Chapter 10: Deus Ex Machina

Miko groaned. "Detention, aw!" she complained. But then, she smiled when she spotted a green jeep pulling up beside a sidewalk. She looked at the teacher and saw the teacher was too busy reading the newspaper. So, she decided to sneak out.

Bulkhead was listening to rock music and singing along when Miko got inside.

"I love this song!" Miko exclaimed as she joined Bulkhead.

"Miko, I thought you had detention." Bulkhead thought. "Did detention end early?" he asked.

"Did for me," Miko said laying back casually then she saw her teacher coming her way. "Uh-oh. Here comes the teacher and she doesn't look happy. Step on it, Bulkhead!" Miko said hiding.

"Aw, Miko." Bulkhead groaned but did it anyway. They headed to the Autobot base. "Miko, I'm supposed to be your guardian, not your getaway car. You can't just cut detention. What if your parents find out?"

"They live in Tokoyo remember. And don't even worry about my host parents, I think I scare them." Miko responded.

"Miko, if you need help with history, just ask Ava." Bulkhead suggested.

She gasped. "Great idea, Bulk. I'll ask her to help with my history report." Miko said getting out of Bulkhead after he arrived at base.

"I'm detecting a fresh energon pulse detected, from the nation called... Greece - an ancient city. Quite historic I believe." Ratchet informed.

"Ancient Greece, huh? Oh, field trip!" Bulkhead announced.

Starscream awaited for two new Cons to show up in the bridge. "It's about time, Knock Out. I do not enjoy being kept waiting."

"Ah, it was a long trip, Starscream. I'm still picking bugs out of my grille." Knock Out retorted.

"Yes, right. You're one of those." Starscream spat in disgust.

"Come again?"

"Never understood why any self-respecting would choose 'automobile' as his vehicle mode when he could have flight!"

"I like the way I look in steel-belted radials." Knock Out admitted. Starscream rolled his optics before leading Knock Out to the med-bay. "I take it Lord Megatron requires a laboratory assist."

"You...might say that."

Starscream opened the door to the med bay and revealed a badly damaged Megatron.

"Whoa." Knock Out exclaimed as he saw the leader in such condition.

"Sadly, our inevitable Lord Megatron has been like this for some time," Starscream informed Knock Out. "But the crew took a vote, and it was decided that an expert might put him on the road to recovery."

"I've done plenty of bodywork, Starscream, but I'm better at breaking things than fixing them." Knock Out sighed. "It would help if I had my assistant."

"I summoned both of you. Where is he?"

"We were hot on a fresh energon trail when you called. Breakdown will show once he's through scouting it."

"Here we are." Bulkhead announced as he and Miko exited the Ground bridge.

"Sweet!" Miko exclaimed as she observed the place. "So, what are we doing in Greco-ville?"

"I'm scouting for energon. You're doing research for your history report." Bulkhead answered.

"You punk'd me, Bulk? Not cool!"

Bulkhead observed the scanner. "Hm, signal's strong. An excavation site."

"Whoa." Miko breathed.

"I know construction. According to my scanners, humans hit energon veins and they don't even know it." Bulkhead said looking at the Greek painting. "Whoa, that's cycbertronian," he observed. "Why would Ancient Greeks paint an Energon Harvester?" he asked.

"Told ya we should've brought Ava. And you know what that round thing is? You're smarter than you let on." Miko teased as she took her phone out and took a picture.

"But even dumber than he looks."

Bulkhead and Miko turn around and is now faced with a new Con. "Breakdown."

Breakdown chuckled. "Miss me?"

"Like rust in my undercarriage," Bulkhead answered.

"You know this lunkhead?" Miko asked.

"We had a...history."

"And you have a pet. Does she play catch?" Breakdown asked as he grabs a pillar next to him and rips it from the ground. "Catch!" he threw the pillar toward Miko.

Miko immediately started to run from the pillar. Bulkhead jumped in front of Miko and broke the pillar to pieces. "Miko, stay down!"

While Bulkhead was distracted, Breakdown took advantage and tackled him to the ground. Then, he grabbed him and threw him into the Greek painting, destroying it. "Oops, hope the pretty picture wasn't too important." Breakdown said then transformed and drove away.

Miko went to see if Bulkhead was fine. "Told ya I'm good at breaking things," Bulkhead said feeling disappointed.

"I always have your back, Bulk. Got us a picture of the picture." Miko said showing her phone.

"It is indeed an Energon Harvester." Optimus confirmed once Ava put the picture from Miko's phone onto the main computer. "A powerful tool created by the Ancients to remove raw energon from any source."

"Greek Gods knew Autobots?" Raf asked confused.

"No. The Ancients often used the art of a given era to conceal messages." Optimus continued. "This fresco was likely a signpost indicating a harvest's location somewhere hidden on Earth."

"Uh, Optimus. If the Harvester removes energon from anything, and you all have energon pumping inside..." Jack trailed off.

"In Decepticon hands, the Harvester would be a devasting weapon." Optimus finished.

"See? You were a genius to totaling that painting." Miko stated.

"Miko's not wrong. How can the Cons find the Harvester without the fresco."

"According to a website, it was found by human archeologists and put it on display in a museum." Ava jumped in as she finished typing and showed an image of the golden orb to them on her laptop.

"That the real deal?" Arcee asked.

Optimus went quiet for a moment as he observed the picture. "Contact Agent Fowler."

Ratchet did so, but it went to voicemail. "You've reached special Agent William Fowler here. I'm currently on an intensive training retreat and unavailable until Tuesday."

"I hate talking to machines." Ratchet grumbled and complained.

"Without Agent Fowler's direct aid, we will have to confiscate the harvester on our own," Optimus announced.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Confiscate? As in steal museum property?" Jack asked alarmed.

"That sounds...illegal," Raf added.

"I do not wish to break human law, but once the Decepticons learn of the harvester's location, they will not hesitate to obtain it by any means necessary. We must act covertly."

Jack chuckled nervously. "Okay, n-no offense Optimus, but covertly and giant robots don't really go together. Museums are public. A-and they have guards and security cameras."

Ava cleared her throat loud enough to get their attention. "Ahem. Aren't you forgetting someone?"

"Uh, Ava? Are you sure you want to mess with the government at this early of age?" Bulkhead asked.

"Oh please, what are they gonna do against me when I have you guys watching my back?"

Little did they know is that Soundwave was looking at the same picture as the Autobots.

"Mm-hmm. That's definitely it!" Breakdown confirms.

"Then I'm afraid Megatron's well-being will have to wait. It's harvest time."

It was late at night when the Autobots arrived at the museum parking lot, each one taking a position to cover Ava's back.

"Jack, Raf, Ava and Miko, I will have a clear view of you. Once you secure the Harvester, I will contact Ratchet to bridge you back to base." Optimus instructed.

Ratchet activated the portal and looked over to the teenager. "Now, since you'll bypass all normal points of entry, you won't need to worry about setting off the alarm. But take care to avoid any security guards," he warns the girls.

The vortex appeared in an empty hall just down a way from the harvester. The girls emerged from it. In front of them was a fossil of a T-Rex and next to it was the statue with the harvester at hand.

"Opa!" Miko exclaimed when they spotted the harvester.

The girls looked outside and saw Optimus flashing lights to signal the all clear. Ava raised the scissor lift until they were directly next to a security camera. Ava nods her hand at Miko and the Japanese girl took out her phone. She leaned close to the camera to get the right angle and took a picture of it. Next, she typed a few things on her phone then placed it carefully on top of the camera. As a result, the guard saw nothing out of the ordinary. Once Miko finished, Ava moved the scissor lift to the statue.

Outside, Optimus is keeping a close eye on the kids when he heard an engine behind him. He moved his side mirror and saw a car pulling up beside him.

Knock Out gives a whistle. "Sweet rims. 24 gauge? You're a real heavy-duty." he observed. "Just like my friend here."

On cue, another vehicle approaches the scene... Breakdown. A missile was fired from his cannon which made Optimus transform and grabs the missile to slow it down. And he did just in time that he only made a crack to the window of the museum. Optimus looked inside the museum to see if the kids were fine to which had confused looks as they heard the crack. But when he looked to face the Cons, he was presented by Knockout holding an energon staff in hand. Knock Out shocked Optimus in the neck until unconscious. Next, he blinked his lights, signaling Breakdown to proceed.

Back inside, Ava saw the Con shock her father in which made her eyes wide in concern and wished she could help them. She went to the railing of the scissor lift and reached out her hand. Miko placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ava, we need to get this away from the Cons. Then we can help the Autobots." she encouraged.

Ava sighed, "You're right. Let's do this." she said getting on top of the hand. "Ready. Push!" she exclaimed as she and Miko gave one last push and made the harvester go onto the scissor lift.

But that's when the alarm was set off when Bulkhead was thrown into the museum with Knock Out setting off the alarm breaking a pillar. After Knock Out recovered from being crushed from Bulkhead, he saw Optimus getting up. He grabbed his staff and ran toward the Prime. But this time, Optimus hit the Con with his arm and laid back down to recover some more.

"Come on... time to make our exit, guys," Miko said as she ran ahead while Ava followed her behind on the scissor lift. She turned a corner and saw a garage door then pressed a button to open it. She ducked under it as it opened but then a light flashed on her, indicating she was caught by a security guard. "Uh... what's up?" Miko said nervously.

The guard turned off his flashlight and grabbed her by the wrist. "Better come with me, miss." he took her to his office and locked the door behind him.

"Not good," Ava exclaimed. Then looked to the entrance and saw small cybertronian legs. "Arcee!" She ran to greet her sister but when the bot revealed itself, it was Soundwave instead. Ava gulped. "Soundwave."

Optimus woke up from unconscious just in time to see Soundwave flying off with the Harvester.

Knock Out saw Soundwave flying off and he smiled, "Mm. That would be game." he said then transformed and followed Soundwave with Breakdown following behind them and Arcee following the Cons.

Just when Bulkhead and Bumblebee were about to follow Arcee to give back up, they head Jack and Raf.

"The Cons have the Harvester and Ava!"

"And the security has Miko!"

"What? I'm going in after her!"

Optimus puts a hand to stop the Wrecker. "Bulkhead, Miko may be detained, but she is safe from harm."

Inside the office, Miko fidgeted with her fingers nervously. She kinda wished Ava was here so she could knock this guy out.

"Look, kid, if this is some kind of prank, you need to know that the authorities are on their way. It'd go a whole lot easier for you if you just told me what happened with the sphere."

"I was researching for my history report with a friend of mine. We just lost track of time and got locked in here after closing," she responded quickly.

"So, what's your history report about? I'd love to know."

"Uh..." Miko trailed off. Damn, she really wished Ava was in here.

"In all likelihood, Starscream will use the Harvester to gather as much energon as quickly as he can from the planet's otherwise unmined energon deposits. Approach with extreme caution, Starscream will not hesitate to turn the harvester on any one of us. Bulkhead, it is best that you remain here."

"So, I can bust Miko out of the museum?" Bulkhead asked eagerly.

"So you can help Ratchet. You may be Miko's guardian, but now she requires human assistance. Agent Fowler remains her best option!" Optimus explained then went through the Ground bridge.

"You've reached Special Agent William Fowler here. I'm currently on an intensive training retreat and unavailable until Tuesday."

"Still no answer," Raf stated.

"Fowler's lounging around some poolside cabana," Bulkhead growled as he punched his fist into many tools.

"Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet yelled.

"We can free Miko if we can just return that harvester to the museum."

"So the Decepticons can steal it all over again?" Ratchet retorted knowingly.

"...I am so dumb!" Bulkhead shouted.

"So how are we going to help Miko?" Jack asked worriedly.

"By returning this replica to the museum." Ratchet lifted the orb. "The construction of which would be going a whole lot faster if Bulkhead hadn't just handled the frame welder!" he shouted.

"We're already trespassers and thieves. Why not add forgery to the list?" Jack remarked sarcastically.

"I wish I had never taken Miko to the - the painting of the harvester isn't the only thing we found at those ruins," Bulkhead remembered.

"I'm sorry?" Ratchet asked confused.

"Starscream's not dumb! No matter what kind of tool he has, he's gonna take the easy route!" Bulkhead explained.

Nighttime has fallen in Greece, as the Cons; Starscream, Knock Out and Breakdown were at the excavation site where Bulkhead and Miko were, with Ava chained up to a pillar with a vehicon standing guard.

"Why move mountains now, when we have a motherlode of energon right here for the taking - courtesy of this gift from the Ancient Autobots!" Starscream asked rhetorically.

"Uh, actually, Commander Starscream, it was a gift from Breakdown and myself." Knock Out corrected.

Starscream aimed the harvester at the duo which made them cower in fear. He activated it but the beam passed the two and hit a Vehicon instead. Knock Out and Breakdown watched in fear as the Con's energon was being drained into the harvester. Even Ava looked away from the scene because she knew what happens after. The Con let out a pained gasp as he fell dead.

The harvester powered down and Starscream looked at it in amazement. "All that energon in such a tin vessel."

"Those Ancient Autobots never missed a trick, Lord Starscream." Knock Out remarked nervously.

Starscream aimed the harvester at them again and it came with the same result. He then turned his attention to the rocks and aimed at them then started draining the energon into the vessel. This time, Ava could watch to see what happens. But as she does it starts to give her nightmares or visions of the energon that Starscream was draining of was her father. She grimaced at the thought. While the Decepticons were distracted, Ava untied her hands-free but she kept them there to fool them. She was about to make her escape when she felt the ground shake a little. She looked over to her right and saw Bulkhead sneaking on the Cons. This made Ava smile.

As Bulkhead got closer to the Cons, he accidentally steps on an antique pot which grabbed the Cons attention. He groaned nervously as Knock Out and Breakdown split up on either side. Once they got close, he ducked making Breakdown hit Knockout in the face with his hammer.

"Ooh! Ava exclaimed as she cringed at the pain.

Bulkhead grabbed the staff and used it on Breakdown. Once he took care of those two, he went over to free Ava but the chains dropped as she let go of them. She shrugged at the chains but then she saw Starscream aim the harvester at Bulkhead.

"Look out!" she warned.

Bulkhead grunted when the harvester started draining energon from him. He grew tired quickly.

"You're a big one. This could take a while." Starscream sneered.

Ava looked between Starscream and Bulkhead who was drained of energon every second. Then she looked down at the chains and thought of an idea. She picked them and situated them in her hands to throw at Starscream's leg to make him fall. After she latched the chains around Starscream's leg, she pulled with all her might and made him fall. Bulkhead got up and head over to Starscream and when he did, he grabbed a hold of the orb then punched Starscream in the face.

He then deactivates the harvester and threw it in the sky, watching it explode. He fell on the ground, tired. Ava ran to his side but that's also when Knockout and Breakdown recovery and were now standing over the tired Autobot.

"He's a glutton for punishment." Knockout remarked as he activated his staff.

They turn around when they heard a Ground bridge open and out came Optimus, Arcee, and Bumblebee with their blasters equipped and shooting at them.

"Fight?" Breakdown asked.

"Mm. Drive." Knock Out answered and the two drove away. The same goes for Starscream as he saw there was no point in fighting.

The Autobots gather around Ava who laid her hands on Bulkhead's chest, their eyes filled with worry.

"Hey." Bulkhead smiled weakly at them. After that, everything turns to normal.