Back in New York, Jack, Miko, Elsa, Bumblebee, and Arcee drove back into the alleyway as a Ground-Bridge opened. Miko was scatting while Bee played metal music.
"We got the Phase Shifter, and we messed up Knockout's face! Oh, yeah!" She sang before Bee turned the radio off. "Hey!" Miko objected.
Bee buzzed at her. "Let me guess, you and Raf spend all your drive time listening to chip tunes." Miko joked. Bee buzzed again.
"Well, it's been fun, but I'm ready to get back to my regularly scheduled partner, Bulk-AHH!!" Bee nearly collided with an unconscious Bulkhead but turned in time. Bee transformed, as Miko stepped out.
"Bulkhead, respond!" Ratchet begged as he put Energon defibrillators to Bulkhead's chassis. "Bulkhead?" Miko asked in a small voice.
Ratchet removed the defibrillators and scanned Bulkhead for anything positive. "Bulkhead! What happened?" Miko asked and ran to her friend, but Agent Fowler held her back. "Tox-En exposure, among other things. Bulkhead has suffered a complete systems failure." Ratchet said.
"Hold on, Tox-En?" Arcee asked. Ratchet looked at his wrist computer. Bulkhead's life-signal was red. "Help me get him to the medical bay now!" He ordered. Bumblebee and Arcee ran to help the green Wrecker. Miko watched them drag her friend away. "No!" She yelled and broke out of Agent Fowler's grip but didn't go further.
"If I hadn't gone to New York -" She started as tears began to form. "There's nothing you could have done. Hardshell sucker-punched the big lug while he was down." Agent Fowler said. "Who?" Miko asked.
"Some Insecticon. It doesn't matter. Point is it's not your fault. You got that?" Agent Fowler asked. "Got it." Miko growled. Jack put a hand on her shoulder, and Elsa gently held her hand.
Over on the Nemesis, Megatron was angrily addressing Dreadwing, Knockout, Soundwave, and Hardshell. "How is this possible?! Four relics, each within our grasp, and yet only Soundwave has returned with something other than an excuse!" The warlord looked at the Insecticon.
"Tell me, Hardshell, what is yours?" Megatron asked. "I have none, my lord. We failed to retrieve the Tox-En. But the green Autobot has been terminated." Hardshell said. "Then perhaps this day is not lost after all." Megatron said.
"If that is true. It has been a while since anyone has extinguished an Autobot Spark." Knockout cut in. "Because it has been a while since an Insecticon warrior has been provided the opportunity to do so." Hardshell said.
"Really, now? Because the bug under my recent command was utterly useless." Knockout said. Hardshell growled at that insult.
"Enough! Hardshell, are you certain the one called Bulkhead was exterminated?" Megatron asked. "By my very own hand, Lord Megatron." Hardshell said.
Bulkhead was hooked up to multiple monitors as the Autobots surrounded their friend. "Yes, sir. Turns out highlights of your Big Apple adventure got caught on security tape. The Pentagon needs me to run interference with the mayor." Agent Fowler said.
Ratchet kept scanning Bulkhead. "I tried to stall, but -" Agent Fowler started. "Go where you are needed, Agent Fowler. There is nothing more you can for Bulkhead at this time." Optimus said.
"Keep me posted, Prime." Agent Fowler said and walked for the elevator. He turned around and said, "I mean it." He entered the elevator.
"Wheeljack's on his way." Arcee said. Miko stood up in shock. "I can't believe you're giving up on Bulkhead already!" She snarled.
"All I meant was Wheeljack and Bulkhead are close. I thought he'd want to be here." Arcee assured. "I know what you meant!" Miko huffed. "Miko, where are you going?" Optimus asked. "Home! While Agent Fowler can still give me a lift." Miko said and entered the elevator.
Chromia went to stop her until Optimus put a servo on her shoulder. "She needs time." He said.
Ratchet tapped the computer module. "Bulkhead is stable for the moment, but I had to induce Stasis." The medic said. They heard engines, then Wheeljack drove into base and transformed. "What's the damage, doc?" The white Wrecker asked.
"Bulkhead suffered massive trauma to his central neural conduit." Ratchet said. "I've watched you work. You're a maestro." Wheeljack said. "The Tox-En exposure has caused system-wide shutdown on a sub-micronic level. I can't even begin to operate until Bulkhead regains some strength." Ratchet said.
"You gonna tell me who did this to him?" Wheeljack asked. "At the moment, I believe it is best to focus our attention on Bulkhead's recovery rather than revenge." Optimus said. "You do that." Wheeljack said, then transformed and left base.
"Wheeljack will most likely do something rash, you know." Ratchet said. "And I am not sure we could stop him if we wanted to." Optimus said.
The Jackhammer took off from base. Wheeljack was now hellbent on destroying whoever harmed Bulkhead. He set the ship on autopilot and aimed his cannon. He looked down and saw Miko. "What are you doing here?" The Wrecker asked.
"Going after the 'Con who hurt Bulkhead. You in?" Miko asked. "I'm taking you back." Wheeljack said. "No, wait!" Miko said.
"Kid, I get it. You want payback, you and me both." Wheeljack said. "Bulkhead's my partner too!" Miko said as she climbed onto the passenger seat.
"Trust me, when I find out which one of Megatron's goons jumped our boy, I'll take care of him my way." Wheeljack said and tapped a grenade on his hip. "I know who did it." Miko said. "Who?" Wheeljack asked. "Take me, and I'll tell you." Miko said.
"You should have seen the Wrecker's face when his Spark expired, knowing that he perished at the hands of a true warrior. Lord Megatron now understands that the difficult tasks are best assigned to an Insecticon." Hardshell said to a small group of Insecticons as they passed two Vehicons.
"Pitbound scavengers."
"Scrap eaters." They said. The Insecticons immediately turned around. "What did you say?" Hardshell snarled.
Knockout's paint job was almost fully restored. "Detailing was so much easier when Breakdown was around." He grumbled, then blaster fire stopped him.
"What is going on out there?" He opened the door. "How am I supposed to concentr-AHH!" Knockout closed the door as a Vehicon collided with it.
Knockout opened the door again as the Vehicon rose back up and shot Hardshell, who snarled and tried to hit him, but the Vehicon moved to the side on time, making Knockout the target. The medic was thrown into the wall with a new scratch on his chassis. "I just buffed that!" He growled.
A Vehicon stepped out of a tunnel. Wheeljack and Miko watched. "You know where to find Decepticon mines?" Miko asked.
"You didn't think I've just been sitting on my can since I've been on this rock?" Wheeljack asked. But shouldn't we be at an Insecticon Hive?" Miko questioned. "The bugs are bound by a single mind. Trying to draw just one of them out is nearly impossible, so we're gonna make some noise." Wheeljack said.
"And get the 'Cons to hand over Hardshell." Miko said. "Now you can sneak in there and scope things out a lot easier than I can." Wheeljack said.
Miko was now inside the mine. "We got 5, maybe 6 troopers in the main cavern. And ten more keeping an eye on things from the second floor." She said. "Good job, kid. Keep going." Wheeljack said.
Miko spotted another area. "There's another chamber. Looks like they're just using it for storage." Miko said and showed the area on her phone. She heard a loud beep. "Wheeljack, you there?" Miko asked, then there was a loud explosion, followed by a Vehicon flying at Miko. Miko jumped aside before she could be crushed.
Wheeljack jumped down and stabbed a Vehicon and threw his sword at another. He retrieved his blade. A Vehicon ran past Miko but was killed. Miko started running as more fired. Another Vehicon blocked her path, but Wheeljack killed it. Miko was blocked by yet another Vehicon, but Wheeljack killed it as well.
Miko ran for the Energon cubes, and then a Vehicon was thrown, knocking a few cubes down. Miko yelped as the Vehicon started getting up until Wheeljack stabbed it. "Now what?" She asked. "We give Megatron a shout." Wheeljack said.
"Just look what they've done!" Knockout huffed at his paint in the bridge. "Spare me the dramatics, Knockout. It's merely a scratch." Megatron said. "This isn't about me, Lord Megatron. The Insecticons are creating dissension among the ranks. These savages are a threat to this warship and its crew! They should be confined. Restrained even!" Knockout snapped, and Hardshell approached him.
"You could not produce restraints strong enough to hold us." He said. "Lord Megatron, we're receiving an emergency transmission from mine TVC-15." A Vehicon said. "What seems to be the problem?" Megatron asked. "Unclear, my liege. The caller will speak only to you." The Vehicon said.
Megatron approached the terminal. "What is it?" Megatron asked. "Nice operation you got here, Megatron. Although technically, you might say it's under new management." Wheeljack said through the terminal.
"Wheeljack, the one who enjoys explosive devices." Megatron identified. "What can I say, chief? I'm uncouth. And right now, I'm sitting in one of your big, juicy, mining ops." Wheeljack said. "The loss of one asset is hardly a blow to the Decepticon cause." Megatron said.
"Maybe, but I'm gonna keep on hitting them, one by one, until you give me what I want." Wheeljack said. "And what, pray tell, would that be?" Megatron asked. "The Insecticon scum who tried to frag Bulkhead." Wheeljack said.
"Tried? Are you saying the Autobot lives?" Megatron asked and glared at Hardshell. "He is bluffing!" Hardshell said. "Wouldn't bet on it. So, here's the deal. I'm gonna transmit the coordinates of my next target. If Hardshell cares to meet me there, maybe he can save you from another loss. And, Megatron, just in case you ever wondered the 3-tons of exploding Energon sounds like," Wheeljack said, then fired two rockets at the mine. The area was engulfed in a massive blue fireball as the Jackhammer fled.
"You allowed the Autobot to live?!" Megatron boomed at Hardshell. "Hmm, bugs. Not all they're cracked up to be." Knockout said. "Lord Megatron, I swear upon the Allspark, the Autobot could not have survived his wounds!" Hardshell stepped back as Megatron stepped forward.
"Then you owe me a Spark. And if it's not the one belonging to Bulkhead, it had better be Wheeljack's!" Megatron said as dark magic surrounded his servo.
The Jackhammer flew around. Wheeljack noticed Miko struggling to stay awake. "Maybe you oughta power down for a while." He said. "I'm good." Miko rubbed her tired eyes. "He's gonna make it right?" She asked. "No question, kid. Bulkhead's the toughest wrecking ball I've ever known, and Ratchet's a great doc. The best." Wheeljack said.
"Yeah. There's no way Bulk would miss all the stuff we have planned. Car sledding, worldwide smash-a-thon, we've been making a list." Miko said.
"Like I said. Bulkhead's too stubborn not to pull through. I know it, and I bet you do, too." Wheeljack said. Miko had already passed out. The Jackhammer arrived at the next Energon mine. The ship jerked, causing Miko to wake up. "I'm up! What's the plan?" She asked.
"Kid, if anything happens to me, press this." Wheeljack pointed at a button. "I've preset the autopilot to get you back to Prime's base." Wheeljack said. "What? No way! We had a deal. You said I could help!" Miko complained.
"And you did. But it ends here." Wheeljack stood up. "This is my fight, too." Miko said. "Sorry, kid, but Bulkhead's gonna wake up. And he'll file off my rivets if you're not there when he does." Wheeljack said. "Wheeljack!" Miko called, but the Wrecker left the ship.
Miko climbed up to the windshield and watched Wheeljack transform and drive towards the mine. He stopped right outside the entrance. "You in there, bug?" His voice echoed. Hardshell appeared above the mine.
He transformed and fell at Wheeljack, who backed away to avoid being crushed. Wheeljack drove forward, transformed, and kicked Hardshell. He threw his grenade at Hardshell, but he swatted it away, then rammed Wheeljack into a rock.
"Thanks to your crippled friend, I am all too familiar with your Wrecker tricks!" Hardshell said. Wheeljack jumped away as Hardshell brought his servo down. Wheeljack grabbed his swords and started kicking and cutting Hardshell. Miko watched.
"What's the matter, Hardshell? Not used to fighting a 'Bot who hasn't been doused in Tox-En?" Wheeljack asked.
Hardshell howled. "Talk during battle is a sign of weakness." He said as he grabbed one of Wheeljack's swords. He started beating Wheeljack back and raised his bug legs, but Wheeljack blocked them with his swords. "Only when you're too primitive to do two things at once." Wheeljack said.
Hardshell used his servos to knock Wheeljack away. He then transformed into his Cybertronian beetle mode and rammed Wheeljack. "Go for the grenade!" Miko said.
Wheeljack crawled for his bomb, but Hardshell landed in front of him and transformed and howled. He launched his bug legs at Wheeljack and then kicked him away. Hardshell smashed him into the ground, picked him up, and smashed him again.
"WHEELJACK!" Miko cried.
Hardshell picked up Wheeljack, punched him three times, tossed him into the air, and then punched him away. Hardshell approached him. "No." Miko whispered. "Go, kid. Get out of here." Wheeljack groaned.
A tear slid down Miko's cheek as she stepped away from the windshield. Hardshell was closer. Miko climbed onto Wheeljack's seat, and she raised a hand for the gun button, but looked at the autopilot button.
"Your Spark will now belong to Megatron." Hardshell growled. He heard jet engines, then saw the Jackhammer rise. But instead of flying away, two rockets erupted from the ship and blew Hardshell apart. Miko lowered her hand from the gun button.
Wheeljack removed Hardshell's severed servo from his shoulder and watched the Jackhammer land. "Nice work, kid." He muttered. Then, he heard heavy footsteps. He saw the entire Insecticon Hive surround them from above the mine. "Wheeljack, run!" Miko yelled. Wheeljack limped towards the Jackhammer as the Insecticons transformed, howled, and flew at him.
Wheeljack managed to enter the ship as Miko jumped down from the windshield. "I thought I told you to hit autopilot." Wheeljack said. "Bad things happen to 'Bots when I leave their side." Miko said.
The Insecticons fired as the Jackhammer retreated. The Hive did not fall back. "Too many to pick off. I'll need something with a wider blast radius." Wheeljack said. He activated autopilot and stepped to the back of the ship. He opened a huge crate of grenades.
"But I thought you -" Miko started. "I only carry one at a time." Wheeljack said. He opened the top hatch of the Jackhammer, then carried the crate out as the Insecticons kept firing.
He opened the crate and grabbed one but got an idea. He put it back, then threw the entire crate at the Insecticon horde. He activated his cannon and fired. The shot hit a grenade, causing them all to blow up and knock the Insecticons away.
"Welcome to the Wreckers, kid. You did Bulkhead proud." Wheeljack said and sat back down. Miko sat down. "Then why don't I feel any different?" She asked.
The Autobots continued monitoring Bulkhead until they heard dragging. They saw Wheeljack limp into base with Miko by his side. "Miko, you okay?" Cyclonus asked. "She's fine. Kid's a pro." Wheeljack said.
"I wasn't talking to you." Cyclonus said. "How is he?" Miko asked. Bee buzzed. "Bulkhead will survive. He may never be fully functional again." Ratchet said.
Miko started running for her friend. "Miko, I don't think it's wise for you -" Optimus put a servo on Ratchet, stopping him.
"I'm not sure I want to see Bulk right now. Not like this." Wheeljack said, then transformed and left Autobot base. "I'm never leaving you again." Miko said.
Megatron stared at the mangled husk of Hardshell. "The Autobot did this?" He growled. "No, my lord. It was a human girl." An Insecticon said. Megatron stared at the husk in shock as he remembered Miko's threat.