I was thinking of the story I wrote last week, The Cost of War, and thought it would be nice to do something a bit more pleasant on the subject of Cybertron. This is chapter one of the result. I will have the next chapter of The Key posted in the next couple of days. I hope you enjoy it. Gregg.

Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Optimus were in the control room with Ratchet. The group had been somewhat somber for a few months since the images of Cybertron that Arcee had downloaded and shared had been viewed. It didn't keep them from enjoying their human friends, and doing their jobs, but it was difficult.

"So what's the bid announcement?" Bulkhead asked, looking at Ratchet.

Ratchet looked at his colleagues, and friends. "I don't think I have to guess at what our mood has been since we saw what was left of Cybertron," he said in preamble.

Arcee shivered, having been there with Jack so she knew firsthand. "I'm still trying to get beyond having been there and seeing it like that," she told them aloud, not mentioning the difficulties that Jack was also having occasionally, despite their very helpful conversation that one night a few months before.

"We all are trying to accept what has become of Cybertron," Optimus said solemnly.

"I think we are all agreed that Cybertron is lost to us," Ratchet continued, noting the nods of agreement among everyone. "Because of that, I have been working on a project. Nurse Darby mentioned something called a scrapbook, a book of memories so to speak. I decided to use our technology to produce a holographic scrapbook of sorts. The result is a holographic program that allows us to immerse ourselves on Cybertron at any time within the last ten thousand years. Just program in the dating, and the holographic imaging room becomes Cybertron of that input time. No war, no destruction. Just Cybertron. You are able to move about and go anywhere on the planet, as well as request interactive persons."

"I remember holorooms like that before I became a Prime," Optimus mused. "They were quite effective. Excellent work, Ratchet."

"Who gets to try this first?" Bulkhead asked, eager to try it. He could imagine Miko wanting to join him and he was more than happy to bring her along.

"I think that since Arcee was actually on Cybertron and saw it firsthand, she should have the first opportunity to utilize the holoroom," Optimus decreed.

"I want Jack to come with me," Arcee told them. "He was there, too, and I think he would appreciate it."

"An excellent idea, Arcee," Optimus told her. He also decided that he would speak with Jack soon. In the aftermath of everything there really hadn't been the time, and no one had been much for talking about such a somber topic.

"I'll be back soon," Arcee said and then transformed, rolling out through the exit corridor.

Twenty minutes later she had arrived at Jack's home and rolled to a stop in the garage, her holographic Sadie disappearing once the garage door closed. She transformed and before she had a chance to contact Jack via his cell phone, June Darby came into the garage, holding a garbage bag.

"Hi, Arcee," June said with a smile. Jack had let her in on some of what had been bothering him and the Autobots, and as she genuinely liked Arcee, she tried to be as polite as she could be. "How are you today?"

"Actually, something at the Base has made me feel much better, but I was hoping to share it with Jack," Arcee replied. "Do you mind if I take him with me for the rest of the day?"

"Actually getting out and doing something will be just what he needs," June smiled. She knew the bond between her son and this alien robot was deep, and keeping them from each other was not a good idea. Her sanity could only take so much of a moping teenage boy around the house. "Anything interesting?"

"I'd like to show Jack, first, but I will tell you about it afterwards," Arcee compromised, knowing that June was naturally curious.

"Fair enough," June laughed in amusement. Arcee was like a teenager, too, sometimes. She leaned her head in the door to the house. "Jack? Arcee is here!" she called out to her son. She turned back to Arcee. "Just call if he ends up staying at the base tonight," she told her.

"Will do," Arcee agreed. "Thanks, June."

"Hey, Arcee," Jack said, a wide smile on his face. He was always happy to see his best friend. "What's up?"

"I've got something to show you at the Base," Arcee told him.

"Have fun, Jack," June said, as she went back into the house.

"Thanks, Mom," Jack said as he got his helmet and climbed on when Arcee transformed. "So what's going on at the Base"

"It's a surprise," Arcee told him and then took off, speeding a little bit, but knowing the local cops wouldn't mind, and Jack would love it.

A/N: There's the setup. There will be four chapters in all. I wanted to get this one out there while I am working on a few different items. The Cost of War was a story I feel really good about, but wanted to also do a companion piece in order to get the mood for them a bit more upbeat. I hope this story accomplishes that. Gregg.