"Optimus, Decepticon activity has been located," Ratchet stated.
The enormous Autobot nodded. "The fact is known, old friend." He faced the waiting Autobots. "Autobots, roll out," he ordered.
Ratchet activated the Ground Bridge and they all changed into their alt-modes, driving away.
"Miko, if you go through that Ground Bridge, I will have Optimus ban you from base," Ratchet said in an ominous voice. The girl did not respond. Ratchet reached over and caught her as she began to run.
"Aw, no fair! Why did Jack get to go and not me?" Miko complained.
Ratchet narrowed his optics and he motioned to the couch, where the teenager was, fast asleep.
"That lying—" Miko muttered. "Put me down!"
Ratchet shook his helm, but did as demanded. "Miko," he said in a warning tone, as the girl made to make noise, "Do not disturb him."
Miko put her hands on her hips. "What difference does it make?"
The medic scowled. "It would not be taken too kindly, and I should know a thing about that."
The Autobots all came to a stop near a large cave. Its opening gaped like a massive black mouth. They all changed from alt-mode to robotic, switching their servos into guns and making their silent trek into the cave.
A few moments later, their auditory receptors picked up signs of battle.
"Proceed with caution," Optimus rumbled in his baritone voice. He motioned for them to continue on.
In their range of sight, they saw the remaining Vehicons firing at an unseen target. Half of them went down as a blur passed them. The others were shot at, quickly off-lining.
"Looks like someone's taking care of them for us," Bulkhead said.
Suddenly shouting came from deeper into the cave.
"No, please!" It was an unrecognizable voice. "I—I'll tell you whatever you want to know!"
The Autobots made their way to the voices, Optimus leading with his massive blaster raised. Arcee, Smokescreen, and Bulkhead were shocked by what they saw.
An immensely tall Cybertronian was advancing on a Vehicon cowered against a wall. He had a huge sword in one servo, and it was raised and aimed at the Vehicon. His body was mainly black, save for the white and red stripes highlighted his arms, legs, and back. Spikes curved from his shoulders. His face wasn't visible.
"Who is that?" Arcee whispered.
"I have no idea," Bulkhead responded, "Optimus, do you know?"
Their leader's voice came from the shadows. "He is not identifiable."
"Should we help him?" Smokescreen asked as the young Vehicon began to fight back. Optimus did not answer, but by his silence the team took it as a denial. They continued to observe.
The Decepticon was fighting fiercely now, his blaster giving off shots that seemed deadlier than the normal Vehicon one. He fired at the unknown Cybertronian—it was unclear if he was ally or enemy—but he blocked it with his immense sword. Bulkhead shifted, making the rock around him groan. The unrecognizable Cybertronian turned—
—and everyone but their leader gasped in shock.
The Cybertronian's eyes were black, with a red line between them, similar to cat-like pupils. They were piercing and dark, and Arcee knew at that moment that he knew they were there.
The Vehicon took the moment as one to try to escape, as the warrior's back was to him. The tall Cybertronian fired over his shoulder panel, and it took the Decepticon down. Then he turned to them, his black optics piercing.
"Soldier, what is your name?" Optimus questioned.
The Cybertronian said nothing.
"Optimus Prime just asked you a question," Bulkhead said.
There was still no response.
Optimus came closer to him. The black optics narrowed to dangerous slits, and the grip on the enormous sword tightened.
"We mean you no harm," the Prime said. "We merely wish to know where you have come from."
No answer.
Arcee stepped forward. "Are your auditory receptors broken? The only remaining Prime has asked where you've come from and who you are."
The Cybertronian's gaze went to her, burning like black fire. But then he turned the servo that was facing them in a way that seemed painful—no harming of his physical status was shown—and Arcee saw that he had no ranking mark.
Optimus did as well. "We are Autobots, and we wish to obtain more knowledge of your background."
Again, the warrior twisted his servo in that unsettling way. The Elite Guard sign was there, branded precariously in a spot that should have worn the symbol away.
"You were an Elite Guard?" Smokescreen moved closer to the warrior. "How come I don't recognize you?"
The warrior remained silent as he stuck his sword in the rock with a ground-shaking thud. Arcee peered at the Cybertronian. He's certainly stronger than he looks, she thought.
"We can't let you into our base if you don't tell us where you've come from and who you are," Bulkhead reminded the warrior. The soldier stared at the Wrecker, the red in his optics glowing as he rose from his crouch. He advanced on Bulkhead, menace in his stride. Smokescreen stood in front of the Wrecker, seeming shorter than normal compared to the massive height of the newcomer.
"Calm down, buddy," Smokescreen said. "He didn't mean anything by what he said."
The Cybertronian stopped, his optics blazing frighteningly. He raised a servo, and everyone except Optimus tensed. But then he pointed to his throat, shaking his helm.
"He can't speak?" Bulkhead asked.
Arcee shook her head. "He could have taken a Vow of Silence."
The warrior stared darkly, not showing if the guess was correct or not. Optimus held the unwavering gaze.
The Prime said, "Do you wish to fight the Autobot cause with us?"
The Cybertronian blinked in response.
"I will only ask this of you in return," Optimus continued. "If you wish to seek refuge with us as an alternative of roaming the galaxy, I require your name."
The Autobot said nothing, but they noticed the tensing of his body. He turned his back to them, and it was silent and still in the cave until he turned and yanked his sword from the ground.
He aimed it with deadly accuracy at Arcee, who, caught off guard, stared in surprise. Bulkhead took out his signature battle mace, raising it to hit.
In response, the Autobot's lips curved into a scowl, and they saw that his teeth were pointed like fangs— horrifyingly similar to Megatron's. He looked extremely dangerous, and he raised his weapon higher.
"Arcee, Bulkhead, stand down," Optimus said suddenly.
"What—? Optimus, with all due respect, he made to attack us," Bulkhead said.
Optimus nodded. "I recognize the fact." He faced the Autobot.
"Swiftlock, lower your weapon," he ordered. Swiftlock let out a deep growl more terrifying than Predaking's, but he lowered the sword.
Bulkhead was surprised. "Optimus, this can't be Swiftlock. He was killed centuries ago by rogue Predacons."
Optimus turned his glowing blue optics on the Wrecker. "This is Swiftlock." He provided no more evidence.
Arcee stared in shock. She had heard legends about Swiftlock, but had never seen him. He was a ninja, his silence being his most defining characteristic, and was lethal to both Autobots and Decepticons. He was known for his deadly accuracy in aim, his strength, his—
"Ratchet, prepare a Ground Bridge." Optimus's voice tore her from her thoughts. A few moments later, the green portal appeared. As they entered, Arcee felt a gaze on her. She turned. It was Swiftlock, his towering figure a shadow in the light of the portal. Arcee tried to shake off the feeling that he would off-line her with his sword as they entered into base.