Let's Roll Out, Mate! [BOOK 1]

CHAPTER 51: ALPHA; OMEGA *2*

"And then Smokescreen was just...gone, like he turned to dust." Arcee said as she sat down and told Team Prime about Smokescreen's demise. She then hung her helm down in shame. She's failed her partner again.

"Arcee, it could have easily have been you." Ratchet said.

"Maybe it should've been me." Arcee said.

"Poor kid." Bulkhead said.

:Poor Eve.: Bumblebee said.

Bulkhead shook his helm. "She's goanna be crushed." He said.

"Arcee, please, do not blame yourself. Smokescreen's sacrifice should not be in vain." Ratchet said. Then he and Arcee's helms snapped up as they heard the sounds of servos transforming into blasters.

"Well I say we do just that and go claim a piece of Megatron's miserable metal hide." Bulkhead said and he stormed off, blaster ready.

Bumblebee whirred in agreement with his own blasters ready.

"No." Optimus said stopping them in their tracks.

"But Optimus, he-" Bulkhead tried to argue but Optimus stopped him.

"Would going on a rampage of vengeance make us any different from Megatron himself?" Optimus asked.

Bulkhead and Bumblebee stopped. "Do you....want me to call the children, Optimus?" Ratchet asked.

Optimus nodded reluctantly. "They deserve to know."

Soon the groundbridge opened up and Jack, Miko, Raf and Evelyn stumbled out. They had evidently just woken up.

Miko and Evelyn's hair was let down and Miko was clutching a pillow; Raf's glasses were askew and Jack's shirt was rumpled.

"Mornin' guys." Miko said with a yawn, she had just gotten dressed into a Heavy Metal t-shirt and shorts.

"Why are you lot calling us here so early?" Evelyn asked as she tied her hair up, she was wearing nothing other than a blue sweatshirt and red shorts. Then she noticed the absence of her guardian. "Where's Smokes?"

Had they been more awake and alert, they would've notice Arcee wince.

"Don't tell me he already ran off without saying goodbye. Let me guess, he's out cracking joke to a tree for practice?" Evelyn joked then she noticed the solemn looks on their faceplates. "Okay, seriously, what's wrong? Why are you calling us here so early? Where's Smokes?"

Arcee got up to tell her and clenched her fist as she realized she couldn't bring herself to. Optimus decided to spare her the pain.

"Eve, yesterday Arcee and Smokescreen went to retrieve an Omega Key we located." Optimus began slowly, carefully choosing his words.

"And?" Evelyn asked.

"I'm afraid Megatron also discovered the coordinates for the relic and he went there as well. Smokescreen and Arcee fought him and.....I'm afraid Smokescreen is now one with the AllSpark." Optimus said.

Evelyn stared at him in shock; eyes as wide as saucers as the news hit her like a punch to the gut. Beside her, Miko gasped and dropped the pillow she held and Raf and Jack stared at Optimus in just as much shock.

"No......" Jack breathed out and shook his head as though to deny what he just heard.

"Y-you're joking, right? This is just some sick prank Smokes asked you to do...right? Well this isn't funny." Evelyn said her voice quivering.