(Please see all previous disclaimers)

Bulkhead, seeing that he seemed to be clueless about being in love, headed for his friend and fellow wrecker Wheeljack. Bulkhead knew the bot was a hothead and impulsive but Bulkhead also knew that Wheeljack did have more to him than that. And not wanting to talk to the others, Bulhead figured Jacky was best. "Hey Jacky" Bulkhead called out to the other wrecker.

"Hey, it's been a while" Wheeljack responds, happy to see his friend and fellow wrecker, especially without Ultra Magnus around. The two shoot the breeze for a bit just for old times before Bulkhead brings up about the new bot, Lancex. Well, new to Bulkhead, but not to Wheeljack. Jacky had met the bot in passing several times while both were drifting amongst the stars.

"What do you want to know?" Wheeljack asked.

"Everything you know about him" bulkhead answered. Wheeljack told of Lancex, the bot's war time prowess, and how lonely the bot was. Bulkhead listened, blushing the more he learned. Wheeljack noticed, but said nothing, as Bulkhead needed support and not criticisms.

Meanwhile, Predaking headed to where Optimus was. The bot was in a private area, practicing some of his fighting moves, wanting to be ready when the Cons came once again. It didn't take long for Optimus to notice he had an audience, and so he stopped and went over to see what Predaking needed. "Is something wrong, Predaking? Is one of my soldiers mistreating you due to you being a con defector?"

"No, no one is mistreating me per se…"Predaking started, not sure exactly how to put it. Optimus just watched and patiently waited to hear and see what Predaking would say. "Sir, what does it mean when one's spark acts up around another bot?"

Optimus looked to the bot who looked confident, confused and bashful at the same time. "Well, does your spark only react around one bot" Optimus asked.

"I think so" Predaking answered, not quite sure.

"Well, it is possible your spark is indicating that you have found the bot to be your sparkmate" Optimus answered.

"Sparkmate, sir?" Predaking asked, having never heard the term.

"The bot or bots you are destined to be a family with tell death do you part" Optimus explained. Predaking nodded, as that now made more sense. Optimus explained a bit more before Predaking left.

Meanwhile, away from the base and unaware of the danger he could be in, Lancex was out and about on his own and seemingly weaponless, though he never truly was weaponless. He was sitting on a pile of rocks, reading a book on runes, unaware he had been spotted by the enemy. He had been with Bee and Arcee but they had long since gone elsewhere in search of energon. He had decided to remain here for some reason, but that reason was now going to kick him in his aft.