Somewhere in this large Universe is what many would consider a shining blue jewel

Somewhere in this large Universe is what many would consider a shining blue jewel. Unfortunately, all those that would consider it that, also live on it. They totally unaware of its place in the universe, or even that life exists beyond the horizons of its atmosphere. But who can blame the population of this world; its inhabitants are still recovering from the worst war they have ever seen. Very few members of its population have time for such flights of fancy as life on other planets, let alone contemplate them ever coming here. That will soon change...

It is Fourteen days into the sixth month of the Nineteenth hundred and Forty-Seventh year, according to the calendars. The stars are shining brightly above a small farm; somewhere in the region know as New Mexico. It is the night that will change the world, as high above several objects penetrate the atmosphere, crashing down into different locations. But only one of these would gain any attention.

--

Shooting down from the sky, a large circular ship crashes into a small farm, just outside of the city known as Roswell. Tearing up the landscape before coming to a stop. Inside the small crew starts to recover. "The person that set that bomb, had best wish he didn't survive the explosion; because if I even find him, I will make his death as painful as possible!" Roars the angry voice of Thunderwing as pushes his way from out of the debris.

"Revenge will have to wait..." A second deep voice states, screen starting to flicker on. The crash has taken its toll on all of us. And with our injuries, we won't lat long in this planet's atmosphere. If we can't find away to repair ourselves, were not going to last 10 cycles." Database says as he begins analyzing and scanning for working systems on what's left of the ship they are on.

"What about the biosuits? I don't seem to be as badly damaged at the rest of you, but the suit looks like it just crawled from the pit." Bludgeon says as he looks around, the gray matter of the suit hanging from his body.

Database walks over to Bludgeon and scans the remains. "It just might work... I just hope their are enough of them for all of us... looking over the data, it seems like much of remaining ship broke up as it hit this world's atmosphere. If were lucky, we might be able to track down the other pieces while in disguise and repair ourselves as neither the labs or medbay are in our section."

"Looks like your suits will be getting a real field test, Database." Bludgeon says as he removes the biosuit, it returning to the original gray humanoid shape, and tosses it on to the floor.

"Database's work has never failed us before, Bludgeon." Thunderwing replies as he breaks open the storage under the stage with a powerful sonic blast. "Thank Primus, that we had planned to show off the different abilities of the suits as well as your prototype to allow them to transform as we do." Thunderwing says and takes out a suit that looks like an armored version of the regular ones and activates it.

"Its more of luck, as we only have five or six suits, just enough for all of us." Database replies, only for his optics to brighten suddenly as he realizes something. "Slag! Where's Modem and Icewind? I don't remember if they returned in time or not, and they haven't said anything if they have." He says starting to sound worried as he starts to scan for life signs, hoping the pair made it.

"You certainly seem concerned that your girlfriend made it, Database." Bludgeon laughs watching the black robot search for the others.

"For Primus' sake... Were crashed on an unknown planet, injured, and barely have the parts to repair ourselves. The bigger the crew is, the better chance of survival we have, until we can be picked up. Not all of us made it through as easily as you did." Database replies and he pushes away some fallen debris and finds Modem and Icewind in a state of stasis lock. "Hurry up with those Extra suits! I found them, but I'm not sure how long they'll last!"

Thunderwing comes over quickly with a pair of biosuits. "I'm not going to lose any more crew because of this explosion. If I ever find who caused it, I will rip his spark core out of his body with my bare hands." He says angrily as he places the suits on the pair, watching as they take to the forms of their wearers.

"All I know is that it was some sort of jet, he was transformed when I delayed him so they could escape. Modem will probably have more knowledge on him, if her memory wasn't effected by the crash." Database replies, having turned to some controls. "Finally found what seems to be this planet's native life forms. Rather ugly, small pinkish creatures."

"It doesn't matter what they look like, as long as we blend in." Thunderwing replies.

Database grabs another suit, as it covers him. "Transferring scan data now." He reports as the five Decepticons begin to shift and shrink down into human forms. "We better be getting out of her, as it seems our crash has attracted attention. If we wish to bend in, it would be best if they didn't find us." Database says and takes Modem in his arms to carry. "Bludgeon, you get Icewind."

"Yeah yeah, as long as you got your girlfriend your fine." Bludgeon replies as he picks up Icewind and slings him over his shoulder, following Database and Thunderwing out of the ship under the cover of night as several large vehicles drive up.

"This would be quicker if we had a bit of transportation." Database mentions and a faint laser beam quickly scans a military half-track that drives up. Before ducking behind some bushes. Making sure no one his looking he quickly shifts from his human form to his robot mode and transforms, placing modem in the back. "Climb in quickly, and I'll get us away from here." As the group gets in he takes off as quickly as he can without being noticed, heading towards the nearest large population, hoping that they have the technology to do some makeshift repairs until they can find other parts of the Black Shadow that has crashed.

--

As the Decepticons make their escape, a small group of jeeps and half-tracks from the Roswell Army Air Force base make their way up to the farm. A pair of officers as well as a man dressed in black suit looks over the crash as several crew enter it to explore around.

"It's much larger then we expected it to be, Mr. Forsythe." One of the officers mentions as he walks close to the crashed ship that dwarfs the humans.

"Size isn't an issue for me." The man in black replies. "The fact that it is here is enough to validate the existence of my bureau. While those in control are worried about the threats from this world, few knew about threats from other worlds thinking that their existence are mere flights of fancy. But as you gentleman can clearly see, there truly are more things on heaven and earth then can be dreamt of by their philosophies."

"Mr. Forsythe!" a solider calls out, attracting the man in black's attention. "We found something that you have to see!"

Mr. Forsythe chuckles softly "Have you now?" His interest piqued as he makes his way over to join them, entering the ship and pushing away a few cables that hand down in his way. The solider leads him over to what looks like the dead body of a gray humanoid. "My my, this night is just getting better. But this vessel seems rather large for this creature. Maybe multiple races are working together... Just more reason to learn what we can from this wreck."

"This find will truly revolutionize the world!" Another Solider exclaims.

"No, it won't. The world at large isn't ready for this kind of knowledge. We have just come out of a second world war; the governments of the world are all still recovering. This kind of knowledge is extremely dangerous, mass panics or even attempts by Russia to try and gain this technology might lead us into a third world war, maybe even an interplanetary one. Were not ready for that, and maybe never will be. This will all need to be kept under wraps to the populous at large. Now lets get this thing back to the institute so that it can be studied." Mr. Forsythe says as he exits the ship. "And if anyone leaks this to the public, I will have them tracked down... and shot. Make sure all your friends know that."

--

Database and the others arrive in a dark parking lot on the outskirts of town, as the others exit he transformers back to his robot mode and reactivated his biosuit. "I think we are safe now for those creatures. Maybe now I can try to help Modem and Icewind. Someone probably needs to get some Intel on this planet."

"I think I will do that, Database." Thunderwing speaks up. "Bludgeon can stay here and help you. Maybe he has something in those weapon caches of his that can be of use to you. I find myself intrigued by this little mud ball..."

"I don't see what this place has to offer. Best to just get off of it as soon as we can." Bludgeon grumbles

"Until we either find the other parts of the Black Shadow, or are able to... commander a space worthy vessel from this planet; we're going to be stuck here for awhile. So we might as well make the best of it." Database speaks up from where he kneels over Modem, focusing on her first. "And if you would stop grumbling and actually help out, thing MIGHT just go a little faster here..."

As Bludgeon goes over to help Database, Thunderwing, makes his way further into town, raining pouring down at the sound of Thunder cracks in the darkened night sky; the sound pleasing the Decepticon warlord, reminding him of past victories. "Well, there is at least one good thing on this world..." He thinks to himself as he continues to walk, recording all he sees for future use.

His train of thought is interrupted suddenly by an explosion. Quickly turning to look at the source, he see a small band of masked men scurrying away from a strange structure with large symbols on it B - A - N - K. The language and writing of this world still foreign to him.

The men climb into a truck and takes off. Te rain and smoke from the explosion obscuring their view, as they head straight towards Thunderwing. The truck hits, impacting harshly and sends the men in the truck's bed flying. Thunderwing just sneers as he pushes the truck away.

The men slowly recover and look up in fright at the odd human; he remains undamaged, while their truck is completely total. "Jeeze, man! This is ruining our plans! The cops will be here any minute!" a scrawny man says as he struggles to his feet.

"I will not let some stupid git stop me." The man who seems to be the leader of the bad says and pulls a gun on Thunderwing. "Make him pay boys!" He yells and begins to open fire on him, his anger blinding him to the though that it might not go well.

The bullets do little to damage the biosuit, but serve to make the warlord angrier. "I had though of sparing you peons." He says, the biosuit translating it after hearing enough of their language. "But I will no tolerate insects attacking me!" He says and thrusts his arm out and a powerful wave of sound strikes the crooks in front of him with a mighty THOOM. He picks up the ruined truck and tosses it back at the crooks behind him, who barely duck out of the way before it hits a building and explodes.

The scrawny one gets to his feet and tries to escape, but luck isn't with him as Thunderwing spots him and takes after with gliding across the ground and grasping the coward by his collar and flying into the sky. "I am not one to be trifled with! You wanted to pick a fight, and now you have it! So stay and enjoy the show!" He says and tosses the poor crook down into the pavement watching him skid across it roughly with a dark chuckle.

The fire of the exploding vehicle soon frosts over as second individual joins the fray. "I know you're the leader, but I thought we were supposed to remain hidden." Says the cold voice of Icewind. The rain freezing around him as it touches his skin. "But who am I to stop your fun." He says and touches the ground with a bare hand, the wet pavement flash freezing and trapping the crooks where they are. "Now they have no choice but to stay and watch." He says with a slight grin, watching the criminals start to turn blue from the sheer cold.

Fearing for their lives a couple of the criminals turn to Icewind, hoping he will be more vulnerable then their leader. The shoots just chip at the ice armor that is forming around him. Thunderwing flies down and grabs the guns. "Is this really the best you have?" He says and crushes him in his hand and tosses them to ground. "This planet truly is primitive..." He says with another dark chuckle and looks to Icewind. "I shouldn't keep all the fun to myself. I think I should let you finish this..."

Before Icewind has the chance, the sounds of sirens fill the air, a pair of cop cars tries to stop but slide across the newly formed ice. A wall of ice rises up to stop them; right before the go sailing through the glass front on a flower shop. Icewind looks to Thunderwing. "These guys as well?"

Thunderwing looks to the police cars curiously, with their sirens blaring. "No... These little punk mentioned wanting to get away from a bunch known as 'the cops'. If these are those same people, I wish to know why they are feared, when I wasn't. It seems you might not get to have your fun tonight..." He responds and motions Icewind to stand down.

The cops slowly got out of the car, definitely unnerved by the unnatural ice that had developed in the heat of the summer night. They take it slow are the approach the group, trying not to slip up. On the sidewalks, a group of people have gathered hearing a commotion, and had grown curious to what all the noise was, on in particular is carrying a camera.

"Now what have we hear?" One of the cops asks.

"Seems these guys robed the bank and ran, maybe they ended up having an argument over their share." Another responds

"Doesn't explain the ice" A third responds, as he just barely avoids tripping.

"Only the guys laying on the ground are the robbers." A young college aged man with the camera says speaking up, and walking over. "I was in the bank when they robbed it and blew the vault. Your going to need to phone in an ambulance, there are several injured. I was lucky and the desk I ducked behind took most the blast for me. I followed them out, hoping to get some pictures of them for the paper and future reference in capturing them."

The second cop looks the man with the camera. "Your Kent Parkers, aren't you? The star reporter for the Roswell Daily Record?"

Kent chuckles softly as he adjusts his glasses. "I didn't think I was that famous."

"What were you doing at the bank this time of night with a camera?"

"I was making a deposit, and I always keep my camera with me; never know when a story will break, like these guys here!" He says rather excitedly "These other two, they stopped the criminals. I was just coming out of the back when the bigger guy starts to just tear into them; he has these strange abilities, so does the skinny one. He came later and froze everything stopping the criminals in their tracks, and also stopped you guys from smashing into the florists." The two Decepticons listen curiously, stating to wonder if they shouldn't just eliminate them now to keep their secret, but a quick glance around, Thunderwing realize they'd have to take out half the city at least, which would definitely give them away. No, this was gonna take more patience then he was used to.

"I think you've been reading to many of those funny books." The first cop scoffs.

"Yeah, well I believe him, how else do you explain frozen roads in 70 degree weather?" The third cop replies. "Whatever is going on here, its not natural."

"These guys do have powers! And they are heroes!" Kent explains, as Thunderwing looks curiously to the boy. Heroes? That's not a word that gets applied to Decepticons often. But this could be a good thing. "They are the only reason, they haven't escaped."

"Yeah, yeah. But what about the money?" The first cop asks, still seeming skeptical, regardless of proof.

"I am afraid it must have been in the Truck." Thunderwing speaks up. "I was not aware they had taken anything. I am sorry for acting so... hastily... I do not seem to know my own strength..."

"The paper work on this is going to take weeks." The cop complains.

"Uh, sir, do you think I can get a photo of you and your partner for the paper? So the whole town will know about this wonderful deed of yours?" Kent asks as he looks to Thunderwing and Icewind.

Icewind looks like he is about to object, but Thunderwing speaks up first. "Sure, There are a few others in our group not with us if you want to meet them as well." Thunderwing says with as friendly of a grin as he can manage. This could be even better then he though, no need to pretend to be regular beings of this planet, when they could be hailed as heroes. No one would suspect that their heroes were here to conquer them.

"Alright!" Kent exclaims happily, and takes a few shots of the false heroes and the frozen crooks. Before Thunderwing leads him back to the parking lot where the others are gathered.

The trio stops about a block from where Database and the others are. Thunderwing turns and looks to Kent. "Wait right here, boy. I must explain to the team about you, as we hadn't planned on any of this. I will let you know when you can join us." Thunderwing explains before he and Icewind leave to speak with the others.

"I don't know what you are thinking, Lord Thunderwing! We're supposed to be hidden!"
Icewind says once they are out of earshot of Kent.

"Simple, He thinks we are heroes. I caused quite a bit of property damage, and we nearly killed that first group of humans; yet rather then being feared, we are being praised. If we use this boy, anything we do could get explained in a positive way. This world's populace will love us; and we can take control right under their noses!"

"At least there would be some use for these ugly forms." Bludgeon responds as he hears the pair at the approach.

"Is Modem not recovered yet?" Thunderwing asks seeing Database continue to work.

"Almost. Icewind was lucky; he was in vehicle mode when the explosion went off. He took much less damage; he just needed a simple patch job and then an Energon transfusion. Modem however was in Robot mode, so when the explosion barreled town the tunnel, she took almost all of it. With luck, that Jetbot probably didn't survive as he was much closer to the blast." Database replies, as he hooks a small tube from himself into Modem's arm; a pinkish-purple liquid shoots between them causing Modem's system's to start up once more, her red optics flickering on.

"Oh, what hit me?" She asks as she slowly sits up and looks around trying to figure out where she is.

"A rather powerful bomb, remember?" Database replies as he replaces his biosuit. "You going to need to put this on." He says and tosses one to Modem as he explains the situation. "We're on an organic alien world; and with our level of damage we are not fit to survive it's atmosphere."

Modem nods as she puts on the biosuit, her body quickly reshaping into that of a young human woman. "Ew... I'm all fleshy... and pink... Why'd these creatures have to be pink? That's such an Autobot color..." Modem replies as she sees the sight of her new form.

"None of us are really happy with it, but it keeps us safe and hidden." Database replies.

"Not if our fearless leader has anything to say about it. He's already got the attention of one of these Earthlings who thinks were heroes and wants to make us known to the world! Even lead the little brat here!" Icewind speaks up, hoping that Database and Modem would be on his side.

"These suits really weren't designed for such uses, Thunderwing. They were created for deception, to allow us to fit in and infiltrate into the populous until the moment is right to summon the rest of the flotilla. But without a ship or even a base, were stranded here, so being hidden is even more important."

"DB, your viewpoint is always so limited!" Modem says as she walks over to Thunderwing. "Thunderwing is doing exactly that! This world wants to think we are here to save them, that's the best deception of all. We can be hidden in plain sight, everyone will see us, and recognize us as their saviors, it will allow us all the freedom we need!"

"You just want a chance to show off and have more admirers." Icewind scoffs. "And of course, now you'll go along with it Database, just like always for a chance at that aft of he..." Before Icewind can finish Database has grabbed him by the neck and lifts him off the floor, his eyes starting to glow red as the optics of his true from begins to shire from underneath.

"Your going to want to think VERY hard on how you finish that sentence, seeing as how I am the only person on this team capable of repairing you and I beat the slag out of you. Keep that in mind if you want to remain in one piece." Database says with a deep growl.

Thunderwing chuckles darkly watching the display. "So, I am going to guess that it's four to one in favor of my plan. I shall retrieve the boy and let him meet us then." He says and goes to fetch the boy.

Modem giggles softly "Oh, he's so cute!" She squeals happily as she sees the little human enter and makes her way over to him, examining him closer. "Can we keep him? I always wanted a pet! I'll take care of him, I promise!" She asks, while giving the others large puppy dog eyes. Bludgeon can't help but groan audibly.

Kent blinks softly "P-pet?" He asks nervously.

Database just shakes his head with a soft sigh. "You have to forgive her. She gets a bit over excited at times, and tends to form strong attachments to those she takes a liking to."

Kent nods and decides to change the subject, before she gets any wrong ideas. "So... uh... how did you guys get here?"

"We crashed on this annoying mud ball, and currently have no way off. We had hoped to keep hidden, but then our fearless leader has to show off and get your attention. So that plan's shot." Bludgeon explains.

Kent looks to Modem. "Is he always that grouchy?"

"Only when he's awake." Modem giggles.

"Or not in battle." Thunderwing speaks up. "He's almost pleasant to be around, when he's bashing someone's head in."

"Yeah, but when was the last time he was in a fight?" Database responds with a slight smirk

"We'll there's his problem!" Modem giggles loudly. "We just need to find him a bank robbery of his own, and maybe he'll lighten up." The rest of the group, except Bludgeon, can't help but laugh.

--

The next morning, the latest edition of the Roswell Daily Record hits newsstands citywide. One man catches a glimpse of the headline 'SUPER HEROES IN ROSWELL?' with a picture of Thunderwing and Icewind in the icy street, as the cops take the crooks away. He quickly snatches a copy up and rushes to his car. "Mr. Forsythe will want to see this..." He says to himself as he gets in the car and drives off to the Walker Air Force base.

--

Elsewhere, deep in a one of the world's rain forests rests another section of the destroyed Black Shadow. The wreckage having settled in the mud. The local wildlife is starting to return and grow curious to the strange new addition to their ecosystem. Deep inside, metal starts to groan and creak, as its sole survivor awakens. Up from the debris that surrounds him, a large thruster finally breaks through...