Author's Note: Thank you very much to everyone who reviewed Chapter 1 and/or added this story to your Favourites/Follows list. I really appreciate it. I hope you like Chapter 2.

Perceptor and Skyfire quickly set up some portable equipment and began examining samples of the walking fish. Skyfire frowned as he used a laser scanner to analyse metal from one of the mechanical walkers.

"How strange. These walking machines aren't Cybertronian technology but they weren't made by humans either. There's no sign of assembly, not even a single bolt."

"That is odd" Optimus agreed. He turned to Perceptor, currently in microscope mode and studying one of the fish. "Any luck on your end Perceptor?"

"Oh yes" the scientist replied. "It seems these fish have been infected by a microscopic organism, bacteria I believe the humans call it. Once infected the host organism produces large amounts of a gas with a highly complex chemical formula. This gas seems to be what drives the walking machines."

"Any idea where the bacteria or the machines came from?"

"Not yet. I'm just completing a more detailed analysis of the bacteria's protein structure and… oh dear."

"What's wrong?"

"If my analysis is correct then this bacteria is not limited to fish. It is in fact fully capable of jumping between species and infecting mammalian life forms, including humans! A single bite or scratch from the legs will transmit the contagion."

"We have to contact the human authorities immediately!" Optimus exclaimed. "Skyfire, begin preparing energon nets. We must contain these creatures before they can infect humans."

"Right away Optimus."

"Perceptor, transmit the chemical signature of this agent to Teletraan 1."

"Transmitting now."

"Prowl, determine the extent of the bacterial spread through the ocean then contact Seaspray and the Aerialbots. Have them deploy energon nets around the area to quarantine it."

"Understood Optimus."

Meanwhile Bumblebee was flying Kaori over the streets of Tokyo. Despite how high up they were she felt completely safe in the young Autobot's arms.

Down below the city streets were still being swarmed by the walking fish. Just then they both heard crashes and screams. Kaori looked down and gasped as she saw people being attacked by an octopus walker, its tentacles whipping the air like maddened serpents.

"Bumblebee-san, those people need help!"

"I know. Hold tight."

He flew down and deactivated his jet pack, touching down on the pavement as the octopus charged a crowd of panicked civilians. Bumblebee quickly drew his laser pistol and fired an orange beam that burned a hole right through the creature's hide. It turned away from the people and looked right at him.

The octopus charged, the pointed tips of the walker's feet striking sparks off of the concrete. Bumblebee stood his ground until it was almost on top of him and then leaped up, flipping in mid-air while firing downwards. The laser shots burned through both the octopus and the walker as it galloped past, momentum carrying it forwards. It slowed and stopped before falling down to the ground with a clatter and laying still.

"Bumblebee-san, that was so cool!" Kaori exclaimed.

"Thanks. I…"

He was cut off by a loud clanking and squeaking. They both turned to see a huge shark walker, like the one that had attacked Kaori and her friends in Okinawa, charging directly towards them!

Bumblebee started to raise his pistol but the shark was too fast. It slammed into him before he could fire, knocking the weapon from his hand. The impact drove him to the ground. In desperation he reached up with both hands and struggled to hold the shark's snapping jaws away from his face.

"Bumblebee-san!" Kaori cried.

"Keep back. It's too dangerous" he managed to say.

Ignoring him she ran up and began swinging her bag as hard as she could, hitting the shark in its eyes and gills. It turned its head and swiped at her with one of its legs. She managed to jump back in time to avoid being cut in half but wasn't able to avoid the attack completely and the sharp tip left a cut on her left upper arm.

The brief distraction was enough for Bumblebee to tuck his legs against his chest. He kicked out with all his strength, launching the shark walker through the air to crash into a car. Before it could recover he had recovered his weapon. A laser through the walking platform finished it off. It collapsed to the ground.

"Are you okay Bumblebee-san?" Kaori asked.

"I'm okay. Hey, you're hurt!"

She glanced down at the cut on her arm. "It's okay. Just a scratch" she said.

He inspected the wound for a moment until he was satisfied it wasn't serious. "Okay, if you're sure." He produced a dressing and bandages from sub-space. "Optimus said we should bring along some medical equipment in case anyone was hurt" he explained as he bandaged the wound. It was somewhat difficult given the size of his hands but he managed it. "There. Sorry it's not as good a job as Ratchet would have done."

"It feels fine. Thanks Bumblebee-san."

He looked around until he was sure there was no further danger. "Let's keep going."

"Yes" she agreed.

But just as they were about to take off again Kaori's phone rang. "Hello" she said.

The line fizzed with static but she was able to hear "Kao…ri."

"Tadashi?"

"Kao…ri? Kaori. I'm… in… now. Anyway…"

"Tadashi… Is that you?" Kaori asked frantically. "I can't understand what you're saying. Where are you now?"

But the line went dead. Kaori's face twisted in anguish.

"It's okay Kaori-san" said Bumblebee gently. "I managed to get a lock on the signal. I know where it came from."

Her eyes filled with renewed hope. "Thank you Bumblebee-san!"

"It's not far but my jetpack's fuel is starting to run low. The roads seem clearer now. I think we'll be all right to drive there."

"Okay."

Bumblebee transformed into his vehicle mode and opened his passenger door. "Hop in." Kaori did so and he drove off.

Just a few moments later they arrived at a large expensive-looking building. Bumblebee noticed that the streets were empty with no sign of the walking fish. Good, the other Autobots were clearly succeeding at rounding them up.

Kaori gasped as she saw where they were. "This is where Tadashi's uncle lives! I remember now. Tadashi said he was going to ask about the walking fish."

"All right! That means he's probably here" said Bumblebee.

Kaori opened the door and stepped inside. "Excuse me. Koyanagi-san, are you here?" she called.

There was no reply. She looked down and spotted something. "Oh, Tadashi's shoes!" She took off her sneakers and was about to run off but she stopped and bowed to Bumblebee as he stood in the doorway. "Thank you again Bumblebee-san."

"My pleasure. Take care of yourself Kaori-san. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

She hurried off into the house. Bumblebee smiled, glad that he had been able to help her.

"I'd better head back now. I wonder if the others have managed to find out what's going on here."

Just as he was about to transform and drive off his communicator beeped. "Bumblebee here" he answered.

"Bumblebee, the situation is more serious than we realised" said Optimus over the line. "Perceptor has determined that the fish are carrying a disease that can also infect humans."

"Oh no!"

"We're working on containing the walking fish while Perceptor looks for an antidote. We need all the hands we can muster."

"I understand. I'll be there in…" A horrifying thought entered his main processor. "Wait, how is this disease spread?"

"According to Perceptor, a bite or scratch from the walker's legs will transmit it."

"Optimus, Kaori was scratched by one of those things. She seems okay but…"

"We can't take any chances. Bring her back here immediately and we'll do what we can to treat her."

"Understood. Bumblebee out."

As the transmission ceased he peered through the door. There was no sign of his new friend. He called her name a few times but there was no answer. And while he was one of the smallest Autobots he still couldn't fit through the door.

Now what?