A/N: Thank you guys for being so understanding and I sincerely hope you enjoy this chapter, its a bit slower but I think we need a breather before the you know what hits the fan. XD

The new communications hub was dark. Soundwave stood before the main console tapping at the interface. TeltranII was not integrating like he'd hoped. It was being stubborn. He wasn't used to dealing with stubborn software that refused to cooperate. It was almost as if part of TeltranI's interface had migrated over. Teltran, while able to differentiate individual mechs, didn't make a distinction between factions. Accessing another port he tried a backdoor protocol. The screen flickered then lit up, the other monitors also doing so in succession. Finally.

He set up his usual search parameters and was taken aback when there was an immediate hit. There was a posting of a grainy picture of what appeared to be Optimus surrounded by human law enforcement. He double checked and watched as any mention of the incident was quickly eradicated. Someone was determined to keep this information from reaching humanity at large. Interesting. Downloading the picture file he accessed the data embedded within it. The gps data came up. He nodded. Megatron would be very interested in this.

Megatron raised an optic ridge as he looked at the picture displayed on Soundwave's visor. "Well now, what do we have here? Rather unusual for Prime to be the center of attention. Can you improve the quality of the picture?"

Soundwave nodded and took a moment to run the proper sourcing algorithms. The picture sharpened and Megatron smiled.

"Ah yes. And the location?"

Megatron peered at the map for a moment. "I see. That area is heavily fortified by the human armies. Keep an eye on it, but I have more pressing concerns here at the moment. Thank you for the information Soundwave."

Wheeljack had been hoping Optimus would be happy with the work he and Ratchet had put into the new quarters. Optimus barely seemed to notice, collapsing onto his berth with a groan. Wheeljack let it go. Now was not the time. Taking a vial of emergency energon out of his subspace he set it on the stand next to the berth.

"Just in case you want some later."

"Thank you."

"Rest well Optimus." Wheeljack didn't wait for a reply, sliding the door shut behind him. "Well that wasn't awkward at all."

He found Ratchet in a heated conversation with General Bryson over their comm.

"General, I will vouch for Hound personally. He's a scout like Bumblebee and stayed with the others on the Arc. He is no threat and will exercise extreme caution when landing his craft."

"I am sure he would Ratchet, but our government is very touchy right now. If anything goes wrong-"

"I assure you, it won't. Hound is a professional."

"I tell you what. I'll clear him to land at the base and he can have a military escort."

"Umm . . . Don't you think that might be a little conspicous?" Wheeljack cut in. "We are trying to keep a low profile you know."

"Of course I know that. We don't need Megatron knocking on your door here like he did in Nevada. So you have any better suggestions?"

"Actually, I might. Hey, Sunshine does Hound still have that nifty hologun?"

"I'm sure he does."

Wheeljack grinned. "There's your answer. Get him to the base safe and get him a good altmode and he can drive himself here. We'll go get his ship once Optimus is feeling better."

"What? What's wrong with Optimus?"

"Fender bender at the grocery. He'll be fine." Ratchet shot a glare at Wheeljack who shrugged and offered a crooked grin.

"Alright, well I'll go take care of the orders at the base. Give him the coordinates. I'll be sending you further instructions shortly."

"Thank you General Bryson." Ratchet cut the feed and rounded on Wheeljack. "What were you thinking, telling him something was wrong with Optimus! They have enough issues with us as it is!"

"Whoa easy there doc bot-"

"And what have I told you about these stupid nicknames? My name is Ratchet!"

Wheeljack didn't say anything, just reached out and gripped Ratchet's arm. He could feel the tension and stress in the other mech's electromagnetic field. He gently pulled the medic toward him. Ratchet's eyes widened but he didn't resist. Wheeljack smiled.

"I know. Now how about you go check on your patient while I see to this stuff."

"Are . . . are you sure?" Ratchet peered at him, confusing eddying in his bright optics.

"Yes, I can handle this. Optimus needs you."

Ratchet frowned his gaze never leaving Wheeljack's. He finally nodded. "Alright. I . . . I am sorry I snapped at you. It's just today has been so-"

"Ratchet," Wheeljack pulled him a bit closer. "Forget it."

Ratchet nodded his gaze finally sliding away. "I'll go see to Optimus, now."

Making his way through the corridors, Ratchet wasn't quite sure what to make of Wheeljack's behavior. It was a little confusing but he found himself relying more and more on the engineer. Especially when it came to coping with the stress of everything. Normally he didn't have anyone to rely on or confide in. Sure there was Optimus, but he wasn't about to burden the poor mech with his personal issues right now. That and he was still trying to figure out how to approach Optimus about what had happened their last day at their old base and everything that had went so horribly wrong. Standing in front of the door to Optimus' quarters he vented deeply, clearing his processor. Optimus needed his medic right now. Not some lonely old bot who was having trouble coping with his own failures.

Knocking softly he waited. After still no response with a second knock he let himself in. Optimus was sprawled out on his berth. A quick scan showed him to be deep in recharge. Ratchet took the opportunity to run a deeper scan. A moments debate had him deciding to do something he would normally never do, except it meant the health and well being of one of the most important mechs in his life. Stepping out of the room he went to get his kit.

Optimus was still out of it when he returned. Being as quiet as possible while still working quickly he attached the cable to the monitor and began the diagnostic. He watched, dismayed and alarmed at the feedback he was getting. Things were worse than he'd thought. It seemed his decision to confine Optimus to quarters had been a good one. He was most definitely suffering from battle lag but it was the echoes of spark trauma that had Ratchet most worried. He wouldn't know for sure until Optimus allowed him a full on inspection of his spark chamber. He made several notes in Optimus' medical file for future reference and put away the diagnostic computer. This was not good news. They needed their healthy, emotionally stable Optimus back. Right now Ratchet wouldn't trust him to plan a party much less deal with whatever Megatron was getting ready to throw at them.

With a last look at the quiescent mech he closed the door and went to find June.

Hound was a patient mech. He understood that rules and procedures had to be followed, but this level of red tape was infuriating. He'd been in orbit for much longer than he thought wise. It wouldn't take much for the Decepticons to spot him, even with his cloak, if they knew what to look for. He jumped as the comm crackled.

"Hound, this is Autobot base. I've got some coordinates for you."

"Encrypted data burst to my private comm please."

"You got it."

The data burst came through less than a klick later. He quickly uploaded the coordinates into the ships navigational computer and started the landing sequence. This atmosphere was a bit thick and required some adjustments to his instrumentation, but nothing drastic. The drag helped slow him as he entered the lower atmosphere. As instructed he kept his cloak up until the last possible moment. Bringing the hologram online he frowned. Was this really what the earth based vehicles looked like? That was going to take some getting used to. Shutting down all but necessary systems he disembarked.

"Welcome to Earth, Autobot." The sight of a small bipedal form greeted him, surrounded by others of it's kind. They all looked alike and he wasn't quite sure which one had spoken.

"Thank you, sir. It's good to have my feet on solid ground again."

"Of course. I'm General Bryson I will be briefing you and then we will get you an altmode."

"Yes sir. I am anxious to get to my team."

"In good time."

The briefing was far from brief, but Hound listened intently to everything the General had to say. It seemed things here on this planet were much more dire than anyone realized. Megatron clearly had the upper hand. He watched the General pace in front of there he'd taken a seat on the ground. They were in a small hangar away from the main part of the base for privacy.

"Thank you for that comprehensive report General Bryson."

"My pleasure. Now I have a few questions for you. I need to know if any other Autobots might be coming to Earth. When they might get here and what kind of weaponry is available? We really could use the help."

Hound considered the questions carefully. "Sir, with all due respect, I am just a scout. These questions would be better directed at my mission commander or at Optimus Prime himself."

The man looked ready to argue for a moment and Hound was struck by how similar their expressions were. It was a bit of a relief to meet an alien species who seemed so similar in so many ways. Other than their obvious delicate build.

"I respect that soldier. Now would you like to choose an altmode. I was informed that you would be needing one before continuing to the base."

"I am to choose an Earth based design?"

"Yes."

"Alright. May I see what you have to offer?"

He was lead out of the hangar to what General Bryson called a parking lot. It looked like a gathering of mechs all in their altmodes just sitting around. It took him a few minutes of wandering up and down the aisle before he found one that struck him as appropriate. Scanning it he transformed and rolled over to the General.

"Will this do?"

"That's very nice actually. Good choice."

"Do I have your permission to meet my team at their base."

"I don't think you need my permission, but thank you for asking. You have the coordinates."

"Yes."

"Good, have a safe trip then and we will see to storing your ship."

"You can tow it, but you can't enter it."

"Understood."

The trip didn't take as long as Hound had thought it might. As per Wheeljack's instructions, he'd created a hologram driver to maintain the illusion. That came easy for him. He was met at the entrance to the base by Wheeljack and Bulkhead.

"Hey Hound!" Bulkhead patted his back once he'd transformed. "Long time no see, buddy."

"It's good to see you too, Bulkhead. I thought you were still with the Wreckers Wheeljack?"

He shrugged. "Ultra Magnus wanted to stay on Cyberton. I didn't. Left vorns ago."

Hound nodded. "Understandable. You guys wouldn't have a wash rack would you?"

"Just got it set up yesterday."

"Perfect, I'd like to clean up before seeing Prime."

Wheeljack and Ratchet exchanged a glance. Wheeljack cleared his vocalizer. "You've got plenty of time for that. He's on enforced bed rest."

"Oh . . ." Hound frowned rubbing a servo over his helm. "I didn't realize the damage was that bad."

"It's not good. He's pretty beat down right now. Ratchet wants to talk to you though."

"Sure."

"Oh and by the way, nice altmode. Military jeep is very cool."

"Well, it was the only vehicle that I liked."

Wheeljack laughed. "Sounds like our Hound, always a sensible mech. Com'mon I'll get you some energon too."