Six months later
"The Allspark fragment was stolen?"
Ironhide's engine revved in frustration, the other Autobots quickly following suit. Only the day before Galloway had stormed in, laid the troubles of their world solidly on the Autobot's shoulders and warned them that they could be asked to leave. And now, the Decepticons had managed to steal back the last shard of the Allspark. Optimus shuddered to think what they wanted it for.
Now the collective group rested in the hanger, speaking Cybertronian to keep their words from prying ears. They didn't have much time to decide on a plan – whatever the Decepticons were planning, it would happen soon, and they needed to earn the human's trust back.
"The situation is getting dire," Optimus said. "We need to remind them of what we have done, what we can do, for them."
"Well…we could consider giving them some of our advanced weaponry…" one of the Arcees began.
"Never!" Ratchet squawked. "We'll just damn the planet faster. I will leave before I condone such an act.
"Agreed" Optimus replied. "It will also put us in a poor position. If we give once, we will be expected to do so again. Sharing our technology is not an option."
"So what do you expect us to do?" Sideswipe butted in. "The Decepticons on earth have managed to shield themselves so we can't track them, and they didn't listen to you the first time."
"Why we even care?" Mudflap snapped. "Why we need the stupid humans anyway? We know how they work, lets just go on a permanent road trip and avoid them."
"Can't argue with that," Skids agreed.
"Because becoming fugitives is not how I pictured spending the rest of my life," another Arcee argued.
"There has to be another way."
"There is," Optimus stated. "Has anyone contacted Bumblebee lately?"
"I have," Ironhide replied grudgingly. "He's absolutely miserable – been playing weepy human ballads since he left Tranquility. He'll be here sometime tomorrow."
"Tell him to change course and head to the Princeton campus."
The entire group revved in confusion, before Ratchet put two and two together.
"Optimus, the boy already refused us once…"
"Back when the need was not great," Optimus replied. "Sam Witwicky could be our only hope. If I can convince him to speak for us, his words could remind the government of the trust we shared. Of the trust we still can share."
Ironhide sighed. "If you say so."
Optimus roared into life, heading out the giant doors, closely followed by his team. The soldiers let them go, knowing the Autobots enjoyed driving for long periods alone. They would contact them if they need help.
"Just got off the line with Bumblebee," Ironhide began when they were on the road. "He'll get there before us – just need to tell him where to meet and he'll drag the boy there"
"Drag?" Mudflap and Skids asked in union.
"Boy's probably be too happy about getting pulled out of college," Ironhide explained. "Especially since he just got there."
"We have no choice," Optimus mused. "If Sam cannot be convinced, then there may not be hope for us."
The Autobots picked up their pace, and headed east.
END