As Nova approached the bridge, the doors slid open and Arachnid walked out. She stopped in front of her to keep her from entering.
"Arachnid. I'm surprised to see you let off so easy. I expected you to be dead by now." She was the reason Megatron was almost electrocuted to death. And after plotting against him during his absence with Unicron, Nova thought for sure this would be the final straw.
Arachnid smirked, "If Megatron executed his followers every time one failed him, he wouldn't have much of an army, now would he?"
Nova narrowed her optics, "Yet I wonder why he doesn't make an exception for you. It's no secret that your loyalty to him is questionable."
"I resent that. He made me his second in command for a reason, didn't he?" She snickered, "Or maybe the reason he still keeps me alive is because he's got a soft spot for femmes."
Nova remained expressionless, "Megatron doesn't have a soft spot for anything."
"Well, you better hope he does! After failing to terminate Wheeljack? He must not be very pleased with you."
"What are you talking about? I was given direct orders not to kill him. I take it Lord Megatron has a plan." She was on her way to find out what that plan was exactly, then Arachnid got in the way.
"Megatron would never order you to spare an Autobot. That's just crazy talk." Arachnid winked at her.
Nova's optics widened. She came to the realization that Megatron never gave those orders. Arachnid tricked her. She used voice altering technology to impersonate Megatron. "It was you. How dare you sabotage a perfect opportunity to extinguish the enemy!"
"I did what I had to do to protect my title. Now we have both failed Lord Megatron. It has been a while since any 'Con around here has managed actually kill an Autobot. I couldn't allow you to do that and make me look bad."
Nova could kill her right then and there. But instead, she decided to play along with her little game. "You have no idea who you are dealing with, Arachnid."
"Funny, I was just about to say the same to you."
Nova smirked, "You're wasting your time. Megatron knows of your treacherous ways. When it comes to you and I, there isn't a doubt in my mind about who he would choose. You would do well to remember that, commander."
Back at the Autobot base, Wheeljack was sulking in his ship after that humiliating flight against Luna. Everyone saw his pride get the better of him. He felt like a fool. Bulkhead was trying to snap him out of it. "C'mon, Jackie. Luna really feels bad about it. She said she's sorry."
"I don't want her apology!" Wheeljack snapped back, "No one should ever be sorry for winning."
Just then, the Jackhammer received an incoming call from an unknown signal. Wheeljack demanded whoever it was to identify them self.
"I take it you've made a full recovery, Wheeljack. I suppose it's true what they say about you wreckers." It was Nova's voice.
Wheeljack and Bulkhead exchanged looks. "What do you want, 'Con?"
"To challenge you to a re-match. We have unfinished business you and I. My apologies for leaving right at the good part, something had come up. Now that it's taken care of, I'm dying to know who would have won that fight . . . aren't you?"
Considering she left him with barely his life to hold on to, it was pretty clear who would have won. Nova was determined to kill him this time, and Arachnid would not interfere again. She only hoped he was dumb enough to accept.
Wheeljack muted the call on their end so she couldn't hear them talk it over, "Jackie, think about this. Don't do it." Bulkhead warned.
"She fights similar to Luna. I'm ready this time. I'll know her moves." Wheeljack protested.
"We can't be taking any unnecessary risks." Bulkhead said, "The 'Cons have the Dark Nous relic. If you're captured and turned against us, like what happened with Arcee . . . you won't be able to control your actions. We need to stick together now more than ever."
"Well, Wheeljack?" Nova called, interrupting their private conversation. "Do you accept my challenge?"
Wheeljack glanced at Bulkhead who shook his head with disapproval. He decided to play it safe like Bulkhead wanted. The wrecker shrugged to himself before answering, "Forget it, 'Con. I'm not interested."
Nova was surprised, "Hmm, that's disappointing. I thought for sure you would have the dignity to face me again. Where is that famous wrecker pride I've heard so much about?" She was toying with him on purpose. Wheeljack tried not to let her get to him. "Ah well, I tried. My offer still stands if you change your mind. Oh and say hello to my dear sister for me, would you? She'll be happy to hear that Megatron has made a full recovery as well."
The line went dead. Wheeljack couldn't help but regret his decision.
Christmas was right around the corner, only a week away, and Monica needed to get some last minute shopping in. Her friend, Skylar, invited herself along and she would not shut up about her new boyfriend, Ricky.
"He even bought me this charm bracelet. Pretty, right?" Skylar showed her.
The mall only got crowded around this time of year. Monica was wondering what to get for her family, maybe even something for Luna too. She glanced away from window shopping to look at the bracelet, "Hey, that is nice. My mom would probably like that. Where'd he get it?"
"Not sure. I could call and ask him for you!" Skylar suggested, pulling out her cell phone.
She had just got off the phone with him ten minutes ago, after saying 'no, you hang up first' about a million times. Monica stopped her, "That's okay! I'm sure I can find something like it."
"Oh, guess what? Adam's parents went away and they don't get back 'til Christmas Eve. So he's throwing a little Holiday get together tomorrow night. We both got invited!"
"A little get together?" Monica repeated. Yeah, right. Adam in High School was known for throwing some crazy house parties. Not that she ever went to any. "Is Ricky going with you?"
Did she even have to ask?
"Yes, but I want you to come too!"
"As tempting as it sounds to be the third-wheel all night long, I think I'll pass." Monica said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh come on, no you won't! It'll be fun! What, are you too cool for me now that you party in California?"
Monica laughed, "Definitely not."
Skylar gasped, "You have gone to some parties in California, haven't you?"
"Not exactly. I've been a little busy studying for my classes. People actually go to college to learn, you know."
"Monica! I can't believe you haven't been to any college parties yet. Now you have to come!"
"Are you trying to get me to go so badly just so I can be the designated driver?" Monica asked, half-jokingly. From what she recalled, Skylar had a bad habit of going to parties and getting trashed.
"What? No, not at all! Look, I know you think Physics is the most important thing in the world right now, but college is supposed to be the time of your life! You're supposed to let loose once in a while."
Monica sighed. Partying was the last thing she should be doing right now. Not with Christmas so close and dealing with a SECRET ALIEN WAR on top of that. "Fine. I'll go and try to have fun. But no promises."
Meanwhile, at school, Jack was eagerly waiting for the day to end. It was the last day of school before Christmas break and he really needed the vacation. Finally the bell went off. A stampede of students rushed out the front doors. One guy grinded down the railing on his skateboard. As the school started to clear out, Jack noticed Sierra was looking his way.
She approached him, holding her books close to her chest. "Hi, Jack."
"Hi, Sierra. Nice to finally be on break, huh?"
"Tell me about it." She smiled, "So I was wondering . . . Are you free tomorrow night?"
Was she, was she asking him out? Was this really happening? He needed to compose himself before he blew it, "I- um- I don't think I'm doing anything."
"My older brother is having a party because my parents are away. I promised not to snitch if he let me invite some of my friends. I was hoping you would come."
Oh. So this wasn't a one-on-one date. Still, he was happy to be invited to a party. He knew that her brother was in college. So this wasn't just a party, it was a college party. "Sure, sounds like fun!"
"Great! So I'll see you tomorrow! Say 9 o' clock?"
Jack nodded, grinning and waving a goodbye as she walked off with her friend.
"What about me?!" Miko appeared next to him, "She forgot to invite me! RUDE!"
Jack rolled his eyes, still smiling. "Miko, this is a college party. You're much too immature."
Miko crossed her arms. "Oh, please! You better step up your game, Romeo! I hear Vince is going to that party and it's pretty obvious that he's got a thing for Sierra too." She grinned, noticing Bulkhead pull up along the curb. She started towards him, looking back at Jack. "Good Luck, Jackrabbit!"