"Miko did rub off on you," Bulkhead chuckled as his femme friend peeked her head around the corner.
"Miko didn't rub off on me," Arcee muttered back. "It's just my recon training, Bulk."
"No, I'm pretty sure it's just Miko," Bumblebee chirped, and Arcee glared at the yellow bot.
"I am an Autobot spy, I have more training, caution, and tricks than Miko ever did!" Arcee said indignantly, gesturing to her fellow bots that it was safe to move.
"Optimus doesn't like us using our faction names, Arcee," Bulk reminded her as they dashed across the hall. "We're all Cybertronian. This isn't the war. No more factions."
"I wear my insignia for a reason, Bulk. So I don't forget what I had to overcome. So I remember that I have to fight for the truth. And the truth is, I just want to go back to Earth. It isn't right we can't see our friends."
"She's right. Even Optimus believes in inter-species relations. We have much to learn about the human environment, and they have a lot to learn from us as well," Bee chirped in agreement.
"So all we have to do is get to the ground bridge, and we're good."
"And who do you think is going to operate the ground bridge? Hm?" A voice spoke up. The trio twirled to find Ratchet right behind him, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Bulkhead! You were supposed to be watching our backs!" Arcee snapped.
"We're in our own base, I didn't think it would be that bad to drop my guard," Bulk shrugged.
"So, you're going back to Earth? And you haven't told Optimus?" Ratchet surmised. The three bots before him nodded, and Ratchet sighed. "I will keep your secret while you're away. Come, let's get to the ground bridge before I change my mind."
"Thank you, Ratchet, this really means a lot," Arcee said gratefully.
"I miss them too," Ratchet replied. "It has been many years since we were together, and as much as I wish it were the opposite, I miss Miko's chatter. Or Rafael helping me on a project. He was the only human to truly understand my work, and even helped perfect some of it! He was truly ahead of his time!" Ratchet marveled. "And Jack, he had a moral character unrivaled among his species! He was strong, unique, I miss him. Tell the children I said hello."
"Of course we will, Ratchet," Arcee nodded as the medic brought the ground bridge to life.
"I can only hide your disappearance for so long, so be back before a couple of earth days has passed. Do not stay longer than an earth week, I doubt I can hide your departure that long," Ratchet warned as his comrades headed into the vortex.
"See ya soon, Ratchet!" Bulkhead called back as he vanished into the vortex, and the medic watched as one by one, they all disappeared from sight.
"Good luck, my friends," Ratchet whispered. "Be safe."