It didn't take Alexis long to get into town. She drove quickly down the mountain before any of the Decepticons would notice she was missing. She drove all the way to the park, across from the school, knowing school was about to get out. Not long after arriving the school bell rang.
After a few minutes, students started to walk out of the building. It took her a few minutes to notice Rad and the others and from the look on Rad's face, he was worried. It was during lunch when Alexis had sent that instant message to Rad that the Autobots had left to stop Unicron.
When the boys came close to the park, they noticed Alexis sitting on the bench with Sureshock, transformed in vehicle mode beside her.
"Alexis!" Rad jumped. Alexis looked up at the sound of her name. "What is going on?"
"Too much," she said. She continued before anyone else said a word. "Unicron is here and he's no longer hiding as a Moon. As soon as he got close, he destroyed his cover. He started to attack but not enough to do any major damage. We quickly learned that we're no match for him. Optimus and Megatron are working together to defeat him. So now we're…"
"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa! Back up a minute," Carlos yelled. "Megatron and Optimus?"
"Yeah. But that's not all. Sideways' companion gave us a message that we have three days to get reinforcements. So we're back on the planet with the Decepticons, while the Decepticon ship is in space, keeping an eye on Unicron."
"The Decepticons are in the base?" Fred asked, a little scared. "Why?"
"We need all the fire power we can get and the lunar base was destroyed when Megatron left the Moon. Neither ship has the capacity to transport a large amount of bots…"
"Which leaves," Rad added. "The Autobot base as the perfect location to get everyone here."
"Exactly. But there's one problem. Mom's no longer here, I have to go back to the base tonight. Megatron could see me like this."
"I could ask Mom if we could have a camp out, in the back yard," Rad suggested.
"That wouldn't work," Billy said.
"Yeah it would," Carlos said. "Alexis must have just got here so she won't be transformed back until this time tomorrow. Rad's plan could work. All we have to do is sneak Alexis into the back yard when's Rad's parents aren't looking. Then she goes back to the base before school gets out."
"I'll have to see what Optimus says. Let's get out of here. Before anyone picks up on our conversation."
"Sandy is meeting us at the beach," Rad said. Why don't we go there?"
"Good idea," Alexis smiled.
-
After Alexis left, Starscream went to the top of the mountain to watch her leave. He knew she'd probably be back later, but not being able to hold her was driving him nuts. He was already missing her. When she was out of sight, he walked back inside to the command center. When he entered, he heard Cyclonus and Sideswipe in a heated discussion.
Not caring what the discussion was about, but did have an idea. Starscream decided to get their attention. "Sideswipe," he called. "Where's Optimus Prime?"
Sideswipe turned to at hearing his name. He quickly sighed in relief. He didn't need to be caught by Optimus, arguing with Cyclonus. "He's on the bridge of the ship. Where's Alexis?"
What could Starscream say with Cyclonus in the room? "She's out for a walk to clear her head. This has been too much for her."
Luckily Sideswipe caught on quick. He smiled his acknowledgement.
"I better go and see what Megatron's up to," Cyclonus said. He was also relieved that Starscream interrupted them. He probably would have been melted down to scrap if Megatron caught him. He moved away from the main computer and just as he walked past Starscream, he hissed. "Traitor."
Starscream ignored him and walked towards Sideswipe. When the annoying Decepticon was gone, Starscream breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alexis is gone to see the boys?"
"Yes. The lake must remain a secret. If Megatron were to find out about it, it will disastrous after we defeat Unicron."
"Well we already know that this alliance is only to stop Unicron and then afterwards, it's back to business as usual."
"Optimus hopes that one day we all can co exist with each other. Well I better go to Optimus and talk to him about Alexis."
Starscream turned and walked out of the command center. He continued on until he made it to the hanger. He walked into the ship, to the bridge where Optimus was.
As he entered, he took a quick sweep around the bridge, being sure there was no Decepticons. "She's gone," he said.
"Good." Optimus was standing near the view screen.
"But she has to come back here. Her mother is now gone."
"I realize that. When she comes back, sneak her into her quarters. Her mother's belongings are in there. She can at least feel a little comfortable. The boys may come as well but after Alexis is secure in her quarters. When she is, the boys may stay there as well."
Starscream nodded. "What about the lake?"
"I want it sealed until this is over. They must not learn that Alexis can turn into a human from the lake under the base, which has the sample of the pool of transformation in it."
"The worse of it would be if they were to learn of her transformation. It still baffles me of how Kiaudica's spark changed the course of the Cybertronian rock that landed on Mars, which you gave to her as a gift."
"Who's all coming?" Starscream changed the subject. He didn't want any Decepticons catching on to this.
"As many ships as we can muster. They will use our warp gate to get here when ready. But they will be warped from behind Unicron."
"They're being sent to Mars?"
"It's the best way for Unicron not to know how many we've asked until the appointed time. Besides, no one knows about us yet. But they may when the battle begins."
Unbeknown to Optimus or Starscream, they were not the only ones on the bridge. Thrust, as ordered, was watching Optimus. But with this new information and knowing that Megatron wanted the human girl, this would be most valued. If Megatron were to learn of Thrust's betrayal, this would keep Thrust alive.
Thrust quickly left the bridge to find Megatron. It took him a few minutes to find his leader. Megatron was standing outside the base, cursing to himself at Unicron. Megatron didn't like this union of the two factions but knew it was the only way.
"Sir," Thrust said as he materialized beside his leader.
"What?" Megatron growled.
"I just found out some good information about the human girl."
Megatron turned to his tactician. "You were supposed to watch Prime."
"I was but Starscream came in and gave off some valued information."
"What information?" Megatron was now intrigued.
"Remember Kiaudica?"
"What about her? Starscream had an infatuation with her and then I killed her to make him learn a lesson to never get hooked up with an Autobot."
"Apparently she isn't as dead as we have been led to believe. She's still alive, existing within the girl." Thrust said.
"What?" Megatron was taken aback. "How is this possible?"
"I'm not sure. She has a piece of rock from Cybertron, which infected her and Kiaudica. From that, she was changed into a Transformer."
"If that is the case then, it was Kiaudica I fought that day when she transformed. What else did you find out?"
"The Autobots have a sample of the 'pool of transformation' and it's been placed in an underground lake, underneath the base."
"So that means, Alexis isn't taking a rest but is human and informing those other kids of what's going on."
"What's your orders?"
"Find out more of this 'transformation' any way you can, either through that traitor or Prime or any of the other Autobots. The transformation only lasts for twenty-four hours, that would mean she will be back, and I'll be waiting."
"Yes, sir."
-
"I wonder how Optimus will get the reinforcements without scaring the hell out of Earth?" Powerglide asked.
"Who knows?" Wheeljack answered.
"What information did you find out about the Decepticons?" Springer asked.
Wheeljack turned to the triplechanger. "Not much. I'm afraid. I've been working with them for the past while now. It has been hard for me to take orders from Megatron. And I almost killed Hotshot."
"Don't worry. You had to put on a show to make sure Megatron knew you were not going soft. After we arrived, we informed everyone of why you are with the Decepticons."
"So Hotshot knows why I'm really working for the Decepticons."
"Yup," Seaspray said. He looked down and noticed someone was trying to hail them. "Optimus is contacting us on a coded frequency."
Springer smiled. "He doesn't want Unicron know what we're planning."
"Put him through," Ironhide said.
Seaspray pressed a button, making the screen shift from looking at Unicron to seeing the Autobot leader. "Autobots, we've contacted Cybertron. The reinforcements are coming from Mars, behind Unicron."
"Acknowledged," Blasted responded. "There is nothing to report of Unicron's activities. The Mini-Cons formed a barrier around us to protect us in case."
"Keep me informed. Prime out." When Optimus's face was gone, the screen was focused back on Unicron.
Wheeljack looked away from the view screen. "Well now we know how to keep Earth in the dark. But I'm afraid when the battle begins, they will learn that they are not the only intelligent beings."
"Let's just focus on what's at hand." Ironhide looked back to Unicron and cursed. He hoped Chromia wasn't one of the ones who were coming.
-
"This is driving me insane," Sideflare growled. "What is with all this static? First it was directing from Earth to Cybertron and now to the Decepticon ship."
Sideways shock his head. "You're a fool. That static is coded. The Autobots contacted Cybertron on a coded frequency so we could not patch in. And they did it again to inform the Decepticon ship of the plan."
"What are you still doing here? You're suppose to be getting rid of Thrust."
"Yes but first I have to find out where he is. And with those Mini-Cons are in the way, it's hard to scan the Decepticon ship to see if he's there. Once I know then I'll be able to stop him."
"What if he's down on the planet?"
"There's only once place he'd be and that's at the Autobot base
"Have you been able to get anything through that barrier?"
"Only to learn that there are nine Transformers on the Decepticon ship. Who they are is difficult to decipher."
"Work harder," Sideflare hissed.
"Why don't you try working through the Mini-Con barrier? It's not as easy at its looks."
Sideflare turned. She wanted to shut Sideways up but knew if she tried anything, Unicron would attack her again.
-
Starscream was carefully watching Thrust and Demolisher when he heard his radio transmitter go off.
"Starscream. I won't be coming back tonight." Starscream quickly noticed who was speaking to him. He stood, giving off an annoyed look and left the room and towards his quarters. He didn't want to attract the attention of Thrust.
As he walked away, Alexis continued. "Rad has offered me to stay at his place tonight. Let Optimus know that I will be back before school gets out. This will be best to stay away from Megatron."
Once safely inside, he went to the computer console and turned it to the frequency Alexis was using with Laserbeak.
"I'll let him know," he said. "Sorry for taking so long in…"
"Don't worry about it. I figured you were with the Decepticons."
Starscream smiled. "As much as I'll miss you. It is for the best you stay down there."
"I will sneak back into the base tomorrow and to my quarters."
"That's best. Optimus would want you to hide in there."
"See you tomorrow." Alexis ended the transmission.
With a heavy sigh, Starscream stood back up and walked out to watch the sunset. This time watching the sunset, he could clearly see Unicron. To the naked eye, it would look like a distant meteor so something.
"Mind for some company?"
Starscream turned to see Scavenger.
"This is creepy. Alexis is staying down with the boys and when she gets back, she has to sneak into her quarters until the transformation wears off. Where are the Decepticons?"
"In the ship. They feel more comfortable in the ship than the base. What still gets me is Cybertron was once an organic planet but then was infected. And an infected piece, turned Alexis."
"If you so much as touch her…"
Scavenger chuckled at the jealously. "Don't worry. I know how much you care for her. I wouldn't want to step over that. Besides, her heart was captured awhile back anyway."
Starscream looked at Scavenger with surprise.
"She loves you. Everyone knows that. Just as they know you love her. I will admit she's quite attractive, but I'd rather be her friend."
"I've noticed a lot of the Autobots like Alexis. I'd have to say Optimus, Red Alert, Hotshot and Sideswipe are the only ones who treat her like family."
"A family away from family. We are all her family. When she introduced us to her mother, she said that."
Thrust, standing by the entrance to the base, watched invisible at more of this discovery. Megatron was going to be pleased to hear this little peace of news. Thrust quickly teleported to the ship to give Megatron the news.
"Megatron," he said as he walked on to the bridge. "We've all heard rumors about Cybertron once being a different kind of planet."
"Yes. That it actually held organic life. But some how it was destroyed."
"Well it's true. Some debris of Cybertron was found here in the solar system and it's what affect the girl."
Cyclonus turned to look at his leader. "I don't get it."
Megatron smiled. "Alexis has been turned into a Transformer by an Autobot who was killed long ago but actually has survived and lives within Alexis. At the Mars incident, Starscream came across a rock that was from Cybertron and gave it to the girl. It was an infected piece of Cybertron and with it and the Autobot, transformed her."
"She is staying with her human friends but will be back tomorrow before the transformation wears off," Thrust continued.
"Transformation?" asked Demolisher.
"The pool of transformation. Somehow the Autobots got by the Cybertron defenses and went to that planet that has the transformation pool. When Alexis gets back, I'll be waiting for her. She'll be sorry for humiliating me."
"Sir," Thrust said attentively. "It may not be the best time for you to extract your revenge."
Megatron whipped his head to his soldier. "Do you take me for a fool?"
Thrust jumped back a little as his leader glared at him. "N…no…"
"Once Unicron is annulated, getting rid of Prime and making Alexis pay is my top priority."