To Guest: I think it would be very unprofessional for Fowler to have popcorn...

To Giddy: No probs! I like Beaky, and I can't kill off the poor baby.

To 2049-Shadow: I will state this again: I LOVE LASERBEAK AND THAT BABY SHOULD SUFFER NO MORE. But, yeah, I'm as busy as ever, but I'm not dead. We will have more of Soundwave next chapter~ Maybe Laserbeak goes back to him~?

Some text stuff:

~. ~. ~. : Flashbacks

… … … … : Scene time, change in flashback


"Come in Special Agent Fowler and… Optimus Prime." Sitting professional behind a desk, General Bryce invites William Fowler and the humanized Optimus Prime into the small office.

"Have a seat, would you?" Bryce watches the two men take their sits in the chairs stationed a few feet from him. "I had never anticipated meeting you again in these conditions… To be frank, I'm not entirely persuaded that this gentlemen next to you is Optimus Prime, Bill."

"Sir, I can confirm one hundred percent that this is the real Optimus Prime. If I had a single shred of doubt, I wouldn't have risk bringing an imposter here. Prime?"

"Greetings General Bryce," Optimus greets, looking at the seated general. "It is pleasant meeting you again in much favorable conditions than last time regarding MECH with my imposter."

This man does sound like the same semi-truck robot that spoke to him before. "I find it unbelievable that a giant alien robot could become a human." It does sound like something out of a kids show. Alien robots are one thing; the same ones turning into humans is a different story.

"Specifically, I am a techno-organic."

"A techno-whatsit?"

"Instead of being completely human, part of my biology contains Cybertronian elements, a species in which we call techno-organics."

Fowler found it that Bryce was still stumped after the explanation. "It may look like he's a real flesh and blood human, but he's still part bot, General."

"In what aspects?" By the human eye alone, Optimus appeared to be a regular civilian. Not even the unnatural shade of light blue eye color Prime had would mark him as suspicious.

"What differs me from ordinary humans is that I retain some of my Cybertronian attributes such as the strength, weapons, and the energon in my veins." The brown haired man lists off.

Bryce shifts in his sitting position, visibly tensed. He knew the transformers had weapons hidden in their arms, but a human doesn't unless it's in their sleeves. "Are you implying that you are currently armed?"

"Yes. However, I do not plan to use them at all if this matter concerns you."

"Where are they?"

"My blasters and blades are embedded in my arms. They still function in the same way as in my Cybertronian body as I am able to alter part of my structure to release it."

"Show me."

Optimus rolls down part of his sleeve in order for the tip of his blades to slide out of the back of his hand without cutting through the fabric. Bryce watched as the sharp metal emerges past the prime's broad fingers with ease. It then retracted smoothly back into place.

Bryce saw all the proof his needs to see to consider that this man could be Optimus. Strange enough, this seemed to put him more on edge than before. "Okay, now you've persuaded me, how did you become like this in the first place?"

"Months ago, my team and I intercepted a signal deriving from the country you humans refer to as Brazil. We were not the only ones who located the signal as the Decepticons were there as well and we engaged in battle. Little did we know that what caused the signal was a Cybertronian healing device, the Remedy, it was called. Sometime during the battle, it activated."

"A machine that was created on your planet is responsible for this?" Bryce had his elbows and intertwined hands on the table, becoming increasingly focused on the topic.

"Based on research, its purpose was to heal any wound and injury. However, it never got past the prototype stage, and operated to turn every Autobot and Decepticon in it's radius into techno-organics. There are those who weren't present during the battle, hence wasn't affected by it."

"Who were in that battle specifically?"

"Everyone on my team excluding Ratchet who stayed behind at base. The recent members of Team Prime were also exposed to the Remedy."

"Would you provide a background on them? There were five Autobots from your team I haven't heard about in a debrief from Agent Fowler," Bryce opened up a file containing information about each Autobot. "Starting with Smokescreen, if you will."

"Smokescreen is a young soldier, but unlike Bumblebee who are similar in age, he wasn't exposed or adept of fighting Decepticons very much."

~.~.~.~.~

"Whoo! Too hot for you, Cons?!" Smokescreen cheered at the top of his voice box. He then turns back at new faces of the Autobots. "Torching that energon leak- pretty good plan, right?"

"Except that it wasn't your plan," Arcee steps up to the bot that fired at the energon leak. "It was a random shot that almost fried us to a crisp."

Smokescreen shrugs it off optimistically. "Worked out didn't it?"

~.~.~.~.~

"He still has much to learn about the rules of this planet."

~.~.~.~.~

"What do you mean 'speed limit'?" Smokescreen said in response to worrying Bumblebee as he races down the road, on the wrong lane at that. "I have a gauging here that goes to 150. If the humans who designed my vehicle form didn't want it to go that fast, they shouldn't have given me the option!"

~.~.~.~.~

"His valor and determination make up for the lack of battle experience. Although there were shrouds of doubt over him from his arrival, I believe Smokescreen has proved his worth of being a great addition to the Autobot cause." Oh, if Smokescreen could only hear those words straight out of the Prime's mouth, he would brag about that for days. "Arriving after Smokescreen was Blaster. Back on Cybertron, Blaster was my Communications Officer, often very reliable and trustful. Although, he can get carried away by his extreme fascination with music."

~.~.~.~.~

"... thus, making any actions of ours predictable and easily countered if we can't figure out the source of the transmission hub." Walk downing the hall of a Cybertronian base, Prowl is discussing important matters discovered by Jazz, who was also there, to Optimus. "Locating the frequency doesn't do us much if we are unable to trace it back from its destination."

"Thanks for making my efforts of finding the frequency channel seem worthwhile." Jazz huffs.

"I only state this to reinstate that the Decepticons are enhancing their encrypting technology to the point that it gives the Special Ops problems, Jazz."

"Nonetheless, we cannot allow the underground broadcast to continue to leak anymore Autobot locations or field tactics," Optimus replied.

"Which is why, sir, I suggest using Blaster's expertise in communications to- what is that noise?" The paused outside of a door. The trio enters a room that has been converted into an intense dance party with music loud enough to crash audials, which is why Prowl and Optimus covered their audials.

"Blaster, decrease volume!" Optimus demanded in a loud voice. Although, Blaster didn't hear or notice the Prime from the DJ table. So, Optimus tried again, this time, louder. "Blaster, SHUT UP!"

"Hmm?" Blaster turns off the music, which disappointed any dancing Autobots including Jazz who made it on the dancefloor without Prowl noticing. "What's up, OP?"

"Wise choice in words, sir."

~.~.~.~.~.~

"With his minicons Eject and Rosanna, they work together as a team for surveillance and information gathering. Their short statures provide them with an advantage to avoid being seen by enemies."

~.~.~.~.~

"Too bad you feel a little short there, Eject." Jack taunts Eject after the basketball thrown by Eject missed the hoop.

"Hey! I'm an average sized for my age! I have you know that my height does not define me!" And the minicon went off.

"Eject, hush," Rosanna reminds Eject to find his chill. "You're making yourself look bad again!"

"Yeesh. What tick him off?" Miko asked Jazz.

"Don't take it personally. Minicons are vertically challenged- most are about my height in their robot forms, so they hate being called short, small, tiny, a scraplet, or anything else that falls into that category."

"So, they have a short-fuse, huh?" Right after Miko gave in the punch line, Raf's laptop played the rimshot sound. The base lit up with laughter, even Ratchet chuckled and hated himself for that afterward.

"Ha! Short-fuse! Ah, Sorry, you guys." Jazz laughs.

"Thousands of years later, and we still hear that joke…" Eject groans.

~.~.~.~.~

"We intercepted a distress signal which led to us discover them in Brazil." Optimus continues.

"Reports said that a ship crashed there. It was there's?" asked the general.

"That ship belong to Jazz, a member of the Special Ops, and an exceptional saboteur. He was the next Autobot found there."

"Wasn't that operative the same one that infiltrated MECH's headquarters last night?"

Optimus nods. "Correct. Jazz, along with Wheeljack came across MECH's hideout and operated on a mission to sabotage them."

"Was this was under your orders?"

"No. This mission was performed without my awareness."

"I do hope astray behavior doesn't happen often on your team, Optimus?"

"General Bryce, I do not tolerate nor condone these actions, especially if it endangers any Autobots or humans," Optimus spoke calmly, yet seriously. "Even though I'd greatly disapproved a dangerous mission like this without having knowledge of it, they have found out a few things of interest. Starting with Silas's plans."

"Continue."

"It is well known that Silas created a doppelganger of me, one that is able to transform. That is because MECH had figured out in full of how our biology works down to the energon that fills it."

"And the last thing we need is giving them enough time to create more Autobot knockoffs," Fowler adds.

"While previously, locating MECH's hideouts were pure chance out of random encounters, Jazz has discovered some of their locations along with additional information," Optimus presents an envelope to Bryce, "I am sure they would be of use to you and lead us closer to dismantling MECH for good. It stands to reason that MECH will be more interested in our current, more vulnerable forms and won't be hesitant to capture an Autobot or a Decepticon again."

"About the Deceptions, you say they too are hu- techno-organic?" Bryce corrected himself before Optimus had a chance to.

"From what I recall, Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Knock Out, Breakdown, and surviving vehicons were the ones on the Decepticon side. Megatron being there himself is a rarity, but it proves how desperate he was to make certainty that he secures what he desires." Although mentioning it now, the prime hadn't thought much of Dreadwing's absence for quite a while. Starscream resuming his side with the Decepticons caught the prime's focus before wondering about Dreadwing since Optimus had to fight alongside with Breakdown to defeat Starscream in the apex armor in the arctic.

"But the spider is still rouge?"

Optimus nods his head, deciding to ponder more about Dreadwing later. "While I am uncertain about Dreadwing and Airachnid, both factions were affected by the device, although, we were evacuated before we could see all of them."

"Speaking of, how was it that your team was dealing with this transformation for months?"

"Agent Fowler has assisted us in our state."

"In means of?"

"Teaching them the basics, like how to tie their shoes, brush their teeth, how to function as a human," Fowler fills in. "Sometimes I'll treat them out for dinner. Bots love buffets. Table manners could use some work..."

~.~.~.~.~.~

"Thank you for taking us to dinner, Agent Fowler." Agent William Fowler was thanked by Optimus. Fowler was generous enough to bring the Autobots, and the humans, out to a local buffet. All of them were seated around a big table.

"It's my treat. Every human should have the experience of eating to their heart's content every now and then."

Arcee got herself a salad to start out with. "Great. I was tired of eating burgers. No offense, Jack."

"I still think he can cook up a mean burger." Bulkhead complimented after taking an enormous bite out of the poor back of a baby rib.

"Thanks, Bulkhead," Jack said. "That means a lot."

"Bulkhead, Miko, there's the napkins." Agent Fowler reminds them. Miko must have taught her guardian how to eat like her; faces stained alike with BBQ sauce.

Bumblebee then burps loudly. Fowler shakes his head and groans.

~.~.~.~.~

"It was difficult to adapt initially in our new bodies, but thankfully, we were in the presence of human resources."

~.~.~.~.~

"What's with Arcee today?" Smokescreen approaches Bumblebee and Miko after witness Arcee in a worse mood than usual.

"I dunno…" The scout was just as curious as Smokescreen. "Maybe she's cranky from lack of sleep? I know I got that way once."

A second later, Arcee yells, "WHO THE FRAG ATE ALL OF THE CHOCOLATE COOKIES!?" from the direction of the mess hall.

"Cranky mood and craving chocolate…" Miko then makes a "hum" sound, diagnosing the problem like a professional doctor, and snapped her fingers, "Yep, I've seen this before."

"So, what do we do?" Bumblebee was already planning out an escape route.

"Well, if you ate the cookies, hide somewhere for about a week while I get June."

"So, Bumblebee," The white haired teen faces the blond, "know any great hiding spots?"

"I can name a few…"

… … … … … … …. … …. …. …

"Ratchet?" The medic hears his name called by the Prime. He sounds mildly troubled. Respectively and worried, he turns away from the terminals and looks down towards the source.

"Yes, Opti...mus?." Optimus's usual white undershirt is replaced with a pink one. "A wardrobe malfunction?"

"I am… confused about how this occurred. I was careful to not wash my clothes with any reds."

"Including socks?" Optimus went silence. Dang it.

… … … … … … … … … …

"Hey, Bulkhead, your shoes are untied." Raf kindly told Bulkhead.

"Oh. Thanks, bud." Bulkhead kneels down to tie his combat boots. "Pull the strings, tie a knot, bunny ears and.."

"Crack kills." Miko snickered.

"And crack kills… wait a minute.." So that's why the back porch was feeling a little bit breezy… Bulkhead immediately pulls down the back of his shirt to cover his behind.

~.~.~.~.~

"Nonetheless, we have made arrangements to accommodate for our change."

"Luckily, their hideout is an old military bunker, they do have most necessities. If not, I'll chip in once in awhile." Fowler concluded. He didn't mention June assisting with some expenses, including Arcee's… feminine needs.

"If you require additional resources, I am sure I can make some arrangements." Looks like Bryce isn't so cold-hearted at all. Making sure five humans have their needs can not be cheap.

The Prime gratefully accepts the offer. "That would be most generous of you." One can also hear Fowler's wallet cheering in joy.

Bryce gave a small nod. "Getting back to the Deceptions. How do you assume the they are taking this?"

"It is currently unknown to how they are handling the transformation. There were a few encounters, but nothing that could enlighten us about their adjustments." "There wasn't any reported Deception related activity unless it involved energon mines. I assume they are holding off of any major plans until they regain their original forms."

~.~.~.~

"Okay everyone, today we need to go over the 'health pyramid'. Remember, these bodies are our temples and we must respect them, even as fleshy techno-organics." Doctor Knock Out is having a presentation in the med bay with holograms and everything.

"Is this really necessary Knock Out?" Megatron growls in slight annoyance. He really didn't want to be in here, but the doc insisted a mandatory meeting in the med bay, with all the techno-organics needing to be present.

"Very much if we want our new bodies to function from sources other than energon, Lord Megatron. Now then, to discuss the many reasons why sweets and candy should not be the main part of one's diet, Breakdown."

"Laserbeak was eating all of my candy," Breakdown huffs in defense, "what else was I supposed to do?"

… … … … … … …. …

In the bridge. Soundwave is playing nursery rhymes for Laserbeak from his visor. "London bridge is falling down~"

"Falling down, falling down~" The minicon happily chirps along.

"Soundwave, have you seen my boots- ack!" The SIC regain his balance after slipping on a toy rattle as he entered the bridge. "Confound it, Soundwave! Pick up your minicons toys! I nearly slipped on a ratt-AAH!" But this time, he slipped on a ball and face planted on the cold, metal floor.

Laserbeak cutely claps. "Starscream is falling down, my fair lady~"

"Very good, Laserbeak." A small proud look spreads across Soundwave's face.

. …. … … … … … … …. … … ...

"Hey, Alphy, you think I can like… sit in your alt mode?" Kevin, the formerly ground-type vehicon asked his drone buddy.

Alphonso, or Alphy for short, tilts his head down to the techno-organic. "That's an odd request, Kevin."

"But I see humans do it all the time, and now that I am one of them, it would be interesting to know how it feels to be inside a car." Can't argue with that logic.

Alphonse transforms down into a car, opening the door for Kevin. The human drone jumps in, reclining in the comfortable leather seats. "Wow, this is so warm. I can take a recharge…"

"Don't you do it, and you're already asleep, aren't you?"

~.~.~.~.~

"Knowing that the Decepticons are in this form, wouldn't it be necessary to have military involvement in taking them down?" General Bryce suggested. If Megatron and the rest of his crew are reduced to smaller, more valuable targets, that's good for them.

Optimus, however, stiffens. "With all due respect, I do not want any more humans to risk their lives in this battle. Albeit, the Decepticons may appear to be vulnerable in human skin, but that doesn't mean they should be taken lightly. They still have an army and the strength to be at a massive war with your planet if provoked directly."

"If that's the case, then why won't you take this as an advantage over the Decepticons?"

"I'm afraid we do not possess any advantage over them, despite the state they are in. However, we do have a Vehicon detained for questioning."

"The Decepticon's foot soldier?"

"The only difference is that this one in captivity is one of the techno-organics. So far, the vehicon refuses to say anything."

~.~.~.~.~

"Hey." From the inside of the cell, the techno-organic Vehicon named Dave raised his helm to see a blond haired teen standing right outside the barred cell.

"I'm not saying anything." Was Dave's response, turning away from the Autobot scout. He was probably there to interrogate him like Optimus tried to do earlier.

"You just did," Bumblebee retorted lightly. "But I'm not here to beat the information out of you or anything. I got you some energon and a cinnamon bun."

"A what?"

"Cinnamon bun. I know having energon all the time gets pretty boring now, and I had an extra bun. Anyway, they are really good, but I shouldn't eat a lot of these unless I want a stomach ache."

Is this an Autobot tactic? Like, the 'good cop' without the 'bad cop' around? "Why are you giving this to me?"

"I know we are enemies, but there's no point in treating you like total scrap. You're already dealing with enough as it is." Dave unconsciously twitches his broken ankle that was encased in a cast. "And since we are walking fleshies, might as well try to enjoy life as one, right?"

Dave didn't say anything, accepting the energon and pastry. What sweet peace offering.

"Although to say the least, you were having a great time at that party with all those girls."

"They… really liked my hair." Is he actually flustered?

~.~.~.~.~

"If that's the case, then what has become of the transformation machine?" Questioned the General.

"I'm afraid we are not in possession of all of it." Optimus simply answered.

Bryce blinks. "Pardon me?"

"The Remedy, as a safety precaution in its design, split into pieces and are currently scattered on the Earth. We have located and retrieved one part as there should be a few more pieces left to find. After we obtain all the parts, the next step would be working on repairments, then we will become normal."

"Is there any knowledge that the Decepticons have found any of the pieces? If they have at least one piece, it would make it difficult for either side to return to their original state."

"While I am unsure if the Decepticons have obtained any of these pieces, I have considered the scenario and plan to deal with it accordingly."

Bryce inches forward, still keeping his composure. "How exactly?"

"Since it would put both sides at a great disadvantage to each having a piece, a negation would be in order."

"Negotiating with the Decepticons?" It doesn't sound like Bryce likes the idea of negotiation with Decepticons.

"It would make sense as neither party wishes to stay in human form. It is difficult for both teams to remain in this body as long as there is a war to fight."

"And what if negating doesn't work?"

Optimus had a well-thought out response to this as well. "If not, there are other ways to handle this situation, even if it resorts to taking the remaining pieces by force. However, I do not wish of that unless necessary."

"Tell me Optimus Prime, is your technology something we should be concerned of? We already know Megatron has a warship undetected in the sky, and hearing about a robot-turning-human device is much more than I anticipated." Really, this sound like an episode of a cartoon tv show.

"Our technology, aside from its mystical properties,"

"Mystical?" Bryce cuts off Optimus in a moment of bewilderment.

"Um, Prime? Let's stay away from that word for a while." William Fowler knows from experience not to use that word in front of Bryce ever since the last debrief.

"- Unusual properties," The Prime changes the word. "have a similar concept of the technology of your planet; it's fearful if fallen into the wrong hands. That is why, as our job as Autobots, we have made sure to collect them and keep them safe from the Decepticons. Right now along with the search of the Remedy, both Autobots and Decepticons are in a search for Iacon relics. It is still of importance those don't fall into the Decepticons hands either."

"Have you've been successful in gathering these relics?"

"For the most part, yes we have. We are still capable of battling the Decepticons and defending the inhabitants of Earth."

"I'll take your word for it." It's not like Bryce has any other choice. "I had some doubts about Team Prime being able to do their job in their current circumstance, but I'll say your performance is still satisfactory to my superiors. I think I've heard everything that I needed to hear. You are dismissed."

Fowler and Optimus stood up, thanked Bryce for his time, and exits the room. "I think that went rather well," Fowler said once in the halls.

"Quite," Optimus replied, walking beside the liaison. "Although, I have a feeling that General Bryce still has a hard time grasping this."

"He's not used to being around you bots twenty-four seven like I am."

"Oh, Special Agent Fowler," Calling out to Fowler was a man garbed in a military outfit with a German Shepherd at heel. He approaches the two men. "I didn't expect you to be back here so soon. I meant to tell you something before you left the other day."

"Yeah, I was a bit of a rush. What's up Henry?"

Henry wanted to ask a small favor. "You think the next time you go over to the Autobot base, you can tell them that the guys and I in district 6-B really owe it to them to the protection from the Decepticons a while back?"

Meanwhile, the trainer's dog was sniffling Optimus's leg. When it started to bark, Optimus kneels down and pets the excited creature. "Hello to you too, Buster. I apologize for the lack of tires for you to chew on this time." He lightly jokes, scratching the dog's ears.

"... Optimus?!" There was only one robot that tires were chewed by Henry's dog. "No way! Do you remember me too? It's me, Henry, Buster's trainer."

"Yes. I remember the both of you, and I'm glad that you are well."

"Thanks to you guys! What happened to you?"

"Classified information, son," Fowler answered in place of Optimus. Since they are a few military operatives that know of the Autobots, the amount of knowledge they should about them is limited as well.

Henry understood that. "Fair enough. But, can I ask one more thing?"

"What would that be, Henry?" The Prime asked.

"Can I have your autograph?"


And that's a wrap~