On the EDC-space station orbiting Earth Marissa's shift was over. As she made her way to her quarters she looked through a digital report of the day.

When she finally set foot in her own private space she stretched her arms above her head. Slowly she took off her uniform to get ready for a nice hot shower. Walking towards the bathroom she looked out of one of the small windows in her quarters. She took some time to gaze at the stars. That always relaxed her after a long and busy day.

In the corner of her eye she noticed a strange shimmering. She narrowed her eyes and pressed her forehead against the thick glass to get a better look.

"What's that?" she mumbled. "Some Decepticon vessel…?"

As she looked around into the darkness around the space station she only saw the stars as they were supposed to be… and no strange shimmering.

"Probably nothing," she shrugged her shoulders. "It's been a long day. Time for a long hot shower."

While she went into the small bathroom and turned on the water the dark Azori'jin cruiser passed the station. It's sensors never picked it up and so nobody was alerted to the coming threat.


On Earth on a remote location in the Great Basin (North America) the Constructicons had built a small base in one of the mountain ranges that were spread out over the Basin separated by valleys.

"Mighty Galvatron!" Rumble came running into the base, towards his leader, followed by Laserbeak who soared passed him to land on Galvatron's shoulder.

He looked up from watching the Constructicons as they built their latest invention. "I sure hope you've got a good reason to come all the way here to bother me!"

"Oh yeah," Rumble smirked. "Rodimus Prime is having one of his dips again…" he grinned. "He's out on his own, blowing off some steam on the Bonneville Salt Flats not too far from here!"

"The Autobot leader…" a malicious grin formed on his face and his red eyes lit up. "I could use the exercise." He levitated himself from the metal ground and took off towards the exit of the small base, followed by Rumble and Laserbeak.


"Let's see how long it's gonna take for Galvatron to show up." Rodimus said

I sat lazily in my seat, my feet on the dashboard again, just the way I liked it.

"Unless he has something better to do - which I seriously doubt – I'd expect him to show any time now. He seems to really have it in for you."

"Hey babe, of course he does," he put a dramatic touch to voice, "I'm the Autobot leader, his worst enemy!"

I grinned.

"Buckle up, we're going to blow of some steam!" he said as he speeded up.

The sudden increase of speed pushed me back into my seat even before I could grab for my seatbelt.

"Hey, look who's joining in on the game.." A small screen on his dashboard showed a little red Decepticon logo on a green grid in a black background gaining on our position.

"I bet that's him!" He picked up some more speed to make it look real.

And it was Galvatron! Rodimus could only just avoid a powerful blast from Galvatron's canon. It blasted a huge hole in the salty ground.

"I've got you now, Autobot!" Galvatron screamed at Rodimus as he passed him and touched down in front of him. The ground shook as his feet slammed down on the salty plane.

Rodimus hit the breaks, his trailer skid to the side – followed by a growing cloud of dust - and he slid with high velocity towards Galvatron who – in his turn - had to jump up to avoid getting hit by the flamed trailer.

Back on the ground, Galvatron transformed to his canon-mode aiming at his enemy.

Rodimus didn't move, he just stood there as the dust cloud slowly faded… he didn't even transform to his robot mode.

"Aren't you gonna flee, Autobot?" Galvatron mocked him as the barrel of his canon lit up, preparing to fire. "Have you sunk so low that you crave to die at the canon of your superior enemy?!"

"Hmm… nah, not really," Rodimus said with a grin.

I focused on his mind to transform him back to robot-mode and paralyze him so he fell to the ground powerless and unconscious. He lay motionless on his back on the salty plane. The whirling cloud of salt-dust – caused by his fall – slowly faded around him.

"You really didn't need me to do that, did you?" Rodimus asked me as I got out and he transformed.

"No… not really, but I do need you here so you know I'm helping him. And the Autobots, of course. I couldn't do something like this behind your back, you now," I told him while transforming to my organic metal self and grew myself large again.

He gave me a reassured smile. With his arm around my waist he pulled me closer and pressed a kiss on my lips. "Thanks, I appreciate that."

With flushed cheeks – he could still make me do that – I kissed him back.

Even though Galvatron couldn't move or hear or see anything, his presence made him feel a bit uncomfortable. Rodimus looked down on him. "Are you sure he's out?"

"Positive." I knelt down next to his head and as I did Rumble and Laserbeak landed beside me.

"IEW!! That was awfully mushy." Rumble smirked.

Laserbeak let out an agreeing shriek.

"Do you think we could get busy on Galvatron now," Rumble said. "And I mean on his brain."

I gave him a mean look. "You're just jealous!"

He glanced at Rodimus who was about ready to kick him in the can. "Nah, I don't fancy him at all…"

My eyes narrowed and he started to feel that tingling feeling in his circuits. "Alright, just kiddin'!"

Rodimus lowered his foot. But if he was gonna be playing the joker again, he was gonna get it right in the can.

"Well, let's have a look than…" I said and put my hands on both sides of Galvatron's head.

Using my mind I searched the circuits in his brain for damages or loose connections… or loose screws…

"Can you find anything?" Rumble wanted to know.

"Ssssh!" was my only response. I was still probing his brain and could not be distracted.

Impatiently Rumble started to tap his foot on the salty plane, crossed his arms and tapped his fingers on his arm. I didn't notice it, my consciousness was deep within Galvatron's brain, searching for any kind of damage.

When I finally opened my eyes I put my hands on two spots on the sides of his head. "Right there," I said. "That's where several circuits are fried. And not by me."

"He probably fried them himself! Does that mean you can't fix it?" Rumble demanded to know.

"Of course not. I can fix him just fine." The palms of my hands lit up with the soft golden light. I pinpointed my regeneration beam exactly on the damaged circuits and slowly they regained their original form.

"Okay, that should do it." The golden light faded and I got up. "Shall I put him online again?"

"Are you sure THAT is a good idea?" Rumble freaked. "He's gonna know you did something when he sees you!"

"Maybe I should transform again while you all get out of here and let me deal with him," Rodimus suggested. "Alyx, put Galvatron back in his canon mode in front of me, just where he was when you paralyzed him. That way he'll never know anything happened."

Rumble agreed to that immediately. "Great plan! Let's go Laserbeak!"

So back to the same scenario where we ended the battle, I put Galvatron 'back online'. I watched from my hiding place behind the rocks at a near mountain range.

"Die, Autobot!" was the first thing out of his mouth as he fired his canon at Rodimus.

But Rodimus had already started transforming and jumped out of his way. "I'm not gonna die without a good fight, Galvatron!"

Rumble and Laserbeak landed beside me.

"If he really improves, we owe you one," Rumble said, backed up by Laserbeak.

"He will. Keep me informed, okay?"

He nodded and took off again, followed by Laserbeak.

I looked back towards the fight… or at least, I expected to see a fight… To my surprise they both had aimed their guns right at me!

Before I could really figure out what that was all about they fired their weapons and shattered the rock I was hiding behind. I was glad I was still in my organic metal form, or the pieces of rock flying around would have seriously hurt me.

I focused on his mind on theirs to find out what was going on in. It only took me a few seconds to find out why they were shooting at me… or actually who MADE them shoot at me…

TAKEHIKO!! He was near…

I felt my heart sink all the way down to my toes and on it's way down it must have skipped some heartbeats… Now I clearly sensed his presence!

Takehiko had a hold on Rodimus and Galvatron, I sensed him in their circuits. He used them against me.

My minds power was way stronger than Takehiko's - that was about my only advantage against him - so I used all of my power to drive him right out of both their bodies before he decided to fry them.

Than I quickly transformed to my eagle form – still organic metal – to get to Rodimus and Galvatron as quickly as possible.

Somewhat dazed they looked at each other.

"What kind of Autobot trickery are you using on me, Rodimus Prime?!" Galvatron demanded an explanation.

"Hey, I wasn't exactly myself either!" Rodimus looked around to find me.

"Get out of here, now!" I transformed to my organic metal self as I landed in front of them.

Rodimus saw the fear in my eyes and quickly got to his feet.

"It's Takehiko," I said. "Go, NOW! Before he uses you against me again!"

"I'm not running from any…" Galvatron started.

"He's an Azori'jin, like me, only bigger, stronger and meaner! He was just controlling you and he can do it again! Or he can just destroy your circuits in the blink of an eye!" I told him. "And don't think he'll stop when he's done with me. He loathes mechanical life forms, he will stop at nothing to wipe you all out."

Galvatron took to the sky and disappeared in no time. He remembered what I had done to him on the space station and he wasn't gonna wait around for some even more powerful Azori'jin to show up.

"Is there nothing I can do against him?" Rodimus wanted to know as he grabbed my arms.

"I told you there isn't…" I told him with a hanging head. My fingers touched the bright flames on his chest and then I remembered something. I looked up to him. "He can't sense your spark. If he doesn't see you, he doesn't know you're there. That is your only advantage." I pushed him away from me. "Now GO!"

Rodimus transformed and took off as quickly as he could towards the other Autobots. He needed their help to come up with a plan to take out Takehiko.

"Need backup?" Ultra Magnus contacted him. "We are ready to charge!"

"NO! Do NOT get into sight! Takehiko has arrived on the scene! He can't sense our presence so if he doesn't see us, he won't know we're here! We have to figure out a way to help Alyx. FAST."

"We could shoot him?" Springer suggested.

"If you have the opportunity to do so, shoot him!" Rodimus said.

Octane – in Boeing 767 mode – came soaring real low over the salt flats. Takehiko and his two henchmen jumped down from within him, transformed as flying lizards they soared down to the ground where they transformed to their own organic metal selves.

"Darn, there goes the opportunity to just shoot them!" Springer growled.

They landed right before me. I formed an energy blast between my hands and took a fighting stance.

Octane transformed and landed behind Takehiko and his men.

"Why all the hostility, my dear?" Takehiko asked me friendly. "Are you not glad to see me again?" His voice might sound friendly but it gave me the shivers and his eyes had a gaze that was as cold as ice.

Now how was I gonna get out of this nasty situation??