16
"Soundwave!" Megatron roared, "Do you have the location of any energon deposits yet?"
"I am working on it, Lord Megatron," Soundwave droned. "There is a small spike in this area. On Earth they call it….Kentucky."
Megatron came up behind Soundwave and scanned the computer screen. "Excellent," he mused. "I'll go myself, and I will take Sideways along."
The small black and grey 'con stood up and bowed. "Thank you, Lord Megatron. It will be an honor to serve by your side."
"Cut the formalities, Sideways," Megatron growled. "We have more important things to do."
"What are we doing, Lord Megatron?" Sideways asked. He transformed and blasted out of the ship with Megatron. Sideways hit the ground hard and kept rolling, while Megatron kept to the sky.
"We are heading to Kentucky to pull some energon from a mine. We'll need as much as we can get. The more we have, the less the Autobots will have against us."
"Brilliant!" Sideways exclaimed.
"Of course it is," Megatron said. "We'll hopefully be there shortly."
"Hang a left here," Nick said, grabbing onto the seat as Optimus swerved dangerously. In the side view mirror he could see the trailer on the back turn dangerously, and a high-pitched screech pierced his eardrums. Finally, the huge semi was straightened out on the road.
"Do you really have to give directions at such short notice?" Optimus asked. "I'm not the most maneuverable vehicle, if you haven't noticed."
"Sorry, Prime," Nick ran a hand through his hair. "That was just as terrifying to me as it was to you."
"It's uncomfortable," Prime said blandly. "I've been through much worse. That kind of stuff is terrifying."
"Okay then…it was much more terrifying to me. I won't do it again."
Optimus seemed to approve and was silent. Nick stared into the distance trying to find their new base. Kiara, Heather, and Bruce were behind the huge semi in Prowl, Arcee, and Ironhide respectively. Finally, a large metal structure came into view. It was jutting out of the side of a mountain, and looked fairly secluded.
"Autobots, welcome to your new home," Nick said as he jumped out of a parked Optimus. The Autobot leader transformed, and the other 'bots followed suit.
"A secret government base in the middle of nowhere. How convenient," Heather huffed.
"It's always like that," Kiara rolled her eyes.
"But this is one government base we're allowed in, right?" Bruce turned to Nick.
"Yes, yes, and yes," Nick said, flinching a little at the last agreement.
"Thank you, Agent Nick," Optimus said. "I can assure you we won't blow this one up."
"I took all the precautions necessary so it won't," Nick told them. "It's cloaked, nearly invisible to satellites and planes, and has a pretty good security system. Not that you need it."
"Will we be able to work in it?" Ratchet asked.
"As much as the last one and more," Nick assured them. "Shall we take the grand tour?"
The new Autobot base had five underground floors and a ground floor. There was an elevator big enough to carry Optimus Prime and Bulkhead, together. There was a main room when you came in, and then a hall that lead into more rooms at each floor. The number of rooms depended on the level. The Autobots went down in the elevator a few at a time, and then the next group would go. Nick would lead the first group on a tour, and the others would follow. The base was amazing. Optimus and Ratchet began to plan out what would be on each floor as they toured.
Ground floor would be the garage and Ratchet's scrap yard. That's where the kids and Nick would come in, unless the Autobots opened a ground bridge for them. This would be Level 0 for any visitors to the base. Decepticons coming to the base to help out (highly unlikely) would go through the ground bridge.
Level 1 would be the hanger for spaceships, aircraft and their repairs. There was a spot on the ground outside that opened and allowed aircraft in. Mirage flew and lowered his spaceship into the hanger so that Ratchet could repair it. At least its engine still worked. This would also be where Strike would come into the base since his wingspan would not allow him into the garage.
Level 2 would be the stasis floor and the gaming area. Here the humans could play video games and the Autobots their more destructive games. They would be in no danger of breaking any of Ratchet's 'toys' and plenty of room for rough-housing. The rooms would also be where the Autobots could take stasis naps if they wished, or where Ratchet could send them if they were too annoying.
Level 3 was the hub of activity. Here, Ratchet had his computer, a stable ground bridge transport, and a place to hang out for the humans and Autobots. Humans could easily talk to Autobots while they worked, and Optimus could deal out missions for them. Humans could also come in through the ground bridge after school if they wanted.
Level 4 was simply the place where the energon generator was and the other heavy equipment. Level 5 didn't have a definite use yet, but would probably be the place for secret experiments or technology. The Cube might even be stored there if they could find it.
Optimus Prime knelt down to Nick's level, "Thank you. This will be perfect for our operations."
"I'm glad," Nick smiled. "I hope it will last longer than the other one."
"Now, about the Allspark…"
"Oh! The Allspark, duh. Right," Nick rubbed his hand together. "Prepare for a long drive, everyone. We're headed to Area 51."
Megatron was cruising above the skies of Kentucky. He was quite enjoying himself, and would even more the moment he found the energon mine. Sideways was keeping pace far below him. Below him the land was devoid of human life, except for a stone building rapidly approaching them. It was surrounded by high walls, guard towers, and armed soldiers with guns. Megatron had to smile to himself. Do they think I'm an amateur?
A human voice crackled over his radio system, and it didn't sound happy to see him. "This is a restricted air base. Either land nearby or turn around and continue on your way. Do you understand me?"
I understand you perfectly. I just don't agree with you. You have something I want, and nothing can stand in my way.
"Please respond or we will be forced to shoot you out of the air."
These humans don't know me very well, do they?
Megatron tilted his nose down towards the human's base. He saw the fleshlings scattering and felt bullets pelting his armor. It warmed his circuits to be able to crush them like the bugs they were.
Before he hit the ground, Megatron swerved upwards and transformed. He landed squarely in the middle of the yard, shedding bullets like raindrops. Many stopped shooting, and he easily cast aside the humans in his way. Sideways would cover his back.
Megatron ripped the roof off the stone building easily. Inside, he hoped to find a raw energon deposit. He put his claw into the miniscule building and fished around. He brought it back out, and cried out in disgust. In his hand lay a bunch of glittering yellow bricks. He crushed them easily into an amorphous mass and dropped it back into the building.
"Gold," Megatron roared, remembering the human's name for the useless yellow substance. Humans liked for its supposed value, but the only thing it would be good for with any Cybertronian was for conducting electricity. Even that had more alternayes that did a better job.
"Please step away from the building," a human boomed over a megaphone.
Megatron turned and came close to the human's face, "Or what?"
The human was shaking terribly, and dropped the cone in its hand. "Please?" it squeaked.
Megatron laughed and cast the human aside. "Sideways," he rumbled, "get back to base. This was a wasted trip." The silver 'con saluted, transformed, and burst out of the gates. Megatron picked up the amorphous yellow mass, transformed, and took to the sky. It might have some use after all.