The Nemesis had managed to decipher four sets of coordinates for the relics. Arcee, Bumblebee, Jack and Miko headed to New York to look for the phase shifter while Optimus and Cliffjumper were going to Antarctica in search of the Apex armor. It was Paige that suggested Optimus might need some backup, which prompted Cliffjumper to volunteer. Ratchet reluctantly contacted Wheeljack to go after the Resonance Blaster with him. Bulkhead was going by himself to a volcanic island, but Paige implored Optimus to let her go with.
"I'll be another set of hands," said Paige adamantly. "I'm already prepared and I know where the relic is and what it is. I won't engage the enemy I promise. You need to let me go. It's important and there isn't time to argue."
Optimus reluctantly let her go telling Bulkhead to be very cautious.
It was immensely hot when they arrived on the volcano and Paige made sure to avoid the venting steam as she immediately headed downward. She already had her sunglasses and her padded towel gloves on while the towel scarf was wrapped over her nose and mouth. The tarp bag she had made was also slung over her shoulder. "The relic got swept downstream by an old lava flow," she said. "So it won't be where the coordinates said it was."
"If you say so," said Bulkhead.
On their way down they encountered the Insecticon Hardshell and Bulkhead exchanged blows with him, while Paige ran further down the volcano to safety. Bulkhead dealt some damage to Hardshell, but was damaged himself and leaking energon as he went after Paige. They quickly found the relic and Bulkhead physically recoiled. It was Tox-en.
"We need to destroy it," said Paige. "I know you're injured, but do you think you can make it up to the top of the volcano?"
"Sure," said Bulkhead. He watched in amazement as Paige picked up the Tox-en and dropped it into her bag like she'd just gone shopping. He stepped closer to the container to see a small section left. "Let's leave those Insecticons a present," he said.
Paige picked up the smaller piece while Bulkhead set the grenade and she placed it back on top. "Let's go," said Paige running back up toward the top of the volcano. The steeper the slope got the slower she went. Her breathing was coming in deep gasping pants. She quickly stopped and tied the bag shut. She pulled off her jacket leaving her in only her sports bra, which was soaked with sweat. She tied the jacket around the bag for extra protection and then handed it and her gloves to Bulkhead. "You're faster than me and I have to be more careful around the steam and lava. Can you get it up there and destroy it?"
"You can count on me," said Bulkhead. "I'll meet you where we first arrived."
"Good luck," said Paige trying to catch her breath.
Bulkhead made it to the top, but had to fight off the rest of the Insecticons. He used one of the gloves Paige had given him on one hand to lessen his contact with the Tox-en when he stabbed several of the Insecticons with it. Finally, the lava destroyed the Tox-en and he went to meet with Paige. He was definitely feeling the damage from the battle and the affects from the little exposure he had gotten from the Tox-en, but with Fowler's continued encouragement over the com-link, he made it to Paige. The portal for the groundbridge opened and Paige tried to help him through. Suddenly Paige heard Hardshell behind them. He released a shot and Paige yanked Bulkhead to the side as hard as she could. The shot missed his back and hit his shoulder sending him sprawling into the base. Paige was forced to jump over him. Too tired and dizzy to keep her own balance, she fell first to her knees and then barely managed to catch herself before she face planted. The floor felt cool and refreshing and Paige didn't move from where she lay blissfully giving into unconsciousness.
xxxxxx
Ratchet's elation at tricking the Decepticons and getting more of the Iacon database was quickly dampened when Bulkhead collapsed through the portal. Paige was right behind him, but after avoiding Bulkhead on the floor, she too had collapsed. He could see from where he was that Paige was still breathing so he attended to Bulkhead first while Agent Fowler explained about the Tox-en. Bulkhead's exposure was very little and most of the damage had occurred from the fight. The shot he had taken to the back of his shoulder would render his arm useless for a while, but it was repairable. Suddenly the group from New York arrived victorious. Miko let out a scream when she saw Bulkhead and Bumblebee quickly helped Ratchet move him to med bay.
Fowler walked down to where Paige lay and lay a hand on her giant wrist. He could feel a steady pulse and she was breathing. He didn't see any wounds or burns so he was sure she'd probably be fine.
"What's her status?" called Ratchet.
"Pulse is steady and she's breathing," said Fowler. "It's probably exhaustion though there are a lot of potentially hazardous chemical fumes that volcanoes release. I'll give Ms. Darby a call for direction."
