I mean... Still faster than the last chapter... Slower than what it should have been.

I most certainly hope you enjoy this part, because I really liked how it turned out.

However, now you must understand, that there will be a break between this chapter and the next. Working on other things and such.

So all I can say is: thank you for your patience and, yet again, I hope you enjoy.

Crossfire, Part 4

Autobot Hideout - Missile Silo

Warning: Container holds a high explosive yield device.

That was sprawled all over the large, man-sized military container that Jackson and Ralph carried by the handles down multiple winding hallways. Aiko led them from the armory with a quick gait, a focused expression, and lightning-fast words.

"Anyone has the certifications to assemble one of these?" Aiko started off.

"I do, Ma'am," Ralph uttered.

"Good, you'll lead us by the steps. Tell us what to do, and tell us fast."

Eventually, the three humans exited the large and wide corridors to enter the main silo room. There, they saw a focused Ratchet suddenly distracted by the large military crate slamming against the floor.

"What is that?" Ratchet asked before dragging his optics back to his screen.

"A hail mary."

Aiko said nothing more as she unbuckled the latches on the crate and flipped the lid. Though they knew what it was, they were surprised they had to use it. A layer of dust had been building on the multiple parts of the weapon. And their eyes were especially drawn away from the large, rectangular tube housing, and towards the rocket-propelled missiles.

"High explosive rockets. Bunker busters… You think this will be enough?" Jackson asked his Major.

"For destroying 'Con tech? Hard to say. Hence the use of 'hail mary'."

Aiko then ripped the instructions from the lid and gave them to Ralph.

"Be the guide. We're gonna have to do this in record time."

In the Valley…

Starscream laughed near-maniacally as he fired his fusion repeater at the Prime, who could only move from cover to cover as the shots destroyed everything they hit.

"If you wish, I'll accept your unconditional surrender, Prime! Hahahaha!"

Optimus responded with a single shot of his arm blaster, which only grazed the mounted gun. Starscream growled as he returned fire at the Autobot leader.

"Brawl! Soundwave! Head him off and force him out!"

Before the two Decepticons could say anything, bluish Energon blasts were sent flying past all of them, but not from Optimus. From the opposing direction, the silent scout fired his twin repeaters at the trio and forced them low, while Starscream turned the gun's armor to deflect the shots.

"Nevermind! You two destroy that scout! I'll focus on the Prime!"

They both obeyed accordingly: Brawl transformed into his tank form to rain his arsenal on the scout; Soundwave redirected Laserbeak to Bumblebee as he readied his shoulder cannon. And Starscream turned his gun to the Prime.

Though Optimus remained calm, he knew their situation was dire. Staying on the defense meant they would inevitably get caught. But going on the offensive was nothing short of dangerous. He thought cautiously of a plan that, at the very least, got Bumblebee to safety.

But before he could come up with one, he heard something over the comms.

"Optimus, what is your status?" It was Ratchet.

"We are pressed for options while Starscream has that mounted gun. What have you discovered?"

"We may have a way to destroy it. Which direction is it from you?"

Though perplexed, Optimus answered, "It is West of my location. Why do you ask?"

"Because we can do something from here," Ratchet said over the comms before turning his attention behind him, "I've locked onto its energy signature! Do you have it ready!?"

Behind Ratchet were Aiko, Jackson, and Ralph loading up what appeared to be a quad-tube rocket launcher with their high-yield rockets.

"Almost!" Ralph shouted aloud as he was looking at instructions.

"You'll only have one chance before I close the ground bridge. Understood?"

"Understood!... And done!"

Aiko closed the loading compartment and shouldered it onto Jackson's shoulder, giving the thumbs up to the Autobot doctor.

"What is your plan, Ratchet?" Optimus asked as he fired back at a few Vehicons pressing his position.

"It's their plan, actually. Prepare to receive support fire."

Support fire? What did Ratchet mean by…

Optimus stopped as he noticed the ground bridge opening well above Starscream's position, the exit point aimed downwards.

Starscream noticed just as well, asking, "What in the…"

What followed was a volley of four missiles, one after another, exiting the ground bridge and flying downward right at Starscream. He barely had a chance to cry out in shock as each one landed where he was, every large explosion sending up more and more dust screens and debris.

Optimus watched in wait. Did they do it? Did they destroy–

A snarling yell came from the dust as multiple shots from the mounted gun flew for the portal. But none landed as it closed just before they met.

"Is the gun destroyed?" Ratchet asked.

Optimus stared at the massive dust cloud, saying, "Negative… But it will be soon."

Optimus quickly got out of cover and transformed into his alt mode, flooring it into the dust cloud.

But Starscream saw nothing on his end, and only heard the roar of a truck engine. He turned his mounted gun to the sound and fired blindly, hoping one would hit. What he got instead was a large red-and-blue eighteen-wheeler driving off a ramp and flying right at his faceplate.

Starscream cried out in fear as the truck sent him back far, dazed and confused as he got back up and aimed his two arm blasters back.

"I'll make you pay for that, Prime!"

But when the dust cleared, Starscream's optics widened… as he saw the Prime in control of the mounted gun, and aiming it right at him.

He could only get a few words out as he heard the mounted gun being primed.

"Take cover!"

Optimus let loose a hailstorm of blaster fire, sending Starscream and his main Lieutenants behind cover. He turned the stream of rounds towards the visible Vehicons, who could only fire back in futility as they got mowed down by the devastating energy blasts.

Some Vehicons attempted to fire from his blind spot, only for Bumblebee to drive behind Optimus and cover him.

Starscream scowled: how could the situation go this south?

"Lord Starscream, we must recapture the mounted gun."

"I know, Soundwave! You two pincer his sides, I'll approach from above!"

Starscream transformed and flew upwards, while Soundwave and Brawl ran in opposite directions.

Optimus recognized the strategy well, but could only slow down Brawl and Soundwave. Starscream, however, flew high without resistance only to take a nosedive at the Prime.

"That's my gun, Prime!"

It was then that Optimus had to move on to the final step. He burrowed his arm into the sand below and pulled out some grenades. He activated one and threw it in the air, forcing Starscream to roll around the resulting explosion. Though he was nearly shaken out of the air from the force, he was still flying fast.

"Bumblebee! Retreat!"

The scout obeyed as he transformed and rolled out with an empty-servoed Optimus.

Starscream transformed and landed next to the gun, firing back at the retreating Autobots. Confused, he scanned the gun and noticed a different grenade embedded within… its pin missing.

"It's going to blow!"

Starscream flew as fast as he could as the grenade exploded inside the mounted gun. Another larger explosion followed as its power cell was compromised, and the force was strong enough to reach the weapon's supply still beneath the sand…

And the whole supply blew up in a bluish explosion, sending Starscream and other Decepticons flying. He recovered and, with the other Decepticons, saw the aftermath, the crater, and the black smoke. But he also saw the Autobots driving away and towards a ground bridge. Starscream could only growl in anger.

"Curse you, Prime!"

His forces saw him in his moment of fury, which only spurred him further on.

In the Labyrinth…

"Here's my only warning: if you take him out, I will do the same with him!"

Ironhide tightened his grip on Thrust as he gave the warning, while the calmer Thundercracker merely stared at him.

"Autobots aren't known for trading lives. I doubt you'll be any different."

"Ironhide, don't back down! Don't trust him!" Hollowpoint blurted out.

"Shut it!" Thundercracker shoved his blaster closer to Hollowpoint's faceplate, forcing him to back up further.

"Thundercracker, what are you doing? Are you trying to get me scrapped?" Thrust said through gritted dentas.

"No one's getting scrapped today… If you're smart about it, Autobot," Thundercracker grinned.

Ironhide appeared to be in control, but internally… He was struggling. He knew to never trust a 'Con. Ever. But Hollowpoint's life was on the line, and he had no clue if he could survive a point-blank shot before he could save him. Hollowpoint's life, in the end, was in his servos. And while he's been in situations like this a thousand times over… This was different. Because it was Hollowpoint. Jasper.

Ironhide's stare hardened at Hollowpoint, and Hollowpoint saw his intent well. And in a hesitant response, Hollowpoint shook his headpiece.

"Final answer, Autobot. Five, four, three, two–"

"Thrust! Thundercracker! What is going on over there!?"

Thundercracker was shocked by Starscream's sudden voice blaring on the comms.

And Hollowpoint took his chance: he swatted Thundercracker's blaster aside. But Thundercracker used his other one to fire at Hollowpoint. Hollowpoint covered the barrel end with his servo in time for a laser to bore a hole right through it. Hollowpoint's optics widened in shock as he screamed out in sudden pain.

"Jasper!"

Ironhide fired his cannon at Thundercracker, sending him spinning. A now-free Thrust punched Ironhide square in the faceplate, and they grappled each other. Thrust tried to fly out again, but instead flew towards Thundercracker and Hollowpoint while still grappling Ironhide. All four of them crashed and went tumbling downwards into an open oasis. Thrust and Ironhide ended up on solid ground, while Thundercracker and Hollowpoint sank into the water.

Ironhide had to help Hollowpoint. Quickly.

But before he could do anything, Thrust shot him in the back a few times.

"Forgot me!?"

Thrust then flew into the air and dashed around at incredible speeds. Ironhide could only try to land a shot.

Hollowpoint, meanwhile, was hitting the bottom of the water with Thundercracker still trying to pummel him. He was terrified for a moment that he would drown, yet never felt the suffocation. The bigger issue was the Decepticon trying and failing to fire off his arm blasters underwater.

Hollowpoint was quick to fight back, but could barely land a hit with the awkward environment. Thundercracker did not mind, however, as he was punching down on Hollowpoint as much as he could. Still feeling like drowning, all he could feel was the pounding on his chestpiece and an unquenching fire from the hole in his servo. But he also felt something else rising in him…

Thundercracker let off a laugh as he aimed his chestpiece at Hollowpoint, and a familiar sound rose up from it. A panicked Hollowpoint gave off a muffled yell as he tried to push him off, but he couldn't. The Seeker practically anchored him down. Thundercracker fired off the shock wave. Hollowpoint screamed out as his audio receptors started ringing hard…

But that was all. No further damage. The waves were stifled in the water.

But the ringing was still painful. Very painful. Hollowpoint could see nothing but bubbles from all his screaming. He felt the anger boiling up and his screams turned into something else. He visibly growled under the water, and Thundercracker could see something else: a visor dropping down on the Autobot's faceplate.

Ironhide could barely keep up with Thrust. Every time Thrust flew down, he landed a shot and backed off. And by the time Ironhide turned around, Thrust was already in the air for another attack. Though one shot didn't hurt, they added up again and again. Ironhide could feel himself getting slower from all the leaks in his metal skin.

"Can you keep up, Ironhide!?"

Although in Ironhide's optics, the pain was better than Thrust's goading.

On one sweep, seeing Ironhide's state, Thrust grew confident. His next attacks were clearer, giving Ironhide more time to see him. But still, he was too fast for the Autobot to touch him.

On one attack, Thrust landed on the ground far from Ironhide. His grin was wide as he watched the Autobot stiffly turn around.

"Are you ready to surrender, 'Bot?"

Ironhide spat out a glob of liquid Energon while giving a hard stare.

"Say no more."

Thrust fired off his engines, harder than ever, as he began flying right for Ironhide. Instead of aiming his cannons, Ironhide began charging at Thrust. Thrust laughed at the sight. Did the 'Bot want to get offlined? He started firing at the Autobot, who used his arm cannons as shields. Thrust realized too late that he couldn't turn around in time, and the two crashed into each other. Chips and shrapnel flew everywhere as they were brought to the ground.

Ironhide aimed his cannon right at Thrust, but it failed. Thrust tried to fire his blaster, but Ironhide bent it with his servos. The other cannon did get a shot into Ironhide's midriff, but the Autobot followed up with a punch to Thrust's chestpiece. And another. And another. Thrust could feel his chestpiece starting to collapse from the force, but he also felt the punches were getting less and less severe. Ironhide was tiring out.

Thrust growled as he pushed Ironhide off and got back up.

"Enough! I'll send you to Starscream in pieces!"

Thrust primed his thrusters… but nothing happened. He tried again, and nothing. Why was it not working? His combat module–

He looked down at his chestpiece. His damaged chestpiece. His damaged module.

"Something wrong with it? Maybe you should turn it off and back on," Ironhide said smugly.

Thrust was beyond mad and aimed his other blaster at the near-dead Autobot.

But he was suddenly distracted by the sound of rushing water: Thundercracker was forced out of the oasis spring by a raging Hollowpoint, screeching at him through his visor.

"Get off of me!"

Hollowpoint didn't listen to Thundercracker, not even when he shot into his leg. All it did was make him mad enough to extend his hollow blade and cut off the arm blaster's barrel. Thundercracker gave off a scream of pain, while Hollowpoint healed from the Energon he got from the cut. He then tried to stab down into the Decepticon, the latter struggling to keep it away. The tip pierced through the exterior, going in with more and more strength while Thundercracker could only grunt in increasing pain.

Destroy…

"No!"

A shot came from Thrust that struck Hollowpoint's blade, breaking it in two and allowing Thundercracker the chance to kick back the beast. Thrust ran to Thundercracker's side, and Ironhide to Hollowpoint's. Hollowpoint began to calm down as Ironhide held him back.

"He nearly got my spark…" Thundercracker's grip tightened in anger, "I'll reduce you to filaments!"

Thundercracker primed his shock wave generator, but felt his chestpiece short circuit.

"My module…"

Thundercracker felt his pierced chestpiece, and growled in anger as he aimed his good blaster at the Autobots, with Thrust joining in as well. Hollowpoint could only aim back one electrical blaster as Ironhide failed to make his own cannons work.

"We've got the guns! Let's blast them!" Thrust demanded.

"Agreed."

Hollowpoint backed up a step from doubt and got in front of Ironhide.

But then they saw a green glow behind them. A ground bridge opened, with Optimus and Bumblebee coming through firing off shots at the Seekers.

Thundercracker lowered his blaster, "On second thought, let's fly!"

Thundercracker and Thrust transformed and flew out as fast as they could, leaving the Autobots alone.

"Oh… Thank God you guys got here," Hollowpoint said.

But Optimus didn't answer back and looked to Ironhide.

"Bringing Jasper into a battle was very unwise, Ironhide."

Hollowpoint sighed. He nearly forgot that part.

"Mister Prime, it was my–"

"I did let him join," Ironhide interrupted, "I should have had him return to base. I should have gone by protocol."

Hollowpoint was taken aback by the words. Optimus remained stoic all the while.

"... Return to base. Ratchet will repair the both of you."

Wordlessly, Ironhide and Hollowpoint followed Optimus and Bumblebee through the portal and left the sandstone labyrinth.

Decepticon Warship - The Nemesis

"Unbelievable!"

Starscream smashed a monitor in the command room, clearly seething in anger. Knockout understood well to stay well away from him in this state.

"All of those weapons that could have been ours, and we ended up with two broken modules!?"

"Not broken, Commander Starscream, but simply damaged. I should be able to get them fixed."

"It is Lord!" Starscream growled out as he closed in on the doctor, "And you will fix them. Along with the Seekers that let them get destroyed."

"Uh, understood, Lord Starscream!"

Knockout then quickly left the room, leaving Starscream on his own. For what felt like too long, he only pondered. He needed another plan. A good one at that. He would not get his status trumped by a former lord who was not even conscious!

Megatron… Megatron…

Autobot Hideout - Missile Silo

"Calling it a 'hare-brained move' would be putting it rather lightly."

"To be fair, it was a simple plan until that Thrust-guy learned to fly at Mach five–Ow!"

"Jasper, I'm serious."

A stern Jackson was lecturing a sitting Jasper, whose damaged servo was being repaired by a sour-looking Ratchet. Next to him on a different table was Ironhide, damaged all over, detaching his mangled arm cannons.

Jackson turned his attention to Ironhide and said, "And then you, sports truck. Why did you let him into a firefight?"

Ironhide placed his arm cannons on the table beside him.

"There were two Seekers. Jasper took a ranged position while I was up close. The risk was minimal while he was with me. But things went wrong."

Ratchet stopped welding with his transformed servo and scoffed, "'Things went wrong?' Those two found the modules! They were powered up! You're lucky you two didn't come back in pieces!"

"Very lucky," Jackson added.

"... I understand."

Ironhide said nothing more as he laid back down on his table. Nothing more was said to him by the others as Ratchet resumed his repairs and Jackson just silently watched. But Jasper… Jasper couldn't accept that. He wanted to say something to Ironhide. That it was not his fault.

But he said nothing.

Suddenly, Ratchet stopped repairing and retracted his welder back into his arm. Jasper's injured servo no longer had a hole in it.

Ratchet informed, "The puncture has been sealed. But don't strain it too much until it's fully repaired."

Jasper pondered at his newly-fixed servo, and said, "Thank you, doctor."

Ratchet merely gave him a gruff grunt and turned to Ironhide.

"Jasper, go back to the main room. Aiko wants to have a few words with you," said Jackson.

"Uh… Yeah."

Jackson then left for the hallway, while Jasper stood in place. Hesitant. He already heard plenty from Jackson and the doctor. He could only imagine what Aiko could do to tear him a new one.

He sighed as he started walking forward with heavy steps. But he stopped as a grunt from Ironhide made him turn his head.

"Ironhide… I'm sorry you got hurt."

"Again, kid. It's not your fault. It could have gone much worse."

Jasper just silently nodded his head in agreement and turned away.

"... Thank you. Thundercracker could have blasted me back then, but you stopped him. You did good."

Those words from Ironhide made Jasper stop in place for a second, but he never looked back. With a straight faceplate, he put his fist in the air as he walked off, pleasing the injured Autobot.

Aiko was conflicted on how she should feel about this: absolute fury over the disobedience, or sympathy over the attempt? Or both? Either way, there was not much more she could do as she was staring at the incomplete cleaning job that Jasper should have done: half the walls looking rather immaculate, and the other half looking the same as before. And the litter box, of all things, was somehow dirty again.

Aiko stared at Rascal the cat, her head upturned to the Major with pride over her 'work'.

"You healthy little furball…"

But it wasn't just her pondering; Optimus was staring hard at a monitor, perfectly still with a calculating look on his faceplate. Like he was weighing the pros and cons. Aiko couldn't figure out that look and never bothered to ask. She had her own thoughts to mill over, after all.

But then, heavy footsteps started getting closer: Jasper was walking out of the hallway with a distant look about him. And like that, Aiko's mind began racing again about fury or sympathy. Perhaps he was due for both.

But it was not her that got to him first.

"Jasper."

Jasper stopped in place and turned to Optimus Prime, whose focus was now on the recruit.

Jasper internally sighed. He could only think about how disappointed Optimus was. And he dreaded what words would come from the Prime.

"... It wasn't his fault."

Optimus cocked his headpiece ever-so-slightly at Jasper's words.

"You were Ironhide's responsibility, Jasper. You were not meant to see combat this day. Especially not against Seekers with modules."

"And that was on me. I thought we could stop them before they got the modules. I was wrong. I tried to get him out before anyone got hurt bad, but… but…"

Jasper couldn't get through his words. He turned his faceplate away from Optimus, who couldn't help but see a conflicted and scared 'Bot.

"Jasper, you could have been offlined. Your safety is of vital importance, and–"

"So is Ironhide's."

Optimus was taken aback by the interruption as Jasper faced him again. He could see hesitation in the new 'Bot's optics, quickly replaced by frustration and clenched fists.

"We got out of there by the skin of our teeth. I got hurt. Ironhide got hurt even more. And I may have been scared out of my mind the whole time, but now… I'm scared to think of what would have happened to him if he was alone. Against two of them with those combat things. If I had left and they hurt him, or worse, killed him… and I knew I could have helped to stop that? I… I don't want to imagine that kind of future. The very 'Bot that saved me and brought me in, and I let him die?"

Aiko was stunned. Optimus was silent. The weight of every word seemed to leave Jasper nearly exhausted and all he could do was stare back at the Prime with slight regret.

"... I understand."

Those two words threw Jasper for a loop, yet Optimus continued on.

"The will to help others in trying times, in making sure they have the strength to persevere, is admirable. You will find that among the best fighters in history. But you have to understand just as well, that your own life holds just as much value as ours. You survived today's battle well, but there will always be more. And before those come, you must be well-trained. Fight not to survive, but because you know you can. Understood?"

The praise-turned-lecture hit Jasper well, leaving him conflicted. Yet his grip loosened and his gaze softened as he looked directly at Optimus and nodded in agreement.

Seeing everything, Aiko stepped down and approached Jasper, who nearly forgot why he was there in the first place.

He brought his servo up in salute, "Ma'am. You called to talk to me?"

"I did. And it was…" Aiko then pointed behind her to the dirty wall, "To finish your last task. I believe you can get it done without straining your injured hand."

Jasper was surprised by the reminder, expecting something wildly different. A different lecture, or a furious jab. Yet instead, it was this.

No matter, he thought. He could use something to preoccupy him.

Jasper took heavy steps away to pick up his mop and cleaned with renewed vigor. As such, Aiko was left alone with Optimus, who was walking away. And the two were out of earshot of the recruit.

Just what she wanted.

"An interesting lesson for him."

Optimus was brought back to attention and faced the Major.

"I've seen soldiers like him. It is in their C.N.A. to help when they can, to save who they can. They feel the responsibility and act upon it. But that same desire to save can be their downfall. Because though they believe they can do so much, they cannot save everyone."

Aiko turned her head to the sight of the recruit.

"I spoke with his parents. You are right. It just seems to be ingrained into him. But now I have more questions."

Aiko turned her attention back to the Autobot leader.

"Are all the weapons destroyed?"
"They are, Major Aiko. The Decepticons could not salvage what was lost in the explosion."

"But what does this mean? Jackson told me this could have been done long ago, yet it's only happening now? If this is Starscream's plan–to give his 'Cons as many numbers and weapons as possible to wipe us out–then what about your plan?"

Optimus was silent. The question was a heavy one, promising violence and destruction on a level that no human should ever see. Yet the answer was clear to him, though he would have rather left it in the darkness.

"We must respond in kind."

Decepticon Warship - The Nemesis

Cheers, yet again. Combat, yet again. The Seekers, yet again.

Starscream thought that everything after the failure that was their mission would taper down into nothing for a few solar cycles. Not only for their recovery but for himself to cool down.

His Seekers proved him wrong with another duel for Seeker Commander.

"Stop it, both of you! Your damage is too severe for something like this!"

Knockout fruitlessly tried to talk them down from the middle platform of the training room. But his doctorly recommendations were drowned out by the crowd's cheers, which sounded even more wanting and violent than before. They wanted a victory, no matter how small.

Thrust and Thundercracker ate up the cheers entirely. Gashes and dents and mangled blasters kept them in pain, and yet they fought hard.

Knockout witnessed only the additional injuries and cursed them for making his job harder. The doctor looked at Starscream for an answer, for order.

Starscream shook his headpiece. He knew what they were doing. And they would get what they want.

The two Seekers entered a deadlock, servo-in-servo, and pushed at each other hard. Their faceplates had savage looks as they glared hard at their opponents.

"No more ties! No more interruptions! I will be your Commander!" Thrust screamed out.

Thundercracker chuckled, "I agree. One problem, though…"

Thundercracker slammed his headpiece into Thrust's and punched him to the ground.

"The Commander isn't someone easily knocked down."

Thundercracker's egging fired up the crowd. But it also fired up Thrust in the wrong way. He fired off his blaster at the Seeker, who transformed to fly around him and blast him with his one working barrel.

Knockout gritted his dentas in scared anticipation and urged Starscream once more.

"Starscream, we have to stop them! Who knows how much damage they will sustain–T-that I could even repair–"

"They will settle this! In whatever way they see fit. Even if we stopped them now, they'd fight again after you fixed them. This way, you won't be wasting your effort."

Knockout… said nothing more. And he only watched.

Thrust barely recovered from the ground before dodging Thundercracker's jet assault. In and out, in and out, Thundercracker grazed him with shots that wore him down only to leave before anything could be done. It infuriated Thrust. This was his strategy being used against him! Thundercracker had the bearings to do such a thing without subtlety. Like he was rubbing in his last defeat against Ironhide.

But the strategy failed against Ironhide. And Thrust was there to experience it. Thundercracker wasn't.

On one barrage, Thundercracker's jet form aimed down and dipped hard on one sweep. And Thrust did something insane: He flared his engines to the max, catapulting himself forward at Thundercracker. All Thundercracker could do was let off a few shots blocked by Thrust's damaged arm blaster. But he couldn't turn back. They crashed into each other at the peak of the crowd's cheers and silenced everyone with the sight.

On the ground, Thundercracker's jet form laid belly-up. And pinning it down was Thrust pointing his functional arm blaster at his target while leaving the other to crumble.

The crowd didn't understand. Thundercracker didn't understand.

"How… You could only do that with the module…"

"The module made it safe" was Thrust's only answer. And his red-hot and still-deforming engine nozzles emitting fumes told the same.

Through gritted dentas and squinted optics, Thundercracker could only sigh… and raise his servos in surrender.

Roars and groans erupted from the crowd as some cheered for the new Commander, while others went to pay the other side their bet. Brawl among them laughing hard as he got triple his rations back.

Knockout sighed as he wiped his faceplate, glad nobody was mangled into scrap.

"And here's our new Seeker Commander…" Starscream muttered before walking away, "Ensure the both of them recover well, doctor."

Starscream exited the door, leaving Knockout to groan silently as he immediately bolted past the crowds with his servo now a saw, ready to encourage the new Commander and his underling to let him fix them up.

Finally, Starscream thought, they could focus on the task at hand.

Autobot Hideout - Missile Silo

"Hiya, Jay! How's it going, hun? We hope you're enjoying your work day so far!"

"Real shame that we couldn't see where you work, but the fact that you're starting is great!"

"Come on, Jason, don't say it like that! He's gonna do great, no matter what!..."

Jasper was silent as he listened to his parents' joint video message, which was well over two minutes. It took him too long to realize the message was even there until he sat down in his truck mode after finishing his cleaning duties. His phone's screen was pulled up in his vision, watching the message's progress bar tick down.

"I don't do it to put you down, kid. It's my job to be proud of my son's achievements. And getting a job is a good one! That boss of yours is a keeper! Sharp as a whip, and lookin' good for her age. If you finally learn to flirt, you can keep her on your good side and fast-track yourself up the ladder, bud!"

"Jason! Don't listen too much to your father, dear. You can't flirt through everything…"

Jasper could hear it: his mom sniffling in the message. He knew well those were tears of joy, not sadness, but it hurt him nonetheless when she did shed them.

Eventually, her sniffling lightened up and she spoke up once more.

"Sorry, it's just… seeing you grow up and become your own man is incredible… Whatever you choose to do, Jasper, I know you'll be the right person for it. You are capable of great things, hun. I know it."

"We know it. Sonny, you're smart like your mom, charming like your pop, and just as stubborn as the both of us. You'll go places. Simple as that. We believe in you… And be sure to eat healthy, 'kay? You're not too young to care about it!"

"Okay, your dad and I need to stop talking now, a toll's coming up. Kisses!"

"Love ya, son!"

The message ended, its color changing from light to dark green and being labeled 'read'. Jasper let out a long and slow sigh as he rubbed his eyes.

If only they knew…

Jasper shook the thought out of his head and gave a quick visit to Rascal. He found the cat in the box once more and gave it a scratch on her spine.

"At least you know and don't treat me differently… No need to lie to you."

Rascal purred at Jasper's touch, which heightened his spirits.

"You're the best therapist a man could ask for."

Rascal responded by lightly biting Jasper's finger. Ouch.

Jasper's laughing stopped once he noticed something odd: Ratchet, Bumblebee, Ralph, Jackson, and Aiko were standing behind Optimus, watching over him as he was typing away at a monitor.

Curious, Jasper transformed and approached the growing group.

"... Optimus, are you certain this is the right thing to do?" Ratchet asked.

Optimus kept typing, and said, "It must be done."

"They weren't exactly keen on you working with us," Jackson said.

Aiko added, "Yeah, and you let them go. You let them make their choice."

"And I will give them another choice," Optimus said while looking back.
"What other choice?"

Everyone turned to a confused Jasper, now unsettled by all the eyes and optics on him.

It was Optimus who answered first.

"I am sending a message for the other Autobots to rejoin us."

… Wait a second…

"Other Autobots?" Jasper asked with an open mouthpiece.

Ratchet scoffed, "Yes, other Autobots. Do you think it was just us four against all the Decepticons?"

"I just… never gave it much thought. But why are they gone?"

"Not all of them were very keen on working with us. So they left. And Optimus allowed it," Aiko answered.

"But… Okay, then. Why call them now? What's changed?" Jasper asked.

Optimus stopped typing and turned, "Starscream. He made his goals clear when he attempted to increase his numbers and firepower. He seeks to overwhelm us at the cost of this planet. And that is something we absolutely cannot afford to allow."

Bumblebee placed his servo on Jasper's shoulderpad and spoke with his radio.

"–We gots ta–Meet the challenge head-on!"

Though surprised, Ralph elaborated, "... What Bumblebee said. We have to respond in kind. Get more weapons, allies, resources– Anything, as long as it helps us."

Jasper nodded along, still trying to wrap his headpiece around it all. It made sense. And yet, there seems to be a sense of hesitation. A glance of doubt on Ratchet's faceplate. A shift in posture in Bumblebee. A frozen servo from Optimus, hovering over the computer's keyboard.

"It sounds… simple enough. But why is there any doubt? Do it. Ask for reinforcements. What exactly is the problem?" Jasper asked Optimus with a concerned look.

"Optimus doesn't want Earth turning into a second Cybertron."

Everyone turned their heads to Ironhide, who dragged his pedes and cradled both arms while walking out of the hallway. Jasper was especially wincing seeing him out of the medbay.
Ratchet scowled, "Ironhide, for the love of–"

"Save it, Doc, I'm fine."

"Ironhide is right. Cybertron fell from eons of war. Earth should not have to suffer that fate."

Jackson's eyes gleamed with revelation, "... That was why you made the agreement with him. With Megatron."

Optimus answered, "... Correct. We agreed so we could preserve the planet, Megatron agreed so he could conquer it. But the rules have changed. Starscream has far more unchecked ambition. I cannot stand idle as that happens."

Silence. Optimus continued working on the monitor, while Jasper turned to the surprised humans, then to the despondent Autobots. He thought he understood the situation and considered everything. As it turned out, he had not even scratched the surface.

So perhaps he should begin now.

Jasper spoke out, "... Do it. If it means protecting Earth, you should do it."

Optimus turned back at the human-turned-Autobot with a look of heavy conflict. Yet seeing such simple conviction in the new recruit eased it. And eventually, he saw the others, humans and Autobots, joining in on the support. Nodding heads and raised servos made their intent clear. And so, it made Optimus's next choice as clear as day.

Optimus pressed one button on the monitor, and a window popped up of audio waves rippling.

Transmission Encrypted

"Calling all Earth-bound Autobots. Calling all Earth-bound Autobots. This is Optimus Prime offering you a choice…"

Somewhere in a cave…

"... Megatron has fallen, and Starscream has taken his place. Do not be misled: the Decepticons are now a greater threat than ever…"

In the darkness, a bulky Autobot was resting on the damp, grey cave wall, listening in on his communicator lit by the light of his blue optics. A large, armored green arm reached for an Energon cube, which the figure gulped down with a sigh.

"... Starscream's desire for power will lead to the destruction of Earth and its people. Destruction which they cannot fight against alone. The Autobots who remained with me fight in their stead… but we cannot hold forever…"

In a canyon…
"... I know you questioned my choice to stay with the humans. Many of you believe that we can protect them while they remain oblivious. I ask you to reconsider that belief…"

High in the cliffs under the dawning sun, a sporty, purple motorcycle seemingly perched on nothing had the message on its HUD. The motorcycle listened despite the whoops and engine roar of a red muscle car with devil horns on its hood jumping gaps in the canyon.

"... Every cycle, our human allies prove that, where they lack in size and technology, they make up for it in spirit and determination. They are not without flaws, but they are not without heart. And they deserve our protection…"

On an abandoned highway…

"... Cybertron is lost to us… But that does not mean we are without a home…"

Driving down a moonlit highway in a quiet part of the city, a high-end silver sports car going ninety miles an hour drifted to a full stop. It too brought up the message, keen on listening in with a small chuckle.

"... This world has become our refuge. Our responsibility. Our hope. And that is something we cannot lose once again. So I ask you– Return. Rejoin us. Not for me. But for what we stand for…"

Back at base…

"...For honor… Duty… Family… Freedom… And life. This is Optimus Prime, and no matter how far you've gone, we will always welcome you back."

Transmission Ended

Optimus took a breath as he ended the recording, and turned to everyone else. Jasper was the one who broke the silence first.

"So… Now what?" He asked.

"Now… We wait."

Elsewhere…

"... we will always welcome you back."

In the silent depths of a dark chamber far removed from the outside, a figure of masks and tentacles watched the message play out on a large screen.

The figure chuckled as its face swapped out with the orange smiling mask.

"The Prime did it… He upped the stakes. All to protect the humans… To protect…"

The figure stopped chuckling as it rewound the message and played once more.

"–Cybertron is lost to us… But that does not mean we are without a home…"

The figure paused the message and focused on those words. In a split second, he slammed his tentacles down hard, mangling the keyboard as his face swapped to a red demon mask and growled with rage.

Then, a blue mask with goggles took its place.

"You will be without a home…"

The figure left the monitor and turned to his little metal workers, molding and welding away. Sparks flew everywhere, barely lighting up the large room to reveal more workers being made. With more workers focused on other, stranger things.