(Jack is biking to work.)

Jack got off his bike and had locked it when he heard a familiar voice, "Nice bike," Arcee said. "Arcee, really, Miko already tried. Tell Optimus I respect him big time, but if you're at war with the Decepticons, there's nothing I can do to help." Jack said shrugging his shoulders before turning around. "Optimus didn't send me, and no one is asking for your help," Arcee said aking Jack look at her again. "Okay, so if we both agree that I'm not warrior material," Jack said, "Jack, I just lost someone I cared about. Maybe it's the grief talking. Maybe you're growing on me. Whatever it is, I'm not ready to say goodbye." Acree finished.

(Autobot Base)

"Optimus, I've pinpointed the location of Megatron's space bridge, High in earth's orbit," Ratchet said turning around making Sasha have to sturdy herself not to fall off his shoulder. "Out of our reach," Optimus said walking forward. "Okay. So you guys don't fly. But can't you just Ground Bridge there?" Miko asked confused. "The ground bridge has limited range. Stretched all the way into orbit, its vortex could snap and scatter us to the stars," Ratchet told her, shocking her into saying nothing.

"Since Megaton is likely already in transit, I' afraid we must take that risk," Optimus said looking the ground bridge, "Reaching the space bridge first is our only means of stopping him," Optimus said as he clenched his servo when Arcee came speeding in causing everyone to look at her and Jack.

Jack got off Arcee, took off his helmet, "Hey, guess who's back." He said hesitantly as Arcee transformed. "Autobot's prepare for departure," Optimus said. "Where to?" Arcee asked, "The Final Frontier" Miko said walking up. "Space? I thought they didn't have any way to get there?" Jack asked, "They don't, really," Raf said as Bumblebee put him on the ground. Sasha was still sitting on Ratchets shoulder refusing to look at Jack.

"Be seeing ya?" Jack said looking at Arcee as she smiled walking off. "Be careful, Bee," Raf said the yellow bot. ::Always:: Bumblebee buzzed he said before walking off. "I'm so jealous!" Miko said looking up at Bulkhead who looked at her with panic, "Don't even think about following me," Bulk said walking off. "Optimus, If you leave me stranded on a planet teeming with humans, I will never forgive you," Ratchet said the Prime, "Until we meet again old friend," Optimus replied. "Optimus!" Sasha called out making the bot look at her, "Don't blame yourself," She said vaguely confusing him and the other 'bots' before he nodded.

"Autobots Roll out!" Optimus said transformed and driving through the ground bridge, "Maximum Overdrive" He said as they sped up and disappearing. Sasha looked away and smiled at Ratchet, "They'll be fine," She assured him. [Well what are they waiting for?] Arcee's voice came over the Com-link, [It appears the Decepticons have sustained serious damage to their interstellar navigation system] Optimus said, [Huh, that's my handiwork] Bulkhead said shocked. [Great job, Bulkhead. Without the dish Megatron will be unable to aim the dish at Cybertron,] Optimus said.

"Don't the Decepticons know where their own planet is?" Raf asked confused, "Naturally, but Cybertron is many light-years away. To reach their target, their aim must be astronomically precise, " Ratchet explained to the humans. [If Megatron went to the trouble of rendezvousing with his space bridge, he must have an alternate targeting system, a remote one.] Optimus said making Ratchet scoff. "From what I know of earth's technology, I doubt there exists a single radio-telescope dish on this planet powerful enough to pinpoint Cybertron," He said making Sasha laugh, "Not one, but a whole bunch of them, in Texas," She said before looking at Raf, Yeah! They're all linked giant sized array, in Texas, Like Hope said," Raf said as he typed on the computer to show the bot.

"Zip, Buh, Buh, Buh, Buh! This is not child's play," Ratchet said to the two of the making Sasha frown. "Well, I know for a fact that Soundwave is there," She huffed typing on her phone then showing Ratchet the video feed of the Cybertronian. [Good thinking, Raf, Hope. Ratchet has Agent Fowler alert the array staff to the security hazard] Optimus said shocking the Medic. "You soldier! You're out of uniform! Put on some pants!" Fowler said before falling back on the bed. Sasha sighed facepalming as Raf and Miko giggled.

"That may be a challenge," Ratchet sighed as Raf went to type on the computer. "I can't get past the array's firewalls. They're too thick," Raf said hitting his head on the desk. "Calm down buddy, we just need to get inside to get it going for you," Sasha said giving him a hug to cool him down. "You actually think you could keep the Decepticons out?" Ratchet asked. Sasha frowned. "Ratchet, at least he's trying to help," Sasha said softly making the medic blink and Jack look down hurt. "We're going to need a ground bridge to get inside Ratchet, please?" Sasha asked walking to the railing with Raf.

[The risk is too great, the Decepticons will be there, even on site.] Optimus said. "Optimus with all due respect, you said it yourself, this is bigger than the safety of four humans," Jack said confidently. "Yeah! If we let the 'Cons win, we are fragged, along with everyone else on our planet," Miko added. [Raf? Hope?] Optimus asked. "I want to give it a shot," Raf said and Sasha smiled. "It may not work out the way we want, but it'll all work out in the end," Sasha said smiling brightly.

Ratchet activated the ground bridge then looked at Sasha as the other three jumped through first, "Keep them safe, keep yourself safe," He said to the human girl. "I will, we'll be back soon," Sasha said smiling at the bot before jumping through as well.

(At Texas, The Array.)

As Sasha landed on the other side she saw the other groaning. "Why are you all groaning?" Sasha said confused, "Come on, tell me you felt how weird that was?" Miko complained. "No?" Sasha said even more confused. "That'll take some getting used to," Jack said holding his head. "Whoa," Miko said looking at the giant satellites. 'Come on!" Sasha said taking lead running to the building.

(Small time skip to when they get inside the room.)

Miko looked out of the room, "Security sure is lax in this place," She said walking back over to the boys by the computer. Sasha was standing by the wall watching from behind them. "I'm in," Raf sad smiling a bit. "Good job Raf," Sasha said. "And so are the Decepticons," Raf added. "What?" Jack asked, "How can you tell?" Miko asked. "Schematics, the same stuff you saw on the ship," Sasha said from behind them. "How? Nevermind," Jack said shaking his head. "And this time we can download it!" Raf said sticking his USB stick into the computer.

"It's got to be the space bridge," Miko said. "The Decepticons are syncing it to the dishes, but I can sync to them," Raf said while typing. "Will they know?" Jack asked the younger boy. "Even if the Decepticons see I'm in the system, they'll have no idea I'm in the house," Raf said making the eldest girl chuckle knowing that Soundwave was in the next room over.

"They're locked onto Cybertron, but not for long," Raf said as he started to type again. "The dishes are heading back Cybertron," Raf said to the older kids, "I'll just do that again," Raf sighed. "What happens when the 'Cons realize they're being punked?" Jack asked. "Oh they know," Sasha muttered but the others not hearing. "It's only virtual combat. You know, like online gaming." Raf replied. "Yeah, Jack. What are the 'COns gonna do? They're probably like thousands of miles away?" Miko scoffed as the door opened showing a tentacle coming into the room.

"You're an idiot Miko," Sasha said facepalming, "What do you mean?" Mik asked turning around to see the tentacle, "Aah!" Both Jack and Miko screamed making Sasha laugh. Raf kept typing as the two ran around the room. "I won't let them lock on again," Raf said determinedly. Jack and Miko got knocked off the tentacle as it went after Raf. Raf quickly jumped up and grabbed the USB stick out of the computer before it got broken. Miko grabbed an axe trying to hit the tentacle, "Hyah!" she shouted before getting knocked back again losing the axe.

"You handed it an axe?" Jack shouted, "Not good," Raf said. "Chill he's not going to kill you," Sasha said from her spot by the wall as the tentacle 'looked' at her then started to leave, taking the axe with it. They quickly got up and ran after the tentacle which led into the next room. Seeing Soundwave Miko gasped and got her phone out and took a snap. Sasha smiled at the bot giving him a small wave that the others didn't notice. Soundwave took a picture of the four of them then transformed and flew off.

"Why is he leaving?" Miko said as she and Jack watched him leave. Raf gasped and jogged over to the cables, "He cut the hard wire, the dishes are locked onto Cybertron, for good." Raf said sadly. Sasha went over to him. "Everything will be fine in the end Raf. At least you tried," She said pulling him into a hug. Sasha grabbed her phone out, {Ratchet we're going to need a ground bridge,} Sasha said, {Alright,} Ratchet said before she hung up.

(Back at Base)

[So how do we beat a whole planet of the undead?] Bulkhead asked. "Optimus, I'm registering a rapidly expanding mass in their space bridge vortex, one with a peculiar energy signature," Ratchets said as Agent Fowler got up and walked behind the kids. [Dark energon. Ratchet, we must destroy the space bridge] Optimus said. [There's enough live energon coursing through it to achieve detonation, but we lack the firepower to ignite it] Optimus finished.

"If I knew how the space bridge was engineered, I might find a technical way of accomplishing that feat," Ratchet said as Sasha nudged Raf's arm making him bring out the USB stick. "Um, would Schematics help?" He offered the stick towards the medic. "Optimus, I must say the space bridge is our sole hope of ever returning to Cybertron. Are you certain its destruction is the only option?" Ratchet asked sadly. Sasha placed a hand on Ratchet's shoulder that she was sitting on again making him look at her as she gave him a sad smile. [I am afraid so.] Optimus said.

"Then, by all means, let us light our darkest hour." Ratchet said. [Autobots, take your positions, and follow Ratchet's lead.] Optimus said. [While I make my stand] He added turning off his link to the base. Sasha growled lowly, "Why did you do this?" She muttered holding her knees to her chest as tears pooled in her eyes. Ratchet and Fowler looked over in concern and confusion before looking away. "These things are getting closer. That's bad, right?" Fowler asked innocently making Sasha snort at how he said it. [Ratchet, we're in position.] Arcee said over the com. "Arcee pay close attention," Ratchet said before going on how to disable the space bridge.

Sasha was sitting, staring blankly at a wall, "NO!" She suddenly shouted scaring everyone in the base. "What?" they all asked. "Oh thank the Allspark!" She said relieved still staring blankly but her facial features were relieved and happy. "The only time I'm gonna be happy with-" Sasha said before cutting herself off. "No damn it you, idiot! Why would you go there?" She shouted again but was ignored as Ratchet helped Arcee.

"Now follow the line from the flow regulator to the energon pump. There should be a valve," Ratchet said. [I see it] Arcee said. "Good. To turn all that power against itself, all you need do is reverse the current," Ratchet said. [Current Reversed.] Arcee responded. Making Fowler fist bump, "Yes!" he cheered before looking at Raf, "Right?" he asked.

"I'll ready the ground bridge," Ratchet said. "Optimus the ground bridge is ready and waiting," Ratchet said to the prime. [Autobots Jump!] Optimus said as he went through the ground bridge. Sasha was still staring at the wall when she suddenly screamed holding her head in pain. Everyone went over to her panicking as she was hardly breathing when it suddenly stopped. Sasha was unconscious but breathing. They all, except for Sasha, watched the ground bridge, "Do you think they're," Raf asked, "Four life signals, one very faint," Ratchet said gravely.

Optimus came through first, then Bulkhead, "Bulkhead!" Miko shouted running up to hug his hand. Then Bumblebee came running through with Arcee in his arms. Jack ran up to them and looked on sadly, "We lost one this week, by the Allspark, don't let it be two," Ratchet said as Jack walked up to the two and placed his hand in Arcee's. "Arcee," He said sadly as her optics opened. "Jack. Really? There are other motorcycles in the world." She teased, "But your my first," He said back.

"And Megatron?" Ratchet asked looking at Optimus. "Not even he could have survived ground zero," Optimus said sadly. "Prime!" Fowler said making the said bot turn around to look at him. "I didn't get to thank you 'Bots for the save. I owe you one. We all do." Fowler said stepping into the elevator. "And do me a favour and look after Hope for me. That girl is special." He added before the elevator door shut.

Miko walked up to Optimus, "So, is this the part where you say goodbye and tell us we need to forget we ever saw you?" She asked. "No, I believe that we have all become fond of each other in such a short time," Optimus said with a smile. Miko cheered and went back to Bulkhead with a smile.

::Where is Hope?:: Bumblebee asked confused while he got a hug from Raf. Ratchet blinked before looking over at the unconscious human femme. "Shorty before you arrived she was shouting, staring blankly at the wall then she held her helm in pain and screamed before going unconscious, She should wake up shortly," Ratchet said as he scanned her. As he said that Sasha groaned and held her head as she sat up, "Unh, my head." She groaned again before looking up, "What happened?" She asked confused. "Dude! You were like yelling at a wall then you suddenly start screaming in pain then go unconscious!" Miko said. "Oh." Sasha said looking down, "I can't remember any of that," She said furrowing her eye's in confusion. Everyone shrugged and moved on except for Optimus.

This was all an act for everyone as Hope didn't want, didn't need anyone to know the truth until it was needed. "I'm sorry," Hope added sadly. Optimus looked down at her, before offering a smile, "Well, we a glad to hear that you are well." He said moving his helm close, making the human smile. "Don't blame yourself, Optimus. He'll be back." Hope said confidently placing her hand on his Faceplates, shocking the mech as a wave of emotion hit him before she pulled back.

Optimus was confused, how what the human femme able to do that? What did she mean by Megatron coming back? What happened before to cause her to be in pain? Optimus covered up his confusion with a smile, as a familiar voice, that he had tried hard not to remember as it hurt too much emotionally to think about, echoed in the back of his processor, "When the planets aline, you will then find me, Orion." 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2652 words)