It had been nearly a weeks since NOva lived with the autobots. She is beginning to open her feelings to them. Jack, Miko, and Raf had become close friends of hers, same goes for the autobots. When the team are on mission, Nova has been asking Ratchet to teach her about Cybertronians which he's gladly to oblige. Most of her days were spent juggling with basic combat training, and the medical training. Mostly, it was a lot of reading, but it was all very fascinating. Nova likes learning about the Cybertronians biology and history that Ratchet gave her a tablet which was a small size. Nova usually worked with Ratchet well into the afternoon. Sometimes, she would stop and chat with the others when they arrived. Optimus whose been watching her charge, he was glad to see NOva was finally out of her shell and her feelings to be shown.

Nova usually takes her motorbike as she drive through the streets just to get some fresh air but sometimes get caught in a fight. Hey, she has to live up her name as the NIght Killer when it comes to watching over the streets. Later, Nova was laying on her bed due to the exhaustion she had in her training as she took a nap for awhile.

Dreamscape

Standing planet-side, NOva found herself looking out at a dead Cybertron from a considerable height, like she was on a cliff or something. The sky was overcast, and dark, creating a mournful scene with the help of the ruined cities in the distance. The sight made you wonder, consider really, just how many lives had been lost in the war. How many had been ruined and torn asunder?

"Too many to count and far more to come I fear," rumbled a deep voice somewhere behind her.

Jumping, Nova whirled around but found no one there. The ledge was empty.

After several moments of silence, She turned back to the heartbreaking scene before her, a melancholy look in her eyes as she began to relax. 'It was probably just my imagination.' Nova thought.

"Sad is it not?" the voice asked again, tone mournful.

Nova whirled around again, but she once again found nothing out of the ordinary, just metallic, rock-like formations. Suddenly, she froze. Her eyes narrowed on a spot a little to her left. 

'Did that just move?'

"Show yourself,"  NOva demanded, posture tensed and ready for attack. She could feel a pair of eyes watching her. She just didn't know from where. Then she glanced up, craning her neck backwards in what would quickly become an uncomfortable angle.

"Greetings young warrior," the ginormous metallic giant greeted, with a smile that could have swallowed  her whole but instead made her feel oddly warm, happy even.

Mutely, She glanced down and realized for the first time that she wasn't standing on a cybertronian cliff at all. She was actually standing in the colossus' hand.

"Do not be frightened little one," he soothed when she did not speak, frozen like an ice sculpture. The mere sound of his voice seemed to bring just a little light and warmth back to this dead world. "I merely wished to speak to you. Will you so grant me the honor of listening to what I have to say?"

Temporarily rendered speechless, Nova managed a meek nod as she gawked up at the large being. He chuckled a little, the warm sound making her feel like her entire body was glowing in jubilation despite that it made him, along with her, vibrate a little.

However, Nova recognized the familiar voice. It belonged to the one that had been inside her head since the moment she met the Autobots. She wanted to asked who he was but decided not to, thinking he might not reveal to her. Her body relaxed for a bit, she felt it was because of the warmth she felt in his presence. This was no ordinary Cybertronian. Breathing soundlessly, she sat down, cross-legged in his servo. Nova asked, "So, what brings you here?"

  "My child, you have done much for my people in such a short time. And you will do so much more for them in the future."  

His voice was soothing, but his words startled her. 'What could he possibly mean by that? 'She thought to herself.

"Do not worry, you will understand in time. You have done well so far. But be careful. While I love my creations all equally, I am disappointed with the actions of the ones you know as Decepticons. They have traveled down a dark path. One that I fear will lead them towards the Unicron himself."  

"Whose this....Unicron?" Her eyes furrowed in confusion.

"You will know of him in time. For now, You must wake up, I will talk to you again soon. Good luck and remember what I have told you."

He faded away and her vision grew dark, which meant she would soon be waking. 

End of Dreamscape

Her eyes opened and sat up abruptly as she checked the clock which was only 3:20 am. So much had happened this past months and it just seemed to get weirder and weirder. Nova didn't know if she should tell Ratchet about her dreams or not. If it had not given her a sign as to whether it was a good idea or not. And just who exactly was Unicron? Why did that strange entity appeared in her dreams? What did he meant by his words? So many questions rushed through her mind.

There was one thing she knew for certain though. Things were going to just keep getting stranger over time and Nova don't think she wanted it any other way before going back to sleep.

The NExt Day

"Optimus, Ratchet," Nova called, turning to the two of them. Optimus looked over, closing his chest plates exposing his spark to the doctor before they both headed towards her. "The scanners picked up a decepticon energy profile ; an ancient one."

"The past has a way of catching up with the present," Optimus called, narrowing his eyes at it.

Nova said to him. "Scouting time?" His optics narrowed in her direction, looking at her curiously. "Awe, c'mon! I discovered it, I should be allowed to scout it!"

 "Do you not remember the last time you went against my wishes?"

Nova sulked back at that. "Yeah... I guess you're right."

"What if all of us came?" Arcee offered, appearing from the side, gesturing for Bulkhead and Bumblebee to follow. "Would you allow Nova to come then?"

Bee buzzed, giving an Optimus a pointed look.

Optimus sighed. "You're right, Bumblebee." he turned to her. "If you're coming on a scouting mission with us, you must stay beside me. Is that understood?"

Nova gawked at him, couldn't believed what she just heard. "What?" 

Later

Optimus rumbled to a stop in front of an evil looking ship that was hidden underground. He transformed, Nova landing in his hand gently.  They quietly entered the ship, Optimus resting Nova gently on his shoulder. Bumblebee and Arcee were in front, Optimus and Bulkhead not too far behind them. We came to a bend in the halls, when we heard an intake of air to the left.

"Airachnid!" Arcee gasped.

"Surrender," Optimus growled, his face mask slipping into place.

Arachnid growled, transforming, two more legs appearing, reaching for the ground, scampering away. She was glad that the ex con didn't notice her.

"Airachnid, you traitor!" Nova heard a familiar voice growl out.

Arcee darted after the con without hesitation, Optimus following closely behind with Nova barely holding on tightly. There was the sound of drilling, and as we rounded a corner, there was a hole in the dirt in front of them. Nova could tell it would be too big for Optimus, but he charged for it anyways following Arcee. On the ground, Nova saw Starscream, from the tunnel, wrapped in some sticky crap following them with his wide, red optics. Arcee darted through the hole without stopping, Optimus kneeling to peer through it.

"Arcee! Wait!" He hollered desperately after her.

"I can crawl through," Nova offered.

"No," he said, standing to face Bumblebee and Bulkhead. "Take care of him," he gestured to the con on the ground, thundering past them the next moment. "I shouldn't have brought you," he mumbled.

"I thank you for doing so," Nova said to him, resting a hand on his face, trying to ease his tension.

"Hang on," he growled, shoving through the ship and into the day. "Whatever you do, don't fall off and don't get shot."

"I wasn't planning to." She said before bending into his neck securely. Optimus charged forward then, a low growl emitting from him. Nova leaned forward to see what was in front of him. Arachnid had Arcee in a hold.

"Speaking of, add anymore deceased partners to your growing list?" she sneered. Nova glared at Arachnid as Optimus transformed his hand into his blaster, taking aim.

"Airachnid!" Optimus ordered. "Release her!"

Arachnid met Nova's eye, she was pleased to see her pet again before she tossed Arcee to the side. Optimus let off a few shots as she transformed into a helicopter and taking off.

"Arcee," Optimus rumbled as the helo disappeared from view, his face mask receding. "You know better than to engage the enemy alone," he scolded her.

"Not her," Arcee panted, staring at Optimus desperately. "Not after what she did to Tailgate. She will pay."

Nova stared at Arcee while sitting on his shoulder. 'Tailgate? The one Arachnid mentioned back in the forest.....even if I did not know him, he should not be killed that way. Poor Arcee I feel bad for her losing someone you care about mostly.' Nova thought sadly.

"Revenge will not bring back those we have lost," Optimus still scolded, though his optics were sympathetic for the femme. "Is that understood?"

Arcee turned away from Optimus, not answering.

"Move it!"

Nova directed her attention to Bulkhead and Bumblebee, who were leading a Starscream still bound in the crazy white rope looking stuff.

"You don't need to use force," he complained, his high pitched whining voice forcing Nova to roll her eyes.

Bulkhead replied with a hard shove to his shoulder, the con falling to the ground. He panted heavily, before looking up at Optimus pleadingly. "I'll tell you anything you want to know," he pleaded, his voice lowered, sincere.

Bulkhead laughed. "Is that right? And what do you want in return?"

"I want to be on your side,"

Nova was surprised of what he said and probably would've laughed if it wasn't for the honesty in his voice. She felt Optimus clench his muscles, staring down at Starscream. 

Bulkhead laughs and says, "On our side? Yeah right and I've been lobbing with the fallen."

"You wouldn't betray the decepticons." Arcee stated.

"Wouldn't I? What have they done for me lately? Besides humiliate me, spy on me, demote me. Megatron tried to extinguish my spark in cold blood and all but replaced me with that traitorous wretch Arachnid. She abandoned me and left me for scrap, so why not rat them out?"Starscream replies.

All of them except for BumbleBee walk off to discuss this.

Nova look to Optimus and Arcee said, "He's telling the truth about Megatron trying to scrap him. I saw it with my own eyes."

Bulkhead then says, "Your not saying you actually trust Starscream?"

"Trust him? Never, but this may be the one time our objectives align." 

"Your right to be worried Bulkhead but I agree with Arcee." Optimus says to him.

    "Free him from the web and place stasis cuffs on him. I will receive my trailer," He backed away instead of turning, confirming her doubts on hiding or not. He transformed, a bit slower given her unusual location. Nova was plopped into the driver's seat as his team scampered around the con. Nova watched through the rearview as a trailer appeared out of nowhere.  

"Where'd that come from?" NOva questioned as Optimus' engine roared to life, the gears shifting into reverse by themselves and backing to the trailer. "Subspace," He replied which Nova understand what he meant. 

"Can I drive?" NOva asked hopefully.

He looked at her curiously. "You know how?"

Nova sighed. "I know how to drive a motorcycle and other vehicles from my past.....surely, I can handle a truck as well plus I've never driven a semi before."

Optimus stared at her for a minute before allowing her to do it, much to Nova's satisfaction until her feet touches the pedals. "What's going on, boss?" Bulkhead called through the comm, the others slowing to a halt around them as Optimus parked.

"Nova's driving," Optimus informed them. While NOva placing her left hand to the wheel and her right to the gearshaft.

Bumblebee buzzed excitedly.

She felt the clutch and the brake under her feet, testing the brake before she pressed the clutch all the way in. She wiggled the shaft a bit, ensuring it was in neutral. It was a good thing she was expert in driving during her time as an ex agent. Shifting into first, Nova slowly let go of the clutch, eventually moving her right foot to the gas pedal, pushing it slightly as the clutch grabbed a hold and lurched them forward. Nova chuckled, Optimus' engine roaring underneath her hands.

Optimus groaned as Nova shifted into second, the transmission shifting a lot smoother than she was expecting.  "What is it?"Nova asked him, hesitantly. Fearing she was doing something wrong, she kept his speed about 25 mph.

"Absolutely nothing," He replied which made Nova relieved, turning back to her view before he mumbled, " It feels wonderful to let go."

Nova bit her lip, ignoring him as she pushed on, shifting all the way up to fifth gear without causing a major riff in the transmission. "Uh... Optimus?"

"Hmm?"

"Where are we going?"

"Oh, right," he straightened before she heard his comm activate. "Bulkhead, what is our destination?"

BumbleBee buzzed in response, zig zagging in front of them.

"Just follow Bee," Optimus instructed her. Nova nodded, following the little car carefully, but not too close. Later, Bumblebee braked, and Nova saw the destination. Another black ship, this one, however, leaned up against the rocks.

Bulkhead and Arcee shot past her, transforming to a stop overlooking the place. Nova clenched her teeth together, concentrating on the task at hand. Downshifting. She let the engine roll slowly to a stop, downshifting as the needle passed the numbers. As it neared the ten, she braked and shoved in the clutch as Optimus came to a halt.

Nova groaned, forcing herself to not punch the steering wheel angrily."You did wonderful," he rumbled again, his engine shutting off. He transformed the next second, the trailer grounding itself. Nova rested on his shoulder still pouting.

"Hey," Arcee called to her. "That was great,"

"I'm okay with cars and motorcycles, but this...... I did terrible," Nova pouted, shifting away from the optics staring at her.

"I bet that felt great, didn't it Optimus," Bulkhead chidded, looking at the bot with a mischievous grin.

"Starscream's loyalty to Megatron has always been questionable," Optimus replied, ignoring the topic. "If he has truly split from the decepticons, our prisoner's knowledge of their agendas could make him a valuable ally,"

"You don't mean permanently? As in keys to the base and everything?" Bulkhead asked.

"However unlikely that scenario, every sentinent being deserves a chance of redemption." 

"Even bot killers? Like Arachnid?" Arcee asked angrily.

"Without that hope we may never achieve lasting peace." Optimus said to her. Nova agreed, "He's right you know."

They walk to the back of the trailer where Bulkhead opens it and pulls Starscream out saying, "Rise and Shine Screamy."   

 The sound of metal scraping metal filled Nova's ears, her arms reaching up to cover them. The con fell to the ground, Bulkhead releasing his ankles as he looked around frantically.

"Bulkhead, Bumblebee, you're with me," Optimus ordered, walking to the trailer. "Arcee, remain with our prisoner, and Nova." he lifted his hand to her, which she crawled into. He kneel by the trailer, Arcee hurriedly falling next to them.

"Optimus, please," Arcee begged quietly. "For Tailgate."

"Your desire to avenge Tailgate will only continue to cloud your judgement," Optimus answered, not rising from his position.

Starscream groaned in frustration behind him, looking dangerously at his cuffs. Optimus cleared his throat, bringing her attention back to his. "Remain here," He ordered sternly, resting NOva on the roof of the trailer. Nova wanted to go with them but the chances of seeing Arachnid capturing her again is not what she wanted. She replied, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere, especially with that spiderbot."

"Stay safe."

  "I should be asking you the same," NOva mumbled, placing a hand softly on his cheek. She was all too aware of a certain set of red optics watching them carefully. "I'm not the one going into battle." He smiled softly, leaning into her hand. "Take care," Nova ordered, allowing her hand to fall. He stood to his full height as Nova watched him leave with the two bots. "Is the clamp really necessary?" Starscream protested.

"I can shove you back into the trailer," Arcee offered.

"Awww..."

Minutes passed, Arcee began pacing back and forth in front of the still kneeling con. Nova flopped onto her back, trying to relaxed for a bit. Nova wondered if they caught Arachnid already. She just hope her Sire is alright.....Nova bit her lip and got up in a sitting position. 'Sire? Strange, where did that word come from and why did I say that?' Nova thought in puzzlement

"I'm not really all bad, you know," he stated softly, optics bouncing between Arcee and herself. "Megatron - he's the evil one."

"And you're just an innocent ball of fun, aren't you?" Nova snarled, turning to him.

"I will not be mocked by a human," he snarled, glaring at her threateningly.

"I dare you...." Nova told him, not the least bit phased by his words. "Even I don't want to see the pit of rage Optimus will be in if something happens to her," Arcee chidded. Starscream grumbled.

 "Tell it to someone who cares," Arcee scoffed, returning to pacing.

"Like who? Airachnid? Oh, what I would do to get my servos on her throat!"

"So we can agree on one thing," she paused, looking at the con.

"She shows up one day, then the next she's strolling along like she owns the place. She whispered lies into Megatron's audios, maneuvered to rob me of my rightful place!"

"Well," Arcee rumbled dangerously. "She terminated my partner."

Starscream gasped in horror. "She's taking credit for scrapping him too!?"

"What?" Arcee shot, eyeing the con. "You weren't there,"

He looked set back. "Of course I wasn't, I don't know what I was thinking..."

'Uh oh.'  She had a bad feeling about this. 

"Who are you talking about?" Arcee demanded, moving up close to the con.

"No one. Who are you talking about?"

"Tailgate,"

"Uh...who's Tailgate?"

Arcee's optics narrowed. "You were the one. You extinguished Cliffjumper!" Arcee transformed her wrist into a blade, pulling her fist back. 

"No!" Starscream held out his cuffed hands defensively. "No, no no, you misunderstand. It wasn't like you think, the troops mortally wounded him, I was trying to help Cliffjumper, he begged me too!"

Arcee growled furiously then, kicking Starscream in the chest, sending him flying backwards. "Arcee, stop! What are you doing?!" NOva hollered after her, looking for a way off the trailer. 

"Stay out of this!" she ordered, advancing on Starscream.

"You wouldn't terminate a defenseless prisoner, would you?"

Nova watched in horror as Arcee threw the key to his cuffs to his knees, onlining her blasters. "Pick it up," she demanded, blasters whirring to life. The con grabbed the key, looking up to Arcee before he dropped it again. "You're pathetic," she grumbled, bending over to reach the key. Nova had just enough time to catch his sneer before he slashed at Arcee's waist with his claws.

"Arcee!" NOva yelled to her, watching as she fell to her knees, Starscream rising, the cuffs falling to the side.

"Something wrong, Arcee," he growled, rubbing his wrists. "I thought you wanted to fight," he slashed at Arcee, which she deflected weakly, rolling onto her back. She picked herself off the ground, growling at the con in front of her, favoring her right side. Nova looked around trying to get off before she looked back up to see Starscream kick Arcee back towards the trailer, her resting next to it weakly.

  Starscream sneered at Nova. "So, you're Primes pet," he smiled at Nova. She got into her defense stance while glaring at the enemy. "Your a weak human. Perhaps I should return to base with you," he took a step closer, curling her hand into a fist. "Imagine Megatron's face when I present you as a prize. I bet Optimus Prime would do anything to protect you, wouldn't he?" 

Nova lowered her head as she said, "Your right about one thing.....but just so you know....." Her hair began to glow brightly as electrical currents appeared which surrounded her body which surprised Starscream. As she slowly lifted her head, revealing her bright blue eyes and said, "....I'm not human."

 With that, Nova sent a powerful lightning blast, hitting Starscream in the chest. It threw him backwards to the ground, smoke sizzling from the attack. Arcee chose that moment to recover, raising a blade to Starscream's throat. "Go ahead," the con begged. "Megatron will only terminate me for treason anyways,"

"As if I needed convincing," the bot snarled, bringing her blade back and was about to strike him until Nova used her TK  power as the invisible force pushed Arcee away from Starscream. NOva managed to get off from the trailer since she remembered she's not human. NOva run over to stand behind Starscream who was cowering in fear. Arcee glared at her as she walk towards Nova, where her shadow loomed over her and said, "Nova, MOve Aside."

"No, Arcee I know your angry but this is not the way." Nova said defended.

"NOva, He's going to pay for what he has done and I'm going to finish him. He killed Cliffjumper, he took my partner away from me. You don't know how that feels."

Nova stared at Arcee in the optics before she replied with a sad look, "I do actually..." Arcee was taken back what she said and her optics widened when she recalled that Nova lost someone important to her. Then, Arcee saw BUmblee who was watching from the distance.  Arcee met his optics, freezing for a moment and looking at the cowering seeker and Nova with a sad look on her face below her. She moved away from the, collapsing to the ground in pain as Nova turned to Starscream with a warning look.

"Get out of here.....And don't come back." With that, Starscream scampered off while Nova head to Arcee.  BumbleBee buzzed through his comm, a ground bridge appearing the next moment.

Back in the base

"The damage looked bad," Ratchet explained to a newly unfrozen Optimus as he stretched his limbs. NOva watched him from the catwalk, inspecting his form as he did so. "But it was a snap to repair, allowing us to reverse its affect on you. You should regain your full range of motion before long."

"And Arcee?" He asked curiously, looking to the bot on the berth facing away from us all.

"She's rather resilient for a two wheeler,"

She looked back at Optimus, holding the weld on her servo. "It is the external wounds which heal the quickest," Optimus approached her, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I thought settling scores would allow me to move on. But instead I chased away the hope of winning this war anytime soon."

"Wisdom cannot be granted, Arcee. It must be earned. Sometimes, at a cost."

Nova sighed in relief before heading to the elevator that leads to the rooftop. Arcee saw Nova head to the elevator. She then recalled what happened back there, Nova defended Starscream from being terminated and after what Arcee told her about her partner, she felt a guilt inside her when she realized that Nova lost someone important as well. She stood up and head to the elevator. After some time passes, Nova was siting down with her legs over the edge, staring at the sky. She heard footsteps as she knew it was Arcee that followed her to the rooftop.

She said regretful, "Nova listen, What I said back there.....I didn't mean to."

Nova sighed and said, "Arcee.....I know how that feels to lose a partner. Someone was taken from me too. I lost someone special to me for no reason at all. Just like you, I have an opportunity for revenge. The man who did it cornered helpless, I could have finished him right there. But I realized we wouldn't have change what happened. Worse I would have become as bad as the creep who took her from me. She always said I can choose who I wanted to be. I choose to walk away." Nova stared at her hand right hand shaking before curling into a fist as she slacked and dangle her right. "I don't know if I did the right thing, Dr. Login wouldn't want me to become a killer."

Arcee stared at Nova for a minute when her guilt began to rise of what she said to her. Nova turned to Arcee, "I know Starscream and Arachnid took your partners away from you but that doesn't mean you do the same. It doesn't define who you are neither does Starscream and Arachnid. You choose.....You can be like Starscream or Arachnid......or just be the autobot you were meant to be. 

Arcee thought about what she said to her, which made her optics soften and said, "Guess you know me better than I thought."

"Hey, after spending time in the base with all of you. I always observed the situation. Beside, Dr. Login showed me that."

"Then, I guess Optimus also taught you as well."

Nova smirked, "You could say that....."

Both of them chuckled a bit before staring back at the horizon. Arcee said sympathetically, "Thank you for sharing about Dr. Login and taught me how to choose. And.....I'm sorry for what I said before."

Nova replied, "That's alright......I forgive. Beside, If I were Cliffjumper, he wouldn't want you to become just to avenge him." Arcee gave a somber look on her face when Nova mentioned him before she felt something touched her leg, only to see Nova placed her hand on it.

"You will get your chance someday.....instead of avenging them, just give them justice." Nova encouraged. Arcee smiled at her before they head back inside the base. As Arcee and Nova arrived in the main room, the autobots noticed that Arcee who seem to be smiling at Nova, walking along side her. Bulkhead walked over to them and asked what they were doing on the rooftop. Both of shared a look before turning to BUlkhead.

Arcee said, "Oh you know....girl stuff."

Nova added, "Something you wouldn't want to know." before both of them head to the training room, much to Bulkhead's confusion. OPtimus who was staring from the distance, was happy to see Nova was able to help Arcee.

 At first, both of them don't seem to like each other but now they seem to get know each other by understanding their feelings. He was glad to see Nova was able get along with others.