SecDef Keller pinched the bridge of his nose, then took a long swallow from his Bourbon.

Starscream was back. Barricade was MIA. Nick MacKenzie was alive and still with the Autobots. Optimus Prime had informed him of the situation of what had happened outside Las Vegas in the desert. Barricade had saved a human being, had fled later on, and was now on the run. Whether MacKenzie knew where he was or not, it didn't matter. Starscream was the bigger problem.

Optimus had told them they were looking for him and Keller had placed his own commands, especially alerting Airbases. He couldn't outright tell them he was looking for an alien robot in the disguise of an F-22, but he could have them looking for glitches and anomalies.

And that was hoping Starscream didn't transscan another aerial machine and stop off their radar completely…

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Michael had thought long and hard about actually going to the Autobot base to meet the extraterrestrial visitors in person. Kitt had been in regular contact with Karr and his partner was actually quite looking forward to it. Michael wasn't so sure. And when he drove into the former Airforce Base, a strange nervousness settled in his stomach. He knew he wouldn't be here if Nick had thought it to be dangerous. Still…

Michael inhaled deeply. He couldn't squelch the feelings.

//I trust Nick. And I trust Karr// Kitt told him. //And he kind of trusts them//

//Kind of?// Michael teased.

Kitt chuckled. //You know Karr//

That he did. Karr placed his full trust only in two people: his driver and partner Nick, and Kitt.

Passing by abandoned buildings, they rolled slowly over the old concrete toward the main hangar that had once housed the Airforce fighters. It was a construction of concrete and steel, old but not in any state of disrepair, and the massive entrance doors were partially closed. The opening was wide enough for Kitt to easily pass through.

The welcome committee were two men in military outfit, unarmed, one of them smiling, and Nick himself. His friend was casually dressed and looked relaxed. Sunglasses perched on his nose and he was smiling at Michael.

Knight got out of the car.

"Hi," one of the soldiers greeted him. "I'm Captain Will Lennox. I'm in charge of the human military team here." He shook Michael's hand. "Welcome to the Autobot base. This is my second, Sergeant Robert Epps."

The other man nodded once.

Michael looked around the cavernous room. It didn't look like much. It was mostly empty from what he could see, but there was another set of huge sliding doors that blocked his view into the very back.

Nick was smirking a little. "Don't judge the outside before looking in," he only said.

Michael grimaced. There was a soft rumbling noise, like a powerful engine, and Knight warily watched a large Peterbilt drive closer. It was quite colorful, red and blue, with flame designs, and the polished chrome glinted in the little sunlight filtering through the windows high above.

"Michael, meet Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots."

What happened next was hard to describe and it involved a great deal of shifting parts and astonishing changes, but that paled in light of the gigantic robot gazing down at him.

Michael knew he was gaping. And he didn't even feel embarrassed about it.

The mechanoid knelt down. Michael guessed he had to be over twenty-five feet tall, and while the face was alien, it had human characteristics. It helped, he thought faintly. But the rest was threatening to short-circuit his mind.

Strangely, Kitt wasn't all that shocked at all. It was either the fact that he was a machine as well, or that he had assimilated the information from Karr a lot better. He was curious, fascinated, and slightly excited.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Michael Knight."

"Uh, thanks," he stuttered. "Likewise."

Good gawd! Nothing, nothing at all in the world, could have prepared him for this.

"I extend my greetings to you, too, Kitt," Prime added, looking at the black TransAm.

"Thank you," Kitt replied calmly. "I was looking forward to meeting you."

"As we were interested in getting to know you. These are my men," Prime went on, gesturing at the approaching vehicles, which transformed in turn.

Michael tried to keep himself from stepping back as he looked at the assembled robots. It was mind-numbing. They were all incredibly huge.

"You'll get used to it," Lennox told him in a stage-whisper.

Michael grimaced briefly.

The one introduced as Ratchet eyed Kitt curiously. "I read about the new model developed by Wilton Knight. I'm pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," Kitt answered. "Karr has told me about you."

Optimus stepped aside in a clear gesture of an invitation and when Nick gave Michael an encouraging and reassuring nod, Knight followed the military commander deeper into the base. Kitt rolled after him.

//We'll be fine// he sent, convinced.

Michael hoped so. Because this was clearly out of their league. Out of anyone's league.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Kitt had rolled out of the hangar, following Karr, while their drivers remained inside. There was too much to talk about for the humans and the Autobots. While Ratchet wanted to know more about Kitt, that interview had been postponed. Mostly because Karr had intervened.

"He's nosy," Karr growled.

"He has the right to be. We are just as curious about them."

The Stealth stopped and Kitt parked beside him.

"You don't have to protect me, Karr."

That got him icy silence.

"I can defend myself," Kitt went on.
"Not against them. They are a much higher class and order of machine life. They could invade our minds and delete us, not to mention their physical strength."

Kitt detected a shiver coming through the private channel and he moved closer to his older brother.

"They won't," he said softly but with conviction.

"They, maybe. But the Decepticons would. If they can't use us, they will terminate us."

"Is Barricade a danger to you and Nick?" the lighter AI queried.

Karr snorted. "No. By hurting Nick or me he would hurt himself. He won't endanger himself."

Silence descended between them and Kitt studied the darker form of his brother. Karr wasn't happy about the Autobots knowing about Kitt, but he had bowed to Kitt's decision.

"Karr?"

"Yes?"

"Show me."

Karr shifted uneasily. Kitt waited. Finally the Stealth transformed and Kitt recorded every second of the morphing process. It looked smooth and elegant and the result was amazing. Yellow-amber eyes looked down at the TransAm, then Karr lowered himself into a sitting position.

//Incredible// Kitt whispered through the link. //Just incredible//

Karr raised one hand and turned the wrist, looking at it. //You get used to it//

Kitt rolled forward, his prow touching the black-armored legs. //You are still the same// he said, picking up the tiny slivers of doubt that kept persisting in Karr. //Nothing will ever change that//

A barely perceptible smile played over Karr's human features. //This only sets us even more apart//

//No! We are not what we appear on the outside, Karr. We are this…// And Kitt flowed closer. //We're AIs. Our physical shape is of no consequence//

Karr didn't reply, just touched the TransAm with one finger, drawing it gently over the MBS-protected skin.

//This makes a difference. For me.//

//For now// Kitt corrected. //We just have to get used to it.//

Karr transformed and Kitt pushed his fender gently into his brothers. They sat silently together, physically as close as possible, in the world of their CPUs almost merging.

Things were different now. A lot different. But Kitt believed it was an obstacle they could work through.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Michael had taken the coffee offered by Epps outside and was watching the two black cars not far away. He hadn't seen Karr in his bipedal mode, but he had felt Kitt's amazement. His partner had sent him an image of what he had seen and Michael was both impressed and slightly awestruck. Who wouldn't be? Karr wasn't as big as Optimus or Ironhide, but he was… big.

Nick joined him, carrying his own mug. Michael shot his friend a look.

"You want to stay here," he stated.

Nick nodded. It was the same he had told Michael weeks ago throughout their first meeting.

"Bonnie said to tell you she misses you."

He smiled. "Thanks. It wasn't an easy step, Michael, never doubt that. And I'll be around. If you and Kitt need anything, let me know. The warehouse is yours, the back-up and support is yours."

"Nick…"

"FLAG never employed me and you are now free agents, too. Nothing binds you to the Foundation but your own sense of loyalty."

"I know."

Michael sipped at his coffee. John Landes had given him the ownership papers just two months before Nick had killed Nash. It had been a day to celebrate and it had been the best moment of his life. Kitt belonged to him now, legally, on paper, and was no longer bound to the Foundation.

"I'm not going to disappear," Nick said softly, eyes intent.

Michael met the cool blue gaze. "I hope so."

That got him a little laugh. "Michael, I'm bound to an AI that is linked to the one that is bound to you. Do you really think it's possible for me to ever leave?"

He didn't say it, but Michael thought it. If Nick set his mind to something, he could make it possible. But would he really leave them? Would he have Karr cut all ties to his younger brother? He doubted it. Nick had learned to be human in the past decades or more.

MacKenzie suddenly smiled. "You corrupted me. You and Kitt. Karr and I changed because of you."

"In a good way," Michael added quietly.

The blue eyes gazed at the horizon. "Yes. I didn't believe it, but it was for the better. I wouldn't be here today and neither would Karr."

Michael didn't say anything. Whatever he wanted to say, it would be wrong.

"My life was different. Now it has changed again. I can't go back to either existence now. I never want to go back to being a ghost of the government, but I also can't go back to working as I have before."

"I understand. And I hope you know you'll have friends, Nick. Always will."

It got him an uncharacteristically soft smile. "Yes, I know. It took a while, but that fact has settled."

"Good. What about Barricade?" Michael wanted to know after a while.

The thought of an alien robot linked to Nick had him slightly freaked. Especially since that particular robot was also the bad guy.

"He will always have the connection. I can feel he's alive, but he won't harm me."

"Sure?"

"As sure as I was of the fact that Karr would never harm Kitt through their private channel."

Michael rubbed his tired eyes. His view of the world had changed profoundly and all the implications hadn't really settled yet.

"I hope you're right."

"I hope so too."

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Barricade stayed lost. There wasn't a blip of him and while Nick knew he was alive because of the connection he had to him, the Decepticon didn't try to contact him, or even acknowledged his existence. There were no reports on a police cruiser endangering anyone or creating havoc somewhere, and while Ironhide and Bumblebee actively looked for the fugitive, they couldn't pick up a single blip.

Sam started college in Mission City a week later. Bumblebee was with him, guarding him even more closely now that Starscream was back and Barricade had disappeared. Nick had decided to stay at the Autobot base until his welcome ran out. It also gave Ratchet the opportunity to keep monitoring the implant's development. So far, Nick had felt no averse effects, aside from a growing stamina and strength. He could run double miles than before without breaking into a sweat. Ratchet suspected that was due to the implant-suffused muscles.

More tests would follow. The medic was in test heaven.

Nick worked a few jobs here or there. Optimus never asked where he went when he left, but Nick was convinced Prime knew what he was doing. The cases helped him deal with what had happened and they brought some normalcy back into their lives.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Nick had left Karr in the side street. He needed to stretch his legs, let his thoughts wander. It was best done when aimlessly going through streets, across empty lots and through green parks. Nick never got lost, always aware where he was walking. So he wasn't really that surprised to end up in the empty yard of an abandoned transport company.

And strangely enough he wasn't even that much surprised to note a rather familiar shape between old container boxers and scrap metal. Black and white, police written on the doors, lights dark, the Saleen Mustang didn't look any different than the last time he had seen Barricade.

The engine came to life and the Decepticon moved forward, faster than would have been recommended at such a short distance, considering braking distances.

Nick didn't move.

"You look the same," he remarked casually.

The black prow with its reinforced bumper was almost touching his shins when Barricade stopped and the empty driver's seat should be unnerving, but Nick had faced down Karr too often to be freaked at this little tidbit. There wasn't a spec of dirt on the Saleen and the soft rumble of the engine spoke of tamed power.

"You're still around them," Barricade growled. "Already the good little Autobot?" he taunted.

"I'm human," Nick answered casually. "You should know by now."

"I'm painfully aware of it."

"What do you want?"

The Mustang rumbled.

"You followed me," Nick stated.

"I have no reason to."

"Neither have I a reason to look for you. Still, here you are. I don't believe in coincidence."

"Why are you still with them?" Barricade demanded.

"I have my reasons."

"They can teach you nothing, human."

"And you can?"

Barricade laughed darkly. "More than you'd believe."

Nick gazed at the Saleen. "This doesn't help me with Ironhide's claim that you'll try to sway me to the Decepticon side one day. Ironhide's already convinced you can spy on them through me."

The deep chuckle was malicious. "Now wouldn't that be fun."

"For the whole second it would take me to sever the link," Nick said coldly.

The engine revved again, sounding nervous and angry in one.

"I see you still flash your colors brightly," MacKenzie remarked.

The Decepticon symbol was hard to miss on the black flanks, as was 'to punish and enslave'. Barricade rumbled uneasily.

"Starscream will kill you the next time he sees you. And I doubt any of your old friends want to be close to a Decepticon who has bonded with a human."

Another rumble and the hard metal touched Nick's shins now, not pushing but there.

"I will never join the Autobots!"

"I'm not asking you to. You live your life as you see fit. Just don't go around getting yourself scrapped because it's my head that's on the line, too," Nick said levelly. "I don't care who you hate and how much. Do whatever you want, but don't get killed."

Chilling laughter could be heard. "I'm not suicidal, human."

"You were when you logged on to me."

The engine revved once more. Nick stood his ground.

"Not by choice!" Barricade hissed.

"Then I hope your future choices will consider this link."

The next moment Barricade transformed. As complicated as the morphing process was, it was quick and smooth.

Nick stood transfixed in front of the large Decepticon, staring into the red optics. Barricade was massive, a lot broader than Karr, a lot more threatening in his bipedal mode. Claw-like fingers with taloned ends reached out and carefully touched the much smaller human, one finger tip resting against Nick's chest.

"I will not hurt you," Barricade said, voice as rough and dark as always. "Because I need you."

"I'm not you tool."

"A tool would be useful."

Nick smiled coldly. "I'm useful to you."

Optics flared and the frightening face leaned even closer. "You are," came the rough whisper. "And you could be more. There is a lot inside you, changed and formed by the Allspark. You can feel it, can't you? I can, and I'm just peripherally linked to the implant. The hybrid can feel it, too."

Nick didn't flinch, but he felt a shiver race through him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The smile was terrible. "Don't deceive yourself with lies, Nick MacKenzie. You detected Starscream, felt his presence."

Nick tried to school his features. He had so far been lucky that the whole matter of how he had known to get out of the casino in time had apparently been ignored or forgotten.

"The implant is a weapon," the Decepticon told him. "Your weapon. It changed you and it will so in the future."

"What do you know?" Nick asked, voice rough.

Another smile. "Only what I felt. You're no longer just any human."

Nick smirked. "I'm the one you can't kill."

That got him dark laughter. "Yes. For now I will lay low, wait and see. I might never be able to serve the Decepticons again, but I won't trust a single Autobot with my spark either."

"You already did. Ratchet fixed you."

"Because he is compassionate and weak."

Nick chuckled without humor. "Preferable to cold-hearted and cruel."

A chilling smile. "It takes a like-minded being to know what that means, doesn't it, Nick MacKenzie?"

Barricade leaned over him, optics bright red. Nick felt Karr almost suffocating him through the link. He had told him to stay back, not interfere, and Karr was getting more frantic by the second.

"You are a very unique human, Nick. You have my respect and my loyalty, the only one of your kind."

With that he straightened and transformed again.

"Keep out of trouble," Nick only said.

He gazed at the black hood that was in front of him, his knees and shins against the fender.

"I'm a Decepticon. I don't make promises."

He smiled. Yeah. Right.

Reversing out of the alley, Barricade disappeared around the corner. Nick stayed where he was until Karr approached, probing carefully.

"I'm fine," he answered automatically.

"The guts!" Karr growled, furious.

"Now we know he's back to normal."

Karr snorted, clicking his door open for Nick to get in. His driver sat down on the leather seats, looking thoughtful.

//Nick?//

//Just thinking// He shrugged.

"He's a Decepticon. He's trying to manipulate you," Karr insisted. "Nothing is changing for you. And even if there will be in the future, you don't need him."

He nodded. "I'm not going to look for him, Karr. This isn't just about us, partner. Kitt and Michael are in danger should he ever discover them."

Karr rumbled uneasily, protective instincts flaring. Barricade didn't have the access to the implant that Karr had, and with it to Nick, and Karr would make sure there would be no change in that. His partner would be safe from the Decepticon, and so would his brother.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Not far away, Barricade was watching the human and the hybrid. His mind was tracking the reassuring pulses of the human. There was much to Nick that he yet didn't know, but Barricade was nothing if not tenacious.

Things would change. For him, for Nick, for the hybrid machine he was bonded to. Barricade had no medical knowledge on humans and Cybertronians; he was a warrior. But he knew that Nick MacKenzie was no longer human in many regards. Mainly physical. His body had been altered, was still changing, and he was realizing powers he still denied.

He smiled to himself.

Their future would be an interesting one.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

All stories must come to an end. Thank you to all who read the fic and commented, or just read and liked it. :) It was my first venture into the TF movie world after not writing TF (as well as the KR AU) for so many years. I can't promise a sequel. The Imperfections series is taking up a lot of time right now and still going very strong (serious Barricade problem here... really serious...)