(Please see all previous disclaimers)

While Arcee and company continued on their mission, Optimus, Bulkhead and Predaking returned to the secret earth base. The three wondered what on earth had happened that Ratchet would call them back now. Optimus had a feeling what it was, but the other two were pretty clueless. They would find out soon enough.

Once the trio reached the base, they found a sleeping Lancex and Ratchet working hard. "How did he get back here?" Optimus asked.

"I made a ground bridge to help him back here, but how he escaped Megatron on his own, I have no clue. But I must speak with you in private, Prime" Ratchet explained. Optimus nodded and he and the medic headed off, leaving Bulkhead and Predaking alone with the sleeping Lancex. "Wow he looks so innocent when asleep" Bulkhead stated.

"But he is not to be trifled with if he escaped the cons on his own as Ratchet described" Predaking answered.

"You speak the truth, Predaking. But remember, we called a truce. We both felt drawn to Lancex. It is now up to him if he chooses one or both of us if he chooses either of us at all" Bulkhead replied, reminding Predaking of a few things. Predaking nodded. For now, they would just watch Lancex sleep.

Meanwhile, in a very private part of the base, Ratchet was talking with Optimus. "What is it that you wanted to tell me that you didn't want the others to know, my old friend?" Optimus asked.

"I did a deep scan of Lancex's systems, as he asked me to, including his gn drive. The scan of the drive revealed some very important but potentially devastating things" Ratchet started off before he was interrupted.

"What did the drive tell you?" Optimus asked, wanting to show he was listening intently.

"I was just going to get to that" Ratchet spouted off a bit before seeing Prime wasn't in a mood for game playing or beating around the bush. "Not only did the gn drive reveal that Lancex is a rare male that can carry on our race, but in order to activate it, he needs to submit and bond to two dominant mates."

Prime heard the words, but he didn't quite believe them. "Are you sure that this is what was revealed?" Optimus carefully asked.

"I don't lie about my work. It is likely that Lancex himself doesn't even know this information. However, I could see that the drive was access before, by what passes as an excuse for a medic for the cons. They also likely know this information as well. If we aren't careful, Megatron or one of his goons may end up using Lancex as a breeder, and we both know how those bots exist" Ratchet responded.

"Then Lancex will need to be careful" Optimus replied to what Ratchet had relayed to them Prime.

"You know, there may be two bots at this base that may want the bot ask well" Ratchet revealed, though not saying who. Optimus just sighed. Things were now getting even more complicated.