Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, or make any money from this story.

I wrote this as a one-off for tf_speedwriting but it seems to have become a bigger story in my head. I always did think the Ark's cameras would have been bound to pick up something out of the ordinary at some stage!

Characters: Written as Prowl's journal

Rating: PG

Warnings: Spooky stuff, and will encroach on canon character deaths. A bit of M/M romance, mild sexual references and fluff, too, in later chapters.

~Paranormal Activity~

By Ayngel

Chapter 1

From the journal of Prowl, law enforcement officer and second in command, Autobot Earth Contingent, Earth Year 1984.

At precisely 3.47 am I came online, awakened by a most appalling sound, a kind of howling which I have to say chilled my circuits to the very core. Of course, my first thought was of Decepticons, so I armed myself adequately. Then I made my way immediately in the direction of the source of the sound which, rather surprisingly, turned out to be the minibot quarters.

But I need not have bothered with weapons. For soon it was reported that not a single breach of security had occurred, and there were no Decepticon signatures within the Ark or its proximal surroundings. The Autobots were, however, anxious to learn the reason for the screams, which I also now determined had come from Huffer.

The latter being a nervous mech, and given to both fanciful and negative thought processes, I had little doubt he had suffered an offline terror, or some such similar. I imagined also, that neither he nor his colleagues would take kindly to half the Ark converging and asking questions. I therefore informed Optimus Prime that I would deal with this matter myself, a course which he agreed was a wise one and in so doing, ordered all other Autobots return to their quarters.

I found the subject Huffer to be quite inconsolable. He clung to the end of his berth, resisting all Brawn's attempts to pry him free, and ignoring Cliffjumper's repeated angry reproaches that there were 'no fragging cons' - something about which necessitated a reminder that an officer was present. This effectively silenced Cliffjumper; however, his admonitions were replaced almost immediately by those of Gears, who – as one might imagine – was less than impressed by Huffer's behavior.

All the while, Huffer repeated the same words again and again: "There's something out there!"

It was obvious that the minibots would not be successful in progressing any interrogation, so I bid them stand back whilst I approached their stricken colleague.

"Look at me, Huffer!" I said. "That is an order."

Obviously the fear of consequences outweighed the terror of whatever it was, for he stopped his gibbering and looked at me. I had quite a surprise. For his face was drawn and strained, his optics deep chasms of blue terror. I have seen many fearful mechs in my time. War and death of necessity make deep fear an everyday encounter. Yet, I can honestly say that, in all the vorns rarely have I seen quite such a look as this.

I decided that pragmatic straightforwardness was for the best. "Whatis 'out there' Huffer?" I said. When he was silent, I reminded him of his duty as a member of this contingent to report all suspicions and findings, or face charges of withholding information. At which point, he opened his mouth and uttered in a shaky voice. "I think it's them."

"Who?" I enquired.

It took him a moment to answer, during which time I was conscious of the exasperated sighs of the other minibots, so much so that I had to bid them be quiet again or I would find means to charge the lot of them. Then I turned my attention back to Huffer.

"Who are they?"I asked.

It took him a moment to answer. "The other Bots," he said. "The ones you can't see."

At this point, the other minibots could contain themselves no longer, and groans sounded from their midst. "Not this again!" Cliffjumper burst out. "He thinks there's ghosts, you see. The ones who didn't make it through the crash. He thinks they're still hanging around the Ark, waiting to see whether we get back to Cybertron or the Cons slag us to a pulp."

I had to speak to Cliffjumper again about his language, for which this time Brawn apologized and Gears removed him from the room.

I knelt down next to Huffer again. "Is this the case?" I asked. He nodded, and now he would not look at me, and he was shaking. Brawn apologized again, but I motioned to him to be quiet.

"Now listen to me, Huffer!" I said. "There are no ghosts, and proving this will be a simple matter. We will examine all available footage of the Ark from Red Alert's cameras taken in the last twenty four hours. As you know, the cameras cover a very large spectrum and show things beyond our own range – even Mirage under electro disruption. If there is anything out of the ordinary, it will be dealt with in the usual manner."

Brawn appeared pleased by this, but Huffer stared at me again, and I was dismayed to see that the terrified look had intensified. I refused to be deterred, however. "Now come on," I said. "I know this will make you feel better. In fact I'll put in a call to Red Alert right now."

But before I could action this intention, his hand shot out and grabbed my arm, forcefully enough to cause a slight dint. Very slowly he spoke. "Believe me," he said. "You don't want to look at that footage."

I thought it best at that point that Huffer be transferred to the infirmary for a full defragmentation, which he is currently undergoing. This was a preferable course to considering a charge of assault, which I would have been duty bound to do, unappealing though this was. Considering his tendencies hitherto, defragmentation is, in any event, a procedure which should have been performed some time ago.

In the meantime I am informed by Red Alert that the footage is ready, and we will meet this morning when he will provide an overview of the contents. After that I can allay Huffer's fears and hopefully the minibot contingent can return to normal functioning.

(Postscript: LITTLE DID PROWL KNOW ...)