," Starscream said, and Wheeljack looked at the Decepticon when he entered. "Tell Megatron he's fragged in the head if he thinks Bulhead won't snip out an impostor." Wheeljack told Starscream. "Haven't you heard? I lead the Decepticons now." Starscream said. "You? Ha!" Wheeljack said, then Starscream growled and tried to terminate him, but Soundwave stopped him from doing so. "Yes, he may yet be of use," Starscream said as his hand was let go, then said to Wheeljack, "Makeshift is very good at keeping up appearances. he need only fool your friends long enough to open their Ground Bridge from within so that I may finally learn the location of the Autobot base, and send in my strike team to stain its floor with the spilled Energon of Optimus Prime."

 

Infiltrators Section 3

At the base, Andrew put on some music and was dancing to it with Tracey, Arcee, and Bumblebee watching as Bulkhead and "Wheeljack" were enjoying one of their favorite past times. "Come on, Jackie, show me what you got!" Bulkhead said, then a huge metal ball flew past Andrew, meters away from behind the boy, and Bulkhead caught it. "Nice lob," Bulkhead said, and lobbed it back. "That looks like catch." Tracey said. "It's actually called Lobbing, a favorite past time on Cybertron, especially among the warrior class." Arcee said. "Hey Tracey, come on out here and dance," Andrew said. "Andrew, you know I suck at dancing," Tracey said. "I know you can do at least one dance!" Andrew said. "Okay, okay," Tracey said, then got on the floor as Andrew changed the music, and Tracey started to do the Robot, which Bumblebee found interesting. "Of course, you forgot about the Robot," Andrew said, and Tracey said, "Don't push it." Bumblebee watched Tracey's dance movements, then started to mimic Tracey, making Andrew and Tracey snicker. "Wow, Bumblebee, you look awesome doing the Robot!" Tracey said, then stopped when the music did. "Where's Optimus?" Andrew asked. "You're finally noticing this? He went for a drive before the party started." Tracey said. "Primes don't party." Arcee said.

"Coming at 'cha!" Bulkhead said, then lobbed the metal ball at Makeshift, but the disguised Decepticon fumbled with it, and the ball crashed near Ratchet. "I am attempting to perform sensitive calibrations here!" Ratchet snapped at them, and Makeshift said as he got the ball, "Sorry doc, guess we're a little charged up." Tracey walked over to Ratchet to see how the calibrations were doing, but ended up eavesdropping on the medic and Makeshift as the Decepticon asked, "You built this bridge from scratch, huh?" "I did," Ratchet said. "That's quite a feat in engineering." Makeshift said. "Yes, it is." Ratchet said, still working on the Ground Bridge. "Something wrong with it?" Makeshift asked. "I didn't care for the way it sounded this last jump. I put it in shut down." Ratchet said. "What if you need to use it?" Makeshift asked. "I can't disrupt the de-frag process without causing irritable damage." Ratchet said. "So, uh, how long will the de-frag take?" Makeshift asked. "A few hours, if we're lucky, maybe longer." Ratchet said, and continued to work on the Ground Bridge. Tracey could hear Makeshift's tone when he asked Ratchet about the Ground Bridge and started to get suspicious about him, then walked back to Andrew, Arcee, and Bumblebee with a smile on her face to hide her suspicions.

On the Decepticon ship, Starscream was starting to get impatient and said, "Makeshift still hasn't opened their Ground Bridge, or otherwise transmitted their coordinates. His disguise may be flawless, but he won't fool the Autobots forever!" At the base, Bulkhead was telling the group war stories with him and "Wheeljack" battling together. "So there we were, no communications, low on Energon, surrounded by 'Cons, so what does Wheeljack do? Tell them, Jackie!" Bulkhead said. Makeshift hesitated, then said, "What I do best." "He chucks his only grenade smack into the primary heat exchanger!" Bulkhead said. "Yeah, seemed like a good idea at the time." Makeshift said. "The joint went super nova!" Bulkhead said. "Awesome!" Andrew said. "Yeah, I'm still picking out shrapnel out of my backside." Bulkhead said. "I'm not surprised, given the size of your backside." Arcee said, and Bumblebee buzzed and whirred like he was snickering himself. Makeshift looked at Ratchet, finding the de-fragging wasn't done yet, and Tracey caught this out of the corner of her eye. "And there it is, Jackie's signature: One grenade, one shot," Bulkhead said, then noticed his "Buddy" was quiet and asked, "Hey, are you all right?" "What?" Makeshift asked. "You don't seem like yourself," Bulkhead said. "What do you mean?" Makeshift asked. "Well, you seem quiet," Bulkhead said. "Uh, I've been stuck in a can too long. I should go topside before it gets star-crazy." Makeshift said. "I have patrol in the morning, you can come with." Bulkhead said. "Let's go now," Makeshift said. "And break up the party? Come on! The gang's loving you! you gotta tell them about the Battle of Darkmount Pass!" Bulkhead said. "You tell them, you're better at it. How about if Andrew here shows me the rest of your base?" Makeshift said. "Um, yeah. Sure, Jackie. Go ahead." Bulkhead said. "Tour starts now," Andrew said, and he started to lead Makeshift on a small tour.

"You all right?" Arcee asked, noticing Bulkhead's troubled look. "Yeah, just out of sorts, I guess." Bulkhead said. "Don't tell me you're jealous." Arcee said. "That Wheeljack's becoming everyones friend? Come on! But something... something's just not right about him." Bulkhead said. "Bulkhead, really? He's traveled galaxies, you haven't seen him for centuries. He could just be rocket lagged or... well, 'Bots do change, you know?" Arcee said. "Not Jackie." Bulkhead said. "You know, Bulkhead, you're not the only one who's seen him acting strange." Tracey said. "What do you mean, Tracey?" Bulkhead asked. "I sorta eavesdropped on Wheeljack talking with Ratchet about the Ground Bridge, and when he was asking his questions, Wheeljack sounded like he was getting information for the Decepticons." Tracey said. "Wheeljack wouldn't sign up with the Decepticons," Bulkhead said. "Maybe Wheeljack isn't Wheeljack, Bulkhead, he could be a Decepticon in disguise of Wheeljack. And I'd start thinking that he is if he refused to tell us a war story." Tracey said, and the group started to think about it, mainly Bulkhead.

On the Decepticon ship, Wheeljack got his guard's attention by making a ruckus, and the guard pointed its gun in Wheeljack's face saying, "You're not going anywhere, Autobot." The guard took its gun away, but when it turned around, Wheeljack wrapped his legs around the guard's neck, causing the guard to struggle and randomly shoot, then Wheeljack directed a few of the shots to the control panel powering his cuffs as he killed the guard. The shots hit the control panel, releasing Wheeljack, then Wheeljack exited the brig and started to search for Starscream.

At the base, Andrew was finishing his tour of the base to "Wheeljack." "So, that's pretty much it. The Energon Stockpile, Power Generator, Armory, everything you need to blow the joint sky-high." Andrew said. "Where's this bunker located exactly?" Makeshift asked. "If I told you, we'd have to rip out your Spark Chamber," Andrew said, and Makeshift cocked an eyebrow before Andrew said, "I'm kidding. The base is just outside Wessington Springs, South Dakota. Though I don't expect that to mean much to you." "Can't say it does. So, uh, anyway out of here besides bridging?" Makeshift asked. "Why? You're not planning on leaving yet, are you?" Andrew asked, then smiled and said, "Come on, I'll show you," and lead Makeshift back to the control room.

 

Infiltrators Section 4

The de-fragging was almost done as Bulkhead was telling Bumblebee, Arcee, and Tracey, "Look, I know Wheeljack better than anyone." "Hey what are you guys talking about?" Makeshift asked as he and Andrew walked into the room. "I was just telling the guys all about you and me, at the Battle of Darkmount Pass." Bulkhead said. "That's a heck of a story," Makeshift said. "Yep. Tell it." Bulkhead said. "Talk, talk, talk, how about after we go for a drive?" Andrew asked. "Andrew, I think we should stay out of this," Tracey said. "Okay, is there something that I don't know?" Andrew asked. "I don't think I-" Makeshift said, but was interrupted when Bulkhead insisted, "Tell it!" Makeshift looked at Bulkhead and said, "Fine. You wanna live in the past Bulkhead?" Andrew looked at Tracey, and everyone but Ratchet looked at Makeshift as he told the story. "The Wreckers were trapped between a Decepticon patrol and a smelting pit. The 'Cons were vicious, bearing down on us with everything they had. Me and Bulkhead engaged the enemy, left them for scrap. Then I made us a way out, using their backsides as stepping stones to cross the molten metal. Isn't that how it happened?" Makeshift said. "Yep, that's exactly how it happened," Bulkhead said, and Makeshift smiled. "Except for one little thing," Bulkhead then said, making Makeshift's smile immediately disappear before Bulkhead revealed what was wrong, "I wasn't there." Everyone, including Ratchet, were surprised to this, but Tracey wasn't surprised too much as Makeshift scowled. "I had already left the Wreckers to join up with Optimus, but you wouldn't know that if all you did was access Wheeljack's Public Service Record!" Bulkhead continued. "Someone's busted," Tracey said. "What does that have to do with-" Andrew said, but then was grabbed by Makeshift, alarming everyone as Makeshift pushed Ratchet away from the Ground Bridge console. "Stay back, or I'll squeeze him into pulp!" Makeshift threatened. "Wheeljack, what are you doing?!" Andrew asked. "Andrew, he's not Wheeljack! He's a Decepticon!" Tracey said. "Decepticon coward! Let the boy go and face me!" Bulkhead said. "Don't fret, plenty of fighting to come," Makeshift said. "Is there even a real Wheeljack?" Tracey asked. "Oh indeed, and I expect Lord Starscream is making sport of him." Makeshift said.

On the Decepticon ship on the outside, Starscream was still impatient and asked Soundwave, "Are you certain that we are at the coordinates you supplied to Makeshift?" Soundwave nodded, and Starscream asked, "Then what is taking him?!" "Maybe they gave your boy such a hero's welcome," a voice said, and Soundwave and Starscream found Wheeljack walking toward them as the Autobot continued, "He got the warm and fuzzies and decided to switch sides." "Do you not see that you are vastly outnumbered?" Starscream asked, knowing what his intention was. "I see fellas who might vastly enjoy watching me pound some dents into you!" Wheeljack said, getting his mouth guard on. Starscream growled, getting fed up with Wheeljack's attitude, and ordered, "Destroy him!!!" and a fight ensued with Eradicon forces and Wheeljack. At the base, the de-fragging finished, and Makeshift activated the Ground Bridge to the coordinates that he was given saying, "About time!" then after the Ground Bridge was working again, Makeshift made his way to the Ground Bridge with an eye on the other Autobots. Wheeljack had taken out a good number of Eradicons when Starscream fired a missile at the Autobot, but Wheeljack dodged it and nailed Starscream in the face. More Eradicon forces started to arrive, but Wheeljack saw the Ground Bridge open and said, "Well, well." Makeshift was backing into the Ground Bridge with Andrew struggling to get out of Makeshift's grasp. "Let's get this party started!" Makeshift said, but before he could expect any Eradicons to come through, the real Wheeljack kicked the fake down, making Makeshift toss Andrew into the air. Bulkhead caught Andrew and placed him on the ground as Wheeljack said, "I'd shut that hole before the stink comes through." On the ship, Starscream coughed up Energon and had some running out of his mouth as he noticed that the Ground Bridge didn't disappear yet. "Enter the Ground Bridge now!" Starscream ordered, but the Ground Bridge closed before the Eradicons could get to it, frustrating Starscream even more.

Makeshift and Wheeljack stood off with the others standing on the side-lines; Bulkhead wanted to help Wheeljack, but the latter said, "Ugly's mine," and the two look-alikes started fighting. "Which one's the real Wheeljack?" Andrew asked. "The one with the best moves and can take his opponent out easily." Tracey said. The look-alikes kept fighting, but the real Wheeljack became victorious, and Bulkhead said, "That's my Jackie." "You, hit the switch. It's time to take out the trash," Wheeljack told Ratchet, then looked at Bulkhead and said, "All yours, buddy." When the Ground Bridge was re-opened, Starscream shouted, "What are you waiting for?! Go!!!" and Eradicons ran into the Ground Bridge, but Bulkhead lobbed Makeshift through the Ground Bridge, forcing the Eradicons to retreat out of the Ground Bridge back to the Decepticon ship as Makeshift landed on Starscream. "Nice lob," Wheeljack said, and the Ground Bridge deactivated. "Please tell me you at least got the location of their base?!" Starscream asked as he got to his feet. "Oh indeed, Lord Starscream. It's in a hidden bunker just outside of-" Makeshift said, but the two Decepticons heard beeping, and found that a bomb on Makeshift's hip was about to go off as Starscream quickly transformed and fled. "Oh no," Makeshift said, and the bomb exploded, killing him and the Eradicon forces that were with him. "MAKESHIFT!!! YOU FOOL!!!" Starscream shouted as Soundwave joined him, then the two Decepticons returned to the ship after it was safe to go back.

The next morning, the Autobots threw another party for the real Wheeljack this time, and Andrew and Bumblebee danced to the music Tracey had selected that was good for parties. Ratchet and Optimus weren't participating in the festivity as Ratchet said, "It's like a recurring nightmare," and continued to repair Wheeljack's ship. "Now that you're part of Team Prime, we need to pick out a vehicle mode for you. I have some ideas," Bulkhead said. "Yeah, about that, Bulk; now that my ship's repaired, I'm itching to know what else I might find out there." Wheeljack said. "Wait, you're leaving? Why?" Andrew asked as he and Tracey walked up to him. Bulkhead sighed and said, "Because some 'Bots never change," then chuckled. "Wheeljack, know that you'll always have a haven here." Optimus said with a smile, and Bulkhead said, "Jackie never stays, but he always comes back," and the two former Wreckers bumped fists. After Bridging near some cliffs in Egypt, Bulkhead, Arcee, Bumblebee, Tracey, and Andrew decided to say good-bye to Wheeljack. "There's room for two, Bulk, even with a backside like yours. Who knows what we'll find out there? Some of the old crew?" Wheeljack offered, and Bulkhead looked at the others. Andrew and Tracey looked toward the ground with mixed emotions, and Bulkhead said, "Sounds like fun, Jackie, but my ties are here now, with them, with the kids," and Andrew's and Tracey's faces brightened. Wheeljack could accept that, and told the teenagers, "If anything happens to my favorite Wrecker, I'm coming after you two." "We'll take good care of him, Wheeljack," Tracey said, and Andrew pulled out his cell phone and said, "Now, say 'cheese'," and took a picture of the Autobot/Wrecker buddies before Wheeljack left Earth.

 

A New Enemy Section 1

After a recent mission with transporting a device to Fowler's destination, the Autobots bridged back to base and Arcee and Bumblebee got ready to get Tracey and Andrew home. "That mission was a success," Andrew said. "Yeah, but my laptop was victim to getting crashed," Tracey said, her laptop smoking. "Optimus, what's the name of our newest enemy?" Ratchet asked. "The organization is MECH, and their leader is Silas." Optimus said. "Why do you think they were after the device Fowler was transporting if they knew that it would meltdown after some rough handling?" Tracey asked. "Who knows? At least we were able to stop them from grabbing it." Arcee said. "That's a good thing," Tracey said. "Come on, Tracey, lets get you home before your mother has a meltdown of her own." Arcee said. "Okay, Arcee," Tracey said, gathering her things.

Unknown to them, a tracking device was on Arcee's foot on the rim of one of her wheels, and MECH was tracking her position. "The tracking device doesn't seem to work at their base, it must be heavily shielded to prevent anyone from locating it," the leader of MECH, Silas, said, then found that the tracking device popped up on the computer screen after a minute of waiting. "Ah, there you are." Silas said, and the tracking device headed for Wessington Springs.

At Tracey's house, Arcee parked in the garage, and Tracey got off to go inside her home. "Rest well, Arcee. We have a busy day tomorrow." Tracey said. "You rest well too, Tracey," Arcee said, and Tracey smiled and shut the garage light off before shutting both the garage door and the house door. Tracey got to her room and sorted out what she needed for the school day tomorrow and for work, but got a strange feeling that something wasn't right. "Why do I feel that something's going to go bad tomorrow?" Tracey asked herself, but shrugged it off and went to bed. The next day after school, Tracey got dressed in her work uniform and was driven to work by Arcee, getting her strange feeling again, but ignored it again and focused on work. At a temporary base, Silas found that the tracking device had stuck in Wessington Springs and said, "I wonder if that motorcycle is protecting anyone? We'll find out soon enough when evening comes."

Outside later that evening, Arcee checked the time, finding it was 8 o'clock in the evening. "Tracey's shift ended two hours ago, she should be out by now." Arcee thought, then Tracey finally walked out of the building. "What took you?" Arcee asked. "I had to work for another employee, sorry to keep you waiting." Tracey said, getting on. "So that's why you were in work for two more hours." Arcee said. Tracey laughed, then noticed something on Arcee's wheel and decided to get a closer look. "What are you doing?" Arcee asked. "There's something on your wheel," Tracey said, and found the tracking device, then asked, "Um, Arcee, since when did you have a rim light on your rim?" "Tracey, there's no such thing as a rim light, why?" Arcee asked. "That's what I was afraid of," Tracey said. Arcee used her mirror to look at what Tracey was looking at, and was shocked to find the tracking device. "Tracey, that's a tracking device!" Arcee said. "A tracking device?! How'd it get on you?!" Tracey asked, then a black van drove up to them and one of the doors swung open, revealing MECH goons inside. "MECH!" Tracey exclaimed, then got on Arcee and the two raced away from the van.

The goons shut the door and pursued them, one goon aiming at Tracey and Arcee. "Arcee! They have guns!" Tracey said, and Arcee swerved off the road toward Tracey's house onto an unknown road leading to a different part of Wessington Springs. The van followed, but couldn't find Arcee in sight; once Tracey and Arcee were far enough, Arcee stopped so Tracey could get the tracking device off with a metal strap that was in the area, then stuck the tracking device on something else, got back on Arcee, and the two sped off. The driving goon checked the tracker's position after getting to a certain area, seeing they were right where it was at, then one of the other goons found that the tracking device was on a dumpster near a building. "Silas, we were able to find our target, but they lost us and the tracking device," a goon said. "Then search that town until you find the target." Silas said. "We also have a hitch: Our target is accompanied by a young female teenager," the goon replied. "Then don't hesitate to kidnap her for interrogation about our visitors." Silas said.

Tracey and Arcee rested in an alley as night began to fall, and Tracey asked, "How did those techie freaks get that tracking device on you anyway?" "I think I might have a good idea," Arcee said, thinking back to when she made one of the MECH cars spin out of control, figuring the MECH goon she knocked back into the car put the tracking device on her wheel before he fell in the car. "Whatever the reason, we might as well figure it out later. Right now, we're in a part of Wessington Springs that I don't know about." Tracey said. "Don't worry, Tracey, we'll find a way back to your house, and be lucky that we got lost on a Friday night." Arcee said. "Yeah, but what if MECH finds us when the Autobots try to contact us?" Tracey asked. "I'll keep my comm off so that won't happen, don't worry," Arcee said, then Tracey got on the Autobot's motorcycle form, and the two started to find a way back to Tracey's house. At the Autobot base, Ratchet noticed that Arcee hadn't come back to base for a while. "Hm... Wonder why Arcee hasn't checked in yet?" Ratchet said. "Ratchet, has there been any word from Arcee?" Optimus asked. "Not since yesterday, I'll try to contact her," Ratchet said, then opened a comm link saying, "Base to Arcee, do you copy?" but got a 'Signal Off' pop up. "Her comm link's off, this is unlike her," Ratchet said. "Bumblebee," Optimus said, and Bumblebee walked up to him. "I want you to scout for Arcee's current location and find out why Arcee is staying quiet," Optimus said, and Bumblebee nodded and left the base.

 

A New Enemy Section 2

Tracey and Arcee followed different alleys to get out of the unknown parts of Wessington Springs, but Tracey started to notice that they were going in circles. "Arcee, I think we're going in circles," Tracey said. Arcee looked around using her mirrors, and sighed before saying, "You're right, we've been in this alley before." Tracey's phone rang, and Tracey answered to her mother. "Hi mom," Tracey said, and Arcee looked at her. "Sorry, mom, but I got lost on my way home... How? Uh, some stalker was following me, but I lost him... I ended up in an unknown part of Wessington Springs... Okay, mom, I'll try to find a road and I'll call you from there... Okay, mom, I'll see you at home." Tracey said, and hung up and said, "We're far from losing MECH." "Tracey, put your phone on vibrate, MECH could've been close by and heard it ring." Arcee said. "Okay, don't get paranoid," Tracey said, and set her phone to vibrate. "Found them!" a voice shouted, and Tracey looked to see the MECH van. "Scrap!" Tracey said, and Arcee started driving without warning. "Whoa! Little warning next time?!" Tracey asked, grabbing the handle bars as the MECH van started to give chase. "I'm just trying to protect you!" Arcee said. "And protecting has a key word to it: Trust! Just please try to warn me next time?" Tracey asked. Arcee just kept driving, finding a road, then got on the road and started for familiar parts of Wessington Springs.

Bumblebee just got to Wessington Springs in time to see a police cruiser drive by and scanned its radios, finding something interesting. "We've received a call from a mother concerning a missing child with a blue motorcycle that was followed by a stalker. Available units are to scout the area near the Subs And Pizza's restaurant for further investigation." Bumblebee played back on his radio, and called up Fowler about the report. "Special Agent William Fowler here," Fowler answered, and Bumblebee buzzed and whirred to him. "What is it this time?" Fowler asked, expecting something to be damaged, and Bumblebee played the police report to the agent. "Let me guess, you think a 'Con is after Tracey and Arcee?" Fowler asked, and Bumblebee buzzed a "yes" to him. "If you're so sure, then I'll call the police station to leave it to me." Fowler said. Bumblebee buzzed a "thank you" to the agent and continued to look for Arcee and Tracey. Unfortunately, Soundwave intercepted the call and reported to Starscream. "We've received a call from a mother concerning a missing child with a blue motorcycle that was followed by a stalker. Available units are to scout the area near the Subs And Pizza's restaurant for further investigation." Soundwave played for Starscream, and the Decepticon started to scheme. "Well, it seems the Autobot Arcee is outside the confines of her base, and is busy protecting a human child. Which means, she won't see us coming," Starscream said, then ordered to a squad of Eradicons, "Find the Autobot and the human and destroy them!" "Yes, Lord Starscream," the Eradicon squad said, and left for Wessington Springs.

Arcee and Tracey managed to lose MECH again, and Tracey got off of Arcee after they found a hiding spot. "Okay, Arcee, you've been bugging out since mom called. Care to share why that is?" Tracey asked. Arcee transformed to robot form and said, "It's something you wouldn't understand." "Come on, Arcee! 'I'm just trying to protect you'? You're hiding something!" Tracey said. "And I said you wouldn't understand!" Arcee said. "I understand what's going on completely! We're being chased by MECH, you shut off your comm so they wouldn't find us, you tell me to put my phone on vibrate, and you tell me you're trying to protect me! I know that if I was kidnapped or killed, my mom would have a meltdown about it, and I know you're just trying to do your job as an Autobot and as a guardian, but I'm considered to you as a weak kid!" Tracey said. "That's because you are a kid!" Arcee said. "Oh yeah? Who knows how to hack into human computers and fix their technical problems? I do! And who got vital information from a Decepticon computer on the ship when you were busy saving Fowler? I did! And who scrambled a Decepticon plan by getting Decepticon schematics? Me!" Tracey said. "Tracey, that's enough!" Arcee said. "No, it's not enough! What is enough? This! I'm going home, without you!" Tracey said, and started to leave. "Tracey!" Arcee said. "No! I'm done!" Tracey said, and left the hiding spot. Arcee got mad at Tracey's actions, then transformed and left the hiding spot, heading the opposite direction of Tracey's with a holographic driver. "You want to leave for good this time? Fine! I won't take you back with me to the base!" Arcee thought to herself.

Tracey kept walking home on a route that she knew from pedaling her bike around as she said, "Who needs her to protect me? I'll be perfectly fine with a normal life without her!" Tracey then stopped at a corner under a light pole and decided to lean against it. "She's hiding something! I just know it! But then again, I used to hide stuff all the time. Especially my feelings, but with Arcee, I felt like I was more open with everyone." Tracey said, thinking about it, then moaned and said, "I have to call her, say that I'm sorry and that I want to come back." Tracey got her phone out and tried to dial Arcee up, but something was scrambling her cell phone's signal. "How could a cell phone signal be scrambled here?" Tracey asked, then found her answer when she spotted a group of dark purple cars coming. "Eradicons!" Tracey said, and started to run. One of the Eradicons recognized Tracey from when it was at the park trying to kidnap her, and led the group to capture her. "Aw man! They're following me!" Tracey said, and kept running, praying for Arcee to come back and save her. With Arcee, she stopped at a stop light and thought about what Tracey said. "She's right, I am hiding something, and she has helped out a lot ever since we met her. Maybe I should tell her the truth." Arcee said, then when the light turned green, the Autobot made a U-turn to go look for Tracey, only to find the MECH van looking for her. "There's the motorcycle!" a MECH goon shouted, and Arcee started to race the other way, the MECH van following her.

 

A New Enemy Section 3

Tracey kept running until the Eradicons surrounded her, then one of the Eradicons drove up to her and opened a door nearest to her. "Get in if you want to live," the Eradicon told Tracey, but the girl didn't budge, knowing they had bad intentions for her. "Now," the Eradicon warned, and Tracey started to walk toward it, but heard an engine rev and looked to see Bumblebee coming. The other Eradicons transformed and stood to fight, but Bumblebee beat them into scrap, forcing the Eradicon by Tracy to transform to fight, only for it to have the same fate as the others. "Bumblebee! You saved me!" Tracey said, happily, and Bumblebee walked up to her and buzzed and whirred. Tracey couldn't understand him since her computer was at her house and said, "Sorry, Bee, but I can't understand you without my computer. Can you use the radio?" Bumblebee shook his head no, then acted as if he was talking on a cell phone. "Cell phone?" Tracey asked, and pulled out hers, then Bumblebee knelt down and started to give Tracey text messages. "Are you okay?" Bumblebee texted first. "Yeah, I'm okay." Tracey said. "Where's Arcee and why are you alone?" Bumblebee texted. "Arcee and I had a fight and we separated. I wanted to get back to her a few minutes later, but the Decepticons found me and chased me." Tracey said. "Do you have any idea where Arcee is now?" Bumblebee texted. "No, I don't. But we have to find her." Tracey said, so Bumblebee transformed, let Tracey in, and they started to look for Arcee.

Arcee was still running from MECH before she was cornered, then the MECH goons tried to take her with them, but Arcee transformed and pointed a gun at the goons. "Back off!" Arcee said, but the goons didn't and got ready to put her out with their guns. "Hey! Leave my bike alone!" a voice shouted, and the goons looked to see Bumblebee and Tracey with the MECH van flipped upside down. The goons pointed their guns at Bumblebee, but Tracey aimed at the goons with one of their guns, loaded with the ammo that was available in it. "Put your guns down, now!" Tracey said, and the goons did. Arcee walked toward Tracey and Bumblebee, getting to their side, then Tracey said, "Now get out of here! I don't wanna see your faces around here again!" The goons looked at her, then a helicopter got everyone's attention; the helicopter belonged to MECH, and the goons climbed onto a ladder that was hooked to the side of the helicopter and flew off. Tracey dropped the weapon, then walked to Arcee and said, "Arcee, I'm sorry about the fight earlier and I want to be your partner again." "I'm sorry too, Tracey, and I'll be glad to watch over you again." Arcee said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred to them, and Arcee said, "Yes, MECH chased us around town after Tracey got off work."

Arcee and Tracey headed for Tracey's home after Bumblebee confirmed it with Optimus and Fowler, and Arcee explained why she was acting strange. "You didn't want me to end up like Cliffjumper?" Tracey asked. "Yeah, he was as close as a partner could be with me." Arcee said. "Hey, you're not alone with that. My dad and I were as close as you and Cliffjumper were, but then after a fatal injury, someone can only take so much to make sure she doesn't get hurt badly or protect others to the best she can." Tracey said. "If Cliffjumper was alive right now, you'd be able to see him, and maybe have him as your guardian instead of me." Arcee said. "Arcee, things wouldn't be this way if you weren't my guardian, and I probably wouldn't have been here if Cliffjumper was around." Tracey said. "That would be partially true, and if it were up to Cliffjumper, he'd be your guardian." Arcee said. Yeah, that's true." Tracey said. The two then pulled into the garage of Tracey's house, and Tracey got off of Arcee. "Well, another crazy night averted. Let's hope that the last week of school isn't this crazy." Tracey said. "It will be crazy if Ratchet found out you end school next week." Arcee said. "Then that will be our little secret," Tracey said, then walked to the house door and said, "Night, 'Cee." "Night, Tracey," Arcee said, and Tracey went to her bedroom for a good night's rest.

 

I love this story! 

 

Glad you do, Dinodigger97!

New Friends Section 1

Both Andrew and Tracey were getting their papers filled out so they could check out of high school for the summer as Andrew said, "Bulkhead should be picking us up after we're done here." "Awesome! But what are we going to do for the whole summer? We can't just go the base until we have we have to get home before our parents do." Tracey said. "Not everyday," Andrew said. "Not to mention that I have a job that may require me there during the day." Tracey said. "We'll find something, don't worry." Andrew said. After turning in their checkout forms, Tracey and Andrew walked to the high school parking lot just as Bulkhead arrived. "Nice timing, Bulk." Andrew said, and got in the driver's seat. "How was checkout?" Bulkhead asked as the two teenagers buckled in. "Got it done in a snap." Tracey said. "That's great, but I wonder how Ratchet will react to school being over for the summer?" Bulkhead wondered. Tracey and Andrew looked at each other, then looked at Bulkhead's radio and said together, "He'll rant and rave." Unknown to all three of them, Rickelle had snuck into Bulkhead's backseat as the three were talking, and was taken to the base with them!

Ratchet was at the computers when Bulkhead returned with Andrew and Tracey. "It's 1:30, shouldn't you two be in school?" Ratchet asked as the two humans got out of Bulkhead. "Well, hate to be a bearer of rotten news to you, but school's out for the summer." Tracey said. "What do you mean by that?" Ratchet asked. "We won't be going back to school until this August later this year." Andrew said. "Oh joy. The base will be having you two visit everyday for the next three to four months!" Ratchet moaned. "Not me, exactly. I do have a job elsewhere, you know." Tracey said. "And that I do." Ratchet said.

Bulkhead transformed to robot form, only to hear something bang into his chest. "Um, guys, did you leave your school bags in me?" Bulkhead asked. "No, I have mine here," Tracey said, showing him her bag and laptop case. "And mine is still on me," Andrew said, grabbing the straps. Confused, Bulkhead opened his chest storage compartment, and Rickelle's head popped out. "Rickelle?!" Tracey and Andrew both exclaimed. "Another human child?" Ratchet asked. "What the heck is this?! Who are these people?!" Rickelle asked, then Bulkhead picked her out of his storage compartment and placed her on the ground. "The question really is what are you doing here?!" Tracey asked, angrily. "I wanted to pull a prank on you, but that's been foiled by coming here!" Rickelle said. "You never take a break from making me miserable, do you?!" Tracey asked. "No, because I like doing it!" Rickelle said. "Whoa! Calm down, girls! We don't need a cat-fight starting between you two!" Andrew said, putting his arms out between them. "Well, it seems that MECH isn't Tracey's only enemy," Ratchet said. "You got that right! Ever since I moved to Wessington Springs, she's been giving me a hard time fitting in!" Tracey said. "Well, you were fresh meat on the chopping block," Rickelle said. "At least I wasn't old, rotten meat like you." Tracey said. "That tears it!" Rickelle said, then tried to fight Tracey, but the latter dodged every attempt.

Optimus, Arcee, and Bumblebee returned to find Rickelle trying to hit Tracey, then Tracey noticed the three and grabbed Rickelle's arms in one hand, and used a belt to tie her legs, since she had the belt to use for a play she was in. "I wouldn't be caught fighting in front of Optimus Prime if I were you." Tracey said, then let the girl go after Rickelle saw Optimus walking toward them with Arcee and Bumblebee. "Tracey, what's going on?" Arcee asked. "Rickelle followed us here by sneaking into Bulkhead, then tried to pick a fight with me!" Tracey said. "Because you trash-talked to me!" Rickelle said. "You basically did too!" Andrew said. "Enough," Optimus said, and the three teenagers quit bantering. "Since we have another human child involved with this conflict and with one that is personal to Tracey, I advise that we keep a close watch the new human to see if she can handle this like Tracey and Andrew have." Ratchet said. "How can she handle this if I can't stand her?" Tracey asked, then stormed off with her bag and laptop down a corridor. Arcee sighed, then followed Tracey to see if she could clam her down, and Optimus looked at Bulkhead and said, "Bulkhead, you'll be responsible for Rickelle's actions and safety." "Got it." Bulkhead said. "So, I'm stuck with a huge secret and a transforming Jeep? What else do I get?" Rickelle asked. The computers beeped, and Ratchet checked what the scanners picked up. "We've detected a fresh Energon pulse, in the nation known as Greece. An ancient country. Quite historic, I believe." Ratchet said. "Ancient Greece, hm? Oh, field trip for our new human!" Bulkhead said. "A trip to Greece? Cool." Rickelle said.

 

New Friends Section 2

On the Decepticon ship as it was flying through a lightning storm, a red Decepticon walked into the bridge as Starscream was standing at the control panel, waiting for the new Decepticon. "It's about time, Knockout. I do not enjoy being kept waiting," Starscream said as lightning flashed in the clouds. "Ah, it was a long drive, Starscream. I’m still picking bugs out of my grille." Knockout said. "Yes, right, you’re one of those." Starscream muttered. "Come again?" Knockout asked. "Never understood why any self-respecting Decepticon would choose automobile as his vehicle mode when he could have flight." Starscream said, circling the red Decepticon. "I like the way I look in steel-belted radials." Knockout said, and Starscream led him down a corridor toward the sickbay. "I take it Lord Megatron requires elaboratory assist?" Knockout asked. "You might say that," Starscream said, then opened the sick bay to Megatron’s sick bed, showing Knockout the stasis-induced Decepticon leader, and all Knockout could say was, "Whoa!"

In Greece near an excavation site, Bulkhead arrived via Ground Bridge, and Rickelle hopped out, a little green from transporting through the Ground Bridge as Bulkhead transformed. "I don't get how you can travel through that!" Rickelle said, regaining some steadiness. "You'll get used to it, like how Andrew and Tracey did." Bulkhead said. "If you guys are at war, then why is Tracey in it? She hates when the word 'war' is even said." Rickelle said. "Tracey just stumbled into this by accident along with Andrew, and whatever reason that she doesn't like the word 'war' is her business," Bulkhead said, then pulled out a detector and started to scout for Energon, finding a strong pulse right away at the edge of the excavation site. "The signal's strong here, and it's at an excavation site." Bulkhead said. "I could tell from the construction vehicles, Captain Obvious." Rickelle said. "It seems that the humans hit a vein, and they don't even know it." Bulkhead said. Rickelle looked from the site to a fresco on a stone wall and said, "Hey look! A fresco of a Greek god with a golden sphere." Bulkhead looked, then his optics widened as he said, "That's no ordinary golden sphere." "What do you mean?" Rickelle asked, and Bulkhead replied, "That's Cybertronian!"

In the sickbay, Starscream was explaining the situation to Knockout saying, "Sadly, our inevitable Lord Megatron has been like this for some time. But the crew took a vote, and it was decided that an expert might put him on the road to recovery." Starscream said. "I've done plenty of body work, Starscream but I’m better at breaking them than fixing them. Would help if I had my assistant." Knockout said. "I summoned both of you. Where is he?" Starscream asked. "We were hot on a fresh Energon trail when you called. Breakdown will show when he’s through scouting it." Knockout said.

Back in Greece, Bulkhead was questioning the golden sphere in the fresco as he asked, "Why would Ancient Greeks paint an Energon Harvester on one of their frescos?" "You know what that sphere is? You seem smarter than I thought," Rickelle said, and she took a picture of the fresco on her cell phone. "But he's even dumber than he looks," a deep voice said, and both Bulkhead and Rickelle turned to see a Navy-Blue Decepticon in the area. "Breakdown," Bulkhead said, recognizing the Decepticon immediately. "Ha ha ha. Miss me?" Breakdown asked. "Like rust in my under carriage!" Bulkhead said. "You know this guy?" Rickelle asked. "We have a history like you and Tracey do," Bulkhead said to Rickelle. "And you have a pet! Hm hm. Does it play catch?" Breakdown asked, then grabbed a pillar and broke it off from the ground. "Catch!" Breakdown said, and threw the pillar at Rickelle. The girl didn't hesitate to run, then Bulkhead protected her and said, "Rickelle, stay down!" Breakdown tackled Bulkhead, making the two jump over Rickelle's hiding spot, then Breakdown threw Bulkhead into the fresco, destroying it. "Oops. Hope the pretty picture wasn't too important," Breakdown said, then transformed into an armored Jeep different than Bulkhead's mode and drove off. Rickelle ran up to Bulkhead as the Autobot said, "I'm good at breaking things when I don't have to break them." "Don't worry, dude, I took a picture of the fresco before Breakdown showed," Rickelle said, then showed Bulkhead the picture and said, "Got a picture of the picture."

Once they returned to the Autobot base, Rickelle showed the picture to the other Autobots, and Optimus said after observing the picture, "It is, indeed, an Energon Harvester, a powerful tool created by the Ancients to remove raw Energon from any source." "Greek gods knew Autobots?" Andrew asked. "No. The Ancients often used the art of a given era to conceal messages. This fresco was a sign post, indicating a Harvesters location." Optimus said. "Um, Optimus, if the Harvester can remove Energon from anything, and you all have Energon pumping inside your veins, wouldn't that make it a dangerous weapon in Decepticon hands?" Tracey asked. "It would, indeed, Tracey." Optimus said. "See? You're a genius for totaling that painting!" Rickelle said. "Rickelle's not wrong. How can the 'Cons find the Harvester without the fresco?" Arcee asked. "With high-speed internet," Tracey said, doing an image search, then said as she showed the group the results, "If you type in 'Greek God with Golden Sphere,' this pops up in an image search. It's in a museum." "That the real deal?" Arcee asked Optimus, and the Autobot leader replied, "Contact Agent Fowler."

 

New Friends Section 3

When the Autobots and the kids called Agent Fowler, they were only able to get his voicemail as it said, "You have reached Special Agent William Fowler. I'm currently on an intensive training retreat and unavailable until Tuesday." "I hate talking to machines." Ratchet said. "Tuesday's tomorrow, we can't wait 'til then if the Decepticons know about the Harvester." Andrew said. "Andrew is correct. Without Fowler's direct aid, we will have to confiscate the Harvester on our own." Optimus said. "Wait, confiscate? As in STEAL museum and public property?! No way! It's illegal!" Tracey said. "I do not wish to break human law, but once the Decepticons learn of the Harvester’s location, they will not hesitate to obtain it by any means necessary. We must act covertly." Optimus said. "I'm sorry, but that's not going to work. Museums are public and have security systems. You'll be caught on camera easily." Tracey said. "No problem, jean-jacket. The three of us can sneak in and get it since we're small enough and that we're not a government secret." Rickelle said. "Not me, thanks. Having you here already made a knot in my stomach, this is just making more, even if it's the best option right now." Tracey said. "Fine, be a goodie-two-shoes. In fact, you don't have to be here if you hate war." Rickelle said. "Tried leaving, didn't work." Tracey said sternly. "Rickelle, if Tracey doesn't want to do it, you should respect that." Bulkhead said. "Plus in order for this to work, you two will have to eventually learn how to work together. And the longer we debate, the more time we give the Decepticons." Optimus said, and everyone planned the heist. On the Decepticon ship, Soundwave found the Harvester on the internet as well as the museum it was in as Breakdown said, "Mm-hm. That's definitely it." "Then I'm afraid Megatron's well-being will have to wait. It's harvest time." Starscream said, and the Decepticons moved out.

After bridging to the museum's area, Optimus and the Autobots moved in and took place at different sides of the museum. "Autobots, confirm position." Optimus said. “Westward ho,” Arcee said. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred to confirm the East, and Bulkhead said, “Southside covered.” “Maintain your guard,” Optimus said to the team. At the base, Andrew managed to convince Tracey to at least keep the guards blind to what they were doing, and the kids were on a scissors-lift when Optimus said, "Tracey, Andrew, Rickelle, I will have a clear view of you. Once you secure the Harvester, I will contact Ratchet to bridge you back to base." Ratchet activated the Ground Bridge before telling the children, "Now since you'll bypass all point of normal entry, you won't need to worry about setting off the alarm, and Tracey will be sure to take care of any security guards and cameras as an extra measure." "All right," Rickelle said, and the kids moved into the museum with the lift. Once inside, Tracey hacked the cameras to see still images of the museum property, and gave the kids a thumbs up for hacking and got off the lift quietly as Optimus flashed his high-beams three times. Andrew nodded at the Autobot leader, then rolled the lift over to the statue with the Harvester and lifted him and Rickelle up to remove the device. Tracey moved through the museum and found only one security guard in the camera monitoring room, and barricaded the door with two heavy crates stacked on top of each other, using a fork lift to move them.

Outside, Knockout showed up in the area, catching Optimus's attention, and the Decepticon parked right next to the Autobot leader with a whistle and said, "Sweet rims, 24 gauge… You're real heavy duty, just like my friend here," then Breakdown showed and fired a missile at the museum. Optimus transformed and caught the missile, averting it from destroying the building, but the missile managed to crack the window. Optimus looked to see if the alarm went off, but it didn't, and Andrew and Rickelle looked at the Autobot leader. Optimus looked back to where Knockout was, but was shocked by the red Decepticon's Energon Prod and fell to the ground after the shocking temporarily stopped, and was shocked until unconsciousness took over. "It's the 'Cons! And they've got Optimus!" Andrew said, and he and Rickelle hurried to get the Harvester on the lift. Knockout flashed his high beams five times, and Breakdown moved in as Arcee and Bumblebee were driving toward the navy Decepticon. Breakdown shot at Bumblebee, forcing the Autobot to transform and roll a couple of times to avoid getting killed in car form, then Breakdown shot at Arcee, causing her to skid into Bumblebee and make the two collide. Bulkhead came from going over the museum, but Breakdown transformed and punched the green Autobot into Knockout, making the two Transformers break a pillar that broke through the glass, setting the alarm off and making the place shake.

Tracey was still outside the camera monitoring room when she felt the tremors, then piled plywood in front of the gaps that were visible so she wouldn't get spotted by the guard. The guard in the camera room was startled by the tremors and the alarm and looked at the camera's, finding Tracey's stills instead of what was going on, then tried to leave the room, but found the crates and plywood blocking the door. "We are so going to be busted!" Tracey whispered to herself, staying around the corner to stay out of sight in case if the guard was able to knock down the plywood. Knockout noticed Optimus regained consciousness and tried to shock the leader again, but Optimus elbowed the Decepticon to the ground. Andrew and Rickelle were able to get the the Harvester onto the lift, then lowered to the ground and rolled to Tracey's position. "Tracey! Bad news!" Andrew said. "The Decepticons are here and they set off the alarm? I get it! What's worse is the guard's trying to break out of the camera room right now." Tracey said. "Wow, you sure knew that in a snap." Rickelle said. "Let's just say it was my intuition that told me that." Tracey said, then the kids looked around the corner and past the crates to see someone approaching the exit. "Arcee!" Andrew said, and he and Rickelle started for the exit, but Tracey said, "Guys! Wait!" and ran after them as Soundwave lifted the door. The kids stopped when they saw the Decepticon and Tracey said, "It's Soundwave!"

 

New Friends Section 4

Soundwave sent a tentacle into the building to grab the Harvester, then once he had it, the Decepticon transformed and prepared to leave. The kids covered their faces to the currents Soundwave's take-off was making, then they ran outside after the currents died down and watched Soundwave leave. Optimus and the other Autobots saw this as well, then Knockout said, "That would be game," and he and Breakdown transformed and drove off. Tracey, Andrew, and Rickelle ran out to the Autobot group as Andrew shouted, "The 'Cons have the Harvester!" "And security's on it's way here!" Tracey shouted. "Ratchet, bridge us back," Optimus said, and a portal opened for the Autobot group and the children to leave through before authorities arrived.

"Glad to be back here where we can't commit crimes," Tracey said, and walked to the computers to try to establish contact with Fowler. "What is it with Tracey and doing nothing wrong?" Rickelle asked. "Why don't you ask her that?" Andrew asked. "Do you think she'd want to talk to me? I am a bully of hers that she would do anything just to avoid me." Rickelle said. "Are you scared of her?" Andrew asked. "No!" Rickelle snapped, turning a little red. "You are! That's why you're bullying her, aren't you?" Andrew asked. "Stay out of it, alright?" Rickelle said, and pushed past him to a quiet area. Bulkhead noticed Rickelle upset and walked over to her and asked, "Are you okay?" "I'm fine!" Rickelle snapped at him. "It doesn't sound like it is," Bulkhead said. "You're going to be in my business about it until I spill it, aren't you?" Rickelle asked. "That's the case," Bulkhead said. "All right, I'll admit it, I'm jealous of her. She's smarter than I am with certain things, gets better grades, and is able to be alone when she wants to be alone. I'm not smart, I get bad grades, and I always have someone in my face about how popular I am." Rickelle said. "Then why bully her?" Bulkhead asked. "Because I want to be like her." Rickelle said. "That's all I needed to know," a voice said, and the two looked to see Tracey had been eavesdropping on them. "What are you doing here?" Rickelle asked. "Listening to your problems. If you wanted to be like me, then why didn't you ask?" Tracey asked. "Because Kaylee was around and everyone knew about my rep with you." Rickelle said. "You were scared?" Tracey asked. "Yeah," Rickelle said, looking at the ground and holding one of her shoulders. "There's nothing to be afraid of. You could’ve had a councilor at school help you with this.” Tracey said. “Really?” Rickelle asked. “Yep. We’ll talk about this later after the current situation is done with.” Tracey said, and Rickelle smiled a little.

Optimus sent out Bumblebee and Arcee to different parts of the globe to look for the Decepticons as he said to all the Autobots, “In all likely hood, Starscream will use the Harvester to gather as much Energon as quickly as he can from the planets otherwise unminable Energon deposits. Approach with extreme caution. Starscream will not hesitate to turn the Harvester on anyone of us,” then looked at Bulkhead and said, “Bulkhead, it is best that you remain here so you can help Ratchet and watch over Rickelle’s actions.” “Yes sir,” Bulkhead said, and Optimus bridged himself out of the base. Rickelle and Tracey were by the computer trying to get through to Fowler, but his answering machine picked up again. “Still no answer!” Tracey said. “He’s probably vacationing more than being busy with training. And meanwhile, our situation with the Harvester is just as bad.” Bulkhead said. “How are we going to solve this? It’s not like we can put the Harvester back and hope the Decepticons won’t steal it again.” Andrew said. “We’ll solve the museum situation by returning a replica of the Harvester to them, which I’m working on constructing right now.” Ratchet said, grabbing a Frame Welder. “We’re already trespassers and thieves, let’s add forgery to the list now.” Tracey said. “This bites! The enemies have a powerful item and can get any Energon veins out in the open!” Rickelle said. “Wait, Rickelle, repeat what you just said,” Bulkhead said. “The enemies have a powerful item and can get any Energon vein out in the open?” Rickelle said. “Remember what we found in Greece other than that fresco?” Bulkhead asked, making Ratchet, Tracey, and Andrew confused. “An Energon vein. A strong one!” Rickelle said. “Now I remember; an Energon vein was detected earlier on the computers.” Andrew said. “Starscream’s not dumb. No matter what tool he has, he’s going to take the easy route!” Bulkhead said, then bridged himself to Greece where the fresco was found.

The Decepticons were at the Energon vein’s location in Greece as Starscream said, “Why move mountains now when we have a mother-load of Energon right here for the taking? Courtesy of this gift from Ancient Autobots.” “Uh, actually, Commander Starscream, but it was a gift from Breakdown and myself.” Knockout said. Starscream growled a little, then pointed the Harvester at them, scaring Knockout and Breakdown, then activated the Harvester. The Harvester’s beam flew past the frightened Decepticons, and hit an Eradicon, then started to drain it of its Energon. Knockout and Breakdown watched in awe to its power as Starscream grinned, then smiled evilly after the Eradicon collapsed to the ground dead. “All that Energon in such a tiny vessel!” Starscream said. “Th-Those Ancient Autobots never missed a trick, Lord Starscream.” Knockout said. Starscream pointed the Harvester at them again, making the Decepticons jump in fear then chuckled and started harvesting Energon with the Harvester.

 

New Friends Section 5

Bulkhead snuck around behind the three Decepticons, then tried to get to them without getting caught, but stepped on a Greek vase, making Breakdown and Knockout notice him. “Oh scrap!” Bulkhead muttered as he put his hand on his head. “Back for seconds?” Breakdown asked, and he and Knockout charged at Bulkhead in two directions. “Uh…” Bulkhead said, then when the Decepticons both tried to strike, the Autobot ducked, making Breakdown punch Knockout. When Knockout dropped his Energon Prod, Bulkhead grabbed it and shocked Breakdown with the weapon, downing the Decepticon for a brief moment. After that, Starscream shot the Harvester’s beam at Bulkhead and started to drain his Energon. “You’re a big one, this could take a while.” Starscream said as Bulkhead went to his knees then he got up and started to walk toward Starscream. “Wait! What are you doing?!” Starscream asked as he backed away. “Doing what I do best,” Bulkhead said, grabbing the Harvester, “Breaking things!” then punched Starscream in the face, giving the Decepticon the Transformer equivalent of a black eye, crushed the Energon Harvester in his hand, and threw it into the air where it exploded, then he collapsed to the ground.

“He’s a glutton for punishment,” Knockout said, both he and Breakdown ready to kill the Autobot, but Optimus, Arcee, and Bumblebee arrived, transformed, and started to shoot at the Decepticons. “Fight?” Breakdown asked. “Hm, drive,” Knockout said, and the two Decepticons transformed and drove off. Starscream tried to fight back, but was outnumbered and outgunned and fled. The Autobots checked Bulkhead to see if he was okay, and Bulkhead smiled and said tiredly, “Hey.”

The Autobots returned to base and were able to return the replica to the museum with Fowler’s help after he returned, and the Autobots returned to base with Fowler to tell him about Rickelle. “Young lady, you should’ve known better than to crawl into the back of a vehicle and traveling to an unknown place like you did yesterday.” Fowler told Rickelle. “I know, and I’m sorry, Mr. Fowler.” Rickelle said. “And who is going to cover for you about your activities to your parents?” Fowler asked. “Um....” Rickelle said, then Tracey spoke up, “I’ll cover for her, Fowler. It’s what a friend does,” and Rickelle smiled. “Very well. And I do hope someone is assigned to protect her, Prime,” Fowler said. “Bulkhead is her guardian, Agent Fowler, we have pointed that out when she first came.” Optimus said. “So we’ve vouched for her, Fowler, you got the truth about her.” Andrew said. “Just make sure this is kept under the radar from now on,” Fowler said, and left. “Friend, huh?” Rickelle asked. “Yep. Now let’s go to your house and tell your parents you were making up for being a bully to me.” Tracey said, and the two girls left in Bulkhead to do so.