Transformers Prime: A New Beginning

Chapter 66: Prey

"Back where we started..." Raf sighed.

Ratchet thought for a moment, then realized something.

"But not if I can reconfigure these Decepticon frequencies. At the very least, we may be able to access their comm. link."

Back in the desert, Arcee, Jack, and Vince had approached Ultra Magnus; the femme being surprised by his arrival to Earth, let alone that he was still alive.

"No one's seen or heard from you since Cybertron went dark!" She said. "How did you find your way to Earth?!"

"Soldier, we may not be on Cybertron, but military protocol remains." Ultra Magnus said firmly.

Arcee quickly realized her mistake and corrected herself.

"My apologies, Sir." She said, literally straightening herself out.

"Sir?" Jack and Vince asked together, trying to make sure the blue mech didn't hear them, but he did.

"Advise the native life forms to watch their tones as well." Ultra Magnus said.

"What?" Vince asked, completely confused.

"Who is this guy?" Jack asked, equally lost by what was going on.

Arcee leaned down near them and held a servo next to her intake so the mech didn't hear.

"Ultra Magnus was Optimus's key Leutenate during the war back on Cybertron." She explained. "Very by the book. Just roll with it."

Jack and Vince could only look at each other, unsure, then they all looked back at the mech, who spoke up again.

"As for your broader question, my story is that of all Autobots since the exodus. I wandered the Spaceways in search of others, reuniting with some, only to see them fall at the hands of the Decepticons."

"Until you detected the Omega beam and followed it here." Arcee put in, realizing where he was headed.

"If you are referring to the massive energy burst originating from Cybertron, that would be affirmative." The Commander went on. "Upon my arrival, it became evident that this planet had been invaded. Both by Decepticons and unknown entities. My scanners also detected Autobot life signals, yours being in the closest proximity to my position."

"Signals? As in plural?!" Jack asked hopefully, to which the Autobot Commander remained silent, and the teen realized his mistake, quickly correcting himself. "Sir?"

"Nine total, with one neutral being among them."

"Out of thirteen..." Jack said mournfully.

"Doesn't that mean...?" Vince asked in worry, to which Arcee leaned down to her charges again. 

"Jack, Vince, that doesn't necessarily mean what your thinking." Arcee reassured. "Autobot signals can't be detected when they're shielded."

She was right, as Michael and Smokescreen were unknowingly proving.

At the grounds of the destroyed Autobot base, a Groundbridge opened, and the two mechs stepped out, with the bridge closing behind them.

They were some distance away from Darkmount, so they couldn't be detected easily, even by the Sentries and Guardians guarding the fortress.

"Cozy little place you built for yourself Megatron." Smokescreen said scornfully, as he eyed the large, heavily-guarded fortress ahead of them. "Finding the Forge in there may take a while."

"Then again," Michael added with a smirk. "Maybe he still keeps his valuables in the usual place."

Smokescreen smirked back, and was about to head in when the Techno-Organic stopped him.