The sun was low over the horizon as he drove over a small hill. His tires gripped the dirt road as he began down the hill. The weather was calm, clouds hung high as the sun shined off his red paint job. His tires slowly kicking up dirt and dust as he drove without fear. He was speaking candidly on a unshielded frequency with his partner.

"Then a pair of lights fill my rear view. Then it hits me. I'm illegally parked"

"What happen?" Arcee inquired.

Cliff chuckled. "The boot, hard to kick off... for humans that is"

"Talk about a low budget manicure" Arcee chimed.

"As soon our boy in blue got a block away I decided to get a refund," Cliff laughed. "Yellow never looked good on me anyway"

Arcee drove down a nevada road. Her holographic rider giving the appearance that there was someone driving.

"Easy cliff. Last thing we need is another human"

"Oh come on. Jacob isn't that bad" cliff replied.

Wait till you know bud. Arcee thought as she continued driving. "I guess," Arcee replied. "If only I weren't in Jasper Navada right now"

It was pretty common knowledge that she did not like the town at all. She didn't mind the quietness but it was rather the absolute mindnumbing boredom topped off with the ungodly heat. How humans can tolerate it was beyond her. Cliff at times didn't understand her gripes. She was a mystery most of the time. He was certain on a few things however. One of them he was present for, Ian bumblebee bailing her out at the last second before Airachnid would butcher her like tailgate.

"It's better than Kaon" Cliff remarked softly.

Cliff was right about that. Anywhere on earth was better than that hell hole. Arcee agreed silently. I wonder how the others are holding up. Arcee mused as she continued towards Jasper. Cliff's scanner chimed for attention. Pulling it up he saw he was closing in on an energon signal. That's interesting. He thought seeing an opening coming up.

"Hey cee, I've got an energon signal. I'm gonna check it out"

Arcee slowed down. Her spark began pounding in her chest. 'It was a dirt road. Lots of trees and open fields. He found an unshielded energon signal... not even two minutes after finding it that's on the nemesis descend upon him, dropping a few Vheicon's. He puts up a good fight but in the end it doesn't go well. Blaster strikes one of the crystals and the whole place goes sky high. Do I really need to say more?' She recalled what she inquired of Jacob. It has been a week since she had asked that and it now looked like today was the day!.

"Cliff don't!" She nearly shouted.

Cliffjumper became immediately confused. "Why not?. Wait a minute is this something to do with Jacob" it didn't take him long to find a possible answer in his mind.

Arcee clicked twice on the comm in confirmation. Cliff had gotten to know the kid and even liked him. He was mostly soft spoken with a kind attitude towards others. It was clear he had told Arcee something about the future that Jacob wanted to prevent.

"Tell me" he said as he sped up and shot past the signal. His tone was completely flat.

"It's best you hear it from Jacob," Arcee said. "I'm switching over to the secure comms"

Cliffjumper did the same. "I need a bridge" he called.

"On it's way" Jacob said on the other end.

The ground bridge ripped open a hole between him and base. Just as the nemesis was beginning to creep in he vanished though it.

A giant silver mech with wings stood on the bridge of the nemesis watching the autobot vanish though the ground. His face twisted in rage as his red optics glowed brighter. He was this close to getting one by surprise but the opertuinty was now gone. Days of planning and hope were now dashed. Megatron would be laughing if he were here. Starscream grimly lamented. So would Knockout. Luckily the doctor was on assignment in another region of the world far away. A scientific survey. Without warning a hand touched his shoulder. Starscream jerked and looked. It was Soundwave. Staring directly into the blank visor the air commander straightened himself. Sound wave was Megatron's most loyal follower, a spymaster and communications expert.

"What is it Soundwave?"

The spymaster then took a step back, his long lanky arms falling to his sides. A waveform took shape on his visor.

"If only I weren't in Jasper Navada right now" the voice very familiar to Starscream chimed through.

"Arcee," he bitterly said. he hadn't forgotten what she had done on Cybertron. Set him back a good year and killed Shockwave too add salt to the wound. "Deploy 2 of our best drones. Ground bridge them on the outskirts of town and search for her and eliminate. I don't care about human casualties I just want results!" This was an opportunity he would not let slide so easily.

Soundwave agreed with a nod. The spymaster then turned and proceeded to give the order. Starscream looked back towards the view-screen.

"Take us back to polar orbit" he ordered.

Back at the autobot base both Cliff and Jacob were silent. Arcee had only arrived moments ago to see the disbelief on Cliffjumper's face.

"I could see the nemesis coming up in my rearview. Never felt so scared in my life" Cliff said as he took all in. Thanks to Jacob he dodged death and 'resurrection'.

"That's all I can really help out with. Everything else goes pretty hunky-dory" Jacob sighed wishing he hadn't stopped watching.

Jacob looked to Arcee and his expression in went cold. Was it something she did?. Grabbing his wallet he shoved it into his pocket.

"Cliffjumper, could you please operate the ground bridge for me?" The boy asked.

Cliff nodded slowly getting over the shock. "Yeah. Getting something to eat?"

Jacob winked. "Yup," he then turned his attention to Arcee. "Wanna go for a ride?"

Arcee placed both hands on her hips. "Only if you tell me what you got planned"

Jacob agreed. "I'll tell you on the way there," he grabbed his helmet as Cliff took his place. "Tell Prime we went out on business"

"Gotcha bucko" Cliff replied.

He watched them leave. Now he had a new lease on life. His contract had been extended. His hands moved effortlessly across the control panel, coordinates being punched in with ease. At first he had been doubtful of what Arcee had told him. When he saw the nemesis creeping up in his rearview his doubts have been shattered.

"Not bad kid" he admitted.

His plan was simpler than Arcee imagined. Lure in the cons and wipe them out. But bringing in another human worried her. Jacob had spent the entire drive reassuring her that it would be fine just to 'trust your gut' as he would put it. Then he vanished inside after they parked and the burger joint. She recognized that it is the place where Jacob worked 3 days a week. They had to avoid twin Vhiecon's but now she sat waiting. She could see Jacob inside eating. He saw her and gave her a nod. He has too much faith in me. She thought as she checked her mirrors. Nothing yet. It was then the door opened and a boy just a year younger than Jacob with black hair stepped out. Arcee looked and saw he was wearing a gray long sleeve with blue jeans. In his left hand with a helmet, Jacob's helmet. He took two steps before his phone rang.

He picked it up. "Hey mom. No I just got off work. Yeah I could swing by the store to pick that up," his gaze then fell on Arcee. "Hello beautiful... I-i mean I love you... bye" he hung up clumsily.

So that's Jack, she mused. My future partner huh. She wasn't overly impressed as he made his way over. Jacob had given her a rundown of what would happen and at first she didn't believe it till she saw the look on his face. Surely the kid couldn't be that dense?. He ran his hand along her gas tank and grasped her throttle. Without warning he mounted her. It took everything in her power not to throw him off. If the others were here they'd be laughing. Jack's hands explored her.

"It may take a few checks but someday I'm gonna own a bike like you," Jack whispered. "Maybe Jacob could sell you to me at a discount"

Now she regretted driving him to work and school all those times. This was just embarrassing.

"Are you talking to Jacob's motorcycle?" A red haired girl inquired.

Arcee internally winced. And my embarrassment continues. Arcee lamented. Jack shot up and noticed the two girls. He chuckled.

"Oh he's just lending it to me for a day. He's inside if you wanna hear it from him" Jack pointed.

She looked to see Jacob waving and sipping on a drink. The red hair girl then turned her attention back to Jack.

"You know him?" She looked puzzled.

Jack looked at her as if she had missed the obvious. "We work together. We're in the same math class" Jack explained.

The girls face the lit up. "Oh I remember now. Sorry I'd better be going. Homework is a bitch" she said.

Jack waved. "See ya around" he said as she walked away.

Jack then breathed easier. Arcee could see the pair the drones slowly closing from behind. Showtime. She thought shooting backwards. Jack yelped and grabbed on for dear life. Arcee swiveled to face the cons and raced towards them aiming for the open middle. The helmet went flying as the 16 year old held on. Jack yelped out as they shot between them. Arcee turned sharply onto the road the cons turning and beginning they're pursuit.

"Hang on!" Arcee shouted.

Jack looked absolutely terrified. "W-who said that!" he said, looking around for somebody.

The cons were getting close and she increased speed. This better pay off Jacob. She continued on down the road. One of the cons deployed their blasters and Arcee quickly weaved outta the way. Were they once were was quickly enveloped in bright red laser blasts tearing into the road and kicking up asphalt. They raced off being chased by two determined killers.

Jacob stood dumping what was left in the trash. A smile formed as he stepped out from the building. Pulling out his phone he went straight to speed dial for Optimus. The primary knew this was gonna happen thanks to him but it was best to report his progress. Whether or not it would be all worth it wouldn't be up to Jacob. He knew the importance of those kids but he didn't know the full extent of it yet.

Once Optimus picked up he took a breath. "Everything's going smoothly on our end. How's the status on Bee and Bulk?" He said keeping it professional.

"Only 5 minutes away. I hope you're right about this" Optimus responded calmly.

"So do I"

Back at base the rest of the bots were present. Jacob was sitting in a chair with his feet up against the railing. Ratchet breathed a heavy sigh.

"We've already done one human do we even need 3 more?" Ratchet said irritably.

Optimus kept a neutral position about the idea. "We're the two boys harmed in anyway?" He wasn't fully sure himself either.

Jacob shrugged. "Physically, no. Mentally, not so sure" he admitted.

That wasn't so reassuring as Optimus had hoped for. Bumblebee let out a stream of beeps in response.

"English please" Jacob asked.

"He said: Are you sure of anything?" Bulkhead translated for him.

Jacob simply shrugged. "I'm never sure. I only remember bits and pieces. With Cliff alive I hope things can only get better from here"

They did owe him for that. Saving a close friend and comrade from a predetermined death. Cliff's fate was now completely up to him and the universe. Optimus then glanced to Arcee who nodded. He's not gonna like this, Optimus thought. It would be fun to see his reaction. Optimus held back on smiling.

"As of now I'm placing you as Arcee's charge," he said. Jacob jolted up to his feet in blaze. The boys eyes were wider truck lights. "She volunteered to watch over you"

Jacob slumped back into the chair his face now completely pale. Oh this is gonna be hell. Jacob thought as he took a breath. It was their choice and he wasn't gonna deny them that. Everyone here has their own minds and freewill, slowly he relaxed. He didn't know what was gonna happen so maybe this was for the best. Maybe he could take it the worst of what Jack would see. Slowly his breathing evened out.

"Way to give a guy a panic attack," Jacob dryly said. "If you think it's good then I'm all for it" he consented.

Optimus then smiled warmly. "Get some rest. We've got a big few days ahead of us"

"No scrap" Bulkhead comments.

Jacob agreed standing up. Checking his watch he saw it was late. Moving down the stairway he began down the hall towards his room.

"Good night everybody" he said before rounding the corner.

Cliff gave a small salute. Tomorrow was a big day, but how was it gonna go?. Jacob shivered as he approached his room. It was like the other but a human sized door had been built in thanks to Ratchet. Shaking the thoughts away he took a shallow breath. Let's just roll with it, he told himself. Can't be that different. Jacob opened the door vanishing into the room.

Jack had seen Jacob arrive on his 'motorcycle'. He didn't approach his work colleague or get close to the bike. Yesterday felt like a dream. Had Jacob known what would happen?. Jack wished he knew but at the same time he wish he didn't. He'd seen Raf once or twice or twice, he looked fine from what he could tell. Jack didn't dare tell his mother of yesterday and kept his mouth shut. She would either think he was crazy, or go into a worried fit and make him wear body armor every time he left the house. Jack breathed a deep sigh.

"I can't believe this is happening to me" he lamented as he entered his home room class.

Coming up behind was Jacob who gave a sympathetic look. Jack only became more confused. Something about Jacob felt odd, ever since the day he met him four days ago. It just didn't feel right. Jack shook his head before sitting down. I'm just getting paranoid. He told himself. Jacob moved past his desk dropping a small paper onto the desk. Jack reluctantly picked it up and opened it.

"Meet me in the 3rd street alley after school. I'll explain everything once you get there" Jack quietly read.

An explanation was too good to pass up. Maybe Jacob himself was a robot and wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday. His motorcycle had done everything to keep Jack from getting harmed so it was a likely scenario. He didn't have anything to do tonight and Jacob didn't look like he could harm anyone. The nagging feeling of being wrong slowly began to eat at Jack. His need for answers however trumped it. Jack then showed all of his fears down and focused on the day at hand. Once that was done he would get his answers.

End chapter.