It was dark and Agent Fowler was headed home from the military base. He turned on the music and was humming along when high beams lit up his car. There was a truck behind him. He waved his arm out the window telling the truck to go around, but the truck instead slammed into the back of his car. His car spun around and Fowler squinted in the bright light of the high beams. That's when he saw the Autobot symbol on the truck. He gunned his car, turning it and headed off with the truck in hot pursuit. He contacted the base as he drove. "Prime," he called. "Do you read me?"

The kids were racing cars with their guardians cheering when the call came in.

"I'm sorry Agent Fowler. I'm afraid Optimus isn't here at the moment," said Ratchet.

"I'll take that as confirmation that he's currently trying to run me off the road," retorted Fowler.

"That hardly seems likely," said Ratchet.

"Tell that to my burning treads," said Fowler.

The Autobots quickly bridged out to Fowler's position.

The truck smashed into Fowler's car causing it to slide into the side of the bridge. The guardrail gave way and the truck started to push the car over the edge. Bumblebee transformed and caught the car by the bumper. The truck turned and fled.

"Looks like Optimus," said Bulkhead.

"Primes don't run," said Arcee. She transformed and took off after the truck.

The bumper separated from the car causing Fowler to plunge toward the ground. Bulkhead jumped down to the canyon floor to catch Fowler's car before it hit.

"You all right in there?" he asked.

Fowler went to respond when his airbag went off.

Arcee tracked the truck, but was suddenly blindsided and knocked out.

Back at base, everyone gathered around.

"Yes, that's it. Follow the light," said Ratchet hovering over Arcee.

Arcee jumped as she woke. "Not the best choice of words Ratchet."

"Are you all right?" asked Jack in concern.

Arcee answered that she was fine except for being blindsided by Optimus.

"This is absurd," said Ratchet looking at the monitor. "I'm sure he wasn't anyway near there. Optimus' signal indicates that he's due to arrive at any moment."

Optimus entered the base and he could tell that something was amiss. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

"We were wondering where you've been?" asked Arcee.

"We couldn't get ahold of you," said Bulkhead.

Optimus started to reach for something and the others brought out their weapons. "I was in a subterranean energon deposit outside of communication range," he replied displaying the energon crystal.

Everyone disengaged their weapons.

"Sorry," said Arcee.

"Don't blame them Prime. I was attacked on the highway earlier by a big rig one that bore a striking resemblance to you," said Agent Fowler.

"You do remember what Mech was trying to build," called Paige from where she sat.

"You think this is Mech?" asked Ratchet turning to her.

"You don't?" asked Paige. "Unless the Cons have another bot that can disguise themselves as Optimus, it would have to be them."

"Those butchers cracked the code," said Ratchet with disgust.

"We are aware that Mech obtained Starscream's T-cog," said Optimus.

"Where it scanned an appropriate vehicle form," said Ratchet.

"Fill the tank with energon," added Jack.

"And say hello to Nemesis Prime," said Miko dramatically.

Fowler's phone rang and he took the call. "I can tell you just as I'm sure that I have 50 stars on my star spangled shorts that Optimus is right here." He looked up at Optimus. "Alden military base is currently under attack by Optimus Prime."

"The truck?" asked Jack.

"The bot," said Fowler.

xxxxxx

Optimus and the others bridged out to fight Nemesis Prime, but returned fairly quickly. Fowler apologized that the military was now gunning for him, but Optimus understood. They all went out on patrol in vehicle form to see if they could hunt him down.

"If I can isolate the control frequency of the remote link that Silas is employing, I might be able to pinpoint his exact location," said Ratchet.

"Remote link?" asked Raf.

"You didn't think Mech possessed the ability to build a completely autonomous robot, did you?" retorted Ratchet. "Ah ha. Frequency isolated."

"Then reopen that bridge," said Fowler.

"Agent Fowler, did you not hear Optimus advise against your involvement. It's for your own safety," said Ratchet.

"Look Doc, I don't plan on dancing with any bots, but there's a human element in play and in case you haven't noticed I'm a highly trained government grade human," he replied.

"And so am I," came Paige's voice from behind. "Or close enough."

Ratchet turned around to face her in surprise.

xxxxxx

The bridge opened and both Fowler and Paige emerged.

"Augh, I think I lost the lunch I ate in flight school," said Fowler.

His phone rang and Ratchet told him that the signal was 100 yards north.

"Good Luck," said Paige slipping away.

She could see Optimus fighting Nemesis Prime in the distance, which meant that the other Autobots were already down. She silently crept around the buildings grabbing and disarming Mech agents as she went. She dropped them all into the back of an empty dump truck and covered the top with metal fencing she ripped free from the ground. She didn't see any others so she headed back around the buildings to find the Autobots. She managed to rouse Cliffjumper and he held an unconscious Arcee while she held Bumblebee and Bulkhead.

"Geez, I didn't know Bulkhead weighed so much," Paige complained. "Cliffjumper, can you call Ratchet for a bridge?"

The portal appeared as the sound of helicopters got closer. Cliffjumper and Paige turned when they heard footsteps to see Optimus approaching from behind. They all returned to base leaving Fowler to handle the rest.

"The question remains if Mech will continue to operate without their leader," said Optimus.

"Well, here's the kicker," said Fowler on the screen. "We sifted through the wreckage with a fine tooth comb and couldn't find any sign of Silas."

Optimus frowned.

"Unfortunately, we'll be seeing him again," said Paige softly to herself unaware that Optimus had heard her. Paige had settled herself on the ground again, but when she looked up Optimus was right in front of her and he didn't look happy. His height was close to waist high now so when she sat down he towered over her. "Did you need something sir?" asked Paige.

"It was unwise of you to accompany Agent Fowler to Mech's headquarters," he said. "Agent Fowler is at least a trained agent who understands the risks, but you are not."

"I was simply providing backup for Agent Fowler," said Paige. "I didn't go with the intention of fighting. I may be taller than you, but I've no armor or weapons. That hasn't escaped my notice."

"Regardless, you should refrain from entering combat areas," said Optimus. "I do not wish for you to be further harmed."

"I understand," said Paige. "And if I become a problem for you, anytime you want me gone I'll leave. With Mech down, I should mostly be in the clear."

She could tell by the look on Optimus' face that he didn't agree.