Hello readers! New chapter here!

First off, thanks to all of the people that reviewed! I truly appreciate the time you take in doing so. I'm not going to lie, when it comes to completing fanfics, I'm terrible. But reviews always keep me motivated.

Unfortunately, for anyone who asks questions, I'm afraid I can't answer them. I'm afraid if I did, it would give too much away.

Anyways, enjoy. (And Review)

Chapter 1: Discovery

Starscream stood at the viewport of the Nemesis's bridge, his arms folded behind him. His optics scanned the stars, hoping to see the Autobot vessel, even though he knew the endeavor was pointless. It was true, their ship had been damaged significantly by the Decepticon's swift attack, and their odds of surviving onboard it were slim.

But Starscream wasn't taking any chances. Ever since Megatron had departed into deep space, Starscream's new position as the leader had been had been questioned by his Decepticons. He needed to ensure that his command went unquestioned. Eliminating Optimus Prime and his squadron of Autobots would be all the proof he needed. Not to mention, the one who had plagued the Decepticons for so long would finally be dead. Nothing would be able to stop them after that. Killing two Scraplets with one shot, Starscream thought to himself.

They wouldn't be travelling anytime soon. Not with the ship they currently possessed, anyways. And Starscream doubted they would find life forms that would be willing to give them one. For all they knew, the Autobots were stranded; the problem was finding them after they had seemingly disappeared. It was a setback for sure, but a temporary one. Starscream would have his forces find and destroy them before he ever allowed them to escape his grasp again.

"So the Autobots have escaped again, have they?" A voice echoed tauntingly behind him.

Starscream's face turned into a snarl as he rounded on the one who dared speak against him. "NO! They are merely trying to buy themselves time!"

Starscream stopped himself, regaining control of his emotions. He realized that allowing a simple comment to anger him so immensely was only a sign of weakness. Weakness could not be allowed if he were to gain upmost loyalty from his troops. "They will be found and killed if they are not dead already." He said calmly, folding his arms behind him again.

Knockout put on a smug smile as he examined his hands. Breakdown, Knockout's partner, watched silently from behind as he usually did. Starscream felt his annoyance rising again, but kept it contained. The Decepticon medic was probably goading him for his own enjoyment. But Knockout was a loyal Deception as any, even if he could be a little annoying at times.

"Where's Soundwave?" He muttered silently to himself, looking around for the tall Decepticon. Starscream had ordered him to inform him of Knockout and Breakdown's arrival.

"He's still working on locating the Autobot's ship, as you ordered, Commander Starscream." Knockout answered, having heard him.

"That's Lord Starscream, Knockout." Starscream retorted. "And as Megatron is gone, you had better get used to calling me that."

Starscream glanced up, noticing a large, black shape approaching them. It was Soundwave, his face blank and unreadable.

"Ah, Soundwave." Starscream addressed. "Have you located the Autobot's ship?"

Soundwave's face flickered, changing from a blank screen to a map, charting a course to the Autobot's position. Starscream smirked in triumph. "Excellent." He said as he turned to the Vehicon crew. "Set course! Inform the fleet we are heading out!"

"I believe you might want to take another look, Lord Starscream." Knockout told him.

Starscream scowled as he turned around. "What now?"

Starscream looked again at the map Soundwave displayed. When he took a closer look, he realized that the signature Soundwave detected wasn't Autobot at all. It was Decepticon. But what was it doing so far out into deep space? It had to be investigated; but if they left now, the Autobots might escape.

"This is a rather peculiar find." Knockout observed with a hand on his chin. "What do you intend to do about this, Lord Starscream?"

Starscream made up his mind quickly, turning back to the Vehicons. "New orders! Tell the fleet to remain here and continue the search. We are investigating this alone!"

The Vehicons rushed to carry out their orders while Starscream turned back to the viewport. The Autobots were mistaken if they believed this was over. Even if he had to wait a little longer, Starscream would have his vengeance…

Optimus and Ratchet sped along the Cybertron-like surface of the strange planet, moving as quickly as they deemed safe. Similar to Cybertron, there were random trenches and pits in the surface, forcing them to take extra precautions as they sped along.

Most of their scanners and equipment had been destroyed the crash, which was inconvenient for planning exploration. However, they weren't driving completely blind. Ratchet still had an energon scanner or two with him. They had been hoping to use it to find the other half of Teletraan 1, and hopefully, the rest of the team. Soon after using it, they had detected a large source of energon. The energy signature was massive; too massive to be the other half of Teletraan.

Despite this, Ratchet and Optimus decided that would be their first area of investigation. Energon was energon, and any amount of energon they could find would prove to be useful later on.

"Ratchet, how far are we?" Optimus asked.

"We're close. Very close." Ratchet replied.

They continued on the path they were on, occasionally avoiding hazardous changes in the landscape. Eventually, they reached their destination.

"Optimus, we've arrived!" Ratchet announced.

Optimus wasted no time as he slowed to a stop, close to the edge of a large sinkhole. He transformed, straightening up as he observed the view before him. Ratchet followed suit, slowing to a halt and transforming.

Ratchet immediately checked his energon scanner. "This is it alright."

Optimus looked down into the crater, searching for signs of life. Unexpectedly, he found plenty. Several large machines were drilling into the planet and extracting the energon. Optimus also spotted several beings next to the machines and operating them. But they were too far away to get a decent look. However, Optimus had a feeling that they transformers, just like him and Ratchet.

"Ratchet." Optimus asked. "Are you sure this isn't Cybertron?"

"I told you Optimus, that's impossible." Ratchet answered. "There's no way we could've backtracked to Cybertron that quickly. And Cybertron was almost devoid of life when we last left it. These beings, whoever they are, may be mining energon, but their drilling equipment is different from ours."

Optimus nodded. It did make sense when all of those facts were put together. And the machines they were using weren't Cybertronian design.

"I understand Ratchet." Optimus answered, looking back down towards the mine. "I just never thought…"

Ratchet said nothing, silently nodding in understanding. "Neither did I. But why have we never heard of another race just like us. And how did they stay hidden so long?"

Optimus considered these comments. He had no idea himself. But now was not the time to think of these things.

"Perhaps if we meet them, things will be a bit clearer."

Optimus and Ratchet had entered the energon mines through a crevice that sloped down into the heart of the mine. Optimus could tell it was a energon vein that had already been picked clean. He didn't know a large amount about energon mining, but the mining techniques of these native beings were similar to that of Cybertronian mining. It seemed that Cybertronians and these beings had a lot in common.

They continued their trek on foot. Optimus deduced that driving into the center of the mine in their alternate forms might make them appear hostile. That was the exact opposite of what they wanted.

"Do you really think that these natives will really be willing to help us, Optimus?" Ratchet asked.

"If my predictions are correct, then they are the same species as us. That alone will make negotiating much easier."

"But they're not Cybertronian, same race or not! They probably speak a different language for all we know!" Ratchet pointed out.

"We'll just have to do whatever we can, old friend." Optimus told him.

Before they could continue the conversation, they heard a noise in the distance. It certainly didn't sound like any sort of mining equipment. Optimus and Ratchet both stopped in their tracks, listening as the noise grew louder and louder. Optimus realized it was the sound of an car engine.

Ratchet looked ready for a confrontation, but Optimus held a hand towards him.

"At ease, my friend." He told him. "We must assure them we mean them no harm."

And so they waited, listening as the noise got closer. Sure enough, just as Optimus had expected, an automobile, one of alien design, sped up the slope towards them. Optimus and Ratchet waited for it to stop and transform, but it kept speeding towards them. Optimus had a strange feeling of distrust towards this alien vehicle.

He squinted, wondering what it was that was so strange about this vehicle. As he started, his eyes caught something peculiar on the front of the vehicle. His optics widened when he recognized it.

The symbol of the Decepticons.

Before either of them could react, the Decepticon sped past them. "Out of my way!" It spat before speeding off up the slope. Optimus stared after him, wondering to himself. What was a Decepticon doing on this planet?

Before he could think of anything else, the sound of more vehicles coming from the mines. Optimus and Ratchet turned back around. This time, it was several smaller mining vehicles coming towards them. This time, the vehicles stopped.

The mining vehicles transformed, changing into their robot forms. Optimus was surprised. While their alternate forms were different from Cybertonian vehicles, their robot modes were familiar.

The natives immediately had weapons trained on them, the familiar sound of cannons powering up filling the air around them. One stepped ahead of the others and motioned.

"Hands where I can see them." He snapped.

"Please, we don't want any trouble." Optimus explained. "We're not here to cause any harm."

"Right, and I'm not placing you under arrest." The miner retorted.

"For what!" Ratchet exclaimed. "We didn't do anything to you!"

"One, you're trespassing in a mine, which is a restricted area. And two, I doubt that Decepticon thief driving past you was a coincidence."

"We do not have any acquaintance with that Decepticon, nor have we ever seen him before." Optimus told them.

"Do you take us as idiots?" The miner growled. "We've seen your type too often to not know a collaborator when we see one. So shut up and do as you're told!"

"Collaborator! With a Decepticon! Now you listen-" A hand stopped the ranting medic in his tracks.

"Ratchet, calm yourself." Optimus said in a relaxed voice. "The only way to prove ourselves is to do as they say."

"Optimus, are you out of your mind!" Ratchet asked incredulously. "We can't just let them accuse us like this! It's absolutely outrageous!"

"I know how you feel, old friend." Optimus replied. "But to resist them would only support their claims. They will see we are telling the truth soon enough."

"I told you to stop talking!" The miner snarled. "This is your last chance! Do as I say or we're dragging you back in pieces!"

Ratchet looked to Optimus, a scowl etched on his face. But the medic reluctantly transformed, with Optimus following pursuit. The miner stepped aside, motioning with his cannon for them to continue down the slope and into the mine. The two Autobots drove ahead, led by two of the miners. Soon, the rest of their captors followed suit, taking up positions on all sides to block off their escape. This wasn't exactly how Optimus had expected things to go. But as long as they cooperated, they would get answers, and perhaps the help they sought after.

So, how'd I do? Good, Bad?

Anyway, the biggest fear I have with these stories is making the characters OoC. Especially Knockout…I know his personality, but I have trouble writing it for some reason…don't know why, but I do.

Anyway, please give me more motivation by leaving a review. (If you think I should continue, that is)