Chapter 21

Hangar E…

The autobots had assembled after retrieving equipment and supplies from Ultra Magnus's ship and placing them inside the new base. The military hangar was not the biggest of accommodation but it served their needs just fine. After arriving the Autobots had just spent an hour talking to and admiring Optimus and his upgrades. Their leader was also very pleased at seeing his team again and that they were all fine. There were just some members missing though, but they would be arriving shortly.

Standing facing the raised platform on which June Darby and Agent Fowler were standing on Ultra Magnus put a finger to his ear as his comm link activated.

"Ultra Magnus, we are standing by to bridge to your location." Came Ratchets voice.

"Copy that." Confirmed Magnus.

Upon hearing Magnus Bumblebee emitted a few short beeps and whirs. "Indeed, Bumblebee." Said Optimus. "It will be good to see our young friends again."

But the commander was not finished on his comm link. A few seconds he signed off with a look of puzzlement on his face.

"What is it, Commander?" enquired Arcee.

"Ratchet informed me that they will not be arriving alone. Apparently there is someone else travelling with them."

Ultra Magnus looked to Optimus and was shocked to find a look of approval at what he had just heard on his face.

"Sir," he enquired. "Do you know who this person is?"

"I do, Ultra Magnus." Optimus replied. "His name is Alex."

The Nemesis…

"My Liege, are you truly telling us that you got this ridiculous idea from a human?" asked Starscream, shocked at what he had just heard.

Shockwave, Knock Out, Soundwave and himself had been called to the bridge an hour after Megatron's return. The decepticon leader had immediately presented the idea to his chief science officer but still needed to explain the details of it to him as well as what he had learnt on his trip. Despite Shockwave's advice to take it easy Megatron had retreated to the brig for some solitude. Now though the three decepticons stood in front of their master with his back turned towards them, taking in what they had just been told.

"Not just a human, Starscream." Said Megatron as he looked at the clouds through the front observation panel. "A smart and dangerous human." He turned round to face them. "Shockwave, has Soundwave briefed you on the boy and his abilities?"

"He has, Lord Megatron." Confirmed Shockwave. "However I find it difficult to understand how you were not able to secure him upon arrival, thus avoiding our current situation regarding him."

"Argh," growled Megatron. "Unfortunately he was quick to make contact with the autobots upon entering our reality, thus securing temporary safety. Another factor being that the dimensional bridge had deposited him in proximity to the Autobots former base, a mistake partially of my doing."

"Forgive me my liege, but if what you say is correct, this 'Alex' will try to distance himself from the Autobots." Knock Out offered. "I mean, you did act as if you didn't get this idea from him."

"True, Knock Out. But I doubt the Autobots will allow him, not when they now know that he knows the future." Replied Megatron. "But more worryingly, because he did give me this idea his theory of any action he takes not affecting future outcomes is proven true, therefore even if we do manage to complete this…'Project Predacon,' there is the threat of it not being successful. I say this as it is clearly evident that though Alex speaks of not intervening, any action he takes is in some way beneficial to the Autobot cause."

"It would make sense," commented Starscream. "He is human after all, and we have made it clear that we want to conquer this planet."

"Indeed it is logical." Shockwave agreed. "But what are our current orders concerning the boy?"

"If encountered, approach with caution." Stated Megatron.

"Seriously, my lord? Caution?" frowned Knock Out.

Megatron turned his back to them again. "He is not to be underestimated. He has had time to master his ability, and he is not afraid to retaliate. Furthermore, pay close attention to what he says. He is bound to make mistakes with what he reveals and explains." Megatron smirked. "Before I departed, he openly threatened me." The smirk morphed into a snarl. "I vow that he will not live to realize the mistake of doing such."

The other four decepticons turned to look at each other with faces of concern. They all knew what their leader was capable of if provoked. And while they may have only read up on the human's profile, it was clearly evident he did not value his life. However Knock Out and Starscream found it slightly impressive that a mere human, albeit a supposed intelligent and abnormal human, had stood up to Megatron in such a way. To Shockwave and Soundwave, that action was just simply deemed illogical.

Megatron turned back to his officers. "Now then. Tell me, Shockwave. What is required to initiate predacon cloning procedures? Do we require anything specialized?"

"All of the equipment needed for the process can be found onboard, my liege." Replied the scientist. "However we will require the key element. Predacon CNA."

"And where exactly will we be able to find fresh CNA of beasts?" Smirked Starscream.

"As we only require one strand, it would be logical to extract it from their endomatter." Said Shockwave turning to the seeker.

"From remains on Cybertron?" enquired Megatron.

"No, my lord." Said Shockwave. "It would be logical and easier to extract it from predacon remains here on Earth."

The Harbinger…

"Right. Do we have everything we need?" asked Alex somewhat cheerfully.

He was standing with backpack in hand as he watched Ratchet and the three kids load up their arms with cables, drivers, levers and an assortment of other things.

"I think so." Said Raf as he precariously balanced a drive over some looped cabling on his arms.

"Here, let me help." Said Alex as he strode over to the young boy and plucked the driver from the top.

Jack and Miko looked on as Ratchet typed in sets of coordinates. "You're not afraid of how our bots are going to react when you walk through the groundbridge? You don't know what will happen. Do you?" asked Jack with a sharp frown on his face.

"Activating groundbridge." Said Ratchet as he pulled down a switch. In front of the wall just behind Alex a swirling green portal crackled and sparked into existence. Alex looked round to look at it for a few seconds before turning back to the others. He grinned slightly.

"You're right, Jack." He said. "I have absolutely no clue what's going to happen next. But do you know what I think?" He started walking backwards towards and into the emerald vortex. "I think that when I go through this groundbridge…"

Hangar E…

"…I'm going to come out the other side," continued Alex as he appeared from the portal in the military base still walking backwards. "And find three, maybe four Autobots pointing their guns at me."

He turned slowly and sure enough he found himself staring up at the gun barrels and frowning faces of Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Ultra Magnus.

Alex's eyebrows lifted with surprise. "Commander, you don't even know who I am. Why are YOU pointing a gun?"

To be continued…