The 'Bots got out their weapons and fought as seekers and Insecticons flew at them, attacking mercilessly. After destroying a wave, with more coming, Optimus gave out an order, "Autobots, into the base!"

The 'Bots quickly made their way to the elevator and hopped on as Fowler hopped in his helicopter. "Fowler? What are you doing?" Bulkhead asked. "My job, two ton," Fowler replied before getting the helicopter up in the sky. Bulkhead and Optimus hopped on the elevator and it started to go down. The humans ran up to Ratchet as the other 'Bots walked into the main room. "What is going on out there?" Ratchet asked. "The Decepticons have invaded Jasper," Optimus replied. "And Fowler thinks he can hold them off," Jazz added. A few moments later, Fowler's voice came over the commlink. "Reinforcements just arrived!" he announced. "Agent Fowler, your military cannot prevail against the-" Optimus cut off.

"Didn't think I was gonna let Team Prime have all the fun, did ya?"

"Haha! It's Jackie!" Bulkhead exclaimed.

"I picked up a strange energy surge here and came to investigate. Turns out good ol' Lord Buckethead is back and he's moved in next to base."

"Wheeljack, what are you-"

"We're on the same team, Doc. Nothing changes that."

"Well, we're glad for the help."

"Ratchet actually said thank you to Wheeljack! Someone record this historic moment!" a weak voice exclaimed. The others turned to look at Zoey, who was leaning against the rail.

"Zoey! Lay back down. You need rest," Ratchet replied, her remark seemingly not phasing him.

Zoey didn't listen to Ratchet and instead walked over to Smokescreen. "What's going on up there?" she asked.

"Megatron and his goons are attacking base," Smokescreen replied.

"Punk aft Decepticons............."

A smile came to Ironhide's faceplate as he gave a laugh.

"Just like her sire."

"Of course you would know that!"

The two were trying to lighten the mood with their playful arguing, and it did a little to help.

"Ratchet, prepare the Groundbridge. Agent Fowler and Wheeljack will not be able to hold off Megatron's assault for much longer," Optimus ordered.

"We're just abandoning base?!" Miko exclaimed.

"Miko, there's no time for arguing! Listen to Optimus!" Jazz replied.

The Autobots transformed, the humans hopped in their guardians' vehicle modes. Miko with Bulkhead, Jack with Arcee, and Raf with Bumblebee.

Zoey looked between her sire and guardian. She could choose either.

"Zoey, hurry!" Drift called.

Zoey snapped out of her thoughts and ran to Smokescreen. She placed her hand on his windshield.

"I'll see you when we get out of this. I promise."

She then ran to Ironhide and hopped in the passenger seat, the door closing behind her.

The Autobots drove through the Groundbridge, one at a time, until only Ironhide, Smokescreen, Optimus, and Ratchet remained.

Smokescreen watched with fear and sadness in his optics as he watched Ironhide drive through the Groundbridge with Zoey, disappearing into the green, swirling vortex.

And Smokescreen had no clue if he would ever see his charge again.

~~~~~~~~~~

Zoey looked out the window, watching the scenery go by. She normally would've been impressed with the tall skyscrapers and buildings of Chicago, but she didn't find excitement in the city.

Ironhide sensed his daughter's boredom and fear. In the time they had been united, their sire-daughter bond was slowly returning.

"Man, can you believe it? We're in Chicago! I wouldn't miss seeing this for the world! Unless I was offline, which isn't happening any time soon!"

Zoey sighed and turned to the steering wheel. "Yeah. Great," she replied dully. She turned her gaze back outside to the traffic.

Ironhide sighed.

"Listen, Little Spark, I'm sorry about, well, everything. For not being there for you as you grew up, for letting Megatron take you away from us, for sending you here to Earth. I didn't know what to do after Chromia offlined, and I knew I wouldn't be able to take care of you in a war, especially being Optimus' weapons specialist. I had to protect you somehow, and the only way I could think of to protect you. I never thought I'd find you again. But I still sent you away, the last thing of your mother I had. I'm so sorry......"

Zoey turned to the steering wheel with wide eyes. She was shocked by her sire's sudden apology.

"Sire....... There are things that don't need to be forgiven. I understand why you sent me to Earth, and I don't blame you for doing that. You were in a bad situation where you could protect me by sending me away, or putting my life in danger by keeping me."

Ironhide gave a light chuckle.

"Yeah, it was a REALLY bad situation."

Zoey smiled at her sire's remark. Now she knew where she got her unique personality from. Zoey's smile dropped as her mind wandered to the others.

"Little Spark, what's wrong?"

"I-I'm worried about the others. Jack, Miko, Raf, Jazz, Optimus, Smokescreen, everyone. Where are they? Did they all escape? Have they been captured by those stupid, punk aft Decepticreeps? I'm scared that I have all these questions and no answers."

"Little Spark, the 'Bots are the toughest I've ever met. They'll be alright, trust me."