(After some time I thought I decided to continue the story. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter)

After dropping off Sierra Jack and Cliffjumper reached his house just before the clock hit ten. Pulling into the garage Jack let out a sigh. Cliffjumper saw the unease building behind the boys eyes. Jack had to explain how we got Cliffjumper to his mother. Jack stepped out and took a breath. Cliff Couldn't transform in such a confined space without breaking everything in the process. Reluctantly he remained in his vehicle form.

"You ok?"

Jack shrugged. "I dunno, just trying to think of how to explain this to my mom" he replied.

"I feel ya. Any ideas so far?" Cliffjumper figured as much.

There is nothing a teenager fears more than an angry mother. Jack innocently shrugged. He had been saving some money for a long time but making that disappear would be rather difficult. Once his mother found out she would kill him.

"I could say I got it from Jacob's grandfather. I know it's not much but it's the best I can come up with" Jack said.

It wasn't a bad idea. Of course given Jacob's situation he was without family. Two killed, two passed away and only an Uncle left. It made Cliff uneasy to speak to him about it.

"That might work. Let's roll with it"

Jack half smiled. "Alright," he paused seeing his mother enter the driveway in her white sedan. "This is gonna be fun"

June was in her late 30s, with long black hair and blue eyes. She wore a blue jacket and grey jeans. Her eyes locked with the red car sitting in her garage. She then saw her son waiting. Opening her car door she felt a sting of betrayal in the air. Jack, oh I'm gonna kill ya. She shoved her anger aside. She hoped he hadn't blown his money on that thing.

"Jackson Darby, you've got a lot to explain for young man"

Cliff could hear her readiness to smack him upside the head. I should look up how much my alt mode costs. He told himself. Jack kept his calm. Leaning up against the door he made eye contact with his mother.

"I only paid 2000 for it. Jacob's grandfather can't drive it and gave it to Jacob. Jacob then sold it to me for a steal" he explained.

June examined to the car closely. Something just didn't feel right. She had never seen his parents or even his grandfather for that matter. She had met Jacob of course but there was something about him that made her suspicious. Turning she faced her son.

"Show me the papers" she demanded.

If Jack could have a heart attack he would in that moment. Cliff jumper felt dismay wash over him. Jack looked to have had a roadblock.

"Jacob still has to find them"

June didn't believe it. "I wasn't born yesterday Jack. That boy is nothing but trouble. Well I know that car could be stolen!" she retorted.

Jack put up his hands defensively. "He's not stolen" he replied.

Oh scrap!. Cliffjumper thought knowing the kid really slipped up this time. June raised an eyebrow and was put off. Why was Jack referring to the car as if it were a person?. It set the alarm bells into overdrive. The Cliffjumper couldn't stand it any longer, she was bound to find out eventually. He made a judgement call.

"Easy let's not lose our heads here" He said.

June looked at the car in shock. "Who said that?" She demanded.

Jack looked stunned. Reaching for the door control he slammed the button down and and the garage closed. Cliffjumper really wished he could transform right now. He cleared his vocal processor.

"The red muscle car," He replied. "The names Cliffjumper"

June looked like she was caught in headlights. Welp there goes keeping this under-wraps. Jack grabbed a chair for his mother. June sat down.

"This may take a while to explain everything" Jack told her.

June nodded. She couldn't believe it. The car was talking. It didn't sound like it was coming out of the speaker. As a doctor she could tell the difference. Only the best speakers could eliminate that feeling of tinniness. Taking a breath she listened.

Security footage oh how useful it was. With it Soundwave was able to identify the other humans connected to the Autobots. Jack Darby, Miko Nakadai, Rafael Esquivel and Sierra Wilson. However there was one human who alluded Soundwave. The records indicated he was 14 and living in Canada. He even found photos and security footage of this other Jacob. The one in Jasper was older by three years and was taller than his 14 year old doppelgänger. How strange, Soundwave thought. How can there be two exact same person at the same-time?. humans didn't possess advanced cloning technology from what he learned since getting here. There wasn't too much information on the 17-year-old version of Jacob. It was locked under many government firewalls. The first few were a breeze but the last dozen or so worth even worth it given the amount of information he got from it. It was barely enough info to fill the screen of his data pad. This cannot end well. Soundwave couldn't help but be concerned. God knows what this Jacob was capable of. If he was to be captured soon Soundwave planned on interrogating him personally.

Coffee was his wonder drug. Jacob only drank two a day and that was it. Two was enough to get them for the entire day. Any more than that he would be up for the entire night. He was currently running off the first cup as he browsed the in town music store. He was doing this for two reasons. One, to hopefully replace what was lost and Second was to make sure he wasn't there when Megatron made his move today. Checking his watch he noticed he had five minutes until he had to leave back to base. Arcee told him to take his time but he didn't have the luxury. He had to be at base just before Optimus and Ratchet leave. No pressure. Jacob sarcastically thought. He already held a blu ray. Macross: Do you remember love?. The legal issues that would've prevented the movie from coming over to the west in his dimension or not a factor here. Luckily the company harmony gold didn't exist. Instead streamline pictures came into the scene a whole five years earlier. Coming to a stop he checked the rack. He found one. Pet Sounds. Checking the back he saw it had mono and stereo mixes. One down the rest to go. If he couldn't get it all today he could always another time. Checking the the rack and more he found another one. Holland. Hello beautiful. Grabbing it he then paid for it. Sliding them all into a small bag he exited the shop.

Arcee saw him rounding the corner. He reached her surprisingly quick. Grabbing his helmet he climbed on. Strapping his helmet on he glanced down at Arcee.

"Miss me?" He slyly said.

She had though she wouldn't admit it. He knew which button is not to press and often avoided talking about the war. He did this with almost everyone. Optimus and he however talked how everything went wrong with cybertron. Optimus himself personally believed that the cast system was the blame for Megatron's rise.

"Maybe. Any luck?"

Jacob nodded. "2 CDs and a movie. I can always get the rest later" he replied.

"Not bad. How about we make a night of it" she suggested.

Jacob nodded. It wouldn't be the case. His plan was already in motion and when it's over she was probably gonna kill him.

"Let's roll" he said as they merged onto the road.

Arcee wasn't daft. She could see the stress in his eyes. The anticipation building up like a wall. She could tell he was planning something. Securing their future. She knew she couldn't intervene. She drove down the road with this fact haunting her mind. I'm not gonna like this aren't I?. She got no answer. Quickly they vanished into the distance towards base.

Sierra sipped on her coffee as she said in the diver seat besides Raf. She hadn't slept good last night and was using the coffee as a crutch. It was enough to get her through the day. Yesterday she learned aliens were on Earth. Fighting a war out of the public eye. God it's unbelievable. She thought. Sadly it was reality and she regretted knowing. To top it all off there was also an interdimensional traveler too boot. Jacob, god I can't believe that bastard lied to everyone. Sierra internally sighed. He wasn't lying to the autobots luckily. Then there was the fact that he manipulated Jack into knowing about the Autobots. It was something she hadn't expected to hear. It was unnerving.

They nearing base now. Glancing in the mirror she saw Arcee and Jacob coming up the rear. Speak of the devil. She turned her attention back to the front. Arcee she hadn't much to go off. She was sassy and could verbally roast anyone with ease. She could also kick some serious tail pipe to boot. That's what she was told by Raf and Jack. Sierra bit her lower lip. She had a bad feeling about today. No matter how hard she tries she couldn't shake the impending sense of doom lingering in the back of her mind.

Jacob dismounted Arcee. She transformed into her bipedal mode and scratched her arms over her head. Everyone was here.

"So how was last night Cliff?" Bulkhead asked.

"Not too bad," he said. "A bit cramped but it's better than half the places I've slept"

"I can imagine" Bulkhead laughed.

Ratchet was typing in coordinates to the ground bridge. Optimus glanced to Jacob with a knowing look. Both knew what was about to happen. Good luck prime. Jacob thought as he moved to the human area.

"Ready when ever you are Optimus" Ratchet announced.

The others looked at Optimus with confused expressions. Raf joined Jacob and parked himself on the couch. Then Optimus completely blindsided Jacob.

"Bumblebee, could you accompany us?"

Jacob turned and bit down on the inside of a cheek. Fuck, fuck, fuck oh god!. He wanted to scream. Raf saw his panicked expression and Jacob out a finger up over his lips. Raf didn't mutter a single word. Bumblebee responded with a few clicks.

"Ratchet open the bridge" Optimus said.

"What's going on?" Arcee chimed in.

Ratchet pull the liver and the ground bridge roared to life. Optimus turned to face Arcee. The scepticism on her face reminded him of more than a few people from his past. Zeta prime was definitely one of them.

"Just checking up on a hunch" he replied.

"Then why do I hear an edge in your voice?"

An awkward feeling soon swept over the entire room. Sierra moved to the stairs and sat down. She was then joined by Jack.

"Much has changed in the past 24 hours. I'd rather be certain of what's going on then being caught with my pants down" Optimus said using a human phrase he had learned.

"Good luck" she dryly replied.

"Thank you. You are in charge till I get back" Optimus replied.

Optimus saw her nod in silence. Once he, Ratchet and Bumblebee were gone the ground bridge closed.

"So what's on the itinerary" Jack clasped both hands together.

Arcee glared at the closed ground bridge. Turning 180 she began towards the exit. And so it begins. Jacob thought as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Cliff, you're with me. Bulk, you're in charge" Arcee continued walking.

Cliffjumper not seeing much of a choice went after her. Glancing back he saw the uneasy look on Jacob's face.

"And where are you going?" Bulkhead called after her.

"Patrol" was all Arcee said.

They then transformed and raced out of the base. Bulkhead sighed in disappointment. Miko who is hooking up her practice amp saw Bulkhead's dismay.

"What a bitch" Miko said saying what was on everyone's mind.

"Is she usually like that?" Sierra asked.

Bulkhead shook his head. "She hates being kept in the dark. You have to get past the ice to see her more clearly" he explained.

Bulkhead would never say anything like that in the actual show. Jacob liked it. He felt more believable as a person. Sierra took note of the info. Miko began playing her guitar. Jacob and Jack winced at the sound. Bulkhead looked around trying to find something to occupy his time. Jacob moved over to Raf who was doing some computer work.

"How's it going?" Jacob asked.

Raf shrugged. "Petty dull. How about you?"

Jacob shrugged. "Honestly I'm pretty nervous. Can you do me a favour?" He said, keeping his tone soft.

"Shoot" Raf told him.

Pulling the CD's and blu ray he gently lead them on the coffee table. Raf eyed them keenly.

"Could you please make some copies. You can take what you want off them"

"No problem, i'll work on it when I get home" Raf nodded.

"Thanks. Good luck with those" he said.

Raf smiled. "Don't worry. It's just a simple conversion" he replied.

Jacob smiled and glanced at his watch. Just a few more minutes. His nervousness continued to build, like bricks in a wall. Jacob stepped away from Raf. Reaching the stairs he saw Sierra doing some homework. The very same homework he completed last night.

"Need any help?" He asked her.

Sierra shook her head and didn't respond. She continued answering questions on the piece of paper. Under the paper was a clipboard. From her body language Jacob could tell she didn't trust him. It was understandable.

"Good luck" he said before moving to the railing.

Bulkhead was checking on some equipment. He'd told Bulkhead along with Optimus. Bulkhead was a major player in what was about to transpire. Leaving him in the dark was a really bad idea. Both shared a glance. Both of them were nervous about what was too come.

"You ok Jacob?" He heard Jack say.

Jacob looked and saw him. He missed home, he missed his uncle, he wanted to go home. There was the fact he may never return. If he did he didn't know what he would return too.

"Not since the day I arrived. I'm just homesick" he replied softly.

Jack suddenly felt awkward. He hadn't anticipated this.

"Oh, I didn't know that"

"I never told you. I haven't told anyone to be honest. I've been trying to keep things on track so much that I just haven't had time to think about it" Jacob lamented.

"I'm sure things will get better" Jack reassured him.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on how the future would pan out. Jacob didn't know what was coming after. He was a casual observer to time like everyone else.

"You were supposed to end up with Arcee. She volunteered to take care of me after I saved Cliffjumper. Where that decision will lead me is completely unknown"

Jack was surprised by the revelation. "That's interesting" was all he could managed to say.

"It is" Jacob dryly added.

Suddenly the alarms began wailing. Jack jumped as he looked. Miko's playing slowed to a halt. Jacob took a breath. It's show time. He stood there was Bulkhead checked the computer.

"Is it the Decepticons?" Sierra said.

Bulkhead shook his head. "Nah, it's Fowler again" Bulkhead replied.

Miko jumped behind Bulkhead with guitar in hand. Jack jumped over the railing and pushed himself up against the wall. Raf ducked behind the couch. Sierra then ran to Miko. The elevator door and then opened. Fowler walked in with a pissed look on his face.

"Optimus isn't here-" suddenly Fowler got up in his face.

"You knew it would happen. I know you did I can see it in you're eyes" Fowler sounded pissed.

Jacob nodded. "I had to keep things on track. Sorry I didn't tell you but I was too busy juggling everything else" he calmly replied.

Fowler wasn't sure if he was genuine or not. He took a breath. Something about Jacob made him uneasy. It was probably the fact that he knew everything he was going to do before he even did it.

"When will Prime be back?" he asked.

"Few hours from now. He's on a date with Ratchet" Jacob dryly joked.

Fowler chuckled amusingly. Suddenly there was a high-pitched wailing noise from behind. Jacob winced. Looking he saw Miko's guitar cord had yanked itself free. Fowler's good mood instantly vanished.

"Who's there!" he demanded.

Miko very reluctantly stepped out. Then Sierra, Jack and Raf. Fowler looked horrified.

"I think we broke him" Miko said.

Jacob shook his head. "Miko please just shut up" he told her.

"Oh step off!"

Fowler then turned his gaze back to Jacob, his eyes ablaze. "You and I are going for a ride. You're gonna have the pleasure of explaining this to my superiors"

Jacob felt his stomach tie into a knot. He slowly nodded, not daring to say another word. Fowler then shot a look to everyone.

"Now wait just a-" Bulkhead began as practiced.

"It's alright Bulk. I'll only be gone for a few hours" Jacob quickly fell into place.

Fowler looked over to Bulkhead. "This'll only take a few hours. Besides Jacob an't going anywhere anytime soon"

Jacob looked at Fowler with a hurt expression. Not even Ratchet was so cruel to say that!. He clenched his fist. He didn't swing however, his nails digging into his palm drawing blood. Jacob was led to the elevator. It only took them a minute to reach the top of the base for the helicopter rested. Both clambered inside. Fowler started the great Machine and they took off. Jacob watched the base shrinking further and further into the distance.

"Base, I'm currently leaving autobot omega outpost. Expect my arrival within the next 20 minutes. Over and out" Fowler said.

Jacob felt his heart pounding in his chest. And now we wait. He thought as the base vanished into the distance. The further away he got from it the more he felt uneasy. In the back of his mind he felt Fowler was right. The chances of him going home were slim. He would probably never return. A tear formed and he quickly wiped it away. Taking a breathe he shoved all of his feelings aside. He had a job to do. He couldn't screw this up. He had to be strong for what was about to come.

End chapter.