(A/N Hey Guys, I know this chapter is a bit long but I had to skipped to Plus One becoz this is the part where Nova attempts to get the bone and where she is going to be taken.)

Nova was no longer wearing her usual clothes due to her torns and ripped from the Decepticon attack. She went over to the soldier's quarter and asked if they can lend some clothes. Although, the boys don't seem to take things serious when they try to flirt with her. Unfortunately, Campy hissed at them by showing its scary look as Nova continued to smile innocently while asking politely about spare clothes, much to their frightened state.

 She now wears a green T-Shirt and camo pants, her black boots is still the same. Also, she didn't want to part with her star collar necklace that was given from June's gift and still wearing the black glove on her right hand, even the scar on her left arm is still shown but she didn't mind. She even had her hair tied in a ponytail with a help from June which it was the first time for her. She never done it before which she seems satisfied by the hairstyle. Her human friends were surprised by her appearance, that she looked like a military soldier.

Fowler had just finished informing June of the situation of moving and she had very quickly agreed, wanting to keep Jack as safe as possible. For the other kid's families, it was a bit more difficult but Fowler managed. The next week consisted mainly of three families moving. Jack, Miko, and Raf's onto the base's housing grounds. Nova went with JAck and June to help in packing their things. She packed the last box of things she was going to be taking, which was a small box of pictures. Nova turned to see Jack helping June with the box and much to her curiosity, she watched June planted a kiss on Jack's face while smiling before continuing their pack. Nova tilted her head, wondering what it was since she still learning more about humans. She has seen them in television and wondered what was like, but that curiosity will be learned later. After that, They were now officially out of their house and in the base.

Later, Nova was leaning on the rail, watching Ratchet working on the monitor, looking at all the info. being presented to them. The ground bridge was finally stable. She did recall that they sent Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack to their former base to search for anything useful, while the rest of them are waiting for them. After a little while they request a groundbridge back.

Raf looked over at them from his temporary desk, "Return trajectory fluctuations have been stabilized."

Ratchet nodded, looking back at his screen. "Ultra Magnus, we are ready to receive you."

Ultra Magnus came drove through without any problem, Bumblebee removed the cube as Magnus transformed, "we didn't find much else in the rubble of the former base."

 Wheeljack walked through, holding up the old lob ball. "You call this 'not much else?'" He then lobbed it right at Bulkhead which rebounded off his chassis towards Miko and Jack who stood on a leveled platform. Jack was about to pull Miko away until Nova stood in front of them and used her telekinesis to stop the ball which made it stopped in slow motion, it was closed to their faces.

Jack and Miko sighed in relief before Ratchet glared at the wrecker, "Wheeljack! You could've caused serious damage."

Miko said, placing both hands on her hips, "To me!" before turning to Nova, "Thanks for the save."

Nova nodded before lowering lobbing ball, away from the platform and Fowler's office. Not wanting to damaged it. Her powers switched off as she slide on the ground, feeling exhausted by the force. Jack said to her, "Are you alright?"

Campy nudge her hand worriedly before Nova said tiredly, "Yeah....I'm fine, just exhausted." 

Ultra Magnus turned to Wheeljack, frowning down at him. "What were you thinking, soldier?"

Wheeljack motioned to his friend, "I was thinking Bulk would catch that lob."

"Let me make myself clear. As Optimus Prime's second-in-command, I have no intention of tolerating Wrecker behavior."

Wheeljack barely glanced up at him, "Some things never change."

Bulkhead frowned, looking worried, "Jackie..."

"Need I remind you that it was Optimus Prime himself who assigned me to command your Wreckers back on Cybertron and get you loose cannons under control? An effective combat unit begins with discipline. If you won't accept that, feel free to choose the path of least resistance as you did before..."

Everyone looked between the two nervously, it being so quiet they could hear a pin drop. "If my ship weren't a twisted wreck at present I'd do that Sir." Wheeljack retaliated turning around and walking off.

"Aw-kward." Nova noted with a cupped hand, Campy nodded in agreement.

"If I wanted awkward I could've been with my host parents." Miko added.

Ultra Magnus sighed, "So, has there been any word from Optimus?"

"He's investigating recent Decepticon activity, hopefully an Energon mine." Ratchet explained.

Ultra Magnus nods in understanding as he turned and was startled by Campy's present. He turned to Ratchet, "Doctor, Is it unwise to have.....a dangerous creatur in our base?"

Ratchet gaze at Nova who was petting Campy on the helm before he said, "Sir, As I assure you before that the scraplet is no longer a threat as long as its still loyalty to Nova. For it is she who altered its programming." Ultra Magnus stared at Nova then at Ratchet before turning away. Though, he seems amazed to think a technorganic was capable in taming a scraplet.

After a few minutes of silence Miko said,"How rad would it be if you all had jet packs like Optimus."

"Quite rad, Miko." Ratchet replied sarcastically. "But the forge has been depleted of its power to do that."

Bulkhead looked down at Miko, "Now it's only good for pounding out dings." Everyone then turned as a sports car tore into the hanger, looking familiar. It drifted as it came to a stop, coming close to hitting Miko if she hadn't moved behind Arcee's leg. 

Arcee tilted her helm, "Smokescreen?"

Smokescreen transformed, pouting at them as he held up his hands. "Aw, what gave me away?" When no one said anything he continued, motioning at himself. "Come on, 'robots in disguise,' right?"

"Clashing robots in disguise you mean." Nova said.

Ultra Magnus walked up to Smokescreen and said, "Where have you been solider?"

"Scanning new war paint. Thought it would be proactive to follow Optimus' lead." He said glancing to one side. "And Bumblebee's."

"I'm an influence?" Bee mused standing up from his crouched position.

"Now you can look your best when stacking those empty cubes." Ultra Magnus told him.

"Yes Sir." Smokescreen said slightly disappointed as he turned towards his objective, "I was nearly a Prime but somehow I'm still a rookie."

"What was that about a Prime?" Ratchet questioned hearing his mumblings.

"e-er...neur-time...time to stop acting like a rookie." Smokescreen said as he continued towards his set objective. Nova placed Campy on the floor which he trotted away (probably to take a nap or find some scrap metals lying around to eat) as she head down from the platform before transforming into her Titan Mode, heading over to where Smokescreen is.

"Need some help, Smoke?" Nova said as he made no kind of response. "Not the cleaning type huh?" she said to him passing him a couple of cubes.

"Not exactly what I hoped to come back to no. its a bit too...I don't know." He said in all honestly.

She looked over his expression; maybe it was because she was in such a relatively good mood that she didn't understand his solemn expression but investigated anyway. "Hey." she said lowering her head so that they made optic contact, "I'm glad your back...As crazy as that sounds."

"Where are these going?" he asked.

"Oh, the hangar next door." She said continuing to force optic contact with him. "Still a little troubled? Your paint job is looking...nu-eh, wow, boy what a paint job." she said trying to hide her grimaced tone only to fail.

"Come on, might as well get this over with." He said as the two walked to outside carrying their empty cubes.

She tapped her fingers on the cube she held as she sighed, "you have been acting a little, abnormal then before. Well, even more so. come on, you're not even saying something that i need to contradict." She noted suspiciously.

"It's like you said, one minute your fighting cons the next box duty you know?" he said lightly grinning.

She raised an eyebrow at him noticing how fake that grin was, "Err.... Smokescreen, the last few days you've been in the Earth, literally. you, kind of missed out." She said.

"I meant metaphorically." He said though slightly clenched his fists to the reality that he wasn't part of that Dark Mount operation.

She let her lip slide as she thought, "Hey, I bet you can't move these as fast as I can?" she challenged.

"You're daring me to move boxes faster?" he questioned wearily.

"What's wrong, Smokey? Is the 'box' too much for you?" she teased pressing the box in his face, "Ooh look at its parallel lines, it's just too much to handle." She continued in a ghostly tone.

"Alright stop waving that thing around." He said wavering it out of his face.

"Aww Come on, I am without fun, seriously I'm all for action but that was 'serious' action, I need some down time and so do you..." she continued to tease whilst picking up a few more cubes, "hey you know what, your right, why don't you sit down Smokescreen, don't wanna hurt yourself after all your frame is still expanding." She grinned pinching his metallic cheek. "You need all the rest you can get little bot." She continued in a whimsy manner.

He narrowed his optics as his frown turned to a mischievous grin, "Give me those cubes." She announced letting his own drop.

"Hey, stick to your own cubes." She said dodging his snatching fingers.

"Give."

"No."

"Give."

"You want these? Come at me, see what happens."

"Just give the- just give me- give me..." he continued as every time he pushed she pulled.

She then darted forward out in front of him, "ooh what am I going to do now?" she started as she flinched the cube left and right, she found herself with a stupid big grin as she felt giddy. "over here? Or over there?"

He placed his hands on his hips turning casual in posture, "What gives? Usually you're such a buzz kill." Smokescreen said now trying to tease her.

"Oh? You're trying to provoke me now? Sure, you walk the walk, but can you talk the talk? Hmm unusual expression usually it's the other way around." She pondered.

"Just stating what's true." He shrugged teasingly winking at her.

"Since when have I ever been a buzz kill?" she argued playing along.

"Since I got here, sure you crack jokes but, n-ueh nothing special." He continued mockingly unimpressed.

"Look 'rookie' you think your all that? flapping your orifices as fast as a mouse's heartbeat? You don't even know the word fear. Sure, maybe that one time, but meh." She argued playfully folding her arms over her chest.

"Really? Let me guess, you have?" he said sounding unconvinced.

"Becoz I put myself in stupid peril more times than the words have out of your vocal processor? hmm, yes." She argued.

He looked at his fingers as he performed the human gesture for yawning, "u-huh sure." He then changed topic to not allow time for a comeback, "hey guess what? I think I have time to show you a little trick of the trade now. you need all the help you can get if you say your that stupid."

"I meant as a little kid you speedster." she said.

"Oh? are you saying I'm fast?"

"Only your posture and your vocals, your so fidgety."

"I may be a fast talker but at least I can stop." he said smugly crossing his arms. She pulled a zip over her mouth as she gestured a 'see?'

"Finally, now I might be able to get a word in, can you fight?" he asked. Nova questioned why he would asked her that then realizes that he didn't know about her being an ex agent from Mech. She was a professional fighter, but it seems he didn't saw her in full action.

"Well, only when I'm in close combat. Why do you ask?" Nova replied, walking towards the hangar that they were supposed to place the cubes in.

"I just want to confirm something if you don't mind."

He wasn't the usual type she would hang around with, in fact it was hard to have a conversation with Miko or him but more interaction through action seemed to work better for with him. Conversation worked better with those like Jack and Raf amongst others. "Alright?" She said with a puzzle look while putting her cubes down.

"First, you gotta build momentum." He said as he stood in a parallel line opposite her as she folded her arms watching his actions confusedly. "Second comes speed..." he started as he ran towards her, she changed her footing, sensing danger. "Third, force, fourth thrust and leap!" he jumped up high as he extended his leg in front propelling towards her. However, Nova ducked down as he went over head before completely though she grabbed the top half of his leg and brought him down turning him over onto his front as she placed both his arms behind his back.

"Not bad but still needs work." She said standing up as he rose to his feet.

"Wow, I guess Jack wasn't kidding about you being an ex-assassin." he said brushing his arms of bits of gravel. Nova's optics widened that Jack must have told him everything. Nova said, "So I guess.... you know everything about me."

"Um yeah....To think I had no idea you have been through. Your life too be....so hard. I know what it was like not able to do anything and save life you wish to protect. Sorry to hear that," he apologized for something that wasn't his fault in the first.

Waving her hand in the air to push away the apology, "Hey, it may look worst in my time.... that's all in the past. Anyway, could we talk about something else? Nova said, changing the subject.

"So.... What do you think of my high- kick?"

"It was.... pretty cool." She complimented.

"Thanks, I got a few pointers from Alpha Trion just to improve my stance."

"Uh huh, as well as that thing in your head you call a processor. You will never let me one up you on that will you?" she shrugged, "Well, now that I've showed you that, show me that." he asked eagerly.

"No seriously what you did was good,  beside I think you excel in fast paced offense. The only reason I got you down was because your skills still need improving."

He clasped his hands together, "Okay then, death training match right here right now." he said his tone lifting to that of excitement.

"Death 'training' match?" she said as he took a swing at her, "hey! Watch it Buddy!"

"Come on defend yourself." He said taking another swing as she felt the force of his fist barely miss her face that time. "Do you usually just stand there doing nothing in a situation like this?" he teased.

Nova rolled her eyes, knowing that he was just bluff hitting as he was about to take another swing when she grabbed his wrist tightly. "Leaving opportunity for the enemy, tut tut Smokescreen." She teased before bringing her face close to his in a threatening manner. "First Lesson; Don't get too cocky." she warned as by now they had gone from strategic fighting to play fighting attempting to put one another into a headlock, first it was a series of frustrated grunts then turned to snickering as Nova grabbed him and throw him over her shohulder but leaving a loud boom sound for the whole area to hear.

They both froze hoping that it would merely be ignored. "Do...you...think...we're..." Smokescreen started.

"What. Are you two doing?" Ultra Magnus demanded throwing himself from the hangars entrance.

Smokescreen jolted to his feet, brushing his form down as quickly as possible while Nova stood straight firmly.

"e-er...well."

"You see we..."

"Training" Both of them finally said in unison.

"Training?" Ultra Magnus replied raising an eyebrow at them both.

"Yes Sir, we were exchanging tactics." She said.

"Whatever it was, it was not your appointed task."

"No sir." Smokescreen said weakly. "We'll get back to it."

"See that you do solider."

When he was gone, Nova couldn't help but grin, "heh, I guess that was...pretty fun." she admitted. " I don't know about you, but I'd prefer it we kept on Magnus' good side while his Energon levels are at boiling point. But if I may be expressive, he is a 'project' in himself."

"Yeah..." Smokescreen said, eyeing up the commander. Nova was curious and judging by his behavior he seems distracted and no one haven't noticed because there busy with everything else. She recalled when Ratchet spoke about a Prime to Smokescreen, he brushed it off by changing it.

"Smokescreen, there is something I want to ask?" Nova questioned.

Smokescreen who seems distracted as she continued, "What happened back there? I noticed you've been feeling distracted."

"I...."

"Don't lie to me, I can detect lies through facial expression and words. Now talk...."

"Why do you have to know?" he said becoming agitated. "Look, I'm only asking because when you keep something that is bothering you to yourself, it's not healthy it'll come back on you, it always will...Believe me I know what it was like." Nova said to him

Smokescreen didn't say anything as she asked, "What is it that is bothering you? Is it becoz you you were never part of the action, is that it?"

"It's not that." he interrupted.

"Then what?"

"It's just..." he started frustrated before sighing, no way could he openly speak of what happened down there. "Being there to witness that, it's just staying with me a little longer then i thought." He said looking to the floor part of what he said was true but what was really bothering him.

"Hmm." She started suspiciously, "Well sure something like that isn't going to go the next day, but what else Smokescreen? that can't be the whole story."

"Is it that obvious?" he asked.

She shrugged lightly before puffing a sigh. "Well, your expression and posture doesn't suggest guilt or blame. Also, don't hide it becoz  I know when someone is keeping something to themselves." She then lent herself up against the hangar walls. "You know There is something I don't understand something though."

His audio receptors picked up as he lifted his head slightly. "What? I told you I was fine."

"No, I mean that he told you to preserve what was left in the forge instead of save him. But why would he?" she pondered looking up. "he did mention this, but maybe it was how pointless he made it sound it caught me off guard to not think into it."

"What, do you mean? To use it for Cybertron of course." he said sounding slightly annoyed by her flat tone in saying that.

"Well, what's the point if no one could use the thing? I mean without the power of a Prime? If his time passed then we'd be looking for..." she stopped mid sentence as she thought into that, just this look of information in Smokescreens expression caught her. "A new Prime." she finished. "Smokescreen?"

"What?"

"Did he say, if the Matrix had chosen someone?" she asked suspiciously, though she couldn't believe she was saying that.

"It had chosen someone." He said looking to the floor with a solemn and worried expression. "And I know who..."

"Well..." she started trying to remain calm, there was one thing for sure Smokescreen was no good at being dishonest. "You're pretty distracted by that, someone you know?" she pondered with a finger under her chin. He mumbled something signing neither yes or no. "Now stop me at any time while I theorize. Now by your expression this Prime is either off world, hasn't come around yet or...someone here." and her tone slightly darkened to her last comment. "The only one to go back."

In a sudden flash he took hold of her arm as he took her to one side, "will you keep it down. There only over there why do you always have to think too much into these things?" He said turning anxious. "h-how is it you can figure that out?"

"Just I suspected......so It's true.......you were nearly Prime?" she said almost breathlessly.

He frowned at her, "You see? This is why i didn't want no one to know just that, look alone is basically a sum up of what...who I am as a bot." He said.

She had to admit it was shocking, and being that the bot was the one not to follow protocol, but, at this point the unknown was just to accept it some things weren't meant to be understood and the Matrix was in that category of the unknown, she had to think from his perspective, how he felt what this means instead of taking all logical factors into account and do what felt right. 

"Smokescreen...I'll admit, I am surprised, even a little...frustrated. I mean..." she stopped as she looked him over, she thought he must've been anxious that sudden pressure and situation to never expect to be called upon to suddenly take over as leader. "But...I can't see into the future. What you would be like in the future, heck you might even, dare I say it. mature?" she jested. "But your still, like me, and Bee, young. Still learning. a-and, I gotta admit I'm still a little sore with some decisions you've made in the past, like Jack..." she stopped herself, she kept wandering back to her owns thoughts instead of his, "but, I guess the Matrix could see what you could be with just a little refining."

"I..." he started staring at her optics, "I'm not Prime material, sure I'd like to be but I mean I screwed up sometimes I'm always doing something drastic, and how is it the Matrix chose me." he said raising his voice. "Is this my, destiny?"

Her optics darkened slightly as she became very forceful, she took hold of a grip able part of his chassis, "Hey, you listen to me, the Matrix, the Bots, me, whatever. They don't ultimately choose who you are alright?" she stated defensively. "You do, it's your choice who you want to be no matter the title, or-or the change in name. Prime or Rookie, You decide who you are."

His mind wandered, "That's right you're not a fan of destiny." he slightly teased.

"Not really.......Before on the roof when you were comforting me, I was so distracted by other thoughts, but whatever choice you make or what others make, I believe ultimately leads you towards a certain path, the path isn't already laid out for you. But that's just me. Whatever you believe I'm not going to stomp on that. I mean you said so yourself that you make your own destiny, isn't that all down to choice?"

"Hmm...Choice. I don't really think too much into what I say." he wondered a slight curl on the edge of his lips at the serious expression on her face, "I never knew you could say things like that." he said quietly smiling at her.

She rubbed her arm shyly, "I guess, Let's just say I had a pretty good teacher in the past." She argued.

"You mean.....?" He said, knowing whom she was referring to.

"Yup, She was the one who taught me to choose who I want to be. And I hate to admit to say something like that.

"But it was your choice to say it." he said lightly patting her shoulder but ended up leaving it there for a while.

"Um...... Smokescreen?" Nova said looking at his arm.

"H-Heh, sorry I think you left a twinge in my spark." he said, pretending to shed Energon tears.

"Haha Very funny." she jested as they chuckled.

Smokescreen looked at his hands, "Still, all that, it was just thrown at me. I didn't...I didn't know how to react. I wanted to be a part of something bigger but I never expected this so quickly anyway. That is I wanted it to be fast but..."

"Of course you didn't expect it. Who would?" she placed a finger under her chin, "Well, maybe the arrogant ones who demand it but..." she could see that his thoughts were wandering again. "What were you feeling?" she asked softly placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know to be honest, allot of mixed feelings. I know that our Primes lead our culture our way of life and society but to be a Prime now? I'm not ready...not yet." he laid a hand over his face.

She was stumped, but she had to speak slowly with what she thought was right to say, "You know they say that whatever decision a leader makes it's their decision alone..." she started quietly, "but...that's a very old saying and way of thinking."

He sighed as he lent up against the hangar wall, "And what about Optimus?"

"Well I tried to save him but, he just still doesn't understand 'the man with the wooden leg named smith' joke." she said as he weakly smiled. "But seriously, you're not him, and you shouldn't try to be someone, you can just be only you." She slapped a hand onto his face in a comical fashion, "Besides he had advisement and the Matrix's guidance when he was pretty stumped. Well, so I was told anyway."

 She said "I just wish that if you were made Prime it would be after the war. you know when rebuilding your society and stuff. No one should be burdened with that during this time." She started as she rubbed her arm, "even now, if it continued and went on for many eons still, you...change, you grow harder, more distant, your pain contained, the regret and consequence for your decisions. And-and I know that it's not all bad it's for a better and brighter future i know but..." She clenched her fists slightly, "it's not fair that you were put in a position like that."

"That's how it goes." He said.

"Yeah, I know I need to accept the unknown now but, I'd really like to kick the Matrix' to the moon right now I bet it wouldn't see that coming."

He slightly laughed at the thought of that, "If I had to be Prime, I would." He said abruptly bowing his head. "And, I would do anything to stop this War."

"I know you would, anyone would, and I'm just...I mean you're about my age I think and..."

He grinned widely at her twitching fingers, "A-ww, you're concerned for me." He teased.

She puffed a sigh as she looked his expression over as she screwed her lip up slightly, "Yeah well if I was, its only because you're fragged in the head." She blurted at him teasingly. "You're a dummy, yeah that's right you've forced me to say something as simple a word as that. You're brash." She added before turning around looking up to the sky. "Listen, Smokescreen. If you were made Prime because of these circumstances again and I don't care if I have change or something or that Optimus...was gone. I-I'd help you. I wouldn't let you do this alone, even if you refuse. When he first came to Earth, when I met him, he was so unapproachable, not as a being in himself but socially, it fascinated me almost. You understand what I'm saying?"

"Yeah..." He said lightly before nudging her, "but I doubt you could help me when you're fighting for breathe at that age." He laughed.

She whipped her form around as she poked him in the forehead, "Sure laugh it up, but for now just stick with what you have for now and do what you're doing now, learning." she shrugged.

"Yeah right, I just wish I could go up another level at least with everything that's happened." He said placing his chin in his hand.

"Cry me a river." She said with light sarcasm before draping her arm over his shoulder, "but I understand that you feel like you're stuck in limbo. Patience is a virtue and all that scrap."

"You know you could've just left it at 'Yeah'." He said.

"And let you get the last word in? Femme please." She scoffed. "Hey. You want some red flames to go with that paint job? And then you can have all of the 'prime'-ary colours. Get it? Prime, primary? A little-a little play on words there." She said awkwardly, "never mind I'm not going down that path of extremely lame puns. So I apologize for that brief bit of torture." She said wavering it off. "So, the paint job, the way you've been acting? The questions?"

He nodded.

"You feel like you're what, an 'heir' now? With all this re-thinking you've been doing?"

"Well, I always wanted to go up that ladder, like warrior class and become a lieutenant or something but now, i think maybe i should try to take that more seriously than merely dream of it, but just all this waiting."

"Just make sure to not fill your head with thoughts of being a Prime, it might turn out a little different then you thought. Your smart Smokescreen and creative, but you can be a little slow a learner when it comes to mistakes...but that's only because i don't think you've had the chance to make many." She said placing a cupped finger on her chin.

"Alright, I got that. what are you my creator?" he said sarcastically.

"Ah just winding you up, it's kind of law amongst family members." She said, getting what he meant by creator.

"I think my frame just rusted up." He joked.

"Yeah well, we need to think like that...there are very few of you now." she said before realizing something. "you know I think this is the longest time I've had to talked to you, and the fact that I'm the one now trying to cheer you up as you did for me before, and I never thought to how serious a conversation it would be either u-rgh, jeez what a low subject."

Smokescreen looked behind him to the scattered cubes they had left behind "You know, we still haven't stacked those cubes." He said rubbing the back of his helm.

"Ah let the Lieutenant make an uproar." She said, giving a thumbs up.

"Ha! you really hate him don't you?" he said.

"t-thats a pretty strong word, more like, I don't want him here... not with him being a flirt and all." she huffed.

"Your an attentive supernova."

"well y-your a-...a baby face."

"Lipole."

"Con bait."

"What are you doing out here? Your being pretty loud. The Commanders optics are twitching." Bee said, poking his head around from the entrance, trying not to be nosey with what they were talking about for a while now. "Do I have to break up something?"

"Nothing to break up Bee. Smokescreen was just coming onto me again you know how it is." She snickered with a mock performance.

"N-N-Nova!" he exclaimed his wing doors stood up on edge.

Smokescreen casually strolled by adding to the performance, "yeah and as usual, she just doesn't appreciate me for me."

"Relax, Just funny moods Bee. Sorry." She said.

"Can we just, go inside?" he begged as the trio did, Bee looking at Nova and shuddering slightly. "Primus, you guys are tiring."

"You know Bee your..." They saw a bright green flash, "Huh I guess Optimus is back." She announced clasping her hands together as she dragged Smokescreen and Bumblebee into the hangars direction.

But Smokescreen took hold of her arm, "Hey, er, you're..." Smokescreen started hesitantly. "You're alright, eccentric and random but alright. So, have you thought about it?"

"Thought of what?"

"Of planning to go back to Cybertron once the war was over."

Nova's optic widened before her expression changed to devoid. She did recall back what Smokescreen asked for. She wasn't ready to answered it. She turned to him, "I....I haven't decided yet but I'll let you know later on."

"Optimus did you find Energon?" Ratchet asked from the control panel, as they looked on to what Optimus was holding close to him.

"No, but I did uncover this." He replies while placing the thing what looked like a fossilized rock he was carrying down.

Ratchet looked horrified. "It cannot be." He then walked closer to the object, wanting a better look.

Jack looked up at the others, very confused. "Be what?"

Optimus looked at the humans before back at the fossil. "The ancient remains of a Predacon."

Ratchet looked up at the team, "Though it remains unclear why such a skull would be found on your planet, its presence reveals all too much about the Predacon which Megatron recently sent in pursuit of us."

Miko turned to Ratchet since he had stopped behind her. "You mean that dragon 'bot we put on ice?"

Nova sighed, her arms crossed over her chest, "Yes Miko, the 'dragon bot.'"

Ratchet looked down at her, "Except that Predacons have been extinct since, well.."

Smokescreen looked up, motioning towards the humans. "---since before most life began on Cybertron."

"There like Earth's Dinosaurs." Raf said.

"Which means for you guys running into one would be like us meeting a T-rex." Jack said.

 Nova explained,"Probably more like us encountering one of the tiny multi-cellular organisms that were the ancestors of all life on this planet. Tyrannosaurus Rex was much later in Earth's history..." She paused at the look everyone gave her. "What? I have been taken interest in history and science.."

Miko looked over at her partner, "Uh ha... - So then what were dinobots?"

Bulkhead made a swiping motion with his servo, "Totally different."

Ratchet was examining the fossil when he began speaking. "With Megatron's seeming new interest in the excavation of prehistoric skeletons, and a certain scientist back among the Decepticon ranks..."

Optimus finished the thought. "It would stand to reason that Shockwave cloned the beast from one such find."

Ultra Magnus nodded, "And now Megatron's looking to clone another."

Wheeljack shrugged, "What makes you think buckethead would stop at just one?"

"We could have beast wars on our hands." Bulkhead said.

Nova said, slumping her arm down, sounded not so thrilled, "Great. As if Megatron and Insecticons weren't bad enough."

Ratchet continued, "And if Shockwave only requires a single strand of CNA from which to clone a beast..."

"It's a good thing he didn't get this bone." Wheeljack said in an attempt to lighten the mood slightly.

Optimus turned to the group, "Autobots, we must become Beast Hunters."

"One thing still doesn't follow. Predacons went extinct on Cybertron. So what would their bone be doing here?" Smokescreen asked.

"One thing still doesn't follow." Smokescreen started, "Predacon's went extinct on Cybertron so what would their bones be doing here?"

"They came here before our existence, but even before the life on our planet they should've still been extinct at that time." Nova added.

"...Maybe that Predacon clone wasn't the first?" Smokescreen pondered.

"Of course I doubt that you had even emerged from the Well before any knowledge of an Autobot outpost on Earth at the time." Ratchet said as he turned to Optimus, "But...that was a long time ago."

"Fallen soldiers to Shockwaves experiments." Optimus said gravely.

Nova shuddered again at the word, "What's wrong?" Smokescreen asked her. "N-Nothing, It's just.....hearing the word experiment, brings me bad memories." Nova said, rubbing her right arm.

Ratchet walked over to the computers and began searching, bringing up images of other extinct Predacons, "From our historical texts."

Jack looked at the images amazed, "But those are metal versions of creatures our Greek mythology and Medieval literature."

Raf nodded, "Not dinosaurs."

Optimus looked at the images, "It would stand to reason that Predacons did indeed walk upon this earth in ancient times, as they seem to have been the basis for much of humankind's folklore. Illustrating once again that the pasts of Earth and Cybertron are inextricably linked."

Later that night, the kids had all fallen asleep on the couch, chair and cot and many 'bots (even Campy) had gone off to recharge. Nova sat on a crate, her metallic brow creased in deep thought, missing Optimus' approach until he spoke to her, "What is on your mind?"

Nova looking up in startled, "Sire! Uh, I was just, thinking."

"That was very obvious. Care to share?"

"Mh, I was just thinking about the Energon shortage."

He sighed, "Do not worry about that, we will figure something out."

"But, I have the right to worry. It's what fuels you guys! You can't just go onto an alternate fuel source and be alright. Without it, and a possible Beast Wars on our hands the need for it is as great as ever, and the Decepticons are guarding their mines even more now." She sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm just worried. I don't want to lose any of you guys, especially you, Sire."

He nodded and held her close, "We have been through worse and been alright, we'll get through this."

"Yeah, I just wish there was something I could do..."

Nova shifted, and Optimus stood and walked over to Ratchet. "Synthetic Energon?"

"Indeed." Ratchet answered, "I am concerned that without access to any Energon reserves since our base was destroyed, our ability to deal with impending crises will be severely hampered."

Optimus saw Nova get up and quietly went beside them, feeling sleepy, "A wise decision old friend. But you are not alone in your worries."

"Just, please...manage your expectations. I am working with even more rudimentary hardware than before."

"Prime!" Fowler called, getting their attention. "Satellite surveillance has picked up two signs of Decepticon activity: one near an oil field outside El Paso, the other near the Hebrides bluffs in Scotland. So, don't forget to pack your kilts."

Optimus nodded, "We must divide our resources. Ultra Magnus, lead the Wreckers to the bluffs."

"Yes Optimus." Magnus acknowledged before taking a step closer and asking, "Uh...what's a kilt?"

Optimus leaned closer to Ultra Magnus, trying to be discreet. "Agent Fowler can, at times, be oblique. I find it best to simply nod and mobilize."

Nova motioned Ultra Magnus over, hiding her yawn with her hand. "Sir, a kilt is like a skirt and is traditionally worn by men as part of Scottish Highland dress. Though I doubt you would actually grasp the humor of it as Cybertronians has nothing of its kind, or history."

They both looked at her and Ultra Magnus nodded, "Bulkhead, Wheeljack, let's roll." Wheeljack sighed and Magnus turned to leave but stopped when he passed the Forge, "Optimus, I know there are many emotions tied to the Forge."

"This is no time to stand on ceremony." Optimus said.

Ultra Magnus walked forward and grabbed it, "I would be honored to put this to some practical use."

Opitmus nodded, "Take it." The Wrecker group left and Optimus turned, "Smokescreen, Bumblebee, you are with me."

Nova walked up to him and asked, "May I come, too?"

Optimus turned to her and noticed her tired look as he answered, "I'm afraid not, Nova. You should rest for the night."

"But--"

"Nova, I know you wish to help but I cannot ignore the well being of your health. In the meantime, you must rest..... for your sake.

She wanted to argue but he did have a point since she hasn't been resting for long. Nova released a sigh and replied, "Alright....but you better come back safely, Understand?"

Optimus nodded with a smile as she watched everyone leave through the groundbridges. She transformed into her human form, yawning softly as she head to the platform where her human friends are. She looked over when she saw that Campy, Raf and Jack were asleep except Miko was nowhere to be seen. Nova looked around before turning to Ratchet. "Uh Ratchet?"

Ratchet walked over to her slowly, tilting his helm, "What is it Nova? You should be asleep like the others."

She looked around again before up at the doctor, "Yeah about that......Miko's missing, again."

Ratchet groaned, shaking his helm. "She's probably with the wreckers. They'll call in if they're in trouble." He raised an eye ridge at her when she didn't move. "Do I need to give doctor's orders for you to get some rest?" Nova chuckled softly before slumping on the couch as she was succumb to her slumber.

The next morning,  Nova woke up to find that she was on the couch. She was curled up on the couch, with Campy beside her. She sat up, looking around. Arcee was standing off to the side, talking to Jack while he ate breakfast. Raf was sitting on the other couch, eating his own breakfast. Ratchet was at his control panel, still working. Novaa stretched out, groaning softly while Campy yawned cutely. She actually managed to sleep well for once.

Raf turned to her and smiled, "Good morning, Nova. Agent Fowler brought in breakfast for all of us." He slid a foam contained over to her, as well as a bottle of orange juice. "You slept in.. I'm glad."

Ratchet looked over, nodding softly. "After I knew you were in the deepest part of your sleep, I laid you back down, Nova." She nodded as she began eating her breakfast, watching the others. "So no one's back yet?"

Raf shook his head, pushing his empty container away. "Not yet."

Nova nodded, rubbing her neck as she got up. "Okay.. I'm going to go take a shower and change."

Jack waved at her as she passed him, "I took one earlier, there should still be hot water left."

Nova smiled at him softly as she walked to the small bathroom built into the hangar for the humans. As she let the hot water soothe her sore muscles, she let her mind drift to what kind of nightmares kept plaguing her.

The dream was that she was in her Titan Mode, standing in space and witness a battle on the ship. Below her, it looked liked giant contraption shape of a circle, filled with somekind of liquid energy. The contraption is somehow resembled to the Omega Lock. She didn't understand why until she heard the sound of metal clashing as she turned to see Optimus and Megatron fighting with each other. Then, she saw Bee running through the platform, holding the Star Saber as he jumps to pass the weapon to Optimus. Nova saw Megatron raised his canon at Bee as he blasted repeatedly. Nova was horrified as she watched Bee fell into the sea of energy. She used her wings and tried to save him, only to have her hand phased through as if she wasn't there. The last thing Nova would see is the pain in his optics. She felt his spark give out a few seconds before her world went black. That was always the part where she woke up, watching as Bee's optics went offline.

Nova closed her eyes, letting the water wash away her tears. Every vision she had witness before since her time was too much for her. She felt helpless, she couldn't do anything to help her friends and it killed her. They already risked everything for and the others. How many more times could they make it out alive from that? 

Nova quickly shook her head, heading back to the main room after changing. She now saw that Arcee was gone, but no one else was back yet. "Jack, Where did Arcee go?"

Jack looked over at her as she climbed back up to the platform. "She left on another mission with Wheeljack a few seconds ago. You just missed them."

Nova rubbed her neck, nodding. "Wait... Wasn't Wheeljack with Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead and Miko?"

Raf nodded, looking up from his laptop. "Yeah. Wheeljack said something about working alone."

Nova sat beside him, sighing softly. "Huh, He really seemed to hate Ultra Magnus...." as she went back down the stairs. Jack called to her, "Nova where are you going?"

She halted her tracks and replied, "Just....going to train for minute." before continuing walking. Ratchet reminded her, "Don't try to strained yourself." which she saluted him with her two finger with her back turn.

Nova walked into the training room and closed the door, making sure no one was around. She  pulled out a very small container of Energon she had snagged. She hated not telling anyone, but she didn't want to give any false hope as she wasn't even sure if it would work. Setting the container, more like a jar, down on a human sized table she unscrewed the lid to reveal the Energon inside.

She took a deep breath and cleared her mind for the task she was about to undertake. She concentrated on the Energon inside, on the energy that was the Energon. After what felt like minutes of nothing she began to get a feeling, an understanding, of the energy makeup inside. Focusing harder on that feeling she began to grasp the energy and the Energon. She opened her eyes to see to Energon excitedly moving around her hand. She smiled and bit her lip in concentration, the Energon moved and swirled to her thoughts.

'Now comes the test.'

She exhaled before 'gripping' the Energon and screwing her eyes shut again in concentration. She felt the energy change and she opened them again and looked at her hands, instead of the Energon which had previously been there, there was an orb of light that danced on her palm and figure tips. She laughed and let out a quiet but excited squeal.

'Huh.....I can't believe that work, If I can change the Energon into another energy, I should be able to turn different energies into Energon. '

Nova concentrated on the light energy she held and focused on the change again, it is morphing into Energon again. She deposited it back into the jar and resealed it. She would keep this a secret until she had fully mastered the technique. She walked back to the main room, head to the couch where Jack was playing the video game while Campy snoozing on the side until she saw June leaning on the couch.

"Nice shooting, Tex."

Nova paused the game, looking back to see June looking down at her son. "Hey, Mrs. Darby."

Jack turned around, "Hey, Mom, what's up?

Fowler walked out to them, holding out his hand to the nurse. "Nurse Darby, what brings you here?"

"The medical supplies you so graciously offered to donate that Jack keeps forgetting to bring home. The hospital appreciates your generosity, Agent Fowler."

"Please, call me William."

Nova looked over at Raf, raising an eyebrow. Raf made a grossed out face, shaking his head. She chuckled to herself, shaking her head.

Raf looked up at everyone, "Guys, I found a Predacon talon in a museum." He began talking as everyone walked closer to young Esquivel. "Scientists were totally stumped when they excavated it in 1922, so it's been in storage."

Jack said, "But we're fresh out of Beast Hunters."

Ratchet groaned as he looked down at them all, "I didn't choose 'emergency' as my vehicle mode for laughs."

Fowler puffed out his chest, standing tall. "Not sure you need a 'Bot."

June looked at him and then back at the others. "Maybe you should all just wait for Optimus."

Fowler looked down at the woman, "I'll have you known, Nurse Darby, I was an army Ranger and federal Agent for Unit-E three decades before I'd ever heard the name Optimus Prime. I'm more than equipped to handle a milk run." He then held his hand out to her, "In fact, why don't you tag along?"

June brought her hand to her mouth, shrugging, "Oh, I don't know about that."

Nova looked down at Raf, making a silly expression. Raf made a nauseous expression back at her, grinning to themselves.

Jack had a worse reaction. "Absolutely not. Mom, I don't want you anywhere near anything 'Con. It's not--"

"Safe?" June cut him off, frowning at her son. "Is my teenage son seriously going to tell me that its fine for him to go to battles with his Cybertronian friends, but his mother can't be trusted to go on a-" June looked back at Fowler for his assistance.

Fowler leaned in, nodding, "Milk run."

June turned back to her son. "A milk run?"

Jack held up his hands, stumbling his words to try and recover. "No, I... it's just you're lactose intolerant, and I..."

June stared him down before turning to Nova, "Nova, would you like to come along?" Nova blinked at her in surprised as she replied, "Um sure."

June smiled in delight as she turned to Fowler, "Come on, Agent Fowler." She then began walking off without him, he quickly following with Nova following beside her.

Ratchet activate the groundbridge and made it outside of the museum. Fowler went ahead while June and Nova followed behind. She turned to June, "Jack seem so overprotective than before."

"Well, He is always like that.... he just didn't want anything happen to me." June said.

"I see.... Um June May I ask you something?"

"What is it dear?"

"It's just.... I'm new to all this human kind. You see, while I was helping you and Jack move the house, I notice how you planted a kiss to Jack. Even though you are not in love from what I saw on TV, yet why did you kiss him on the cheek?"

June turned to her surprised as she chuckled, "Well, it comes to show how much I loved my son in a motherly way. It's the same with Jack."

"So..... it's like how a parent show their affection to their children and they did the same as well?"

"You might say that. Though, Nova I never knew you'll be that curious about it."

"It's just.....I wanted to experience it even though I never had." Nova said sheepishly. June thought about it before saying to her, "Maybe one day you might.....you never know unless you try."

As they went inside and spent ten minutes trying to convince the curator that they needed to take the bone and that they weren't interlopers. Luckily, Nova threatened him by telling about the terrorist that was going to invade, much to the curator's frightened state when he saw her murderous look. Before the curator quickly give it to them, much to their satisfaction. They were outside of Museum.

"What did I tell you? Milk run." Fowler said, holding the small crate.

"Yeah, With one cranky cow." Nova piped in

"The curator? Acted like he was guarding the Mona Lisa, instead of some prehistoric lug nut that's been gathering dust since Harding was president."

"You know, Nova.....the way you talk to him was a bit alarming."June said before turning to Fowler. "Also, I have to say, Agent Fowler, Both of you handled him well. I was quite impressed."

"Nurse Darby, I'd say that puts you one step ahead of my ex."

"Ex?" Nova said confusedly

"Hmm. Divorced, huh?" June guessed.

"Yeah. What about you? What's the story with Mr. Darby?" Fowler asked.

 "More like a saga, but one I'm sure you've heard before."

Nova giggled at their conversation until her hair glowed a bit which caught their attention. June said, "Um....Did your hair just glow?" They noticed Nova had a dreadful look on her face as she took step back.

"Nova, What's wrong?" Fowler questioned.

"We need to go now." Nova said hastily. 

As they were about to say something, a bright light flashed towards them. They turned to see Knockout in his vehicle mode. "I have a bone to pick with three of you." Knockout said to them. Before Nova was about to tell them to run, a beam of light blinded them. Nova became array from her dizziness and her vision blurry, all she could hear was Knockout's voice. "Kick back, relax, and enjoy the scenery." Before she could hear the sound of wheels speeding off, leaving Nova rendered unconsciously.

She doesn't know how long she was out, but she felt someone shaking her, calling her name. She slowly opened her eyes, only to Jack with a worried look. "Nova What happen?! Where's Mom and Fowler?"

Jack helped Nova stand up, shaking away her dizziness and said, "Knockout happen.... he kidnapped June and Fowler then got away with the bone." His became frantic as he brought his phone to call Arcee. Nova gritted her teeth, regretting the fact she should have realized it sooner before she transformed into her robot mode, leaving her only human head. Jack finished the call and noticed Nova stretching her wings. "Where are you going?" He asked.

"I'm going to find them." Nova replied hardly before her helmet appeared, covering her face as she was lifted off the ground in speed. She was soaring in the sky, searching for Knockout's energon signature using her Long Sense. Then, she finally found it as she heads to the direction, only to find Knockout who seems to be following the train. Nova flew down and stay far from him to be sure not to harm JUne and Fowler. As she was following them, a groundbrigde appeared then Arcee and Wheeljack came through in their vehicle mode before it closes behind.

"Hey, Tiny..... Nice to drop in." Wheeljack said.

"Well, took you guys long enough to come." Nova said to him, as the trio begin chasing, gaining on Knockout from behind. Unfortunately, Nova sense another groundbridge was opened, she hoped it was the autobots instead it was a squad of Insecticons which they open fire on the pursuing trio.

"I don't have time for this." Nova said frustrated as she activated her powers, allowing the electricity to run down her right arm until it reached her hand. She used her thoughts to shape the power into a lightning spear that cracked with electricity. Two Insecticon came towards her until she thrust it at them, causing to highly electrocuted them then exploded.

Wheeljack finished defeating the two before he was stunned by her attack. "Woah...Nice aim." He comment. 

"Thanks." She replied, before continuing their pursuit. However, one Insecticon shot Arcee which caused her to loose track before transforming into her robot mode. Wheeljack and Nova continued pursuing him. As Knock Out reaches the freight car where the bone is hidden, he launches himself into the air, transforming to robot mode as he does and letting June and Fowler drop.

Nova saw it as she shouted to him, "WheelJack!!!"

"I'm on it." as he speeds up.

As June and Fowler were about to hit ground, Wheeljack transforms into robot mode, catches them, and transforms back into vehicle mode with the humans inside.

Knock Out snatches the fossil before transforming into his vehicle mode. "Lord Megatron, if a groundbridge doesn't open "tout de suite", your specimen will belong to the Autobots." He said, looking through the front mirror, seeing Arcee and Wheeljack. "Wait....where's the third one?" Knockout said confusedly. A groundbridge opened in front and Knockout was heading straight for it until he felt a thud from his side frame and sound of side door forcefully open.

"What in the...?!" Knockout didn't get to say it as Nova was holding on to the door frame and grabbed the wheel, turning it to the right, causing the car to drift sideways past the portal.

"Hey, what do you think you are doing?" Knockout yelled in frustration.

"Oh, I don't know; maybe trying to prevent you from escaping? Now, hand over that bone!!" Nova retorted, as she tries to reach the bone.

"Get off my frame." Knockout said angrily, drifting the car side to side, trying to shake her off. Arcee and Wheeljack were still chasing Knockout where Nova was. Arcee shouted, "Hang on, Nova!!"

Nova nearly fell but barely holding on, as her hand finally touch the bone. Knouckout knew the autoboots would be gaining on him and he won't have time to get rid of the technoroganic.

"Enough, I don't have time for this," Knockout said as seatbelts flew out of the door, wrapping around Nova's wrists and waist

"What the heck?!" She said surprised as it began pulling her inside the interior of the car. grabbed onto the door frame with all of her strength, refusing to be pulled into the car.

"Hey, watch it! You are denting the door frames!" Came an angry voice from inside the car.

"Well, if you weren't currently trying to pull me in, that wouldn't be happening! Now let me Go!!!" Nova called back to the car, equally angry. She tried her best not to get pulled in, but her hands began to slip from the metal frame.

June and Fowler who were inside Wheeljack's vehicle, they were worried when they saw Nova was about to be pulled into Knockout. June said worriedly, "Nova...."

"Arcee!!!! Jackie!!!" Nova screamed as she was pulled into the Knockout's interior.

"Nova!!/ Tiny!!" Arcee and Wheeljack called, shocked that Nova was pulled in.

Once she was pulled into the driver's seat, the seatbelts fastened tightly over her arms to prevent from using her technopathy power. She looked in the side-view mirror and could see both Arcee and Wheeljack speeding towards Knockout.

"Hey, Let me go this instance," Nova growled, kicking the dashboard. Knockout rumbled as though he was irritated by her behavior.

"Forget it she-human. Your autobot friends are too late!" She could hear the sadistic sneer in Knockout's voice.

"What?" She said in surprise.

"I am sick of your interference," Knockout growled as he brought out a mini-taser, sending an electrical current, temporarily knocking Nova unconscious. "Knockout to Megatron, I need another groundbridge, right now; the autobots are hot on my tail!" Knockout frantically commed the warship.

To his relief, another groundbridge opened right in front of him and he drove right through, leaving Arcee and Wheeljack empty handed on the other side.