Paige was out of the cave at dusk like usual stretching to get the kinks out of her back. She started heading toward the ocean. It was time for a bath and it would give her some exercise as well. Her stomach gurgled, but she had gotten used to surviving on only half the calories she needed per day so she ignored it. It wasn't like she did any exercise during most the day anyway. She'd also been about 15lbs overweight before coming here. She was sure she wouldn't be for long.

She was walking through the dark that was lit only by the stars above. She was miles away from the cave when several sets of headlights were suddenly turned on near her feet. She wasn't too worried about them seeing her feet and legs though. Her flats were black including the soles and the black leggings she was wearing mostly obscured her formerly white socks. She tried to step over the cars and keep going when something snagged on her right ankle. Suddenly a feeling of shock went through her leg and she collapsed to her knees. Now that she was closer to the ground, she could see men in all black gear including facemasks sitting and standing around the jeeps. She grimaced. It was Mech and they had found her somehow. Paige quickly reached for the wires attached to her leg and ripped them away. One of the jeeps went flying as she did this. She pushed herself to her feet and moved to leave when another wire attached to the left leg. She was shocked again and this time at a much higher setting. Paige collapsed directly onto one of the jeeps below and face planted on another. She groaned and moved to a sitting position. She felt something dripping from her nose and touched it gingerly. She looked at the blood on her fingers and shook it off at the ground. She then grabbed the wires attached to her left leg and ripped them away sending another jeep flying. She picked up the only remaining jeep and tossed it behind her. It landed on a power station box and sparks flared followed by an explosion. Paige pulled herself back to her feet and rushed away as fast as she could toward the ocean. Mech had just used a giant Taser on her and she didn't want to get shocked for the third time. Sure, she would make a good weapon against the bots, but taking her down before negotiating was not a good way to make a deal with someone. Of course, at this point Mech probably didn't know about the bots yet. If she had to guess, they had probably seen her walking on one of her trips and decided to try and capture her. She wondered if they knew she was human. With the blood she just lost, they'd probably be able to tell. She sincerely hoped they didn't know where she was staying. She pulled her handkerchief from her pocket to stem the nosebleed. No point in leaving a trail. At least her nose wasn't broken.

xxxxxx

The proximity sensor went off and Ratchet sighed.

Moments later, Agent Fowler appeared when the elevator doors opened. "Prime," called Agent Fowler loudly.

"Agent Fowler," responded Optimus walking over.

"I've got five destroyed jeeps, seven fatalities, a mile of desert covered in some strange red liquid and General Bryce breathing down my neck," he stated. "What's going on? Have the Cons returned again?"

"We are unaware of the situation," said Optimus. "All Autobots are present and accounted for."

"Well, one of those jeeps was smashed flat and the others appeared to have been thrown," said Fowler. "Who else could it be?"

"What type of liquid is it?" asked Ratchet curiously.

Fowler pulled a clear baggy with red colored sand in it out of his inner pocket and Ratchet accepted it. He immediately scanned it with a piece of equipment.

"I don't understand," said Ratchet. "This is organic fluid."

Fowler gave him a confused look.

"It's blood, human blood, Agent Fowler," explained Ratchet.

"But that's impossible," said Fowler. "It's all over the place. You wouldn't get that much even with seven bodies. What did the Cons break into a blood bank? Last time I checked no one reported anything like that missing."

Cliffjumper looked over from where he, Arcee and Bumblebee were listening. He sauntered closer. "Maybe I should check on Paige," he offered.

"The woman who supplied us information on Mech?" asked Agent Fowler. "I've been meaning to meet her. Do you think Mech was involved? Though that might explain the way the corpses were dressed."

"Cliffjumper, see if you can locate Paige," said Optimus. "Arcee, accompany him. Tell her we want to meet as soon as possible."

Cliffjumper gave Ratchet the coordinates and he bridged them out.

"Bumblebee, you're with me," said Optimus. "We'll check out the scene."

The scene was just as Fowler had described. The remains of several jeeps were scattered and crushed though the bodies had already been removed. There was a large amount of blood splashed at the scene as well as along the ground for a good distance before it disappeared. There were also broken wires some still connected to the burnt out shell of a power box.

xxxxxx

Cliffjumper and Arcee walked toward a nearby cave. Cliffjumper was leading the way.

"So, what's she like?" asked Arcee. She had heard Cliffjumper's unlikely story before, but couldn't imagine a human like Jack being bigger than Optimus. The idea was laughable.

"She's one of a kind," said Cliffjumper laughing.

"You couldn't have a met a normal human, could you," said Arcee.

"You know me. Though it was more like she found me," replied Cliffjumper. "Hey, at least I didn't bring one back to base."

They entered the cave, but were stopped by a large black wall that stretched diagonally across the inside entrance. Cliffjumper set off his car alarm and the wall was drawn back suddenly. Cliffjumper motioned for Arcee to backup and the two exited the cave. Soon enough Paige emerged on hands and knees. She stayed sitting looking at them curiously.

"Primus," said Arcee looking up.

"I told you," said Cliffjumper.

xxxxxx

Arcee bridged back to base with the coordinates for the meeting place. Optimus and Bumblebee returned soon after. Optimus, Ratchet and Fowler then bridged back out to the coordinates along with Bumblebee who was curious. Cliffjumper was waiting for them there on top of a high plateau. He was looking past them so the four turned around to see Paige causally leaning against the edge of the plateau. One arm was propping up her head and the other was holding her phone as she waited. Her sunglasses were pushed back on her head and now they could see her grey eyes.

"Sweet Lady Liberty!" exclaimed Agent Fowler.

"Primus," beeped Bumblebee in awe.

"We had the same reaction when we first saw her," said Ratchet.

Cliffjumper waved to get her attention and Paige turned her phone on.

"I've patched into her phone," said Cliffjumper. "She says that it doesn't work here, but I've accessed the text function. Her phone is pretty powerful due to its size. It's probably the reason my signal disappeared that first time. By the way, she knows who you are so introductions are unnecessary."

"Ask her about the mess in the desert?" said Agent Fowler straightening his tie nervously.

Cliffjumper sent the message and Paige typed and turned the screen toward them. It read: Mech attacked me with a Taser twice. I tried to break free, but fell on some of the jeeps the second time. I didn't intend to hurt anyone.

"That explains the damage and the blown energy generators," said Fowler.

"What about the blood?" asked Ratchet. "Is she injured?"

Nosebleed. It bled a lot, but it's fine now.

Ratchet could see that her nose was still red and inflamed.

"Did Mech do this to you?" asked Fowler gesturing to her up and down.

I don't know. Status on Mech?

"We acted on the information you gave us," said Agent Fowler. "Former Colonel Leland Bishop went underground and we found a mole in our own people, but that doesn't explain where they learned about you, if they didn't already know. We've already taken several of them into custody, but we're still investigating. So far we've connected Mech to over a dozen thefts all having to do with advanced technology. It's only a matter of time before we bring them down."

Don't underestimate them. They're dangerous to all of you. They already know how to hurt me, but I'm human. Should they become aware of the Autobots, you'll be their next target.

"We aren't afraid of humans," said Cliffjumper scoffing.

You should be. With an alliance between Mech and the Decepticons, you and your allies could fall. The children are also at risk.

"How do we know we can trust you?" asked Fowler. "As far as I'm concerned, you're just as big a threat."

Paige pulled something green and square from her pocket. She unfolded it revealing the largest US dollar bill Fowler had ever seen. All the watermarks were clearly evident. She placed the bill on the ground and returned to her phone. I'm not a threat to you or the Autobots. I'm not out there destroying the planet and I'm a US citizen. I want to help protect Earth.

"What am I going to tell General Bryce," said Agent Fowler sighing.

Tell him it was a Mech attack. Chemical truck hijack gone wrong. Cover story: chemical spill causes red lichen bloom in the desert and block the area off. Don't tell him about me. I doubt he'll believe you anyway.

"I got one more question," said Fowler. "How are you surviving out here?"

I have rations for another month or so and lakes for a water source. I've been careful not to be seen.

Fowler turned to glare at the Autobots. "She's three times your size and I haven't seen one picture yet anywhere. Maybe you all need to take a lesson in how not to be seen from her."

Agent Fowler, I'm in need of a white board and the largest dry erase markers you can get. My phone is dying.

"Sure, I can get that for you," he replied. Fowler needed to leave so he and Bumblebee bridged back. With Fowler gone, Optimus turned back to Paige trying to get further answers from her.

"You seem to know a lot about us," said Optimus. "Cliffjumper wouldn't have told you everything. Where have you been getting your information?"

Inside contacts.

"That might explain Mech," said Optimus. "But what of the Autobots?"

Prophecies.

"There are prophecies concerning Cybertronians on Earth?" asked Ratchet in disbelief.

Old stories, but things are constantly changing. They're unreliable, but I thought I'd warn you anyway. Scraplet trap?

"We received your warning, but haven't encountered it yet," said Optimus.

Leave it in the Artic or sink it deep in the ocean. Unless they are made from metal you can use. Melt down for spare parts? Make an extra servo or something. May need it in the future.

"Is this a warning about our future?" asked Optimus.

Paige just shrugged and averted her gaze. She then ran her free hand nervously through her short brown hair.

"Paige, how did you get here?" asked Optimus.

I don't know.

"You are from Earth?" asked Ratchet.

Yes, but I'm not sure if it's this one, parallel, future maybe.

"You're from a parallel Earth?" asked Ratchet incredulously.

I don't know.

"What do you know?" asked Ratchet huffing.

Paige pulled her driver's license from her pocket and displayed it. The renewal date on it put her over a decade into the future. She sighed and put it away.

All I know is stories from the past. They will only help you so much, but I know you have neither the time nor knowledge to help me. Do right by your own, Prime. Suddenly blood started to drip from Paige's nose. She quickly raised a blood soaked handkerchief to stop it from falling. She backed up and stood to her full height.

"I thought you said you were fine," said Ratchet.

I will be. I believe I know more about human biology than you.

Ratchet huffed.

Cliffjumper walked over to the edge of the plateau as Paige returned the handkerchief to her pocket. The edge, which had to bear Paige's weight until now, broke under him suddenly. Optimus rushed forward, but Paige was faster and she caught him. She placed him down gently next to his fellow Autobots.

"Thanks," sent Cliffjumper and Paige nodded.

My phone is dying. I'm shutting it off. Good luck. Paige put the phone in her pocket and walked away heading back toward her cave.

The three Autobots bridged back to base.

"Do you believe her?" asked Ratchet.

"I believe we can trust her," said Optimus. "Despite the warnings she delivered, she has asked for nothing in return and I don't believe she wishes us harm. Though I am concerned for her, she is no soldier and Mech may try to attack her again. Megatron also knew of her existence. Let us hope that he did not divulge that information to the others."

"You don't think Starscream would go after her, do you?" asked Ratchet.

"Starscream is anything but predictable," said Optimus.

xxxxxx

Paige had been excited to see Arcee and Bumblebee for the first time. Seeing Ratchet and Optimus again was cool too. Cartoons are one thing, but in real life the Autobots looked far more metallic and alien than she had expected. No wonder people would be afraid of them. Fowler had been so tiny it was funny. It was like looking at a human the size of those dolls in Polly Pockets. Whether they believed her or not, she hoped they'd take her warnings seriously. There were any number of theories about how she ended up here, but she wanted them to concentrate on their own problems not hers. She adjusted her position in the cave to get more comfortable. She had noticed that the cave was feeling a little roomier now. Also, her bag was at less of a diagonal across the threshold. Paige knew she was losing weight, but it appeared that both her belongings and herself were also starting to shrink. Whether she would continue to shrink until she was the proper size for this world, she didn't know. She could also possibly shrink like Ant-Man until she completely disappeared, but that would be sad. She sighed. Only time would tell.

xxxxxx

Bulkhead and Bumblebee followed the signal and located a giant frozen pod in the Artic, but they were unsure how to proceed since they both knew of Paige's warning. So they brought the pod to a more stable area and contacted Ratchet. Armed with cutting instruments and a welder, Ratchet was able to cut a small hole into the pod and out of the hole popped a scraplet.

"Ah," said Ratchet stepping back.

Bumblebee and Bulkhead jumped in fright, but the frozen scraplet didn't move. The three bridged back to base immediately.

"Paige was right," said Ratchet to Optimus from where the three were undergoing the standard defrosting procedure. "It was a scraplet trap. I shudder to think of what would have happened had we brought it back here."

"What should we do with it?" asked Optimus.

"While I'd rather just leave it where it is," said Ratchet. "Like Paige suggested, it's a source of metals stronger than those found on Earth. We might need them. I'll need access to a smelting pit though."

"I will speak with Agent Fowler," said Optimus.