Author's note: Here's chapter 2 finally. I find writing for the good guys (and keeping it short) is harder than the other stuff I've been doing. Anyway, I tried to get everything explained without going on and on, but this is supposed to read like a lost episode or something. Goodness knows there were plenty of wtf? moments in the old show. Next time is the last chapter and it'll really get silly then. One more thing, you may be well aware of this but just incase you aren't…. In the past, some TV stations went off the air at around midnight or 2AM or thereabouts. This was still happening in the 80's. Some of them might still do it, I don't know. The national anthem was played while some patriotic looking video was shown. Then it was a test pattern or color bars and that annoying continuous tone until the next morning. Okay, enough history. Enjoy, and thanks for reading.

The Unlikely Hero
By Quetzal

Chapter 2

The underground monitoring station wasn't the cheeriest of places. There were plenty of lights in the large passage to the surface and the main chamber was well lit at the lower portion but still dark at ceiling level. It was like a big tomb in some ways. Ironhide wasn't one to let his imagination get the better of him and he was much too busy to spare the processor function on such things. As he worked, he almost felt guilty about his enthusiasm. Almost.

xxx

Wheeljack had remembered his plans for an early warning system as they were removing the mess created by the fire suppression system. The inventor was constantly coming up with various ideas, some more inspired than others, but then immediate need of one gadget or another would temporarily supplant them. Sometimes it was months before he got back to it. He had mentioned it before and Prowl immediately recalled the proposal when it was brought up. Then the two of them (who were joined by the others as soon as they saw the potential) had ganged up on Optimus to get his approval to start work immediately.

The Autobot leader was hesitant. The system was a good idea, but he didn't want to use it as a means to shun Wingnut. Still, perhaps it would be best to get him away from the others and give them a chance to settle down. If he were integrated into the group gradually it might go better. This job could be just the thing for the mech. He was observant and didn't have a problem staying focused. If it were to boost his confidence it could make him less prone to the kinds of mistakes the others were complaining about. And in turn, if he demonstrated the ability to contribute in a meaningful way, the others would hopefully become more accepting of him.

The okay was given, but it was made very clear that although the new station would be manned primarily by Wingnut, they would occasionally relieve him and someone would check in, in person, at least twice daily.

xxx

With everyone pitching in, the installation went quickly. Wheeljack, Ratchet and Sparkplug had installed the control panel and the power source. Ironhide was dropping off the last of the odds and ends that might be required when one was going to spend a long stretches of time in one place. He placed the items to one side. Wingnut could figure out what he wanted to do with them tonight after he received his training. Personnel issues aside, it really was a great idea and he was surprised someone hadn't thought of it sooner. Their headquarters was now ringed with a collection of sensors. The perimeter was beyond Teletraan 1's range and now the computer could be freed up for other matters. There was also the benefit of early warning, provided it all went right.

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Ravage watched in silence, which was what he did best. The mechanoid cat was hidden on a high hill in the shadows of a dead tree and some scrubby plants that dotted the landscape. He was gradually working his way toward Autobot headquarters as part of routine spy mission when he encountered the enemy.

The one called Wheeljack was standing with one of the disgusting fleshies that assisted them. They had tools spread around and appeared to be performing maintenance on a rock. That made no sense. Ravage silently crept closer until he was able to make out the conversation and record it.

"That's the last one," Wheeljack said.

"This is a great idea," Sparkplug said. "But what's going to keep every little thing that passes through the sensor ring from tripping the alarm?"

"I thought of that. We don't want the thing going off whenever a bird flies by or a coyote or somethin' wanders too close, so I fine tuned them. They won't make a peep unless a 'bot or a large human breaks the beam."

"This will be great. The next time the Decepticons show up we'll be even more ready for them."

"I hope. First, it has to pass testing tonight. C'mon, lets go to the control center and see if we can bring it all on-line."

Ravage remained still as the pair packed up their equipment and then the Autobot transformed and sped away with the human. They did not go in a direction that would take them to the Ark. This control center must be in a different location. Once the engine noise was no longer discernable, he slunk down to investigate. What was so special about the rock? It took only seconds for him to locate the sensor. The shiny oval surface looked like some odd gem embedded in the stone. Interesting. Now to track the Autobot and find the control center. The cat leaped away from the rock and began to run. His sensors easily tracked the trail left by his enemy. Once his objective was located, he would advise Soundwave of his discovery. Megatron would be very pleased with them both.

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"You're right, this isn't that hard at all," Wingnut said happily. The initial project sounded difficult when it was first described to him and he'd been afraid it would be too much to handle.

He was flanked by Ratchet and Prowl. The rest of the Autobots were sneaking about and trying to cross the barrier without being detected, a few utilizing jet packs to go airborne. The three of them watched as the indicators for various sensors lit up. When the beam was broken, a red light labeled for that particular sensor came on and stayed on until a reset button was pushed, otherwise a green light was on. If the reset wasn't activated within a set time parameter, an audible alarm went off, which had its own reset. If one of the sensors was tripped, all the operator had to do was contact HQ with its location and someone would investigate immediately.

"I told you. Nothing to it," Ratchet said. "Are you ready to try it on your own?"

"I think so."

"Are you sure?" Prowl asked. He was glad to get the benefits of the new security device, but wasn't certain that they had the best candidate manning the controls.

"I have to start sometime, right?"

"Okay then. Wheeljack and I will be back out tomorrow and make any last adjustments." Ratchet said.

"Call if you need anything," Prowl added as they headed for the short tunnel to the surface.

"Okay," Wingnut said, and then he was all alone with a big responsibility. The mech sat down to look over the equipment. The long row of green lights glowed brightly, further reassuring him.

"I can do this," he said quietly. "I won't glitch it up." After his last big mistake with the fire suppression system, it was painfully obvious that the others were not happy with him at all. Apologizing didn't seem to help. During the entire cleanup (and it was a big one,) no one said much to him except for Prime and Bumblebee. And now he was out here. It didn't feel like punishment, exactly. It actually was a responsible position but he didn't miss the way everyone else appeared to perk up the closer the time came for him to take his place here in the control center. He'd show them! He'd be the best sentry ever. Nothing would get past his optics.

He peered around the room where he would be spending many cycles in the future. It was big, mostly empty, kind of dull and perhaps a bit…creepy. When he had a cycle off, he'd have to see about obtaining some items to make the place less boring. Ah well, he was here to do a job, he reminded himself. It wasn't supposed to be fun. Still though, the company of another mech or one of the humans would be nice.

Unbeknownst to him, he had company already. From the blackness of a ventilation duct, Ratbat watched every move that was made in the expanse below him.

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None of the Decepticons recalled seeing that particular mech before and Ratbat's position far above and to the back and side didn't aid identification. No matter. This unidentified Autobot could have the distinction of being the lone survivor, temporarily of course.

"Excellent," Megatron said, watching the image Ratbat was transmitting back to their headquarters.

Things were going wonderfully. Ravage had discovered the new Autobot perimeter alarm and the control center for it. During the simulated infiltration it had been easy to join a group of mechs and gain access to the area. Under cover of darkness and at a proper altitude Ratbat had swept across the border as a group of Autobots did likewise on the ground. Ravage snuck past undetected as well and found a hiding place away from the action. No one was any the wiser. Once his objective was located, Ratbat silently glided his way down the hall and up to ceiling height where he was able to locate a ventilation duct and secret himself away. The Autobots were so engrossed in their task they didn't notice him. Yes, all was as it should be but not everyone was happy.

"So what? The Autobots have a new toy," Starscream said. "Now that we know about it, why not attack them tonight? That lone 'bot will just think they're conducting more tests."

"No, it is too soon. They will still be on the alert. We must give them an opportunity to become more complacent and to find out what sort of routine they have at this new facility."

"That kind of hesitation is what causes defeat," the seeker challenged.

"And that kind of insubordination is what causes deactivation," Megatron said.

Starscream only gave him a sullen glare and said nothing more, for once deciding it was wiser to stay quiet.

"Patience. Ratbat and Ravage can stay in their positions for several cycles. That should be all the time we need to implement my plan."

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The monitoring station was much more homey with the addition of a radio and television. Eventually they would install a decoder and then it would be possible to get satellite broadcasts on the communications console but in the meantime he made do with a small TV set that couldn't receive many channels. Wingnut found the broadcasts very educational when it came to learning about his new home. Plus, and he didn't mention this to anyone, it made it a lot less creepy, especially at night. In a couple of cycles, work was due to begin on a security system for the facility itself. Really, the station was far enough away from the sensors that if one alerted him to an intruder, somebody from HQ would be on them so fast they would never have a chance to get close to him.

All the final adjustments were completed and he was now watching the large perimeter in earnest. When they added the finishing touches, the sensors were tripped multiple times prompting him to alert headquarters. In each instance he was informed that it was Wheeljack or Ratchet or whoever. It would have been nice if they'd told him in advance. When it happened at 3 AM he began to get annoyed. They were obviously testing him. Yes, they were machines and could go for days with no recharge or energon, but who went out to do maintenance on a far flung sensor at 3 AM? There was no other reason.

Ha! Wingnut thought. They would have to do better than that. Nothing was going to get past him. And nothing did. Eventually things settled into a regular pattern.

It wasn't a demanding job, but he was patient and didn't mind his own company. He received regular visits at least twice a day from the others, usually whoever was on patrol. Bumblebee and Spike came by regularly. He liked them. The little yellow mech was fun and usually thought of something interesting to do, and the human was always ready to answer his many questions gathered from long hours of radio. He was getting so used to his routine that he wasn't sure what he would do with himself when he was off duty for a couple of cycles.

The credits for his favorite late night show began to roll up the screen. Drat. Now the station would be going off the air until morning. He would have to find something else to watch or do. As he turned and rose from his chair, there was a loud clanging out in the hall and he saw a rock bounce past the doorway.

"Who's there?" Wingnut called. Silence.

He was suddenly very uneasy. That was dumb, though, he reminded himself. It was probably just one of the others playing a prank.

"Guys?" He called, quietly moving toward the door. His hand went to his side to rest upon the laser there. He didn't want to draw it yet. It had to be someone messing with him and if he were spotted with the weapon in hand, he would look like what the humans called a 'scaredy-cat.' The mech listened hard before entering the hall. A quiet, scuffling sound was heard and then… a pitable cry. A careful peek around the doorway revealed a small, dark shape at the top of the hall where it opened out onto the surface. It was an animal silhouetted against the night sky. In the darkness he couldn't see it well enough to discern what type, but it was hobbling about as though injured.

"Hey there," Wingnut said in a cautious but friendly tone. The animal didn't move so he began to edge toward it.

xxx

Initiating operations, Ravage transmitted to Soundwave.

Affirmative, came the reply that no one but the mechanoid cat heard. Soundwave would coordinate the entire strike. His cassettes were once again proving invaluable and Soundwave himself was chosen for his intense powers of concentration. During an operation so complicated and risky as this, it was important not to be distracted by anything…like a member of your team complaining non-stop.

"This is ridiculous," Starscream groused.

Here we go again, Thundercracker thought. Bad enough to lose what was supposed to be a cycle off, but now he had to spend it listening to this nonsense. The two of them were there to serve as backup should the plan go awry and although he wasn't pleased to be there, he had sense enough to keep his vocalizers quiet about it, especially around Soundwave. His wingmate, however, didn't seem to care.

"If I were in charge we would already be in possession of the Ark and the Autobots would be finished."

"Yeah, but you aren't so why not do the job and quit your complaining?"

"And I mean all of them. It makes no sense to leave a survivor." The Air Commander was appalled at the idea that they would leave the mech who was supposed to be manning the control center for the monitors alive. It was just more of Megatron's egotism at work.

"Hey it's not my job or yours either to question orders," Thundercracker replied. If word of this discussion got back to headquarters he wanted to be firmly on the correct side.

" 'We will leave the control center untouched,' " Starscream said, but in a deeper voice than his usual screech. He also began to strut around in an exaggerated manner. It was his Megatron impression that he pulled out whenever he was feeling especially frustrated. Thundercracker managed not to laugh and he was glad for the darkness that hid the fact that he could not keep a straight face. Sometimes ol' Screamer was so slagging funny.

" 'and humiliate our enemy by showing them how Decepticon wile can overcome any Autobot technology! Ha, ha haaaaaa--- ' "

"Silence!" Soundwave interrupted, the noise disturbing even his focus. Ravage had managed to lure the Autobot away from the bunker and things were about to become more involved.

xxx

Ratbat received word to stand by. He slid out of the ventilation duct and glided down toward the control panel with its long bank of green lights. Soon Rumble would be crossing the perimeter and it was his responsibility to reset the indicator before the alarm went off incase the Autobot was still close enough to hear it. He flapped his wings and awkwardly hovered, waiting.

In position, he informed shockwave.

Then he saw it: the seventh indicator from the right lit up a bright red as its green counterpart went out. He moved to the side and plopped down on the console before jabbing the reset button with his snout.

Alarm neutralized, he transmitted.

xxx

Rumble wasn't worried about encountering any resistance. He knew were he was going and overhead Laserbeak was escorting him. Once he got to his objective, the raptor would find Ravage and assist him if necessary while the rest of the plan was put into motion. It didn't take long to find the opening that sloped downward into the ground and the small mech didn't hesitate but kept running at full speed. There was only one big room so he didn't have to search. Ratbat was perched on the back of a chair near the console and gave Rumble a reproachful shriek as he charged into the room.

"What're ya squawkin' about? I got here as quick as I could," Rumble said. "Which one is it?"

Ratbat spread one wing until the tip was pointing at the correct light.

"Okay, this shouldn't be too hard." The mech found the latches that secured an access panel. With the panel out of his way he could see all the wiring for the internal workings. Everything was neatly labeled for ease of maintenance but it also made the Decepticon's job easier. He quickly snipped the wires that connected that sensor to the alarm... he hoped.

I cut the alarm wires. Try it out, he advised Soundwave.

Stand by. Soundwave replied as he walked past the invisible border, tripping the sensor.

Rumble saw the red light come on and immediately set about reversing the connection between it and its green counterpart while waiting to find out if the audible alarm was going to go off. It would have gone faster if he hadn't been throwing occasional cautious glances over his shoulder. The alarm didn't sound, and in less than a minute, he had finished his task. The green light was back on. That particular section of the perimeter was now an open door. They could cross back and forth there all day and no one in here would have a clue.

"Alright, let's get out of here," Rumble said as he placed the access panel back in its spot. Ratbat screeched in agreement and launched himself toward the door.

xxx

Ravage, Laserbeak, return.

Ravage was relieved to hear the command. Now all he had to do was escape this do-gooder with the subterfuge still in tact. Oh, but it would be so much fun to attack this idiot and teach him why it's best to mind your own business. No, no, that was out of the question. Besides, his escape route was nearby.

xxx

Injured though it may be, this animal was still pretty fast. It limped away, staying far enough ahead to prevent Wingnut from getting a good view of it. It was still whimpering and in obvious distress. The mech wanted to help. He hadn't been on Earth for long at all but he had quickly developed a fondness for the abundant animal life. After he got settled into his new job he was going to see about getting a dog. The animal stopped to watch him.

"C'mon, I'm you're friend. Maybe I can repair whatever it is that's hurting you," Wingnut pleaded.

Ravage answered him with a sort of yap that was hard for him to manage, given that he usually growled and snarled, before leaping upward and quickly disappearing amongst some rocks and scrub.

The Autobot was disappointed. He had already begun to entertain the possibility of keeping the injured animal as a pet. Geez, and after he'd followed it all this….uh oh. Wingnut turned and was slightly alarmed to discover that his post was far enough behind him that it was out of sight. Frag! He'd been so intent on helping the wounded animal he didn't realize how far he had strayed. He transformed and sprayed the hillside behind him with dirt and gravel as his tires dug into the ground at a great rate of speed. Oh would he be in serious trouble if he was discovered missing from his post without telling anyone. The mere idea was enough to make him go still faster. Soon the opening was in sight and he didn't slow until he was almost to the end of the tunnel. He transformed and slid sideways past the door and had to run back a few paces. Much to his great relief, nothing was amiss. All the indicators were green and there were no alarms.

He was safe this time, but no more fooling around. It was too late at night for a visitor, but what if Prowl or somebody had gotten here first? Or worse, what if something had tripped one of the sensors? The mech had not seen one of the enemy up close and in person, really, only on informational broadcasts or from a very far distance. That would be his luck. No one had seen any Decepticons for weeks but sure as his guard dropped one would show up.