Chapter 1

"Wheeljack, report!"

The white, green, and red robot turned from his work to his leader, Optimus Prime. "It doesn't look good, Prime," he said, his earpieces flashing blue with each syllable. "The console's fried. It'd take hours for me to fix if I knew where to start, and I don't."

"How's that possible?" Bumblebee asked.

Wheeljack gazed up from the control console to take in the device, which mostly consisted of a large huge flat screen inset into the wall. The screen was taller than Prime and wider than three Autobots shoulder to shoulder. "Well, this thing's very complex, even by Cybertronian standards. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear I was looking at Space Bridge technology."

That statement brought a gasp out of the Autobots. They were here at this human lab in this midwestern desert because of a distress call they'd received at the Ark. The lab was under attack, by the Decepticons, of course. When the Autobots arrived, battle ensued, and a stray shot hit the console of the device. There was a flash, and the Decepticons were gone.

Optimus Prime scratched his faceplate-covered chin thoughtfully. "Then that means chances are the Decepticons weren't destroyed in the blast." He turned to one of the few human scientists who had hung around. "How were you able to create this?" Prime asked.

The scientist adjusted his glasses before speaking. "It was because of Dr. Archiville, believe it or not," he began. "After the fiasco created by his deal with Megatron, and the subsequent problems caused when Megatron returned to his lab, the government sent in a team of specialists to obtain and study any and all data he had on his computers. The most important piece found, was of course, notes and schematics to the D. Con's Space Bridge. The best scientists in the world were assembled to build it. We figured that it was time we humans contributed something to this war. Also, the potential for exploration did not escape our grasp."

Wheeljack nodded, but said, "But there seems to be some changes in here. We may not have a Space Bridge ourselves, nor the means to build one, but I know the theories behind it."

The scientist nodded. "We couldn't replicate the plans exactly, so we had to improvise a couple of times. In the end, we'd created not a Bridge that would teleport matter over space as we know it, but a bridge into other realities, other dimensions. We'd found one in particular that was most interesting to us. It seemed to be an alternate future of this planet. One where the Transformers never crash landed on Earth. It was very advanced. They'd even created successfully convincing humanoid robots–androids, though they aren't particularly common yet. Seems there's a war going on."

"War, it seems, is a something that spans realities," Prime said with an edge of sadness to his voice. "Have you actually made contact with anyone in this other reality?"

The scientist shook his head. "For now, we're simply studying from a distance. We haven't calculated the implications of actual contact yet. How did the Decepticons find out about this place, anyway? This was all top level classified."

"It's Soundwave's business to find out top level classified information," Prowl said serieously. "Why didn't you at least let us in on this little secret. We could have helped."

The scientist shrugged. "Like I said. We wanted to contribute something by ourselves. Besides, we weren't exactly sure what your response would have been."

Optimus Prime turned to gaze into the Bridge's screen, as if trying to discern the fate of his old enemy. "So now we've sent the Decepticons to another helpless world..."

Grimlock, the leader of the Dinobots made a noise that passed off as a snort. "Me Grimlock say we leave 'em there and go home."

"You know we can't do that," Prime responded. "We would be responsible for any destruction caused by the Decepticons. We can't take an 'out-of-sight-out-of-mind mentality, here."

Grimlock shrugged. "Whatever," he muttered before transforming to his T-Rex mode and exiting out the large garage door to the lab.

Prime turned his attention back on Wheeljack. "Do you think you can fix it?"

Wheeljack nodded. "Probably, but it'd be nice if I had a little help."

"We've already thought of that," the scientist said. "We've already sent for the head of the project. He knows our Space Bridge inside and out. Name's Light. Tomas Xaviar Light."

Megatron was brooding. Most of his followers knew that any time Megatron was brooding was the time to remain silent. Starscream of course, was the exeption. "Brilliant plan, O mighty Megatron," Starcream complained, sarcasm dripping off his voice when he used the title, like always. "Let's commandeer the humans' little Space Bridge and use it to build up our energy reserves without the interference of the Autobots. Well now look at where we are! We're trapped here in this little cave, with no way back to our reality, and we don't even know if this reality even has a Cybertron to rule!"

"Starscream, will you shut up!" Skywarp yelled. "If you remember, the plan was to let Soundwave and Ravage take the base by stealth so they couldn't contact the Autobots. You jumped the gun, pal. Face it, the plan wasn't flawed, it was you that was flawed."

Stasrcream made a contemptuous noise and was about to respond, when Megatron spoke. "Starscream," he said quietly–a far deadlier tone than his usual screaming; even Starscream cringed at it–"I tolerate you because you are one of the most capable fighters on my force. And your tactical abilities have aided me many times in the past. But know this. My patience with you is wearing thin. If you value your hide you will be silent."

Starscream, normally not one to be cowed so easily, realized how close he was to crossing the uncrossable line and fell silent. Minutes passed, then the little camera that was placed on an outcropping near the cavern's entrance split into thirds, which grew and formed into the trio of robots collectively known as Reflector. "Soundwave, returns, Megatron." They spoke in unison.

"Finally," Megatron muttered. "Some intelligent conversation.

When Soundwave entered the cavern, everyone was surprised to see what appeared to be a human in black and grey armor with him. "What is the meaning of this?" Megaron asked.

The little humanoid grinned. "Now is that any way to greet a guest?" he asked.

Megatron glared down at the little insect, and was surprised when his scanners informed him that he was looking at a robot, just as mechanical as Megatron himself. "Speak, then, and be on your way."

The newcomer found a slab of rock and flopped down on it casually, hands behind his head, legs crossed, apparently not a care in the world. "My name, as I've already said to Soundwave here, is Bass. And I've come to propose a deal."

"Megatron accepts deals from no one," Megatron responded.

Bass shrugged. "You might want to reconsider that policy, Megsy, since it'll make your little energy hunt a lot easier on you. After all, what good is it to obtain energy if you burn it all off in the attempt?" Megatron seriously began to consider this little robot's words when Bass continued. "And you might want to work on this 'addressing-yourself-in-the-third-person' thing. People'll think you've got a short somewhere."

Megatron's anger flared and he aimed his arm mounted fusion cannon directly at the little upstart. Bass merely yawned loudly. "Nice piece you got there," he said conversationally. Megatron was obviously surprised at his brass, and lowered his cannon. Starscream grinned. This little mech was either brilliant, or very, very crazy. He was beginning to like him already.

"What is it you have to offer?" Megatron asked cautiously.

"Energy, of course," Bass replied. "That is what you're after, right? Energy and a way home. My creator can supply you with both. All you'd have to do is supply us with a few tricks of your trade."

"What makes you think your creator would be capable of helping us?" Megatron asked with his ruby eyes narrowed.

Bass grinned. "For starters, he built me, and I was able to fight Soundwave here and his cute little cassettes to a draw."

Megatron tapped his chin thoughtfully. That was no mean feat, especially for one so small. "All right, Bass," he said. "You have peaked my interest."

Bass' grin grew wider. "I thought I might."