What Makes No Difference Is No Difference (WMNDIND 6)

-0-In class that Monday

Miko sat considering the intel she'd collected from the weekend. It wasn't as much as she wanted but was more than she had. Sideswipe was a holy terror, a prankster and a deadly warrior. He'd been roaming through space looking for his brother, the AllSpark and Prime in that order. He'd managed along the way to find skills that he'd added to his arsenal of lethal tools. He'd learned dozens upon dozens of methods to slay his enemies and he'd gathered from that experience a bit of personal self control.

Apparently, together, he and his brother were hell on wheels.

Literally.

The bot looked like everyone else, tall, metallic and handsome. But he had a difference she hadn't seen before. He could alternate in root mode between peds and wheels. He could walk or he could skate. That made him impossibly awesome to her. He also had a jet pack for short bursts of flying and he had seven foot energon swords that slid from the sheaths in his cuffs.

That made him doubly awesome squared.

She'd been placed on the table and listened to the conversation which had been switched to English to allow her the courtesy of understanding. There were spots where their own language was spoken alone. She began to gather that Sideswipe was considered a 'playah' among his own kind.

He couldn't get more perfect if he tried.

"So tell me about your brother and what's this about split spark twins?" Miko had interjected.

He looked at her with his characteristic smirk firmly in place. "Sunstreaker is an arrogant fragger who fights pretty good."

That met general approval.

"He's yellow and black and has different finials than me. But he's my twin. We share one spark. We're the only ones who ever did that, I think. I've never seen another twin."

"They aren't rare among us but they're rad," Miko said agreeing.

All of the mechs grinned.

Sideswipe leaned closer. "How did you frag Hard Shell?" he asked.

"Good thing that Arcee isn't in here," Bumblebee tweeted. "She'd have your bearings," he said glancing at Wheeljack.

That bot snorted, his grin as sexy as his voice. "That would be about right." He looked at Miko then nodded permission.

She looked at Sideswipe levelly, something that had never been a problem for her among the mechs. Finding this species had been like coming home for her. "He fragged Bulkhead. No one frags my partner."

Sideswipe sat back with a grin. "Go on."

"Wheeljack was going to get him and I snuck on board his ship. He was airborne before he noticed," she said.

"You're getting old," Sideswipe said glancing at Wheeljack.

"Remember that when you try to transform and you find puke on your floorboards," Bulkhead said proudly. He looked at the tiny form of his best human friend and all around surrogate wild child and was proud. "Little femme is sneaky. Lots of stealth in My Miko."

She grinned at Bulkhead. "You bet, Bulk." She looked at Sideswipe again. "I told him Hard Shell shot Bulkhead and we drew them out by blowing up an energon mine after calling Megatron."

"Slag. You had all the fun. I hope there's something left for me," Sideswipe said with a chuckle.

"It was Wheeljack and me against Hard Shell, only Wheeljack wouldn't let me fight him," Miko said. "He made me stay on the ship."

"I had it set for automatic controls. All she had to do was press the right key and the Jackhammer would fly her back to base. Little femme didn't," Wheeljack said, his own pride evident for Miko.

"I couldn't leave you," Miko said. "You almost got him but he was too big. He was getting ready to kill you when I fired rockets at him. He blew up and you barely made it to the ship before the hive came after us."

"Hive? How many of those vermin live here?" Sideswipe asked with a serious expression.

"Too many. Arachnid controls them," Bulkhead replied.

"Arachnid? Another one on my list. She's gone rogue, I heard. Now she collects skulls," Sideswipe said.

"We know. She tried to collect Jack's," Miko said. "Wheeljack blew them up in mid air with a box of grenades. It was epic."

"It was," Wheeljack said. "Arcee still hasn't forgiven me for bringing you along. Nor Ratchet."

"I don't care. I had to even the score. Hard Shell is no more," she said with a cold tone in her voice. "Bulkhead, one, Insecticons, zero."

"You mean Miko, one," Bulkhead interjected.

She looked at him, then shook her head. "Nope. We're partners, Bulk. We share the victories."

They chuckled over that and the afternoon continued. It was also epic.

-0-Back in class

She looked at the board and saw the assignments. Writing them down in her assignment notebook, she considered the possibilities. Sideswipe would be a fun character to be around but he wasn't that forthcoming. He was a prankster, a fighter of high quality but a bit of a clam on the personal revelation side. It was depressing. No one would disclose even the slightest information about Ironhide and Ratchet.

Maybe the taboo stuff was real.

She had spent the afternoon alternating between watching bots come and go including Bulkhead and watching Ironhide and Ratchet. They were calm together but there was something off. She had no idea what it was but she was dogged in her desire to find out. She followed Ironhide into the arsenal where he sat and began to tinker with a canon that he unbolted from his arm. She climbed onto a box to sit and watch.

Ironhide was aware she was there but put it to one side. He had no idea about humans but he knew about children. They were curious and relentless about knowing things. "I see you."

She grinned. "I see you back."

They were companionably quiet a moment, then Miko stood up and peered at his gun. "That's a big canon. The recoil must be amazing."

"You get used to it." He glanced at her. "Its like an extension of my arm."

She nodded and sat. "How many bots are out there and are they coming here? I sure hope so. The more the merrier."

He glanced at her, then chose another tool. "There are many out there and some of them are waiting for Prime to call. We're aware that energon is here and that's going to be a big help. We have a lot of refugees congregating. We need to secure them and regroup. Finding Prime was central to that."

Miko nodded. "Is Prime married?"

He paused, hit the internal databases, then looked at her. "We don't marry."

"You don't?" Miko asked with as much innocence as she could muster. "I think he's handsome. I'd think someone would have married him by now. He's what? Eight trillion years old?"

Ironhide ciphered that and snorted. "You're ahead of the game by about 7.9 trillion years or so."

"You didn't answer my question," she said grinning at him pointedly.

He grinned back. "No, I did not."

"You and Ratchet are married aren't you. Maybe that's not the right word but its what you are," Miko said.

He looked at her a moment, then began to tinker once more. "You're a nosy little thing."

"I am. I want to know all about your people. I think I was born in the wrong body and on the wrong planet. I don't feel at home until I come here."

He considered that. "Count your blessings you're here and not with us. We don't have a home anymore."

"You can't rebuild Cybertron?" she asked.

"We could but it would take a miracle."

She considered that. "Then coming here is your miracle. Here is where you guys are going to kill Megatron and Starscream."

"Starscream is here?" Ironhide asked with a slight grin.

"Soundwave, too," Miko replied.

"Slaggers," Ironhide said putting down his tool, then sighting in his weapon. "I would love to have one good shot at both of them."

"Take out Lazorbeak, too. I hate that bot," Miko said. "Starscream and Megatron don't get along. I think Starscream would kill Megatron if he could. He was in charge of the Decepticons for a while. Because of him, we were trapped in a weird dimension with a Decepticon zombie."

Ironhide considered that, then grinned. "You're a strange one."

"Everyone tells me that. See? I'm really a bot like you," she said with a grin.

Footsteps at the door signaled another bot arriving.

Springer paused by the door. "We have a patrol, you and me."

Ironhide nodded then began to reconstruct his gun.

Miko regarded the big green and yellow bot leaning on the doorjamb. "He told me he's married to Ratchet."

Both of them looked at her, then Springer searched for meaning. He grinned. "Did you tell her that really?"

"No," Ironhide said with a grin. "You've just been played." He rose and looked down at her a moment, shaking his helm. "I can see why Bulkhead likes you." With that, he walked out with Springer.

Miko sat a moment, then hopped down heading for the big main room. Bots were leaving through the bridge as she walked through the great space toward the stairs. She climbed them, then walked to where Jack and Raf stood watching at the railing. She stepped between them with a grin. "Ironhide and Ratchet are married," she said to their startled amazement.

-0-In the greater world out there

They drove down paved roads, their sensors scanning wide. There were reports on the local news station in this part of Nebraska that glowing lights in the sky were seen at night. They were swiftly moving, then they would pause and hover. They were unpredictable and would fly away at speeds and angles that no human craft could match. News people had come to the area to do reports and so did humans interested in UFOs and other alien possibilities.

Ironhide and Springer listened to the radio talk about such things, then Springer turned it down. "Must be 'Cons hanging around. They would only be here to hunt us or mine energon."

"I agree," Ironhide said. "You getting any readings?"

"Nope," Springer said.

"Neither am I," Ironhide replied. "Let's keep going. We're bound to find humans congregating and then we can find out what's going on."

They drove off together down the long flat ribbon of highway. As they did a great alien ship slowly passed by high overhead, its signal cloaked along with its singular menace.

-0-At lunchtime out front of their school

They sat on the steps and ate their lunches. A fast food extravaganza from the local diner was met with approval. Jack looked at Miko who was eating a homemade fry. "What makes you think that Ratchet and Ironhide are married? How do you know they even marry?"

"Ironhide practically said so," Miko replied. "I asked him if he and Ratchet were married. He said they don't marry. He didn't say they weren't so I told Springer that they were. He confirmed it. Sucker."

Jack considered her. "You're nuts to hit on these things. You could be breaking a taboo or showing them you aren't trustworthy."

"I'm very trustworthy," Miko countered.

"Maybe," Raf replied. "But you're too nosy for your own good."

"I'm not. Much." It was quiet a moment. Then Miko grinned. "Did you know Ratchet and Ironhide share quarters?"

They turned to look at her. "Too much information, Miko," Jack said shaking his head.

"Not enough," Miko said with a firm tone.

Both of the boys glanced at her, then each other. They ate their lunches silently.

-0-Later that day as school ends

Bulkhead appeared and his door opened, Miko bounding inside. She looked at the boys. "Need a lift?"

"No," Raf said. "Bee's coming and Jack can ride with me." Jack nodded so the door closed and Bulkhead drove off. They watched it go. "What do you think about what Miko said?" Raf asked as the beautiful sleek form of Bumblebee drove into the school parking lot and sped toward them.

"I think Miko is too nosy for her own good," Jack replied.

"What about the part of Ironhide and Ratchet being … you know?" Raf asked in his slightly nerdy backward twelve year old way.

"They're not humans, Raf. What they do is their own business," Jack said as Bee drove up. The doors opened and they climbed inside. They would be at the base in minutes.

-0-TBC

04-24-13


Chapter 7: Chapter 7


Chapter 7: Chapter 7


What Makes No Difference Is No Difference 7 (PS Hero's first day of school can be found in The Chronicles of Orion, 15) :D edited

-0-On the ground

They drove onward and found themselves catching up to traffic. Cars of the non sentient variety lined the shoulders of the road as people parked to look at something. They slowed, then stopped extending their sensors outward. There were mostly individuals that didn't look to have an official capacity although their understanding of the planet was sparse to nil.

:What do you think is going on, Ironhide?: Springer asked over their comm link.

:I don't know. Pony up and let's go see: he replied. A momentary rerouting of a number of things and a better resolved image of the man driving the big black pickup truck could be seen. The door opened as he stepped down walking toward the low ditch that separate the road from the people rubber necking nearby.

Another door opened as Springer's holographic image stepped out joining Ironhide's. They could have been related although that wasn't the intention. They had just chosen formats to utilize from the same file. Ironhide smirked. :I see you're as lazy as I am:

:Goes without saying, 'Hide: Springer said as they turned to head toward the large group behind a yellow line of tape reading 'crime scene'. They reached it and angled through until they could see better. Three men were standing together watching, their own trucks parked nearby. "What's up?" Springer's hologram asked.

One of the men glanced at him. "There's strange things going on out here."

"Really," Ironhide's hologram asked. He was a big holographic male of the human species, clad in jeans and a white work shirt. His hair was black with salt and pepper flecks of gray. Blue eyes, almost too blue looked at him levelly. "What do you mean strange?"

The two men with him turned to Springer and Ironhide. "There's ships flying over this area that do things no Earthly ship can do. They take off, fly straight up and stop in mid air. They are looking for something. They're scaring everyone around here to death. The dairy down the road has a whole herd that's dried up."

"I see," Springer said sympathetically. He had no idea what the man was saying but he knew how to jerk another person along. "What's with the tape?"

"Someone is trying to catch whatever it is. They failed. Sheriff's deputies said there's bodies down in the ravine. Could be that they tried to catch what it was and were fried. They were burned beyond recognition."

"Damn," Ironhide said. "That sounds odd. What do you suppose is doing this?"

"Aliens," another said as the others nodded.

"Because of the way they fly?" Springer asked.

They nodded. "They're also killing people. What kind of weapon could burn someone up like that?" another asked.

"Besides your wife's cooking?" the third asked with a smirk.

Guff was handed out, then all turned to watch as the official group began to carry out bagged remains of three unidentified men who had been found scorched to death in the middle of a burned circle. As they stood watching more cars drove up including two that had government license plates. Men got out including a rude guy in a suit. He stood with the Sheriff and listened, then began to argue. The Sheriff argued back, then both turned to walk to the scene that was behind a number of leafy trees.

"We have to button this up," the suit said to the Sheriff. Springer and Ironhide listened to the argument, the distance no obstacle to their ability to hear. The Sheriff wanted answers, the suit wanted silence. It was a stand off. The suit looked around, watched as men with him took samples, pictures and the usual rundown of evidence collection. When they were done, the suit turned and walked post haste back to the cars. They drove off together.

The three men, Springer and Ironhide watched them. "Who is that?" Springer asked.

"A man named Keller who is supposed to be from NASA. He's been chasing this stuff for a while. I personally think we're being set up for invasion by aliens," the youngest of the three men said.

"You thought the world was going to end last December 21st. How's the credit card debt doing for ya?" another who was his brother mentioned to great hilarity. Ironhide and Springer laughed too, although they couldn't explain the joke to save themselves. They took their leave and turned walking back to their vehicles. Climbing inside, tinting the windows, they de-rezzed and started up. Pulling out, they continued onward. "This is a strange event," Ironhide mused. "The 'Cons killing humans is strange."

"I think we better tell Optimus and ask him about Keller. That rodent looks like a fragger," Springer replied.

"I agree," Ironhide said. They stepped it up, turned down a side road and once out of view called for a bridge. They were gone in seconds.

-0-At the base

Mechs came and went through the aperture as the day wore onward. Miko watched them, new bots all and considered their current circumstances. They were able to do more longer, safely in pairs and all of it required energon. They would either have to steal it, make it or find it. All of it sounded like work. The bridge flared again as Ironhide and Springer returned. Walking toward Ratchet, they both paused. "Is Prime here?"

"He's gone to see Agent Fowler about a number of things," Ratchet said looking up to both bots. Ratchet was a tall mech, taller than Arcee and Bumblebee. Those two bots were mini-cons. Ratchet was considered average sized but the others were what they called 'warrior class' mechs. Bulkhead was a bruiser and all around king wrecking ball. Springer was big, solid and formidable. He was also about 25 feet tall she reckoned. Ironhide was genuinely massive, in Springer's range for height but a bigger more powerful looking bot overall.

Jazz was a mini-con, agile and deceptively strong. He was fast, extremely smart and incredibly brave. He was a saboteur, something that gave her tingles to think about. Sneaking into a place and blowing it up was awesome. But he was still short.

Wheeljack, Ironhide, Springer and Bulkhead were all tall with the first three having the edge over her Bulk. Dynamite comes in small or smaller packages she thought with a grin. All of them were great.

"What did you find out?" Ratchet asked.

"There's something going on in sector four where you sent us. They are having UFO reports and sightings. Someone killed a handful of humans with an energon based weapon," Springer said. "No human possesses such weapons. Apparently its so bad, a dairy farmer's cows quit giving milk."

Ratchet looked at the two of them and they both shrugged slightly. Springer grinned. "A couple of humans there thought it significant."

Ratchet nodded. "Make sure you tell Optimus when he gets back. Tell me exactly where this happened and I can pinpoint it on the map." He turned and they followed him to the console. He pulled up a map and they drew closer as they laid down the intel that they had discovered. As they did, Ironhide rested his arm around Ratchet's shoulders. The smaller mech didn't show any signs that he minded. But he didn't show any that he cared either.

Miko didn't know what to make of it.

-0-Bumblebee and Jazz

They drove along the highway heading toward a site that might have undiscovered energon. The signature indicated that it was untouched and therefore something they might exploit themselves, at least in a hit-and-run operation. Perhaps Ratchet could dampen the signature of the energon so they could take more of it in a longer period of time before the infernal 'Cons made their way there.

"What do you think of the humans, Bee?" Jazz asked over the comm link as they cruised together, two concept cars that were utterly out of place on the long empty expanses of southeastern Utah.

Bee tweeted back, his vocal processors capable of their language but nothing more. It was actually soothing to Jazz to hear. "I like them. They're tough and they're fun. Raf actually understands our language. I don't now how but he does. He's good at math and computers so it probably helps."

"I like him. He's a nice kid. What about Jack and Miko?" Jazz asked.

"They're as different as night and day. Jack is responsible and mature. Miko will run into a battle without thinking about it. Sometimes she's hard to protect. I think she forgets she's human," Bee tweeted back. The landscape beautiful in its stark grandeur flashed past them slowly. "She's Bulkhead in pig tails."

Jazz scanned for 'pig tails' then grinned to himself. "Maybe we can go on reconn together, Miko and me."

"She won't stay put. She will always be in the middle. I'm surprised any of us are still alive," Bee said. "She's trying to find out about Ratchet and Ironhide."

"I'm not tellin'," Jazz said his tone changing to seriousness. "She's curious but she'll get no where."

"I know but expect her to keep trying. It's her nature," Bee said as they turned off the road to a smaller, even more dusty one.

"Good to know," Jazz said as he followed along behind Bee, far enough back to miss the majority of his dust. He considered that and the long shower it would take to get his groove back. A mech couldn't be too careful of appearances. You only got to make one at a time before anyone new and everyone here was. If you didn't do it with style, he always said, then why would you do it? He grinned and followed as they drove onward into the gullies and washes of the desert.

-0-Agent Fowler, Optimus Prime and Agent Keller

They gathered at an out of the way place, a big Peterbilt tractor truck, a nondescript sedan and a black SUV. Agent Keller had flown in from a rural backwash about two hours away to have this meet up with Fowler and the Prime of Cybertron. The two men walked to the big truck and climbed inside closing the doors behind him. Fowler who disliked Keller with a capital D glanced at him. Keller for his part sat with a certain amount of trepidation and no small matter of angst as he waited.

For something.

Fowler who had talked to Prime prior to this meetup, which in and of itself was unprecedented looked at the dash. "Hello, Prime. This is Agent Keller of NASA."

The agent looked at the radio, a different kind of installation than first glance would allow and the round disk in the steering wheel of the enigmatic face of their faction. "What now?"

"Say hello," Fowler said enjoying Keller's unease.

He stared at Fowler, then the dash. "Hello, Optimus Prime. This is Agent Keller of NASA."

"Good afternoon, Agent Keller. I am Optimus Prime," a rich deep voice said calmly through the 'radio'.

Keller blinked, then looked at Fowler. He nodded, so Keller looked at the dash. "Mr. Prime, we are having a problem about 200 miles from here involving mysterious ships flying oddly about, excavations here and there and now three humans who were hiking were killed. They were burned to death by a big heat source that scorched not just them but the ground around them in a big circle."

"It would appear that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, Agent Keller. We are tracking Decepticon activity in a number of places to ascertain what Megatron is up to. Right now, we are as uncertain of his goals and plans as you are."

"That's not very helpful, Mr. Prime. Not at all. It's my job to assure people that things are just fine in the world. It's my job to tell them that they won't be killed in their beds," Keller said testily.

"We are aware of that as well. We have as much concern for the safety of the humans of this planet as you do. We have expanded our search grids to try and find a pattern to the activity and when we do, we can act. Until then, we can only track them."

It was silent a moment, then Keller leaned forward. "You might put a pedal down, Mr. Prime. If enough people get killed nothing will stop the mess that will follow." He glanced at Fowler, then stepped out of the truck. He turned and walked toward his SUV, a vehicle he had driven alone. As he did, the sound of machinery behind him gave him pause. He turned to see a giant figure take shape, a number of pieces clicking into place. He paused astonished.

Optimus Prime after letting Fowler out transformed. He wanted Keller to see what his people looked like, the size and power of them. He wanted Keller to understand how difficult the problem was and to shoot down any stupid notion that humans could function against the enemy without the Autobots.

Fowler who got it turned to Keller. "Before you go back and get an idea that our military can do this alone, take a good look at Prime. He's what we're facing. Then be damned grateful that he's here to help. He doesn't have to be but he is. They're here to help us and they've paid the price for it. Make sure you put that in your fucking report, Keller."

Keller looked at Prime for a moment, then turned to walk silently to his car. He entered and drove off, the sound of his vehicle fading. As he did, Optimus Prime knelt. "What do you think, Agent Fowler, about all of his concerns?"

"I think he's scared and getting flack. I think he now gets it what we're up against with you transforming. I think he's not trustworthy at all and given the right circumstances would toss us over for advantage."

Optimus looked at the disappearing vehicle now several miles away, then leaned down. "You read my processor," he said quietly. Fowler nodded in agreement.

TBC

04-28-13


Chapter 8: Chapter 8


Chapter 8: Chapter 8


What Makes No Difference Is no Difference 8 -0-Early morning editing

They gathered around the table listening to Ratchet as he explained the situation regarding the energon find. It was by all intents and purposes untouched, so they would go to make a hit and bring back the ore to be processed here. All of them would be involved but Ratchet who would tend the store watching for trouble.

Prime nodded to the medic and the bridge flared to life under Ratchet's deft touch. The others transformed and drove onward heading for a desert location that Jazz and Bee had helped discover and scout the orn before. Jack and Raf watched them go, then turned to Ratchet. "This should be interesting," Jack said. "You need more sources now with more bots."

"We do," Ratchet said. "I am still working on the synthetic formula but for now we are dependent on Seeker drones from the distant past." He paused, then looked around. "Where's Miko?"

-0-On the road in Utah

They drove toward the site on a bouncy pitted dirt road. It was more traffic than usual and the content of said traffic would give an interstate pause. The big truck and other heavy pickups and SUVs wouldn't raise an eyebrow. The others would.

Wheeljack's formula 1 Lancia Strata, Bee's Camaro Concept format, Arcee's futuristic motorcycle format and Jazz's Porsche Turbo were not seen often in the boondocks of Utah. They followed along behind Prime bitching about the dust as they exited the bridge onto a little used track. Turning off at the end, they bumped along, the low slung models adding that to the litany of gripes good naturedly playing over their internal comm systems.

When they arrived at the bottom of a broken slide of rocks crumbling off a low slung mesa they transformed and gathered around Prime. He turned and gave instructions which they began to carry out. As they did more Autobots were winging their way toward Earth.

-0-Out there

They flew in transitional format, Autobot comrades who had been searching for their faction and the AllSpark through the endless tracks of space. A chance signal from a refugee camp far from them had allowed them to triangulate on a small planet where it was possible to assume there were others. Of course, assuming makes an ass out of you and me but that was irrelevant. They were homesick and needful of a clear idea of what was happening in the bigger picture so they turned and made their way toward the small planet the signal identified as Earth.

-0-Utah

The digging was slow going. Ironhide straightened up and looked around in the dust filled chamber that they had gouged out. "Sideswipe should be here. How did he get a patrol?"

"He asked to look around," Wheeljack said as he slammed a pick ax into a wall breaking lose several big crystals of energon. It fell at their feet in a pile.

"Do that again," Ironhide said with a grin. "You have the knack. I'll watch and get pointers."

Wheeljack snorted. "Get the lead out."

They both bent into the job together. Nearby, collecting it into carts that hovered in the air, Arcee and Bee worked to stay ahead of the bigger stronger bots. They would be ready to ship another load back shortly.

-0-On the road

Sideswipe drove along the roads of Nevada in his format, a Lamborghini Aventador convertible, a car starting at more than $440,000 with acceleration from zero to sixty in less than 4 seconds in a normal car. In his format, it was zero to four hundred in less than three seconds. He drove slightly above the speed limit on the endless rolling roads of the local area. It was a desert world, under populated and rather majestic in its beauty. Having been born and raised on a metallic planet, organic worlds took a bit of adjustment but this was easy. It was really that beautiful.

Speeding along, he passed other cars some of which slowed to look at him. He felt the scrutiny of the locals and enjoyed it greatly. He was supremely aware of his format and good looks. This form was both worthy and enhancing of his ample natural attributes. He passed a car, a red and yellow one that was concept as well. He didn't give it much thought but the other automobile did apparently because it slowed, turned and headed back the way the Lambo had gone.

-0-At home base

Raf sat on the mezzanine watching the ebb and flow of the business of protecting the Earth. Ratchet was distracted with a number of projects which he worked on as well as monitoring two groups off base. Raf himself was working on a report due in science Monday. It was about physics and the concept of traveling beyond the speed of light.

It was pleasant and comfortable. It was also missing Miko.

-0-Utah

A stirring in his chassis alerted Bulkhead to the inevitable. A tapping sound in his audials told him the story, one he was used to reading. Pausing to step around a boulder, he popped his plates and a tiny head peeked out. "Hi, Bulk. It was getting a little hot in here."

"Miko," Bulkhead said with exasperation. "What are you doing here?"

"We're partners, Bulk," she said climbing upward. He took her into his servo and held her up. "I can help. You know me, Bulk. I'm a team player."

He looked at her and shook his helm. "Optimus is going to kick my tailpipe, Miko."

"He probably will," Wheeljack said as he came out of the growing cavern for a moment. "Hi, Miko."

"Hey, 'Jack," Miko said.

Then Optimus came out behind Wheeljack.

-0-On the road

The car following behind him was a beauty, an Aston Martin DBS V12 with a red paint scheme and yellow rim tires. It was beautiful and very fast, coming up to ride his tailpipe. Sideswipe's rear mirror shifted so that he could see the other vehicle better, then he shifted gears taking off so fast that the vehicle following looked parked in place.

"What the frag," Knockout said as he watched the beautiful Lambo disappear ahead of him. Shifting himself, he put metal to the pedal and disappeared in pursuit.

-0-Utah

"Miko," Prime said with surprise.

"Hi, Optimus." Miko grinned at him as Bulkhead in his uncertainty turned to place her on the rock next to him. She stared up with a smile. "I came to help."

Prime looked at her, this force of nature that was half help and half hell, then grinned slightly. "I can see that. If you decide to come along, I would appreciate knowing in advance. As commander, I have the last word. It is called the chain of command."

She nodded. "You would let me come then?"

"If the mission is benign," Prime replied. "If there is danger, I do not want to see you popping up in the middle of things. You will get killed and so will everyone else. We can not take care of you and fight at the same time."

"Deal," she said with a grin. "So … I can stay now?"

"Yes but next time you will be sent back. At the first sign of trouble, you are gone," Prime said glancing at Bulkhead.

"Got it," Bulk said with relief.

Optimus walked to the growing pile of energon to speak to Ironhide as Miko turned to Bulkhead. "Well … what do you want me to do?"

Bulkhead just shook his helm.

-0-On the road

They flew down the highway, Sideswipe leading as Knockout followed. Few cars passed but those that did were left in the dust, the four hundred miles per hour speed of the two cars out of their experience. Heading toward a city in the distance Sideswipe took a side turn, a paved road that led up into a mountainous region of broken ridges and distant sheep ranches.

Knockout followed.

-0-Utah

They gathered the energon and began to take it through the open bridge. Disappearing with each barrow full, they finally cleared the decks. Ironhide and Prime stood to one side consulting on the situation, then turned to walk to the group who was left, Wheeljack and Bulkhead who had placed Miko on his shoulder. "The majority of the energon is removed but we want to seal this excavation. Let's put these boulders in the hole before we leave," Prime said nodding to a pile of over sized rocks nearby.

The four of them turned and began to carry heavy rocks to the holes dropping them into the opening. It would take a while.

-0-On the road

Sideswipe twisted and turned until he reached the point he wanted to be. Slowing slightly, he transformed and flew through the air, his long swords sliding out of his wrists for battle. Knockout slammed on his breaks, then transformed. He flew through the air and collided with Sideswipe with a crash.

-0-Later

They entered with their haul moving it to the inner most parts of the base. The stockpile would last them a while and the hidden cache waiting to be excavated was marked on their maps with sensors that would alert on intruders posted nearby to prevent theft without a fight. They were dirty and tired but satisfied.

Ratchet turned to alert Prime. "We have a new signal. An Autobot signal."

He turned walking to their homespun version of Teletraan and looked. "There appear to be two signals. Do you have an idea of who they are?"

"Not yet. Their accretions are blocking their transponder signals," Ratchet replied. "They are going to be touching down shortly and we need to get them quickly. It might work to our advantage for the Decepticons to not know how many of us there are here."

Prime nodded. "Where will they land?"

Ratchet checked, then looked at Prime. "They will be landing outside a town called Anchorage, Alaska. It is in the area called Wasilla."

Prime nodded. "Send Ironhide and Wheeljack to get them. Make it a quick snatch and grab, Ratchet."

Ratchet nodded, then turned to get the coordinates down pat. Ironhide and Wheeljack walked to the station to watch. "That means two more soldiers. This could be interesting. I wonder who it is?" Ironhide mused.

"I don't know. They have too much ice around them to make a prediction," Ratchet replied. "I have the coordinates. They're coming into the upper atmosphere. If you hurry no one will get them but us."

Ironhide nodded and with Wheeljack in tow turned to walk to the bridge which flared into life under Ratchet's direction. They walked into it and disappeared. Miko who was standing next to the bridge watched them go, then turned to walk to Ratchet. "What's up?"

"We have new Autobots," Ratchet said turning back to monitor the situation.

"Awesome. Who are they? Are they warriors? Do they fly?" she asked in her usual staccato style.

"We don't know for sure. Only a few Autobots fly. Sideswipe can fly," Ratchet said in a slightly distracted voice. "They have touched down."

-0-Wasilla, Alaska

It was a swampy area where the two big streaks of light came slamming in. They hit the marshes and water plumed as ducks scattered into the air. Wheeljack and Ironhide stood in the water which came up to their knee assemblies. Down below the surface, beneath layers of slime and rising steam, two Autobots were working to unwind themselves.

The water was dank, dark and filled with sediment that would cling to the new bots like glue. Wheeljack who was watching them moved closer as one of the bots began to untangle themselves and emerge from the pool. The other was still working at it.

The bot who rose up was tall and well made, their protoform showing a winged format. The wings were large and of one piece unlike Bumblebee who had the divided wings that mini-cons favored. Ratchet teased him that they did that because they thought it made them look taller.

He was big and bore a dark chevron on his helm. He sputtered water, then smiled. "Wheeljack!" Glancing at the other bot he nodded with a grin. "Ironhide."

Ironhide grinned. "You two have to hurry," he said as the other bot rose up and staggered sputtering water and curses. "Let's roll. Ratchet, we need a bridge."

A burst of energy opened and with a tug and push, the four hurried through just in time. A high altitude flight of Seekers were scanning. They hit the right spot just as the bridge closed.

Foiled again.

They hurried through the maelstrom, then exited into a base that appeared to be underground. Stone walls going upward forever it seemed greeted them along with the bots who were already on base. The two protoforms stepped forward and greeted them. Ratchet scanned them, then downloaded their data and schematics files.

They stood silently absorbing the information, then began to change. Their bodies shifted forming this and that until two bots with the familiar look stood in front of the group. One was a tall winger with a black and white format topped by a gray chevron. The other was bigger and taller with a yellow and black paint scheme. Prime who was watching stepped forward to greet them. "Hello, Bluestreak," he said to the winger. "Welcome." He turned to the disgusted uptight format next to Bluestreak who was muttering about his finish. "Hello, Sunstreaker."

The big Lambo quit squirming and looked at Prime. Extending his servo, he gripped Prime's. "It took a while but we got here. Have you seen Sideswipe?"

"He's here," Prime said nodding. Bluestreak smiled and nodded to Sunstreaker. That bot said little but looked around. "Who else is here?"

"Springer and Drift, Ratchet, myself, Ironhide and Sideswipe. Arcee and Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Jazz and Wheeljack as well," Prime said.

"Sounds good. Where is Sideswipe? I have to kick his aft," Sunstreaker said glancing around.

"He left to do a patrol," Ratchet said as a call came through. "Here he comes now." He opened a bridge and the energy formed. The three human kids walked to the railing of the mezzanine as the figure of Sideswipe appeared. He was carrying another bot in a fireman hold. He stepped down and dropped the bot who bounced. He looked dented and was off line. Grinning at his catch, he paused and looked up. "Sunstreaker! Blue! You made it!"

"We did," Bluestreak said with a big grin.

Sunstreaker grinned, then pasted Sideswipe in the face. He fell backward and bounced himself. Before either could do anything more, Prime cleared his throat, a non-necessary action but one that carried his point. They turned and looked at him.

As they did, Ratchet moved closer to look at the figure on the floor. "Well, look what the targs dragged in," he said as he planted a kick on Knockout's aft with one of his own big old peds.

Ironhide actually smiled.

-0-TBC August 12, 2013


Chapter 9: Chapter 9


What Makes No Difference Is No Difference 9

-0-In the base

Sideswipe stood up rubbing his chin. "Nice punch, slagger. By the way, you look like crap."

Sunstreaker shook his helm. "You and I have a conversation due."

"Frag you," Sideswipe said with a grin. "I looked for your sorry aft all over the slagging galaxy."

"Says you," Sunstreaker said darkly.

Bluestreak who was listening, watching both of them bitch turned to plant a fist into Sunstreaker's chassis. He stepped back taking the blow which wasn't pulled in the slightest. Bluestreak turned to Sideswipe, taking a step toward him. "Do you want some too?"

Sideswipe moved back raising his servos. "No."

Bluestreak stopped, then turned toward Optimus who stood with a slight grin on his face. "They will behave."

"They better," Ratchet said shooting caustic optics to the pair who stood staring at Bluestreak with wariness.

"Tell us about this," Optimus said nodding to the bot on the floor as Knockout slowly began to revive.

"I was looking around when this aft head decided to chase me. I drove off road and took him apart. It felt like justice, the fragger," Sideswipe said as he nudged Knockout with his ped. He grinned at Ratchet. "You may keep him as a pet if you want."

Ratchet grinned. "I will."

Knockout sat up, then looked around. Gasping with surprise, he stood up only to freeze as half a dozen guns appeared out of nowhere to point at his helm. He paused, then looked at Ratchet. "You!"

"Yes, me," Ratchet said stepping closer with an expression of murder on his face.

"What are you going to do, Prime? This mech is a maniac," Knockout said turning toward Optimus with a tone of great effrontery and aggravation.

"You are our prisoner. You will be treated according to the Rules of Engagement and detained here until such time as we can transport you off world to better detention." Optimus looked at Sideswipe. "Take him to the cells in Corridor 11. Make sure he is adequately secured."

Sideswipe nodded. "No problem," he said with a ruthlessly humorless expression on his face. He gripped Knockout dragging him off his peds.

"WATCH THE PAINT JOB!" Knockout bellowed as he was hauled off. His bellows trailed off until they were gone.

"Fragger. I'm going to slag him to the Pit," Sunstreaker said, then he turned toward Prime. "I need a wash."

"I'LL TAKE YOU TO THE WASH RACKS!" a voice called out. Everyone turned to watch a tiny figure run down the stairs, then across the floor to where they stood together.

Prime looked at Miko, then the newbies. "This is Miko. Those two on the mezzanine are Jack and Raf. They are humans who are the indigenous species on this planet. They are our closest allies and friends."

Miko looked up at Sunstreaker and Bluestreak who even in their new colorful format were covered with slime and dirt. "Come on. I'll show you around. I'm Bulkhead's partner and a Wrecker too."

Sunstreaker looked at her with an uncomprehending expression. Then Bluestreak punched his shoulder. "Come on. Let's go," he said. Blue looked down at Miko. "Lead on," he said with a grin.

"Gotcha," Miko said as she began to walk to the corridor. "I'll give you a tour along the way. This is the corridor that goes into the mountain and the place where everyone lives."

Bluestreak followed with a grin. Sunstreaker followed as well, the three disappeared into the mountain.

"We can't keep that criminal here, Optimus. We have to figure out how to get rid of him before we live to regret it. Knockout has no principles or scruples," Ratchet said.

Optimus nodded. "We will. I want to send an encrypted message to Prowl. We can seek transfer of the prisoner when its safe to do so. Until now, we need to make sure that his cell and the security net here is top notch."

Ratchet nodded, then glanced at Ironhide who stood quietly listening. With a nod, he turned to walk to the corridor and back to the area where Knockout would be caged. Wheeljack was already there considering the modifications they would make. Ironhide paused peering through the window of the iron door that would hold the Decepticon inside. "This is good metal. It should hold him but we need to make sure. What do you suggest?" he asked the scientist.

Wheeljack thought a moment, then they planned a cell format that would hold the Decepticon and ensure that the only way Knockout would leave was boots up.

-0-Wash racks

Sunstreaker soaped up as next to him Bluestreak did the same. "What do you think so far?"

"Its good to be back with the others. Sideswipe is a sight for sore optics," Bluestreak said glancing at Sunstreaker. He was covered in suds carefully working the soap over his armor. "I missed him."

"Don't tell him. He's insufferable enough," Sunstreaker said.

"I like the formats we have," Blue said as he rinsed off. "You look good."

Sunstreaker glanced at Bluestreak. "I always look good."

Bluestreak shot a stream of water in Sunny's face, then turned to walk to the sink nearby. He took a towel, dried himself off, then looked at Sunstreaker. "Get done, Sunny. We have to pull our weight."

"I always do, Blue," Sunstreaker said as he rubbed at a spot on his leg.

"I'm going to look around. I haven't seen Jazz in eons," Blue said as he turned to go out the door. As he entered the corridor, he paused to look down at the floor. "Hi."

"Hi," Miko said. "You're Bluestreak. Why are you called that?"

Bluestreak paused a moment, then shrugged. "My family named me that. They liked it."

"Want to see the base?" Miko asked.

Blue grinned. "Sure," he said kneeling down. He held out his servo, standing up after Miko climbed on. They would tour the base for some time. Miko would ask a number of questions, only a few which Blue would answer.

-0-Far away

Prowl stood in the doorway of the building that was the operational center of their camp. The Autobots were regrouping on the small planetoid with resources enough to provide a source for distilling energon for all and sundry. Refugees were coming now, finding their way to the safety of their army, dozens and hundreds almost every day. He was the commandant of the garrison which now numbered several hundred Autobots. He was the leader of the camp that included the well being and welfare of the civilians.

Rain was falling, a light rain pattering on the tin roof. It pooled on the ground in shallow puddles. Most of the Cybertronians didn't mind although it made things messier. They could shed water easily. The weak sunlight gave a golden quality to the sky. The sun would be breaking through soon and the heat would dry everything out. Then it would repeat itself again the next day. Spring had settled on their camp and this region, a briefly cool respite from the long heat of summer.

He turned to walk inside. All around the room Autobots worked maintaining security, directing vessels in and out of their security zone which extended many light years in all directions as well as maintaining contact with ships that were on missions in the galaxy. Pausing by the comm station, he looked at the data pouring in. "Optimus has sent a message?"

Sandstorm nodded. "I just got it."

Prowl nodded, then plugged in downloading it internally. He then walked to the table nearby to sit. Opening it, he read the message savoring it for a moment or two. Then he stood up and turned to the tasks at hand, adding the message to the list.

-0-At a sheriff's office in Eastern California

He walked down the wash to the place where his deputies stood shining lights on a smoldering pile of something. He couldn't see what it was until he reached his men. A smoking smelly pile of bones and body parts told the tale.

"Forensics is on the way," he said. Kneeling, he noted the dead people who were still smoking. A burned ring around them indicated a forceful blast was the cause of the murders. What was incomprehensible to the entire group was what was used and how it was delivered. He stood up, then looked at the sky. "What the hell happened here?" he asked. No one present could tell him.

-0-Later that night in Nevada

Sideswipe exited the elevator searching the flat top of the mountain for the one he sought. The sky was dark above them, the smear of stars that made up the galaxy twinkling brightly. He had been to a number of them and their regrouping army was on one that they could pick out by coordinates and practice. Walking to the edge of the mountain, he sat beside Bluestreak. It was quiet.

"What do you think about this place, Sideswipe?" Blue asked.

"It has possibilities. But then I've been in a lot of places that fit that comment," he said as he gently rubbed Blue's back. "I like the roads around here. You can drive as fast as you want."

Blue nodded. "What do you think about the humans?"

"Odd species. That little girl … she's tough and persistent."

Blue nodded. "She told me everything I need to know about this place but she also asked a lot of questions I didn't answer." Blue looked at Sideswipe. "She's full of questions about Ratchet and Ironhide."

Sideswipe nodded. "Yeah, well … that isn't our story to tell."

"No. I wouldn't anyway. It's too sad," Blue said. He looked at the door which opened again. Sunstreaker rolled to the edge and sat down on the other side of Bluestreak.

"You look a lot better, Sunny," Blue said.

"I got the finish back," Sunstreaker said. "It's nice to have a chance to get spruced up again. You could use a buff."

"Why thanks, Sunstreaker," Blue said looking at Sunny with a smirk. "You say the sweetest things."

"The truth is the truth," Sunny said. "Wheeljack can make more of the good stuff. They have most of what we need here to do it."

Blue nodded. "What do you think about this place and the humans?"

Sunstreaker shrugged. "Its dirty and dusty like organic worlds always are. The humans can stay out of the way."

"That little girl killed Hardshell," Sideswipe said. "She invites herself along on missions."

"Not with me," Sunstreaker said with a slight frown. "I don't need a ride along."

It was silent a moment, then Sunstreaker rubbed Blue's leg. "It's been a while."

Blue smirked. "It has."

It was silent again. Sunstreaker rose, then held out a servo. "Come on."

Blue looked at him, then gripped Sunstreaker's servo. Rising, he turned as Sideswipe rose as well. Sideswipe smirked, then grabbed Blue tossing him over his shoulder. "You really are needy aren't you," Blue asked as he glanced at Sunstreaker.

Sunstreaker grinned as he followed the two. "Born needy, Blue," he said as they entered the door. It closed behind them, then the elevator began to go downward as the cover that disguised the opening slid to cover their tracks.

No one looking could tell it was anything but a mountain top.

-0-TBC January 24, 2014 edited 2-13-16


Chapter 10: Chapter 10


What Makes No Difference Is No Difference 10

-0-In the base near the smelter

Wheeljack stood by the smelter, a contained device that generated enormous amounts of heat, all of it needed to change crystalline energon to liquid. Light flickered on the walls as he opened the door of the device. He lifted a big metallic container filled with crystals with heavy duty tongs. Turning toward the shimmering heat source, he carefully set the crystals inside. Closing the door, he had nothing to do but wait for ten minutes before the crystals would be permanently rendered to liquid.

Sitting on a box, he leaned against the wall. Sideswipe who was passing by paused, then entered. "It's warm in here. Feels good," he said sitting on a metallic drum next to Wheeljack.

"It does," Wheeljack said glancing at Sideswipe. "Where were you when the Ark left Cybertron? I didn't see you but I saw Sunstreaker and Blue."

"I was stuck in Tyger Pax. Our unit had to retrieve some soldiers who were pinned down. By the time I got to the airport Prime and the ship were gone. Prowl was there and told me to go with him. It was chaos."

Wheeljack nodded. "It seems so long ago."

"It was," Sideswipe said with a grin. It was quiet a moment, then he looked at Wheeljack. "Prowl is pulling forces together. Our people are coming his way. They got the messages out there. We're going to have a huge problem soon enough if they come in numbers."

Wheeljack nodded. "It might be a priority to look for energon in this system. I could survey it."

"Megatron is here with a ship. I would imagine he's already done that," Sideswipe said.

"Old Bucket Head isn't smart enough to do that. He's too focused on Prime. He wants to kill Optimus in the worst way," Wheeljack said.

Sideswipe nodded. "Fragger can try."

"Hey! It's hot!"

They both glanced at the doorway. "Stay out, Miko. It's too hot for you in here," Wheeljack said. She turned and walked onward. "Little femme is going to get burned if she doesn't watch out."

"She's snooping. She wanted to know what the deal was with Sunstreaker and Blue," Sideswipe said with a grin.

"What is the deal?" Wheeljack asked.

"They're together," Sideswipe said with a shrug.

"And you?" Wheeljack asked. Sideswipe stared at the floor without answering. "Trines are acceptable among our kind, Sideswipe."

"I know but its a Decepticon thing," Sideswipe replied.

"Frag that. Since when?" Wheeljack asked as he stood. He walked to the smelter peering in through the window. The energon had melted pooling in the metal container beautifully. "Get that cube, Sideswipe," he said as he opened the door.

Intense heat drifted out, a heat that they could adjust to but would vaporize a human. The tongs helped him remove the melted liquid which he poured into the cube that Sideswipe held in his servos. It filled the cube and part of another one.

"Nice work," Sideswipe said as he carried the cube to a stack nearby. He set it down, then watched as Wheeljack made another load for the smelter. They would work together creating nutrition and medicine out of the light blue crystals, a process that would take several days to accomplish from the mountain of raw materials they had excavated. It would last them for quite some time.

Thankfully.

-0-Elsewhere, faraway

They walked into the bar pausing to look around. Everyone there watched them, their affect betraying nothing of the foreboding that their type spread among the locals. They stepped forward heading to the table in the back where a number of aliens sat playing a game which required knives and very fast reflexes.

He towered over them, the leader of the trio and his expression led them to believe that the creative forces of the universe had a great sense of humor. It was however in short supply in this big mechanism, it was clear to see. He was utterly brutal looking and hard bitten. Sitting back, the one he sought spoke. "What brings you here? We've been good."

"That is an impossibility, Hadro. I'm here tracking Decepticons. I want to know what you know. I would hate to tear this fine establishment down and bury you under the debris," the big metallic figure said in his no nonsense voice.

"You wound me. What would I know?" Hadro said. He was bio-mechanical as were his people but not anywhere in this bot's league. Hadro knew he would not last ten minutes against him. "I would require more information, Magnus. Tell me exactly you want."

Ultra Magnus, friend of Optimus Prime in the days they were Orion and Deion, former longshoreman and relentless pursuer of fraggers considered the fragger before him. Going down the list of options and discarding 'snap his neck', 'rip his face in two' and 'smelt his aft', he decided to make nice. Reaching down, Magnus gripped Hadro around the neck lifting him off the floor.

Guns appeared all around the room. Hadro smirked. "You want to put me down now?"

"No. I would rather squeeze your neck until your head flies off. You can do this my way … or the hard way. Choose," Magnus said squeezing for a moment.

Hadro's optics bulged, then he squirmed. "OKAY!" he croaked.

Magnus dropped him and he stumbled. "You didn't have to do that."

"I'll do it again if you don't tell me," Magnus said as the two bots with him leaned on the counter nearby grinning slightly.

"Who do you want to know about?" Hadro asked as he rubbed his neck.

"Shockwave and Scorponok," Magnus replied.

Hadro told him. Magnus turned and with Leadfoot and Pinpoint in tow walked out of the bar. When they were gone Hadro rose and walked to the back room. He composed a message and sent it onward, more than aware that if Magnus found out the big Autobot would hunt him to the corners of the universe forever until he got his big servos around Hadro's neck for real.

It was who and what Magnus was.

Sitting back, considering his options, Hadro put his shanix on Megatron.

-0-Inside a fortress

"LET ME OUT OF HERE! DO YOU HEAR ME! LET ME OUT!"

Knockout listened to the echoes of his own voice with a frustration born of imminent need. He needed his fragging buffer. That slagger, Sideswipe had roughed his finish and it ate at his sense of self like acid. They had put him here and he had seen no one since except for once an orn when the door would open and a small cube of energon would be shoved inside. That was it. No talk, no moment to break the boredom, nothing.

"LET ME OUT OF HERE! SLAGGERS! THIS IS INHUMANE! DO YOU HEAR ME! I'M *RUSTING* IN HERE!"

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe stood nearby listening to the bitching wailing out of the jail. Sunstreaker shook his helm. "What a dumb fragger. Conceited buffoon."

"And you aren't?" Sideswipe asked with a grin.

"I'm not a buffoon," Sunstreaker said with a faint grin of his own. The two turned to walk back to the common rooms. They would shortly be going on patrols of their own.

-0-Out there, faraway

Prowl stood on the landing field watching more ships set down. There were refugees coming amid the soldiers. They would be cared for here and have a respite. It was concerning. He turned to walk into the Ops Center crossing the open space with his usual elegant elan before pausing by the communications station. There was no word from anyone he had sent out to find energon, refugees and the like. There was no word yet from Ironhide. He wasn't concerned that he or Springer would be waylaid. They were experts at passage through hard territory.

He just wanted to know where Shockwave was. That freak of nature was a personal nemesis and no one to take lightly. They had soundings of him here and there but nothing hard and fast. It couldn't be a good thing that he was out roaming. Primus only knew who and what was with him.

It couldn't be good. It never was.

Prowl turned to the center table, then sat. He would study the star maps on the datapad before him seeking to divine in the endless layers of possibility what the next move was. He had echoes of something terrible out there and it required vigilance.

He was the perfect mech for the job.

-0-On the road

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe drove in tandem, Sideswipe leading. They were heading toward an anomaly which had shown up just before they had made ready to leave. It was a moving anomaly, one in the sky and it was in a rural area. It could be Seekers or a small ship. It could be anything. They had to find out.

When the space bridge opened, they entered, driving out in the middle of flat Kansas back country. Dodge City was the closest town, the epic terminus of the cattle drives from other states. They came out on US 400, a long highway that cut across the flat landscape into what appeared infinity. Scattered farm houses dotted the mostly brown earthy landscape sitting on a flatness that had to be seen to be believed.

They sped toward the signal that was leisurely, seemingly unconcerned and nearby. The sky overhead was enormous, blue with wisps of cloud and an unmercifully hot sun. They bombed along with sensors scanning wide and deep for their prey. As they did they streaked past a state trooper hiding behind a bill board along the highway. He pulled out flashing his lights and siren.

"Frag. Just what we need," Sideswipe said as he adjusted his mirror to watch the human vehicle following.

"Put the metal down. Let's lose this fragger," Sunstreaker said as he burst ahead, his speed reaching 150 miles per hour in a second or two. Sideswipe did the same and the two were lost to view almost immediately.

The officer following sped up though he knew it was a lost cause. As he did he put out the call that two Lambos, one red, the other yellow were traveling at ridiculous speeds west down US 400. Every trooper in response distance would be alerted and ready to intercept.

-0-Down the road a piece

They crossed the Santa Fe train tracks heading further west. They were searching for the turn off that would take them to the area where the anomaly was, one which was gathering shape as they got closer.

"Sideswipe to Ratchet."

"Ratchet here."

"Ratchet, we have a ship and we're closing in on its location. It appears to be searching for something. Its scanning the ground and not taking measures to conceal," Sideswipe said as they turned off the highway, making their way toward the Arkansas River and a crossing.

"Don't engage. We need intel more than we need another dead Autobot," Ratchet's voice said.

"Sideswipe, this is Prime. Do not engage. We need to know who this is and what they are doing. We do not need them to know any more about us than necessary."

"Affirmative," Sideswipe said as he slowed crossing the river. When they were both on the other side, they pulled over and transformed. They stood together, both kitted in skates, both with swords in servo. "What do you think we can do. There isn't exactly much cover here."

"There isn't any," Sunstreaker said sourly. "Come on," he said as he skated forward.

They moved into the brown sun scorched field of dead grass that seemed to go from their peds to the distant horizon without a break. Up in the sky visible to their optics a ship moved slowly. A beam was scanning the earth looking for something they could only guess. It was seemingly unaware of or unconcerned with their presence.

:What do you suppose that is? Besides a Decepticon vessel?: Sideswipe asked as they stood together staring at the long lethal shape of the ship.

:'Cons are looking for something, fraggers. Energon?: Sunstreaker asked.

:What else?: Sideswipe asked.

The ship paused, then a beam of light shot out at both of them. They broke apart, then turned with guns drawn. The ship didn't appear to be concerned as it hovered a moment. Then with alien light speed, it went straight up into the sky until it disappeared.

"Sideswipe to Ratchet."

"Ratchet here."

"Did you get that? It just took off," Sideswipe said.

"We did. What were they doing?" Prime asked.

"Scanning the ground. I don't know what they were looking for," Sunstreaker replied as he skated forward to stare at the unassuming dirt landscape before him.

"Check it out," Ratchet said. "The more we know, the better."

Sideswipe rolled forward to join Sunstreaker as he looked around. They probed the earth, then felt an echo return to them. Moving closer, they knelt down to dig. Moving handfuls of earth only a steam shovel could match, they dug down until they felt something hard bump their digits. Together, they scraped the dirt back, hard dirt that hadn't been disturbed for ages until something shiny appeared before them. They looked at it, then Sideswipe stood up. "Optimus, you should come and see this."

For a moment there was nothing but the soft wind across the desiccated landscape. Then a space bridge burst into sight, the sound of energy echoing in the stillness. Prime walked out, a calm measured step to where the two front liners waited. "What did you find?" he asked.

"Look," Sideswipe said nodding into the hole.

Prime did.

-0-TBC May 9, 2014 edited 2-13-16


Chapter 11: Chapter 11


What Makes No difference Is No Difference 11

-0-A Kansas field stretching into infinity in all directions

The light wind kicked up a dust devil nearby, a funnel of dirt swirling swiftly, then falling away just as fast. It was eerily silent as they stood around the hole staring at the bright shiny object inside. Prime knelt, then brushed away dirt to reveal the glyphs that he knew would be there. Reaching in, he gripped the object, then pulled up rising as he did.

The object was long, silvery to a degree that was almost unheard of and covered in writing. Prime brushed off the clinging remains of hard undisturbed earth, then held it up. "This is the Star Saber," he said quietly.

Sunstreaker glanced at Sideswipe who was staring at the sword with covetous optics. "Why would it be here?" Sunstreaker asked.

Prime shook his helm. "I do not know. Whoever was here was looking for it."

"They were hovering over it. They almost got it," Sideswipe said.

"It would make no difference if they got the sword. They would not be able to wield it. Only a Prime can," Optimus said as he tested it for balance. It was perfection. "I can not speculate why this is here but it is."

In the distance, the sound of sirens could be heard. Sideswipe turned to look spotting about half a dozen state trooper vehicles bearing down upon them. "Oh oh. Here comes the heat," he said with a grin. He glanced at Optimus. "We sort of speeded to get here."

"Then we better leave," Optimus said as he turned to watch several police vehicles turn off the road heading their way. "Ratchet, we require a bridge."

A funnel of eternity erupted before them, then settled. The three walked toward it, then entered. It blinked out of sight and by the time the police reached the spot where they had been standing and got out, all they would find was an empty hole.

-0-Back at the ranch

They walked out of the bridge tunnel, then gathered in the main room. Ratchet turned from the bridge, then paused. "Where did you get that?" he asked in surprise.

"I found it," Sideswipe said with a grin. "I get first refusal*."

"In your dreams," Sunstreaker said. "Only Primes can use that sword."

Ratchet nodded. "That's right."

"Who was the fragger looking for it? I didn't recognize the vessel beyond the Deceptibrand. It looked like a runabout," Sunstreaker said as the others began to join them in the great room.

"What are you do