After they finished their meals, they walked outside. The snow had stopped for the moment. He gave both Katie and Liz a hug as they said their good-byes for the evening. He watched them walk away and to Liz's car. He continued to watch them just to be sure nothing would happen, with the Decepticons out there you never could tell. They got into the car and he watched them drive off. Then he continued to his car. He got in and decided to go to Autobot City. He drove to the outskirts of Athens and arrived at Autobot City. He got out and his exosuit folded out over his body then he then transformed into Shortstop. He walked in and headed towards the control room. It's been awhile since he was here last. Optimus Prime knew that he needed some time off. He walked in and Prime was standing at the giant computer screen. Prime looked up at him. He was a little surprised to see him, especially at this hour. Just then Prowl walked into the room. Shortstop greeted him by nodding his head. Prowl walked over to him.

"Shortstop, can I talk to you for a few astroseconds?"

"Sure thing. Let's go outside."

Actually, let's go to my place." Prowl said while pulling out his laser pistol.

Prime attempted to move but Prowl shook his head.

"It's alright, Prime." Shortstop assured him.

Prowl activated a keypad on his forearm and then the two Autobots vanished in mist of blue light.

The two materialized in a metallic cave. The cave looked as if it had been there for years. Lights ran along side the gold metallic wall. Shortstop looked around to see if he could recognize it but couldn't. He was guessing he was in the lower levels of Cybertron.

"Where are we?" Shortstop demanded.

"Well I guess you could say that we stepped through the looking glass."

They began to walk through the corridors. They walked through a door.

Shortstop realized how far behind Prowl was, so he quickly turned around, grabbed his arm twisted it and held it behind his back. He grabbed Prowl's pistol and aimed it at him.

"Nice move." Prowl said.

"I'm glad you like it. Now tell me what is going on."

"Ok, millions of years ago when the war raged on and the planet was out of resources the Autobots attempted to find energy elsewhere. But their plan was thwarted by the Decepticons. Optimus Prime was assassinated before he could board the Ark. The Decepticons have an alliance with the Quintisons. They have killed more than half of our forces. About a year ago a shuttle came to Cybertron with scientists and explorers. The Decepticons attacked the shuttle and it crashed. Only two humans survived. The Decepticons held them captive. One of them escaped and found us. He sided with us to fight the Decepticons, also became a Headmaster, with the help from Brainstorm. He was named Shortstop. Instead of an Earth car he was a Cybertronian sports car. He has helped us tremendously with the battle. But the other was taken prisoner. Since then she has started helping the Decepticons. Our resources tell us that she is building this sensor array that will locate our base. If she completes this array then we will not have a chance. Our Shortstop was killed on this mission."

"Let me guess you want me to take his place."

"You're quick."

"I'm not going to do it."

"Look I'm not asking for a lifetime commitment. All I'm asking for is for you to complete this mission."

"Why me?"

"Shortstop was certain he could convince her to side with us."

"How did he plan to do that?"

"She was his wife."

Prowl pulled out a hologram and activated it. An image of a girl appeared. Shortstops eyes went wide.

"Sarah."

"You know her?"

"She was my wife too. But in my universe, she's dead."

"Not here she isn't. Not yet anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Not all of us are Autobots. Starscream, Astrotrain, Runabout, Blitzwing and the Combaticons are on our side as well. Shortstop was in command. Starscream said that if Shortstop didn't succeed on this mission. He was going to terminate her."

Shortstop finally responded after a few moments.

"I can't let her die again." He said not taking his eyes off the hologram.

"You're the only one who can save her."

The two Autobots continued to walk through the cave's tunnels and Prowl continued to explain.

"You see the reason why Sarah didn't attempt to escape was because she and Shortstop never got along. In fact Shortstop never really got along with anybody. I wish I had more time to explain more. I haven't told you half of what you should know. There will be some surprises."

"Well I'm just going to have to improvise."

Prowl smirked at the comment. They continued to walk through the tunnels to the hidden base.