"Got it. If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911." Jack gestures to the exit, "Can we go now?"

Miko turns to look at Jack with a furious expression. "Are you insane? I'm living a dream here in bot-swana. And I will not allow you or anyone else to shatter it!"

Optimus interrupted before an argument could break out between the kids. "It is best that you four remain under our watch- at least until we can determine our enemies' intentions."

"Optimus" the white and red robot turns to look at the larger one. "With all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere."

"Children?" Jack scoffed.

"They have no protective shell. If they get underfoot, they will go... squish." The robot takes a step towards us in an almost threatening manner. I yet again push the kids behind me and glare up at him.

Optimus, as I've now learned is his name, puts his hands on his hips. "Then, for the time being, Ratchet, we must watch where we step."

A loud blaring alarm sounded from the computers, making jump from surprise. "What the hell is that?"

Bumblebee turns and buzzes at us, and I turn to Raf for an explanation. "Proximity sensor. Someone's up top." he points to the roof.

Ratchet clicks away at the computer and sighs. "It's Agent Fowler."

"I-I thought we were the only humans who knew about you guys?" Jack questioned.

"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world. As he tends to visit only when there are issues, I think it is best that you do not meet him at this time."

I squinted at him, but nodded. "Alright, come on, guys. Behind the wall." I usher the kids away to hide. Are we not supposed to be here? Something is weird here.

I hear a click of something opening, and I hear a new voice- and it doesn't sound happy. "Seven wrecks, thirty-four fender benders, a three-hour traffic jam, and of a particular note, numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make and a black-and-yellow custom muscle car. " I see Jack peeking around the corner and pull him back. He looks sheepishly at me as I shake my head no at him. The man continues, "So, anything you care to get off your tin chest, Prime?"

I feel a little bad for Optimus, but at the same time I understand where this Fowler guy is coming from. I've had to help out with paperwork for a huge accident before back when I lived in Santa Barbara- it's not pretty.

"We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler." Optimus tries to calm the angry man.

"They're back, aren't they?"

"If you are referring to the Decepticons, I have doubts that they ever left. Your planet is much too valuable."

"Then it's time to wake up the Pentagon." The Pentagon? Just how bad are the Decepticons? How many of them are there?

"Hear me, Agent Fowler. We are your best, possibly your only defense against the Decepticon threat."

"Says you." I could feel the frustration coming off of Fowler from here.

"Hey, Fleshy- did anyone get splattered on that freeway? Team Prime knows when to use force, and how much to use." Bulkhead said. I heard a loud crunch and some static from where we were hiding.

"Bulkhead I needed that!" Ratchet shouts out at Bulkhead. I facepalmed as Bulkhead just ruined his entire argument. Miko held her hand over her mouth to prevent her laughs from coming out loud.

"Enough." Optimus said. I could tell that he was a little irritated with their bickering, and with Fowler. "Military involvement will only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot."

"Then do us both a favor and handle this, Prime- under the radar. Or I will."

"Pretty big bearings... for a human." Bulkhead snarked.

Optimus looked at Bulkhead with slight disapproval. "Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Bulkhead. As he should be."

We all come out from our hiding spot, noticing that Fowler is gone.

"Still," Bulkhead grouched, "you'd think he'd be a little nicer to bots who are saving his aft."

"Yeah!" Miko agreed. "You guys could crush him instantly! He should be afraid!"

"Miko!" I snapped. "He is just scared for this world. That's not good at all to say. He has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, so show a little compassion."

"Whatever" Miko grumbled and climbed up the stairs with the other kids.

The computer near Ratchet started beeping, and I walked over and joined Miko on the stairs as he began to shout. "Blasted Earth tech! Cliffjumper's signal just popped back online."

"Who's Cliffjumper?" Miko asked.

"How is that possible?" Optimus asks Ratchet.

"It isn't. Another bug- the system's chock full of them."

Arcee interrupts. "If there's any chance that Cliff's alive..."

Optimus nods. "Ratchet, prepare a sick bay. We may need it." Optimus flips a face mask on.

"Hey, what can we do?" Miko yells to Optimus. I'm about to tell her to stop, but Optimus beats me to the punch.

"Remain with Ratchet."

Both Miko and Ratchet making pouting noises, and I can't help but smile. Next thing I know, Ratchet is pulling a lever and a green, white, and blue glowing light appears from one corner of the room. Optimus begins running towards it, and says "Autobots, roll out!" while transforming into a semi truck. Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Arcee follow in suit. My eyes widened in shock as I looked at it.

"Wh-what just happened?!" Jack yelled.

Ratchet waved his hand in the air "I transported them to the designated coordinates via the ground bridge."

"What's a ground bridge?" Raf asked, which made Ratchet sigh.

"A scaled-down version of space-bridge technology." I could tell he was irritated by us being there, so I backed up a little bit to give him some room. "Since we don't currently possess the means or the energon required for intergalactic travel-"

"You're stuck here, on Earth.' Jack says sadly.

"With the likes of you, yes." Ratchet glared. I would say something to him if I wasn't captivated by the idea of a ground bridge.. "But I constructed the ground bridge to enable travel from here to anywhere on your planet."

"Woah" Raf gaped at the portal. "Does it work for humans?"

"Naturally." Ratchet had a slight twinge of pride in his tone as he stood his is fists on his hips.

"You mean, I could just shoot on over and visit my parents in Tokyo?" Miko leaned over the railing slightly with excitement.

"Within moments. In fact, allow me to send you there immediately- all four of you."

"Watch it, Ratchet." Miko glared at the bot, who in turn glared back.

"Okay, okay. Easy with that. Miko, why don't you leave Ratchet alone to his work- I'm sure he's very busy." I looked around the room and spotted a couch and a T.V.- Fowler probably uses it, otherwise I doubt it would be here. "Why don't you go explore or something?"

"Well, it's better than being around this grumpy old bot!" Miko says as she rushes down the stairs. Jack and Raf follow in suit, close at her heels. I shake my head at her, and turn to Ratchet.

"Sorry about her. She a little excitable." I give Ratchet a short smile and sit down on the stairs. He just scoffs at me and walks away. I frown a little at that, but then decide to just pull out my phone and play Snake.

After about five minutes of playing, I hear a beep coming from a computer and look up at it. Raf, who apparently at some point rejoined me, asked Ratchet "How come you guys are using human computers?"

"It certainly isn't by choice. It was handed down from the previous tenants when we inherited this former missile silo. I make modifications as I see fit." As soon as he said that, a bunch of the error messages popped up at once making Ratchet groan in irritation.

"I think I can fix that." Raf walks over to the table that his laptop was on.

"Really?" Ratchet says with sarcasm.

"Raf can do it. He's the smartest kid I know." I ruffled his hair gently. Ratchet rolled his eyes at me.

"You know this is complex technology, don't you? I mean, it isn't a child's toy."

Raf ignored him, choosing to instead type on his computer. He gestured up a Ratchet with a friendly smile on his face, "Now try!"

Ratchet looked at him and turned around when he heard more beeps from his computer. Check marks replaced the error messages on the screen, and they all disappeared. He stared at the screen for a moment, and then back to Raf who just smiled at him. I ruffled Raf's hair again, making him giggle.

Optimus' voice came through the comms, his voice urgent. "Ratchet! Bridge us back! Use the arrival coordinates! Now!"

Ratchet wasted no time in quickly opening the ground bridge. We all watched as they all came speeding through the ground bridge, a plume of blue smoke fire behind them. Ratchet, upon seeing everyone get through the ground bridge, shut it. I watched as Optimus did a flip and flip and land on his feet and hand. I looked on in awe, the other kids looking the same as me.

"Cutting it a bit close. How about Cliffjumper?" Ratchet asked hopefully. The other Autobots could only shake their heads in sadness. My heart clenched for what feels like the millionth time today. They just lost someone they care about.

"What was that explosion? Was there a fight? Can I come with next time?" Miko held her fists up with a grin on her face.

"Look-" Arcee growled out.

"H-hey, Miko, let's go see what the bots hide in their sock drawers." Jack grabbed her shoulder and led her away.

"Seriously?" Miko rolled her eyes at him.

"Arcee, what did you see?' Optimus gently asked.

"Not Cliff- at least not anymore. He was mutated, butchered- like something from those con' experiments from the war- oh" Arcee moaned as she fell over to the floor. I quickly descended the ladder and began to walk over to her as Bumblebee whirred at her with concern. She holds her hand out at him. "I'm fine, just dizzy." she says.

"Robots who get dizzy?" Miko asked.

"Robots with emotions." Raf said.

"Robots... who can die." Jack frowned.