Author's Note

I just want to say thank you to Awesome for your kind words, whoever you are. Your many smiley faces put a smile on my face.

Here is the next chapter. Please review and after reading the end, suggestions on how I should go about it would be greatly appreciated. I think I might be hitting the dreaded writers wall soon, so some inspiration would be required to keep the story of Michael Rickers going.

Thank you.

Once again the sun rose over the Nevada town of Jasper, but today was Saturday so no child was going to school, if fact most children were still in bed having a lie in before they woke up to go out and play, hang out with friends or whatever that particular child tended to do on a weekend. However for Jack Miko and Raff, they were already up and about for their Autobot guardian had come round to collect them to bring to their base for their protection in case the Decepticons decide to capture them for the own sinister plans.

While at the base Michael had as well woken up early and was busy helping Ratchet maintain parts to the base. He was currently lying on his back with an air powered chipper, chipping away and the rust forming on the underside on the main energon line that led into the ground bridge. He was doing this because Ratchet simply couldn't get underneath the pipe due to his size, that and Michael wanted to do some physical labour after nearly two months of boring lectures in the Academy. While he did underneath, Ratchet was doing the topside. Before they had started Ratchet try to explain to Michael how to do the job, but Michael didn't listen. The one thing every deck cadet has to do on ship is learn to chip and paint, so this was no different so he just got to it, ignoring Ratchet totally.

He was wearing a facemask and goggles and for good reason to as his face was caked in flakes of rust, enough rust to make any cybertronian shudder. The children had arrived on base, Miko and Raff went straight to playing games while Jack went to see what Michael was up to. He walked down the corridor hearing the sound of metal being pounded at a ultra-quick speed. The sound resonated down the corridor and all Jack had to do was follow it till as it got louder and louder, till the sound was so loud he had to cover his ears. He rounded a corner and saw Ratchet on one knee, bending over the top of the large pipe with a gun like object in his hand. It was connected by a airline to a near air tap, pumping out pressurised air through to the tool which had many small nail repeatedly shooting back and fore as they chipped away the rust. Then he saw Michael's legs sticking out from beneath the pipe. He slowly stepped toward the two and as soon as Ratchet saw him he stopped the tool which greatly reduced the sound in the corridor. As soon as Michael heard Ratchet stop, he did as well to see why. He shuffled using his elbow for traction on the concrete going feet first as he had no room to turn over as his shoulders were much to wide.

As he crawled out he wanted an explanation "Hey Ratchet why'd you stop… oh" Only then did he spot Jack.

"Hi, how you doing?"

"Yeah good mate" He put his out to Jack to help him get up as his arms were slightly sore from holding up his chipper for half an hour constantly while fighting to hold it in place. Jack reached down and tried hard to lift the two hundred and fifty pound man off the floor but he managed to, but only just. Michael shook his head to remove the flakes of rust as a dog would to shake the water off its fur. He removed his facemask and goggles and breathed in the fresher air as in was sweaty and sweat had condensed on the inside of the mask, leaving a salty taste in his mouth.

"You got the time?" He asked.

"Yeah it's coming to nine"

"Ah great the game is about to start" He walked back towards the control room "Excuse me Ratchet, taking a break" He lied.

Jack went after him "What game?"

"Round three of the rugby union six nations, its England verses Wales today and I'm not about to miss it"

"Why?"

"Well first of all it's the most important rugby match for any Welshman and I put a bet on the game and if Wales win, I win a hundred quid"

"Hey, isn't rugby like football?" Jack asked.

"No, is American football like rugby?" Michael corrected. The two walked back together toward the main control room.

"Go Miko, Go!" Bulkhead chanted as he and Bumblebee watched Miko and Raff duke it out on the beloved racing game. Raff's car was shunted aside by Miko's who in turn sped off and won the race.

"Hey, no fair" Raff wined as Miko did a celebratory dance.

"Did you cheat again Miko!" Michael yelled as he and Jack entered the control room. They climbed the stairs toward the other two.

"Sorry guys, but enough of that game and time to watch another"

"Aww c'mon me and Miko were going to watch the highlight of the monster truck rally we went to last week" Bulkhead complained.

"Sorry Bulk, its England verses Wales, it's live and it's once a year. So I'm switching to the rugby and if you don't want to watch then go dune bashing or something, I'm not missing it" Michael grabbed the remote and switched till he found BBC one for the live coverage, and just in time to as in Twickenham stadium the England team were running onto the pitch before Welsh team did. Bulkhead decided to see what this rugby was like and if it was any good.

First the national anthems were played, the English national anthem 'God save the queen' which Michael didn't stand up for as it was being used in the context of English only. Then the Welsh national anthem 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' which translates to English as 'Old land of my fathers'. This time he stood up, hand on heart and sung along to the hundred or so old song made when Wales was finally making its independence.

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,

Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;

Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,

Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed

Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.

Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,

O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau

Everyone on the base had stopped to listen to Michael belt out that song. Michael may be British to the two Americans and the Japanese but for Michael he was truly Welsh in his heart, however he was born in the Falkland Islands but his entire family history resided in Wales.

"Was that welsh or gibberish?"

"Miko! Don't be so rude" Jack scolded her. Michael could only shake his head at the girl, he heard many jokes made against the Welsh, mostly by the English but he took Miko's joke as something of ignorance. He found that outside of the UK, Wales was largely unheard of but could ever understand why. They heard of Scotland and Northern Ireland but not Wales.

"Raff, Jack. What do you know of Wales?" He asked as he sat back down. The two boys shook their heads, they didn't know anything.

"Did you know that over fifty per cent of those who signed the American declaration of independence were of Welsh decent?" The two shook they heads but were surprised. They were taught about the declaration from early on, but never knew that.

"And did you know that the state of Pennsylvania was almost called New Wales?" The boys shook their heads.

"There is so much Welsh influence in your countries history you should really know it as there are crucial details in it"

"Well, I'll be sure to ask my history teacher on Monday" Jack said.

The game kicked off with Wales kicking to the English side, everybody around the TV went quiet to watch the game, Michael watched the screen intently. Elita came over to see, silently rooting for the Welsh side knowing what it meant to her charge.

Twenty three minutes into the game and England were awarded a penalty and took a free kick which went through the posts making the score three to England and nothing to Wales. Michael didn't like it but three points was next to nothing. But luckily Wales score three points minutes later which gave cause for Michael to celebrate. His mobile was starting to receive texts from his classmates, all of them Welsh jokes involving sheep.

The end of the first came and the score was nine to England, six to Wales and so far the playing had been spectacular, not much scoring but brilliant play.

The second half started and still everything to play for and the first try of the game had yet to come as all the points on the table were through penalties. At the forty fourth minute the Welsh number ten, Priestland was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes for tackling someone who didn't have the ball, but just did moment ago. This enraged Michael "What the hell? He couldn't have come out the tackle in that short of time, stupid ref!" He yelled at the screen as is would make any difference.

England took the penalty and scored another three points making it twelve, six to England. Michael wasn't happy sitting at the edge of his seat with his head resting on his hands, praying for a miracle. His were sort of answered as at the fifty second minute Wales was awarded a penalty. The Wales fly-half had to kick from nearly the middle of the pitch, an exceptionally long kick and it hit its mark almost dead centre bring the score to twelve points to nine with Wales trailing by three.

England pressed on the attack, keeping the ball in Welsh territory, but the Welsh defence held strong even when it was one man down. But the fifty sixth minute came and Priestland was released from the sin and now Wales was a full team again.

The game kept going with neither side relenting and still no new points until England again got another penalty in the sixty third minute but it was such a long kick that there number ten just couldn't get that ball through the posts which caused Michael to jump up and cheer at England's loss.

The seventy first minute came and Wales was award again a penalty because the England number seventeen put his hand in the ruck which a school boy error in rugby, Wales took the kick a the score was now even at twelve all. The game had only eight minutes to go and any side could win. Michael had Goosebumps had was slightly sweating in anticipation.

With five minutes to go, England made another mistake and Wales ripped the ball out of their hands quite literally and made a bee line for the try line with no England player to stop the inevitable.

Michael stood up from his "Go on! Go on! Go on! YEAAHHHHH!" He cheered out, startling Ratchet and Optimus as Wales made they first try of the game bringing them five points ahead of England and with an easy conservation they became it increased the cap by another two points bringing the score to twelve to England, nineteen to Wales and with only five minutes left on the clock, Wales were almost guaranteed victory. All they had to do was keep the score like that.

For the remaining minutes England attacked hard, as they wouldn't go down without a fight and the moment of truth came, with thirty second to go, England got a line out and quickly went into a maul as the clock ticked over eighty minutes, all Wales had to do was make the ball go dead and victory was theirs, but the maul kept creeping toward the try line and Michael was practically screeching at the TV. Everyone on base apart from Ratchet and Optimus were glued to the screen as the maul broke down and England passed the ball down the line and the far winger made a dive for the line. Only one Welsh defender got in the way as they crossed the line and as they hit the floor the roar from the crowd was monumental. The entire game came down to this moment. Unlike American football, the ball not only has to cross the line but it must touch the floor for a try to be awarded and with the sudden influx of players diving in, nobody could tell if it did. The referee blew the whistle and went to the video ref to see if it was a try. For two minutes the screen showed the possible try in slow motion from any angle and every one of them were inconclusive, did it touch the ground or not? Nobody was sure, Michael was willing to believe it didn't but other thought it did, Arcee was convinced it did. But only the video ref could say. Michael sat at the edge of his seat, was it a try or not? Would Wales win the Triple Crown in England for the first time ever? Only the video ref would say. The Autobots used their enhanced vision to try and work it out, but the picture quality couldn't enable them to conclude whether the ball touched down or not.

The video ref spoke to the main referee in his earpiece and said it was inconclusive instructed to give a no try. The ref blew three short whistles and splayed his hands out flat as if spreading some imaginary dough on an imaginary table, it was the signal for no side, which meant the ball went dead and the game was over and Wales had won. Michael jumped up and cheered, hugging Jack in euphoria. Not only had Wales won in Twickenham for the first time in years, they had also won the Triple Crown as they had already beaten Scotland and Ireland.

Once again his phone was going off as again his English friends were texting him, some of congratulation, some were rude but Michael didn't care, this year it was his turn to gloat seeing that England won last year and he never heard the end of it.

Michael saw how the kids thoroughly enjoyed watching the game he thought he would show them how to play. He rushed off back to his room to retrieve his rucksack. In his room at the side of his bed was the rucksack and in it was a rugby ball he had packed away because he hoped that the kids might want to play. He got it out and rushed back to the main control room.

"Jack, catch!" He yelled to him as he through it with a under arm throw at full speed, causing it to spin on its axis like a bullet does when it leaves the barrel of a gun. The ball hurled at Jack, giving barely enough time to react. He put his hands in front of him and the ball lodged itself in Jacks waiting hands. The force of the ball colliding with him, made him take a step back to regain his balance.

"Nice catch!" Michael yelled up. He ran up the stairs and quickly made his way to the three kids "So, you want to try a bit of rugby?"

"And get to tackle like that? Booya!" Miko shouted out, punching the air.

Jack and Raff agreed but as much enthusiasm as Miko. They followed Michael along with their guardians to the Autobot training room so they would have plenty of space to move around.

After a few minutes Michael had taught the three kids and the four holograms the basics of how to play rugby, or in this case touch rugby as it didn't involve full on tackles, because first they were new to the games and the floor was concrete not grass. The game isn't all that different to American Football, or should it be American football isn't all that different to rugby as rugby came first. The main difference was passing forward isn't allowed so the game become a proper team game so no one person can take all the glory. After a few short games everybody was really enjoying it and already two Autobots knew their best place in a rugby team, both Arcee and Bumblebee made excellent wingers. Bulkhead couldn't work out if he was a number eight or a prop. Michael was sure that Elita was a good fly-half. But the kids were still yet to work out they best position.

Michael was going to demonstrate a full on tackle with the aid of Bulkhead "Right, just keep the ball tucked under your arm and run at me and try do run me down" Michael instructed the large round, but muscular bold headed man standing roughly twenty meters away. Bulkhead did as told and pumped his legs hard. Everyone watched closely as the two approached each other. Michael hunched down at the last moment, causing his shoulder to collide with Bulkheads stomach as the two giant men slammed into each other. Michael sent the momentum upwards as he wrapped his arms around Bulkheads waist, lifting him clean off the floor and with only Michael's feet still in contact with the floor he pushed Bulkhead back as gravity started to work. Bulkhead hit the floor on his back with a dull thud, as Michael landed on top of him. The whole tackle lasted no more than a second.

Bulkhead grunted in pain "You ok?" Michael asked as he helped Bulkhead's hologram to his feet.

"Didn't think it would hurt that much"

"You should be lucky I didn't do a high tackle and go for the neck. That usually sends people off the pitch"

Miko came quickly to Bulkhead side "Bulky, are you are you alright"

"Fine, Miko. I've defiantly got to try that on a Con"

Back in the main control room an incoming call was coming in. Ratchet called for Optimus, assuming it would be Special Agent Fowler, checking up on them. "Optimus, we have an incoming call!"

Optimus came behind Ratchet, looking up at the screen. Ratchet pressed on the keypad and a window popped up on the screen. It wasn't Agent Fowler, it was Rear Admiral Collin Baines of the Royal Navy, Michael's former legal guardian.

"Yes, Admiral" Optimus answered.

"I tried to contact Michael on his mobile and at his house but I got no answer, is he with you?"

"Yes Admiral Baines, he is"

"I need to speak with him, it's rather urgent. Is this line secure?"

Ratchet answered "From everybody, but the Decepticons"

"Good enough"

Optimus called the others with their internal com links.

Back in the training room, the Autobots all quit what they were doing and listened to their leader speak to them.

Arcee addressed Michael "You have a call from Baines, and it's urgent" The Autobots disengaged their holograms and everyone made their way back to the main control room.

It took them only a minute for them to get to the control room. The Autobots surround around the computer and the four humans made their way up the stairs and across to stand in front of the Autobot sized keypad.

"Ah, Michael there you are, I've been trying to call you"

"Teaching the others rugby. You watch the game?"

"Yes I did and what a game it was. But that isn't why I called. I wouldn't waste the Autobots time if it were. I have something you need to hear"

On the screen everyone could see a piece of paper if was holding, and he was shaking while holding it. He had to put it down on his desk as he was trembling that much.

"Michael you have been summoned by the Home Office to be put before a tribunal in result to recent events"

"What?" Michael was stunned, everyone was. "Because of what happened in December?"

"No, not just that. Everything. They want to ask you about everything you have done in the last four years"

Michael didn't see this happening. He went silent, his mouth went dry and his face went pale and started to tremble where he stood. Everyone else didn't understand.

"But why? I've done nothing wrong"

"I'm sorry Michael but the Home Secretary did ask you to retrieve that stolen file, but you went ahead and destroyed it instead and they want you to answer for your actions. Michael they have tried to find a way of bringing you down for a while now and you have given them the ammunition to now do it"

Baines looked at the piece of paper. "Michael you are to face this tribunal in three weeks' time at the Home Office in London, and it doesn't look good. You've been playing a game of chess with these people and that one mistake you did has given them a big advantage and I fear they are about to call check mate. It's not just the things you've done with the Autobots, it's everything prior to that and I mean everything. They want your head. It says here you will answer to the charges of multiple counts of criminal damage, fraud, treason and worst of all… murder. Michael, they're trying to do you for murder for Christ sake!"

Michael found his legs were unsteady, overwhelmed with shock. He grabbed a chair and sit down before he collapsed to the floor. This was it for him. He knew this day would come but he always hoped it would be years down the line.

"Michael, you will have to attend because if you don't, then they will go ahead without you, and If you are found guilty… it will go public. It will be on all the front pages not just here but around the world. The UK using a nineteen year old as an unofficial government assassin. You know the government will deny that. You killed the president of a banana republic. You'll become public enemy number one, worse than a terrorist. Michael, I've already started to put together a case for you, but don't expect any miracles. I was your legal guardian before and I protected you back then, I'm going to do so again. I am so sorry"

Michael was still in the chair, his hand out in front of him somewhere shaking and was looking out aimlessly as his brain just couldn't take it all in. He tried to mumble something, but all that came out was gibberish. The Autobots could only watch as Michael fell apart, he looked nothing like he had before. They saw him as a strong confident man, but now there was a frightened little boy who didn't know what to do.

"Michael?" Optimus asked gently. He didn't reply, he slowly got to his feet and slowly made his way to the lift on the verge of crying, overwhelmed with emotion. The doors hissed open and he staggered in and he leaned on the side of the lift cage as the doors thumped shut.

The base became utterly silent, all were in shock and even Optimus was too shocked to know what to do. The kids began to break down knowing that this might be the end for Michael. Their guardians would have tended to them but they too were extremely upset. Elita finally gave in to the grief and collapsed to the floor, knowing that she could no longer protect the one in her charge, who she saw as an adopted son.

Optimus noticed that Ratchet had frozen on the spot as well. One of their team was going to be taken away and they all felt it badly.

"Admiral" Optimus tried to find the word, he never felt so much spark ache since the loss of Cliffjumper "What is the worst case scenario?"

"For the count of treason they are using… it's the only crime left in British law that can be punishable by death. But if that was so, we would take it to the European courts of humans rights. After that it is life imprisonment, where he would spend the rest of his days behind bars till he'd die" The old Rear Admiral said gravely.

"What is the likelihood that he will be convicted?"

"Truthfully, he might as well start saying his goodbyes. Optimus, I will do everything that I can to make sure that doesn't happen, Michael does have friends in Whitehall and has done great favours for them and I intend to get them onside. We won't go out without a fight. I am deeply sorry to have brought this onto you. Where is Elita?"

Elita looked up at the screen "We will get through this, whatever happens. I know you care for him as much as I do" He told her. He cut the line on his end. What started as a nice day turned into the worst day for everyone. Ratchet was still too shocked to completely close the link. He just stared at the lift where Michael went into.

On the top of the mountain, Michael tried to march around as a way of bringing back confidence into himself. But it was no use. He collapsed onto the floor and cried his heart out. He had done everything for his country even when he didn't want to. It was all thrust upon him and he had no choice but to accept it. He gave up the chance for a normal life because people like him didn't get one. He spent years always trying to run away from it but they always reeled him in with the bait of good money as he couldn't find a job prior to joining the merchant navy. He did as he was instructed to do, but the first time he took matters into his own hands, they hit back at him, threatening to throw him into the long grass as an unwanted piece in their plans. He hated his life, now more than ever. He risked his life not just for the UK, or for NATO but the entire world and this is how they repay him, put him before a tribunal to be sent to prison forever. He carried on crying, curling up on the floor as the walls came tumbling down on him as his conscious, logical side of his mind caved in.

Optimus had helped his beloved to her feet and brought her with him up the industrial sized lift to the top of the mountain. What they saw when they got up there was a sight each would never forget, Michael had completely disintegrated, curled up on the floor, crying and mumbling incoherent words to which even Michael didn't understand. Elita rushed over to him and picked him up off the floor and cradled him in her arms. She carried him to the cliff side and she sat down and held him close to comfort him, right now Michael needed Elita to be strong for him. Optimus sat down to Elita side, where he rarely betrayed his emotions it was fully clear what he was thinking, helpless. There was nothing that he could do now to save Michael. The cogs in his brain were working and he quickly worked out that this whole incident had been carefully orchestrated by someone who had an unfathomable hatred to Michael. Whatever their end game is, it is heading there. He reached around Elita pulling her toward him so both Elita and Michael were in his embrace.

Michael saw Optimus and asked a question "Optimus, what do I do? I don't know what to do"

But for Optimus it was the first time in a very long time, didn't know what to do.