Chapter 9: An Elaborate Plan

"So are you guys going to explain everything to me or do I have to figure it out on my own," Mikaela said once they had begun cleaning up the decepticon parts littered all over the floor of the warehouse.

"Well it was actually Sam's idea…" Bumblebee started.

"No it wasn't," Sam rolled his eyes, "Starka told Bumblebee about Megatron's plot and so they switched places so Bumblebee could confirm that the Decepticons were the real deal. Once he saw they were real though I'm not sure why they didn't switch back."

"It took a while for Megatron to let me see him," Bumblebee explained, "he seemed really suspicious and I had to scan him without him knowing. By the time I figured out it really was him Blackout had gotten suspicious and followed me. That's why Ratchet was working on him."

"So all of you knew," Mikaela asked.

"No," Ironhide said bitterly, "we didn't find out until Starka found us outside."

"It was quite a surprise to have someone come up behind you when you just saw them go in," Sam said picking up what appeared to be a giant robot finger.

"Starka explained that she had been the one Megatron had attacked and that Bumblebee was the one inside the warehouse," Ratchet explained.

"Ironhide couldn't stand losing Bumblebee again and demanded that we go in after him," Starka teased.

"I was worried about a comrade," Ironhide said hotly, but had he been human he probably would have blushed.

"So how did you guys all become Starka," Mikaela asked curiously.

"As you know we all have to scan the vehicle we decide to become," Bumblebee started, "we all scanned Starka and became her. There was only one glitch to the plan."

"Your voices," Mikaela filled in.

"Exactly, as Jazz so brilliantly pointed out we couldn't make our voices sound liker hers," Ironhide said, "so we were all forced to use our radios."

"That's why Bumblebee had started using his radio again," Sam explained.

"Wow, you guys really thought this through didn't you," Mikaela smiled looking between Starka and Bumblebee.

"It was mostly Starka," Bumblebee admitted.

"It comes with working with decepticons," Starka brushed off Bumblebee's compliment.

"So now that the decepticons are gone for good this time, what will you do," Sam asked.

"I was thinking about traveling the galaxy," Starka said staring at the far wall.

"You're not staying?" Bumblebee asked startled.

"This planet isn't right for me," Starka explained, "plus I think I should lay low since all those people saw me transforming in the middle of the highway," she teased.

"I had to," Bumblebee muttered.

"We will have to come up with something to tell the Secretary of Defense," Ratchet said.

"Why not the truth?" Sam asked.

"I meant a way to say it," Ratchet clarified, "we'd have to explain about Starka and the possibility of more autobots arriving on earth. It'll be a long meeting."

"Well good luck with that," Sam said, grimacing as one of the parts he picked up sprayed oil all over him.

"I think you should be a mechanic," Mikaela grinned looking at the mess, "you've already got the look down."

"Very funny," Sam said the started towards her, "how 'bout a 'you just saved the day again' hug."

"No way," Mikaela laughed stepping away.

"Come on." Sam started chasing after her. The autobots laughed as they watched the humans running around the warehouse.

"So you're really not staying?" Bumblebee asked sounding let down.

"No, but I'll be back," Starka smiled gently, "I can't stay away from you for long." Bumblebee sighed.

"Well if one good thing came out of this, I think me and Ironhide are finally friends again," Bumblebee said then smiled, "All thanks to you."

"Just keep it this way ok," Starka teased.


Deleted Scene or Chapter if you prefer

This part I had originally put in place of the beginning of chapter 8 but I decided to leave it out to prolong the mystery.


"You were great," Starka's radio crackled, "I don't think anyone…could have pulled…it off…like you." Bumblebee remained silent, trying to hold on to what remained of his strength. Neither of them was sure how long they sat there but as the first glow of morning began to appear Starka began to get restless.

"Maybe I should go…for help," she said starting to stand. Bumblebee grabbed her arm.

"Someone's coming," he said softly then after a pause added in a relieved sort of way, "Ironhide." Starka turned and saw the black truck coming towards them at high speed. He transformed half way to them and ran the rest of the way.

"What happened," he yelled skidding to a stop and just missing Bumblebee.

"Megatron…" Ironhide yanking her to her feet cut her off.

"What did you do?" he shouted shaking her, "What did you do to Bumblebee?"

"He's fine," came Starka's voice, but it wasn't from the robot Ironhide was holding hostage. Ironhide looked down confused at Bumblebee's form dying on the ground.

"What's going on?" Ironhide asked releasing Starka's form and backing away.

"I'm Bumblebee," Starka's form said.

"What?" Ironhide found the situation harder to grasp the more times it was repeated.

"Starka knew Mikaela was in danger so we switched places," Bumblebee explained.

"So you two've been each other for how long?" Ironhide asked glancing between them.

"About a week," they answered together.


At this point I decided it would be better if I left out the confession of being each other wait until the end. Thanks for Reviewing MixChick, Tkaa and Dandyparakeet . So anyway this is the end. Hope you liked it! Thanks for all the support while I wrote this it really has been a big help.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED AND PUT MY STORY OR ME ON FAVORTIE/ALERT LISTS AND TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED.