In space, there was a large white and black ship with two long halls at the front and red energy cannons on each bow. On the ship's main bridge was the symbol of the Autobots while inside several Autobots were working themselves to keep the ship going, sitting in the captain's chair was a white and magenta pink female autobot.
"Any word on the alignment, Ironhide?" The female Autobot questioned to the red autobot.
"Nothing yet, Elita 1." Ironhide said with a tired look. "Still, don't you think it's a bit off that some ancient evil that ever only heard in stories would come with an alignment of Cybertron and wherever we're heading? Because that's just plain scrap."
"I once thought the same once upon a time, until he opened my eyes," Elita said, a look of longing in her optics.
"You mean Mr. Leader of the Free Galaxy?" A green autobot with coat-tail like metal questioned with a smirk while leaning against as Elita gave him a look. "What? The big P really does something like that."
"Watch your tone, Crosshairs," A black and white Autobot with a star on his chassis warned, "Optimus has earned the respect gets."
"I know. I know. Easy there, Prowl." Crosshair said with his arms up. "I mean, come on, even you have to admit, OP's been gone for a while. I mean, we only ever got his transmission message from wherever he is, but sometimes, it's like we're just on a wild Buffaloid chase."
"Trigger happy might be right." A silver autobot with a visor spoke up. "I mean, he needs to watch his yarn, but when was the last time we even saw another Bot that isn't a Con?"
"Jetfire." Prowl answered matter-of-factly.
"I was being sarcastic," The silver bot told him before a projection of a female bot with red jet wings, a white and red faceplate and black helm shaped like hair appeared in front of them.
"Sorry to interrupt the lovers quarrel, but we got news," The female bot said.
"Report Windblade," Elita told her.
"We just detected a massive surge of negative energy, coming from this planet," Windblade explained, showing an image of the Earth with a purple light emitting from inside it, "I think you know what it is." She said seriously.
"The Blood of Unicron," Elita muttered.
"Wait, so it is real?" Crosshair questioned in a bit of uncharacteristic worry. "Or you're just making this up for a bit of humor?" He asked hopefully.
"I don't joke, Crosshair." Windblade shook her head. "This is real. And that's not all, we just detected Autobot life signatures on this planet."
"How many?" Ironhide asked in wonder.
"From the looks of it, four of them, trying to figure out who they are now" Windblade guessed as she tried to identify them, "Identities confirmed: Ratchet, Acree, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee," she said, bringing up the images of the four autobots
"Bee?" The silver autobot asked in a hopeful tone as he gave a smile. "Haha! He's still kicking!"
"Wait, wasn't Bumblebee one of the Autobots who left with Optimus?" Prowl recalled.
"So, if he's on that planet, then…" Ironhide trailed off as they all turned to Elita who realized what this meant.
"Orion?" Elita whispered before her face turned serious, "Computer, set coordinates for that planet! Full speed ahead!"
"Understood." An AI voice from the ship's computers said as the ship increased speed and blasted towards Earth.
After a while, the ship stopped while orbiting around the planet earth that is a bit close while some of the Autobots inside were stearing. "E-1, you know that warp drive drains much of our energon. We barely have enough to land this thing." The silver bot said to Elita while gesturing to the fuel gauge.
"A little fuel loss will be worth finding our leader, Jazz," Elita told her.
"But we don't even know if Optimus is with them, we couldn't find his signal," Prowl told her.
"I know that Prime wouldn't be offline that easily." Elita said with a firm look. "Even the strongest Decepticons have trouble taking Optimus down."
"Uh, speaking of the Cons, take a look what I just found in the atmosphere," Ironhide said nervously, putting the image of the Nemesis on the monitor.
"The Nemesis." Elita muttered in dread. "Megatron…"
"Heh, just our luck." Crosshair muttered. "We get both Bots and Cons on the same planet." He complained. "Should we take them out?"
"No, finding Optimus and the others is our top priority." Elita said firmly. "Besides, we don't have the firepower or energon to mount an assault. So switch to cloaking mode so they won't be able to see us."
"Already on it," Ironhide said, pressing some buttons on the console.
"Elita, we've confirmed that Bee and the others signals are in this general location, Jasper Nevada," Windblade spoke up as the scanners then pointed to Nevada. "Still no fix on Optimus yet."
"You think OP is on a mission or something that he needs to stay hidden from?" Jazz asked. "Because knowing Prime, he sure can pull a disappearing act."
"We'll find out soon," Elita said before pressing a button on her chair, "Hotrod, Chromia, you two and I will head down there and make contact."
"Sure thing, boss." A male Autobot voice spoke up.
"Prowl, you're in charge till I get back," Elita told the white and black bot while standing up, "And make sure Crosshairs doesn't try raiding the Nemesis while I'm gone," She requested while walking out.
"You got it," Prowl saluted.
"Oh, you lot ain't any funny," Crosshairs grumbled as Elita walked out of the bridge, determined to find her old friend.
Soon, Elita, a blue female autobot, and a red with flame detail male autobot walked down the halls as an orange Minicon worked the controls as a Groundbridge portal opened for them, "Groundbridge are get, met," The minicon glitched before slamming his head, "Set!"
"Thank you, Fixit," Elita said, "Hot Rod, Chromia, with me," She told the two Autobots as they stepped through the portal and reappeared in town, close to a vehicle display yard, "Hmm, close enough to the Autobots but far enough away from the locals."
"Remind me again why we have to be unseen here?" the red bot asked.
"You heard what Elita-1 said, Hot Rod, the people of this world may not be used to giant alien robots," The female blue autobot told him, "And if word were to get out the Decepticons would be able to track us down."
"Yes, which is why we might need some…" Elita trailed off as she noticed a slick white and pink car and smirked, "cover." She finished before scanning the car and then after, she transformed into the car.
Hotrod then saw a racer with three exhaustion pipes on each side of it, "Whoa-ho-ho, I want that one!" He said excitedly before scanning and transforming as well.
"Very subtle, Hotrod." Chromia said with a dull look as she looked around and saw a motorbike with roof and windshield, "Hmm, well aren't you a pretty bird," She commented before scanning the vehicle and transforming into the motorbike. "Now for something that doesn't scare the locals." She said as she projected a hologram of a human wearing a helmet.
"I have the signal, Autobots, roll out!" Elita called as the three drove off, with Elita leading them way as they drove through Jasper while keeping a low profile while seeing some people going on their day.
"Wow, these organisms are humans, Optimus sure was spot on." Hot Rod commented.
"Keep quiet, Hot Rod." Chromia said as they kept driving.
At Autobot Omega Outpost that is just outside of Jasper, the members of Team Prime were going over what just happened, "Insight, we accomplished what was required. With Unicron's awakening, extreme measures needed to be taken," Ratchet stated, "Our greatest enemy became our ally, an ally became a confidant, and with the Matrix of Leadership, the Earth was saved…though at immeasurable personal cost," He said grimly, "When Optimus surrendered the Matrix, he lost more than the collective wisdom of the primes, he lost himself."
"That doesn't follow, Optimus still knew Megatron." Acree stated.
"They were like BFFs." Bulkhead added.
"But he called him Megatrous," Bumblebee beeped.
"If Optimus did not know his own name, perhaps it is because the title of Prime hasn't yet been granted to him." Ratchet said grimly.
"Huh?" Agent Fowler questioned.
"What?" Jack asked.
"Say again," Miko said confusedly.
"With the power of the Matrix no longer within him, it stands to reason that Optimus has reverted to his pre-prime state." Ratchet said to them. "The hisortical archives, Orion Pax."
"You mean in his mind," June stated.
"Are you telling me that Prime thinks he's some kind of Librarian, and a Decepticon?!" Fowler questioned in shock.
Before Ratchet could give an answer, the computer suddenly beeped, "What's that?" Raf questioned.
"The proximity sensors. Something's approaching," Ratchet said as he type on the console trying to identifying.
"Is it the Decepticons?" Arcee questioned.
"Or Optimus?" Bulkhead asked hopefully.
"Unlikely." Ratchet said to them. "With Optimus's memories gone, he wouldn't have any memory of the location of the base."
"So 'Cons then," Miko concluded.
Ratchet managed to identify the signal as they saw three autobot symbols on the monitor, "I don't believe it." Ratchet gasped.
"What is it?" Jack asked.
"I'm detecting Autobot signals. Three of them, heading our way." Ratchet said with a shocked look as they suddenly got a message.
"To any Autobots. Hope you don't mind taking any visitors," Elita's voice spoke as the Autobots perked up in shock.
"No way," Bulkhead said. "Was that who I think it was?"
"I don't believe it, I mean, it couldn't be, she-" Acree stammered while looking in complete silent.
"Elita!?" Bumblebee beeped loudly.
"Uh, who is that?" Jack asked the Autobots as he and the other humans were confused.
Ratchet then quickly patched through and spoke up. "Elita One, is that you?" He asked hopefully. "This is Ratchet, field medic."
"Hey doc, long time no hear," Elita said humorlessly as the Autobots smiled, "We're heading your way, mind opening the front door?"
"At once." Ratchet said as he quickly pressed some buttons.
"Uh, mind filling us in here?" Miko asked.
"Who is this Elita One?" Fowler questioned with a firm look.
"Not just Elita One!" Hot Rod called as they all turned and saw Hot Rod zooming in with a hard right and skidding to the halt and transforming back, "How's it rolling, bots?" Hotrod said with a wink.
"Hot Rod?!" Bumblebee said in complete shock and joy as the two walked up to each other and grabbed each other servos. "Nice to see you're still racing."
"Great to see you too, Bee!" Hot Rod said happily before turning to Arcee and Bulkhead, "C, Bulky, long time," He said walking up to them.
"Heheh, it sure has, HR." Bulkhead said with a smirk as Acree put a hand on her hip.
"Do you really have to move in like that?" Acree questioned with a teasing smirk.
"What? Don't like the style?" Hot Rod questioned with a smirk as Chromia came in and transformed in place.
"He's always a thrill chaser, that's for sure." Chromia said in amusement. "Makes me wonder how he isn't offline yet."
"Chromia?!" Acree asked in complete shock as Chromia turned to her.
"Arcee, it's been awhile," Chromia said, walking up to her, "Nice paint-job by the way," She commented while raising her fist.
Arcee smirked, "Nice vehicle choice," She said, doing a fist bump with her.
Elita then came in and transformed back as the Team Prime bots turned to her, "Ma'am./Ma'am." Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee saluted.
Elita returned the salute as the humans looked on in awed. "Okay, three new bots! Cool!" Miko said in excitement.
"The pink one is nearly as tall as Optimus." Jack commented in surprised.
"She certainly does. And from the looks of things, she got military experience." Fowler said after seeing how the Autobots saluted to her.
Elita then started speaking. "Bumblebee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Acree, glad to see you bots are still online." She said with a small smile as she stepped forward in front of Chromia and Hot Rod. "And more glad you managed to protect this planet from Megatron's greed."
"Oh, it wasn't easy. But we bring the pain to those Cons." Bulkhead said with a chuckle.
"Glad to see you're still online as well." Acree said with a smile. "We haven't heard a word from you or any others since the Exodus."
"What have you been doing?" Bumblebee beeped.
"Oh you know, the usual?" Hot Rod waved off, "Hunting for energon, recruiting other bots, blah, blah, taking down Cons, yadda-yadda." He listed out.
"Much as I hate to spoil this family picnic here , but can we please get some introductions?" Fowler requested while gesturing to himself and the others.
"Arcee, who are these bots?" Jack asked his guardian.
"Elita One was Optimus's right hand femme during the war for Cybertron," Arcee explained to Jack, "And the last bot you want to be on the other end of a laser with."
"And Hot Rod and Chromia, we go way back." Bulkhead said. "We used to hang out and take down cons together."
"We believed they, like many others, were lost in the war," Ratchet explained. "But it seems thankfully we were wrong,"
"We're here now, that's what's important," Elita told him before frowning, "But where is Optimus? Is he here?" she asked hopefully.
Team Prime gave concern looks. "Uh, yeah." Bulkhead said with an uneasy look.
"You mean he's…" Hot Rod started.
"No, Primus no!" Ratchet quickly assured to him. "He's still online, but not with us at the moment."
"Is he on a mission?" Chromia asked.
"Um, not exactly." Bumblebee beeped while pinching his fingers with a wince.
"There's a lot you three need to be catch up on." Acree said with a frown.
"I think this is something we all need hear," Elita explained, while walking up to the computer.
"Wait, what do you mean all?" Jack wondered.
The Autobots however understood, "There are others?" Ratchet asked.
"We have our ship orbiting around now." Hot Rod said. "We figure we do a little scouting before we start to land. We're running on fumes just to get here and in need of a landing."
"I have the coordinates," Elita said after working with the Groundbridge, "You can explain it to us on the way."
Meanwhile on the Nemesis, Megatron and Airachnid were on the bridge as Megatron spoke up to the entire crew.
"Attention crew, our guest is currently in isolation to help ease his transition. But when Orion Pax emerges, he is to be shown every courtesy. And the first to address him as Optimus Prime will have their voice box torn out." Megatron announced.
"Lord Megatron, is it wise to allow an Autobot, current or former, full run of the premises?" Airachnid questioned with a brow.
"Nothing happens aboard this ship without my knowledge. You would do well to remember that, Airachnid." Megatron said to her before facing forward. "But there's no need for concern: Orion does not possess the same fight Optimus' is so renowned for."
"Then what use is he to our cause?" Airachnid questioned.
"Ah, rest assured. Orion Pax will indeed earn his stripes." Megatron assured with a smirk.
Inside the ship's medical bay, Knock Out was doing something on Orion's shoulder. "Welcome back to the winning team." Knock Out said, revealing that Optimus now had the Decepticon emblem instead of the Autobots'.
On Metroplex, Team Prime, Elita, Chromia and Hotrod walked through the ship halls while carrying the humans, "By the Allspark," Ratchet breathed out in wonder.
"Heh, never thought I would see this big guy again." Bulkhead said with a smile while carrying Miko.
"Uh, Bulkhead, it's just a ship." Miko said before she smiled in excitement. "Which is so awesome! Score!"
"Yup, Metroplex is definitely one of the best Bots out there," Hot Rod commented as the humans looked shocked.
"W-Wait, this whole ship is…an Autobot?" Jack asked in shock.
"That's correct." Chromia said with a smile.
"A-Amazing." June spoke up.
"Okay, I didn't know Autobots come in this size." Raf commented in awe.
Meanwhile Elita was going over what Ratchet told them, "So, in order to stop Unicron, Orion had to surrender the full power of the Matrix into his Antispark. But in the process, lost all his memories as a Prime." She summarized.
"Indeed, and Megatron has likely taken full advantage of this," Ratchet explained. "But being a Decepticon is a choice." He added.
"One I know that Orion would never make at any point in his life," Elita believed as well.
"So if Optimus is riding with the Cons," Bulkhead started.
"It's because Megatron is working some kind of Voodoo," Acree finished as they reached the bridge where Prowl, Crosshairs and Windblade were waiting.
"Welcome back, Ma'am," Prowl saluted before he turned to the others who were placing the humans on one of the computer consoles, "And the rest of you."
"Bee," Windblade said with a smile.
"Windblade?!" Bumblebee said in surprise and a bit of joy as Windblade walked up to him. "Nice to see you're still flying."
"Heh, and I see you're still rolling, Bee." Windblade joked before she then caught Bumblebee in a surprise hug, which surprised the humans and Bee. "I'm glad you're okay."
Crosshairs walked up to Bulk, "Nice to see ya, Big B," Crosshairs smirked.
"Haha, Cross!" Bulkhead cheered, doing a chassis bump with him before pulling into a crushing hug, "Where ya been, buddy?!" He asked.
"Shoot down posers and a bit of sabotaging." Crosshairs said with a strained look from the hug.
Prowl and Ratchet shook hands in greeting, "So, Optimus has lost his memories and is with the cons now," Prowl questioned having been filled in on what has happened, "Then our main focus will be rescuing him,"
"Agreed, Prowl." Ratchet said with a serious look. "Orion Pax may not currently be an Autobot up here." He pointed his head. "But I must believe he will never stop being one in here." He pointed to his spark. "We must locate him, to know for certain."
"Hold up. I have a chip lodged in my behind that lets Uncle Sam know when I stop for donuts." Fowler commented. "Are you telling me you can't just track Prime?"
"Optimus' signal has not reappeared since he embarked for Earth's core." Ratchet answered, showing everyone that Optimus' signal had static on it. "But we must get to work finding him if we have any hope of initiating his contingency plan."
"Contingency plan?" Windblade repeated with a brow.
"Ratchet, what do you mean?" Elita asked in wonder.
"Is that even a word?" Miko questioned with a brow.
"Who're the squishies?" Crosshair questioned with a brow.
Jack then pulled out the card Optimus gave him before the Unicron mission, "This keycard," He said while turning the bots, "What's it do?" He asked.
"It grants access to Vector Sigma," Elita explained, recognizing the card, "It is the repository of the wisdom of the Primes,"
"You mean it's like some kind of supercomputer," Raf asked them.
"So we could just download Optimus' memories back into him?" Jack asked with a hopeful smile. "Great! Which ones the big V? Back at base? Or somewhere on this ship?"
Elita sighed, "Jack, Vector Sigma is more than a super computer. It is an ancient source of mystical power, created by Vector Prime himself…and is on Cybertron." She revealed as they all looked at her in surprise.
Meanwhile, Megatron had escorted Orion Pax onto the main deck and they both approached the end, with Orion noticing some of the Vehicons were giving him some strange looks.
"You have been a captive of the Autobots and locked in stasis for quite some time, Orion. Long enough for us to be in exodus on another world." Megatron explained.
"Exodus? Why?" Orion asked.
"Because the warlord, Rachet, careless actions lead to this." Megatron answered, gesturing to the main screen.
When Orion looked at the screen, he gasped in horror to see Cybertron as the deceased planet it currently was.
"Cybertron." Optimus whispered in despair before he gained an angry expression, something Megatron was pleased to see.
"Jackson Darby, you are not traveling to another planet." June said firmly to her son.
"I'm in!" Miko said with a smile.
"You're not going either, Miko." June said firmly. "Not one of you can." She said while looking at the Autobots.
"June's right." Fowler said in agreement. "Why send a boy to do a bot's job?"
"Because only a Prime can access Victor Sigma." Elita spoke up.
"Or one chosen by a prime." Ratchet said while looking at Jack. "Optimus gave the keycard to Jack. It is now imprinted with his unique bio-signature." He explained.
"So I guess you could is that this kid's like an Honorary Prime," Hot Rod shrugged.
"Let's just say Jack is the only one who can return Optimus to the Autobot we knew." Ratchet added.
"By why would Optimus willfully endanger a human?" June questioned. "A child?"
"I'm not a child mom." Jack said in defense.
"Maybe Optimus believes there's more to Jack then meets the eye." Acree stated.
"All which is moot." Ratchet said with a frown. "The keycard is useless to us without a means of reaching Cybertron."
"Why not use this ship and take us there now?" Miko suggested with a smile. "We can all go and back Jack up."
"Uh, I don't think that's an option." Hot Rod said with a frown.
"Why is that?" Fowler questioned.
"Because we've barely got enough fumes to fill a mug at Macadams'." the Silver bot came in. "No way Metro can fly all the way to Cybertron and back again."
"Jazz?" Bumblebee asked in surprise and joy.
"Bee!" Jazz said with a smile, pulling up his visor, "I can't believe you were hanging out in this dump!" He said in wonder.
"Whoa! Watch the language." Miko said with a look.
"It's Earth, Jazz, the nicest one in the galaxy." Acree said with a smirk.
Jazz and Bulkhead then did a fist bump, "Alright," they both said, mimicking an explosion with their hands.
"Jazz is right though," Windblade spoke up, "We have Energon to keep us going for a good while on Earth but not enough for any road trips." She explained.
"And without a spacebridge, we can't travel that way either," Ratchet added.
"Um, what about that?" Miko asked, gesturing to monitor the image of the groundbridge.
"Miko, the Groundbridge barely got them into Earth's orbit, remember." Raf reminded her.
"Yeah but these guys built it," Miko reminded, gesturing to the Autobots, "Can't they just turbocharge the thing?" She questioned as the bots looked to each other in thought.
"I cannot believe Ratchet capable of such horrors." Optimus said sadly, looking over the remains of Cybertron.
"Yes. And to think the doctor of doom's mad quest for power continues." Megatron replied. "His marauders pursued us to this planet's orbit. We feel its species are not ready to behold us. But we have resolved to protect this world from the same tragedy which was dealt to our own."
"One question, Megatron. Why are we called Decepticons?" Orion asked.
"Another craven Autobots scare tactic. The name was meant to demonize us. Instead, we wear it as a badge of honor. For us speaking the truth is a deception, then we are gladly guilty." Megatron explained proudly, causing Optimus to nod. "Now please, Orion, there will be plenty of time for catching up. You must rest."
The Decepticon leader began to leave as Orion turned his attention back to the screen showing Cybertron.
"Megatron, I will do my part to stop Ratchet's unspeakable crimes of aggression." Orion announced, fighting his fist and holding it up. "This I vow, with all my Spark." he promised.
Megatron looked away and smirked to himself before he took his leave.
Later, the Decepticon leader was seen inside a room with only one light in it.
"It seems we have successfully achieved control of Orion's Spark. Now to put his mind to work." Megatron said before turning around to face Soundwave. "Have you sanitized the data core?"
Soundwave nodded in response, confirming that he had done as his leader as asked.
"Excellent. Our new archivist will require unlimited access to our files. It would be counterproductive for him to stumble upon any sensitive information." Megatron admitted.
In Jasper, June finished her shift at the hospital and walked towards Elita in vehicle mode, "This really isn't necessary, Elita," June told the Autobot as she opened the door and climbed in.
"If me and my fellow Autobots need to learn about human customs, it's really necessary for us to know more about Earth by it's species." Elita said to her as they drove off. "And your son is a bit similar in this situation. And I can tell how worried you are if you are against him of helping Orion."
June sighed, "After Jack's father left, I've been trying to do my best to raise him on my own, and being a nurse doesn't give you much reassurance about what can happen to your kids," She explained, "Now I find out he's been secretly helping alien robots at war with each other and is the only one who can save your leader."
"The card is embedded with Jack's signature, he's the only one who can bring Orion back to us," Elita reminded her.
"Why do you keep calling him Orion, shouldn't you be-" June stopped herself as a thought came to her, "Wait, wait, you and Optimus? Are, you two…"
"He was meant to be my Conjux Endura," Elita explained a bit.
June gave a brow. "I don't speak Cybertronian, but I'm gonna say that you two are an item." She summarized.
"Guilty as charged, even during one big battle he found the courage to ask me the ultimate question," Elita recalled.
"Was it "will you marry me"?" June asked with a smirk.
"If that's the saying you would use on this planet, it was something similar." Elita said as she turned a corner. "We'd hoped our big day would be the first event after the Decepticons were defeated but…"
"The war lasted longer than you thought, didn't it?" June asked with a sympathetic frown.
"And we were forced to separate during the exodus," Elita said with a sad tone. "I spent many cycles hoping that Orion was still alive out there. And now when I finally find him, he's lost his memories and is with that scrapheap Megatron."
"Elita, speaking as a woman who's already lost the love of my life, I promise, you will see Optimus again," June promised the Autobot.
"I hope so, if you give your son the chance." Elita said as June looked down in thought, knowing that if Jack doesn't do this, Optimus would be lost to the Cons forever.
At KO patty, Jack was working as he gave the fast food at the drive in. "Two body slam burgers specials. Enjoy." Jack said as the customer drove off.
"Hey, Jack." Jack turned and saw his friend Seirra waving to him.
"Sierra," Jack greeted.
"How come I don't see you around?" Sierra asked.
"What are you talking about, we have chemistry together," Jack told her before catching what he said, "C-Class. Chemistry class." He said in embarrassment.
"I mean, outside of school." Sierra said while rubbing her head. "I never see you at any parties, or at the mall."
"Well, mostly I'm here, wearing the hat." Jack said while gesturing to his work hat. "And you can never study too hard for the old SATs, you know. And there's some other stuff." He said before his buzzer went off. "Don't go anywhere." He said to her as he turned to the speaker. "Welcome to KO drive in. May I take your…"
"5 pm, Jack," Arcee's voice said, "Your shift's over." She told him. "Let's go."
"Oh, that kind of stuff." Sierra said with an awkward look as she began to walk away.
"Sierra, wait! She's my mother." Jack tried to explain as Arcee came driving by as Sierra looked at her in surprise.
"You're mom looks good in leather! On your bike." Sierra told him before walking away as Jack sighed.
"Sorry to decimate your social life, son," Arcee teased.
"Not the first time." Jack said with a sigh. "Any sign of Optimus?"
"Not today." Acree said with a down tone as Jack gave a determined look.
"Not yet." Jack said seriously.
The Nemesis was still flying above the Earth's clouds as Megatron was walking down the halls with Knock Out to discuss their next big plan.
"When we stormed the Iacon Hall of Records in the warning days of the War for Cybertron, we acquired highly classified files." Megatron explained. "Files written with Autobot codes, which we have been unable to decipher."
"Autobot codes which the Iacon archivist, Orion Pax, should have no trouble cracking." Knock Out finished, having figured out Megatron's plan. "Considering what's at stake, shouldn't we beef up the security around here?" he questioned.
"Knock Out, I believe that Orion will perform most effectively if he does not feel threatened or confined in any way. However, it is no coincidence that Orion's workstation is located in direct proximity to the Energon storage vault." Megatron said, gesturing to their storage room closely down the left.
"Which is under constant surveillance." Knock Out realized with a smirk. "Well played."
At Autobot base, Raf was doing some homework before he turned and saw Ratchet and Prowl working on the Ground Bridge. "Ratchet, are you and Prowl turbocharging the Ground Bridge?" He asked in surprise.
"Tinkering." Ratchet corrected. "No need to get anyone's hopes up just yet."
"While Metroplex and the others are hiding inside a gorge after landing, Ratchet thought I would help him out with the Ground Bridge here to see if there's a way to charge it up to reach Cybertron." Prowl stated.
"What makes you knowledgeable on Space Bridges?" Raf asked in curiosity.
"I was once an enforcement officer back on Cybertron before the war," Prowl said to him. "We were given specific and intense knowledge of Space Bridges in case we need to catch some outlawsthat ever use one. That, and Fixit has a knack of keeping the schematics of them."
"Cool." Raf said with a smile. "I hope to meet him."
"Oh, trust me. You and he will get along. Even you, Ratchet." Prowl said with a smirk.
"Yes, yes." Ratchet said with a wave of his hand. "Now, let me work." He said as he continued work on the Ground Bridge.
Back onboard the Nemesis, Orion was typing on a terminal in his workstation as a bunch of red Cybertronian writing was on the screen. Megatron then walked into the room.
"Orion, how fair's Project Iacon?" Megatron asked.
"I am a bit rusty, I fear. I've only managed to decode three entries." Orion said.
"And what do these entries comprise?" Megatron questioned.
"They were logged by Autobot archivists during the war, after I entered stasis. My only knowledge of their contents so far is that they are coordinates. Targeting locations on this very planet." Orion explained, showing some locations of Earth on a hologram. "I surmise that they could indicate hiding places for vessels, shuttled from Cybertron for safekeeping."
"Such as historical documents or cultural artifacts?" Megatron asked as he approached the hologram of Earth.
"My greatest fear would be weapons of mass destruction, hidden away for later use." Orion answered.
"All the more reason it is essential that we do everything in our power to keep said vessels from Autobot reach. We are fortunate to have you on our side, Orion Pax." Megatron said as he walked back to the exit.
"Lord Megatron, I am puzzled by one particular finding. I have discovered several historic references to Starscream as your Second-In-Command." Orion admitted, displaying the absent air commander on-screen. "Yet I have not seen him aboard the ship."
"Sadly, Commander Starscream is dead." Megatron replied simply before he left, leaving Orion with some confusion.
Megatron returned to the main deck where Soundwave was working at the main terminal.
"Orion asks many questions. A valuable trait in an archivist, but not in a Decepticon." Megatron said. "It is a matter of time before he unravels our fabrications, and his innate sense from right to wrong rises to the surface. My only hope is that Orion will complete Project Iacon before I am forced to destroy him… once and for all." He said seriously.
At the Autobot base, Ratchet and Prowler were still working on upgrading the Ground Bridge as he uses a blowtorch on the main controls. But then, the main console activated and a call from Agent Fowler came in.
"Ratchet! You awake?" Fowler asked in desperateness. "This is an emergency!"
"Agent Fowler, is it Optimus?" Ratchet asked.
"It's Cons, and they're busting into the same military research lab they hit last two months." Fowler explained as the other Autobots heard this and approached the main console.
"They must be after another power source." Bumblebee guessed.
"For another Space Bridge." Bulkhead added.
"For all we know, Optimus is riding with them." Arcee said seriously.
Ratchet contacted the Metroplex, "Autobot base to Metroplex, do you copy?" He called.
"Copy, Ratchet. Go ahead." Elita said on the bridge.
"The Decepticons seem to be pillaging a military base for a powersource necessary to build a space bridge," Ratchet explained, "It may be our only lead to Optimus, your order?" He asked.
Elita looked down before she gave a serious look. "Tell Fowler to get his troops out of there. We can't risk a signal of human casualty. And then we take care of things from there, that's what Orion would want us to do." She said firmly.
"Understood," Ratchet confirmed.
"Windblade, Hot Rod, and Jazz will help Bulk and Bee handle the Decepticons, while Arcee, Crosshairs and I will use their groundbridge to get on the Nemesis and find Orion." Elita said with a serious look.
"Alright! Some action!" Hot Rod cheered.
"Autobots, Roll out!" Elita declared as she and her team ran off.
"Let's roll." Jazz said with a smirk.
"Good luck, team. And next time, I will join the fun." Ironhide said with a smirk as Chromia giggled.
"Sure you would." Chromia commented.
At the military lab, Knock Out was fired upon by a bunch of military tanks as Breakdown was carrying the power source as Breakdown fired at the retreating tanks, missing them as they managed to escape the destruction.
Knock Out smirked while holding his electro rod before he saw a Ground Bridge opened up and saw Bulkhead, Acree, and Bumblebee rolling out and then rushing at them. "Drop the power source!" Bulkhead called out.
"Aren't you missing someone?" Knock out taunted.
"Yeah, I think so," Bumblebee shot back as another Ground Bridge opened up and Elita, Hot Rod, Crosshairs, Windblade and Jazz rushed out from it.
"Surprise!" Crosshairs called with a smirk and pulled out his pistols while Windblade brought out her sword while Hot Rod, Jazz, and Elita brought out their blasters as Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Acree did the same.
"Stand down, Decepticons!" Elita called out as she raised her blasters at the two Decepticons. "I won't ask the second time." She growled.
Breakdown and Knock Out were shocked by seeing not only more Autobots, but their second in command. "E-E-Elita One?" Knock Out asked in a slight panicked look.
"So, the second in command and her own team have joined up with Optimus's pals?" Breakdown questioned with a smirk. "I love a challenge."
"Glad you're okay with it, breakdown. Because we're gonna break you." Bulkhead said with a look.
"Oh, but you're not the only ones who brought backup." Knock Out said as Vehicons came flying by and started firing on the Autobots as they returned fire.
"Come on, Decepti-punks!" Jazz called out as he shot down one of the vehicons.
Windblade then transformed into a jet and flew behind the Vehicons, "Sorry, but you boys don't rule the skies anymore!" Windblade told them as she started shooting at them.
"Soundwave, we're ready for that bridge," Knock Out said through his comm as the Ground Bridge appeared, "We'll be sure to tell the Big O, you said hello," He taunted to the Autobots before he and Breakdown ran through the portal.
"I don't think so," Elita said with a glare, "Arcee, Crosshairs, with me!" She ordered the two.
"Right behind ya!" Acree called as the three transformed and drove straight towards the Ground Brige while avoiding shuts as they raced through.
On the Nemesis, Elita, Crosshair, and Acree exited the Ground Bridge as Elita charged forward, knocking Breakdown and Knock Out down as Acree and Crosshair drove past the down cons as the two looked and saw the three Autbots driving down the hall and turning a corner.
"Scrap," Knockout sighed with a dull look and went to his comm, "Lord Megatron, I have good news and bad news," He started.
Down the halls, Elita, Crosshair and Acree drove down the halls before the vehicons in front of them started firing, which made them skid around and then transformed as they started fighting them off with ease before the last Vehicon was stomped on Elita's foot.
"Where is Optimus Prime?! Tell me!" Elita threatened as she raised her blaster at the vehicon, who just looked to left as the three Autobots saw more vehicons blasting towards them
"More targets for me," Crosshairs said as he pulled out his pistols and shot the vehicons where they stood.
"More incoming!" Acree called as she took out her blades and started slicing the Vehicons while more were coming.
"Autobots, move!" Elita ordered as they assumed vehicle mode again and drove past them.
On the bridge, Soundwave was showing the video feed to Megatron and Airachnid. "What?!" Megatron questioned in shock and anger. "Elita One?! Alive?!"
"And she's with Acree and a new partner," Airachnid said with a smirk as she deployed her spider legs. "Allow me to welcome them aboard."
"And have your spark extinguished by the hand of the Autobots' Second in Command," Megatron stated with a servo in front of her, "This development jeopardizes everything! If Orion so much as lay eyes on another autobot, let alone his beloved Sparkmate, everything he currently believes will be called into question." He growled as he turn to Soundwave. "See to it that Elita, Acree, and their comrade are escorted off this ship immediately!" He ordered as Soundwave gave a nod.
At the same time, Orion was still working at his workstation before he heard some blaster noises outside and then felt something resonate in his chassis. "W-What?" He muttered while placing his hand to his chassis. "What is this," He wondered.
Those noises where Vehicons firing at Arcee, Elita, and Crosshair, who drove right through them and continued their search. "I feel him. He's close!" Elita said to them as they increased speed.
Orion exited his room to see that the Vehicons were racing down the corridor. "Orion, please return to your station. Lord Megatron's orders." One Vehicon said before leaving with his comrade.
The resonance Orion felt however urged him out of his station to see what was going on. As the three Autobots were still driving down the ship, Soundwave arrived at the end of the corridor and waited for them to come to him.
"Ah, great. Soundwave!" Crosshair said with a serious tone.
"Let's run him down!" Arcee told them as they accelerated towards Soundwave.
Soundwave simply stood where he was, while Orion was beginning to approach them from the right.
Soundwave's face then displayed some schematics and a location on Earth as the three Autobots jumped straight at him. Sensing Orion just around the bend, Elita did the only the thing she could do, "Orion!" She yelled out as loudly as she could.
Orion's eyes widened, hearing the voice, "that voice," He said, recognizing Elita's voice and quickened his pace.
Just then,a Ground Bridge suddenly appears in front of Soundwave and sends the three Autobots somewhere else. Soundwave then closes the bridge as Orion shows up behind him.
"I heard my name." Orion said. "Is everything alright?"
Soundwave simply looked at him and said nothing before he took his leave while Optimus just stood there as he felt his chassis again and the voice he heard. "Ariel?" he muttered, knowing that voice anyway.
At the other end of the Ground Bridge Shockwave opened up, Elita, Crosshair, and Acree were flung out as they landed in a snowy tundra as they transformed into their robot forms as they skidded to a stop. "What the…" Acree muttered as she saw they were in the arctic.
"Aw, Scrap." Crosshairs grumbled, realizing Soundwave sent them away.
Elita stood up before she took heavy breaths but couldn't calm down. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" She screamed out in pure rage, which echoed throughout the Arctic as Crosshairs and Acree flinched and looked at her in uneasy, knowing how she is when she gets angry.
A bit later after contacting for a Ground Bridge, they were at Autobot Base where Ratchet was patching the three up, "He was right around the corner, I was almost there!" Elita griped, slamming her fist down.
"At least we have confirmation that Optimus is onboard the ship." Ratchet said with a bit of optimism. "Did you try to get the Decepticon's location?"
"Sorry, doc. We were only in the corridors." Crosshairs said with a shrug. "We didn't have time to find a console to figure out where they are."
"Then we're nowhere closer to finding him." Jazz sighed in disappointment.
Out of frustration, Bulkhead slammed his fist onto one of Ratchet's tools.
"Bulkhead!" Ratchet exclaimed.
"What?! You needed that?! The only thing I need is our head honcho back!" Bulkhead stated angrily, slamming his fists together.
"It's not either of your faults." Jack said to the three Autobots.
"If any of us needed rescuing, Optimus would've found a way. But I didn't. I let my emotions get the best of me." Elita said with a guilty look as the console beeps up as Fowler appeared.
"Ratchet, I just wanted to say great job." Fowler said to them. "No injuries or casualties. Sorry you couldn't find Prime. I hope your plan is doing well in finding him." He said as he ended transmission.
"Well, at least that turned out better." Raf said with an optimistic look.
"Well, if things did turn bad, who knows? Maybe they'll ship us out to some island! Or fire us into space, wouldn't that be a welcome relief?!" Ratchet said sarcastically.
"I don't blame you. Elita made sure to evacuate all humans from the area before engaging the cons." Acree stated.
"It's what Optimus would've done." Bumblebee stated.
"We don't actually know what Optimus would've done because he's not here!" Bulkhead stated.
"You're pretty good at stating the obvious, Bulk." Acree retorted. "Anything else you'd like to mention that we already know?"
"Nothing I can say in front of the children." Bulkhead answered.
"Okay, that is enough!" Elita yelled out as she stood up, which made the Autobots flinch at her outburst. "Just stop it! You're acting like Corvicons fighting over scrap!"
"Ooh, Elita got spunk." Miko commented to her friends.
"Yes, Optimus would've done something like that, but he hasn't been gone for that long and you all are letting this get to you!" Elita shouted as she paced around as the others watched. "Optimus is on the Nemesis, and still alive. Whatever Megatron is using him for, it's obvious he wanted Optimus alive to achieve it. And right now, he's counting on us to rescue him and find a way to restore his memories." She then turned to them. "But fighting among ourselves isn't gonna solve this! For all we know, we could be all that's left of the Autobots and right now, we need to have clear minds and stay united if we're going to bring our leader to his senses."
The Autobots looked at each other in slight regret, "Sorry," Arcee apologized to Bulkhead.
"Yeah, same here," Bulkhead replied.
"So, what do suggest we do, Elita?" Ratchet asked.
"I think we may be able to take advantage of Megatron's plan to rebuild the Spacebridge," Elita explained to them, "While having it in their possession is dangerous, it solves the one kink we have in our plan."
"She's right." Jack said in agreement with a determined look. "We let the Cons finish building the Space Bridge."
"Why? So they can bring more zombies back from Cybertron? Bulkhead questioned.
"No. So we can commandeer it." Elita said seriously.
"And then we use it to send me to Cybertron," Jack said seriously, which shocked the group.
"Oh, that is a good idea," Miko admitted.
Crosshair gave a sarcastic laugh, "Oh, well, if the girl squishy thinks hijacking a space bridge is a good idea," He started.
"Nobody's saying it will be easy. But we've seized a Space Bridge before." Jack reminded them.
"We blew one up." Bulkhead reminded him. "That's a hold a lot different than seizing and holding one."
"Except this time, you'll have help," Elita told him, "With all of us together, capturing the Space bridge long enough to send Jack through should be easy."
"Except we don't even know where it is." Bumblebee admitted.
"Bee's right." Jazz said with a serious tone. "We have to find the Space Bridge first. And last I check, the cons ain't known for sharing secrets."
"Uh, hello, if it's a Space Bridge, isn't it…" Miko started as she then gestured up, indicating space.
"Uh, you know we just came from space, right?" Prowl questioned with a brow. "Because when we first arrived, there was no Space Bridge in the Earth's atmosphere as far as the optics can see. Besides, the term 'space' is referring to its transport range, not location."
"Meaning the Space Bridge is still on Earth," Elita stated.
"Like trying to find a servo in a scrapyard." Crosshairs said with a frown. "Most of us our new to this planet, so that Space Bridge could be anywhere."
"Good thing we got plenty of wheels to start searching," Arcee stated.
"But the fact remains." Ratchet spoke up. "We do not know what the Decepticons have in store for Optimus. Or that if he's truly safe from harm."
In the Earth's sky, several Vehicon flyers were making their way back to the Nemesis after a short recon mission, not knowing that a certain air commander was tailing them from behind. The Vehicons made it into the Nemesis' main hanger and transformed before walking inside, while Starscream quietly transformed behind them and smirked to himself.
Once he got inside, Starscream carefully maneuvered his way through the Nemesis without any of his former comrades seeing him. Starscream soon peeked out of a wall and spotted two Vehicons guarding the room he was searching for. The Vehicons heard footsteps and quickly drew out their blasters, seeing Starscream approaching them.
"Starscream!" A Vehicon said.
"That's Commander Starscream. What's your malfunction?" Starscream questioned with a frown. "Lower those weapons, immediately."
"I'm sorry, sir, but Lord Megatron ordered that you'd be taken into custody should you ever return to the Nemesis." The second Vehicon told him.
"What? Clearly, there has been a mistake." Starscream replied nervously, until he suddenly killed both Vehicons in the blink of an eye with his claws as one of them shot a light above.
Seeing no one else was around, Starscream walked into the room and later came out with four Energon cubes. But then, he heard footsteps approaching from behind and groaned frustratingly before sprinting ahead to find somewhere to temporarily hide. Starscream found a nearby door and opened it up before walking into a secure room, only to become shocked when he saw Orion Pax working at his station in front of him.
"No! Optimus Prime?!" Starscream asked astonishingly before dropping the Energon cubes and aiming his wrist missiles, much to Orion's surprise and confusion.