This story takes place in the timeline that started with the Return of Wheeljack, and takes place after Wild Cards in the order.
MOON BASE ONE, 2002
Cliffjumper watched the screen for Decepticons that he could shoot out of the sky. Some day soon, he knew that Optimus Prime would be ready to attack Cybertron itself. He initially missed the small blinking light on his console informing of a message.
"You going to answer the phone, Cliff?" asked Jazz, looking over his shoulder.
"Oh, sorry, Jazz. I did not see it," responded Cliffjumper.
"Main screen, if you please," said Jazz.
Cliffjumper pressed a button and a view of the communications room of Metroplex appeared on the screen. He could see Ultra Magnus and the Protectobot leader Hot Spot in the frame.
"Moon Base One, do you read?" asked Ultra Magnus.
"Moon Base here, you're coming in loud and clear," answered Jazz, now standing where the communications camera had a better view of him.
"Jazz, is Optimus around?" asked Ultra Magnus. The city commander filled the screen, except for the part where Hot Spot was trying to stay in picture.
"Prime's at the factory. Is this important?" asked Jazz.
"Yes, we have bad news to report," said Magnus.
"Well, not what I want to hear. Cliff, why don't you mozie on over to the factory and find our fearless leader," suggested Jazz.
"You got it, Jazz," said Cliffjumper. He transformed into his mini-car mode and headed out of the nerve center to one of the Moon Base's two major underground factories.
Jazz watched him go. He knew it would take Cliffjumper a little time to carry this mission out. He turned to Magnus and Hot Spot on the monitor, "You guys taking care of things down there?"
"Well, we have divided our forces between the Ark and Metroplex. I've got the Aerialbots and Omega Supreme standing guard at the Ark with some other soldiers. You know we have been trying to build up Metroplex into a real Autobot City down here," said Magnus.
"Still getting everybody used to each other. Magnus' friends from the Cybertronian resistance have strange ways sometimes," said Hot Spot. The leader of the Protectobots was known as a moderating influence. Likely the former guerrillas and former Ark crew were having more trouble with each other than that.
"Just adding more tracks to the mix tape," said Jazz.
"I thought Tracks was with you on one of the Moon Bases," said Magnus.
"He's not. You'll have to be less literal, old friend," said Optimus Prime as he came in with Cliffjumper close behind.
"Optimus, it's good to see you. We have a problem down here at Metroplex. I will let Hot Spot explain," said Ultra Magnus.
"What is it, Hot Spot?" asked Optimus. He moved to the spot next to Jazz.
"It's the cog, Optimus. We still cannot figure out how to get it just right. First Aid says that it may take a facility with more technical expertise to fix, but we have not seen one of those since Cybertron was evacuated. We can't fix it right now," said Hot Spot.
"That's not good. We can't just leave Earth undefended against a Decepticon attack. Is there any other way?" asked Optimus. The Moon bases could not do the work if the Earth based Autobots could not.
"Didn't we used to have a magical fixer upper do hicky?" asked Jazz.
"Stuff it, Jazz. Where would we get a magic…" started Cliffjumper.
"The Forge of Solus Prime. Yes, it could do the job. It can only be used by a Prime. I would have to come to Earth, there's just one problem," said Optimus.
"Don't keep us waiting, Prime, spill it so we can send you with the hammer," said Jazz.
"No one knows where the hammer is, Jazz. Alpha Trion was the last robot to use it. He's gone now," said Optimus.
"Good chance it would be on Cybertron anyway. The Decepticons would be keen to keep that thing out of Prime's hands," said Hot Spot.
"You told me he did not do a particularly good job hiding the Key to Vector Sigma. If he left it in plain sight, then the Decepticons could have had it years ago," said Ultra Magnus.
"But Megatron did not exactly get interested in the key until he needed it. He may have overlooked the forge since it is of no use to him," suggested Optimus.
"Is there anyway to check?" asked Magnus.
"We could run an energon scan on the planet. With the core still recovering, it should be the biggest single energon emitter on the planet besides the Decepticons," said Optimus. "Cliffjumper, initiate a scan."
"Scan initiating in 3…2…1," said Cliffjumper as the network of satellites began scanning Cybertron and sending the data into the base computer. The screen next to the communications showed the results.
"Any luck?" asked Magnus.
"No, there are no aberrant blips," said Optimus. "That means there is only one way. Ultra Magnus, Hot Spot, we'll be back in touch with you."
Optimus ended the communication. He then turned to Cliffjumper. "Have Ratchet and Hoist meet me in the medical bay," he said.
"What are you going to do?" asked Jazz.
"Try to get some answers," said Optimus.
Ratchet and Hoist did not know what to expect when they were suddenly summoned to the medical bay of Moon Base 1. No combat, not even a covert mission was in session. There should be no wounded to deal with.
Optimus walked in and the door shut behind him. "I need to speak to Alpha Trion," he said in low tone to his two medics.
"How exactly do you expect to do that? The bot is dead, merged with Vector Sigma," said Ratchet skeptically.
"I will short myself to commune with the Matrix. I need the two of you to assist and make sure the process does not kill me," said Optimus.
"Besides the obvious suicidal nature of this action, is there not another way? I am sure this is important, but this important?" asked Ratchet.
"He's the only one who knows where the Forge of Solus Prime is," said Optimus. "The Forge is the only tool which will fix Metroplex's cog quickly."
"There's got to be another way, Prime. Would not Alpha Trion have left a record or something?" asked Ratchet. "Of course we would need an archivist to untangle the data."
"I think an archivist could be arranged," interjected Hoist.
"Still, even if you could find Alpha Trion's records- how do we even know that this forge exists?" asked Ratchet.
"Oh, it exists dear Ratchet," answered Hoist.
"You've seen it?" asked Ratchet.
"Yes, I think I have," said Hoist. "Optimus, Alpha Trion kept a number of records in storage asteroids orbiting Cybertron from a distance. If he made mention of the Forge, it would be there."
"That means space travel. The Decepticons will be monitoring any shuttle activity. Skyfire might get through. Jazz! Are you there?" Optimus turned to his communicator.
"Yes, Prime. What's shaking?" said the voice of Jazz.
"Have Skyfire meet me near runway niner. I may have a job for him," said Optimus.
"Will do," said Jazz.
"Hoist, you're with me. Ratchet, you're dismissed," said Optimus.