Arcee slipped out of the crypt before Long Haul could find a way to make the break in the fuel-line her problem. Once the Decepticons were confirmed to have departed Cybertron's orbit, a shuttle would be dispatched to collect the Autobots, and Perceptor and Kup would come with it to double-check the Decepticons hadn't installed any surprises in their work. Arcee strongly suspected that Springer had only made that request to ease her doubts, but if so, it had worked. Mostly.

If all went smoothly, they might be recharging in Iacon tonight, so she was taking inventory of their basecamp which at least gave her an excuse to be above ground. The warning chime of the incoming space elevator sounded as she pulled out the pack of concussion bombs to return to the Constructicons, but Springer was on check-in duty, so she ignored it.

A few minutes later, Springer's voice came over her com-link: I've got Mixmaster at the gate. He says Bonecrusher went back to the ship, and the gate's cleared him for entry, but I don't remember Bonecrusher leaving. Can you check the logs?

Better safe than sorry, huh? I don't remember him leaving, either.

Bringing up the information on one of the datapads, she scrolled through. It's fine, I found it. Bonecrusher left a couple of hours ago. An Autobot had to be present for check-ins, but the Decepticons were allowed to check-out by themselves.

Thanks, Arcee. Need a hand with anything while I'm up?

You can help me sort out what we confiscated from the Decepticons. They've upheld our conditions, so we need to return all this when they leave.

Yet her eyes were lingering on the datapad, something forgotten nagging at her. She continued scrolling, trying to figure out what she was looking for.

It hit her moments before Springer entered their camp.

"Springer? Dirge left a couple of hours ago, right?"

"Yeah, that tracks."

"His departure isn't on here."

There was a beat as he realised the implications, then he swore and activated the com-link. I want optics on the Constructi— There was a sudden feedback shriek in their receptors, and both of them cried out at the pain before snapping the connection off.

"Soundwave's jammed the signal," Arcee gasped, but Springer was already bounding outside, covering the distance between them and the crypt with long strides. She paused only to snatch up the pack of bombs before pelting after him.

INSIDE THE CRYPT

The Autobots' channel had always been Soundwave's intended signal. Even before he jammed it, the cassettes and Wheelie were scuttling outside in obedient response to Springer's words. He moved to the stairs, listening to the unaware chatter still going on in Iacon, as he went up to the next level and entered a specific room.

Here, Scrapper had discreetly set up all the connection points he needed for his base of operations. Here, Hook had smuggled in charges for his cannon. Here, Ratbat was already plugged into the system, manipulating the Autobots' security to prevent premature alert.

Scrapper had wanted them to work together, and with Soundwave's masterplan, that's exactly what they were doing.

Laserbeak was broadcasting a video stream from the surface. The Constructicons had left to meet Mixmaster a few seconds before Springer's warning had come through; it wasn't until he and Arcee arrived that Bonecrusher burst from the rubble where he had been hiding since Dirge had left under his name.

A beat to appreciate the moment: all six Constructicons stood on Cybertron once again.