Arcee was currently facing a new problem, boredom. As an Autobot she would be always ready to go into the field at a moments notice. But now as a human and unable go on missions and with Jack, Miko and Raf at school she had nothing to do. She couldn't even go for a drive to relax because she couldn't transform. She was currently at the base sitting on the couch flicking through channels on the television wondering how there could be so many channels and not one of them have something good on.
Suddenly the alarm went off "Optimus" Ratchet called.
"What is it old friend" the Prime asked as he, Bumble Bee, Bulkhead and Arcee gathered around.
"I have detected an ancient Autobot frequency" Ratchet said bringing its location up on the screen.
"You mean like the one that was on the spark extractor" Arcee asked from the raised area.
"Exactly and its activation can only mean that the Decepticons are unearthing the relic as we speak" the medic explained.
"Ratchet" Optimus spoke up "Input the relics co-ordinates and open the ground bridge". As Ratchet opened the ground bridge, Optimus noticed the look of disappointment on Arcee's face. This was the first mission since she became human an it was clear she was feeling useless, he knew when they got back something had to be done "Autobots Rollout!" with that the Prime, the scout and the wrecker transformed and went through the vortex.
Once through the ground bridge the bots returned to robot mode and the portal closed behind them. They approached the dig site quietly so as not to be discovered, they looked over the edge down at the abandoned mines. There were several old tracks that were once used to move carts full of coal, some were built up high with wooden stands. In the centre at the bottom there were several vehicons using mining equipment, there were a cupple of large mobile drills that were used to dig a small crater and the cons in the crater were using handheld drills. Looking down at them from the side was Breakdown, his faceplate holding a very angry expression.
"DIG FASTER" he yelled at the drones "IF THAT RELIC ISN'T IN MY SERVOS IN THE NEXT TWO CYCLES, I'LL HAVE YOU ALL RECYCLED".
"I believe giving orders is my job" came a dangerous, sultry voice. Breakdown's remaining optic narrowed as he looked up towards the speaker. Standing atop one of the tracks was a Decpticon femme bot that was Arcee's original size. She had black armour and bright violet optics. But the most noticeable thing about her was that she was standing on six spider like legs that came from her back. The Decpticon assassin and interrogator Airachnid.
"I'm handling things" Breakdown said.
"Oh really" Airacnid smirked, she then jumped down from the track transforming back to her two legged mode as she landed. "The same way handled your last mission? I'm surprised Megatron even let you tag along" she found amusing as Breakdown grew even angrier.
Ever since he was captured and almost dissected by MECH, Breakdowns reputation had been badly damaged and after not only failing his last mission, but being found unconsis it had just gotten worse. Now he was taking orders from Airacnid and she was making it as painful as possible for him. The vehicons in the crater had stopped drilling and were staring at them.
Airachnid turned to them "Back to work".
The drones instantly returned to digging, Airachnid didn't need to raise her voice to intimidate them.
"Okay so whats the plan?" Bulkhead asked.
Optimus thought for a moment to come up with a plan. Being out numbered was nothing new for Team Prime, but without Arcee there were only four of them and he needed Ratchet at base to operate the ground bridge as Raf was the only human who could operate it with his laptop. They would have grab the relic and fallback to base immediately.
"Bumble Bee" he said getting the scouts attention "go to the side of the cliff. Once the Decepticons finish digging up the relic Bulkhead and I will charge. Once their distracted, you retrieve the relic and get to a safe distance and radio for a ground bridge. Once the relic is secured we radio for another and return to base". He received a nod from both the scout and the wrecker. Bumble Bee started moving on foot to put a some distance so the sound of his vehicle mode wouldn't be heard by the enemy. Once he was far enough he transformed into his vehicle mode and raced to get into position.
They didn't have long to wait, a few minutes later it happened. "Commander Airacnid" a vehicon called "We have it" he lifted the white metal orb out of the ground.
Airachnid smiled revealing her fangs "Bring it here".
The drone made it one step before he has shot from above dropping the container. The Decepticons looked up to see Optimus and Bulkhead sliding down the cliff side firing their blasters at them. They manages to take out three vehicons before they took cover behind boulders and even their own drills before returning fire. Breakdown activated his shoulder mounted missile launcher and fired hoping to get them both. As the missile approached, Optimus changed his blasters back to his hands he caught the missile as he did during their first run in with Breakdown at the museum. But this time he was able to spin it around and throw back, the missile hit one of the drills fuel tanks destroying it and the two troopers hiding behind it.
Bumble Bee saw the explosion and made his move, he jumped transforming into his vehicle mode racing down the cliff. Before he reached the bottom he transformed back using his momentum jump forward into the crater grabbing the relic as in landed rolling. He then jumped out of the crater transforming again into his vehicle mode, by moving his seats all the way forward he was just barely able to fit the orb in the back seat as drove away following one of the tracks.
Unfortunately Airachnid saw this "Deal with them" she ordered Breakdown and the drones "I'll retrieve the relic". She then transformed into her vehicle mode, a black helicopter and went after Bumble Bee.
Breakdown left his cover transforming into an armoured van and charged at Bulkhead to separate him from Optimus. Bulkhead had just blasted another vehicon and didn't see Breakdown coming until he crashed into him, he then changed back to robot mode and threw Bulkhead into the far wall.
"Concentrate your fire Prime" he ordered. The vehicons focused their attacks on Optimus, trapping him behind a large boulder. Breakdown looked back to Bulkhead to see him get back on his feet, he changed his hand into a hammer "Payback time".
Bumble Bee stopped next to the cliff wall thinking he was far enough away transformed and prepared to contact base. But before he could do anything his hand holding the relic was webbed to wall. He let out a panicked beep as he tried to get free.
"I believe you have something of mine". Bumble Bee looked up to see Airachnid standing on opposite cliff wall in her six legged form. "I must say I'm a little disappointed Arcee didn't show" she started moving down. "But as much as I enjoy tormenting her, I do owe you for costing me the Immobilizer".
Bumble Bee threw his free arm forward activating his blasters and firing at Airachnid forcing her to jump from the wall. Bumble Bee let go of the relic and by pulling with all his strength he managed to pull his arm out of the web, but before he could keep blasting Airachnid got in close and lashed out at him with her extra limbs forcing Bumble Bee to raise his arms to shield himself. Unlike Arcee, Bumble Bee didn't have blades in his arms so they were getting cut up by Airachnid, but he waited for an opening and when it came he delivered punch to her gut that have knocked the wind out of her if she actually breathed. He followed with an uppercut that lifted her off the ground and then a spinning round house kick that sent Airachnid back several feet.
Airachnid quickly recovered and began drilling into the ground, Bumble Bee attempted to blast her but she was already gone. Thanks to Arcee, Bumble Bee knew that when Airachnid tunnelled during a fight it was to escape or to attack from below. He kept moving and kept his audio receptors open for any sound of tunnelling. Suddenly the sound came from behind him, he turned around to see the ground cracking. He began firing at the spot with both his blasters creating a cloud of dust. He stopped firing and waited for the dust to clear revealing a hole in the ground, he approached it slowly blasters ready. But before reached it the Airachnid burst through the ground directly in front of him driving her knee into his faceplate. As Bumble Bee staggered back Airachnid stuck him mercilessly fists and extra limbs, one strike left a bad cut on faceplate. Airachnid stood on four of her extra limbs, pulled back and drove booth feet into Bumble Bee's chest knocking the scout off his feet and crashing into some old railway carts as the assassin smirked at the damage she'd done.
Meanwhile at the dig site Optimus was still behind cover, he had been able to take out a few vehicons with his blasters but he couldn't blast anymore without leaving his cover and the vehicons were still concentrating all fire on him. One of the cons had climbed up the cliff and was now standing at the top behind the Prime looking down, had a clear shot at him and began charging his blaster. Suddenly Optimus looked up straight at the vehicon raised both his blasters and fired, but he wasn't aiming for the drone he was aiming for the edge of the cliff it was standing on. The blasts struck the cliff edge causing the stone to crumble and the drone to lose his balance and fall. As the vehicon neared the ground Optimus changed his blaster into a blade and thrusted it upwards imailing the drone. Optimus tossed the sparkless shell to the side of the boulder and into sight, the vehicons instantly targeted it. It took them a moment to realise it was a decoy, but a moment was all Optimus needed. He abandoned his cover and came out blasting taking down any cons that were above ground level. Optimus jumped over the vehicons cover leaving them straight in front of the Prime, he brought up both his blades and charged.
Nearby on the higher ground of a hill Bulkhead had recovered from Breakdown's attack and was now trading punches with the Decepticon. Breakdown raised both his fists changing them to hammers and brought them down only Bulkhead to catch them both in his hands. This power struggle lasted for about a minute before Bulkhead moved forward, head butting Breakdown and stunning him. Changing hand into a mace he swung forward hitting Breakdown in the faceplate and causing him to fall down the hill they were standing on.
"Whats the matter Breakdown" the wrecker mocked as the con stopped at the bottom "Last time you at least stayed awake till fight was over".
Letting out an angry yell Breakdown grabbed a large boulder and through it Bulkhead who swung his mace shattering the boulder creating a dust cloud. Bulkhead knew he wasn't the smartest bot, but he was able to recognise this same trick from the first time he ran into Breakdown on earth. The wrecker pulled back his mace and then Breakdown jumped at him through the dust, he once again struck the decepticon in the faceplate and because of his forward momentum not only was the strike more painful, it also made him flip in the air and land on his face.
"Tell me if this seems familiar" changing his mace back to his hand Bulkhead once again grabbed Breakdown and swung him around and hammer tossed him through the air over the over the cliff face and out of sight "Ha, I don't think I'll ever get tired of that" he laughed. Transforming into vehicle mode he drove back to help Optimus. Upon reaching the dig sit he returned to robot mode "Optimus you need a... hand?" he stopped when he saw the Prime standing among the offlined vehicons "Guess not".
Airachnid turned from Bumble Bee and walked to the relic "As much fun as this has been I really must be going" she said. Upon reaching the relic used her extra limbs to cut the relic out of the webs and took it in her hands "Until next time" she then changed to her six legged form, jumping onto the cliff wall.
Bumble Bee got to his feet and saw Airachnid making off with the relic. He needed to act quickly, looking down at the carts he crashed into the scout got an idea. Grabbing one of the carts, spinning it around as he had seen Bulkhead do many times and hammer tossed it at the assassin.
Airachid didn't think much of the scout and decided not to waste her time finishing him off. So she was completely caught off guard when the mining cart hit in the back the head causing to not only drop the relic, but to fall off the wall and hit the ground hard. As she lifted herself off the ground returning to her two legged mode she let out a deadly hiss "I'll tare out your spark for that". Turning to face the scout she saw him grab a mining cart by the wheels and lift one in each hand. She shot her webbing at him but he caught it in the inside of the cart, she tried again but it had the same result.
With the scout and the assassin fighting they hadn't noticed that the relic had landed near where Breakdown had crash landed. As he got to his feet he saw the relic and ran over to it and removed the lid, taking the relic in his large hand. Before he could do anything it activated, floating out of his hand and attaching to his arm. Breakdown could feel power flowing through him, he didn't know what it was but he liked it.
Airachid was angry before, but now she was really pissed off. She had fired a lot of webbing but Bumble Bee had caught it all in the two carts that were no completely full of webs "ENOUGH" she shouted and charged. She lunged at him with both extra limbs on left side, but was exactly what Bumble Bee wanted her to do. He moved the cart in his right hand in forward causing Airachnid to get stuck in the webbing, she tried to get free but to know avail so she attacked with the extra limbs on her right only for them to get stuck in the other cart. Bumble Bee then twisted his hands in turn twisting Airachnids limbs stuck in the carts. Then he smashed the carts into her and ran pushing her towards the cliff wall and smashing her into it, pulling the carts back the scout couldn't help but laugh at what he saw. Airachnid was stuck to wall by her own webbing, her two normal arms were pinned to her sides so she couldn't use her sharp fingers to cut her self free. "HOW DARE YOU" she went on with threats and insults until Bumble Bee took a small piece of webbing that was still in the mining cart holding it up to Airacnids faceplate. The assassin saw the web in his fingers and her optics widened "Don't you dar..." she was cut off by Bumble Bee sticking the web to her mouth effectively silencing her. As Airachnid continued to struggle, Bumble Bee couldn't help but feel proud of himself, he had beaten and humiliated the assassin, he couldn't wait to tell Arcee about this. Suddenly Airachnid stopped struggling and her optics widened, as Bumble Bee noticed this a gigantic shadow suddenly covered them both. Bumble Bee turned around and when he saw what was casting the shadow, his optics widened and he let out scared beep.
Back at the dig site with all the vehicons down Optimus decided to check if Bumble Bee had made it back with the relic "Optimus to base" the prime activated his comlink.
"I'm here Optimus" came Ratchets reply "What the situation?"
"Has Bumble Bee arrived with the relic" he asked.
"Bumble Bee never requested a ground bridge" the medic said confused.
Optimus knew something was wrong, but before he could move Bumble Bee came speeding around the corner driving towards them. When he transformed they could see the damage from his fight with Airachnid "Bumble Bee are you alright?"
The scout started beeping so fast they were having trouble understanding him. "Whoa, slow down Bumble Bee" Bulkhead tried to calm him down "Wheres the relic?"
"RIGHT HERE" came a thundering voice, the Autobots felt the ground shake. Breakdown came around the same corner Bumble Bee had and they all looked up with wide optics as the Decepticon was now over three hundred feet tall.
"Oh scrap" Bulkhead said.
Breakdown looked down at Autobots "Looking for this" he said raising his arm revealing relic attached. It was Wrapped around his arm by a silver cable, purple lights visible trough he silver metal of the half a sphere in the middle. The top of the sphere was flat with a dial surrounded by Cybertronion symbols, all inside a glowing purple ring.
"The Mass Shifter" Optimus recognised the relic, capable of making a cybertronion shrink or grow in size.
"Round two" with that Breakdown activated his shoulder mounted missile launcher and fired a huge missile at them, they scattered just in to avoid the large explosion. Optimus activated blasters and began firing "Ha, Ha that tickles" Breakdown laughed as he barely felt the blasts and returned fire. Bumble Bee and Optimus were having a hard time avoiding the missiles and their blasters seemed to have no effect. Breakdown couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun, suddenly he realised an Autobot was missing.
Bulkhead was in vehicle mode speeding up the hill they had fighting on before, Breakdown heard the noise and turned to see Bulkhead drive off the edge and return to robot mode as he flew towards his faceplate. Unfortunately it wasn't fast enough, Breakdown lifted his giant hand forming a fist and knocked Bulkhead out of the sky with such force that he ended up digging a trench when he hit the ground "Ugh, my head gasket" he moaned as he pulled himself up. Breakdown smirked as he fired another missile, Bulkhead saw the missile coming and was able to jump out of the way but knocked back by the explosion.
Optimus could see that they were in no shape to continue and activated his comlink "Ratchet, open the ground to our location", moments later the swirling green vortex appeared. He turned to Bumble Bee "Help Bulkhead through the ground bridge, I will distract Breakdown" the scout nodded and ran over to help the wrecker up. Optimus ran in the opposite direction firing with both blasters at Breakdowns faceplate, it didn't hurt him but it did get his attention. Transforming his hand into a hammer the giant Decepticon swung down, though he didn't hit the Prime when his hammer struck the ground it shook the land. Optimus looked to the vortex just in time to see Bumble Bee and Bulkhead go through it, after dodging another swing from Breakdown he transformed into vehicle mode and raced towards the portal avoiding more missiles before he finally made it through. Breakdown's optic narrowed as the portal closed but as he looked around the battle field he smirked, the Autobot lost and he won.
Jasper High school
The bell rang signalling the end of school, much to the joy of the students. The doors opened the students came out, among them were Jack, Miko and Raf who with the exception of Jack began looking for their guardians. The were all surprised to see a familiar red and blue truck pull up, they gave each other a confused look and approached the truck. When they reached it the door opened revealing no driver, this confirmed it was Optimus so they all got in and when they were buckled up Optimus headed for the base.
"Um Optimus, not that were not happy to see you, but why are you picking us up" Jack asked the question the three kids were all thinking. Optimus usually only left the base if it was for a mission, so him collecting them from school was quite the surprise.
"Bulkhead and Bumble Bee are being treated by Ratchet and were unable to come" Optimus answered.
"Treated" Raf said worried "What happened?"
Optimus spent the rest of the ride explaining the failed mission, and when they arrived at the base Miko and Raf gasped when they saw their injured guardians.
Bulkhead was dented and scorched from giant Breakdown's fist and exploding missile, he being tended to by Ratchet "BULKHEAD" Miko yelled she ran over "Are you okay?"
"Don't worry Miko" the wrecker said "I've had worse"
Nearby was Bumble Bee, as his injuries weren't serious he was waiting for Ratchet to finish with Bulkhead before the medic would fix him up. Raf was at his side instantly "Bee what happened?", the scout began beeping "You beat Airachnid" the young gasped as the scout retold the battle.
As they spoke with their guardians Jack noticed Arcee standing at the hallway to the rest of the base looking depressed before leaving the room. She hadn't gotten far before Jack caught up with her "Arcee are you okay?"
Arcee stopped "Okay" she looked at him "Why wouldn't I be okay Jack? I wasn't even there" her voice showing anger.
Jack knew Arcee well enough to know when she acted angry because she was upset "Arcee" he said gently looking her in the eyes "Whats the matter?"
Arcee held the angry look for a few seconds before her shoulder slumped "I should have been there" she said looking away "If I was still an Autobot I could have done something. Now the Cons have the relic and Bumble Bee and Bulkhead are hurt" she said looking down.
Jack placed a hand on her shoulder "Arcee listen" his voice was firm "This is not your fault. The Cons may have the relic, but that just means we fight harder next time" he said. Arcee still looked depressed so Jack did something unexpected, he wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Arcee's eyes widened and she could feel her face heating up, she couldn't explain it but she liked the feeling of being in Jacks arms. Jack pulled away a bit, keeping his hands on her shoulders "We might have lost this battle but it doesn't matter, we'll keep fighting and come back stronger. We've always been outnumbered but never outmatched" he said confidently causing Arcee to smile.
A voice broke the mood "Well said Jack".
The two turned their heads to see Optimus standing a few feet from them, Jack then remembered he was still holding Arcee and let go "Hey Optimus" he said wondering how long he'd been there and how they never noticed him.
"Arcee" Optimus said getting the former two wheelers attention "I know your recent transformation has been difficult for you, but there is another way to look at your situation".
"What do you mean?" Arcee asked.
"You have been given a rare opportunity" Optimus began "to live as another species and experience life as they do. Even though we can go out in our vehicle forms we can only observe never interact, now you can. I will contact Agent Fowler to arrange for you to Join Jack, Miko and Rafael at their school" he finished.
"Wait high school" Arcee said surprised.
"I believe there is a saying here on earth, you never know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. I believe this will be the first step in that" he explained.
Arcee was still unsure, but then she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Jack smiling at her "Hey you wont alone, you'll have us with you every step of the way" he assured her.
Arcee smiled back "Alright" she turned to Optimus "Lets do it".
The Prime nodded "I will contact Agent Fowler and make the arrangements" with that he headed back to the command room.
"Well what are standing here for?" Jack said to Arcee "Were missing Bumble Bee's story of how he took down Airachnid".
That was music to Arcee's ears "This I'm going to enjoy" she said taking off towards the command room with Jack following close behind.
Earths Low orbit
A frightening thing flew through earths sky's, this was the Nemesis a Decepticon warship that served as their mobile and undetectable fortress. In side the command centre the Decepticon commanders had gathered including Breakdown, Knock Out and Airachnid. Standing to one side was a blue mech carrying a sword and a cannon on his back, the twin of the fallen Skyquake, Dreadwing. At the main computer console was a tall mech that had a screen for a face, the silent Decepticon spy master, Soundwave.
But all of the attention was on the Decepticon that Breakdown and presented the Mass Sifter to. He was a tall strong mech with red optics, sharp claws, grey armour and a deadly cannon attached to his right arm as well as a concealed blade. Former gladiator of Kaon and leader of all Decepticons, Megatron.
"You have done well Breakdown" Megatron spoke revealing serrated teeth.
"Thank you Lord Megatron Breakdown said "With the Mass Shifter the Autobots could do nothing to stop me. Of course I did have to go back and rescue Airachnid" he smirked looking at the assassin.
"Yes" Megatron turned his attention to Airachnid "It seems you were defeated by the Autobot scout, very disappointing".
"My apologies Lord Megatron" Airachnid kneeled "It will not happen again".
"See that it doesn't" Megatron said coldly.
Airachnid bowed her head, she glared at Breakdown. Even though Bumble had beaten her it was Breakdown who humiliated her.
(Flashback)
Airachnid had been struggling to free herself when the giant Breakdown returned, he used the Mass Shifter to return to his normal size and stood before her smirking "Ha, a spider caught in her own web" he laughed.
Airachnid tried to respond but was still gagged "Whats that?" Breakdown leaned turning his head "I can't hear you" he burst out laughing. He eventually stopped laughing "Tempting as it is to leave you here" his smirk grew "I think I have a better idea" with that he activated the Mass Shifter growing giant again. He changed his hand to a hammer and struck the cliff wall at both sides of Airachnid causing a crack to go up and meet above her, changing his hand back he grabbed the stone within the crack and pulled the large chuck of rock out, he broke off more of the stone then returned to normal and the stone Airachnid was stuck to was now his height.
Breakdown activated his comlink "This is Breakdown open a ground bridge to my location" a moment later the green swirling vortex appeared. He grabbed the stone and lifted it over his head "Lets not keep Lord Megatron waiting" and walked towards the portal with Airachnid struggling the whole way.
(Present Time)
Airachnid had never been so humiliated, he took her through the ship still trapped by her own web before finally arriving in the command centre in front of Megatron and the other commanders. Breakdown proceeded to tell them of her defeat by the scout, then she was finally cut free.
"You are dismissed" Megatron said.
Airachnid bowed her head and left, but not before seeing Breakdown smirking out of the corner of her optic. Other than her recent humiliation, something was bothering Airachnid. Arcee was not at the battle and according to Knock Out's report she wasn't at the previous one either. Something was going on and Airachnid intended to find out what.
Arcee's going to high school, for those of you who saw this coming well done. This chapter was mainly action and I hoped that you enjoyed it.