Bumblebee wakes me up when HQ comes into view. Located in a plateau, you'd never know it's there by looking at it. We drive off the road and into the baked desert sand a half mile away from our destination. The tunnel door to the center of HQ opens as we enter the 0.1-mile range, a big yawning hole in the side of the plateau.

Once we're in the tunnel, the door shuts behind us, sealing us in. When we reach the center, Bumblebee and Arcee stop, and Jake and I get out/off of our partners. Ratchet, Cho (Medic), Ironhide, and Hunter (Camo) are waiting for us. Their mouths drop open when they see us. I look down at myself and Jake. We're both covered in mud, and have pine needles in our hair. I have a scratch on my cheek, and Jake has a cut on his arm. Yeah, I guess we look pretty bad.

"Hey, guys. How's it going?" I ask, managing a small smile. Cho and Hunter rush over from where they're standing, and grab our backpacks, putting them in a pile with their own. Cho (who is our actual medic) starts checking Jake's foot. Optimus Prime appears on the top floor of HQ, and motions for me to come up to him. I jog up the stairs, feeling my muscles protest after the first flight. When I make it up there, Prime debriefs me on the scouting mission.

"No casualties on our side. At least one Decepticon dead," I finish off with the stats. Optimus nods, thinking.

"You may go," he tells me. I jog down the stairs, Prime slowly coming down behind me. Once everyone is down on the bottom floor, he speaks to all of us.

"This morning's scouting mission has shown to be successful, and Team Cycle and Team Hive found something disturbing. Lei, would you tell everyone what you saw?" Optimus says. All eyes turn to me. I stand up straighter.

"The Decepticons are mining a kind of crystal. It's not Earthen from what I could see, and they were taking it from what looks to be an asteroid crater," I explain. The Autobots exchange glances.

"That's bad, I take?" I ask though I know the answer already. Optimus nods.

"We need to stop them at all costs," he says solemnly. It's only 7 in the morning. Today is going to be a long day.

A/N: I'm totally fangirling as I'm writing this. (Breathe, T.K., breathe) Anyone else doing the same? No? Just me? Alright, I'll shut up and get on with this. So, thanks for reading another chapter! Yippee! That makes me feel all warm and mushy inside. Okay, maybe not, but I appreciate it. If you feel inclined, please vote and don't hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below!