The human ward of the Autobots were waiting in Omega Base-1. Agent Fowler arrived earlier for a debrief of the situation from the Autobots. Miko was busy complaining that she needs to see the action.
The panel pinged. "Rafael," Optimus's voice came from the main console. "We need a groundbridge."
"On it," Raf activated the groundbridge and saw not only Team Prime but five more. One was being carried by Optimus as she was injured. Deep dents, leaking Energon lines, near heavily damaged chest plate, bent wings, and several cracks on armor and faceplate. "Whoa! New guys!"
Ratchet directed him to put the injured femme on the gurney. Miko them run up to then from the catwalk. "So, who're the new guys?" Miko asked with glee.
"I don't think they're new to Earth Miko," Bulkhead told them.
"Green's right. I was on Earth for 2 years in the Middle East. The name's Warpath. Those humans in the desert were very crafty. But their homemade bombs are nothing against my chassis," the tank Autobot gloated.
"Gloatin' as usual Warpath. The name's Jazz. I was in the States when Hestie' called. A DJ of the Las Vegas wanted me for a gig in his studio but duty come after luxury. I'll start my own studio on Cybertron once this war is over. Jammin' tunes all day with inspiring music lovers.'" Jazz said to Warpath as he playfully elbowed his comrade. "Been on Earth for 4 years. I've a musician, a DJ, and radio announcer in the New Orleans."
"I am Halogen," the former Councilor of Cybertron said in a transatlantic accent. "I was in Earth for a decade and have been a neutral of war until I saw the ways of Autobots were proper and Primus let me see a vision of the future. All were based on the ideals from the generation of Prime."
As the exchange went on, Rachet was diligently on Hestia Prime to get her fixed. Optimus was assisting as he knew the special biology of Primes. Her matrix was similar to his. Ratchet muttered along the lines 'careless youths and their lack of thinking' and 'how did you damage and exhausted yourself to this level?' Optimus only managed to sigh at his old friend's complaints. True he was older than the Prime but he did not lose his touch at his expertise. Seeing a youth such as her, reminds him of his youth.
"Ratchet, how long will it take to fix Hestie?" Jazz asked.
"With the exensive damage done to her systems, it will take a long time to fix. Once I'm done, she'll still need sometime to observe her healing."
"That's great!" Warpath cheered. Then he turned to Prime. "Optimus, I have to go back to California. If this I'm gonna join you guys to fight the good fight, I need to resign from my post."
"Do you need any assistance Warpath?" Optimus asked.
"I just need your call for action, and proof of Decepticon activity to be released from my position."
"I'll help you with your move," Agent Fowler volunteered. "I can vouch for you with my ties to the military."
"Great!"
"Optimus," Halogen said. "I wish to abstain from this war. I have to return to my charge in Washington D.C. I cannot let her be involved in this war as they are very vulnerable due to their position, both economic and political. I came to assist this time as it was not involve Decepticons."
"This charge of yours is some big name in D.C?" Fowler asked. "We can't have the White House be heavily involved."
"That is the reason why I wish to abstain from this war. But if it involves Unicron or Primus, you can be assured I will answer your calls."
"Understood," Optimus noted. "It is sad that you have to abstain from joining the our battles, but we need to prevent mass panic from occurring. If political figures of Earth are heavily involved, it will hinder our progress in our fight against the Decepticons."
"Why are you letting some big shot in D.C stop you from beating up 'Cons old man?" Miko asked.
"My charge is a public figure that has hold significant sway over many governments. If they were to be taken hostage by the Decepticons, and publicise his capture. It would spell mass panic over the globe as mankind will be aware of hostile alien force and would see any Cybertronians as hostiles."
"But the Autobots are the good guys!"
"Not to some people in power. They would see Autobots as the ones bringing the hostile armies to Earth. Blaming them for Decepticons presence on the planet. In the realm of political and diplomatic decisions, there is not always good or bad. This is what I learnt from being in the High Council of Cybertron from before the war. You need to see many sides, young one. Not all people want to be involved in an alien war."
"What about Peceptor?" Raf asked.
"He is in a fortunate position as the Queen is a figurehead, rather than a political figure. To abduct the Queen is of a hassle than the anything else, as they know that Britain is effectively worthless in their eyes."
"Are your sure about that?" Arcee asked.
"Decepticons have a distain for anything that is not Cybertronian. That is what I learnt from my years here. I have my fair share of battles against Decepticons in Arkansas several years back. He killed a family back then in pure distaste. That is how I met my charge. We had to use a large cover up for this story."
"Why was I not aware of this?" Agent Fowler questioned.
"It is confidential. If you find it. The agent dealing with it used the term 'mechanical machination' when writing the report. Amusing if I say so. He was an older gentleman."
"Rest be assured we will honour your decision," Optimus said. "Jefire, what about you?"
"I wish to remain with your team," Jetfire said. "You have need a flier for your team."
"Are you sure?" Arcee asked. "You know you have a history with Starscream."
"I need to move on with that part of my life. He chose his path, I have mine. I have hiding for long enough. I have been on Earth for decades. I have been observing human wars since the middle of the Cold War."
"You've been though a lot," Agent Fowler said hollowly.
"Indeed Fowler. As you can see, I am a SF71 Blackbird. A spy plane. I work as with the espionage unit of USAF before working with NASA for research purposes. I retired back in 1999, but I continued contributing with NASA in the sphere of mathematics."
Miko groaned and complained about maths. That made Jetfire laughed. "The son of my old ward let me retired when there were rumours of Decepticon sightings and radio broadcast caught on some human instruments."
This revealation shocked a a few. "Decepticon broadcast on human instruments?" Bulkhead asked.
"Yes, but they were few and far between. Some were caught on the satellites. Some were stray radio waves on human radio, mostly during the War. It's not a problem as it's waved off as what humans call 'crackpot conspiracy', and 'some random person messing with the radio."
That made everyone in the room smile. "I see," Optimus said. "I then welcome you to Omega Base-1. We will welcome anyone that wish to join the us in the fight."
"Hestie and I will join later," Jazz announced. "We have some things to tie up before we join the war. I'm basically soaked in the human music, but I will take my leave soon. Hestie there has some people to bid goodbye to."
Hestia groaned in agreement. Ratchet told her to remain quiet. Optimus acknowledge Jazz's choice. "Once you have done what you need to do, we will welcome you in the battle."
"Thanks Prime," Jazz said.
Later that day, Jazz, Warpath, and Halogen had left. Jazz was on his way back to Las Vegas, Warpath went to the military base in California via groundbridge, and Halogen went back to Washington D.C to his charge. Bumblebee took Jetfire for a tour of the base. Ratchet worked on Hestia for hours and he was done by dawn the next day. Hestia was to rest for a day before she can be released.
Jack, Raf, and Miko were sleeping over in the base for the weekend, so they did not went home for the evening. The next morning, Jack was the early riser of the group. He went to the mini kitchen nearby and bumped into Jetfire. "Sorry Jack. I should've looked down as well," Jetfire said as he knelt down a lifted him up as Jack went into his hand. "Where are you heading to in this early in the morning."
"I was just heading up to the small kitchen for some breakfast."
"Do Autobots even have human food?"
"Well, Raf, Miko and I brought some for the sleepover. So, yeah. Plus, my mom would kill me when I don't have a healthy meal."
"Ha-ha, I know how that feels when I forget my morning portion of Energon while living with my carrier on Cybertron."
Optimus on the meanwhile was at the main console decrypting the Iacon Database. He then noticed Jetfire and Jack eating a sandwich come in to the main area. "How did you meet Hestia?"
"Frost gathered in my engines was flying over the Antarctic."
"How did she save you?"
"She bought me to New Zealand to defrost me and fix my engines." Jack whistled in amazement.
"I am in her debt for saving me and upgrading my some of my observation components."
A spy plane will turn the tables on the Decepticons."