"Lord Starscream, the mission was a failure," the Vehicon Commander informed the heeled Deceptivon. "The Autobots raided the mine and retrieved the Energon before my pick-up arrived."

"Must I do everything myself?" Starscream growled, his wings rising. "I'm surrounded by fools!"

"It was not my intention to-"

"Just leave!"

As the Vehicon Commander left, Soundwave approached on silent pedes.

"Ah, Soundwave, what is it you need to tell me?"

"Tell," Soundwave played back in Starscream's voice. An image of a burning object crashing to Earth appeared on his featureless face.

"Can't you make it any clearer?"

The image vanished.

The Seeker vented heavily. "Do you have Laserbeak tracking it?"

Feed from the Mini-Con appeared on his face. It was a trail following a crater where the object had landed.

"Investigate and report, then," Starscream ordered. "Take the troopers with you. If it is an Autobot...well, you know what to do."

Soundwave turned away and left.

"Do you really think this is a good idea?" A massive Cybertronian paced the length of the ship, servos linked behind his back. "An unannounced visit doesn't cheer the big guy up at all."

"Quit worrying." A smaller Cybertronian steered the ship through a sea of asteroids. "We owe him and what be better than to return?"

"It would still be better is it was announced," the other muttered. "Can they even trace our signal so we can notify them?"

"No. There have been rumors of a group of Autobots that will attack if we are detected."

"Since when are you scared of Autobots?"

The driver growled. "I am not 'afraid', as you call it. I do not want damage to my ship."

"Your ship has been through hundreds of battles. A group of Autobots compared to it are nothing but a bunch of gnats."

The driver turned. His optics blazed in the dim light. "Exactly."

An alarm sounded and the ship rocked precariously. The massive one stumbled, using a chair for support though he still ended up on the floor.

"What's going on?!"

"We've entered this planet's atmosphere. Once we land, they should be able to detect us."

"Should?"

"You do not trust me?"

"For anyone you meet, it's better not to trust you than to do so."

"Touche."

"Optimus, there is something you should see."

The Prime approached as Ratchet brought up an image.

"This is as clear I can get it. Humans have horrible satellite imagery," the medic said with a scowl as the hazy image focused. "It seems to be a ship, but its affiliation is difficult to make out."

"We will investigate," the Prime replied. He faced the waiting Autobots-Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee. "Transform and roll out."