Soren and the others watched as the search party left the forest and headed for their cars and trucks. After escaping through the smoke the kids and Landmine had left the Heavens Highway and had moved up the ridge to Lookout Point which gave you a vast view of the highway and everything else around.

"How can we ever thank you guys?" Coby said, Soren turned around and found five other robots standing near Landmine and the fire engine robot.

"You already have by helping Landmine." the fire engine transformer said, the other transformers nodded in agreement. Soren stared at the new transformers each one looked more different then the last, but one thing was the same all of them bared a red insignia on their bodies except for one. Instead of being made of modern materials this transformer was made of gears and clockwork.

"Well I guess we should introduce ourselves I'm Coby and this is my little brother Bud, and that's Lori and Soren." Coby replied as he pointed to each of his friends. Soren stood a little farther than his friends, he still wasn't so sure about these guys.

"Hotshot." one transformer said, his body was red, yellow and black.

"Jetfire." another transformer said in an Australian accent, Soren remembered that he had transformed from a green and white cargo plane.

"Name is Scattershot." A third transformer said, his body was dark blue and yellow.

"Overhaul here." a fourth transformer answered gruffly his body was dark green and brown.

"And Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, at your service." the fire engine robot said finally. Soren turned to the robot made of clockwork. Wasn't he an Autobot too?

"And you aren't you an Autobot to?" Lori asked obviously towards the robot made of clockwork.

"Not exactly young one." the clockwork transformer answered his voice sounded like he had an Old English accent.

"Vector Prime is an ancient transformer." Optimus Prime inquired, Soren stared at Vector Prime again he sure looked ancient to him.

"But you're not an enemy are you?" Coby asked slightly concerned to hear that Vector Prime wasn't an Autobot.

"I am not. For we must all band together for our common good if any one of our planets is to survive." Vector Prime answered, Soren's face showed a little relief at hearing this.

"How can we help too? I mean if the Earth is in danger…" Lori asked

"Not "IF" "WHEN"." Scattershot finished, Jetfire stepped closer to him.

"We mustn't get the Earthlings involved." Jetfire interjected, putting his arm in front of Scattershot's chest.

"But they are involved." Scattershot argued, Jetfire shook his head.

"It's far too dangerous Scattershot." Jetfire finished.

"You're right I'm sorry. It's too dangerous." Scattershot dropped his head apologizing. Soren questioned the look on Scattershot's metal face, and Jetfire's interruption.

Do they think we could step out now? Soren questioned, then he tuned into Coby and Lori's whispering conversation.

"Wonder what that's all about?" Coby asked leaning towards Lori.

"Either their trying to protect us or they don't trust us." Lori answered, Coby's face went into surprise hearing this.

"What? No way! After all we've been through today. Tell them Landmine!" Coby replied surprised by the idea that the transformers didn't trust them. Soren turned to Bud who had begun edging closer and closer to Vector Prime.

"Bro check out. This guy is crazy old school with gears and stuff." Bud interrupted as he stretched out his hand to touch Vector Prime's leg. Soren stared horrified.

"BUD DON'T TOUCH THAT!" Soren yelled, but it was too late Bud had touched Vector Prime's leg, and instantly three glowing orbs shot out of Vector Prime's chest crystal. Flying around wildly one nearly hit Soren in the chest but quickly he dived aside just in time to see Coby get thrown onto his butt the contents of his satchel spilling all over the ground. Then abruptly the three orbs came together and in a flash of light, three smaller transformers were standing in front of the still surprised Coby.

"Greetings." one of the smaller transformers said, Coby quickly stood up scared half out of his wits.

"Who are you?" Coby questioned, Soren stood on edge.

"Ooo these look good." the one transformer spoke again, as they stared down at the books that had fallen out Coby's pack. Then from out of the blue all three small transformers eyes began to glow and quickly went over the pages the books were open to.

"I'm minicon Jolt, transform." the same transformer said then quickly he transformed into a small one person helicopter.

"That's minicon Sixspeed, transform. Ooo spiffy." Jolt announced as another green minicon transformed into a Bentley speed.

"And that's minicon Reverb, transform. Oh nice one." Jolt announced as the third minicon transformed into a dark blue pickup truck.

"You got those from Coby's books?" Bud said amazed as the three minicons transformed back into robots.

"Indeed. Seemed like the best way to fit in with the locals. Where are your manners? Say hello Sixspeed and Reverb." Jolt said pushing his two friends forward. Soren half expected them to talk, but instead they beeped, or made sounds kind of like a siren.

"We've been traveling along with Vector Prime, very comfy ride, even with his high mileage, but now that we're here. Where are we anyway?" Jolt explained, Soren looked at him surprised it seemed like he and Coby were talking to each other as if they'd know each other for years.

"This is Earth." Lori said a little shyly, Jolt's face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Ooo Earth." Jolt answered excitedly, Soren looked interestingly. Had the minicon been here before?

"You know it?" Soren asked as he walked up to join his friends.

"Never heard of it." Jolt replied bluntly, Soren felt like he had gotten smacked in the face with a bat, while his friends just smiled politely.

"Hey put me down that tickles you guys!" Bud said through his laughing. Soren turned around to see that Sixspeed and Reverb had picked Bud up and were tickling him. Soren smiled then he noticed the Autobots conversing by themselves.

"What do we do now commander?" Jetfire questioned turning to Optimus Prime.

"The black hole threatening the universe is our number one concern. We left Red Alert behind to stand watch, but we also need to look after the Cybertronian's who are hiding hear on Earth." Optimus Prime answered, Scattershot stepped closer.

"Sir we're going to need a base of operations." Scattershot put in.

"That we will." Optimus Prime agreed with a nod.

"What about the Cyber Planet Keys?" Jetfire asked again.

"Only the Cyber Planet Keys contain the power to save the universe from destruction, by opening the Omega Lock." Optimus Prime answered, Soren turned to Optimus.

Cyber Planet Keys? Now why does that sound familiar? Soren thought as he began to get the feeling he had heard those words before.

"Well with a leader like Optimus Prime no one's going to stand in our way." Landmine said confidently, Soren turned to Optimus. Was he that strong? Soren then turned his attention to Bud who now lay on the ground at his feet trying to catch his breath.

"Quit staring at me Jolt you're freaking me out." Bud said as he waved his hand in front of Jolt's staring eyes, but Jolt wasn't staring at Bud he was staring at Lori.

"LOOK!" Jolt said excitedly as he pointed at Lori, Soren stepped closer.

"Who me?" Lori answered half consciously. Vector Prime turned his attention to Lori and stepped closer as did the other Autobots.

"That insignia you wear." Vector Prime said, Coby moved forward to get a better look.

"This old t-shirt?" Lori answered again still not fully sure at where this was going.

"It is the shape of the Omega Lock." Vector Prime replied pointing fully at the emblem on Lori's shirt.

"Huh, and here I thought it was the logo of some old rock band. It's called the Mark of Atlantis, or something like that. That is like so sweet." Lori answered staring down at the emblem across her chest. Soren stared again at the symbol and again the feeling of knowing that symbol from somewhere came along with a small pain from his hands unconsciously he began to rub them.

"Most interesting." Optimus Prime inquired, Soren turned to him a little concerned. Vector Prime lowered himself to one knee and looked at the emblem closer.

"Perhaps since an earthling unknowingly bares the mark of the Omega Lock, a Cyber Planet Key maybe here." Vector Prime surmised, Soren looked again at the emblem.

"There's only one way to find out. Lori, was it, do you mind if we do a scan for our data banks?" Optimus Prime asked, Lori instantly hid behind Soren.

"Yes I do! Thank you very much." Lori said from behind Soren's back.

"What's the matter kid? It won't hurt." Landmine asked as he stepped closer to Soren and Lori. Soren chucked as it suddenly came to him why Lori was hiding.

"She's not worried about it hurting it's just the position at where the emblem is. It's kind of a private place for a….. umm human female, but I have an idea. Lori come with me will you." Soren said as he and Lori walked over to a group of trees but before disappearing into them. Soren took of his black t-shirt and handed it to her then pointed to the trees. Lori nodded and quickly ran into the cover of the trees, then from out of nowhere the t-shirt she had been wearing flew from the trees and into Soren's hands. Silently Soren returned from the trees and held up the shirt for the Autobots to see.

"Okay go ahead." Soren said as he held the shirt above his head, the Autobots shrugged their shoulders then all of their eyes began to glow as they scanned the shirt. As they did Lori stepped out of the trees wearing Soren's t-shirt, it was then that Coby and Bud understood why Lori had hid behind Soren.

Soren sighed and slipped the t-shirt on he and Lori would switch again later. He then noticed Bud and Coby scratching lines into the soft earth with Scattershot and Jetfire leaning over them. Quickly Soren joined them and stared at the edgings.

"What's with the sand project?" Soren asked as he stared at the etching. Coby pointed at the crossed off edgings.

"We're trying to help them pick a spot for a base here on Earth, but have come up with zip." Bud grunted frustratingly. Soren stared at the etching realizing that it was actually a map of the surrounding area.

Okay so the biking trails and camping areas are off and most of the Highway. Soren thought. As he stared at the map a memory came to him.

"Well there is still one more spot. My dad called it the Gateway, it's a waterfall right here in the Highway. You guys would have a lot of privacy and its way out of the sight range of the town even with a telescope." Soren said as he took the stick from Coby and drew a circle at the far end of Highway. Optimus Prime walked up behind them and looked at the map and nodded.

"Yes that should do fine. Can you lead us there?" Optimus asked Soren.

Nervously Soren nodded and watched as all the autobots transformed into their vehicle forms. The others stared in amazement at the vehicles and the different looks that they had.

"Lead the way." Scattershot said with a slight Texas slang. Soren smiled and jumped onto his bike shoving his helmet on and slipping on his jacket buttoning up.

"Well this is the place. Check it out solid granite, probably about three miles thick, and there is enough iron ore in the wall to shield any electromagnetic emissions." Coby said confidently.

"What my brother is saying is that this is perfect for a secret base." Bud replied summarizing his brother's speech. Soren smiled just like Bud to down play everything.

"I guess you guys can use it my dad was going to build a housing development here before the market went soft." Lori said as she stared at the long stretch of land, while Scattershot scanned the landscape.

"Huh, soft looks pretty solid to me." Scattershot replied seeing the ground wasn't actually soft.

"Not the ground the market, oh never mind." Lori sighed not willing to argue. Soren patted her shoulder they would all have to get use to the autobots nonexistent knowledge of Earth.

"Well its solid now. Coby's right should provide plenty of natural shielding and it's far enough from any human activity. This looks like our best bet Optimus." Scattershot observed as he turned to Optimus Prime, who nodded.

"Alright we need to get everything set up by sun down got that team. Autobots roll out." Optimus ordered all the autobots nodded as did the children.

"Yes sir." the autobots shouted. Quickly Jolt transformed into his copter form and flew around the area, then just as quickly returned.

"Aerial survey complete." Jolt announced, Soren stared at him as he landed.

Size really doesn't matter. Soren thought as he watched Scattershot project a blueprint of their base.

"Command center, communications array, energon reactors, and central data processing, well looks like we got everything." Scattershot said going through his check list of the base. To Soren it looked like the end result of a child stacking toy blocks.

"What are you serious," Lori interjected Soren and the autobots looked at her, "I just think you could use a more efficient design that's all."

"So what's wrong?" Scattershot questioned as he rechecked the design applications.

"Are you kidding? There is no work flow, no ventilation, and if you haven't noticed there aren't any bathrooms. You got to work smarter not harder that's my dad's first rule of business. Catch my drift, you should organize everything around a central hub with easy access to all the other work areas." Lori suggested a little harshly.

"Wait you mean something like this?" Jolt implied as he projected another blueprint of the base.

"Cool just like the Justice League's watchtower." Bud answered happily. Lori looked at the blueprint and smiled.

"Well it's a good start." she replied after looking the blueprint over. Landmine and Overhaul looked at the new blueprint questioningly.

"I don't really see a difference do you?" Landmine asked Overhaul, who simply shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess it's some weird Earth thing." Overhaul replied, Lori glared at them.

"That's just rood!" Lori stated her feelings slightly hurt. The autobots looked at each other shocked.

"Oh we're awfully sorry mamma. We really didn't mean anything by It." all the autobots said at once waving their hands in apologies, Soren smiled.

"Okay who's up for construction duty autobots sound off." Optimus yelled, all the soldiers stood alert.

"LANDMINE, OVERHAUL, JETFIRE, SCATTERSHOT, JOLT!" the autobots called out. Optimus Prime raised his weapon and pointed it to the wall.

"FIRE!" Optimus Prime ordered as he fired at the granite wall. Soren jumped back afraid to be hit by the falling debris.

"Turbine Wave." Soren turned his eyes locked onto Jetfire as he released two torpedoes of wind at the wall.

"Ground Pounder." Overhaul yelled as he slammed his fists into the ground. Bud and Coby stared in amazement at the strength in the attack.

"Turbo Kick." Hotshot shouted as he landed a heavy kick into the wall.

"Wow these guys can rock." Bud called out. Soren stared at him and nodded they sure did have power. He then noticed Optimus and Landmine off to the side, Landmine shaking his head.

"Now hold on Landmine you're not fully recovered yet and I need you at a hundred percent before we go after Megatron again." Optimus said placing his hand on Landmine's shoulder then moving to instruct the wrecking crew. Soren watched Optimus leave and looked at Landmine's face it was filled with disappointment and sadness.

I know how he feels. Soren thought as he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His hands beginning to ache again Soren flexed his hands in the confines of his pockets. Feeling the pain ease away Soren sighed, abruptly the sound of a high pitched flute whistled through the air. Soren dropped to one knee the pressing his once hurting hands to his now bleeding ears.

"Aaahhh, that sound." Soren heard Coby cry. Looking to his left Soren watched as Coby, Lori, and Bud marched over to Vector Prime, who stood examining his scan of the Atlantis seal.

"YO gramps what's with all the racket? Aaahhh your making my teeth hurt!" Bud yelled, Vector Prime looked down to the children, who stared painfully covering their ears as they walked closer.

Why isn't the sound bothering them as much as it is me? Soren questioned as he watched the others edge closer to Vector Prime.

"That so called racket you speak of is the transonic signal given off by the Omega lock. You alone can hear its call the fate of the universe lies with you." Vector Prime explained, all the children looked at each other surprised.

"Well can you shut it off until we're farther away please?" Soren called from his crouched position. Vector Prime looked past the others to Soren and seeing him in pain turned off the noise. Sighing Soren regained his posture and stood up then swiftly walked away heading for the already forming base.

Thirty minutes later and Soren stood by one of the bases far walls applying stealth beam coating to the wall while also listening as the others helped the autobots with other projects. Soren watched as the stealth coating slowly stretched across the wall, his ears were no longer ringing and his hands were alright for the time being.

Man the noise was a real pain literally. I mean that was probably like how a dog whistle is for a blood hound. But why weren't the others as affected as I was? Well, whatever, at least it's over for now. But still a lot of this is not making sense. Like why the Atlantis symbol looks so familiar to me, and that sound even though it hurt it seemed familiar too. Also, before back in the opening was it Landmine that created that bubble or was it me? Soren thought wondering why having the autobots around was bringing these feelings around so much.

BLARE. BLARE. BLARE

Soren's head shot up to the sound: a warning alarm?

"Alert we've got decepticons incoming fast, autobots being deployed now." Scattershot's voice rang over the intercom.

"Oh boy!" Soren growled as he listened to the autobots as they deployed. Quickly Soren finished the wall then ran around the corner carrying his stealth beam coating to apply to corridor C. Soon Soren heard footsteps racing towards him looking out of the corner of his eye, he found Coby, Lori, and Bud racing towards him with stealth beam coating cans and sprayers. Soren nodded to them and started moving on overtime.

"All teams status report." Scattershot announced.

"C block about seventy-five percent complete, give us five more minutes." Coby replied over the intercom.

Soren growled as he finished the last section of the corridor. He could feel the ground shaking beneath his boots they were getting close.

I have to do something other than painting. Soren thought, quickly he pressed the intercom.

"Scattershot how about an update?" Soren asked, he could here Scattershot freaking out on the other end.

"Megatron and Starscream broke through the defense line and their only thirty miles away." Scattershot cried, then Soren heard a large slam.

"Not good." Soren whispered.

"Soren," Soren looked to see Lori waving to him, "Come on we need to head for the command center." Soren lowered his gaze, if the decepticons gained any more ground then it wouldn't be just the autobots in danger but Coby, Lori, and Bud too.

No I won't let them get hurt! Soren growled in his mind. Soren raised his head and smiled.

"Go on ahead. I'll catch up after I check the hallway for any blank spots." Soren called back giving a thumbs up. Lori nodded and ran to join the others.

Soren stared at his hand, it was time to answer some of the questions.