Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

The C-17A Globemaster was warmed up just as two vehicles arrived. The first was a Hummer H2 equipped for search-and-rescue work. The second was a late-model Camaro. The vehicles drove into the ramp, and as they lifted, Sam, Mikaela, and Lennox had all climbed out of the vehicles.

"We're set!" Lennox shouted to the pilot.

"Where's the rest of the team? I thought they were sending a medic and backup," said the crewman.

"They're here," Lennox said.

The crewman did the double-take.

"The Hummer's the medic?" the Senior Airman asked.

"Got it in one," said Lennox.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Simmons got the report on his cell phone, then changed the number, and dialed his second-in-command.

"Morton, re-check the status on NBE known as Barricade," he said. This did not add up. The last known location of Barricade had been in Charlotte…

"Last known location was here, boss," Ted Morton said.

"Then why would Mirage say he possibly evaded him in New York?" Cliffjumper asked.

"Probably because he only knows Barricade is a police car," Simmons said. "Trust me on this – you do not want to jump to conclusions on incomplete information. I did that, and I ended up cryo-freezing Bumblebee. Let's find the facts out first. I suspect Mirage may be damaged."

"The transmission only said it was his electro-disruption field generator," Cliffjumper pointed out.

"What I learned in combat lifesaver training – if there's one injury you know about, there may be more," Simmons said. "I suspect Mirage is hurt, probably landed wrong."

"Right… some parts of this planet are pretty hard. Ratchet will cover that pretty well, though. Best medic you could hope for," Cliffjumper said.

"Now, where do you think Hound would go from the Outer Banks?"

"My bet would be the Appalachian Mountains," Cliffjumper said.

"Right. First priority has to be Barricade. He killed two people already," Simmons said,

"But Wheeljack, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker aren't here yet," Cliffjumper objected.

"We may not be able to wait," Simmons said.

"You're right… especially since we don't know what Hound's status is," Cliffjumper said. "Whoa! Very small earthquake here."

Simmons frowned. There were no known faults here…

"Earthquake?" he asked.

"More like a line of travel," Cliffjumper said.

"Great… we know of one hostile NBE capable of doing that," Simmons said. "A giant scorpion that killed one Green Beret and wounded another."

"Scorponok?" Cliffjumper exclaimed. "Great, two bad guys, and I'm the only Autobot."

"Shall I call for backup?" Simmons asked.

"Nah… bring em on," Cliffjumper said.

Great, Simmons thought, I get a trigger-happy Autobot who is on his own.

He picked up his phone, and made the call. "Control, this is Simmons, get Fort Bragg to DEFCON Two, THREATCON Delta. Now!"

He was not going to be caught by surprise.

Francis Gabreski ANGB, New York

The C-17 landed at the air base, and the two vehicles drove out.

"Let's go," Lennox said. "Bumblebee, signal Mirage – tell him we're six hours out. Also give him Barricade's location as Charlotte."

"Right," Bumblebee said. He sent the message, and got the response back.

"Hey, little buddy. How are you doing?" Mirage asked.

"Feeling great," Bumblebee said.

"Your voice processor got fixed?" Mirage asked.

"The Allspark," Bumblebee said. "Unfortunately, we had to destroy it to keep Megatron from seizing it."

"Oh, no," Mirage said. "Well, it's good to hear your voice again."

"Hang on, Mirage, Ratchet is with me, and we will get you fixed. What is your alternate mode?" Bumblebee asked.

"Pretty eye-catching," said Mirage. "A Ferrari F2007. I thought Barricade was behind me, and I didn't want to risk a chase…"

"Don't worry," Lennox said. "He's down in North Carolina – a day's drive, if not more. ButI think I know why you thought he was behind you."

"Why's that?" Mirage asked.

"Formula One race cars are not exactly street legal," Lennox said.

"Oh," Mirage said.

"You probably got some tickets coming," Bumblebee said.

"Great, just great…" Mirage said. "Do they take Cybertronian currency in payment?"

Under Fort Bragg

He'd heard many of the voices that he had before his last encounter. And they had little clue he was there. It would be a simple plan. Jump up, attack, wreak havoc – and then head underground before any of the jets or the cargo planes came.

The cargo planes. They had hurt him the last time… and now, he was ready for revenge.

Skorponok was hunting… and he enjoyed that.