2023: Even though the sun was to rise in 1.5 Breems, the sky still clung
to its night cloak. A few renegade stars remained, challenging the might
of the suns' light. Soon they faded as the sky turned into lighter shades
of blue, fading into the dawns' various colors of red, orange, and yellow.
The methodical, lulling laps of the incoming tide and the slight breeze
rustling the sparse grass were the only sound to reach his audio modules.
The smell of the sea stirred him and helped him relax. The sun finally
broke the surface of the ocean, seemingly setting it to a golden fire. He
wished to just sit there all day, to allow the waves a chance to pass over
him with their cool caress. But he cannot, he was lucky to even afford
this brief calm moment. He slowly stood and sighed deeply. Brushing the
sand off himself, he turned inland and looked in the direction of Mt. St.
Helens, where the Ark had once lain. One fond memory was there for him,
that's where he and his beloved were given life. He smiled, remembering
the moment. She had held out for eleven years, to him it seemed like 110,
but worth the wait. He had never rushed her into anything for fear of
losing her. He determinedly avoided the primitive needs and wants she
seemed to think males possessed. He didn't need to though, she knew what
him, inside and out. It just strengthened her love for him by proving her
wrong. The inner Autobot radio informed him to report immediately to base.

On the way back to the base he was joined by the Hydrobots. Moments later,
they were joined by Barracuda and Ursa Thylar. Upon entering the airlock,
he spotted Tracer waiting for them. Nothing was said they headed for the
communications room. This was suspicious, Tracer gave no indication as to
what was up. They joined the other 'Bots assigned the to base, Bebop,
Vixica Struthia, Austera, Shadow, Magmorta, Depth, and Hiphop. Also there
was Tetra Reris, obviously she had brought the news personally to the
Commanders' attention. Commander Elliot walked in, she'd been with them
since the beginning, in fact she was the one who thought of this base. Her
face was serious, sober, and a bit drawn. She took her seat at the head
of the table and indicated them to all sit. He noted how everyone else
seemed as disturbed as he. She looked at each and every one of them in
turn, her face cracked a slight smile only twice, once at Barracuda and
once at him. This made him even more nervous and yet a bit relaxed, maybe
this wasn't so bad after all.

"Staff," Commander Elliot began, "I have been informed of a serious
proposition. As you knew, Electra, Dynae, and Ohmnitron have been neutral
for several years. Though Galvatron disappeared in 2015 under suspicious
circumstances, they never have once betrayed either sides trust. They have
been graciously opening their home to both sides, allowing perspective
mixed couples to get to knew one another. I know of several of you have
frequented there. Electra is extending and invitation to one and all, but
most especially to those with children, to come to Mechanadron with her.
She plans to rebuild it into its once pristine condition. So my fellow
beings it is up to you if you wish to go. That is all I have to say."

Commander Elliot stood and walked out, there had to be more and he knew
it. Barracuda seemed to think likewise for they were the first two to rise
from the table. They pursued her quietly, Barracuda slipped her hand into
his. The Commander paused at the hallway junction and went down the right
fork. As they turned into the hallway, they spotted her standing just
before the repair bay. Barracuda squeezed his hand briefly as she turned
toward them, a broad smile broke her face.

"Have you told him yet 'Cuda?" the Commander inquired.

"No, but now I will. Come Shark, l want to show you something." the
two tone brown colored Barracuda replied.

The Commander opened the door for them, 'Cuda led him along. He felt
strange about all this secrecy.

"Come to pick them up have you?" came Gynaes' query from a adjacent room.

"Yes." Barracuda replied, "Are they ready?"

"Of course." Gynae replied, then in a tone he barely heard, "Go on."

In the doorway, two small figures appeared, he shot 'Cuda a questioning
look.

She smiled and said, "Say hello to Searay and Stunray, your daughter
and son, Shark."

His jaw slackened, he was in shock, he hadn't even known. He paused in
mid-thought and mixed emotions as a small hand slid into his.

"Well, pick him up." came Barracudas' prod.

He did so, the boy hugged his neck and chest. He turned to 'Cuda who held
the girl and began to cry. She'd given him more than he ever expected and
now he loved her even more than before.

"I love you." he said softly.

"I love you." she replied and kissed him on the cheek. She turned and walked toward the door and he followed, still in shock and
yet ever so happy.

Commander Elliot spoke to them as they left the room. "Think about
Electras' invitation." She walked off, her peace said, and he looked at 'Cuda.

"Barracuda, I believe we must go." he said.

"I hoped you would feel like that, after all we do have them to
think about now." she replied.

"Yes." he said as he looked at the boy, "Their and your safety is
all I'm concerned about."

"I'll inform Electra of our intention tomorrow. Right now though, we
shall spend time getting acquainted with our children" she smiled.

"That would please me." he replied.

Back in the repair bay Gynae busied herself with trivial things just to
keep her mind off one thing in particular. The female doctor seemed
cheerful, happy, and content on the outside, but inside she was unhappy.
That was why she was keeping herself busy, but soon it's too strong to
stave off any longer. Gynae fell to her knees and sobbed audibly, it was a
burden she had kept over the past three years. The torment she felt was
intense. At the door, the aquamarine, orange, blue, and light green form
of Tetra Reris stood.

"Gynae, why is you cry so?" she asked, Gynae stood and turned away,
"I really want to know." she placed a hand on her shoulder,

"It's my problem, Tetra, I can handle it." Gynae replied.

"I'm not so sure about that, Gynae. It be easier on you if you told
someone, I'd be willing to hear you out." Tetra said.

"Swear to tell no one." Gynae said.

"I so swear." Tetra said.

"Three years ago I became aware that I cannot have children."

"You of all us should be granted the ability to have children,

Gynae. We could figure out why you cannot and then rid you of what it
is." Tetra said.

"I know why, Tetra. But of this, you must also tell no one." Gynae

said, "I was once a female human."

She goes into the details, Tetra was a bit amazed.

"Perhaps Vesta Zeta knows the way to change your current condition
Gynae. I'd suggest asking her." Tetra said.

"I shall do so Tetra. Thank you." Gynae said.

Tetra smiled as Gynae left on her quest. As for herself, Tetra wondered if
she'd ever have children. She thought Optimus would have been her lover,
but he was spoken for. Hot Rod, as Rodimus Prime, indicated his interest,
but she needed time to heal and he needed time to grow up. She left the
repair bay and headed for her temporary quarters. She passed Depth and
Shadow without event, they usually had some crude or lude thing to say.
Best to enjoy the moment, it was not likely to be repeated again. She
turned down a adjacent hallway and was joined by Dawn. The young female
Autobot had the hots for Hot Rod. Arcee was also interested in him.
Evidently Hot Rod needed to get things straightened out with them, he had
to decide who he really loved. Of course it might hurt less if the ladies
were interested in someone else. Yes, that was it, find out if they had
other romantic inclinations toward another. Easy enough to determine with
two spies on the base. Vixica was more likely to do it, so it was best to
approach her on the assignment. With that decision taken care of, Tetra
walked on into her room without a word to Dawn.

Dawn continued on, she'd missed the meeting, but had been informed of its
content. Right now she needed to speak to the Commander Elliot about
joining the base staff. Dawn knew that she needed to be away from Hot Rod
and coming here would help her clarify her feelings for him. She also knew
that having Tetra Reris there would help, after all he, actually Rodimus
Prime, seemed interested in her. Dawn knew Tetra wasn't interested just
yet in Rodimus and never would be in Hot Rod. So being around her may help
her understand what kind of female he liked to be with. Dawn knew Arcee
was also interested in him, which provided a problem. She and Arcee had
become friends and understood each other. Whoever Hot Rod finally decided
on, there'd be no hard feelings between her or Arcee. They didn't deny the
fact that Tetra might be chosen over them both. They understood this and
would hold no malice toward Tetra anymore than they would toward each
other. She entered the Commanders' room. Sometime later she left, now part
of the staff. She walked toward her new place of residence. She happened
to pass Depth and Shadow outside their room, they said nothing to her,
though she knew they were looking. They did it to all the females,
Transformer and human alike. Especially so if they felt free to have a
free feel or let loose a lude suggestion. They were annoying, but harmless
enough. Dawn spotted Tracer ahead of her and hurried to catch up with her.

Tracer smiled at her and asked, "Dawn, why are you here?"

"I just joined up." the red and pink form replied.

"Then I welcome you." the orange, ochre and black form of Tracer said.

"See you later, I've got to check out my room." she said and left.
Tracer watched her go. Interesting how popular this base was becoming.
Perhaps it was due to Commander Elliot, she had qualities about her that
few understood, let alone questioned. Tracer was one of the few who did
understand her. There had been a time when Tracer was just a car and the
Commander had no association with the Autobots. Tracer was her own being
now, thanks to the Commander, and all she could do now was try to make up
for the past inconveniences she caused by being her best friend. She
turned her thoughts to other things as she passed the Hydrobots' room.

In that room, the Hydrobots pondered Electras' offer. They'd been shunned
for dating five of the six Seacons and knew that perhaps it be different
if they went to Mechanadron. They soon left to discuss this with their
beloveds.

The Dinobots paused in their conversation to watch them go. They also had
much to discuss, Grimlock knew that the five adopted female children would
want to go. He also knew his Dinobots would want to go with them. Despite
themselves, they had fallen in love with the younger females. Even he felt
the urge to go, but knew that their presence was needed here. No easy task
to choose, but a necessary one. They become embroiled in conversation, so
much so they didn't notice the four cassettes passing them by.

Vixica loped ahead, Austera trotted close behind with Struthia right
beside her. Ursa Thylar brought up the rear, in no hurry at all. She knew
what her sister tapes had in mind. She knew for sure Vixica, along with
Ravage and Vulpes, would go. As for Austera and Struthia, it was hard to
say how their boyfriends Eject and Rewind would take this interest in
going. Ursas' thoughts turned to Bebop, how would he take this? There'd be
just her for him to be guardian to if they left. It would get lonely for
them both. She sighed deeply and accepted whatever fate would hand out.
Soon enough her sisters were in and out of the Commanders room and off to
find Bebop.

Bebop took their news hard, though he didn't show it. Hiphop stood beside
him listening, then comforted him when the trio left. Ursa approached, her
head hung low, nothing was said as she transformed and took her place in
Bebops' chest.

In her quarters, Commander Elliot came to terms with the possibility of
loosing a number of her staff. With this in mind, she estimated which were
most likely to go. She immediately employed the computer to search through
the 'Bot ranks for suitable replacements to fill these staff member spots.
After a third try, this due to eliminating perspective replacements who
might also go, she came up with the replacements. She wrote up the
necessary paper work and then entered it into the computer. The computer
then sent her requests to Metroplex via modem for review by the top 'Bots.
They would give her no trouble about it, after all she was already
understaffed. Her base, despite its popularity, had the smallest staff
among all the bases. She had requested the most logical choices: the
Aquabots, Seafoam, Seaspray, and the Micromaster Race Car Patrol. Maybe
asking for so many males would serve double duty by cutting short the
rumor that she was a bit sexist. She would miss the ones who left, but
couldn't blame them for wanting a new start. She turned her attention to
prepare for the coming departures and arrivals.