I have no good excuse for being this late...

At least it's a bit longer...

*hides in hole again*

Edit 5/9/22: I don't think a color change is necessary this chapter, but remember: Keikja is blue; Punctio is purple.

"And now all I need to do is get angry," Bruce finished after half an hour of explaining how he turned into the Hulk. By that time, the sun had already set over the Nevada desert, leaving notion but a star-strewn sky in its wake.

Miko and Bulkhead looked at him with polite smiles that failed to hide their overwhelming confusion. Miko was the first to speak. "Uhhhhh. Wow! That sounds cool! "

The Avenger chuckled good-naturedly. "It is complicated, even for some of the other Avengers. I'm glad you stayed awake to hear it."

"It was the least we could do," said Bulkhead. He looked back over the silent night with the others and cycled his vents slowly. Just as he was about to call it a night, he spotted a figure headed toward their base. "Get back in the base. Someone is coming."

"It looks like another Cybertronian," Bruce noticed as it got closer.

"Is it a Con?" Miko asked.

"Whoever it is, we have to make sure they don't find out about us. Come on."

The trio rushed inside to tell the others. When they heard the news, everyone started talking at the same time about what they should do. Optimus quickly silenced them with a stern look.

"We can not judge this Cybertronian without knowing their intentions. Ratchet, open a groundbridge to their location," he said.

"Why not just go outside? They're right around the corner," Raf asked.

"Because if they are a Decepticon, they will know the location of our base," Ratchet explained. Just as he was about to pull the groundbridge lever, the computer started to beep, indicating that someone was trying to call them.

Optimus answered the hail. "This is Autobot Outpost Omega-1. State your faction and purpose."

:Yeah, I'm right outside. Can we talk?:

"State your faction and purpose," he repeated.

:Okay, okay. I want to defect from the Quintessons.:

"Defect? Ha!" Bulkhead laughed. "Aren't all Quintessons manipulators?"

:Come on. I'm leaking here. I need a medic.:

Everyone looked at Optimus for his answer. Even the Avengers paid attention to him.

After a moment of thought, Optimus stated, "We will allow you sanctuary, but only if you follow certain rules."

:I'll do anything. Just *hic* Ugh. I had to leave my comrade behind. I-I- *hic* Ugh! I'm leaking out of my optics now. Something must be wrong with my exosuit.:

To everyone else, it was clear that the scout was crying. They were shocked at the emotion he was displaying. Who knew Quintessons actually had hearts? (Or whatever they had for hearts; no one had ever bothered to dissect one.)

"We will bridge you inside. Stand by." With a nod from Optimus, Ratchet closed the comm line.

And all hell broke loose.

"Forgive me, sir, but ARE YOU MAD?"

"I agree that this does not sound like a good idea."

"Well if it's not a good idea..."

"I said you are not dissecting anyone."

"Aw."

"Enough!" Optimus boomed. Everyone fell silent once more. "You know that every sentient being has the capacity for change. If we cannot allow that for someone who wants to choose good, we are no better than our enemies. Both Decepticon and Quintesson.

Everyone bowed their heads (and helms) in shame. Arcee especially was reminded of when she drove off Starscream.

"When I said that the scout would have restrictions, I meant it. If he refuses to leave his exosuit, an inhibitor claw will be placed on him so he can not access its weaponry. Now, Ratchet, open a groundbridge and bring your medical kit. As he said, he is injured."

x

Keikja tapped his pedes against the dusty ground outside the Autobots base. He saw a green light cast him into shadow and turned to see the Prime and the Medic step through.

"Took you long enough," he grumbled. He took a step back as Ratchet began to scan him. "Woah, woah. I don't have anything on me except my armor."

"He's clean," Ratchet said. "You have a few lacerations along the side of your chest, but whoever hurt you was careful not to break anything inside it."

They were silent as they walked into the portal. Keikja broke the silence. "Empress Quintessa is always careful."

Ratchet glanced at the scout, but Optimus spoke first. "if there is any information about your former leader's plans, please do not hesitate to tell us."

Green and purple wisps streaked out from under the pedes of Keikja's exosuit as he scuffed the floor of the groundbridge. "The Lady never told me anything important. I'm just a scout."

"No matter your rank before, you will be treated with respect here. However, there are a few rules you must follow to ensure everyone's safety," Optimus told him.

"Yeah, yeah. You'll probably want me on an inhibitor claw, right?"

"Your assumption is correct."

When they finally entered the Autobot base, Keikja took stock of his surroundings. "Quaint. And just as rocky as the outside."

"You should see my pad. 93 stories of technological genius," Tony said.

"I highly doubt that," Ratchet mumbled.

Optimus turned to Keikja. "You will have to stay in the brig for now, seeing as we don't have any spare rooms available. However, some accommodations can be made-"

"Don't worry about it new boss. I won't start a fuss for anything."

"Then I suppose you'll want to get acquainted with everyone else."

"No. I'd rather turn in for the night. Get use to the smell."

"What smell?" Thor asked. "There is no scent in here."

"The new place smell that goes away once you're used to it," Keikja answered, mouthing a sarcastic 'duh' at him.

"Is he- Is he being rude to me?"

The Quintesson was led to one of the lower levels by one of the Autobots. He took note of the way the lift operated and the amount of floors they passed before arriving at the brig. His door was left unlocked. He ignored the tri-colored racer's exit in favor of the red light of the security camera blinking at him. The jammer was easy enough to find and disable as well.

Keikja sent a simple short-wave radio signal to his partner:

:i am in:

:your mom:

:are you drunk:

:no you:

:punctio:

:megatron is acting funny:

:he is under mind control/are you in or not:

:they do not know and neither do i:

Keikja sighed audibly before replying.

:good work/stay hidden/till all are one:

:in the light of quintessa:

Hello to all the newer people!

Next chapter should be Punctio's perspective during all this.

And goodbye again!