Chroma and Heatwave were sparring as Chase, First Aid, Blades, and Boulder went over hypothetical situations.
"Hypothetical situation number seven—you are confronted with four out-of-control horses pulling a wagon off a cliff," Chase read.
"There's a rescue we haven't had," Boulder said.
"Yet," Blades crossed his arms.
"Do you—"
First Aid cut Chase off. "Call Jackie or use mu EMPs."
"Let me finish, please. Do you 'a', call the sheriff, 'b', unhitch the wagon, or—"
"'C', stop reading that book," Heatwave said.
Chroma karate kicked him in the gut and got him in a headlock and managed to body slam him. "'D', pay attention and be aware of your surroundings."
"Heatwave, I am trying to make sure we are aware of any rescue eventuality," Chase said.
"We've handled plenty of weird emergencies. It'd take plenty to faze our team," Heatwave said.
"To be honest, I kinda agree with Chase on this one. Maybe, we can use our own virtual reality-training program. I bet Brains would be happy to program one," Chroma said.
An alarm, different from the emergency alarm, began to blare.
"Guess Optimus wants to talk with us about something urgent," First Aid said.
Xxx
"Optimus Prime, sir. Rescue Force Sigma 17 awaiting orders," Heatwave saluted.
"This mission is for you alone, Heatwave. You have proven yourself ready for a new responsibility. It is time you grew into the leader you were meant to be," Optimus said.
"Thank you, sir, but my team—"
"Will remain on Griffin Rock while you meet me at a secret mainland facility where Ionix and Joyce are located. Come immediately. I will send coordinates."
"But, sir, I—"
The transmission ended.
Heatwave turned to his worried team.
"Consider our team fazed," Blades said.
"Don't worry. You're probably just getting further training," Chroma said.
"Like what? Getting over my past?" Heatwave asked.
"Maybe weapons based on your career."
Xxx
Heatwave and his team walked up to Chief Burns, who was putting the painting of his grandfather down.
"Chief Burns, I request a leave of absence," Heatwave said.
"Permission granted, Heatwave. What's this about?" Chief asked.
"I'm, uh, not sure, sir. I don't even know how long I'll be gone."
"When do you have to go, Heatwave?" Cody asked.
"I'm probably already late! But, hey, I might have time to take you to school today."
"We'll all come," Chief said as he picked up the painting. "I need to drop this off downtown, anyway."
Chase transformed and Chief put the painting in his trunk.
Xxx
Dr. Morocco was pondering the artificial intelligence of the Rescue Bots when he received an audio transmission.
"Hello, human. I am in need of your services," a deep static voice said.
"Who are you?" Morocco immediately asked.
"Well, I know more about the Rescue Bots than, you, which you will find out on your own. You're smart enough. My boss wants the ambulance-bot, First Aid. It would help us a lot. Here's a number you can contact me at. Think it over."
"Well, that was peculiar," Morocco said as he looked at the number.
Xxx
The team was at the docks with Jackie, who also had to visit the mainland with Heatwave.
"Remember, if you need me, call me on my comm," Heatwave said. "Chase, Chroma, you're in charge. Boulder, keep an eye on Cody for me. First Aid, don't be mean to Blades. Blades, don't stay up watching horror movies. I won't be around to help you hunt down zombie hampsters."
"That was one time," Blades defended.
"And hilarious," First Aid said.
"Ugh. I feel like I'm forgetting something," Heatwave said.
"Heatwave, you have prepared us for any eventuality, except, of course, the runaway wagon," Chase said, which made Chroma facepalm.
"We'll be fine," Boulder said.
"Right. But if you're not, call me on my comm," Heatwave said.
Chief took a call. "Griffin Rock's not prepared to handle that kind of weather… Team, we have a real emergency."
"Rescue Bots, roll to the rescue!" Heatwave activated his visor.
"I'll let Optimus know," Jackie got out her phone.
Xxx
The team was making sure everyone got to safety from the tornado.
"Everyone underground, now!" Kade ordered.
"Wait, Kade! Look!" Cody pointed to two kids hiding under the slide.
"Go inside, Cody. We'll take care of it."
Heatwave transformed at let Kade in. heatwave drove to the slide and Kade opened the door.
"Hey, who wants a free ride in a firetruck? Huh? Come on!" Kade gestured the kids to enter.
Ally and Chroma helped lead them to Heatwave and Kade.
"C'mon, Ally, you too," Kade helped Ally into Heatwave.
"But, what about Chroma?" Ally asked.
"We'll deal with her later."
The winds from the tornado picked up Heatwave.
"Heatwave, do something!" Kade ordered.
"I'm… trying," robot Heatwave said. He transformed and grabbed the slide.
Chroma used her grabbling hook to anchor herself aa she grabbed Heatwave's torso.
Jackie, who had injected herself with new CAN, used her tail to grab Heatwave's other arm and dug her claws into the ground.
Xxx
"I know I'm no meteorologist, but shouldn't we be flying AWAY from the tornado?! Blades asked.
"Actually, we need to get a lot closer. When we're directly above it, we'll drop this—the Tornadont," Doc Greene picked up what looked like a giant pill "—my own personal invention. In the tornado, this canister will explode, changing the storm's particles, stopping it cold… or it should. I've been hoping to test it."
"Test it?" Dani asked.
"Don't mind if I do."
Xxx
The tornado vanished and the wind died down.
Jackie, Chroma, and Heatwave landed back on the ground.
Heatwave transformed and let the humans out.
Ally was nauseous, so Kade had to help her.
Blades let his humans out, transformed, and gave Jackie an untransmutate shot.
"It's a good thing you came through for us, Doc. That tornado would have done serious damage," Chief said.
"It's like it just appeared, without any warning," Dani said.
"That's the odd part. I'll have to look at the weather data," Doc said.
"Heatwave, you get to the mainland. You won't have to worry about us," Chroma said.
"Remember, if you need me…"
"Call you on your comm," all the bots said.
Xxx
Heatwave pulled up to the ferry. "Okay, Kade time to get out."
"U, no. I'm coming along," Kade said.
"Optimus didn't invite you."
"Well, someone has to drive. Besides, I thought old O.P. was fine with bots working with humans."
Heatwave sighed. "Fine. Just don't embarrass me, alright?"
Kade grinned.
"So, we goin' or what?" Jackie asked as she landed on top of Heatwave.
Xxx
Cody walked with K-9 into Doc's lab where his dad was.
"Hi, son. School get out early?" Chief asked.
"My teacher was pretty jumpy after the tornado," Cody said.
"And so was the rest of the faculty," K-9 added.
"Then this would knock their knee socks off," Doc said. "That storm manifested out of a clear blue sky."
"Like magic," Chief said.
"No. Like science! Didn't that blue beam remind you of something?" Cody asked.
"The weather machine!" Doc checked the security feed. "Hmm. It appears ours is still on the 'Best Left Forgotten' shelf."
"Ours? You mean there are others?" Chief asked.
"I think I've seen some in vineyards," K-9 said.
"A prototype may have been created first. Let's see," Doc checked some records. "Yes. My records show that an early type should have arrived in… 1966! But it never arrived."
"1966? Isn't that the last entry year in your great-grandpa's journal?" K-9 asked Cody.
"Yeah. It could've been on his ship. The last person on it was…"
"Doctor Morocco," Chief finished.
Xxx
"Well, this is dissatisfying. Apparently, a tornado isn't enough to cause an island-wide evacuation anymore," Morocco said. "It seems I must do something a little more persuasive."
Xxx
"It's sad that us Cybertronians haven't made weather machines yet," Darksyde said.
Xxx
Heatwave pulled into the hanger and let Jackie and Kade out.
Optimus walked up to them.
"Hey, hey, O.P! What is shakin, bacon?" Kade asked.
"Don't say that," Jackie groaned.
Heatwave transformed. "Sir, my partner insisted on accompanying me on—"
"Nothing much, double dutch," Optimus said to Kade.
"Dad!" Ionix groaned from another part of the hanger.
"That goes for you, too, dude!" Jackie said.
"I, too, have been learning from humans," Optimus said. "Heatwave, I have summoned you here because I believe you are ready for the next step in Rescue Bots leadership—a third form. Preparation for your next scan will require tremendous energy and concentration, but I am certain you are prepared for the ordeal."
"Thank you, sir," Heatwave said.
"Uh… a little lost here," Kade said. "What is the ordeal exactly?"
"Look, I have two forms, right? Bot and fire truck. But, now I can scan a new vehicle turn into that as my third form."
"Oho-oh! Pick something—"
"Slow down, dude," Jackie said. "It can't just be anything. It has to be appropriate to his size and biology."
"So, he can't turn into a train? Or a jet?"
"Maybe a S.E.A.T."
"Heatwave, in order to obtain a third form you must reach into your spark and find your inner strength. I will show you a few methods," Optimus said.
Xxx
"Still can't reach Dad," Dani said. "Any luck with Heatwave?"
"No, but we still know what he would say," Blades then imitated Heatwave. "'Protect the humans'."
"Dad would tell us to follow protocol. That means getting everyone to the sanctuary caves under Mount Griffin," Graham said.
Thunder and lightning struck, scaring Blades and First Aid, the latter jumping into the former's arms.
"Heatwave would be sad he missed this," Boulder told Graham.
Xxx
"Come on, First Aid!" T.J. said.
"It wasn't Rotors!" Raychel reassured.
"No, it was!" First Aid screamed. "I-I want my mommy! I want my daddy! I need Heatwave!"
Chief Burns and Chase arrived at Jackie and Lindsy's farm. Chief exited Chase.
"What's going on?" Chief asked.
"First Aid thought he saw Rotors in a lightning flash," Lindsy said.
Brains and Wheelie walked out of the barn with a mini-Frankensteined communication satellite with a pole on a red wagon.
Brains turned on the satellite. "Try your comm."
"Chroma, First Aid believes that he saw Rotors and is refusing to leave the barn's bunker," Chase said.
"Stay with him, Chase. Right now, that's the best thing for him."
"Well, let's go," Emerald transformed, let the humans and pretender in, and left.
Xxx
Kade and Jackie got startled by the noise Heatwave's spark made.
"Whoa! Is he supposed to do that?" Kade asked.
"Yes. It is a normal part of the energy-focusing process," Optimus said.
"Dad, check this out. When Jackie got spooked, the blood we previously took from her transmutated, too!" Ionix showed him the results.
"That is interesting."
"If anything happens to him…" Kade looked at Heatwave.
"Your concern does you justice. I can see why Heatwave cherishes your partnership."
"He—he said that?"
"Not in so any words."
Heatwave groaned and held his head as he sat up. "I feel like Boulder ran me over."
"You're gonna be fine, buddy," Kade said.
"Buddy?! Did something happen to me while I was out?"
Optimus helped Heatwave up.
"Heatwave, you have successfully focused your energy for a re-scan. I am impressed. Very few succeed on their first attempt," Optimus said.
"Thank you, sir. Oh!" Heatwave almost fell, but Optimus and Jackie caught him.
"Easy. You will be weak for a while, but you can scan whatever vehicle is right for you."
"Her blood did it again! This is crazy!" Ionix said. "I want one as a pet!"
"Ionix, you have one as a partner."
Xxx
Rotors walked into the surveillance room where Darksyde was.
"Sir! You shouldn't be out of bed," Darksyde said.
"How are we on getting First Aid?" Rotors asked with a wheeze.
"I have enlisted a human to give him to us. He almost knows of our existence," Darksyde showed Rotors the live feed of Dr. Morocco entering the firehouse.
"I better get him by the time I recover!"
"You will. You will," Darksyde carried Rotors to his quarters.
Xxx
Chief and about all of the civilians were in the sanctuary caves when Dani, Graham, and their bots arrived.
"Thank goodness you're safe!" Chief said.
"Hey, where's Chase?" Dani asked.
"With First Aid at the barn," T.J. said.
"Long story," Raychel added.
"Better get the rest of the team. Doc found the coordinates of the weather machine," Chief said. "We'll take the Darby Ava."
"Chief, I'm not sure all of us will be able to go," Ally said. "Chroma's worn out just from driving here."
"Tell your bot to go to the barn bunker and stay here with K-9."
Xxx
"Careful, team. This isn't swimming weather," Chief said as they prepared to board.
"Chief, I know you have a thing about cursing, but there are fucking tornadoes coming our way!" Lindsy pointed.
A tornado passed between the dock and the boat, causing the Darby Ava to catch fire.
"Quick! Bucket brigade!" Graham ordered.
They extinguished the fire.
The Ava was unusable.
"Quick thinking, Graham," Chief said.
"Something tells me we're gonna have to think a lot quicker!" Blades said as more fire tornadoes popped up.
"I'll try to contact Razor. Maybe she can help us," Lindsy said.
"Oh, man. We sure picked the worst day to lose our firefighters," Dani said.
"I blame Prime for this," Emerald crossed her arms.
Xxx
Heatwave, Kade, and Jackie were on the ferry when Kade saw something in the distance.
"Uh, guys? Does that look like smoke to you?" he asked.
"Better call Chief just in case," Heatwave got static. "Ugh. Can't get a signal."
Kade got out. "Captain Shaw, is something wrong?"
"Aye. I cannot reach the harbor master by phone or radio and the dock is covered in flames," Captain Shaw said.
"Can't this rust bucket go any faster?"
"In this weather?! Ever heard of natural selection via stupidity?" Jackie asked.
"And this part of the ocean is a ship graveyard. We put on any speed and we'll join 'em," Captain Shaw pulled up a picture of the graveyard to show Kade. He then went into the ferry's cabin.
"Ugh. Some leader I am," Heatwave said. "Stuck out here when my team needs me the most."
"I'll see if I can help. Catch!" Jackie said as tossed Kade a walkie-talkie before going T1.
"Wait, Jackie. I have a better idea," Heatwave pointed at the screen.
"A swamped fireboat? You're kidding, right? How is that thing gonna help us?" Kade asked.
"By scanning it!" Jackie said as she went back to normal. "Right size and biology."
Heatwave transformed, let the humans in, transformed again, and dove into the water. He swam to the boat and scanned it.
"Wait, this could get cramped," Jackie said.
"That is a four-person—OMG! That's a dead guy!" Kade shouted.
Heatwave transformed into the boat and popped back up on the ocean surface. "Ugh, that felt weird." He tried to drive—or steer—or boat.
"Whoa, Heatwave—can't you drive in a straight line?!"
"I'm still getting used to this. You change into a boat and see how you do." HONK! "Well, that's the horn, let's see what this one does."
"Kade, you know how to drive this model?" Jackie asked.
"I saw a used one on eBay once," Kade said. "Why? Are you?"
Jackie showed them a picture of her driving a similar sea vessel. "Bulkhead was thinking about turning into a boat, so I took lessons. Heatwave, cool if I take over?"
"Sure," Heatwave said.
"You. Backseat!" Jackie grunted as she flipped Kade into the back seat.
"Hey, what did I say about going dragon?"
"Shut up and figure out how to use your hoses while I boat!"
They drove faster and smoother and Heatwave had figured out the hoses and extinguished the fire.
The team cheered as Kade and Jackie got onto Heatwave's roof.
"Kade, Jackie! Thanks for the save," Graham said.
"Jackie, di you drive that?" Lindsy asked.
"Yep!" Jackie stood up straight with pride.
"Those boating lessons really paid off."
"Speaking of which, where'd you get the boat?" Dani asked.
"This boat has a name," Heatwave said. "And you're welcome."
"Heatwave?" Boulder asked.
"How is this possible?" Chase asked.
"Clearly, I'm missing something here," Blades said.
"Heatwave, we owe you one. But now we need you to turn off the weather machine causing this. It's just east of the 49th buoy," Chief said.
"Think you can drive?" Jackie asked.
"Uh, best you do it," Heatwave said. He accidentally sprayed the rescue team. "My bad!"
They drove to the machine and Jackie helped Heatwave dodge the fire tornadoes.
"Hope you didn't eat too much, Kade!" Jackie said. "And hold onto something!"
"Um, why?" Kade asked.
"I'm going to demolition derby this bitch!" Jackie sped up.
"Ack!" Heatwave grunted as he hit the machine. "Yep. Going to feel that tomorrow."
The skies cleared of the storm.
"Hey! I like this new form! What do you guys think?" Heatwave asked.
"I like the feeling in my tummy!" Jackie chirped.
"I don't!" Kade started to turn green.
Jackie cut back on the sped and rolled down a window. "Better?"
Xxx
"So, how exactly does re-scanning work?" Blades asked Heatwave. "Say, hypothetically, a bot wanted a ground mode."
"It wasn't easy. I needed Optimus' permission and I'm still tired, even with his help," Heatwave yawned. "Jackie can help you. I'm gonna take a nap."
"What makes you think I was talking about me?"
Chief walked in with the painting.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Cody asked.
"Frame shop found something in the frame. A camera," Chief showed them the tiny camera with a familiar logo.
"Whoa," Kade said. "Morocco was spying on us?"
"How much do you think he saw?" Cody asked.
"That is not our only concern," Chase said.
"He was in our classified bunker. Primus knows what he took," Chroma said.
"I hope we don't end up getting vivisected," K-9 said.
"One creep in my life was bad enough," First Aid shuttered.
"I know we have a 'don't hurt humans' rule, but he is so road kill for putting First Aid through this!" Chroma pounded her fists.
Xxx
Dr. Morocco was setting up a video meeting with three clients: Madeline Pynch, M.E.C.H., and the mystery caller.
(A/N: so, yeah, my oc know how to drive a boat. The dead person in the sunken ship was a joke between me and my friend when we saw this episode together. Some of the methods Optimus showed Heatwave for energy concentrating can also help him with any panic attacks.)