Okeeydokee, (or however you spell that)

I have another chapter up for you! It's not extremely long but not too short either, so I'd say it's perfectly in the middle. Thanks to all those who have favorited this story and who are following! I'm doing my best to not let you down!

Starry Surprise

pt10

"Optimus!" Ratchet's voice blared through the Prime's com-link, "We have a situation! Decepticon energy signatures aren't far and it seems they are causing a disturbance down town," he explained hurriedly, "Looks like Knock Out and Breakdown,"

This wasn't good news. It was very rare that the Decepticons cared to show themselves amidst the average public unless it was for a very good reason. Had Starscream located another relic? The Prime wasn't sure, but whatever the case, it was serious. Optimus pressed his com-link and responded quickly.

"Autobots, assemble at the ground bridge," he commanded. Elita One, whom he'd been sitting with and speaking quietly of things they remembered and of times long ago, had stood up the moment Optimus had with his finger to his comm.

"Is there no chance I can help?" Elita One asked in concern. Optimus took her hand gently, upset he had to suppress her wish to assist but he spoke calmly.

"If there is a chance, I will call and let you know," he promised and released her hand to move out of the room and down the hall to the ground bridge.

"Any idea of their motive?" Optimus asked Ratchet as he came into the main room. The children were all standing on the cat walk bridges near the tv/couch area they generally hung out at.

"Not really, it just seems like they are blowing up cars and causing general destruction. They haven't given indication of a goal and if they even have one, why would they be so loud about it?" Ratchet questioned.

"It's a ploy to grab our attention," Optimus Prime deduced wisely.

"A distraction?" Arcee asked.

"A distraction from what?" Jack added curiously.

"Either way we have people in trouble out there, what do we do chief?" Bulkhead inquired.

"We will not abandon those in danger. If they have an alterior motive, we will find out soon enough," Optimus replied, "Autobots roll out!"

Ratchet pulled the lever for the ground bridge and the Autobots all transformed to roar out of the base through the blue transwarp field. Elita One had come in shortly after Optimus, hanging back but knowing it would be hard to see the Prime fight without being able to fight by his side. The kids noticed her appearance when she approached and Mikko spoke up to grab her attention.

"So you're the boss lady of the Autobots then?" she questioned. Elita One blinked and looked over towards the children, quite uncertain how to answer that question... She parted her mouth to answer weakly but Mikko continued.

"Are you and Optimus like a couple or something? Is there even such thing as dating for transformers?"

Somewhere in the background Ratchet dropped a piece of welding equipment.

"Mikko!" Jack shushed her in mortification.

"I'm afraid I don't understand..." Elita One answered politely.

"You can ignore her, she's a sanguine and generally most of what comes out of her mouth doesn't need to be said," Jack explained. Mikko huffed and elbowed Jack in the side for his comment but he just scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. Elita One hadn't yet done her proper earth research on the internet, so she was unfamiliar with human terms and mannerisms still. Getting on the internet would be the first thing she'd do after making sure Optimus and his soldiers had come back safely.

"Well it is my sincere wish to be able to answer whatever questions you have for me, but I'm afraid I'm not yet familiar with your human words or ways. I have much to learn here so I beg your pardon and patience," Elita One responded with a small smile and gentle eyes. Jack could instantly see why Optimus admired Elita One so much. Even when Jack knew nothing of Elita One's battle records, she was incredibly gentle and soft spoken, and that in itself was a truly fresh relief in the chaos of war.

"We can help you!" Mikko piped up excitedly. Raf meanwhile had stayed quiet watching from behind his lap top screen as he sat on the couch.

"Thank you, I would very much appreciate that," Elita One nodded gratefully sending Raf a sweet smile as well. He smiled back.

Meanwhile...

"We cannot break cover!" Optimus ordered, "Remain in vehicular mode at all costs!" he commanded. His large semi-truck roared down the road towards where Breakdown and Knock Out were doing their damage. Bulkhead was right behind him, Bumblebee and Arcee approaching the site from a different angle.

"That will be pretty hard Optimus," Bulkhead grunted in dismay.

"We cannot alert the humans further to our presence," Optimus reminded. Already there were army trucks and police trying to contain the situation, though they were completely ill equipped and unaware of what they were actually facing.

"Optimus," Ratchet broke in, "Agent Fowler is requesting to speak with you," he informed.

"Very well," Optimus replied. At this point he was driving right in between a group of army vans which he had to move over a bit forcefully when he broke through at high speed. The army men were screaming and raving at him to break off and leave the area but the shouts acquitted when Optimus plowed right into the back of Breakdown, toppling him over to the ground roughly.

"Prime!" Fowler boomed, "This is not a situation you and your bots should be handling!" he snapped quickly.

"It's a situation someone should be handling Agent Fowler, and at this point, it is best that we are here," he responded calmly, backing up in reverse to slam down his gas petal and nail Breakdown again before he could stand back up. A loud growl escaped Breakdown's mouth but as he turned to swing his hammer right at the Prime's hood, Bulkhead rammed him from the opposite side.

"Civilians are in danger. I and my soldiers are going to try and draw the Decepticons away from the town," Optimus explained to Fowler over his com-link. Fowler's sigh could be heard over the line.

"Very well," he responded, "I'll clean up the mess," he conceded.

Knock Out had whirled when he saw the flash of yellow zooming towards him but what he hadn't expected was to have a blue motorcycle soar off the top of the nearest roof and plant tire tracks all up his chassis onto his face.

"Why you! You'll pay for that!" he screamed, enraged at her. Bumblebee followed up too quickly for Knock Out to make his threat valid and slammed full on into the robot's feet from behind, knocking the red medic clear over and sending him tumbling up against the nearest building.

A few blocks away...

Lockdown had stayed hidden for quite a while, he hadn't been certain exactly where the ground bridge would open even when it did and so consequently, when the Autobots arrived on scene, he wasn't prepared. The ground bridge had opened too far away for him to possibly reach it in time, even though he had driven at full force to the max of his capability. It had closed all too soon, leaving him to drive into the empty space it had occupied a moment later. Upon having lost his chance, Lockdown cursed and drove quickly for cover once more, not wanting the Autobots seeing him. If they did he could kiss any chance of re-capturing Elita One goodbye. So, after driving for the nearest hidden alley way, he contemplated what to do now. Starscream would be furious with him for not having seised his opportunity, but on the other hand he hadn't exactly been given a deadline. Lockdown could take as long as he wanted, and as he sat contemplating his next plan, Lockdown realized there was a small chance he hadn't missed completely out. There was still a way to use the destruction the Decepticons were giving him... Reactivating his engine, Lockdown drove out of the alley way and headed closer towards the fighting sight. The Autobots were no drawing Breakdown and Knock Out farther from the city, having thus far remained in their vehicle modes. If that was how they fought on wheels, Lockdown would hate to see how good they were when they were on their feet. None the less, he was the hunter. The Autobots had no idea he was around, and he could use that surprise to his advantage.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Yippee! Another part out! Still enjoying it? More action to come! What is Lockdown planning? Something devious I'll tell you that!

-Stokin D Embers