Author's Notes: A huge thanks to everyone who is reading and supporting this story! I don't have much else to say, except I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Chapter 17

New Additions

VS-5000 had only been with the Autobots for eight days, but it already felt like a lifetime for Ratchet. He loved his son, but Optimus Prime's new 'butler' was starting to get on the medic's last nerve wire. Of course this anger was mostly at the fact that he and Bluestreak were still being forced to repair the spark scanner that no good miscreant Vehicon had damaged.

Other than Ratchet's muttered curses the base was mostly quiet. Optimus Prime was slowly and diligently getting some paperwork done while VS-5000 kept trying to ply the Autobot leader with energon. Ratchet would think it was a ploy to weaken their leader on the part of the Vehicon, but VS-5000 didn't seem smart enough to be that creative.

Bulkhead and Ironhide were crawling around on the floor for their rehab exercises, and Miko and Chromia were shouting at them to keep going like a couple of drill sergeants. It seemed that in some respects the two females had things in common. Arcee was relaxing for a change as she watched Jack and Raf play video games, and Bumblebee was chewing on some energon that had been laced with lead to give it a more appealing metallic flavor as he likewise watched the kids play their game. The scene was peaceful despite how tense everything had been with Bulkhead and Ironhide almost dying a week prior.

Their peaceful day came to a complete halt however as their computer beeped to indicate a call from Agent Fowler.

"Prime!" Fowler shouted as soon as Optimus answered the comm, "There's been a report of three robots of unknown origin spotted near a campsite in the Redwood National Forest. You been there recently?"

"No," Prime replied, "Ratchet, scan for Decepticons in that region."

Ratchet went to his terminal and scanned for any activity. Sure enough, there were three Cybertronian life signatures in the forest.

"It's them, Optimus," Ratchet informed him gravely.

"Agent Fowler, have you evacuated the area?" Optimus asked.

"You know it," Fowler replied calmly, "Told everyone the area was closed for the filming of a Hollywood blockbuster. So, what do you think they want?"

"I am not certain," Optimus replied, "We can only hope that no humans have been harmed. I will inform you of any new developments. Optimus out."

He turned to the Autobots, and Arcee and Bumblebee were already mobilized. Chromia soon joined them, followed by the two Vehicons. Bulkhead and Ironhide both looked disappointed that they couldn't go with them.

"Arcee Bumblebee and Chromia, you're with me," Optimus ordered, "Ratchet, activate the ground bridge."

"Don't you want us too, sir?" PR-35 asked, "I'm a medic in training. You might need field assistance."

"Yeah, can't we come too, Daddy?" VS-5000 asked as he clasped his servos in front of his body in an attempt to look innocent.

"Daddy?" Arcee asked; a slight smirk on her face plate.

Optimus held his helm in his hand as he tried to figure out where in the universe VS-5000 picked up this new strange habit.

"VS-5000, I am not your father," Optimus told him in no uncertain terms.

"But you adopted Bumblebee!" VS-5000 whined, "Why can't I be your son too? What's so great about Bumblebee? Is it because he can't sass you anymore?"

[I can still communicate, slagger!] Bumblebee snapped at the Vehicon, [Maybe we should just let them come with us so VS will shut up.]

Optimus Prime sighed and silently wondered what he was supposed to do in a situation like this. As leader he had encountered many strange alien customs, dangerous foes, and quirky Autobots, but VS-5000 was a contender for the most awkward situation Optimus Prime had ever been forced to deal with.

"Alright Vehicons, you may both join us, but understand that the situation could become a conflict of interest for you," Optimus warned them, "We are going in to fight Decepticons. They might be officers or they might be drones. Either way I expect you to do your best to get the best of them and return to base safely with the rest of us. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," PR-35 replied formally.

"Don't worry, I'll fight with everything I have," VS-5000 agreed, "If I start to feel remorse, I'll just pretend they're Autobots."

Everyone in the room gave VS-5000 a cold stare at that remark.

"Oops...I didn't mean it like that," VS-5000 simpered sheepishly, "Uh, Doc? Could you activate the ground bridge? Like, now?"

Ratchet sighed sharply and shook his helm incredulously at how immature VS-5000 could be. It did bring up a nagging thought in the back of Ratchet's processor though. Just because he trusted Bluestreak, did that mean all Vehicons could become trustworthy? Was VS-5000 willing to betray them?

These thoughts had to be shoved aside as Ratchet activated the ground bridge and watched as the Autobots went through to defeat whatever evil scheme Megatron and his forces were working on. He only hoped this time he wasn't saying goodbye to Bluestreak for the last time.

When the Autobots made it to the Redwood National Forest the first thing they noticed were the large spectacular trees. The second thing they noticed was the sound of a stereo playing jungle drum music in the distance.

"Do you think there are humans nearby?" Arcee asked worriedly; her cannons armed and ready to strike the first 'Con that reared its ugly helm.

"My scanners do not detect human activity," Optimus replied guardedly, "However, I am detecting the three Decepticon signals coming from the same direction as the music."

"Maybe Megatron decided to go all-out and sacrifice a goat to Unicron," VS-5000 remarked half-jokingly.

"Eww, I did not need that image!" PR-35 snapped, but that just made VS-5000 laugh at him.

"Shh!" Chromia hissed, "Would you two be quiet? We might still have the element of surprise."

Optimus nodded to her and motioned for everyone to keep silent. The five Autobots (more or less) tiptoed through the forest with their weapons at the ready. They hid behind the large trees for cover with Optimus walking out into the open first and then motioning for his team when it was safe. They made it past about two dozen trees before they saw what they were looking for, and they were surprised by the sight that lay ahead of them.

There were indeed three Vehicons, but they looked nothing like Megatron's soldiers normally would. For one thing, two of the drones were merely servant class while one was warrior class, and for another thing their bodies were covered in mud that had been drawn into intricate designs resembling war paint. They were sitting around a campfire and talking, and they didn't seem to notice the Autobots watching them from behind the trees.

/PR-35 and VS-5000,/ Optimus addressed them over the comm system, /You should go first and make contact with the Vehicons. If we can recruit them rather than harm them it would be preferable./

/Aww, but I already share a room with PR-35!/ VS-5000 whined, /We don't have anymore space! Can't we just shoot them?/

/No,/ Optimus replied point blank, /VS-5000, this is your first official mission as an Autobot. You and PR-35 are liaisons, official ambassadors, for Team Prime. You can do this. Don't let me down./

Optimus was tempted to say 'that's an order', but he didn't want to be too forceful with a drone that had been given no choice his entire known life. He hoped that positive encouragement would work better to bolster his confidence.

/You heard him, VS-5000,/ PR-35 chimed in, /We don't shoot unless they shoot first. If they try to kill us, then you can eviscerate them./

/Oh, okay,/ VS-5000 replied in higher spirits.

The two Autobot Vehicons made their way toward the makeshift drum circle, and while walking there PR-35 tried to figure out who these Vehicons were and what they might be doing here. After a moment he recognized SS-PLX-04, and remembered that he collected music. Well, that would explain the drums. So, who were these other two?

"Excuse me, fellow Vehicons," PR-35 greeted them neutrally so as not to startle them.

That didn't work, as all three Vehicons jumped at once to gawk at PR-35 and VS-5000. 4 immediately powered his weapons and aimed them at the pair, and scowled when he had to turn off his music to do so.

"Alright scrap piles, identify yourselves!" 4 ordered harshly.

"I am PR-35 and this is VS-5000," PR-35 replied cooperatively.

"PR-35? I thought you were offline," 4 stated quizzically, "You were sent with me and a few others to guard a mine shaft, but you never came back. I just assumed when the Autobots attacked they vaporized you. How did you survive?"

"I was helping some miners load crystals," PR-35 explained, "When I went out there the only body I found was TGP-538. What happened to the others?"

"Vaporized," 4 shrugged, "It happens all the time. You get used to it. What I ain't used to though is drones coming back from the dead."

"Wait, did you say the mines?" Another Vehicon from the group asked, "I thought I remembered you!"

"Do I know you?" PR-35 asked.

"ICN-995, and you of course remember ICN-994," ICN-995 reintroduced himself.

"I remember you two," VS-5000 interjected, and then started making kissing noises to taunt them.

"I'll kill him," ICN-994 growled, "It's three against one, and Megatron won't miss him!" She then activated two hand drills and aimed for them.

"Whoa, whoa, wait a klik!" PR-35 quickly shouted, "I'm sorry on behalf of my fellow Vehicon VS-5000."

"But I'm not sorry," VS-5000 argued.

"Shut up," PR-35 hissed quietly, "So, now that we all know each other, I would like to offer you three a unique opportunity to advance your lot in life."

"We're not going back to the Nemesis!" ICN-994 shouted vehemently.

"You don't have to," PR-35 replied encouragingly, "In fact, you shouldn't. We Vehicons have been lied to about our state of existence by Megatron for our entire lives. Well, the parts we can remember anyway. I guess that's not technically our entire lives, but it's-"

"You're talking in circles," 4 stated in a critical tone of voice, "Get to the point."

"We're not mere drones," PR-35 explained, "We're actually mechs and femmes that were turned into drones by Shockwave for Megatron's army. We were built using the Sparks and processors of former Autobots and neutrals. We're not just equipment, but rather real Cybertronians!"

"That's crazy talk," 4 scoffed, "The Autobots are obviously using this story to recruit Vehicons for themselves."

"Then we should let them," ICN-994 interjected with a devious tilt of her helm, "Think about it, 4. If the Autobots want us to buy into this whole real mech malarkey, then they'll let us do whatever we want. They'll let you download as much music as you want, they'll allow ICN-995 and I to hold servos like other couples do, and they might even give us stuff. It's the perfect plan."

"Stuff?" 4 perked up at that notion, "Like, actually own stuff of our own? You think they'll give us data pads?"

"Um, I don't think you understand the significance of this discovery," PR-35 attempted feebly to reason with them.

"Maybe they'll let me and ICN-994 share a berth," ICN-995 suggested, "Then we could fall asleep in each other's arms."

"Ooh! I love it when you talk rebellious like that!" ICN-994 gushed, "Come on 4, let's do it! I'm tired of this vagabond lifestyle. I'm ready to get back to work again."

"For the Autobots? I don't know..." 4 shook his helm; conflicted, "It would be cool to be allowed to dance during my break periods though."

"Yeah, and we wouldn't have to worry about being killed by Autobots," ICN-995 pointed out, "After all, mining for them isn't that much different from mining for Megatron, as long as we get our share."

"Wait! What if it's a trap?" ICN-994 suddenly exclaimed, "What if these two are just being used as bait and as soon as we get close enough the Autobots rip off our helms and crush our sparks?"

"Well...that was morbid," VS-5000 commented, "Listen, we're not bait. Bait is for fish, and the only Decepticon that looks like a fish is Knockout. Oh mech, I just scared myself for a second. Is anyone else freaked out by Knockout, or is it just me?"

"He tried to kill my sparkmate," ICN-995 grumbled as he held ICN-994 protectively close to him.

"He's been killing us left and right!" VS-5000 declared frantically, "Listen, even if the Autobots eventually turn on us, it's still faster than slowly dying on Knockout's operating table. You might as well come with us."

"Hm...The soldier has a point," ICN-994 finally conceded, "What do you say, boys? Are we in?"

"I'm in," ICN-995 nodded, "4?"

"...Aw, frag. What do I have to lose?" 4 surrendered to the popular vote, but then turned to PR-35 and said, "If you kill me though, I'm never speaking to you again."

The five Vehicons walked back to where the Autobots were waiting and Arcee, Bumblebee, and Chromia were ready with weapons drawn. Optimus did not have his weapons online since he didn't want to overwhelm the Vehicons.

"Well?" Optimus asked once they were close enough.

"Sir, this is SS-PLX-04, warrior class," PR-35 introduced them, "And these are two servant class miners. Their serial numbers are INC-994 and ICN-995. They're bonded, sort of."

"Bonded?" Arcee asked skeptically, "How does that work?"

"It doesn't, but nothing stops true love," ICN-995 declared proudly, "It is an honor to meet under these circumstances, esteemed Autobots. If you will have us, we wish to indenture ourselves to you. Do with us as you see fit."

"I appreciate your willingness to join us as well as your good manners," Optimus replied warmly, "We will do all we can to make you feel welcome until we can sort out whether or not you have any living relatives."

"Any what now?" ICN-994 muttered in confusion.

"Ratchet, send us a ground bridge," Optimus spoke out loud into the comm.

The swirling green vortex appeared before them. Optimus, Chromia, and the first two Vehicons went in first. Arcee and Bumblebee waited for the other three Vehicons. 4 bravely strode into the ground bridge helm-first into the unknown. INC-995 held out his servo for his beloved, and ICN-994 took it. Together they walked into the portal, with Arcee and Bumblebee going in behind them.

As soon as the Autobots entered the base with the new Vehicons Ratchet ran up to them with a worried expression on his face plate.

"Optimus, a new signal is coming in from earth's orbit," Ratchet informed them, "It looks to be a ship of Cybertronian origin."

"Is it Autobot or Decepticon?" Optimus asked first thing.

"I cannot be sure," Ratchet replied disappointedly, "However I can triangulate where it will land."

"Well then, it looks as if our mission is not over," Optimus noted, "Arcee, Bumblebee and PR-35, you are with me. Chromia and VS-5000, please show our new guests around the base. Ratchet, prepare the medbay in case of emergency."

"What!? But you might need more firepower!" Chromia protested.

"I need you here, Chromia," Optimus told her, /In case the Vehicons try to attack the base,/ he added over the comm.

"Ugh, fine!" Chromia threw her arms up in exasperation, "Come on, let's see if we can find some berths for you guys. I just hope whatever is in that pod doesn't turn into another mouth to fuel."

With the roster decided, Ratchet fired up the ground bridge for the team. Optimus and his selected teammates left the base, and Ratchet for the second time that day felt his spark hitch in his chassis. He didn't like that Bluestreak kept getting sent on missions, but he understood that their numbers were low enough to need more Autobots out in the field. Still, it worried Ratchet. No matter how much time had passed, that was still his sparkling going out there.

By the time the Autobots found the pod it had already landed and whoever was inside was already gone. Sure enough, it was a Decepticon escape pod. It looked like it had been blasted open from the inside, so whoever had been in there was trigger happy.

"Stay alert, team," Optimus cautioned them.

Almost as soon as he said that they heard the unholy battle cry of an Insecticon horde! It looked like there were ten of them, and with only 4 Autobots on the scene they were vastly outnumbered.

The team started firing on the Insecticons as soon as they saw them. Optimus picked off a couple, and Arcee and Bumblebee managed to get one each. PR-35 never missed a shot, but it would take four or five shots to down an Insecticon using the inferior Vehicon arm cannon. He only managed to shoot down one. That meant there were still still five Insecticons left.

All of a sudden, a whooping noise came out of the brush, and out of nowhere a white and blue mech came leaping and charging into the battle. He cheered and whooped as he shot and tackled the Insecticons one by one. He then fired on the escape pod; letting loose the energon inside. The new mech then fired on the flammable fluid; burning up the remaining Insecticons.

"Whew! Some welcoming party, huh?" The new mech commented as he drew closer to them, "We really showed them huh?"

That was when Arcee noticed the Autobot sigil on the stranger's armor, but she knew better than to immediately trust the new guy. For all they knew he could be a Decepticon plant.

[Nice shooting,] Bumblebee commented.

"Thank you for your assistance," Optimus said gratefully, "What is your designation, fellow Autobot?"

"Huh? Oh I'm- Whoa, wait," The new mech suddenly looked starstruck as he looked up at the calm yet inviting face plate of the Autobot leader, "You're Optimus Prime! He's Optimus Prime!" The new mech gushed as he turned to the other Autobots.

"Yes, and you are?" Optimus gently reminded him of his former question.

"Huh? Oh, right. Smokescreen, cadet in the elite guard, sir!" Smokescreen replied in clipped formal tones.

"You were elite guard?" Arcee asked skeptically.

"Yeah, but it was a gloried boot camp by the time I got there," Smokescreen shrugged, "I never even got a graduation ceremony."

"Well there was a war going on," Arcee reminded him harshly.

"What was your assignment in the elite guard?" Optimus asked to avoid any tension between Arcee and the new Autobot.

"Guarding Alpha Trion," Smokescreen informed him, "At first I wasn't thrilled about guarding some old guy. I wanted to be right in the action taking down 'Cons! Of course it turned out he was pretty cool. He told me he was the one who endorsed you as Prime back when you worked at the hall of records."

Optimus nodded solemnly in remembrance before asking, "And what became of Alpha Trion?"

"I don't know," Smokescreen replied ruefully, "I was supposed to protect him, but instead I got knocked out and captured by the 'Cons. They held me prisoner on one of their ships until I escaped in that life pod. That's how I ended up here."

"Hm, Alpha Trion would not have trusted the information you know about me to anyone unless they had proven themselves worthy," Optimus stated thoughtfully, "I am grateful you made it to earth safely. Ratchet, open a ground bridge."

"Just like that?" Arcee asked critically.

"Wow, I get to work with the Optimus Prime!" Smokescreen exclaimed excitedly as soon as the portal opened, "I knew I was destined for greatness! This is the happiest day of my- Decepticon!"

Smokescreen then pushed ahead of Optimus and fired on what he thought was a Decepticon sneaking up behind Bumblebee. It wasn't a Decepticon however; it was PR-35.

PR-35 saw what was about to happen and leapt out of the way, but Smokescreen still managed to shoot him in the pede.

"Ow! Hey, what did I do!?" PR-35 screamed as he clutched his wounded pede.

Smokescreen went to aim his weapon again, but Optimus grabbed his cannon arm and prevented him from firing again.

"Hey, what are you doing? That's a Decepticon!" Smokescreen protested.

"Smokescreen, a lot has happened since you left Cybertron," Optimus told him, "I will explain once we are back at the base. Bluestreak, can you walk?"

"Um...I can hop on one pede...for a few steps," PR-35 simpered; trying not to look weak in front of the others.

[I'll help him,] Bumblebee volunteered.

Bumblebee then wrapped one of PR-35's arms around his neck cables to balance the impaired Vehicon. Smokescreen cocked a brow ridge in bewilderment as he watched the others enter the ground bridge with PR-35. This seemed wrong on so many levels, but if Optimus wanted the Vehicon to return to base with them then who was he to say no?