Sari contacts Optimus about staying on Farside Beacon One and helping Bumblebee & Fanzone, now that Sentinel Prime is coming.
Bumblebee and Fanzone have begun drilling their crews on Farside Beacon One's defensive maneuvers. Sari meanwhile, gets in contact with Optimus. "Hello, Sari, what's up?"
"I just had an idea, sir," she said. "With Sentinel Prime's arrival, perhaps I could be of assistance to Bumblebee and Lieutenant Fanzone. I could put my diplomat mod to use as a liaison between the Autobots – that is in reality, Sentinel Prime, and everyone else."
"Act as a go-between, smoothing things between Sentinel and everyone on Farside Beacon One," said Optimus. "I think that's a good idea, Sari – it may help to keep things running well while Steelhaven is up there. How do you feel about remaining on the moon? You were due to return to earth."
"I'm willing to stay as long as would be deemed necessary," she replied. "And if the battle begins here, I'll be immediately available to help."
"Just remember Sari, if Team Chaar does land on the moon, Sentinel Prime would be your Field Commander." said Optimus. "You would have to take orders from him."
"Understood," she said.
"Very well. I will put in a call to the Autobot High Council and see if they would be willing to have you appointed to some type of accredited capacity, say, as Autobot/Human Liaison. Sentinel Prime is a stickler for protocol; he'll be more receptive to your position if it's deemed official."
While en route to the moon, Steelhaven received a transmission from Cliffjumper. "Sentinel Prime, I have the list of Farside Beacon One commanding officers: the Autobot officer is Bumblebee, and the Human officer is Lieutenant Fanzone.
"Human officer? What are humans doing on the station?"
"Farside Beacon One is a cooperative effort between Cybertron and Earth," explained Cliffjumper. It is controlled equally by both worlds. While there, you will be expected to work with both officers. As such, the Autobot High Council has appointed an Autobot/Human Liaison to assist you."
"Ha! A liaison," he laughed. "Well, good, I'll let him deal with the humans. Who's the poor bot that got stuck with THAT assignment?"
"The liaison is Sari Sumdac."
"Sumdac? The Technorganic?"
"The very same."
"Wonderful," he groaned. "Any other good news?"
Yes. Perceptor has some information to pass along to you about the Technorganic's abilities. The number of her mods is increasing at an exponential rate of growth, and…"
"Yes, yes, I'm sure that's all very interesting," interrupted Sentinel. "Perceptor loves all that techno babble, but what I am looking for are bots I can use in combat."
"That's what I am trying to tell you, Sentinel Prime," said Cliffjumper. "Her recently acquired powers are extraordinary and would be very useful to you in battle. She has also learned an impressive number of Cyber-Ninja techniques from Jazz. We suggest you take the time to learn about all of this."
"We'll see," he responded. "Steelhaven out."
"Why don't you go reformat yourself with a lug wrench," grumbled Cliffjumper after the transmission ended.
Back on the moon, Bumblebee and Sari were talking about the Steelhaven's imminent arrival.
"So Sar, are you staying with us?" Bumblebee asked.
"Yes, Optimus thought it would be a good idea for me to be your liaison while Sentinel is here. He passed the recommendation along to the Autobot High Council to make it official; that ought to make my appearance at meetings a little more acceptable to you know who."
"Woo hoo! I really appreciate your help. So what's your big title?"
"I have been designated Farside Beacon One's 'Autobot/Human Liaison'," she smiled.
"Whoa! Sounds impressive! A new addition to your resume – you can put it right after 'Blue Orb Shrinky Thing Thrower'."
Sari laughed. "Funny, Bee." And then she grew serious. "But now Bulky's going back to Earth by himself."
"Yeah, gonna miss the big guy. Oh, and don't forget – we're meeting him at the space bridge in a megacycle."
"I know," she sighed. "Preparing my goodbye."
Later on, Bee botted the controls while Sari and the other bots, Fanzone and his crew stood by to bid farewell to Bulkhead.
"Goodbye, Bulkhead," said Fanzone. "On behalf of Earth, thank you for all your hard work."
"Thanks for helping us, Bulkhead, good luck back on Earth," said Sergeant Pond.
"We wish you well," said Airmen Burdick and Tucker.
"Farewell, Bulkhead," said Sandstorm. "Thanks for giving me all that training on the space bridge. Hope to learn more from you someday."
"Bye Bulkhead," said Firestar. "Hope to see you when I get a chance to visit Earth."
"Oh, Bulky," said Sari, "Thought I was going back with you, but I've got some more work to do here. Say hi to everyone for me, OK?"
"Ready when you are, big guy," said Bumblebee. "See you soon!"
"Bye everybody," said Bulkhead, waved, and jumped into the space bridge.
Steelhaven has arrived!
"Farside Beacon One, this is Steelhaven. Please to prepare for our landing," said Jetfire.
"We read you, Steelhaven," said Sergeant Pond. Welcome to Farside Beacon One. Landing site is ready for you."
After its landing, Sentinel Prime called for a meeting with the station's leadership. Bumblebee, Fanzone, and Sari boarded and entered his conference room.
"Thank you, Sentinel Prime, for coming to protect us against Team Chaar," said Bumblebee. "We appreciate Steelhaven's presence."
"We'll keep them away from your station," replied Sentinel. "Should they be foolish enough to land here, I think it would be best if you and your crew remain on Farside Beacon One and let us take care of them."
"I understand the protocol is for the Ark-32 to join you if it has been confirmed they are headed this way," said Bumblebee.
"The Ark-32? With Optimus? I doubt that would be necessary. He and his crew can remain on Earth." Said Sentinel.
Bumblebee looked to Sari for help. She gave him a glance that communicated to just let it go for now. "Hopefully there will be time to work this out with Optimus," she thought.
Suddenly, Sari's encryption-detection mods started glowing blue.
"Uh oh," said Bumblebee.
"Uh oh? What do you mean, uh oh?" said Sentinel.
"I'm picking up an encrypted transmission from the Team Chaar ship," she said.
All conversation stopped. Everyone looked at the glowing mods on her helmet.
"They're leaving Ganymede," she said, "and headed for the moon."
"Should we start preparing?" asked Fanzone.
"Now just a minute. Everybody hold on," said Sentinel. "I'm not going to do anything until I have confirmation." He got on his comm. "Jetfire! Did you pick up any Decepticon transmissions?"
"Transmission pickup, yes! Decepticon, surely!" said Jetfire.
"Well, what does it say?"
"Hold please." He said. "Am not making out. Is encryption, certainly. Sending to Cybertron to decrypt."
"Well let me know what you get back!" said Sentinel impatiently.
"I'll make a decision as soon as I hear back from Cybertron intelligence, but not before." Just then, an alarm began sounding in all of the Autobot's helmet comms and in Fanzone's space suit. "What in blazes is that annoying sound?" demanded Sentinel.
"The long-range scanner on Farside Beacon One has detected the Decepticon ship, and is announcing it to all outside the station," explained Bumblebee.
"Sentinel Prime, message return from Cybertron," said Jetfire.
"Well that was quick!" said Sentinel. "What does it say?"
"Message from Cliffjumper. Says: 'Technorganic should have already decrypted Decepticon transmission for you.'"
"Oh, fine!" Sentinel replied, looking annoyed. He turned to Sari. "Anything else in the transmission?"
"It was a message from General Strika to the planet Chaar," said Sari. "She plans to attack Farside Beacon One to destroy its long-range detection capabilities. That's all there was to the message."
"Alright, inform Optimus Prime of the transmission, and…"
"Pardon me for the interruption, Sentinel Prime," said Sari, "but my mod is automatically patched in to both Farside Beacon One's console and Arcee's on the Ark-32. They've already received the transmission."
"Well, why isn't Steelhaven being patched in?" demanded Sentinel.
"With your permission, sir, I will patch it in immediately."
"Do it now!"
"Yes sir," replied Sari, and got on her helmet comm. "Jetfire, please begin accepting my encryption transmissions on the following secure frequency," and sent the secure key.
"Acknowledged, Sari," said Jetfire. "Circuit completed."
"I think this ends our meeting," said Sentinel. "We will begin our preparations. Dismissed."
Bumblebee, Fanzone and Sari got up to leave the conference room. "Sari Sumdac, I want a word with you," said Sentinel.
"Yes sir," she replied, and remained behind.
"I have been told you have some combat skills," said Sentinel. "When the time comes, I want you with us to fight Team Chaar."
"Yes, sir," replied Sari. "I would be honored to fight by your side."
"Well, good," he said, his ego massaged. "That will be all for now. Dismissed."
"Thank you sir," she saluted, and left.
Sari joined Bumblebee and Fanzone in the Farside Beacon One conference room.
"Well, guys, that certainly was an – interesting meeting," said Fanzone.
"Welcome to working with Sentinel Prime," said Bumblebee.
"He's a good soldier," said Sari. He's just – a little rough to deal with. It's the reason Optimus asked me to stay here as your liaison."
"Thanks, Sari! I really appreciate your staying behind to help!" said Fanzone.
"Hey, no worries!" Sari smiled with her optics. "I've got a mod that helps me deal with just his type."
"An REMF mod?" Fanzone chuckled.
"Not sure what that means," she said, "but I call it my 'diplomat' mod."
"Close enough!" replied Fanzone, laughing.
The display board on Farside Beacon One was now reading:
WARNING
Object(s) Detected: Decepticon Ship
Number: 1
Estimated Time of Arrival: 23:18:24
Probability of Arrival: 75%
Projected Arrival Distance (Km): 5 km
Projected Coordinates: (19.3°S 122.6°E)
"So Sentinel doesn't want Optimus coming to the moon," sighed Fanzone.
"Apparently not," said Sari. "But let me communicate with Optimus. I'll let the two Primes work that out."
"Good strategy, Sar!" said Bumblebee. "In the meantime, we'll keep a close watch on the monitors and see where the Decepticons are ultimately headed."
"Oh, by the way: Sentinel wants me to join the Steelhaven crew in battle if Team Chaar lands here," said Sari. "That's why he asked me to stay after the meeting."
"Good decision!" said Bee. "Make us proud, Sar!"
"I assume he'll be your Field Commander, Sari," said Fanzone, saluting. "We shall do our very best here at the station to support you all in combat."
"Thanks, Lieutenant!" said Sari, returning the salute.
So Sari will join the Steelhaven crew should Team Chaar land on the moon – as seems likely. Sari will make sure Optimus knows that Sentinel believes his presence is not needed; presumably Optimus and Sentinel will have a conversation about THAT. Thanks for reading.