Baines' Jaguar raced north on the A470 north out of Cardiff into the Taff valley. Overtaking traffic going well beyond the speed limit. Passing by the cliff-face below Castle Coch, rounding the tight right turn following an immediate left turn onto a long stretch. The dual carriageway following the path of the river Taff up to its source in the north.
The spots of street lights passed over the black paint, shadows moved in a regulated pattern inside. Reflections danced off the shiny wheels. The car ducked, rocked and bounced over the imperfections of the road surface yet Baines' attention was focused dead ahead of him. The world around him passed at high speed yet he was perfectly still within it and the car sped on continuing north up into the valley.
On a side street in Cardiff the Ford Capri was parked close to a burger trailer. The human form of Megatron slid into the car. Michael was sleeping with a newspaper over his face which Megatron removed shoving a bacon sandwich in his face then putting two polystyrene cups of tea on the dash board.
Michael woke up and sank his teeth into the sandwich. As he pick up his cup he noticed two men stood next to a Triumph Dolomite. At first he didn't understand what was it about them that grabbed his attention. They were wearing suits with unfashionable colours but considering it was the nineteen eighties it was the norm. It was something else, he was sure they were watching him. But just as he was about to put it down to paranoia he saw one of them lean into their car through the window and grab a radio. Then it hit him, plain clothes police.
"Bloody hell, we've got a tail" Michael said throwing his cup out the window.
Megatron saw it to, throwing his cup out as well. Michael held the sandwich by his teeth as he fired up the engine, a few quick revs and engaging reverse he floored it. Tyres squealing and burning rubber.
The two men jumped into the Triumph and made chase of the Ford that was reversing at full speed down the street.
Megatron held tight on the handhold as he looked at Michael who looked back at him. Michael with the bacon sandwich still in his mouth flicked his eyebrows up as to say 'watch this'. A tight turn to the right and letting the momentum throw the car through a tight J- turn crunching the gearbox into first, the rear wheels span hard fighting for grip and the Capri lurched forward.
The Triumph caught up quickly, it being lighter and a firmer suspension meant it could round the corners with greater speed and carrying it though, a race car compared to how the Ford would lean to one side.
Michael threw the sandwich out and gripped the wheel tightly as he ducked and dived in and out of traffic. Oncoming vehicles flashing their headlights and blasting the horns. The Triumph traced its every move.
"They still behind us?" Michael shouted over the noise.
Megatron looked over his shoulder "Closer than ever, think you can lose them?"
"Let's find out"
Michael dropped a gear and slammed on the pedal, the V6 engine roaring and the rear suspension sagging under the acceleration. A blue flashing beacon appeared on the Triumph's roof.
Now hitting quieter roads, both cars were easily hitting over ninety miles an hour. As they past a T-junction a Rover SD 1 patrol car came screeching around corner joining the pursuit.
Michael was out of his comfort zone, he had none of the electronic aids he was used to when driving fast. His disadvantage showed as he braked hard and made a tight turn onto a side road, but he carried too much speed as the rear slid out and scraped alongside a parked car and taking out the rear left light light cluster.
Down the narrow street lined with parked car the Capri jumped over every little bump in the road. Michael holding the wheel at the quarter to position. Braking hard and turning left keeping the revs up and not needing to change gear he was using every ounce of his driving ability to get away. But the Triumph and police car were still close behind.
They emerged onto a much wider main road, Michael pulled sharply on the handbrake and steering right he flicked the car directly at his pursuers and race back at them. Playing chicken he darted left to avoid a collision and both chasing vehicles blasted past his side window.
Megatron was secretly impressed.
The chase worked its way back into the grid of old narrow streets, unbeknown to the duo more police cars were swarming into the area as well.
In the dim lit landscape of the Rhondda valley with the morning twilight on the way, the Autobots were stood ready for the arrival of their enemies. The dirt road leading to the drift mine was well out of sight from any population and prying eyes. None of them had any idea why they were waiting for the Decepticons to show other than the fact that Rear Admiral Baines said it had to do with getting Michael back.
They didn't have to wait long before they could hear the con's arrival. Swooping down from the skies came Starscream and Soundwave.
The Autobots didn't take any chances and had weapons drawn and aimed for safeties sake. Optimus naturally took the lead position.
Starscream was the first to speak "We got your message about meeting, what is it you wish to discuss? Your surrender I hope" He gloated.
"It is not I who asked to meet you, but rather we are waiting for the one who did" Optimus explained.
Through the light mist, two beams of light came from down the dirt road. Baines' Jaguar XJ6 Series 3. It bumped and rolled over the rough surface and came to a stop close to where the Autobots were standing.
The car sat there with its headlights still on they all saw the door open and a figure get out then walk in front of the car. The shadowy silhouette of a man stood there briefly with a briefcase in hand.
"I trust we are all well this morning, I hope?" Baines greeted everyone.
"You think you can summon me when you please?" Starscream remarked.
"If I'm not mistaken, I believe I already have" Baines said as he walked away from his car, his face now visible for all to see. "Now enough with the pleasantries. We are all here because we have two unaccounted for with whereabouts unknown. As of this morning I now know where they are"
"So tell me. Where are they then?"
"They are nearby, probably a couple of miles away" Baines pointed all around "However this is the complicated part. For them it's the year nineteen eighty six. They've travelled back in time. And my best guess is it was that device you now possess that is behind all this"
The Autobots gave each other sceptical glances.
"How are we to believe that? Prove it" Starscream said looking down at the Admiral, almost leaning forward on his hips.
"Glad you ask" Baines replied opening his briefcase. From it he produced the first letter he was given by Detective Superintendent Chapman.
"This is a letter from Michael explaining the whole situation, but the second letter I have here is addressed to you, Starscream"
Baines passed the letter to Optimus who in turn passed it Starscream. The two Decepticons leaned in close to read it. He was surprised to find it was written in pure Cybertronian.
"Believe me now?" Baines asked.
Starscream pondered for a moment "What do you want?"
"You provide the device which you currently hold and we'll inspect it and see if we can get our people back from the past"
Starscream looked smug, with armed folded "And what makes you think I'll do that?"
"Because of him" Baines pointed at Soundwave.
"I well aware of your backstabbing ways, it's well known you want to take Megatron's place. However if Soundwave knows of a way to restore your leader then so does every Decepticon. I don't believe they'll accept it if you chose to ignore it. That and I don't think they would accept you as they new leader anyway"
"And what makes you think of that then?"
"A part of my job is to assess naval officer's ability to command, and I've been doing it for awhile. And you know what I think of your abilities as a commander?" Baines asked rhetorically "I think your a walking disaster. You could turn a beehive into a bunch of wandering hippies with your managerial mania"
"Who do you think you are to -"
"You'll be bringing the device soon I hope" Baines cut him off "Face it you don't really don't have an option. We'll be waiting"
"I think I do actually. How about I keep the device and find a way of bringing back Lord Megatron, only. Why should I help the human?"
Baines sighed and walked back to the Jaguar. In the glove box was a radio. He collected it and brought it back to where he was standing.
"Don't try and mess with me, I'm not in a good mood"
Starscream's eyes squinted for a moment, trying to work out if that was a threat.
Baines switched the radio on and made a few adjustment then spoke into it "Sierra Twenty Nine from Flag Officer Delta Oscar Sierra"
"Sierra Twenty Nine receiving over"
The Autobots looked at each other, even they had no idea what was happening. Starscream noticed this and was now thinking should he be worried.
"Set condition to 1SQ for launch"
The order was repeated back.
Baines address Starscream "I have a Vanguard Class nuclear submarine armed with Trident Nuclear missiles now preparing to launch said missiles at your warship. Each missile has the capacity to wipe out the largest cities on this planet. How well do you think your vessel will hold up to a such a blast?"
Starscream mentally took a step back. He tried to work out if it was a bluff, but the death stare from the admiral was giving him doubts.
"Now at 1 SQ, T minus 5 minutes to launch at predetermined target package"
"Received" Baines acknowledged "You've got five minutes to decided Starscream. Play ball or I destroy your warship. So what's it going to be?"
"Your bluffing"
"Am I? Comply or be destroyed. Your choice"
Starscream paused to consider his response. The Autobots were in stunned silience, he saw this and that made his mind up.
"Fine, we'll do it your way. We will bring the device shortly"
"Glad to hear it. But be quick about it, the clock is ticking. Tick-tock-tick-tock"
With that Starscream and Soundwave retreated back through their ground bridge.
Baines turned around to see the Autobots staring at him.
"Since when could you order the launch of a nuclear weapon?" Arcee asked with her hands on her hips.
"Since never, but Starscream doesn't know that right?" Speaking into the radio he said "Thank you Miles, I can take it from here"
"No problem, sir. Hope it worked for whatever your doing"
Pointing to the radio "He was once of my officers on my vessel back in the day, he's owes me a favour that and well I was his Captain for years" Baines explained.
Back in the Eighties the duo had shook off their pursuers, though the Capri had gained a number of battle scars. They managed to escape the city and headed north taking the old roads over Caerphilly Mountain and down the Northern slope into the town that gave the mountain its name. Creeping well over the speed limit they weren't taking any chances.
Keeping off the main roads they didn't head west to hit the A470 but rather continued north through Caerphilly and took the A469 towards Llanbradach. Though being a fairly straight bit of road and hardly any traffic to get in the way, achieving high speeds was possible.
Michael was feeling better. The drive wouldn't be too long and the roads weren't particularly challenging. They'd get to the site and wait for an opportunity to get back to the present. Things were starting to improve till he saw a familiar Triumph Dolomite following behind.
Not wanting to find out if it was the same one he floored it and dangerously overtook traffic. Sure enough the Triumph sped up. The chase once again was on.
Michael again drove dangerously in and out of traffic, diving on the wrong side forcing an oncoming car to serve off the road and into a ditch.
The two cars raced up the valley towards the town of Ystrad Mynach when Michael tore off to the left into an industrial estate. A large warehouse caught Michael's attention. He aimed for the large metal wire gate and rammed it, the gate smashed aside crumpling the front of the car. The Triumph followed suit.
After a lap of the warehouse, Michael wasn't shaking off the tail anytime soon. A new strategy was called for. His decision was to ram the rolling shutter door for in the loading bay at the front. Once again the Capri tore through the thin sheet of metal then slammed into a pallet cement bags which absorbed the impact with a large plume of cement powder falling everywhere.
Michael reverse out of it then sped off to the left, tyres squealing on the slick floor. The Triumph followed through the hole on the roller shutter slower and avoided the cement.
The two men inside followed the tyre tracks, taking it slowly. They could hear the Capri revving and sliding around in the warehouse.
After sliding into another pile of boxes Michael eased off and brought the car to a crawl now he was sure the Triumph wasn't right behind them. But he knew they were in the warehouse too. They continued to creep inside the building listening for their pursuers but heard only silence.
Michael eventually stopped the car, the two looked around and behind them. The coast seemed to be clear.
"Let's get out of here" Megatron said.
Michael agreed by gently accelerating toward the exit.
The two men in the Triumph decided to move further in when the place went silent, as they rounded a corner the Capri appeared from behind and quietly slipped out of the hole it made as it came in. When they were free of the gates the duo tore down the road and continued north west towards Nelson then onto Abercyon.
A ground bridge appeared before the Autobots with weapons ready, Starscream and Soundwave came through. Starscream had the device in hand to which he presented it to them.
Baines stood up front with his gun drawn "On the ground, nice and slowly if you wouldn't mind"
Starscream grinned and did as instructed.
"Good, now off you go"
"As your wish" And with that the two Decepticons returned through their ground bridge.
Optimus picked up the device from the floor and inspected it. It was clearly a hand held device though it didn't give much away. It looked like any other hand device he had seen and used before. It was a rather unremarkable object.
"Ratchet, we require your expertise. Raff please man the ground bridge" He instructed the base.
Within moments Ratchet appeared through their own bridge. And was straight to studying the device given to him.
"Strange, it would appear to be a Decepticon made ground bridge remote. That doesn't make much sense" He said handling it.
"It can't be a ground bridge remote. If it was then why has Michael gone backwards in time?" Elita asked.
"Then it must be some sort of Time Bridge device then" Baines thought aloud.
"That's absurd there isn't such a thing as a Time Bridge, Admiral. Optimus, I'll need to take detailed scans to be sure of what this is"
The Capri drove through the small village of Nelson and continued west toward Abercyon. Not long after the yellow and black National Coal Board sign came in sight. The Capri rounded the junction hitting the drift road. It slowed as it approached the site of Michael's and Megatron's problem. Michael left the engine running, with so much damage he didn't want to risk not being able to start the engine. Then the two waited, hoping something would happen this time.
Ratchet completed his scans, reviewing the results they puzzled him.
"I don't understand this. According to my scans it is a ground bridge remote control"
"Maybe the Admiral is right, perhaps it is a so called Time Bridge device" Arcee added.
"Think about Arcee, did you ever hear of such a thing?"
"No, but we know the Deceptions experimented with many idea to win the war, why shouldn't this be on of them?"
"She's right. If the Con's were looking at performing time travel, it would have given them a huge advantage" Baines said "Besides if I'm not mistaken the ground bridge is simply a wormhole in space-time, well instead of a change of spacial position, why not a change of Time position. Space and time are the flip sides of the same coin, are they not?"
"Ratchet, it is not possible that the Decepticons could have constructed this device as a prototype?" Optimus asked.
"It's possible Optimus, but the question is why make such a thing?"
"As the Admiral put it. Maybe Megatron was hoping to change events at the start or before the war for his benefit, or gather advantages from the future"
"Sounds like something that bucket-head would do" Bulkhead chimed in.
"Well if it is a Time Bridge if that's what we're calling it, then I would imagine the Decepticons would make it so it would function as a ground bridge. If so I might be able to get Michael back"
The two were still sat in the Capri. Waiting patiently. As Michael was looking out of his side window, he didn't see Megatron getting his gun out and inspecting it then staring at the back of his head. He decided that if an opportunity to return to the present came then only one of them would be coming back alive.
Ratchet was going over the controls. Turning the device on was fairly simple and the device continued to look like a ground bridge control with subtle differences. Understanding how to use it was fairly simple.
"I believe I have found the previous coordinates used" Ratchet exclaimed with a rare show of delight.
"Then go for it!" Elita said.
Not being needed to be told twice, Ratchet hit the controls and in front of them what appeared to be a ground bridge materialized.
Elita tried to call Michaels mobile hoping the signal got through.
The two were startled to see a ground bridge portal open in 50 feet in front of the Capri. Inside the car Michael's phone started to ring. He reached for it and saw it was Elita calling.
"They got our message, they bloody well got it!" Michael shouting with glee patting the steering wheel hard.
"Good" Was all Megatron said as without warning his hand shot behind Michaels head and slammed his forehead into the wheel. The slam to his forehead knocked him out for a moment. Michael had his hands over his head, growling in pain.
Megatron climbed out of the car and walked around to Michaels side drawing his pistol. Aiming with one hand Megatron fired a gun for his very first time at the windscreen.
The gun fired, the round making a loud crack in the air. And the round hit its mark passing through Michael's right shoulder, through the seat and burying itself in the rear seat. He stood there as he listen to Michael growling through the pain, he liked what he heard.
Megatron decided to leave it at that, he'd rather Michael die in pain. With that he threw the gun away and made his way to what he thought seemed like a ground bridge.
On the other side there were long tense seconds. Everyone stood there in total silence listening and watching the portal. Then it happened, a disturbance in the portal and flying out of it came Megatron now back in true cybertronian form. He tumbled over and fell to the ground.
The Autobots responded to his arrival by drawing their weapons.
Megatron took a few seconds looking at his hands and then feeling his metal plated armour, realizing his was back to his original self.
"Where's Michael?!" Elita shouted.
Megatron got to his feet, looking the Autobots and gave a evil smirk.
"I'm afraid he couldn't make it"
"No" She said with confident denial.
"Oh I'm afraid it's true. He just couldn't keep up so he had to be put down" Megatron said with a smirk on his face.
Elita lost it and took aim at his face and fired. However the shot never hit its mark as another disturbance in the portal appeared and the Ford Capri came flying out of it and slamming hard into Megtron's leg knocking him off balance.
Metal shards and shattered glass flew out from the collision, Megatron hit the ground with a loud thud and the car went into a flat spin a whole foot off the ground. The tyres on one side then dug in and the car rolled over the lateral axis two times finally resting on the wheels. The front end of the car completed crushed and hot pressurised coolant erupted from the smashed radiator.
Megatron growled, he was sure he had eliminated Michael, but before he was able to do anything about it the Autobots fire at him forcing him to take flight.
"June, first aid required now" Baines ordered over the comms as he rushed over to the wrecked car.
Within moments June, Fowler and Jack came sprinting through the ground bridge, June carrying her first aid bag.
Baines got to the car first or what was loft of it. The A pillar was bent upwards and the force of the collision sent ripples along the door frames and over the roof with every weak point either bent out of shape or snapped.
Baines had a try at opening a door, but no luck.
Michael wasn't fairing much better either, his face in the steering wheel covered in blood. The dash board rose up blocking the view of the foot well.
"Fowler, battery"
"Can't get to it, the hood's jammed"
"I've got that" Arcee said ripping the bonnet off. But all that did was to show the mess of the engine. As for the battery, where to start looking.
"Just get it disconnected" Baines ordered.
"He's in a bad way, definitely needs the emergency room" June told him.
"Yeah tell me something I don't know" Baines replied, dialling 999 "Fire and Ambulance please"
Jack crawled through the shattered rear window and got behind Michael's seat and stabilized his head as June instructed him to do so.
By now Baines got the information through to the emergency services and he was now making a wrecky. What he found was not what he wanted to find, the tank had been ruptured and fuel was leaking fast.
"How we doing with that battery?"
"Found it, can't pull the terminal off" Fowler called back.
"Let me try" Arcee said jamming her hand in their. Then my mistake her hand touched the positive terminal and the engine then a spray of sparks flew out.