The Beauty and the Predacon {ON HOLD}

Chapter 19

Just as Arcee had hoped for, the Autobots were able to predict the attack and trick Starscream and his armada to attack the wrong hangar. With that out of the way they now put their focus on tracking down the Nemesis to get their two comrades back.

"So the kid clipped the business end of Lazerbeak's transponder," Wheeljack says as he stands next to Smokescreen.

Bulkhead walks over and slaps Smokescreen on the back, "That was some good shooting, kid."

Fowler walks over to Raf who is busy typing on his laptop which is hooked up to the piece that was clipped from Lazerbeak, "We thought you might be the best one to provide an analysis. In Ratchet's absence."

"It's trying to communicate with the warship," Raf says as he continues typing and looking at the screen.

"How do you know?" Miko asks as she leans over and puts a hand on the table.

"It's telling us," Raf says as he points at the screen.

Jack leans in a bit to take a closer look at the screen, "Uh, Raf, that's Cybertronian code."

Miko walks over to stand next to Jack, "Wait, first Raf understands Bumblebee, now he reads Cybertronian? Are we sure he's not some kind of alien?"

"I've been learning for a while. In between stuff, when..." Raf looks down and takes a deep breath, "...Ratchet had time to teach me."

Jack and Miko walk over to him and Jack places his hands on his shoulders, "Raf, we'll bring him back. Along with Arcee."

"If it's the last thing we do," Miko added.

"If it's talking to its mama, can we triangulate the signal?" Fowler asks.

Ultra Magnus stops what he's doing and turns around to face him, "To a shielded warship?"

"Maybe if the transponder is still attached to Lazerbeak we can follow it," Smokescreen says as he walks over to Magnus with Wheeljack.

"Maybe we should give it wings," Wheeljack suggests.

"We can use spare parts from the machine shop," Raf says.

"Then let's do it. For the doc and Arcee."

They proceed to work on their plan, they have small hiccups here and there but they manage to get things operational. Once it's set and ready to go they go outside to set it off after the ship. "You sure we don't need to install a GPS on our scout here?" Fowler asks as he looks over at the device.

"Too risky, both sides are gettin' real good at rootin' out that kind of trick," Wheeljack responds.

"Besides, we don't need a tracker..." Smokescreen added.

"We have Optimus," Raf finished for him.

Wheeljack and Smokescreen step to the side as Optimus walks towards them, "But, won't the 'Cons see you coming, big guy?" Miko asks.

"Not until it's too late," Bulkhead replies.

"We'll be prepared for immediate mobilization upon your command, sir," Magnus tells Optimus.

"Good luck, Optimus."

"Be safe and bring them both home," Bumblebee added.

"Whatever the outcome, know that Ratchet and Arcee would be most proud of your contribution," Optimus tells them all and a small smile forms on Raf's and Jack's faces.

"Come on, kid. Let's light this thing," Wheeljack says as he kneels in front of Raf. Raf presses the switch on the controller and the thing takes off with Optimus taking off after it.