Transformers Prime: Bio-Tech

Chapter 1

"Otto, do you have Cliffjumper's coordinates?" Optimus asked over the comms. I rolled my chair over to the computer. "I'm locked on his signal Optimus. But your team is scattered across time zones." "Our team, my friend," Optimus corrected, causing me to smile slightly. "Call them in," Optimus ordered. "You got it, Optimus. Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Ratchet rendezvous back at base and prepare to Groundbridge," I ordered.

"An untapped energon deposit," Optimus reported. "What's left of it," Bulkhead commented. "The first Decepticon activity in three years," Ratchet claimed. "That we know of," I replied over the comms as I scoured the internet for any other sightings, "Optimus, if they're scouting for energon..." "They may be preparing for his return," Optimus finished. "No..." I heard Arcee mutter. "Otto, can you track Cliffjumper's position?" Optimus asked. I bit my lip as I scanned, only to frown. "No... Cliffjumper's life signal just went offline," I reported.

I sat on Ratchet's shoulder as we held a memorial for Cliffjumper. "We must not allow our anger at the loss of Cliffjumper. To impair our judgement. As of today, only we 5 Autobots remain on this planet. We owe it to ourselves... to the memory of Cybertron... to any Autobots in any galaxy seeking safe harbour..." Optimus glanced at me, "To humankind... and we owe it to our fallen comrade to survive." Arcee leaned down to put Cliffjumper's horn down. "Arcee?" I asked worriedly. "If Cliff's gone, standing around here sulking won't bring him back. So, unless anyone minds think I'll get back to protecting humankind," Arcee explained, sounding slightly bitter. I nudged Ratchet to let me down as I walked over to Arcee. "I'll come with you..." Arcee looked down at me. "Robots in disguise remember," I said. Arcee nodded and transformed. I took out my helmet from my bag and got on Arcee before turning to Optimus. "Optimus, while your goal in protecting them is noble, helping the humans will only result in greater tragedy," I warned, putting on my helmet as Ratchet nodded in agreement. "Your opinion is noted Otto," Optimus said as we drove into Jasper, Nevada. When we passed a gas station two vehicles began following us. "Twins," Arcee noted. "And not the good kind," I joked as we pulled into a burger place, "I didn't think Autobots ate human food." "Robots in disguise, remember," Arcee sassed. I smirked. "Sorry, I don't remember ordering an extra order of sass," I laughed. "Might as well get yourself something while we're here," Arcee noted, "Pretty sure there's not much back at base." My stomach grumbled in agreement. "Copy that," I agreed, taking off my helmet, "Be back in a second."

I walked out with a greasy bag of burgers and fries. "Hello beautiful," I looked over to see a boy going over to Arcee, "Where have you been all my life?" He brushed his fingers across her. "Nice. It may take a couple of K.O paychecks," He said as he took a seat, "But I'm gonna own a ride like you someday." "You should be careful," I told him as I walked over, "talk like that in front of most people and they'd consider you crazy." I placed the food in my pack. "This is yours?" He asked. "Guilty," I shrugged. "I-I'm Jack. Jack Darby," Jack introduced, but I was distracted by the headlights of the two Decepticons that had followed Arcee and I earlier. "Scrap." I jumped on Arcee, not worrying about my helmet. "Hang on," I told Jack as Arcee did a wheelie. "Hey! Whoa! Whoa!" Jack screamed as we drove between the two Decpeticons, "Whoa!" The two cars turned and began chasing us again. "Do not let go!" I told him as Arcee braked, causing us to go behind the Decepticons. Arcee turned on a street and parked in an alleyway. Jack jumped off. "Who are you?!" "I don't exist," I told him as I put on my helmet once more and flipped the visor down to hide my identity. "Tell anyone about me, and I'll hunt you down." "Whoa!" Jack took off running. "Otto... we gotta move," Arcee said as the Decepticons came up to us. I nodded and she began to drive away until I noticed the other turn where Jack had run off. "Arcee..." I told her. "On it," she did a u-turn and jumped over the Decepticon. "I don't even know him!" Jack shouted. I held out my hand. "Hop on!" "Whoa!" Jack shouted as we sped off. The Decepticons began firing at us. "Otto..." Arcee said. "What was that?!" Jack asked. I ignored him as I flipped around. "Wait, aren't you supposed to be driving?!" Jack questioned in panic. I turned myself backwards as Jack took my place. "Just let her drive," I told him." "Her?!" But I ignored him as I began firing at the Decepticons. "Why are those guys shooting at us?!" "There's no 'us,' kid. And they're no 'guys,'" Arcee told him as she zoomed onto the highway and zigzagged through traffic.