Optimus and his team were currently at Sumdac Tower, and they will get an update situation on what was going on Cybertron.
"The quakes seem to have stopped, at least for the moment," said Alpha Trion. "Preceptor and his science team are now working on a way to stabilise the region."
"What of the casualties?" Optimus asked.
"Thankfully, minimum, your idea to create a force field saved many, and we are now catching up with all those who are injured. As bad as it was, it is could have been a lot worse without you taking command."
"Speaking of command, what's the situation of the Elita Guard Fleet?" Optimus asked, turning to Rodimus.
"A little shaken, but otherwise fine though the Steelhaven took the full brunt of the explosion," said Rodimus.
"And what's the status on Sentinel Prime?"
"He's still online, but Red Alert says that it will be a while until he regains consciousness."
"Hopefully, he'll stay that way," Ratchet grumbled.
"I gather that the situation with Megatron has sorted itself out?" Alpha Trion enquired.
"Not quite, he and the other escaped prisoners are currently trapped inside Kaon city, but there's no telling what he's planning," Optimus explained. "Currently me, and my team monitoring the situation as well as examining the techno-organic Energon and capturing any Decepticon still at large."
"Do you need assistance?" Rodimus asked. "I could send a few ships your way."
Optimus shook his head. "No, Megatron is currently contained in is no telling how the Decepticon react. They've only attacked the Energon farms twice; I really don't want it to be a third time, especially with our reserve so low."
"And it's falling by the cycle," Alpha Trion added. "Tending to the wounded Autobots has only decreased our reserves even further. I fear we don't find a way to replenish it, and soon, we might be forced to take drastic measures."
"Hopefully, the techno-organic Energon might be our salvation," said Optimus.
"Speaking of which, do you have any idea how Megatron got his hands on that one shard?" Alpha Trion asked. "The sample that was sent from Earth has gone missing."
"I don't know, but Megatron's lawyer may have been responsible after all; his record isn't exactly squeaky clean."
"But he disappeared into thin air," said Bumblebee. "I mean, for all we know, he could still be in Kaon."
"Knowing that sleaze, I imagine that he found a way to sneak out, and if he did, we need to know how he did it," said Ratchet. "Last thing we want is Megatron on the loose again."
"We'll keep you updated on our situation," said Optimus.
"And we'll do the same," said Alpha Trion.
The screen then went blank.
"Somebot is getting quite suited in his role as Magnus," Elita noted.
"That still Sentinel's no position," Optimus reminded her.
"Who is currently out cold and due to disaster he caused over the last few solar cycles? I imagine that everyone is pleased with him as Magnus, especially the Council."
Optimus sighed. "Look, right now, it doesn't matter who's in charge."
"I'm sure Sentinel would disagree," said Moonracer under her breath.
"What does matter…" Optimus continued. "…is trying to sort out the situation here on Earth. Omega Supreme is badly injured, we still have Decepticon is on the loose on Earth, we've got techno-organic Energon to examine, and someone needs to explain to the humans why a giant city has landed inside the middle of the lake."
"Plus, the city still recovering from the last battle with the cons," Sari pointed out.
"What are your orders, sir?" Ironhide asked.
"Ratchet, you focus all your efforts on fixing Omega; Elita, you and Professor Sumdac with examining the Energon, Jazz, you and Moonracer monitor the situation on Kaon, and I'll head over to the mayor and the public what has been going on."
"What about us?" Bumblebee asked, gesturing to himself, Sari and Ironhide.
"Take Ironhide on patrol and show him around," said Optimus.
"Perhaps we should start with an earth vehicle mode," Sari suggested.
With that, they took Ironhide to the nearest car dealer so that he could scan for an Earth vehicle mode.
"Anything that caught your optics?" Bumblebee asked.
"Nothing that screams law enforcement," Ironhide frowned.
"Perhaps it would help if you tell us exactly what you're looking for?" Sari asked.
"Something strong and sturdy that wouldn't be too out of place," said Ironhide as you looked from car to car.
"How about this?" Sari suggested standing next to a pickup truck.
Ironhide bent down and examined it. "Yes, that looks perfect." He then began scanning the pickup truck and transformed into vehicle mode. "This certainly feels tough, always like you can withstand just about anything."
"Just one more little detail," said Bumblebee and opened his compartment, pulling out a siren and placing it on Ironhide. "Now it's perfect."
"Uh, what is this thing?" Ironhide asked.
"It's called a siren, just flash it in emergencies, and everyone will get out of your way," Bumblebee explained.
"Why?"
"I'll explain on the way," Sari assured him.
"Just follow me and do what I do," said Bumblebee transforming to vehicle mode.
Meanwhile, in Kaon, Megatron and the Decepticons trap within the city ship. They were currently in the command centre as Shockwave accessed the computer console.
"Well, Shockwave?" said Megatron sounding rather impatient.
"I'm afraid there is nothing that I can do, my liege," said Shockwave. "Sentinel Prime had put the entire city on lockdown before we left the Cybertron. If we still had power, it would have been possible for me to deactivate the lockdown, but our battle with the Autobots has completely drained of all Energon."
"You mean we're going to be stuck inside the city forever?" Skywarp whimpered.
"I can escape any time I want to," said Ramjet.
"Silence!" Megatron roared and turned back to Shockwave. "What do we need to restore power?"
"First, we have to repair the damage that the Autobots coursed and then we need to find some way to power the city," said Shockwave.
"Ze techno-organic Energon all over the city should be able to re-energise us," said Blitzwing, and then he shifted to his random personality. "Too bad we're trapped!"
"Fortunately, while we're not able to escape, Kaon has serviced tunnels for the Minicons to use, and they lead directly outside the city," said Megatron. "They can provide us with the materials we need to restore power as well the spy on the Autobots."
"You're not suggesting that we give such an important task to some lonely Minicons?" said Thundercracker.
"We do not have any other option, and I refuse to remain trapped here, especially when there's so much rich Energon within my grasp. With it, we'll be able to make this planet a new home for the Decepticons, and then we can begin our work to destroy the Autobots once and for all."
Meanwhile, Bumblebee and Sari were showing Ironhide around Detroit. Sari was sitting with Ironhide so that she could better explain how to drive on Earth.
"So, I stopped when I see the colour red on those traffic lights," said Ironhide.
"Yep, and make sure you watch your speed as well as everything around you," said Sari.
"Yeah, you don't want to be like Sentinel smashing his way through just about anything that gets in his way," said Bumblebee.
"That's no way to speak of a superior officer," said Ironhide disapprovingly.
"A superior officer should show respect to their subordinates, something he's never done," Bumblebee counted.
They then suddenly heard a scream and came to a stop.
"What the spark was that?" Bumblebee asked.
"Don't know, but it came from behind a corner," said Ironhide.
They quickly turned round the corner and saw several policemen had barricaded the area. The entire place looked as if it had been trashed, as if someone had lost control over their car.
"I want this area cordoned off," said Fanzone ordered. "And someone get me Optimus Prime."
"Will we do?" Sari asked.
Fanzone turned in time to see Sari jumping out of Ironhide. While she was out, he and Bumblebee transformed into robot mode.
Fanzone looked at Ironhide and groaned. "Just what this city needs on another robot."
"Excuse me?" Ironhide blinked.
"Fanzone is the guy in charge of law enforcement in this city; he's also not too fond of machines," Bumblebee explained.
"His name is Ironhide, and he's cool," Sari assured Fanzone. "Now, why do you want Optimus?"
"Because another one of you machines had been causing trouble," Fanzone grumbled.
"Decepticon?" Bumblebee asked.
"Don't know, but whoever was certainly didn't know the highway code. He just kept on driving, smashing through everything in a panic, trying out organics. The thing is, he sounded familiar; I just can't place the voice."
"Does not sound like a Decepticon," said Bumblebee. "I mean, it's common for them to terrorise people, but they would rather do it in robot mode."
"Sounds like he was scared," said Sari.
Ironhide frowned. "And I don't think Decepticon be afraid of organics that want to do with us Autobots."
"Yeah, I witnessed at first hand on your home world," Fanzone grumbled and then his eyes lit up. "Wait, one darn picking minute. Now I remember that voice came from that sleazy double-dealing bot. What was his name Rattrap?"
"Rattletrap!" the three of them said in unison.
Bumblebee then immediately activated his comlink. "Yo, Boss Bot, we think we've found Rattletrap; he's here in Detroit."
"Find him, we need to know exactly how Megatron escaped his cell, and he's our only witness," Optimus ordered.
"We'll get right on it, sir!" said Ironhide.
They then immediately transformed into vehicle mode, and Sari climbed into Fanzone.
"Don't worry, Captain, we'll find me before he causes any more trouble," Sari promised.
They then drove off but accidentally drove over a puddle spraying Fanzone from head to toe.
"This is why I hate machines," he grumbled.
Rattletrap was currently driving through the city of Detroit at breakneck speed. He'd already chosen an Earth vehicle mode which was a rather rusty-looking pickup truck.
"Organics! I had to land on an organic world!" he wailed.
He continued driving, almost running over a family who were crossing a zebra crossing.
"There must be some way to get off this rock," he said, and when he turned round the corner, he saw Sumdac Tower. "A Space Bridge? Here? What luck, if I can get to it, I can go home to organic free Cybertron."
Then suddenly, he heard sirens and saw Bumblebee and Ironhide approaching him.
"Oh no, not more organics," he whimpered.
"Stop, we got some questions for you!" Ironhide yelled.
"I'm not talking to any filthy organic!" Rattletrap yelled and quickly took off.
"Wait, when not humans!" Bumblebee yelled.
"Not listening, la, la, la!" Rattletrap sang as he turned round the corner.
They followed him into a junkyard which was filled with rusty cars and trucks, and there was no sign of Rattletrap.
"Talk about a needle in a haystack," said Sari.
"What a haystack?" Ironhide frowned.
"I think she means it's gonna be a hard time finding him," said Bumblebee. "I say we do the searching in our robot modes; maybe he'll calm down once he sees with fellow Autobots."
"What about me?" Sari asked.
"I think it's best that you stay out here; we don't freak him out or anything," said Bumblebee.
"Okay, good luck."
Bumblebee and Ironhide then began making their way into the junkyard keeping their optics open for Rattletrap.
"You know that was quite the plan you suggested," said Ironhide. "Didn't see any of that during boot camp."
Bumblebee shrugged. "Well, I didn't have someone to look up to, if you pardon the pun."
"Optimus Prime certainly is an outstanding officer, but I still don't understand how someone like him ended up as a maintenance pot?" Ironhide frowned. "I read his file, and he was in the Elite Guard until he trespassed on an organic planet, which resulted in the mutation of one of his comrades."
"I wouldn't use the word mutation in front of Elita," Bumblebee advised. "It took a long time to embrace her organic emotion that was thanks to Prowl. Anyway, he wasn't the one who suggested going on an organic planet. It was Sentinel."
Ironhide looked at him stunt. "Sentinel Prime? I know he was on that organic well, but he wasn't accused of any foul play."
"Because the boss bot blamed himself for what happened to Elita, and Sentinel was more than happy to put all the blame on Optimus, including trespassing on that world. Elita probably could have testified if it wasn't for the fact that she was half organic."
Ironhide looked disgusted. "You're saying that our Acting Magnus failed to take responsibility for his actions and betrayed his comrades?"
"It's why those two have always been at odds. Sentinel took every chance he could to belittle the boss bot. However, ever since we landed on Earth and back of the Decepticons, that is proving to be much more difficult; I think he's afraid that Optimus might take his position as Magnus. Probably why he wanted me to endorse him."
"And probably why he also ordered into watch Optimus Prime and report everything he does," Ironhide added.
"Still can't believe that I saw my friends, and for some Elite Guard stripes, I'm surprised even want to talk to me after that."
"If you hadn't, then Sentinel Prime probably would have decimated the entire Elite Guard. If it hadn't been for your quick action, casualties would have been a lot higher."
"I guess, but then during the trial, he offered to make me a Prime if I made it sound as if the boss bot's choice to spare Megatron was more cowardly than heroic. I refused; I already betrayed him once, I wasn't going to do it again."
"And you make the right choice," said Ironhide. "Though you're proving that following orders blindly could cause more trouble than they should."
"Hey, if you hadn't followed Sentinel's orders to protect Optimus, Megatron would have slammed both me and the boss bot," Bumblebee pointed out. "You're an excellent soldier."
"And you're not a bumbler I thought you were," Ironhide added. "I'm proud to serve alongside you, and I'm sorry that I make fun of you."
"Don't sweat it; I was a bit of a bumbler," Bumblebee admitted.
They continued searching the scrapyard, but so far, they found no trace of Rattletrap.
"It feels like we been walking around in circles," said Bumblebee.
"He could be anywhere in this junk heap if he was even here in the beginning," said Ironhide.
Bumblebee reached for his comlink and contacted Sari. "Sari, we haven't been able to locate him. Have there been any reports regarding an out-of-control car on the roads?"
"No, and something like that word be on the news," said Sari.
"Then where could he be?" Bumblebee asked frustratingly. "I mean, can't he see the two of us."
"Sounds like he's afraid," said Sari. "And he might fear that he is in trouble for something considering that he was Megatron's defence attorney."
"And a pretty good one at that," said Bumblebee.
"Or Sentinel was a bad prosecutor," Ironhide offered.
"Either way, this doesn't help; we need to find him and ask him some questions," said Bumblebee crossing his arms. "Okay, he's afraid of us, but he's afraid of organics even more."
"You're not suggesting that we get some humans to search the scrapyard," said Ironhide. "I'm sure that Captain Fanzone and his men are good, but we surely can't endanger human lives. What if he panics and injures someone."
"What if we had someone, who can look after themselves in case things turned bad," Bumblebee suggested.
Sari was now wandering through the scrapyard alone.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sari asked, talking into her phone.
Bumblebee and Ironhide were outside the scrapyard in vehicle mode, preparing to jump in case things went sideways.
"We don't have a lot of options, and you're more than capable of taking care of yourself; I mean, you proved that several times," Bumblebee pointed out.
"Yes, but this guy really fears organics, and you heard how he responded to Elita," Sari reminded him.
"Don't worry; we'll jump in if things go bad," Bumblebee assured her.
"Which is practically all of the time," Sari pointed out.
"He's not going to hurt you, and if he does, I'm sure it'll be an accident."
"Not helping."
"I to do question this plan," said Ironhide. "Perhaps we should call Optimus Prime?"
"He's busy with the mayor, and everyone else has assignments," Bumblebee reminded him. "Don't worry, everything was sorted itself out."
"I'm glad one of us is confident," Sari muttered.
Sari continued looking around. "Rattletrap, come out, come out wherever you are. I'm not going to hurt you; in fact, I want to help you get home."
She kept on walking but then heard a rattling noise when she went by a rusty-looking car. She stopped and turned, looking at the car, which rattled some more.
"Rattletrap, is that you?" Sari asked, approaching the car carefully.
"No one here but our cars," said the car in a fearful voice.
"Yeah, but cars on Earth are incapable of talking," Sari pointed out.
"Slag! I keep forgetting!" the car cursed. "Well, don't get any closer, you organic. I've got enough to worry about, and I don't need some filthy organic touching me."
"I'm not filthy, and FYI, I'm only happy organic," said Sari.
"That's even worse!"
"Look, I'm not here to hurt you. In fact, I'm here to help you. We can take you back to Cybertron or anywhere else you would like to go."
"What's the catch?"
"We just have a few questions like how did Megatron escape."
"Is that all?" Rattletrap asked, sounding suspicious.
Sari placed her hand over her heart. "I promise. Bumblebee and Ironhide are waiting outside.
Rattletrap then transformed to robot mode, and Sari led him out of the junkyard. However, he still kept his distance from her as if she had the plague.
"By the way, why didn't you show yourself when they came searching for you?" Sari asked curiously.
"I wasn't sure whether they were infected," Rattletrap admitted. "I mean, I heard rumours of the last Autobot that landed on an organic planet. They say that she was horribly mutated into a monstrosity."
"I wouldn't say that in front of Elita," said Sari.
Rattletrap stared at her. "Wait, you mean that spider lady that frightens the spark out of me was her?"
"Yeah, but she's really nice if you get to know her," Sari assured him.
"I don't think I want to get to know her."
They finally got outside, where Bumblebee and Ironhide were indeed waiting for them.
"See, I told you it would be fine," said Bumblebee.
"You all right, Sari?" Ironhide asked.
"I'm good."
"Hey, what about me?" Rattletrap asked indignantly. "I've been scared ever since I landed on this rock."
"Yeah, and even frightening every single human in the city with your dangerous driving," said Bumblebee.
"Me? Frightening them?" said Rattletrap looking outraged.
"Yeah, because humans are extremely fragile and scared easily," said Bumblebee. "It may be hard for you to understand, but the humans here are more afraid of you than you are them."
"You're joking," said Rattletrap.
Bumblebee shrugged. "Well, most humans anyway. Now what you say, we take you to the boss bot and then we can send you home."
They got to Sumdac Tower, and when Optimus arrived, he immediately asked the big questions.
"So how did Megatron escape and take full control of the prison?" Optimus asked. "It was extremely well guarded, and Megatron was in stasis cuffs the entire time."
"Well, he's able to speak Minicon, and he had them take over the prison," Rattletrap explained.
"But why would Minicons serve Megatron? They were slaves to the Decepticons until we liberated them after the Great War," said Ironhide.
"Well, I won't say that they were liberated," said Rattletrap. "What I observed in Trypticon Prison they were largely ignored. Perhaps they believe they treated one master for another."
"Was there anything else you observed?" Optimus asked.
"Well, their optics were glowing red when they attacked us," said Rattletrap. "Now, if that's all, can I please go back to Cybertron?"
"There's still the little matter of the techno-organic Energon sample all that Megatron got his servos on," said Optimus looking at him suspiciously. "You wouldn't know anything about that with you?"
"Uh, perhaps he had a Minicon steal it," said Rattletrap innocently.
Optimus folded his servos, narrowing his optics. "For your sake, you better be telling the truth because once everything is calm down on Cybertron, I'm sure they'll be looking into this matter."
Rattletrap smiled awkwardly. "And I will be more than willing to help Cybertron's future, Magnus."
Optimus groaned. "Like I keep saying, I don't want to… oh, never mind. Professor, can you fire the Space Bridge."
Professor Sumdac accessed the controls, and the Space Bridge was activated. "I set the coordinates for Cybertron."
"Well, I would say that it was nice being on Earth, but I would be lying," said Rattletrap. "And remember, if you are in the market for anything, I'm the bot you're looking for."
Rattletrap then jumped into the vortex.
Rattletrap found himself in the Space Bridge Nexus and then suddenly found himself completely surrounded by Autobot shock troops under the command of Warpath.
"Rattletrap, you're under arrest for theft," said Warpath.
"What did I steal?" Rattletrap whimpered.
"A sample of techno-organic Energon that was being examined under high-level security," Warpath growled as he placed stasis cuffs on him. "I hope you can find a way to talk yourself out of this."
"I can prove that I didn't do it!" Rattletrap wailed as he was dragged away.
"Tell it to the judge!"
Back on Earth, Optimus was on the Orion with Ratchet and Elita as Ratchet continued his maintenance work on Omega.
"So the Minicons will blindly follow Megatron?" said Ratchet as he worked.
"Rattletrap mentioned that their optics were red," said Optimus and looked at Elita and Ratchet. "I was wondering if the two of you had any theories."
"Minicons, despite what many Autobots believe, actually have a very complex process," said Elita. "They're able to learn fast and adapt to pretty much any situation. In fact, their processes actually resemble that of a human Earth child."
"Doesn't explain how they follow Megatron freely," Optimus pointed out.
"Children can be easily led with the right kind of persuasion; perhaps Megatron found a way of persuading them somehow."
"He might have infected them with a strange virus with fluent in Minicon. He could easily give them orders," said Ratchet. "However, until we know more, it's just a theory."
Optimus sighed. "Then I guess we have a try and find out more. Still, it pains me not knowing what Megatron is up to."
At Kaon, Megatron was in the command centre when several Minicons returned with supplies they pilfered from Detroit.
"Excellent, you Minicons are certainly proving to be very loyal servants," Megatron smiled.
"We're still going to need more equipment if we are to escape my liege," said Shockwave.
"And once we do escape will be to conquer this planet and make a new Decepticon home world," said Megatron as he turned to the view screen that showed Detroit city. "And while the Autobots are struggling to survive on the paltry scraps of Energon they're able to produce, we will be able to thrive on this plentiful planet. Once that happens, nothing will stop us from conquering the galaxy, all of it."