Author's Notes: Oops! Late by a few days. Well, like the old saying says, better late than never! My job has me working seven days straight and I have been a few steps away from almost dead! But no matter my egregious lack of rest! Chapter 5 is here! Starting off strong with a short flash back, some bots of whom are no longer with our heroes in the realm of the living… But does that make their perspective any less important?

I'm also still working on fixing the first instalment of this semi series, Words Unspoken in order to make them connect a bit more cohesively. But that is still a work in progress. I'll keep you all posted on how that goes!

Thanks for all the love and comments! When I am not a fail boat of a person I try to respond to all of them, even if it takes me weeks! Please follow and fav, leave some written love, and of course, enjoy!

The Pits of Kaon were no less dark and grimy then they usually were, even when packed to the makeshift rafters with screaming fans. The flickering lights hot enough to warp metal were blaring down onto the Energon soaked battlefield. It amplified the gore of the two bots clashing in the center, so even the patron with the worst seat could feel like they were a part of the action.

But Ravage was above all of that, both figuratively, and quite literally. He was perched in the high rafters above the searing lights. Yellow optics narrowed and his tail twitching with anxiety. He had no reason to worry. Master Soundwave had basically already won, again. His doomed opponent just hadn't come to terms with that reality yet, stubbornly flailing and failing to land a strike against the swifter bot.

But he was still nervous and was trying hard to suppress it. Master Soundwave didn't need his misplaced worry leaking into his corner of the Bond right now. Not while he was busy ducking out of the path of a swinging spiked mace.

Wings fluttered in through a small crack in the ground that was the Pits of Kaon's roofing. Movement in his keen peripheral vision made his snout plating twitch in acknowledgment, but he didn't look away from the battle. If he couldn't contribute to the fight, as he usually would have in any other situation, he could at least provide his Master with his aerial perspective.

'Master is winning,' Ravage commented silently between them. Not like his companion didn't have optics to see that for himself.

'Was that ever up for debate?' Laserbeak chirped a laugh. He perched next to Ravage and gazed down. They both were silent for a few beats more. In that time, Their Master had slipped behind the strike of the larger bot in the arena and relieved him of his servo. The crowd went mad with Energon thirsty delight.

'That one is out of Master's weight class,' Laserbeak observed, though sounded less anxious than Ravage felt.

Ravage just nodded once, 'The last two were also. It appears to be a test to scare our Master off.'

Ravage felt Laserbeak roll his optics, 'So, then it is a waste of all our time? Because our Master does not subscribe to fear.'

'Not this time,' Ravage uncrossed his frontal peds to point a claw down. In the shadows of one of the arena's tunnels, where new fighters emerged or dead ones were carted out in pieces, now stood a stoic figure. Servos crossed and watching with glaring red optics.

'Megatronus!' Laserbeak in-vented a gasp. Then he quickly tried to suppress that wave of excitement and stress before Ravage could shoot a glower his way. There was no way Master Soundwave hadn't felt that. 'Sorry… But this is good news, is it not? Master Soundwave finally has the leader of this organization's attention. Mission accomplished.'

'I can't read his expression…' Ravage huffed in place of celebrating as his fellow Minicon and Bondmate was. 'I snuck closer to him earlier… His magnetic field was too close to his frame, I couldn't read that either.'

'Is that why you're nervous?' Laserbeak assumed, but then started rambling before Ravage could offer a proper reply, 'If so, you should stop that. You'll distract our Master. And you also worry too much. Three matches won without a hitch, Master will impress the gladiator. He has already impressed everybot else. I assume Megatronus' field is pulled close because he is scared to take on our Master later down the road.'

'Megatronus has ignored Master Soundwave until this point,' Ravage pointed out, 'He judged him based on his connection to the Council.'

'A connection which he severed,' Laserbeak reminded him.

"And then Boss burned the bridge behind him for good measure!"

Ravage's pointed audio receptors twitched as they were assaulted by the loud voice even audible over the roar of the crowd. Rumble climbed down from the same crack Laserbeak had utilized, Frenzy not far behind his spark brother in the rafters. He plunked himself down between Ravage and Laserbeak to watch the show, a cube of Energon in his clutches he managed to not drop on the climb down. "And the expression on that pompous Council Bot Decimus' faceplates when he did it! That gob smacked look now lives in my brain pan rent free."

Ravage risked a quick glance, if only to eye the cube suspiciously. It was smaller than most normal cubes, and in a more notorious container, 'Is that high grade? During such a terrible Energon shortage?'

'Master will literally kill you,' Laserbeak added.

Rumble scoffed a sarcastic laugh, "Boss is too busy to notice! Besides, I hear from you two Megatronus finally decided to show up to the Boss's matches? Took his overhyped aft long enough."

'Yes, so don't think it so loud," Ravage hissed, 'Firstly, you're already talking out loud, and at a pitch for the whole arena to hear even over the screaming. As a spy, shame on you. And second, Master should be focusing on the fight, not Megatronus watching.'

Frenzy shuffled down onto the same rafter with a tired huff, 'Bro, stop being an annoying aft. And Ravage, stop worrying so much,' he said, in their collective minds, as was smarter to remain unseen.

'It is good that you recognize me as the only one without fault in this scenario,' Laserbeak noted.

Frenzy rose a brow ridge at the winged minicon, 'Laserbeak, stop being a suck up.'

Laserbeak huffed in his offended sort of way, but let the conversation drop so they could instead watch their Master yank his opponent's Spark Chamber out. The crowd was deafening, Shanix and other trinkets were flung onto the field at Soundwave's peds.

Soundwave's faceplates were hidden behind a dark battle mask, so the crowd only knew him for his unshakable prowess and mysterious quiet, even as he slaughtered the competition. But Ravage, alongside his company in the rafters could feel what he felt. And he was tired. That was totally understandable considering this particular 'single death match' had lasted past three bots, each more monstrous then the last. They just kept coming from the tunnels, one after another. The bell that was supposed to end the match failed to ring with each victory as it should have. This really was a test, probably organized by Megatronus himself.

Ravage stared at Megatronus' unchanged expression, willing him to end it.

The ground shook. Ravage and Laserbeak were well adhered to the beam they sat on, but Frenzy and Rumble had to grasp onto it to maintain their balance.

Soundwave spun to face the roiling tank as it charged out of the northern tunnel, guns already blasting for him. Ravage silently cursed Megatronus as the fourth fight commenced.

"Send him to the Pits, Boss!" Rumble cheered, breaking their collective silence.

'Immature,' Laserbeak huffed.

"Well, frag you too. I'll soon be too drunk to care," Rumble chuckled as he cracked open the high grade to indulge while their Master was otherwise engaged.

The warning pulse hit all of them, but only Rumble openly flinched before he could raise the small cube to his lip plates. It was aimed his way after all. Even dodging the blaster fire of a war tank framed gladiator, their Master found time to chastise Rumble.

Rumble grumbled as he sealed the container and subspaced it away. Then he crossed his servos in a childish fashion and continued watching the fight.

'Should we go confront Megatronus?' Frenzy offered, as if the promise of violence would cheer up his pouting brother, 'He's too comfortable watching the fight from his front row seat. The four of us can take him.'

'Master told us not to,' Laserbeak reminded them all.

'We will, if he sends another fighter,' Ravage said.

Ravage felt Laserbeak look to him in shock, 'You would go against Master's orders? That is something I would assume of Rumble, not you, Ravage.'

"Thanks Beak. Just a reminder, I am sitting right here, and we can literally hear each other's thoughts," Rumble said pointedly.

For the first time since the drawn-out fight commenced, Ravage turned away to glare at Laserbeak, 'He can't keep up this pace. Not even Megatronus could. The gladiator promised he would talk only if Master Soundwave 'proved himself.' But if he just intends to kill our Master in this battle, we will have to stop him. As long as Master Soundwave is alive to scold me, I am happy to suffer it.'

The pain was fleeting, the Bond slamming shut before it could really register in Ravage's brain pan. But it, along with the sound of the crowd's reaction was enough for Ravage to realize looking away from the fight was a mistake.

When Ravage returned his focus with a stifled gasp, Soundwave was stumbling backwards, grasping the horrific wound in his side. His spilling Energon was now added to the slurry on the ground. Normally, he was stoic and composed, even when injured. That was how Ravage knew this one was bad. The brut had landed a lucky shot. Was it lucky? Or was it them chatting away that distracted their Master? Had it been his anxiety? It was because he looked away for that one moment, wasn't it? Ravage's Spark turned in it's chamber with guilt.

Even Rumble and Frenzy were silent, gripping their ceiling beam with both hands. Rumble was radiating a similar guilt. He thought his shenanigans had caused this. Ravage was too terrified to shift around blame. He could only watch along with the crowd. Alongside Megatronus, whose expression twitched ever so slightly. Disappointment. He thought the battle was done. Writing off Soundwave for just another fool trying to get to him.

Another pulse aimed at all four of them. And their Master had managed it without opening the Bond enough for them to share in the pain.

Assurance.

Even as he fought to remain upright and now evaded the tank as it charged up another blast, their Master wanted them to know it hadn't been them. 'I was careless. No more guilt.'

'Ah, shucks, Boss,' Frenzy hummed with a grin.

Their master recovered from the shock and shoved himself upright. One of his data cables shot out in a flash to snatch some wreckage from the arena floor that would have been normally out of reach. It was a piece from his former opponent. The spiked mace the previous brute who had failed to even graze its intended target before said target ripped out the Spark of the mace's wielder.

Soundwave flung the mace towards himself as he rushed forward. He charged for the tank as it rumbled, ripping up the arena with massive treds and almost ready to fire another devastating blow. He caught the mace and hurled it forward. It slammed dead center into the hole of the tank's cannon, which Soundwave slammed a kick into for good measure to jam in the spiked weapon.

He fell and rolled out of the way as the tank's now clogged cannon fired. Light exploded, along with the bot formally known as Soundwave's adversary. The backed-up blast ripped the tank framed gladiator to shreds before he could even transform for Ravage to see what his bot mode had looked like.

Stunned silence followed the explosion, pieces of metal and carnage raining down. Then the crowd went wild as Soundwave stood back up.

Ravage was among those cheering, roaring with relief and excitement.

With Master Soundwave's safety somewhat assured, at least for a moment, Ravage's focus was on Megatronus. But he wasn't the only one this time. After Soundwave stood over the charred remains of his fourth opponent, he straightened, then pointed a single, ominous digit at Megatronus. When the crowd noticed the famed Megatronus was the one Soundwave was egging on, they went nuts. Chanting for them to fight. Demanding Megatronus finish him. But many now cheered Soundwave on as well.

Megatronus glanced around the arena at the rabid fans before his red focus landed back onto Soundwave. Then he smiled, the smallest hint of a nod as he accepted the challenge. Finally.

And then the bell rang. Ravage felt like he could tumble off his support beam with relief. The battle was over, and Master Soundwave would have at least a little time to recover before he would face down against the brutal gladiator champion. Because it wasn't just a blind desire for gore that was Soundwave's end goal. It was a chance to talk to Megatronus. The slave bot who dared preach freedom for all. Who had the audacity to give himself a name when he was born nameless.

It was the same principles Master Soundwave held dear. The reason he had been demoted from Council member to Council spy. He believed in this Megatronus, wherever that would lead.

Ravage watched their Master stumble off into the tunnel's Megatronus had nodded him towards. They needed to get down there and back him up, in case Megatronus wasn't everything he claimed to be and decided to kill Soundwave while he was in a weakened state.

'This is the right thing to do, right?' Rumble asked openly, if not a little meekly. Which was very out of character. In addition, he didn't say it out loud, 'Ya know, leaving the Council. Saying 'frag you' to society in general? It was the right call?'

'Master Soundwave knows what he is doing,' Laserbeak huffed.

Frenzy nudged his brother playfully before they started climbing after Ravage and Laserbeak, all hurrying to get down and reach their Master in the Pit's infirmary, 'Where in the Pit's is my brother? I don't know this scaredy scraplet I'm looking at.'

Rumble cracked a grin, 'Fair enough. I guess I don't miss the way we was looked at when in Iacon. These freaks here in Kaon… Sure, they still would probably mug me without batting an optic, then stab me after for good measure. But not because they think less of me, ya know? Kind of feels like home here.'

'Anywhere feels like home with you idiots,' Ravage offered, jumping silently to the next beam that would eventually lead to the ground.

'Aww, that was equally offensive and Spark warming,' Rumble snickered. His jump to the beam Ravage now occupied was much less graceful.

Laserbeak helped him up with data cables of his own, 'At risk of being pulled into this sappy bonding experience, post Master Soundwave's victory, let us all agree now to have our Master's backplates from this moment on. No more doubting, no matter what.'

Ravage cracked a fanged smile of his own, waiting for Frenzy to jump over to them. 'Deal. I look forward to seeing what we have become on the other side of wherever this path leads.' Laserbeak was right. As long as Ravage could keep an optic on this rowdy bunch for Master Soundwave, things were bound to turn out fine.

"Team minicons, plus Boss!" Frenzy said, out loud for some reason. He even thrust out a servo, waiting expectantly for them to follow his example of comradery.

Of course, his brother Rumble joined in, servo slapping down onto Frenzy's. Laserbeak tutted a mocking laugh, but even he extended a data cable and added it to the awaiting limb pile. And then Ravage's three minicon bond brothers were all looking at him expectantly. Mentally, he sighed. But he added his front paw ped to the top of the pile, 'Team minicon, plus Master… But only if we can workshop that team name.'

Date: January 2nd, 2020 Late Afternoon

Rhea

The interior of Thunderblast and Clobber's ship was remarkably well lit. Cybertronians saw different light frequencies, so their personal environments tended to be on the dimmer side. But Earth dogs needed a bright path so not to stumble off the gangway, so the ship's ambient light didn't have to be adjusted for the humans as they boarded to inspect what the space explorers had found.

They were flying to Washington in the meantime, so the ship could be properly registered in the Concurrence's records as a 'common visitation' vessel. While there, Rhea would also be trying to undo the damage Thunderblast's constant antics had created.

Unburdened with any of that, Thunderblast was manipulating a small hopper in the corner. All the while Clobber stood at the ship's control panel pulling up their logs for Reha and the awaiting Autobots who were tagging along on this little venture. The hopper dispensed a portion of what looked like dog food which D quickly devoured before it hit his bowl. Rhea watched the mundane sight with passing fascination, knowing the mixture contained some sort of life extending ingredient Thunderblast used on most of her other organic pets. It was why the crazy dog was still just as puppy like after almost eleven years. Of course, it wasn't exactly a viable option for Rhea or any other human for that matter. Apparently, the concoction had worrying side effects on humans. It also wouldn't last forever. Thunderblast's chaotic dog would grace the universe with his antics for at least a hundred years, give or take a decade or two. Amazing longevity for the canine species, but still a minuscule amount of time for Cybertronians.

"Eat up my little war machine," Thunderblast said lovingly as D scarfed down his lunch. "And like I always say, you are brighter than all the supernovas in the sky, and if anything were to ever happen to you, I would terminate everyone around me and then myself."

"Can I at least have a running start if that happens?" Jack said light-heartedly.

Rhea cracked a grin at the banter. She was sort of hoping it was enough to break any residual tension. She caught Arcee's optics quickly dart away from her and back to the screen. So that was a no. There was definitely still unbroken tension.

"Here it is," Clobber said while pulling up the correct file. Laserbeak lent Rhea a lift to the console so she could get closer.

"What is it?" Jack asked before the Autobots could.

"An encrypted frequency," Rhea explained after examining it. She adjusted her own glasses and stared at the Cybertronian text. It was heavily encoded, so she would have to take a few days to figure out the current gibberish. What was somehow more worrying, was the non Cybertronian text also present. And it certainly wasn't English.

"Where exactly did you two come across this?" Arcee asked mostly Clobber.

Clobber quickly pulled up the exact coordinates. "Here, in this distant nebula. This was where we were getting reports of missing ships. And the Autobot Ship, the Lost Light, stopped broadcasting around here. We saw that the Peaceful Tyranny was in the area too. We were worried the two may have had a… Scrap. So, we went to investigate, but…" She trailed off, seemingly very uneasy.

Thunderblast finished the thought, "We couldn't find either ship. Not even a field of debris to prove they had blown each other up. Just poof! Gone."

D barked to emphasize Thunderblast's dramatic waving of her servos to really drive home the point. And she dropped her somber tone to instead beam down at her dog with the look of a proud mother looming over a spoiled child, "That's right! Both gone from the face of existence! You're so smart my little killer."

D gave her a panting and lopsided canine smile before going back to chew dents into his empty dog bowl.

"Smells like trouble," Wheeljack observed amongst his own team with a smirk, "About time some action happened. I've been getting itchy fists sitting on my cans all day waiting."

"We'll organize a meeting with the others and figure out how best to start looking for the missing ships," Bumblebee promised, ever the levelheaded diplomate. His gaze was sternly focused on the star map where the two renowned Autobot and Decepticon ships vanished. "We're conducting Colony work out there anyway. Reaching out to more lost Colony's that survived the Rust Plague. It shouldn't take long to figure something out."

"Don't bother," Thunderblast insisted with a chuckle, "We were going to just call it in to one of our Lords and deal with it in the next cycle or two. With you Autobots and your endless bureaucracy, it would take the next eon for you to come to a decision on which ship to use in the search, let alone finding the missing. Let us handle it."

Bumblebee mirrored her playful tone with one of his own, "Oh, so that's how it's going to be? Care to bet on it?"

Thunderblast gave a fake gasp, "As one of Lord Soundwave's esteemed generals of the great Decepticon army, I would never create a conflict of interest by participating in a monetary sport with one of the Autobot representatives…"

"Fifty shanix says we find them before you do," Bumblebee said.

"I'll double that bet," Wheeljack added.

Thunderblast clasped Bumblebee's hand, "Deal! Those credits'll be as good as mine before the end of the-"

"We're here," Clobber interrupted.

Rhea looked up from the odd code still scrolling on the screen. She hadn't been paying attention to their current location, or the banter at her back. Washington DC was below. The bustling district city on the view screen did little to settle her anxiousness. From how Arcee was acting, to the missing ships, and now the strange frequencies echoing both on Earth and out in space. And before she delt with all that, she now had to do damage control here on Thunderblast's behalf.

She saved the code from the ship's drives into the translator and Laserbeak saved his own copy, but only after he was done glaring at Arcee. He helped her back down to the ground level when it was clear Arcee was ignoring his death stair.

Thunderblast rushed to the controls and took a seat, D weaving between her peds and somehow not getting stepped on. "Alright! Where to land this puppy? Oh, there's a spot!"

"No!" Rhea snapped, with Arcee and Bumblebee saying it right along with her. "That's a civilian parking lot. There's a place at the building you need to land."

Thunderblast slouched in her pilot's chair. "Ug. I was hoping we wouldn't do that… They search our ships every time."

"Tough luck," Arcee spat, "This isn't Cybertron. Deal with it."

Thunderblast gave her a sarcastic look, "Oh please. You pull the same scrap in Iacon too."

"Life isn't fair," Arcee pointed out.

Thunderblast rolled her optics before standing back up and relinquishing the controls to Clobber. All without engaging the autopilot, so Clobber had to scramble to snatch the controls. They managed not to smash into the nearest building. "Alright! Just let me hide my guns before we land. I don't need them pawing through all my stuff. I have a system amidst the clutter," She grumbled before leaving them for their back quarters. D rushed after her, stopped short, circled back to grab his bowl, then followed her out through a smaller opening made for the four-legged crew mate.

Once firmly on the ground, Rhea stepped off the ship first. She had her badge out and ready. As she assumed, there was a group of men waiting for them. None of the men looked happy to see them. They scanned her badge, then waved her through. Jack and Raf had their own military badges, and the Autobot's were already exempt. Then Miko sauntered out and smiled sweetly at the wall of angry men right alongside Thunderblast. As casually and slowly as she could manage, she dug her own pass from her purse and waved it before them.

"Are there any other Decepticon's on board?" One of the men demanded of Rhea or the Autobot's present.

"Nope," Thunderblast answered before she could, "Just little ol' me and my dear Clobber. Just consider this a couple's sightseeing excursion. Nothing to hide here."

The muffled barking of D somewhere inside Thunderblast's chest subspace was in direct contrast to that statement. Rhea had insisted she didn't need to hide the dog. Thunderblast insisted right back D was a Decepticon and needed to come along, and there was a strict 'No dogs allowed' rule inside the government building. Hence the hiding.

Two of the six men ignored her antics and carried on up the ramp to check the ship, much to Thunderblast's annoyance. "Just don't mess up my stuff!" She snapped at them as they passed.

As they were escorted to the new and large ceilinged building (made for taller than ten average alien visitors) Rhea noticed the gathering crowd at the fence surrounding the parking lot. An impressive number of civilians were there ogling them or taking pictures. Even after ten years of the secret being out, the Cybertronian's were still a spectacle. Rhea didn't really blame most people. The biomechanical lifeforms still amazed her, and she saw them every day. Hell, she was married to one. But unlike her, most people had to satiate their curiosity with internet gossip or news commentary. Local authorities tried to keep bots from the public light as often as possible and the Autobots listened to that suggestion, usually confining themselves to their Earth base if they weren't on Cybertron.

There were other bots who called Earth home, namely the groups of refugees who escaped the mock execution back on Cybertron a decade ago with the famous Decepticon turned Autobot Jetfire being among them. This group, understandably, did not feel safe on Cybertron anymore. They had their own designated areas, but people still tried very hard to glimpse them.

It had been interesting to witness humanity's reaction to bots living among them from her somewhat outsider's perspective. People were scared, then amazed, then mad. Interestingly, that last collective emotion was not directed at the bots. Aliens living on Earth had been a grand conspiracy kept from the public for decades. Rhea understood the public outcry.

But that all faded as the months passed. There were three camps of people that came out on top regarding the new status quo. The first were those like Rhea. People who wanted to know everything about their new space friends and how it would change their society for the better. The second, were those who did, and still do, hate the Cybertronians. They are a threat, they are plotting a takeover, blab bla bla. That camp had shrunk over the decade, but they were still there, occasionally ranting on major network channels or online streams. Then there was the third group, that was the smallest and most annoying. Taking their place right alongside the flat Earthers, they believed it was all fake. Some grand worldwide hoax despite all the overwhelming evidence. In Rhea's opinion, this side wasn't nearly as dangerous as the second group.

It was easy to figure out who fit into what category. If you were the type of person who liked positive change, or was younger, or more 'progressive' you would be in camp Cybertronian. If you were the type who tended to side with big business, or clung to the status quo, or say, still held concerning political opinions about minorities despite the current modern decade, you would be in camp number two. And everyone had a crazy uncle who fit snuggly into camp three, though all they could really do was send unhinged chain emails and annoy their relatives at family events.

Something more surprising, was the public opinion surrounding the two distinct Cybertronian factions. On paper, humanity sided more with the Autobots. Obviously. They were the strait laced, safety and humanity first side that was very appealing for Governments to hide behind when showing the best front. And the Rescue Bots were Autobot, and everyone LOVED the Rescue Bots. (They made the most public appearances and saved people. What's not to like?)

But that being said, on a personal level, people really jived with the Decepticons. They were the rebels. The bad boys. The ones who liked guns and flying without their ship's cloaks on when they buzzed around the planet. Rhea saw that even in the crowd that had gathered. She spotted a teen wearing a tee shirt with the purple Con emblem on it. Many even called out Thunderblast by name, prompting her to turn and wink at them while Clobber tried and failed to hide behind her.

This made sense too. A Decepticon had been the one to reveal the whole secret. As seldom as Soundwave made appearances on Earth, people were endlessly fascinated by him. Again, she got it. He was the quiet, dark, and mysterious leader of the Decepticons. He was also handsome as hell. Ok, maybe she was the only one to focus on that. But because of the mystery surrounding him, Rhea tried very hard to keep her connection with him a secret. She didn't need anyone pounding at her door all hours of the day and night. She already had Miko for that.

In fact, she took a cue from Clobber and used Jack's larger stance to hide behind. She didn't want to get caught by many of the flashing camera phones as they walked along.

Not counting those amazed or terrified by their presence, many passively benefited from Cybertronian technology. Maybe a year into the whole venture, the public became savvy to just how advanced these odd space dwellers were, and then that interest turned to more anger when it became clear many governments had been utilizing their tech for years. Seeing as how Earth was always in some sort of energy or environmental crisis, that reveal did not go over well.

Then at the peak of this public outcry, a second leak appeared on the world wide web. It was a collection of blueprints containing Cybertronian inventions that could be back engineered into a more human-friendly format. The only clue to the leaker's identity was the familiar Decepticon emblem in place of a signature. Unlike the first time there was a leak, Soundwave insisted this hadn't been him. Rhea believed him. She had examined the blueprints and uplinks. It wasn't Soundwave's refined style. The notes were a jumble of quick and disorderly downloads. She had her suspicions as to who had been behind the breach. Thunderblast was in her top ten picks. But Thunderblast had a hard time keeping a secret, and it had been nine years with no leads. She would have wanted to take credit, or at least brag about it to friends. That never happened, and the true leaker remained elusive.

But whoever had done it, the damage, and the advancements were done. People able to follow the blueprints did so. They retrofitted their cars, their homes, sold devices, made videos online explaining the science for others less tech savvy to follow. The military confiscated prototypes wherever they could. People got mad all over again. There was a major push back and more protests followed the many before until it was finally somewhat allowed. Sure, there was loads of red tape and regulations, but since Energon out preformed oil and electricity a thousand times over, it was kind of a given that was where they were collectively headed.

Despite all the commotion, Rhea could almost still hear Agent Fowler's tired sigh many yards away. He was waiting for them on the steps of the Concurrence building. He must have bridged here.

"Hiya Bill!" Thunderblast greeted the Special Agent with a merry wave, "Sorry about the mix up. I swear I need to get my radio fixed."

Agent Fowler hadn't an ounce of sympathy in his glare, "As much grief as your 'radio' has given me, I may just get you a new one from my own paycheck," Going by his tone of voice and semi-permanent scowl, he was already one hundred percent done with this interaction.

Fowler gave the humans gathered at the bot's peds a small nod of acknowledgement, settling most of his focus on Rhea after patting Jack on the shoulder in an assuring way. They were close. Fowler helped get Jack into the higher security ranks of the military after all. Plus, Fowler was also married to June Darbee, Jack's mom. It was hard not to be close considering that detail.

"Alright bots, this is beyond important! No shenanigans or funny bot business. The new organizer of the Concurrence is busy and it's bad enough this stunt will be your first interaction with him. I remind you all that his predecessor basically ran out of this building with what was left of his hair on fire because of all the stress you brought from your side of the galaxy! And that is why, when he comes out, we are going to be the face of professionalism." It was far from a suggestion. He was also glaring between Thunderblast and Miko as he made his demands.

Thunderblast, who was not even almost listening, gave the crowd beyond the fence a wave, "Yeah, Yeah… Don't blow anything up, the building was already on fire. Got it."

"Don't worry. I'll do most of the talking," Rhea promised him when she was certain she saw a new wrinkle form on Fowler's face in real time. She too glanced at Thunderblast. The Decepticon General was now copying Miko by blowing kisses towards their audience. "I'll do all the talking. Though, it would be nice if you hinted at the vibe of the new esteemed leader, so I know how much I'll be apologizing on behalf of every Con."

"Wish I could help in that regard," Fowler said, "This will be the first I'm meeting him too. I hear he's more patient then the first guy. We'll see how long that lasts." he added that with a glare aimed Thunderblast's way. When Thunderblast only snickered in the face of that fact, he turned his focus onto Rhea, "He wants to talk to at least one of the Lords. Preferably Soundwave or Sharpshot… For the love of Lady Liberty, don't send Starscream, please."

"You think I'm that dense?" Rhea scoffed, "I'd send Shockwave before I sent Starscream."

Bumblebee and Wheeljack laughed along with Thunderblast. Arcee was still silent and busy glaring at a large column nearer the entrance. Rhea had the urge to itch at her skin. A tick she thought she squelched in bio feedback therapy.

"It'll be fine," Bumblebee tried to promise with his characteristic smile of over assured confidence. "You also have us here. The Concurrence tends to listen better when the Autobots are around… No offence guys," he said with an apologetic smile aimed at Thunderblast, Clobber and Rhea.

Agent Fowler snorted before Rhea, or her larger teammates could decide to take offence or not. "True. At the very least the Autobots keep a low profile."

The sudden sound of screeching tires sent unpleasant shock wave's up Rhea's spine. Everyone, Bot, human and audience at the fence spun around in time to see the sleek red sports car tear up the street. The flashy vehicle changed course the moment it, or rather, he, spotted them. Turning sharp right on golden rimmed tires, Knockout caught a lowered ramp on the street to get airborne and easily cleared the fence. He transformed on smoking peds to thunderous fan fair from the growing group watching.

"Scanners don't lie. I knew I'd find you lot here," Knockout's striking voice almost sang. His single red optic focused in on Arcee's glaring faceplates. The place where the other optic once was instead had an elaborate golden scanner to replace what he was missing. It perfectly matched his rims. "Are my fellow Autobots here for the race too? And here I thought you were all above that sort of activity!"

"And I thought the universe was done making me eat my own words!" Fowler snarled. He hurried down the steps, even before the rigid Concurrence security could get on Knockout. "Bad time for a show, flashy! We can't afford an ex Con turned wannabe Bot messing this up!"

Knockout was clearly offended. Then again, offending him wasn't exactly a hard task. He turned to the group with a dramatic gasp as he fished for sympathy. "Team! Are you going to let this quickly aging fleshy talk to me like that? After I jumped out of the first track just to check on your status? I was winning. I could be still winning right now!"

"Bad timing," Arcee only growled, "Why are you even here to begin with?"

Knockout pointed out to the streets behind them. "You didn't wonder where the crowd came from? There is a car show downtown, and a race. And you lot are always saying to 'make a positive impression' on Earth. Well, the human event suited me. I thought I could use my skills and endless charm to better represent the Autobots. You're welcome everybot!"

"No good deed goes unpunished, eh traitor?" Thunderblast hummed. Her tone wasn't as harsh as her words would have implied. At this point, she was mostly joking. Knockout teetering between sides was hardly anything new.

"An Autobot keeps a low profile!" Arcee growled, "Especially when we have government officials to meet and not blow our one chance. Any other Autobot would know that."

"No fair! You can't cut on side streets!"

Again, all turned in time to see the second flashy race car hit the same ramp Knockout exploited to get over the fence. The young Autobot Smokescreen flew out of his transformation and landed in a huff. His attitude shrank when he noticed his team glaring at him. "Oh scrap… Um, hi guys."

"Why?" Bumblebee just vented in defeat.

Smokescreen fumbled with an excuse, "Knockout said this was the perfect chance to make a good impression-"

Knockout scoffed, "Oh sure, throw me under the bus, why don't you?"

"Not the time!" Fowler exploded, "Just you and hot shot here move your metal butts!"

"Um, Hotshot isn't here, Fowler. He's in Maine." Miko pointed out.

"Wow... I take a minute coffee break, and the next thing I know the office parking lot gets invaded by aliens."

Rhea jumped at the unfamiliar voice and its proximity to her. But she didn't react nearly as dramatically as Fowler did.

Having appeared from the building on nearly silent footsteps and holding a steaming cup of coffee in a mug that read 'anytime is coffee time' was a man with a risen brow and amused grin. Who knows how long he had been observing the drama in the parking lot.

Even the guards at the gate appeared startled, all standing too attention and forgetting the bot drama. Context told her this was who she was meant to speak to.

But after dealing with the military like presence of the Concurrence for years, Rhea had a hard time connecting the rather scrawny and carefree man to their well-oiled military machine of an organization. He sported a well-pressed suit that was maybe just a bit too big on his shorter frame and a rather cheery disposition about him. Big dimples stuck out on his light flesh tone, and his shorter haircut was well trimmed but not flashy or overly styled. He also wore a fun little space themed tie that depicted a solar system of cartoon smiling planets all orbiting a sunglass wearing sun. Rhea had a backpack with the exact same design.

He also didn't bat an eye at the group of looming aliens arguing outside his building. Like this was any other Tuesday.

Reha was put off and had no idea why. She had no reason not to like his overall vibe, but she didn't. In fact, she should have loved him on first sight. He radiated 'space nerd' energy. She was a space nerd, as was the entirety of her social circle.

She compartmentalized the negative thoughts as quickly as they came. She couldn't read other humans to save her life, so saying his vibes were off could be said about half the population. The poor guy didn't deserve her impression of him before he even opened his mouth a second time.

Now Fowler was stuttering right along with Smokescreen. He looked like he was considering trying to block the two new bots in vain, as if he could hide the massive aliens in any reasonable way.

Welp, first impressions were officially shot. Rhea figured things could have been worse.

The newcomer looked past Fowler to instead notice the excited crowd at the fence merrily taking pictures. "So, I guess this was an eventful time to come back from lunch?" He chuckled, though with so many eyes and optics suddenly on him, Rhea noticed his ears turning red.

Fowler cleared his throat, "Sir, please forgive the newest additions to our group. I know this wasn't authorized… I'll definitely be having a talk with them."

The man glanced Knockout and Smokescreen. "Here for the car show?" He guessed with a grin.

Smokescreen matched his enthusiasm, "Care to join?"

He snorted a laugh, "With my eye sore of a junker? I'd bring the whole mood down," he then looked to Thunderblast and Clobber soon enough. "I hear we made quite the entrance into the atmosphere?"

Thunderblast's voice box was just activating to say God only knows what. Rhea jumped right in to step over whatever disaster was about to pass her metal lips. "I'm sorry for all inconveniences this situation has caused you. As the official human Decepticon relations specialist, I would like to offer my assurance this was not done maliciously, and we will right the issue with faulty communications immediately."

The man gave her speech an arched brow. Then he grinned slyly, "Oh boy. What have my guys been saying to warrant all this worry? I'm going to really work on our approach."

Rhea blinked at him. Ok. Whacky tie and funny coffee cup aside, she wasn't expecting that much of a laid-back answer.

He maintained his cheery air even despite Agent Fowler reflecting Rhea's own surprise, "You're Rhea Jackson, right? Nice to officially meet you. I'm Shawn Berger Jr. I've been in charge for like, a week and already am planning my vacation from the place. But I was informed about you. I'll apologize too for not getting in contact sooner. It's been hectic," He looked beyond Rhea who was still too shocked to respond to grin up at the Autobots, "Thanks for escorting them. They tell me you are reliable like that." Then he turned back to Thunderblast and Clobber, the moment everyone had been dreading. "Sorry about all the fuss. I've already been briefed about the Decepticon Lord's higher chain of command. Really, the way my guys reacted, it's like you were blowing up nukes in the upper atmosphere." He laughed, shaking his head at the absurdity. "I'll note your vessel as approved for the future."

"I'm amazed with your level of patience," Fowler admitted to Shawn, "I was sick of the bots and their shenanigans the first day I met them and every day following that. And that was well over twenty years ago."

Shawn shrugged, "There are worst things in the universe," He waved off Thunderblast, "Really, as long as you don't land in traffic, I'm fine to let your visits slide."

"Nifty," Thunderblast said merrily. She then sneered at Agent Fowler, "See? Nothing to worry about. I was right to ignore your comm." She pranced back into the parking lot to let D jump out of her subspace. Clobber apologized to Fowler and Shawn before stalking after her.

Agent Fowler took a very deep breath, staving off the stress to try and keep his blood pressure down.

"If we're done already," Arcee hummed, glaring after Thunderblast, "We'll make sure they don't make an even bigger aft out of themselves. Poor Clobber, I don't know what she sees in that lunatic," she grumbled before leaving right after them. But she paused to say to the two government men, "And we'll deal with our own people too. As much as it pains us to keep these two blazing stars from the public light."

"Wait," Smokescreen interrupted, "If he's cool with it, does that mean we can get back to the race?"

In place of answering, Arcee snatched Smokescreen and Knockout by either servo and began dragging them off.

"Hey watch the paint! I just waxed!" Knockout griped.

"Arcee please! We've done nothing but colony work for months! I need this!" Smokescreen added to the list of complaints.

"Good to meet you," Bumblebee said to Shawn, "It's good to know you have our back plates." Then he followed Arcee with Wheeljack right on his heels. The ex-Wrecker already looked incredibly board. Miko was also already gone. Rhea hadn't even seen her sneak away. Government business made her crazy. Crazier. Rhea wasn't surprised she didn't last long even in front of the building.

"No need to apologize, from any of you," Shawn assured the remaining group, "I need to see the sun at least once a day or I go stir crazy. This gave me an excuse to leave the office." He admitted with a snicker. He waved away the platoon of soldiers who had come to investigate all the noise. "I've read up on you too Special Agent Fowler. Sorry in advance, I'm a bit of a snoop. But I'm glad I will have someone seasoned in dealing with Transformer- I mean, Cybertronian affairs to help me… I'm always worried I'll say something to offend."

Fowler laughed at that, "It's hard to offend Cons. Despite their supersonic senses, they have selective hearing."

Shawn was amused by that, but he didn't comment beyond a snicker, "I understand the Lords are busy… Soundwave prefers the title Sovereign, right?"

Rhea nodded.

"Good, I'll jot that down, or I will forget. But I wouldn't want to bother him unless he can pencil me in. It's just some Concurrence nonsense I had to share. If you can listen in his place?"

Laserbeak, who had been silently acting as Rhea's shadow for this encounter, piped up in her ear, 'Best if you do… Master Soundwave may be put off by this human's overly cheery nature. As am I. Smiles often hide ulterior motives.'

Well, good to know she wasn't the only one paranoid about poor Shawn. It was also good Shawn hadn't heard that comment. Laserbeak would have gladly shared it out loud if he were physically capable of it.

"I would be happy to," Rhea said, answering Shawn's previous request and ignoring Laserbeak.

Fowler could suddenly be heard almost choking on air. More cars arrived outside the fence, the sight of which made Knockout brighten. A few transformed into more bots, much to the delight of the humans watching. "Bots are coming out of the damn drainpipes!" Fowler groaned.

"Thunderblast!" Miko shouted across the parking lot before she could return to her ship. "Streets are open for the next big race! Knockout and like three other Cons from Velocitron are gonna be there!"

"Pits yeah!" Thunderblast abandoned her ship in the Concurrence parking lot to hurry off in search of fun, dragging Clobber along by the servo and their dog nipping at their heel struts. "Clobber is an armored vehicle! She can join too!" She volunteered as Clobber yelped in fear.

"NO!" Fowler shuffled down the steps to catch up, "Just because you lot are cars doesn't mean you can race around public roads without a license!"

Jack sighed, trudging down the steps with his hands in his pockets, "He does sort of have a point. I think it's a reasonable request to have the speed loving aliens know how to drive before they do it."

"Bumblebee knows how to drive, and he doesn't have a license," Raf pointed out.

"Way to snitch on me, Raf." Bumblebee snickered, leaving with them to hopefully stop the ensuing chaos. Rhea found herself and Shawn abandoned on the Concurrence steps, Laserbeak hovering over them both.

"The red one is an odd sort, for an Autobot," Shawn observed of Knockout, breaking their shared silence.

Rhea shrugged. "Eh, you're not far off. Miko likes to say he's Autobot for tax purposes only. He's Decepticon on most days."

"Amazing they're all getting along here," Shawn commented.

Rhea turned to see him with a far-off look. He shook himself from the thought and gave her an embarrassed smile, his ears blushing again, "I've… Studied the whole war. Call me a history nerd."

"You're in good company with me in that regard," Rhea admitted, "I was obsessed with aliens before I ever met one, and I'm positive that has come off strange, and not just with my fellow humans. I'm amazed Soundwave tolerates me."

Shawn gave a relieved sort of sigh, "Good, so it's not just me. I must admit, I'm selfishly happy the Decepticon and human relations officer is a fellow human. Makes things easier. At least, as long as you're human. I'm happy to have whatever time you can offer."

Rhea's whole body startled. She forgot the bots showboating to a growing number of humans in the parking lot to stair shocked at Shawn. How did he know about her Cyberformation?

She wasn't the only one who's calm persona fell apart. The moment he saw her reaction, his face fell, and he looked mortified. More than his ears started blushing. "I'm so sorry. Was that not supposed to be common knowledge? I saw mention of it in the Autobot Arcee's open weekly reports and looked further into it."

Damnit Arcee!

'Suspicious smile, talkative, AND nosy?' Laserbeak hummed, 'I admit I lack when it comes to reading the intentions of humans, but this one I find more than suspicious.'

Rhea didn't even have time to shoot Laserbeak a cross look. Laserbeak was the last creature in existence to call anyone else 'nosy.'

"Um, no, it's fine," Rhea said to Shawn with a sigh, "It's not exactly a secret. Sorry, if it's weird."

Shawn quickly shook his head, "No, no! Not at all. Really, it's fascinating. I'd imagine it would help going back and forth to Cybertron and Earth easier… Not to mention space exploration. Finding out what's out there…"

He must have noticed he was rambling, glancing at Rhea and having his ears blush red, "Sorry, I'll change the subject," Shawn promised. His ears were still beet red from embarrassment, "What's this I hear about some mysterious frequency?"

"Raf informed me about it," Rhea said while pulling the translator from her ear, "I also picked it up in real time. It was less then pleasant as it screamed directly into my brain. But it's definitely the same one Raf picked up," She played it for him. Shawn's light brows turned down in concentration as he listened. "So far, we only know it originated from Earth. I was planning to work on it tonight alongside some other deep space transmissions that needed decoding."

Shawn nodded as he straightened back up. He had leaned in close enough to the sound as if trying to pick out a whisper in the obnoxious tone. He stepped back quickly, as if realizing just how close he was to her, "And the Autobots know about this?"

"Raf told them," Rhea confirmed, "And I plan on telling Soundwave the moment he is back in communication range."

"Good idea," Shawn nodded. His smile was gone, worry having taken over his features. "The more we can get on this the better, I figure. I would like to avoid anything to apocalyptic on my first week on the job," His smile was back, and it was directed at her, "I trust you'll keep me in the loop. And I look forward to working with you, no matter what form you are in while doing it." He headed back inside, as if the continued hijinks in the parking lot were just a bunch of rowdy kids playing hooky from school.

Rhea ignored it too, even as D started chasing Knockout, as if the dog was a bull chasing the color red. Knockout quickly stepped over the fence to find safety from the canine. But not a single barrier in the whole universe could keep the dog back for long, and D scurried up the fence and jumped down to continue the chase.

Rhea gave her translator a weary look before returning it to her ear. Her own paranoia about new people aside, it was a good thing they had Shawn working to keep all of Earth's affairs in order. With everything starting to unfold, space mysteries and Earth frequencies included, they did need all the help they could get. If anything, Shawn would give poor Agent Fowler a break from the bots.

She really couldn't wait for Soundwave to come back. She needed to unload all this info she had accumulated before it started spilling out of her brain through her ears.

Her phone buzzed. A text from a local Earth number.

'Sorry, this is Shawn again. I'm scattered and forgot to give you my number while I was standing right in front of you. Then I was too embarrassed to turn back around. Reach out if you need anything.'

She laughed out loud. That was totally something she would do.

"He seems nice," observed Arcee.

Rhea fully startled for the second time in ten minutes. She hadn't even noticed Arcee had snuck back over. She was now leaning behind one of the front pillars until she spoke. She also hadn't noticed her among the group in the parking lot, so she should have figured she was lurking close.

"Um, yeah. Good to add a friendly face to the group," She agreed somewhat awkwardly. Arcee had so clearly been avoiding speaking to her, now that it was happening, Rhea felt like she was already blowing this.

Arcee took on a far-off look before smirking, "I remember Jack being just as awkward when he first started dating his girlfriend. I like to think I was a decent wing man, or at least stayed out of his way."

Rhea took a moment to understand the reference. She glanced down at Shawn's text, and it clicked, "I don't think this was anything beyond business."

Arcee shrugged, not at all convinced, "Sure. I'll be the first to admit I don't get human nuance. Lots of us don't. But I have noticed your blood tends to rush to your heads when two humans seem to vibe. Shawn was almost as red as the sun."

'What is the Autobot inferring?' Laserbeak demanded. He sounded very uncomfortable being out of the loop.

"I doubt Shawn was trying to flirt with me. I may struggle with reading the room, but I'd like to think I'm not that dense." Rhea said pointedly.

'WHAT?' Laserbeak hissed. Oh good. He was finally up to speed. Exactly what Rhea was trying to avoid.

Arcee hummed, shrugging again and finding those out in the parking lot more interesting than the direction of this strange conversation.

"I would think Soundwave would have a few things to say if I started flirting with a new colleague," Rhea pointed out with a tone a little sharper than she intended.

"Would he even notice?" Arcee countered, "Not like he has any sort of skill in that department anyway."

Rhea could have sworn she heard something in Laserbeak's helm blow. Hopefully it wasn't anything important.

'How DARE the Autobot insult Master Soundwave Infront of me! Is that not justifiable grounds to break the treaty? I will-'

His angry ranting was only screeches and squawks outside of her ear, so his vitriol aimed Arcee's way was wasted. Maybe more so, because as he buzzed around her, clearly agitated, Arcee cracked a smirk in amusement.

"You trying to hook me up with Shawn aside, what is the issue between us?" Rhea asked bluntly.

It derailed Laserbeak's rant, and Arcee's original calm focus. Now she looked shocked. Rhea felt somewhat vindicated. She was no longer the only one uncomfortable.

But just as quickly as Arcee's optics widened, they narrowed down at her. "I don't have an issue with you. Your Lord is another matter."

"Well, you could have fooled me. This is the first time you have looked me in the face in the past month, and we've been in the same room basically every other day."

'And insist her short sited, moronic opinion is not appreciated!' Laserbeak snapped.

Rhea placed a hand on Laserbeak's wing to try and silence him so she could think. "I understand if what's happening is weird. But I hear enough of that from Starscream."

"It's not that," Arcee snapped back in kind. She instantly softened with a vent, seeming to regret her own tone too, "This is your choice, fine. There's just a lot of things I still don't trust on the Decepticon side." So, then this was all about the Cyberformation? "The war's over, I get that. But you were there for the last year of it, out of four million. I guess what I'm saying is, I've seen a lot of scrap the Cons have ruined, my whole planet being one of them. I don't want that same ideology warping you too. I don't trust it fully. Not Shockwave's ways of doing things, or Soundwave's intentions. And then he goes and lies to me about it. It does little to inspire my faith in his good intentions."

"He gave you a key to Shockwave's lab, right?" Rhea asked.

Arcee nodded once, "Though I wouldn't be surprised if it decided not to work when I need it to."

Rhea sent her a code through her translator, and she saw Arcee's face change when she got it. "If Soundwave's code really doesn't work, then this is my access code. Last I checked, the next test we are doing is the day after he comes back from Prion. You can come to the next one… In fact, I want you there."

Arcee blinked at her. She was possibly a little caught off guard by the personal invitation. But she also looked relieved. "I'll be there."