Transformers Prime: Bio-Tech

Chapter 8

"Optimus," I reported as I looked at my computer screen, "I'm receiving a signal on a restricted band. It appears to be coming from a starship inside this solar system." Ratchet walked over as I displayed it on the Autobot screen. "It has an Autobot identification beacon," Ratchet mused. "So there are other bots out there?" Jack asked. "The masses scattered to the stars when Cybertron went dark," Arcee explained, "but 'Cons have been known to bait traps with false beacons." "Unknown vessel, this is Autobot Outpost Omega One," Optimus said, "Identify yourself." "I've had warmer welcomes from Decepticon combat brigades," A bot said. "Wheeljack?" Bulkhead exclaimed, "You old 'Con crusher! What are you doing all the way out here?" "Bulkhead? That you? What's with all the security?" Wheeljack asked. "The rock we're on is crawling with 'Cons. How soon can you get here and even the odds?" Bulkhead questioned. "Sometime tomorrow if I put the metal to the pedal," Wheeljack answered. "Another bot's coming here. How cool is that?" Miko cheered. "Wheeljack... I know of him by reputation only," Optimus claimed, "Can you verify his voiceprint?" "He is 1000% the real deal, Optimus," Bulkhead said. "We will send landing coordinates, Wheeljack. Safe journey," Optimus said. "See you soon buddy. I'll make sure you get a proper welcome," Bulkhead promised. "So, who's the boyfriend?" Arcee asked Bulkhead. Bulkhead chuckled. "Jackie and I go way back. We were part of the same war unit, the Wreckers, which means the 'Cons are gonna wish he never found us," Bulkhead replied.

"Wheeljack's ship is approaching the landing zone," I reported as I rolled my chair away from the computer. "You think he's here to visit?" Rafael asked. "Maybe he'll stay!" Miko claimed, "Hmm. Have to find his own human, though." "Pass," I huffed. "Groundbridge cycling up," Ratchet reported. I growled as the controls sparked up. "Blasted Scraplets! The equipment hasn't been the same since the infestation," I grumbled. "So, Wheeljack's gonna land halfway around the world and then you'll bridge him here?" Jack asked. "We can't risk revealing the location of our base just in case the Decepticon's are tracking Wheeljack's ship," I explained. I turned as we all watched Bulkhead pacing back and forth. "Dude, I've never seen you so stoked!" Miko claimed. "Oh, you're gonna love Wheeljack. We were like brothers and tonight we are gonna party!" Bulkhead cheered. "Sweet!" Miko cheered as I groaned at the same time. The computer beeped with a proximity alert. "Bogies closing fast on Wheeljack's position," Arcee noted. "Con scum!" Bulkhead growled, "Open the bridge, Ratchet! We're missing all the action!" "I'll prepare sickbay," Ratchet declared. Bulkhead chuckled. "For who? The cons? This is Wheeljack we're talking about," Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee ran through the Groundbridge. However, within seconds the group with an added Wheeljack ran through the Groundbridge and back into the base, "Jackie, come here. Meet my other best buddy, Miko. She can wreck with the best of us," Bulkhead introduced. "Hiya," Miko greeted. "Oh, now she plays silent," I joked. "You keeping Bulkhead out of trouble?" Wheeljack asked her. "I try, but trouble finds us anyway," Miko claimed. "Bull," I coughed in Cybertronian. "Otto," Optimus warned. I shrugged in response. "We're gonna get along just fine," Wheeljack told Bulkhead. He turned to greet Optimus, "Optimus Prime, it's a privilege." "Likewise, soldier. What do you have to report from your long journey?" Optimus asked. "Been bouncing from rock to rock, searching for signs of friends or foes. Now I found both," Wheeljack replied. "We are few but strong. We have suffered losses, but we have grown. And we would relish welcoming a new member into our fold," Optimus said. "I'd be honoured," Wheeljack said. "Then let's get this party started!" Bulkhead cheered as he punched Wheeljack. "Oh joy," Ratchet and I muttered as I eyed Wheeljack suspiciously. Miko brought out her electric guitar and started strumming chords.

"Come on, Jackie! Show me what you've got," Bulkhead said as Wheeljack threw a ball of metal at Bulkhead. "Unh! Oh!" He laughed, "Nice lob," Bulkhead threw it back at Wheeljack. The two grunted as they passed it back and forth. "So, what's this about?" Jack asked. "It's called lobbing, the favourite passtime on Cybertron, especially among the warrior class," Arcee explained. "Come on, Raf! Show us some moves!" Miko egged on as she strummed her guitar. "Oh, all right," Raf said as he began doing the robot. "Of course..." I sighed, "The robot." Bumblebee then joined Raf in doing the dance. "What's up? You've been down since Wheeljack joined the group," Jack asked. "Huh, it's nothing," I sighed, "I just don't like parties." "Coming at ya!" Bulkhead threw the ball but it hit the wall and fell. Ratchet was quick enough to grab me as the ball hit the Groundbridge controls. "You know, we are attempting to perform sensitive calibrations here!" "Yes, and you almost hit me!" I yelled, glaring at Wheeljack, as he surprisingly flinched slightly. "Sorry, Doc," Wheeljack apologised, "Guess we're a little charged up," he walked over towards us, "You built this thing from scratch, huh?" "Otto was the one to design it," Ratchet replied. "That's quite a feat of engineering, for a human," Wheeljack replied. "Yes it is," Ratchet agreed. "Something wrong with it?" Wheeljack asked. "I'm worried about the way it sounded last jump. I put it in shutdown," I replied. "What if you need to use it?" Wheeljack asked. "Ohh, I can't disrupt the defrag process without causing irreparable damage," I said.