Optimus rolls into the dimly lit room as he transforms into his tall stature. He walks over to Ratchet who is looking over the weak and wounded. The trio from the mines is sitting in a nearby corner. "We just lost all of our hard day's work to some funny talking bot." Avalanche sighed. Hardwire is poking and prodding with the nearby computers with amazement. "These 'Autobots' have amazing technology. I could learn a lot if I join these freedom fighters." Hardwire thought to himself. The moans and groans from the other Cybertronians did not seem bother the trio. They did not wince or turn away from bots who had their bare circuits showing or even if a bot was covered in Energon fluid. The mines hardened them. Even though they were in the beginning of a war, the mines have already hardened these tough bots. Hotstreak was sitting next to Avalanche quietly. Avalanche looked at Hardwire as he was tweaking with the technology and then switched his optics back over to Hotstreak. "What's got you down little buddy?" Avalanche asked. Hotstreak's optic lenses darted back and forth before he looked up at Avalanche and responded, "We just got ran up on by some random bot. He just smacked us down and took our Energon. That's our bread! We can't let bots just take our livelihood." Avalanche frowned and started to speak before being interrupted. The tall red and blue Cybertronian stood proudly in front of the trio. "The mining areas are no longer safe for you. I'm sorry but we're going to have to place you in one of our many safe havens." Optimus said. Hotstreak shook his head as Avalanche stood up optic to optic to Optimus. "We aren't the kind of bots to just run away. We were attacked by these Decepticons. I don't know about you guys but I want to mean something. I want to help you Autobots save Cybertron from these lunatics." Avalanche preached. "Well you don't have to count me out because I'm in. I'll join the Autobots too. What about you Hardwire?" Hotstreak asked. Hardwire turned his attention from the gadgets over to Hotstreak. "Negative, I'm going back home. This gives me the perfect opportunity to progress in my studies. However, if you have need of me you know where I reside." With that being said, Hardwire transformed into a jet and flew off. Optimus looked at the two soon to be Autobots. "Your cause is noble, but do not be fooled for the Decepticons will do anything to win this war. Your lives are in danger but your service will be greatly appreciated." Optimus took the two bots by the shoulders. He started to install the Autobot signature into the two. Their Energon started to turn red as the Autobot insignia became engraved onto their body parts.
Months passed and the two new Autobots were trained vigorously in a short time. Their work in the mines, which had made them hard and sturdy, paid off. Avalanche fought side by side with Optimus and Ironhide winning many battles. After a few battles had been lost Sentinel Prime ordered the Autobots to fall back. Avalanche and Hotstreak where split up. Avalanche left with Ironhide, Optimus, and Ratchet. Hotstreak tagged alongside Arcee and Jazz. At their new base Hotstreak continued using the training simulations to hone his skills. It had only been a few weeks at the new post. The Autobots seemed to have some downtime because the Decepticons had moved their forces into a different quadrant. "I wonder what those Decepticons are up to." Jazz thought out loud. Arcee walked over to Jazz standing higher in stature than he. She looked down and shrugged, "Who cares this gives us time to stock up on ammo and Energon, besides if things go smoothly this war will be won in another few months. I hear Megatron is getting desperate." Jazz raised his visor before speaking, "Megatron always seems desperate. I mean, listen to the bot. His default volume is stuck on loud. Subtlety and being quiet isn't on his hardware." Arcee and Jazz shared a chuckle. Hotstreak was listening to the two talk and he could hear the concern in their voices. They joked around a lot but he could hear it was all just an attempt to try and forget that on any day either of them could die. Hotstreak was used to the feeling. The Energon mines are dangerous. Any bot working in the mines is not allowed to carry anything that could be flammable as too much Energon in one place is highly explosive and the only way to mine Energon is by prospecting it. The metal pick against the metallic ground causes sparks that could easily ignite and explode the Energon if one was not careful enough. The other Autobots found Hotstreak's calmness eerie yet reassuring. Death did not faze him anymore. Jazz and Arcee were used to ending the life cycles of many Cybertronians but the war was getting to them. Their accuracy dropped during live combat and any ambient clanking noise caused them to act defensively.
Nearby, a sleek, blue cybertronian car is approaching the Autobot base, and fast. An Autobot sitting atop a watch tower notices the car and yells to other nearby Autobots. They react instantly and start opening the gates as the car rushes in. It drives through the compound and heads towards the area Jazz, Arcee, and Hotstreak reside. The car transforms into a femme bot and runs towards Arcee. Arcee and Jazz turn around and stand up as the femme approaches them. "What's the news Coldspell?" Jazz asks. "Megatron! We found out what Megatron is up to. He has taken an army up into Cybertron's orbit and is heading for the orbital research station! He is trying to get to the dark Energon!" Coldspell spewed. "That's insane! What is he planning?" Arcee cried. "I don't know but it's too late for us to chase after him. We'll just have to hope that Starscream can keep the Dark Energon protected or that the Energon itself will take care of Megatron." Coldspell informed. Jazz and Arcee locked optics and turned back to Coldspell. "Well what about the Decepticon lieutenants?" Jazz pondered. "Soundwave, Barricade, and Brawl left with Megatron." Coldspell started. "So that only leaves the dumb and stupid." Arcee said with confidence. Coldspell shook her head, "No, Shockwave is commanding the forces on Cybertron while Megatron is away." "Shockwave? That bot is bad news." Jazz sighed. "Thank you for the information Coldspell, you are relieved." Arcee commanded. Jazz and Arcee immediately began planning battle tactics and defensive measures. Hotstreak was still listening in. "Coldspell? It can't be." he said to himself. He watched as Coldspell left the room and he quietly started to follow her. His optics were trying to recognize the femme. "Doesn't quite look like her. I'll have to see anyway." With that said Hotstreak ran over to Coldspell. "Hey, excuse me!" He shouted. Coldspell turned around, now seeming exhausted. She looked at Hotstreak as he came running towards her and her optics lit up at the site of him. "Hotstreak?" she asked. Hotstreak didn't respond as he knew now that this was in fact his twin sister. "Coldspell what the slag are you doing here?" he asked somewhat happy to see her. "I've joined the Autobots. I'm a messenger, what are you doing here?" she asked. Hotstreak's parts started shifting with excitement. "I've joined the Autobots as well. I'm a scout." he answered proudly. They examined each other and the scrapes and cuts on Hotstreak's body were nothing new for Coldspell's optics. His fading color was another story. Hotstreak looked on as the once flawless surface of Coldspell's body was ruined by burns and craters. "You look like a mess Coldspell." Hotstreak said while lowering his sound output to a whisper. "…..Thanks. It's war and I'm a big bot now. Besides I am the oldest I should be worrying about you." Coldspell smiled. "You've been worrying about me ever since we were small sparklings." The two siblings laughed at each other. Coldspell, still smiling, hugged Hotstreak. "So I'm the only messenger here for now, which means I'm going to be staying here for awhile. We should catch up." Coldspell suggested. "Yeah that sounds great." Hotstreak agreed.
Coldspell and Hotstreak shared stories and even trained together. Hotstreak, thinking it would be a good idea for Coldspell to learn how to defend herself if the time needed, taught Coldspell the art of combat. In return Coldspell helped Hotstreak with his driving ability. After a few days another messenger arrived. He was small and yellow but brave and fierce. He was very energetic for a small bot. His name was Bumblebee. After delivering his message he quickly became friends with the twins. The three of them were nearly inseparable. It was a cold and rainy day on Cybertron. The three friends were having a competitive race around the camp; like always the races were close. Coldspell had an early lead when all of a sudden the alarms went off. Autobots poured out of their resting areas and took their positions. "THE DECEPTICONS ARE HERE!" an Autobot shouted. Coldspell quickly transformed and Bumblebee and Hotstreak soon followed. "Decepticons, I'll handle this!" Bumblebee shouted. Before Coldspell or Hotstreak could protest Bumblebee darted off into battle. A Decepticon warship can be seen flying overhead. Decepticons came pouring out and crashing to the ground below. "Coldspell go inside!" Hotstreak ordered. "I'm not leaving you!" Coldspell protested. Before Hotstreak could retort a blast exploded the ground next to them sending them flying. They looked up to see where it had come from and Shockwave was looking down at them from the warship. His single optic blinked slowly as his stare sent chills down their circuits. The red glow pierced through the smoke and rain. He waved his hand and more Decepticons poured out destroying and battling the nearby Autobots. A figure appeared next to Shockwave's. Hotstreak's spark flickered once he realized he knew the figure. Hardwire was standing right alongside Shockwave. "Dispose of these Autobots, Hardwire." Shockwave commanded. Hardwire nodded and descended from the warship landing in front of Coldspell and Hotstreak. "It's good to see you again Hotstreak." Hardwire smirked.
