Most of the bots were gone from the hanger when Fowler got Paige's attention. "We've received some new Intel pinpointing a small group of Mech that we've overlooked," said Fowler. "We want to draw them out, but so far they haven't responded to any of the new tech we placed in the area. They either aren't interested or they know it's a trap."

"What did you need me for?" asked Paige.

"We figured that they may respond to you being in the area," said Fowler. "You're a curiosity they probably can't resist. If you'll assist us."

"You want me to act as bait," said Paige glancing over her shoulder to check for eavesdroppers. "That's fine just don't tell the bots."

Paige knew that she had missed the episodes where Silas had been incorporated into Breakdown's body and captured by the Decepticons. So she knew he wasn't around to cause her any issues. For such an evil man, she still felt sympathy for him since she knew he was being tortured by Knockout. No one deserved the fate of a lab rat.

Paige gave the bots the slip and was transported near the site in an air-conditioned truck Fowler provided. She was given an idea of the general area and immediately set out for a nearby farm. It was rural and it was somewhere she would be expected to show up at. They would probably think she was only scavenging for food. She made sure to pass next to the industrial area and skirt the town as dusk settled in so that she could possibly get sighted. She arrived at the farm as night fell and bent down to harvest some of the larger vegetables grown there. She was sure the farmer wouldn't miss a few and the government would compensate them if they did. She used her shirt to rub off the dirt and ate several of the cucumbers, cauliflower heads and carrots that were growing in the rows near her.

She turned her head as she heard the noise of vehicles driving closer. Grabbing a few more vegetables, she took off in a run and the jeeps followed behind her. She ran into a small ravine and turned as the jeeps pulled up effectively trapping her. It was definitely Mech and she counted about ten of them. She could tell by the uniforms they wore. There was a huge cannon type gun attached to one of the jeeps and they pointed the gun at her, but before they could fire, Fowler and his men made an appearance and surrounded them.

Paige dodged the blast from the cannon and moved to push the jeep onto its side disabling the use of the weapon and their getaway. She grabbed the back of the other jeep as it started to turn and flipped it as well. She disarmed the men closest to her while Fowler and his agents arrested the others. Thankfully she didn't get injured at all during this operation.

"Thanks for your help," said Fowler from below her.

Paige knelt down to examine the gun on the jeep. "This doesn't look like Earth tech," she said. "I'll take it to Ratchet." She disconnected the cannon from the jeep and took it with her on the way back to base. Maybe Ratchet could use it.

Xxxxxx

When Paige arrived back at base, her attempt to sneak into the hanger did not go unnoticed.

"Where have you been soldier?" asked Ultra Magnus.

Of all the bots to say something, she had not expected it to be Ultra Magnus. Unfortunately, him saying this had brought her to the other's attention. She figured honesty was her best bet at this point. "I was assisting Fowler in resolving a human problem," said Paige hefting the gun she acquired from Mech onto the table. "I brought back a souvenir from Mech."

Bumblebee whirled. He had his hands on his hips. Smokescreen, Arcee and Cliffjumper were all looking at her with frowns on their faces.

"We could have helped," said Bulkhead.

"Yeah, we could have stomped Mech into the ground," said Miko from his shoulder.

"That wasn't necessary," said Paige. "Fowler and his men took care of it. There weren't that many Mech operatives left."

Paige heard the sound of Optimus' footsteps and quickly stepped behind Ultra Magnus as he entered the hanger. Ultra Magnus just raised an eye ridge. Ratchet followed Optimus in immediately catching sight of the gun on the table. He quickly came over and examined it.

"What is this?" asked Ratchet hefting the gun.

"A present from Mech," said Paige from behind Ultra Magnus.

Both Optimus and Ratchet turned her way at her voice.

"Is it something you can use?" asked Paige.

"They must have scavenged it off of a fallen Vehicon," said Ratchet. "I'd have to replace a few parts, but it can be made fully functional."

"How was it obtained?" asked Optimus.

Paige didn't answer so someone must have told him over the comm. She used that time to slip out of the hanger and run for the one next door.

Fowler opened the door and walked in just in time to see her leave. He could see the bots examining the cannon. "Don't blame her Prime," he said. "I asked Paige to assist in the capture of the remaining Mech agents. They wouldn't take the technology bait we had waiting for them so we tried using Paige instead. They were definitely still interested in her and we arrested the rest of the group."

"You used her for bait?" asked Ratchet irately.

"On Earth even civilians can volunteer to help put the bad guys behind bars," said Fowler. "She's an adult that can make her own decisions. It's time you realized that."

"Agent Fowler is correct," said Optimus. "She rendered assistance and returned unharmed so the issue will be dropped." He glanced over at Ratchet giving him a pointed look.

Ratchet simply huffed and returned to his work and the others dispersed.

"I don't get it," said Fowler leaning against the railing. "Why are you all so hung up on Paige? You don't even scold the children as much as you do her."

"Unlike the children, Paige will always listen," said Optimus. "Her actions are not the result of reckless decisions like the children. Every time she gets involved, she seems to know exactly what will occur and she's placed our welfare over hers time and again."

"It's her size," added Ratchet from where he sat.

"What do you mean?" asked Fowler.

"Her fragility is that of a human, but her size is that of a Cybertronian," explained Ratchet. "Every time she is injured, it's obvious and yet I'm not trained to heal organics. If she becomes greatly injured, I may not be able to save her."

"Your government sent you as a liaison and the children became accidently involved with us when they encountered the Vehicons, but someone brought Paige here without her consent leaving her in this unexpected predicament bearing knowledge that she shouldn't possess. If she had not found us as quickly as she did, she could have offlined. The Decepticons or Mech would have tortured her for information and then offlined her had they been able to capture her. With her smaller size now, she is even more vulnerable."

"Well Mech is completely dismantled," said Fowler. "So I won't be asking for her help with them again so you can rest easy."

Paige was surprised when she didn't get scolded for her actions. She did notice that some of the bots still seemed upset with her though.