The shadow of a car reflected on the ocean below, going at such an incredible speed that one might be worried for the driver. Except this silver and blue Bugatti Veyron did not have a driver and if people knew what was really controlling the vehicle they would surely panic in sheer terror. The bot loved the freedom that the speed brought her as she rounded a mountain side in Hawaii in an attempt to A, locate energon and B, and check for any decepticon activity. It had been three years since anyone had heard anything from the enemy but still Optimus Prime was adamant that they were just biding their time and were preparing an all-out assault. The com link suddenly beeped through the car sounding a communication was about to begin.

: Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Titania. Rendezvous back at base prepare to Ground Bridge: Her father's voice rang through the car making Titania quickly take a turning up a derelict road so that no civilian would be able to see the ground bridge before she raced through the newly appeared green swirling opening. Once she drove up to the base centre she began to transform, seeing that she was the first bot back. Sounds of metal against metal sounded as she began to grow upwards and the metal of the car began to expand around her, it only took a second but once she was finished she was able to stand there in all her glory to await the return of her family.

Long black and red cables acted as a human hair equivalent, cascading down her back whilst the dark blue stripe that was on her car form covered the top half of her chassis and most of her legs. Her knees compromised of two wheels while her elbows held the other two tires from her alt mode which was a car with tires smaller than usual. Her secondary silver colour covered her arms, faceplate and lower legs. Black accents were also added to her servos and pedes which were formed into heels that would make Starscream jealous. A few seconds past before Bulkhead came skidding to a stop in front of her and transformed as she had.

"How was Canada?" She asked the mech with a small smile pulling at her dermas. Bulkhead frowned as he picked out some dirt from his grill before turning to her with a smile.

"Cold, how was Hawaii?" He enquired back making her smirk at him as she raised her arms above her helm.

"The most delicious heat I could possibly imagine." She chuckled as Bulk elbowed her side almost causing her to lose balance if she wasn't already used to his strength. She was 19ft tall so compared to his 26ft there was no surprise that she had to get used to him fast. A few more seconds passed before the ground bridge was opened again by Ratchet who only shook his head at Titania's antics. The roar of familiar engines let Titania know that it was Bumblebee who wasn't only the one closest to her age but was also the one she had grown closest to and would spar with the most. The yellow bot transformed at full speed and made an attempt to tackle the Femme which only ended badly as she, being smaller and swifter than Bee, jumped into the air and grabbed onto one of the supporting beams of the base.

"You still have a better reaction time." Bee beeped at her angrily as she swung back down from the beam after Ratchet almost blew a gasket yelling at her. She grinned to her friend once her pedes were firmly on the ground.

"What do you expect, I am the faster bot." She spoke innocently, Bee was about to yell something back at her when the Ground Bridge whirled to life again this time bringing the leader through the portal. Titania smiled up at her father with such pride and happiness, he walked up to her and placed a small kiss on her cable hair before turning to speak with Ratchet about getting Arcee back. A few minutes passed before the small femme came racing into the base in her alt mode, she quickly transformed and looked over to the ground bridge eagerly.

"Shall we go then?" It was a statement, not a question that she asked. A nod from Optimus made Ratchet open the ground bridge, a second nod to the team signalled for them to continue through the portal with all guns blazing. Titania retrieved her staff from between her back strut which served as both a laser weapon and a staff and began to run after the offensive team who jumped through the portal and landed pointing their weapons in front of them. Titania was in-between Bee and Bulkhead, her cerulean optics trying to locate any sign of Cliffjumper who she knew had called for backup. However, as she searched she couldn't detect anyone.

"An untapped energon deposit." Optimus mused as everyone put away their weapons. Titania came to a halt next to him as she looked down into the cavern below where shining blue crystals were spiking up from the ground.

"Or at least what is left of it." Bulkhead added after seeing most of the crystals smashed to pieces.

"The first decepticon activity in three years." Ratchet spoke. Titania knelt to the ground and smoothed her servo over some shattered piece of energon.

"I doubt it Ratch, this is probably the first time they've been caught," She informed the medic as she rose from the ground and let Bee gawk at the shining blue substance in her hand. "They must be getting desperate." Bee suddenly left her side in favour of following Arcee down into the ravine whilst the others slowly made their way down instead. Titania stayed at the top of the ravine to keep an eye out for any other 'Cons but even she could clearly see what Arcee had found. It was a horn, Cliffjumpers horn.

"Ratchet, can you track his position?" Optimus was sounding desperate as he looked from the horn Arcee found, to his chief medical doctor and then to his daughter who was standing there with her hair blowing in the wind and her eyes slowly losing any sign of hope.

"No," Ratchet broke the silence, "Cliffjumper's life signal just went offline." His voice was low as he spoke, looking up to Optimus and then to the smaller femme who clutched the horn close to her and closed her eyes. Titania couldn't bear to see Arcee in pain like this so she did the only thing she could think of and turn her back on the group before walking away from the ravine with her helm held low and her arms crossed over her chassis.

-.-

The return to base was silent mostly, after Ratchet closed the ground bridge and they all agreed to hold a funeral at sunset Arcee had turned to go to her berthroom, her hand never unclenching from the horn that she held. Bee watched sadly as she went, his door wings falling slightly and his helm went low. Titania walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry Bee, she'll be fine she just needs to be alone." Titania told him as she sent him a smile.

"It's been so long since we've lost anyone," The mech chirped and whirred. "The last time was the-." Bee stopped as he realised what he was saying before he turned to see Titania looking down the corridor with a void expression on her face, her hands clenching at her sides for a nanoklick before relaxing again. "I'm so sorry Tita, I didn't mean to bring it up." The bug jumped away from Titania, motioning wildly with his hands as he realised he was reopening old wounds.

"Don't worry about it Bee," She turned around from looking at the corridor so she was facing the exit to the base. "I'll be back by sun down." She informed the scout before transforming into her alt mode and speeding down the road to the outside. Bee was about to protest when Optimus came back around the corner, his eyes scouring the room for someone.

"Bumblebee, where is my daughter?" He asked his trusted scout who felt like he could pull his processor out. Titania always did this to him, ran off and leave him to explain everything to the Prime. Half the time he knew he was lying to Optimus, Titania didn't think anyone knew that she had stolen one of the portable Ground Bridge controler but he knew. He always knew.

"Urm, she went to get some air! Yeah, she needed to go for a drive around the desert." Bumblebee was not a good liar, if it wasn't his stammering that gave it away it was the way that he always seemed to start overheating. Optimus never questioned this though, only raised an optical ridge and nodded allowing the scout to run away from the situation.

Optimus never wanted to be an overbearing father but he knew that his daughter was probably the youngest Cybertronian left. He doubted that even if others survived they would not create sparklings in this time of war. It was only a few stellar cycles after Titania was created that her and Optimus became separated from her mother and the rest of her family. Now Titania was barely 5 Vorn old, equivalent to about 25 earth years old which made her still immature for a Cybertronian. All he wanted was the best possible situation for his daughter but as of late all she seemed to be focusing on was hiding away in herself or sparring with Bumblebee.

"Elita, if only you were here." Optimus prayed slightly, looking up to the roof of the base.

.-.

Titania didn't feel bad that she made Bumblebee cover for her every time she went out of base, the mech was her best friend and should always be there to stand up for her but then again having to answer to Optimus sent a shiver through her that caused her car mode to rev slightly. Each night she would sneak out to do the only thing that seemed right to do on this planet, this planet was not right for an alien civil war but what she thought it was absolutely perfect for was racing. She had never gotten the chance to race on Cybertron, the cities were labelled dangerous and any sort of organised activity was immediately shut down. Plus she was incredibly young and doubted her father would have let her take part in illegal racing. The first time she discovered this euphoric sport was when she was taking a silent night drive around the Base, she accidently stumbled upon a race taking place on one of the abandoned roads in Jackson and she just couldn't help herself. That was the first time she ever felt at home of this planet, when she was racing at speeds of 110 miles per hour and hearing the yells of the natives as she crossed the finish line in a spectacular wheel screech.

Tonight she was in Texas along a field of maze that she had frequented a few times before and was quite famous at. She drove up to the large group of other cars slowly, honking her horn as she got closer in order to signal her arrival. As soon as the large group of racers and spectators found out who it was they started erupting into loud cheers as they made way for her to park at the head of the group. Everyone stroked along her doors and bonnet in welcoming and it was at this time that she decided to start up her holoform.

The woman piloting the car was slim and tall with black hair reaching her waist and penetrating blue eyes. Pale skin was contrasted heavily by the dark blue midriff top and grey skinny jeans that she wore that had rips in the knees and along the thighs. Her phantom black heeled boots slowed the car to a halt while black fingerless gloves put the hand break on and pretended to switch the car off. Titania checked in the rear-view mirror to ensure her holoform looked appropriate before she stepped out of the car with a smile, her arms outstretched widely to the people in front of her.

"Who's up for a race then?" She screamed into the night causing an uproar amongst all of the racers who simply yelled along with her while others came to greet her and inspect her ride.

"Tia!" A loud voice caught her attention and she turned her head to see the male who she came to know as Alex who ran these little get together and ensured everyone stuck to the rules. Behind him were a group of other racers who she had seen and a few new faces. "The Queen of the Roads has returned," He mused as he came to stand next to her, hugging her with one arm before fist bumping with her. Titania came to realise this as an earth greeting whereas on cybertron it was a signal to a fight. "I heard you blew up New Orleans the other night, Tia." Alex turned to her with a smirk, blonde hair falling in his face slightly as some members of his crew began to set up for the first race which she would be participating it. Around them cars began to move in order to line up the course.

"Of course I did, not that there was much talent there," She replied with a small smirk before tapping on the blacked out windows of her car. "Besides no one can beat my girl." She started to laugh with Alex and the other group of racers who began to retaliate what she had said, she listened to a few of them and brushed them off before a new engine she had never heard before began to approach the race.

Titania turned her head to see a red Aston Martin pull up to the line of cars that were at the beginning of the line, he was three cars down from her but even with that distance she was able to see every detail of the design. The car was in pristine condition, it gleamed in the sun which was only outmatched by the gold rims and accents that were placed perfectly on the car. She would have openly admired the car and conversed with the owner if her trained Cybertronian eyes hadn't already spotted that the driver's seat was empty and heard the distinct hum of a spark. Her lips formed a snarl, she bared her teeth at the good for nothing decepticon, her blue eyes glowed for a few seconds which was followed by the flashing of the cars headlight. The con definitely knew she was a 'Bot, she was only waiting for him to transform but to her surprise that never happened.

"Hey," Alex snapped her out of her glare, causing the femme to jump slightly. "You know the Cherry?" He motioned to the Con with his head, Titania got up from her seat on the bonnet and walked around to the door.

"I'm going to get ready." She spoke quickly and slammed the door without even waiting for a response. She waited a few minutes until everyone had vacated the front of her before she let her holoform disappear and she opened up a short range com link that she was sure that the Con would pick up on.

:Now tell me, what is an Autobot doing at a human gathering?: The voice that came through the comlink was extremely high society, she guessed that back on Cybertron he was from a high caste or was raised in the posher parts of Cybertron.

:I could ask you the same thing Con: She spat back irritably. :If you dare attack any of these civilians or dare to transform I shall rip your spark from your body before you can say Iacon: She spoke defensively.

:My, my, you are a scrappy one: An amused chuckle sounded from the other end of the com which only aggravated Titania more. :I only arrived on planet a Solar cycle ago and have no interest in attacking Autobots when I could be beating humans at their own creation: He dismissed her as if she wasn't important and Titania didn't know whether to be happy that he wouldn't make a scene or angry that he dismissed her so easily.

:If you want to win you are going to have to beat me Red, I've been winning at this far more than you can imagine: She warned him through gritted teeth before revving her engine as the other racers got into their cars, she could still see the Con from three cars away and knew that as soon as the flag was lowered it would be a battle between them.

:We will see who is victorious young Femme,: He mused before adding as if an afterthought :What is your designation?:

Titania ignored him as Alex came to the centre of the road, standing directly between her and the car to her right. He held up a white square before pointing to each car, making sure they revved ready before moving to the next. It was only after the Con pestered her again that she even responded. :Wouldn't you like to know,: She hissed back before revving her engine. :And it is not 'young femme': She added before Alex fell to the ground signalling the start of the race.

Titania was the first to react, zooming forward and swerving around the human to ensure his safety before turning the first corner to come to a long straight road. That was not what she wanted, the others would be able to try their hardest to catch her on this type of road because there was no fear of accelerating on a bend. A shine of red caught her optics as the Con fought to keep neck and neck with her, damn was he trying hard and she could tell. If he had only been here for an earth day than it was doubtful his engine had got a proper work out yet which meant he wasn't too much of a threat.

The blue and silver car pulled forward effortlessly, the red car fell back in her dust path as she came to the end of the straight road and instead began to wind around the perfectly placed tractors and harvesters. Adjusting her rear-view mirror, she was surprised to see that the con was still in second place. Titania knew many other racers that could surpass him but she watched as every time they tried he would manoeuvre in front of him. She concluded that even if his speed wasn't up to scratch right now, his agility was still present. Titania increased her speed as she saw the finish line, crossing it first before the Con did and coming to a skidding halt a few feet further down. The sound of the humans cheering echoed through to her even from outside the car but right now she didn't care for their praise, she was still focused on the Con.

:Follow me: She commed him before starting off down the road again much to the bewilderment of Alex who just started to walk up to her car. A few klicks later and the Con was following her silently before she came to a spot in a secluded forest edge were the field met the woods. She would stop here after the races and stretch her limbs off as she knew it was far away from humans. Seeming to understand why she took him away from the humans the Con started to transform, Titania panicked slightly debating whether she should inform the base of her situation in case he resented her for beating him but as the con came to a stand she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Standing in front of her alt mode was a mech a few feet taller than Bee was with a pristine red finish and pale white face that contrasted his burning red eyes remarkably. His servos were clawed and ended with a point while his helm had three turrets on it and showed his pointy audio receptors. His tires were placed on his back and were attached to his strong built shoulders that were decorated with gold trimming much like his pedes were. She didn't realise she was unmoving before he smirked down at her slyly.

"Have I stunned a bot to silence?" He asked sarcastically before gesturing to her alt mode with a servo. "I showed you mine, now you show me yours." She would have rolled her optics if she was in her bi-pedal mode but instead only revved her engine at him before she too transformed. She kept her distance from the con, her optics forming a glare as her hand stood ready to grab her weapon. The con in front of her only raised an optical ridge at her before smirking at her.

"Well that's not what I expected." He spoke in a condescending tone making her scowl.

"What did you expect?" She asked him sarcastically.

"When you threatened me earlier I thought you might have actually been capable of seeing it through," He chuckled to himself, inspecting his claws nonchalantly. It was obvious he was trying to goad her but she wasn't going to take the bite anytime soon. "Care to tell me your designation now?" He asked her again with shining optics.

"Only if you tell me yours first." She replied quickly, still keeping her distance as the con began to move. She followed his footsteps, not realising that she was now standing with her back to the forest before it was too later.

"I am Knockout." He told her with a grin, awaiting the femme's reaction. She had heard of him before, he was the decepticon medic and as such wasn't truly experienced in hand-to-hand combat. She lowered her hand, relaxing more now that she was certain she could take him.

"I'm Titania." She told him after arguing with herself for a minute on whether or not she should. She thought there was no harm in it since they would probably be meeting each other on the battlefield soon and that was no place for introductions. A sly grin planted on his face after hearing the new piece of information, Titania only smirked at him in pride.

"Could it be that the Prime's daughter is rebelling?" He asked her as if the very idea was scandalous. "I mean, your young age would explain it." It was his turn to smirk as her face fell into and frown.

"My age does not equate into experience and I am not rebelling," She huffed angrily. Her arms crossing over her chassis as she changed which foot she was leaning on. "No one even knows I'm here so I can't be rebelling against orders."

"Oh really?" Knockout stepped closer after learning that no one was aware she was here. He smirked in her face and she lifted her arm to punch him, instantly regretting telling him what she did, he pulled back in time to avoid her wrath. "Don't worry Sweetspark, don't get flustered now." Titania had fought against the energon that had rose to her cheeks at the close proximity of a stranger.

"You aft." She spat which only made him smile at her.

"It seems that my entertainment while on earth will be captivated by these races," Knockout began as he walked away from Titania, his back turned to her as if he knew she wouldn't dare try anything. "I won't tell Lord Starscream about the Autobot I met, that is if you don't tell your Daddy about me." He grinned at her, propositioned her and as much as she wanted to call Optimus right now to rub that annoying smile off of his face she knew that she would never be able to race again if she did. She felt her stomach twist at the thought of making a deal with a Con and hiding the truth from her family but there was nothing she wanted more on this world than to race. Plus, she hated to admit, now that Knockout had arrived it would be much more interesting.

"He won't know a thing." She sighed. Knockout turned to her briefly with a wide grin before transforming and taking off through the field leaving Titania there to stare at the decepticon insignia on his boot and start to regret her decision.