Blow torch in hand, Cog carefully melded the remaining cracks in the ceiling, leaving nothing more than a few scorch marks in its place. The torch tucked itself away within the paneling of Cog's arm as she stepped down from her step ladder, planting her feet on the hard, metal floor.

That ought to do it. She dusted off her servos and prepared to tuck away the latter when she sensed a presence behind her. Dropping the latter, Cog could almost immediately sense that what was behind her wasn't your typical Cybertronian and tensed her shoulders. The creature raised a thin appendage, preparing to strike as Cog spun around, facing the assailant with a large, weapons-grade Hydra Cannon that appeared twice her size.

'Not today punk!' The barrel glowed a light cyan before firing a large burst of liquid blue flame that smashed into the creature like crashing waves on a ship. The mechanoid staggered back, giving Cog a better look at what she was up against. It was made of metal: That much Cog was certain of. It had the body of an arachnid, with a silver plated abdomen and multiple stalk-like legs protruding from the main body, its front end had a pair of blue, spiked mandibles beneath a cluster of emerald optical sensors, all focused on the bronze robot; rotating in naive curiosity on occasion. On its side was a line of letters and numbers, followed by a purple symbol. A Decepticon symbol.

Cog prepared another shot only for her weapon to wheeze and sputter due to overheating.

'Damn it.' She hit the back of her hand against it in hopes of snapping it back into a working condition. The creature advanced, its movements clumsy and jagged from the hit it took previously.

'Ironhide!'

Cog whipped her head to the command room's exit as Optimus, Ironhide and Incision rushed in.

'Open fire!'

'Oh, what? I thought we were just going to sit and watch!' Ironhide mused, charging his cannons. Orange energy composed within the barrels, brightening until Ironhide could feel the heat against his wrists. With a quick mental command, Ironhide fired two wide beams of orange and blue light, hitting the large parasite dead in its center prompting it to let out a deafening screech. The creature's legs skittered and skidded as it took another shot to the abdomen. Its massive legs dancing along the metal floor, the creature stumbled, using the lengthy recharge rate of Ironhide's cannons to flee out the exit-way opposite to the Autobots, and disappear down the Ark's corridors. Optimus darted to Cog, offering her a hand.

'You alright, Cog?' He eyed the hydra cannon wrapped around her wrist as she pulled herself up. '…Where did you get that gun?'

'None of your God-damned business, that's where.'

Ironhide shrugged his shoulders as he approached Cog and Optimus with cannons smoking. 'It's retreating down the corridor. Great job guys- ten-out-of-ten teamwork... Did you always carry around that gun?'

Cog flung her arms in the air. 'Isaidit'snoneof yourGoddamnedbusiness!'

Ironhide blinked before turning to Optimus. 'Speaking of guns, were you-?'

'Nope.'

'Were you holding your axe by the blade… as if it were a gun?'

Optimus pressed his thumbs together meekly, optics shifting. 'Er… w-why would I do that?'

Ironhide shook his head. 'I wouldn't know. I guess I just thought we might have had a chance of taking it down had we a little more firepower. Say, why didn't you use your Ion Blaster?'

Optimus looked to the side, 'I… um…'

'What?'

'I returned all my blasters to Wheeljack in exchange for spare fuel and Energon. Other than the Ark's outer cannons, we're essentially gun-less.'

Ironhide responded with an icy glare. 'Aw hell... you've got to be joking.'

Optimus breathed a sigh and turned to Cog and Incision. 'So in short, Sky-Line's dead, there's a monster on the loose in MY ship, and frankly, I'm starting to get just a little uncomfortable about all this.'

'Anyone else get a good look at the thing?' Incision chirped. 'Because in my medical opinion-'

'I saw some sort of writing on its side.' Cog cut in.

'Oh… okay.' Incision turned around, grumbling. 'Go ahead and interrupt the small guy why don't you… lovely.'

'It read ARA – 003… followed by a Decepticon symbol, any idea what it means?'

Optimus and Ironhide exchanged reluctant glances and huffed simultaneously. It was Optimus who spoke up. 'To be completely honest with you Cog, the only damn I give about what's printed on that thing is that purple symbol.'

Cog nodded, cocking her cannon as it finished recharging. 'So we're fighting… what? Some sort of new Decepticon drone prototype?'

'Something along those lines, yeah. Just before you guys crashed into me like a bunch of maniacs, I had a vid-call with Prowl. He told me that a sort of anomaly has been wiping out outposts by the dozens, and if I were to guess…'

'That's what we're dealing with now.' Ironhide finished.

Optimus nodded.

'So what's the plan, man?' Incision asked.

Optimus clasped his hands behind his back, slowly pacing as he explained. 'Well for one, if we call high command about this we'll only be risking even more Autobot lives should they arrive, and if we're being realistic, there's no reason why Prowl couldn't just set the Ark to self-destruct with it inside... and there's no way I'm letting him touch my ship.'

Ironhide tapped Cog lightly on the shoulder and leaned towards her audio-receptor. 'In other words Optimus may or may not just want to take the credit for himself.'

Optimus continued. 'In short, our mission is to terminate the drone before it escapes the Ark, or - more than likely - kill us. First order of business is we split up, and-'

The three Autobots burst into laughter, sending a chill of resentment up Prime's spinal strut.

'...I'm serous, the Ark is built in one big loop, if we split into groups of two, we'll be able to cover more ground and corner the thing before it escapes the Ark to kill again.'

Ironhide waved an assuring hand. 'Okay, okay… just be sure that your death-screams are loud enough so that we know where to find you.'

Optimus and Cog had their vehicular lights activated, illuminating the darkened hallway as they advanced. Having severed several circuits during the crash, the Ark's overhead lights had dimmed to a soft orangey glow as a result of the backup generator's conserved power. Cog was a few feet ahead of him, peering into each of the rooms with a refreshing sense of curiosity. Optimus remained unsure of how to approach her. He was still introverted from his time in solitude, with little idea how to speak to a single bot let alone within a group. Even Ironhide seemed… distant, and it wasn't just his change in colour palette that made Optimus feel this way. Was he always this - what was the word - stoic?

'Holy hell.'

Optimus jogged next to her to see what she was on about.

'This ship even has a swimming pool? In all my years as an engineer I've never seen a ship this high strung.'

Optimus scratched the back of his helm. 'Thanks? I mean it is Ark Class, only Prime's and Magnus's are permitted to them… High Command still won't permit me a freaking bar though…'

'Is that right?' Cog wandered towards another room, outstretching an eager hand only to have it pulled back by Optimus.

'Whoa there friend, you do not want to go in there.'

Cog traced Optimus's gaze of the room, it was compact, but its purpose was clear. It was a prison block. A short row of plexi-glassed cages lined either wall, empty thankfully, but the eeriness of the room remained.

'Why? Is this where you keep all your porn?' Cog teased, trying to ease the mood.

Optimus glared at her in offense, 'What? No it's-.' He massaged the bridge of his nose and sighed. 'how do I explain it? This room is connected to a larger electrical circuit, it's got outlets connected to each of the cells.' He pointed a digit at a small red box nailed against the far wall of the room. 'See that console over there? That's the only thing keeping the circuit from turning this whole room into one massive Taser.'

'But what's the point of-?'

'It's our prison ward, the console deactivates when the glass is shattered. Therefore if anyone tries to get in or out, they get fried.'

Cog nodded in approval. 'The perfect place for a porn stash.'

Optimus beckoned her to move on, and the two continued their trek down the corridor.

'There's something that's been bothering me.' Optimus said, staring forward.

'Uh huh.'

'You can fix a roof in minutes, you can pull a large cannon out of nowhere.'

'Uh huh.'

'You don't expect me to just ignore that do you? You're kind of a… what's the phrase, Mary Sue…? No, you're almost unbelievable, where were you stationed before you hitched with Sky-Line?'

Cog barely made a reaction to the question she was asked, prompting Optimus to wonder whether she had heard him or not.

Finally she spoke: 'Honestly, I'm not supposed to say this to anyone but… I worked at Kimia... Yes, THAT Kimia, hence why I'm filled to the brim with size changing equipment, Energon repair rays and ladders- classified tech that should never have seen the light of day.'

'Yeah... damn ladders...' Optimus brought a digit to his face-plate. 'I've heard rumors of that place. Rumors that they perform mundane experiments and go through terrifying procedures all for the sake of the war effort. It's just as the rules of the Galaxy state... Rule 1: Never go to Kimia… Rule 2: NEVER go to Kimia!'

Cog chuckled. 'I can assure you those rumors are false.' She lowered her head, the spiny, silver bristles poking out from her helm vibrating at a slow pace. 'It's much worse…'

The Prime tilted his head to the side. 'Well, this got depressing fast.' He massaged the side of his helm, trying to remember his original point. 'I think what I meant from all this is that you're actually pretty helpful, and, well, I suppose it's nice having other people around for once.'

Cog's optics squinted as a grin arched from underneath her face-plate, 'If it's any consideration, I don't exactly have anywhere to go and- well I might just stick around once this is all over, if you'll have me of course.'

He reflected her smile, 'For once Cog, I think I might just like that.'

'It's no wonder you don't have any friends!' Ironhide moaned.

He was paired up with Incision of all bots. Why he still hadn't bothered to tune out the rambling's of the smaller green medic was anyone's guess.

'Look, I'm not saying I think I'm a better doctor than Ratchet, it's because I AM a better doctor than Ratchet, besides, I have tons of friends, like Sky-Li-' he stopped, realizing what he was saying. 'Oh yeah, never mind.'

'You're lucky Prime convinced me not to inflict any 'violence' upon you, because right now I can feel myself gaining the precise urge to rectify your personality, granted you give me any more lip.'

Incision frowned at the much larger Autobot. 'Does anything you say ever make any actual sense or…? Okay, so what about your friend, this Optimus guy?'

Ironhide glared at the medi-bot with flaring, cyan optics. 'What about him?'

'What's he like, I mean what's he really like, it's rare that we see a Prime retaining their rank nowadays. Hell, I doubt most guild outposts are run by anyone other than hyper-motivational foot soldiers at this point.'

Ironhide faced forward and sighed as if he knew the topic was going to crop up sooner or later. 'Would you believe me if I told you he's actually a huge nerd?'

Incision blinked in what Ironhide could have guessed was false surprise.

'Optimus and I went to boot-camp together, hated each other at first, but stuff happens, yadda, yadda, we learned to tolerate each-other and ended up guarding the same outpost until…' Ironhide's fingers dug into the palms of his hands. '…until whatever. Knowing him is pretty boring sometimes, he liked to sit around and read to himself a lot, always decorated the base with those pine scented thingies… and he loathes violence.'

'Well, he's certainly in the wrong place.'

'No kidding. WAY too dramatic, I'm serious, he monologues and comes up with the most pompous speeches at the least opportune moments, always best to interrupt him before he gets too into it I say.'

Incision stared at his feet, trying to legitimately remember if he had ever met someone who he got to know as well as Ironhide did with Optimus.

'But you know what? He's also stupidly heroic, in a good way I suppose, helping out anyone he can, I feel like he's trying to prove something but I just can't put my finger on what that is… still, I appreciate having Optimus to rely on.' He paused, turning around to face the medical officer, 'It's always good to know someone's got your back eh Inc-'

Standing behind Ironhide was the drone. One bony stalk stabbing Incision through his mid-section and another into the soft space between the medic's throat and collar. They were both dripping in purple liquid.

Optimus and Cog sprinted around the corner, facing Ironhide and the creature as it struck Incision's body with the force of a jack-hammer, stabbing it until it looked nothing more than a large slab of metal. Ironhide provided fire, only managing foul shots with Incision's strung up body in the way. Cog placed herself at Ironhide's side, activating her Hydra-Cannon and firing short bursts of liquid-blue flame at the creature.

'Optimus!' Ironhide cried out, 'I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention and he snuck up on me and- I'm sorry! I'm so, so, sorry!'

Optimus waved a dismissive hand at the ornery robot. 'Forget about it and focus on the target, I'll try to think of- wait.' Optimus pointed at the torn up bot in the drone's grip, 'What's he- Incision!'

Incision lifted a weak servo and clumsily transformed it into a sharp, metallic object.

'What's he got there?' Cog asked, dodging a strike from one of the creature's long tendrils.

'I know what it is…' Optimus readied his axe, 'that's a scalpel.'

Ironhide raised a brow, 'What's he need a scalpel for?'

With what remained of his damaged vocal processor, Incision shouted his answer and raised the scalpel high above his head. 'IT'S FOR APPLYING A MOTHERBOARDING INCISION IN THE FLESH, BABY!'

He swung his arm backwards, stabbing the scalpel into the large cluster of optical lenses on the drone. It let out a loud screech, stumbling backwards and dropping Incision's body.

As Ironhide and Cog provided cover-fire, Optimus sprinted forward, slamming his axe against one of the creatures outstretched appendages, and grabbing Incision by his broken collar. He dragged Incision away from the drone as Ironhide and Cog drew back their fire, taking backward steps as it began to catch its balance.

Optimus gently pressed Incision against the wall and knelt next to him. 'It's alright buddy, you're a doctor right? You know what I can do to save you right?'

'Optimus!' Cog called out.

'Not now Cog…! Look, we're going to kill this spawn of a glitch, even- especially if it's the last thing we do, and it'll be you who will be tasked with patching us up after, cause that's what you are, a healer, a fantastic one I bet, and I have all sorts of faith that you can pull us through this, now tell me how I can fix you so that we can-.'

'Optimus…' Cog was providing cover directly next to Optimus, the drone flailing and screeching in agony. 'My scans… they-.'

The Prime reared his head, his brow arched in a fit of impatience. 'What! What is it?!'

'…Incision's spark left his body nearly thirty seconds ago.'

His spark sank, no, if Optimus were to describe it, his spark plunged.

Optimus examined the medical officer and suddenly it all became clear. The large hole in his chest, the cracked, dimmed visor, the brittle state of his damaged frame, the slight smile of triumph on his lips… Optimus stood up, holding back his grief for another time. 'Aww… no.'

'We need to retreat back to the comms room!' Ironhide said, his cannons already overheating. 'It may not be able to see us anymore but it can still sense us somehow. It sure as hell can sense being shot at.'

'That's really not fair.' Cog said, turning to Optimus. 'I concur, we can't fight it.'

Optimus nodded solemnly and waved a servo for them to follow, 'We run.' All three robots transformed, Optimus in his four-wheeled truck mode, Ironhide into a compact heavy rig mode with the addition of his combined cannon's on his 'roof' that gave him an almost tank-like exterior, and Cog, who transformed into a bronze and silver motorcycle of sorts, with her font wheel larger than her back one. Optimus was unsure whether the drone could still sense them or not, but regardless, he had his thrusters set to maximum.

'Cog, your scanners told you the precise time he passed, correct?'

'Yes.'

'Did he hear any of what I said?'

'I'm almost certain of it, sir.'

The three Autobots swerved into the command center and transformed. As the last one in, Ironhide was the one to spin around and slam the door shut behind him, feeling the force of the drone tackling against it as he activated the locks.

'Tough son of a gun, aren't yah?'

Ironhide turned to face Optimus and Cog, the former leaning over a computer terminal and punching in a number of keys.

'What are you doing?'

'I'm making a call.'

'To who?'

Prowl sat in his command chair, counting down.

'46…. 45… 44…' the terminal rang.