A/N: Still don't own Transformers or G.I. Joe, but I'm gonna play anyway. By the way, anyone see that new Netflix series? It's rad!

A Bad Reunion

The rest of the day is spent in a flurry of activity.

Optimus Prime comms Agent Fowler to let him know that more Autobots are arriving. He is understanding.

"How many 'Bots are coming?"

"Insofar as the crew manifest indicates, five," Optimus Prime answers. "Designations: Ultra Magnus, Rodimus, Glyph, Elita-One, and Ironhide." The last two make Optimus Prime crack a smile without realizing it.

"You got a soft spot for one of them, Prime?" Fowler asks, amused.

"Hmm? Oh, uh… yes. Elita-One is my wife. I have not seen her in… a very long time." Far too long.

Fowler grins. "I see. I gotta ask how, y'know, it works, but-"

"Those questions can be saved for another day," Optimus interrupts, a hint of annoyance seeping into his tone. Why is everyone so interested in how we reproduce? It is basically the same as it is for organic species. "The Autobots are set to arrive at the designated coordinates near sunset local time. You can meet them here when you wish."

"Understood. Fowler out."

Optimus closes the line, and immediately hails Griffin Rock.

"Understood, sir," Heatwave says. "We'll be watching the skies."

"I thank you, Heatwave," Optimus Prime replies. "I will keep you up-to-date on the new arrivals."

"Roger that. Sigma-17 out."

The channel closes, and Optimus Prime heaves a sigh of relief.

At some point, the Joes return from their mission and hand something off to Ratchet, who secures it for further analysis later, before scurrying back to take inventory of his stock.

"Do you have everything you need, old friend?"

Ratchet nearly jumps into the air. "I think so. Did Elita say anything about injuries or chronic illnesses?"

"No," Optimus answers. "All aboard appear to be in good health. What did the Joes bring back with them?"

"I haven't had the time to look at it, Optimus," Ratchet says apologetically.

Optimus waves it off. "It is alright. The analysis can wait for a time. I could comm Wheeljack and see if he is interested, but I am unsure if his animosity towards Ultra Magnus persists."

"Considering that Megatron has spent millions of cycles hating you," Ratchet observes, "I would say yes. Besides, I would like someone with a more careful touch to handle unknown pieces of technology."

Optimus chuckles. "Indeed. I know of one who might be of assistance. Glyph is young- if it is the Glyph I think it is, then I trained her at the Hall of Records in Iacon. Handling delicate things came with the job."

Ratchet chuckles, before ultimately nodding. "I think the help will be much appreciated, Optimus."

A little later, the screeching of tires announces the arrival of the remaining Autobots and their human companions.

"Are we early?" Miko asks, bouncing from foot to foot.

"Indeed you are," Ratchet confirms with a smile. "Optimus was just about to head over to the landing site."

"In times such as these," Optimus says, addressing everyone assembled, human and 'Bot alike as a smile sneaks onto his face, "reuniting with old friends is always a reason to celebrate. Ratchet, open the Groundbridge."

On Griffin Rock, the Rescue Bots stand at the console below the main floor of the firehouse, watching the display. Onscreen is an Autobot signal, marking the rough location of the Solus' Sorrow. A dotted line marks the path from its position in space near the Moon to the ground on Earth.

Heatwave takes Boulder aside. "Listen, big guy, I thought you should hear it from me. One of the incoming 'Bots is Ironhide."

The green 'Bot nods. "Good, good. I haven't seen him in… a very long time."

Heatwave catches his friend's unease. "Hey, don't worry. It'll be fine. We've all been separated from each other so long. He'll be overjoyed to see you."

"I hope so, Heatwave. I hope so."

As Boulder trudges off, Heatwave catches Cody looking at him.

"I'll tell you later, kid," he says, while raising a digit to his lips- the universal sign of "keep it quiet", to which the boy nods.

Heatwave watches the screen, his face managing to keep his thoughts hidden. You better be right about this, 'Wave.

Eh, another voice says, it'll be fine! Now is the time to come together!

But the veteran Rescue Bot has his doubts.

Cody and Frankie dash outside, heading for the telescope. Dani and Kade are fighting over who gets to use it, which makes it all the easier for Cody to snag the device and point it skyward. He looks up at his father, who is pointing a pair of binoculars to the sky as well. Cody smiles and adjusts.

"Can you see it, Dad?"

"Not yet, son," Charles Burns answers. "You having any luck with the telescope?"

"Hang on just a second… Ah ha! I got it!" Cody crows in delight, stepping aside so Frankie can get a look too.

It is while she is looking that disaster strikes.

Rodimus can hardly wait. He enjoys stopping at other planets, but the crew have stopped only long enough to refuel and do what maintenance they could before moving on. The prospect of actually staying on the planet and exploring it has him pumped.

In hindsight, there was no time to dodge the flurry of missiles.

The Solus' Sorrow is hit in the upper atmosphere. It's an old ship, barely holding together, and the multiple impacts tear it apart.

"All hands!" Elita-One screams, "Abandon ship! Get out!"

Rodimus is out and off like a shot, Ultra Magnus right behind him. Ironhide is a little slower, but the old warrior is moving as quickly as he can.

Glyph, though, is having trouble. "I can't get out of my seat!"

Elita turns. Every second counts in a situation like this, but she will be damned if a member of her crew dies on her watch.

The purple 'Bot crosses the bridge in three steps and a leap, reaching Glyph and pulling with all her might (and maybe a little of Optimus') before Glyph comes free with a cry.

"Go!"

There is only one escape pod left on the ship, and Glyph reaches it first, and only just in time. With a screech of metal, a large section of the ship comes loose- and Elita is sucked out.

"NO!" Glyph shouts, but Elita is gone. Moments later, Glyph's pod jettisons.

In an old cave, the Autobot watches.

He is old, the Autobot. He has fought in nearly every battle in the war. His off-white-and-black armor is somewhat new, the latest in a long series of bodies the Autobot has used over the cycles.

He had sensed the ship's approach and had risked discovery to see it. If Prime knew what I had done… the Autobot shakes his helm.

But now, someone definitely needs his help- and the Autobot can help, if only a little. Thus, the Autobot transforms into his altmode and flies off to render aid.

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