Optimus and Nova(Titan Mode) sat on top for another hour until the car horns of Arcee, Bee and Bulkhead signaled their departure to pick up the kids. Nova sat up instantly and shook the sleep from her optics as she stood, "I fell asleep didn't I?"

"You needed it." Optimus argued, not happy that she had woken up with only an hour of rest...but he knew there was going to be no getting her into her berthroom to get some recharge until the sun went down. She stood and went over to the elevator, Opitmus following as they descended beck into the base.

Nova revert to her human form as she entered the main room, only to see Campy jumped on her arms. It was delighted to see her master again.  She saw Arcee, Bee and Bulkhead explained why they had practically ignored Jack, Miko and Raf for the past three days. Once they calmed down they asked questions nonstop, mainly Miko, about Cybertron and what they would do once it was restored. 

You know," Miko began, "I might not be the first human on Cybertron, but I can still be the first human exchange student."

"Why didn't you tell us exactly what was happening before, I mean I knew about the keys but..." Jack said.

Arcee answered, "You probably didn't notice but things have been kind of intense around here lately."

Raf sounded sad, "So, you guys could really be going home soon, huh?"

Miko tried to cheer him up, "Don't worry Raf, you'll come visit! Once we get our place set up he can visit us, right Bulk?"

"Uh, Miko...?" Bulkhead tried to say.

"You are taking me with you right?" Miko frowned.

"Well, they'd have to get rid of the toxic atmosphere first Miko, and who knows how long that could take." Nova intervened.

Miko pouted, knowing it was fully true, before she suddenly noticed something was off. She looked at Nova and her jaw dropped, "Wait, Your back?! when did this happen?"

 "3 days ago, but I had been in my Cybertronian form for a while. I just switched back an hour ago, but it was an hour you guys missed."

Raf looked at her shocked, "Uh, cool I guess, that means you can switch whenever you want."

Nova replied, "Yup."

Jack asked, "So now what are you guys doing? Since all of the entries have been decoded?"

"Not all of them." Ratchet replied.

Raf looked confused, "Then why isn't Optimus working on decoding it?"

Arcee answered, "Because it's been decoded, we just don't know what it means."

"Well what does it say?" Miko asked exasperated.

"Something about using a crystal, but that's it. No picture, no coordinates, nothing." Bulkhead answered.

"Well that sounds useless." Miko grumbled.

"It is." Ratchet answered roughly.

Nova and Opitmus made a nanosecond eye contact before turning their attention back to the discussion, which was coming to a close while the kids walked up to the platform. Bee and Raf were currently racing, Raf not doing too well against the full blown car, while the other's talked. The day was uneventful, for once, as the kids left. Nova sat on the couch tiredly as her eyes drifted closed, the need to sleep becoming too great.

Optimus transformed as he came back from patrol and saw Nova laying on the couch with her scraplet, obvious she had fallen over, as he walked over to Ratchet, "Any luck on finding the Nemesis."

"No," Ratchet said simply.

The others came back and Bulkhead said, "What do you think Starscream is going to do with the keys?"

"You think Starscream's rejoined the 'cons?" Smokescreen asked.

Arcee nodded, "He might have used the Omega Keys to buy back Megatron's favor."

"Hmph, without first trying to sell them to the highest bidder? It wouldn't surprise me if he had the nerve to contact us and-" Ratchet was cut off by computer beeping and Nova jolting awake from the sudden noise.

"Ok, that's weird." Bulkhead stated flatly.

"Is it Starscream?" Arcee asked.

Ratchet typed in a few things and answered, "No, it is Dreadwing and he wants to meet."

"Dreadwing?" Arcee asked while Nova agreed and scowled deeply.

"He has stated in his message that he has come alone." Ratchet added.

"Alone? Yeah right." Bulkhead scoffed.

"Dreadwing is a decepticon of honour Bulkhead; i do not believe he would perform an act of trickery during negotiation." Optimus said, his tone hinted that he was actually considering to meet with Dreadwing.

"So we're going?" Bulkhead said sounding slightly confused.

"Yeah, what if you go through the groundbridge and then boom! You all become scrap for new trash cans." Miko added with flailing arms on 'boom'.

"We will still treat this as any other meeting with a Decepticon, with caution, and as such, i will need all warriors present, for Dreadwing is a formidable opponent." Dad said.

"With our current situation i'm willing to any encounter, if it has the slightest link to the omega keys..." Ratchet started as he input the co-ordinates that came with the message, he then pulled the lever as they looked at how eager he was.

Nonetheless they transformed and proceeded through, with no word uttered.  Nova stared at the groundbridge, even when it shut, but she didn't hang onto that for long as she went back to carrying on as normal.

"*Ratchet, we need a ground bridge.*"

"Coming up." He and Nova turned and saw the team come back in, and Optimus carrying something.

instantly recognized it as the Forge while it took Ratchet a little longer to figure out then looked astounded, 'how had Optimus gotten that?!'

Nova smiled lightly when she saw the broad smile on Opitmus' face and heard the Forge whirring slightly, Optimus needed it-a relic of a prime, they all needed it if they were to get to Cybertron to restore the lock. Smokescreen came over grinning, "It's no Star Saber, but I bet it can shatter Megatron's blade and put some dents into that ugly mug of his."

Arcee rebuffed, "It's not that kind of hammer."

"With the Decepticons in possession of all four Omega Keys, a more appropriate use of the Forge would the to use it to replicate our own." Ratchet said, finally finding his voice again.

Optimus shook his helm, "Even with such power, their reconstruction would require a level of expertise I do not possess."

"I guess we better hope Megatron doesn't destroy the Keys to prevent anyone from ever going home." Arcee thought aloud.

Optimus refuted the idea, "Megatron may be evil, but I believe he will use the Keys for their intended purpose."

"Then I say we let him keep them and do the work for us." Bulkhead said then shrugged when all eyes turned on him, "W-I mean, what difference does it make who restores Cybertron?"

Opitmus answered, "If Megatron revives Cybertron, he will no doubt use it to his political advantage."

"Y-you lost me." Bulkhead stammered.

"In all likelihood, the leader of the Decepticons will portray himself as our planet's savior and brand all Autobots as war criminals."

"The grand deception continues." Arcee sighed.

Ratchet added, "Megatron's so-call 'achievement' could influence Cybertron for eons to come, poisoning the sparks and minds of its returning citizens...hardly the ideal way to begin a new age."

"But there is hope. For while Megatron may have the Keys, he has yet to discover the existence of the Omega Lock itself or the location of the remaining Key."

"Omega Lock?" Bulkhead sputtered.

"Wait. Now you lost me." Arcee said confused.

'Was it really that hard to realize that a key doesn't exist without a lock?' Nova sighed while Optimus explained, "That which the five relics were designed to activate. We must locate the devise before Megatron does and secure it until we can recover the Keys."

Ratchet replied, "There are no more entries to decode. This Lock and this crystal, could be anywhere on Earth!"

"Actually...it is on Cybertron. And Crystal will come once the lock is secured."

There was a course of 'what?' before Ratchet asked, "How do you know? And how do that the crystal will just, appear there to unlock the Omega Lock?"

"Alpha Trion revealed the location of the Omega Lock to me during the message conveyed by the Star Saber. As for Crystal, I just know."

Ratchet sounded deeply hurt, "And you didn't think to tell us."

"Alpha Trion did not wish it so. With the Forge of Solace Prime, we now possess the means of reaching Cybertron."

She nodded before she yawned, "Turning the ground bridge into a space bridge."

Ratchet and Optimus looked at her as Ratchet said, "You need get some rest."

"Why can't I just stay here?" She asked, not liking the idea of going home when they would probably be going to Cybertron shortly, and they would need her.

Ratchet answered exasperated, "Because every time you've tried as of late something happens and it just keeps you up!" He walked over an activated the ground bridge, "You will either get a decent night's rest or so help me I will drag you and tie you to your bed."

Nova looked pleadingly at Optimus but he shook his head, "I will side with Ratchet, you haven't slept in several days. We will call you when we secure the Omega Lock."

"But----" She started only for Ratchet to cut her off.

"Ep, ep, ep." He pointed towards the hallway, "Get, some, rest."

Nova looked one last time at Optimus and saw he was dead serious also before she sighed and walked down the platform. She petted Campy helm slightly as she heads back to her room. Before she left, she smiled at them and nodded, then disappeared into the hallway. Optimus got an uneasy feeling, like something now was going to go horribly wrong.

She was back in her room and made her way to the bathroom. She took a shower then stumbled into the heavenly soft bed, she was so tired but the nagging thought of her decision about Cybertron on her mind until she passed out.

Later

Nova woke up from her bed, not knowing how long she slept as she heads to the main room with Campy hopped onto her shoulder however once she arrived, she noticed everything seems quiet. The only room she sees was Ratchet on the computer. She climbed to the platform and asked, "Where Optimus and the others?"

Ratchet stared at her but didn't answer until a realization dawn to her. "They went to Cybertron, didn't they?" Nova said, feeling frustrated.

Ratchet sighed and replied, "Yes....."

"Why didn't you guys bring me along? I'm part of the team."

"Becoz Optimus didn't want anything happen to you. After you got taken away, he was worried about you so that why he didn't want to risk losing you again."

Nova's eye widened slightly,  she couldn't believe that Optimus was overprotective that she didn't want to be involve in their battle. Despite being the Herald of Primus, she felt infuriated that Optimus didn't bother to bring her. 

'I can't believe this' 

The comm system rang with the notification of an incoming transmission. Her spark leapt in hope as Ratchet scrambled to answer it. "Optimus?"

"Uh," A familiar voice, that wasn't Optimus', responded. "Ratchet, it's Jack. Is something wrong? Because school's been out for over an hour and no one's showed to pick us up."

"The whole team is rather.... Indisposed at the moment," Ratchet scrambled for words.

"What's he saying?"  Miko interrupt.

"The bots are busy,"

"Then tell Ratchet to come get us! It's not like he has anything else to do! " She stated the last part rather loudly, and Nova could only imagine her prying eyes. 

"Just, go home! I will be in touch later." He then cut them off.

"You hung up on them? And your seriously going to just send them home?" Nova asked.

"I cannot be dealing with problems on the side, not at this crucial point in time; they'll be fine getting home on their own." He said. 

Nova let out a frustrated sigh as she offered, "Then, Could you at least send me? Beside, there's nothing I can do here in the base."  

 He sighed for a minute, before opening the bridge.  Placing Campy on the floor as she told him to remained in the base, much to it's protest but simply obeyed. Nova hurriedly darted down the steps for it, crossing through. She appeared in front of the  school steps, the three of them gathered, looking at her curiously.

"What crawled up his tailpipe and died?" Miko asked her as she grabbed her bags, the others doing the same.

"Nova," Raf called, running up beside her and grabbing a hold of her outstretched hand. "Can you tell us what's going on?"

"They seem to be keeping us in the dark a lot lately," Jack informed her, rushing to her side as Miko walked by Raf.

Nova sighed, rubbing at her chest self consciously. "It's a little bit of a long story, you think we could all have a sleepover at one of your houses?"

Miko cheered excitedly. "So tell us."

She sighed as she told them about the Omega Lock, it's location, and Optimus' forging. They were agreeing with the bots about Optimus' decisions, until she reminded them of the same thing Smokescreen and Nova did before.

"So that's where they at," Jack concluded, looking at her. "Cybertron,"

Nova nodded, clenching her fist. "The distance is not... fun. Pretty soon, I'll be joining them"

Which startled Jack, Miko and Raf that the thought Nova is part Cybertronian. Raf asked sadly, "Will you be ok, Nova? Living there for the rest of your life? I mean.... we don't know when you would come back to Earth....""

Nova halt on her track as she diverted her eyes from them, her smile fading before looking up in the sky, "Well, As long as I'm with them, I would be okay with  it." But somewhere in the back of her mind she spend so much time on Earth and creating such memories she never had. She wished she didn't want to leave it behind. She always knew one day she would have to split, from something.... but if they were able to go home.... She would try her best to be okay with it and continuing fulfilling her duty. Even though her heart was breaking already.

Jack, Raf and Miko were saddened by her choice before Nova turned to them and said sadly, "After all, I'm different from all of you. Even time passed, you guys will change and I won't. Crazy...huh."

The trio exchange glances before Jack said to her, "Even so....your still our friend."

"Yeah I mean even your far away or how different, you'll always be our friend," Miko assured Nova, resting a hand on her shoulder. "We'll always be a part you." Raf added.

Nova stared at them for a long time before she slowly grinned at them, "So," She stalled. "Where do we---?"

Nova was interrupted by a familiar engine approaching them from behind.

"Scrap!! It's Knockout!"

Nova noticed Knockout wasn't alone as he brought vehicons with him. She pushed the three kids behind her, Jack putting up the most resistance. They were crossing the road and ran for a building. Once inside they were grateful that it was just an extra warehouse and that there was no one there. Nova may not be able to help the autobots at least she had to keep her friends safe. She nudged them, "Let's see if there's a back exit."

They moved quietly through the warehouse when a soft clanking could be heard, "What's that?" Raf asked quietly.

"I don't want to know." Nova replied, "Let's just get out of here and have Ratchet bridge us back."

Jack pulled out his phone, "I don't have any signal."

"The 'cons must be sending out a disrupter." Raf said.

"Why would they do that or want us for that matter?" Miko thought aloud.

"I'm not sure but I have a bad feeling about this." Nova said moving along before the clinking sound suddenly drew very close, to close, "Miko!"

She shoved Miko aside with a small sonic blast as a tentacle swiped where she had just been, "Ah! Creepy tentacle!"

"It's Soundwave." Nova replied.

Jack asked in a near shout of terror, "What do they want us for?!"

A second tentacle encircled them from behind, "Any ideas?" Miko asked.

"You guys run while I hold him off?!"  Nova said as she struck one of the tentacles with an electrical bolt while the kids quickly jumped over the other. She heard Miko shriek and her attention became divided two ways, enabling the tentacle to ensnare and yank her out, "No, let go! Miko!"

She saw Knockout holding Miko tightly while Jack was being held in a death grip by Starscream and Raf by a Vehicon. A couple other Vehicons brought over some cylinder prisons and they all dropped the kids in them, though Soundwave did receive a couple nice dents on his plating from Nova trying to escape, though the fact that they held the other kids was what truly held her back-she would have to get them out also and that was not likely at this time.

Starscream laughed manically, "Soundwave, target a space bridge for Cybertron."

Within seconds a bridge appeared and the 'cons walked through carrying the containers. When they came out, she saw the 'bots facing off against Megatron. They had the keys and there was a large contraption set up, similar designs to Vector Sigma. 

  Megatron smirked at the Autobots expressions. "So that I may hand over the humans." He motioned back at the four pets, feeling triumphant.  

"And if we refuse?" Optimus asked, wanting to know all the bases.

Nova, along with the others, watched Megatron walked closer to Optimus, "Then I will have no choice but to open the pods, exposing your pets to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere. And then we can all watch them instantly perish, together."