A/N olleh! its been a while, i figured i'd wait till the newest episode came out before i uploaded this it was awesome btw sad about bulkhead though :'( now this is just a theory but i think the next episode is Arcee telling miko a story about her and cliffjumper, might be that might not be just saying my opinion ;D

anyway i hope this chapter turned out well it was a hard one to work on i checked over it at least fifth-teen times :S

Tunnel Vision/Triangulation/Triage/Toxicity

Perhaps during this scavenger hunt i can tag along, with the star saber of course but there was one problem, the vault was shut tight and it wasn't letting me in, what the hell? A chance to be useful on the field and i can't get in, time to complain to the manager.

"Seriously? Locking up the vault? Now? Maybe he forgot to leave it open to all applicants when he took the spark extractor out...but knowing dad he may be Luke warm to the idea of me wielding such a weapon...that seems to be the more likely idea." i pondered with a cupped hand under my chin.

I yawned as i entered the room, perhaps the thought of what lies ahead and what we've just been through has made me weary in my head, but i won't complain.

The others were all grouped together no doubt discussing which autobot goes to which co-ordinates though the distinct sound of miko's voice rung through my ears, i bet she's trying to convince dad to let her go, no chance.

"Miko and jack will accompany Arcee and Bumblebee." I heard dad say, wait what? Did i just miss out on a vote or something; is that how they got to go? "Initiate transport and triangulate co-ordinates of the other three relics."

"That was some trick miko." Followed Bulkheads voice.

Though feeling invisible i made my way to the others as usual, i still can't get my head around that, i can't even go on a scouting mission without a strong argument to back up my case.

"You mean swiping Intel from right under Megatrons nose? Just doing my part for team prime." Miko then replied, the conversations went over my head at this point.

I put myself in the same walking distance as miko and jack as they both ran past me "see ya Ellen, defend the base while we're gone." jack said as he got onto Arcee...For jack and miko to throw themselves into the cause though, i should really be feeling glad of their contribution but i kind of feel a little lost.

I feel as though I've had to be there for them, from the beginning. But they've been able to find their own feet, without me. So what is my place here? The odd job? I guess so since i set myself random tasks to try and compete, but whatever i should be content with that...still a big mission like this...i can find a relic just pair me up with someone and it'll be a much easier task.

Then a horn was made as miko ran past me resulting in a confused spin, "oh! Gotta go bulk, I'll tell ya all about it when we get back." She said. "Wait up!" she called to bumblebee, jack and Arcee.

"Take care of her bee." Bulkhead said.

"Take care of him miko." Raf said he and bulkhead speaking over each other.

"Bulkhead, prepare for departure." Dad said going straight into the next set of co-ordinates.

"You are headed for the equator." Ratchet confirmed.

"I'll prep for tropical weather, wrecker style." Bulkhead said going into a fighting stance.

Confused and dazed i decided to sit down on the stairs, with my head in my palm, everyone seemed to have a fixed objective and they all knew there place, i guess i'm just having a bad day i shouldn't be feeling like this normally.

"Raphael, Ellen and Agent fowler will be your communications and transportation hub." Dad said, oh i'm communications now huh? I guess he said that so not to leave me out, well it will only be raf and agent fowler i'm afraid.

"I can has cheeseburger!" fowler exclaimed at his bedside, normally i would find that humorous...

"Communications huh?" bulkhead said slightly unconvinced that fowler will be contributing.

"Be on your guard bulkhead." Dad said as bulkhead went through the groundbridge. "Raphael lock onto the remaining co-ordinates, i will embark for the Antarctic." He told raf as he then turned to ratchet "as for you old friend, i would prefer that you have company on your mission." He said to him, i lightly lifted my head to some sort of hope.

"No one is left to join me Optimus." Ratchet commented looking to his left and right. "Even if agent fowler were alert..." he started as he glanced towards fowler's position.

Fowler groaned and lifted his head slightly with a finger in the air. "Urgh, whosawasarrr" he said before falling back to his pillow.

"He's human." Ratchet finished, urgh helloooooooo, i may be human too but i am definitely a candidate, am i invisible or something? And how come jack and miko got to go on one of these missions and i can't? I'm sorry for sounding so immature but i can help it, even if i don't have my sword my tracking skills can come in handy especially if they were in combat with the decepticons i can slip in, grab the relic and go.

"I was considering the only remaining autobot alternative on this planet." Dad said hinting.

"b-but y-you can't be serious, wheeljack is insubordinate, a Roughyin. Besides he's bulkheads partner." Ratchet argued with a bewildered expression.

"You're expertise is scientific, but wheeljack is a highly capable warrior you would be wise to welcome the temporary alliance." Dad said as ratchet nipped the bridge of his nose and groaned.

"Highly capable warrior..." i said under my breath...what's missing, what am i missing?

Raf had activated the groundbridge for dad, i stood up and looked at the co-ordinates on screen, i could go to any of these locations, I'd hate to do a miko but time is of the essence here, though it seems dad knew of my intentions, "do not attempt to follow any of us." He said sternly before going through the groundbridge, that was not what i wanted to hear especially from him, this was definitely going to be a bad day.

I looked at raf as he tapped in the co-ordinates for ratchet, then i looked to fowler who was out for the count but no doubt he'll come around eventually, i looked at the co-ordinates that were on screen again.

"Hmmm, Manhattan? No, two's company, three's a crowd." I thought as i glanced to next set of co-ordinates and etcetera. "Bulkhead's location perhaps? Uhhhh no a bit too hot for my liking. Dad's location? Nope too cold as well...hmm ratchets location? Wheeljack and ratchet? Yeah that can work." Raf had already set up ratchets co-ordinates as the groundbridge opened, while raf was focused on the computer and ratchet was steadily making his way through, i followed myself staying close to his legs, urgh i feel like a parasite.

On the other side i continued to stay close behind ratchet as we approached wheeljack and his ship the jack hammer.

"The boss thought you needed back up huh?" wheeljack greeted with.

"If you must know Optimus feels strongly that you require supervision." Ratchet argued.

As ratchet trailed on further and wheel jack followed his movements i slipped around to the back of the ship.

"I'll be sure to be on my best behaviour, doc." Wheeljack assured, their voices were slightly echoed as i had put myself against the jack hammer.

"Please don't call me doc" i heard ratchet moan.

"Whatever you say, sunshine." Wheeljack instead said.

Ratchet groaned loudly as wheeljack opened the back entrance allowing me to slip inside, knowing i would have to be found anyway due to the fact i need to be seated before the jack hammer went at a high speed i let myself climb up onto the arms of the seats. I lay myself back in a comfortable position for when i was to be discovered i like to make an entrance...i can be somewhat of a poser heh.

"Let's just find the relic quickly." I heard ratchet say his voice coming from behind the chair.

"Sure thing, make yourself at home." Wheeljack said as he took his seat and glanced my way and smiled "well, didn't except to see you here."

"What?" ratchet said peering his head around the chair, "Ellen!? For primus sake why do you only do this to me!?" ratchet groaned slapping a hand over his face in defeat.

Wheeljack had already closed the door and begun to take off from the ground, "wheeljack! We can't take off we have to groundbridge her back." Ratchet said slightly panicked.

"No time, the decepticons could have gotten there by now and i don't like to come second place, sit down." He told ratchet as he winked at me.

Ratchet pinched the bridge of his nose as he groaned yet again, then he swiped a hold of me and forced me to sit in his lap, "oh come on man seriously?" i groaned giving ratchet a gross look, the thought of sitting in ratchets lap was slightly disturbing.

"If i have to suffer then you can too." Ratchet said, okay now he's redeemed himself for it was out of grumpiness that i sit in his lap.

"So, all of team primes busy hunting down these four iacon relics?" wheeljack said.

"The four which are currently in play." Ratchet confirmed.

"There's more?" Wheeljack asked.

"Megatron maintains possession of the entire iacon database, we have yet to learn how many more relics or decepticon weapons of mass destruction it contains." Ratchet said.

"No worries doc, i got your back." Wheeljack said.

Ratchet tightened both his hands into fists as he vented his frustration, "my name is not doc! And i do not require anyone watching my back!" ratchet said. "I proved my metal during the war for cybertron." He argued, i swayed slightly as he had a sudden outburst of movement.

"Then i'm lucky you're along for the ride champ." Wheeljack said in a warning voice. "Cos we got a bogey on our tail." He informed us as a blue ripple appeared on screen to confirm this.

"Soundwave!" ratchet confirmed.

"Megatrons communications chief?" wheeljack said.

"He must be tracking the same co-ordinates." Ratchet theorised, Wheeljack braked hard as i propelled forward onto the floor, i think i got whiplash.

"You might wanna grab onto something." Wheeljack said as the ship speeded up, i felt like i was being pulled at as i scraped my fingernails into the floor to keep myself from being splattered all over the ship.

"are you trying to send us to the scrap yard?!" ratchet yelled, as wheeljack then turned the ship upside down i became airborne and headed for a smack down into the ceiling, ratchet grabbed a hold of me before that could happen, i tried to look up at him, the pressure was trying to push my head down, but as we did look upon each other we both had worried expressions wheeljack wasn't what you called a 'safe' driver.

Wheeljack had now opened fire upon soundwave who was now in front of us. What occurred now was a lot of swaying and loops as i felt motion sickness coming on, "arh man, i'm not feeling great." I said slightly heaving.

"What's that?!" wheeljack exclaimed, though i didn't look i merely focused on the floor to keep my mind of the nausea, I've never got nauseous like this before.

"Soundwaves surveillance drone laser beak." Ratchet confirmed.

I'd glance for about a second to see what was in our view; Wheeljack pursued them both until soundwave changed course, but wheeljack pursued laserbeak instead.

"Wheeljack maintain pursuit, soundwave is merely using the drone to distract us." Ratchet said

"I welcome a good distraction." Wheeljack said confidently, as he speeded up, oh no please don't! "The hunter becomes the hunted." Wheeljack added.

I can't hold it! "Bleurgh!" i threw up over the side of the chair.

"This is no time to be hot dogging!" Ratchet said as he nursed my back.

Wheeljack didn't really reply to any of ratchets pleas, but eventually laserbeak seemingly gave up and flew off out of sight.

"He's gone, now we can go find sound..." ratchet started before wheeljack turned very strongly to the left suddenly, "wavewhoa whoa!" ratchet yelled, as i groaned.

The altitude kept changing rapidly as wheeljack zigged zagged, flipped and spun as we approached a rocky Cliffside that came towards us it seemed in moments, "Argh!" ratchet yelled as i felt myself falling very ill again, "urgh..." i groaned. We flew upwards scaling the cliff instead of hitting into it just scratching the top of it as we were now over the cliff.

"What are you doing?!" ratchet demanded as wheeljack went at full speed head on towards laserbeak as he did the same firing consistently upon one another, "wheeljack?" ratchet said really hoping he didn't intend to do what we were thinking, "wheeljacccccccccccck!"

Laserbeak flew over us instead but wheeljack was all for this chase now and fired upon laser beak once more as finally he shot out one of his wings, "choke on that con!" wheeljack said triumphantly standing up from his chair and raising up a fist.

"You did it!" ratchet exclaimed equally excited for his triumph.

"Urgh..." i groaned again.

Laserbeak plummeted but not without taken us down too, he shot aimlessly as he spun to the ground and the random shot hit Wheeljack's ship, the ship expressed a series of beeping's as wheeljack lost control of his ship.

Upon our plummeting to the ground, i was thrown to the back of the ship the force was too much to fight against and so i smacked against the wall, "not again." I vented as i was now pressed to the floor, my poor back has been through so much abuse lately...b-but one thing's for s-sure...i like oranges!

Ratchet's POV

That was the worst ride i had ever endured! "Wheeljack you reckless..." i started to scold but he stopped me by raising a hand to my face, of all the nerve!

"Perhaps you should stop complaining and check Ellen." He said motioning to the back of the ship.

Of course, i couldn't reach her my reactions weren't quick enough; the disadvantages of aging can be costly scrap! I stumbled out of my seat, primus forbid wheeljack from ever flying again, i made my way to Ellen who was face down on the floor, i prayed that she was okay although not fallen at light speed it was a good amount of speed and can cause fatal damage to any human none the less.

I carefully turned her on her back as i picked her up, i lay her in the chair i once sat on as i scanned her...surprisingly there wasn't a scratch on her, odd. I brought my gaze upon wheeljack, "so?" he said.

"She's fine." I sighed.

"Good, now let's go get that shy con." He announced striving out of the ship.

"But what about..." i started motioning my arms to Ellen.

"She'll be fine in here the jackhammer is more safe then that human base your staying at." He said.

Though i growled slightly i followed him, looking upon Ellen once more before exiting the ship.

Ellen POV

I opened my eyes a crack...they gone?

I wasn't unconscious, i just took the opportunity to get them to think that so i can sneak out and find that relic, mainly because i worry that ratchet and wheeljack may be too preoccupied on...there clashing personalities, but I'd thought I'd lend them a hand in being the third wheel.

I slided off the seat as i crept towards the exit, peaking around the corner as the two of them were rambling on about a bird and a grenade or something. I whipped out my energy signal detector turning it on it made a series of beeping. I slipped around the back of the ship as i ran behind their view.

I looked behind running out of sight, the two were now gathered around something but their backs were facing me so i was in the clear. "Signal weak...the relics about 10 minutes away if i run." I said as i now looked ahead of me, allot of open ground was to be covered.

I came across an earth formed bridge that lay just past the ledge of which i stood upon, the drop was about ten metres down...i can make that hopefully if i barrel role just before contact with the ground. I didn't give myself a run up merely pencil dropped down; upon impact i had gained a few scuffs nothing to worry about.

I stood up as i brushed myself down the signal started beep louder and faster and by distance was only a few metres ahead i checked my surroundings for soundwave or laser beak or any other decepticon for that matter as megatron seemed to have more in quantity then anything else, I've never encountered soundwave before though, well not up close and personal anyway, his silence defiantly gives me a good impression well a good impression of a decepticon...unlike starscream who i lost all respect for the moment he opened his mouth, but still a genuine threat nonetheless.

Even though soundwave is shrouded in mystery, he is very loyal to megatron never once having second thoughts of his leadership, he has never failed megatron once when undertaking missions well that was according to his profile anyway, he was quick and precise in his fighting style much like his communications purpose.

Finally upon a certain spot the tracker went into a fit of beeping, "found it." I announced as it was under my feet, "gotta dig huh?" i said as i got on my hands and knees and begun digging like a dog.

Every now and then i would look behind me like meerkat on look out before continuing to dig, i had dug about twelve inches of dirt before my nails started to scrape against a metal coating, bingo.

Brushing off the dirt i came in view of a metal casket with a handled lid, i turned it at an angle as steam briefly exited from within, lifting the lid off i came in view of a weapon of some kind i picked it up, in my arms it was the size of a shotgun, it was slick looking in appearance and was a dark shade of purple, "wonder what it does?" i said to myself,

"~~~" a sound of static could be heard just as i said that, and weird as it is, it sounded like it was answering my question.

But before turning i felt myself being squeezed as i was hoisted into the air just as quickly, what i saw now was my own reflection staring back from the visor of soundwave, i tried to struggle out of his tentacle grasp as i couldn't breathe, my arms were restrained as well so i couldn't use this new found weapon.

With a spare tentacle he hovered it over me as he loosened his grip on me slightly for him to take hold of my arm, he then lightly took the weapon from me as he observed it, he stared at me seconds later, and it was a very eerie stare...cold.

"what?" i said as he just stared...and stared, he then flipped the weapon around and pointed it in my direction, then he activated it as a sharp pain rang through my ears, "arrrrgh!" i screamed as he dropped me, i held my ears as they bled, eyes shut tight and saliva fell from my mouth involuntary. It was a brief attack but agonising, soundwave brushed me off as being nothing and even more so that he hadn't finished me what followed now as i lay there still in the same position was silence...silence? I looked around as i winced still recovering, soundwave and wheeljack were fighting...when did he? What? What's going on? Why can't i hear anything?!

"I'm deaf!" i announced, as i held my ears again, no, no, no! Please i can't be deaf!

Wheeljack and soundwave had both fell from up top down to the ground as they continued to fight over the relic, i dragged myself to the edge as i watched on though i couldn't focus on it my deafness was too big a panic...oh god i hope it's not permanent...okay calm down, it could just be temporary.

It was weird when you block out sound normally you can still hear something but i can't hear anything...I've never known anything like it...but with my hearing lost my other senses seem to work overtime like I've noticed vibrations more i can feel the tremors through the ground from wheeljack and soundwave's clashing, i looked down as wheeljack was being exposed to the same weapon i had just been exposed to and he was holding himself like i was before, i looked around for a way down and with wheeljack down soundwave moved in for the kill.

"Wheeljack!" i yelled, then soundwave looked up, at me with that same cold stare before and then for some reason he instead transformed and flew out of there.

I was calling Wheeljack's name, but he was so far down i couldn't tell if he was conscious or not screw this i'm gonna scale that wall, i leapt at that Cliffside wall and i scaled down the wall nails gripped into the walls as i slid down it, fingers bleeding but my hearing was gone a few muscle exposed fingers can heal. I was so angry now mainly from panic at that point if i had broken my hip i wouldn't care.

"Wheeljack." I called as i hoisted myself onto his chest. I got a view of his face as his optics opened; i'm no good with lip reading especially when his lip movement was small... "Oh i can't hear you." I said frustrated squinting my eyes slightly, he still continued to talk as i got worried, "I'll contact ratchet." I told him as i pressed against my jacket looking for my phone or my wireless headset.

But i gasped as a large hand was placed on my shoulder, in response i spun around and swiped at whatever was behind me.

It was ratchet and he had a confused expression on his face as he put out two hands in surrender, "i-i'm sorry ratchet." I said in embarrassment.

I read his mouth very carefully, "I called...from behind...why...me?" i made out.

"I...can't...hear." i said performing a number of sign language even though ratchet could probably hear me okay.

I jumped down from wheeljack as i motioned ratchet to worry about him first, though on cue wheeljack sat up and held his head trying to convince us he was okay, i shook my head and bared my teeth slightly as i was completely in the dark now i can't understand anyone, there speech was too fast to keep up argh! I screwed up and instead of getting the relic i managed to get myself deafened by soundwave!

Ratchet then turned to me as he mouthed something, i frowned in concentration. "Check...you...base...don't...worry...fine?" i tried to repeat, though i lowered my head...ashamed what if jack, miko and raf found out? Or dad? I can't let them find out but how do i hide it?

"Ratchet...don't tell the others until i know i can recover from this." I said to him.

Ratchet shook his head wildly, "won't...be...permanent...I'll...dig...deep...into...human...anatomy...solution." i translated as he placed a hand on my head...nice make me feel even more insignificant but i know he's only trying to comfort me.

They both then transformed as i limply got into ratchet, the drive was silent...literally, this is a very different situation for me...lost limbs, broken limbs, sickness, near death statuses...but never have i lost one of my main senses...i felt scared sure the hard of hearing can get hearing aids but this could be permanent damage to my hearing...something that cant be healed that's what scares me.

I let a tear slide as i thought more into it, all that time i try to dedicate to helping the others and i become a burden then anything else...even if i could train myself to boost my other senses that could take months, maybe years.

Well i can't think about it now, there are still the relics to be concerned with...I'll just have to deal with it.

Ratchet opened his door for me as we came to a stop, i got out as they both transformed they were now having a conversation between themselves, and by the look of there body language they weren't arguing, then ratchet turned to me as he pointed behind me...a groundbridge had been opened for us...i couldn't even hear the loudness of the ground bridge, i nodded to ratchet, i turned and i slumped my shoulders and moped my way through, ratchet was beside me as i looked at his expression it went from casual to pleased...huh? I turned around briefly to see if wheeljack had done something...argh! I missed something crucial!

On the other side, was base i saw raf approach the railings as he frantically motioned ratchet his way, i looked up to the three computer screens that scrolled through a huge file of cybertronian writing i think...what is that? Whatever it is ratchet and rafs faces lit up...though that quickly seized as they both turned in fowler's direction with bewildered looks on their faces?

I placed my hands over my head, come on, come on! Go back to normal already! I pleaded, and then all of a sudden i felt a great shake under my feet looking to my side was bulkhead! His sudden form made me jump.

And by the looks of things he's been shot in the back! I turned to the others who were all frozen with shock; i approached bulkheads still body, his back was smoking where he'd been shot. "Bulkhead?" i spoke as i spun my head to the others again, "don't freeze up ratchet, help him!" i practically screamed at him.

This was definitely a bad day...

A/N man i massively nervous about this job interview that's coming up in a couple of days, and i get massively nervous about the slightest thing that's just how i am ^^;

anyway the next chapter i'm unsure of, not sure whether to put ellen in with miko...see if i did i dont think i'd have her stay in the ship with miko i'd have her fighting but i dont really want steal miko's thunder ^^; so i'm a bit puzzled i'll leave the decision with you guys :)