Birth - Chapter 2: Discovery

January 23rd Year 2013

It seemed like any ordinary day to the Autobot commander, Optimus Prime. He sat quietly on top of a small grassy hill that overlooked a magnificent sunset behind the beautiful Minaret Lake, making his flamed body glow with life of bright orange, pink, and yellow. One of California's mountain ranges called Ritter Range seemed like a peaceful place, but he knew of its dark secrets and what lay behind its bloody background, for some people had climbed it and had never come back down again. But, despite its darkness, Optimus found it to be the perfect place to hide his people from the public. He had decided to break all contact with NEST for safety reasons, but he knew that NEST would always continue to exist as long as the Autobots remained in contact with them, updating General Morshower about their findings if anything came up or if any Decepticon decided to show up and cause mayhem.

Optimus flexed his newly repaired arm, still stiff from Ratchet's remarkable job and his thoughts drifted to the Battle in Chicago.

Ever since they had defeated Shockwave and Sentinel Prime and their existence had been revealed to the outside world, things had been hard for the Autobots. Optimus had at least hoped that things had settled down, but with their presence now revealed, it was easy for an Autobot to get carried away and pose themselves in front of a camera with the paparazzi.

While Optimus found this harmless for his men to enjoy themselves, he had banished all means of letting his Autobots reveal their base's location. Even though Megatron had escaped from the battle, Optimus suspected that there never would be peace. The death of several Autobots during the Battle in Chicago had left a lot of scars on their sparks, especially on his spark with the death of thousands of comrades that had fallen during the everlasting war that had dragged on for so many millennia.

Optimus glanced up at the dusky sky, the magnificent sunset casting its warm rays upon his chrome steel body and illuminating his azure optics. For the moment, he felt at peace. With many Autobots arriving left and right since Chicago's battle, Optimus wasn't sure how much longer it would be before there would not be enough room for the many arrivals that were coming home.

Amongst the Autobot brethren that arrived yesterday was his most loyal second in command – Prowl.

Optimus chuckled when he remembered how Prowl had nearly fainted on the spot when he had learned of Sentinel's death. However, that was not the least of their problems. There were also humans who may despise the Autobots for living on Earth with them. The President had warned them about it, and Optimus had taken it upon himself to prepare his people when the time came should protests come.

Though Optimus knew about the consequences should they remain on Earth with the humans, he also knew that his leadership would not last much longer. He had lived as a warrior for far too long, and it would soon be time for him to pick a new leader. The Matrix of Leadership that was in his chest hummed in agreement with his thoughts, as though it knew that it would be passed down soon to the next Prime.

But he soon remembered that there were no other Primes.

The Allspark was gone and it had its knowledge transferred to the Matrix. Without the Allspark, there could be no life and very little hope remained. There were hardly any femmes left amongst the Autobots to restart the population. Only one femme named Tomahawk had arrived with Prowl, and most of the mechs were getting restless as to who got to have her. Optimus had made the femme forbidden territory to any mech. If anyone touched her wrongly or even looked at her the wrong way; they would have to answer to him. Tomahawk could choose anyone she was willing to be with. But until she was willing to bond with someone, Optimus was like a prowling lion, ready to defend any femme's honour if it was threatened.

Now that he thought about it, Optimus could barely remember when he had asked Elita to bond with him back on Cybertron before he had left on the mission to find the Allspark. Perhaps she had known they may not see each other for a long time and had considered it for a while before she approached him and gave him her answer. On that night before they left, Optimus bonded with Elita. And now that they were forever connected, Optimus now waited for the day Elita would come back to him.

But what hope was there left for the Autobots if they hardly any femmes left? Without another Prime to share the burden of his responsibility to his people, and without Elita to share his burden, Optimus felt more alone than ever. But as long as there were still Autobots out there, there was always hope of starting again and a good time to heal from old wounds of long ago.

"Prowl to Optimus Prime. Do you copy?"

Optimus sighed as he was taken away from his thoughts. It was time to return to the present and be Prime once again.

"Optimus Prime here, I read you, Prowl," he answered sombrely.

"I apologise if I bothered you, Sir," said Prowl. "But I think you should to return to base. Teletrann-One has picked up something and I think you ought to come and look at it."

Optimus raised an optic ridge in confusion. Teletrann-One was the recently built computer that kept an eye on things and ran the entire base of operations for the Autobot base. It often monitored Earth's television and radio broadcasts to search for news that may be of interest to the Autobots. It also operated the Sky Spies that often kept an eye out for anything strange.

<i."Thank you for the information, Prowl,"</i> Optimus answered as he stood up to his full height, towering over the trees that had kept him hidden from view. "I'm on my way back now. Prime out."

Making his way around the lake and back to the trail that led to the base, Optimus carefully walked up the snowy landscape. It was in the middle of winter, and the frosted world looked like a winter wonderland to some of the orphaned younglings that had also arrived with Prowl and Tomahawk. To Optimus, it was also a dangerous time for blizzards to occur at any time of the day and make driving a little more hazardous, hence why he preferred to walk during times like this.

As he walked inside the base, a cold breeze blew in from behind him and the entrance to the base closed behind him to keep the warmth inside.

He brushed some of the frost that had started to cake his battle armour. The snow particles scattered to the floor and a drone appeared from his right to clear up some of the mess he left behind. He then made his way down towards the Command Centre where several Autobots would be working there, monitoring Teletrann-One day in and day out for any signs of Decepticon activity.

They could not afford to be sloppy.

Optimus spotted Prowl in front of the big monitor that made up Teletrann-One. He was speaking with the hologram that made up the computer's intelligence. When Prowl spotted Optimus coming, both figures turned to face him and nod in his direction respectfully, letting him know that they knew he was there.

"What is it that you had me called over for, Prowl, that requires my immediate attention?" Optimus asked.

Prowl nodded once again and he turned to the holographic image of the tiny femme Transformer avatar in front of him. "Teletrann-One," he said to her, "show Optimus what you showed me five kliks ago."

"At once, Prowl," replied the avatar. She then lifted a hand and snapped her fingers. The monitor in front of Optimus and Prowl lit up with a map of Sacramento. There appeared to be a blinking energy signature similar to that of the Autobots. As soon as the moving energy signature reached Sacramento, it then vanished without a trace.

"Prowl," Optimus said, "what was that we just saw?"

"That," answered Prowl without taking his optics off the screen, "was a Cybertronian energy signature. The only problem is that we couldn't get a proper fix on it, and when we saw what it was and tried to identify it, we got not profile of it whatsoever. Our best guess is that it's a newly arrived Transformer or it's a life-form from our planet."

Optimus looked thoughtful for a moment. "What do you think it could be? Do you have any opinions?"

"Just one," Prowl said. "It's most likely a Transformer that has just recently come online. I would suggest sending a Sky Spy to keep an eye on it and find out what it is."

"Do it," Optimus ordered. "Contact me if Teletrann-One finds out more about this energy signature."

"Will do, Sir," Prowl replied, nodding.

Optimus gently petted Prowl on the shoulder gratefully. "It's good to have you back with us, old friend. I'm sure everyone has missed your orders."

Prowl chuckled, "Well, Sideswipe responded with the usual I'll-kick-your-aft attitude of his. Ratchet was happy that I was back, but he still threatened me with his wrench when I came in for my maintenance exam. But, other than that, I'm sure everyone did miss me deep down though."

Optimus laughed as he moved off to his office. He had fallen behind on his paperwork long enough and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get back into before he did fall behind on it. However, the energy signature that Teletrann-One picked up not too long ago puzzled him. Whoever it was, he had this distinct feeling inside his spark that he knew, but he wanted proof before he could confirm his suspicions.

As he walked into his office, he raised an optic ridge when he saw the pile of data pads littered on his desk. Obviously he had abused his station enough, and it was time that he got back into his routine. Settling himself into his chair, he picked up the closest and went to work.

-----------

The busy crowds of Sacramento went to and fro. Most of the humans hurried to work, while some of them sat about, enjoying the cool afternoon sun. He had never seen so many humans before, but something told him that there would be a lot less when the afternoon drew on. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen so many, but he did remember the many days and nights spending time trying to keep warm in the alleyways of Mission City and watching the males and females walk about their daily business. It was exciting to see so many, but he was also a little cautious.

After having nearly being broken into several times in the six years since he had been online, Hot Rod drew upon the caution that riddled his central processor. But then he sadly remembered Tracy Bloomwood. He had thought that they would be friends forever, but he hadn't realised just how short their time together had been. Tracy had come down with influenza several months ago. She had died a week just after catching it.

But during their time together, Tracy had passed on her street smarts to him. She taught him to take what he could in order to survive and to never let his loneliness get the better of him. She even taught him to trust his instincts and to never give up hope that he would someday find his own kind. He also learnt how to consume petrol without getting spotted. She had even taught him how to keep himself clean when she wasn't around by suggesting that he go to the car wash and use a special dime that allowed him access to the washing racks for vehicles for free. While he felt that he was betraying the people who often admired his vehicle form, he also knew that he was doing it so that he could survive long enough for him to find.

However, survival was survival. And the only way he could make it to find his own kind was to do the unthinkable, even if it was against the law.

It was finally time, he thought, to move on to the next city. Hot Rod had been hearing strange words being spoken between the locals that gigantic mechanical beings were hanging around nearby. He wasn't sure what they meant by those words, but his instincts told him that it was best that he leave as soon as possible. The fact that he was hearing rumours made him a little nervous and uncomfortable.

Producing his favourite hologram of the body a twenty-two year old human male with blue eyes and neck length brown hair, he started up his engine and slowly backed out of the parking lot he was currently in. It certainly had been a long day of sitting quietly amongst the other vehicles and enjoying the cool afternoon and Hot Rod was eager to stretch his wheels or find a quiet spot where no one would be able to find him so that he could transform.

But as Hot Rod made his way down the bustling streets, his side-view mirrors picked up a police car of unknown making to him that was following extremely closely. He hadn't been in trouble with the police before, but from his learning experience from Tracy, he had a gut feeling that something was going to happen. And, with his flame paintjob, he knew that he stuck out like a sore thumb.

I've hung around Tracy for too long, he thought sadly.

Then, the lights of the police car flashed their usual red and blue colours and their siren sounded, indicating that the police wanted him to pull over. Hot Rod sighed quietly and he carefully pulled on over to the side into a side parking lot. The police car followed right behind him until it stopped inches away from his bumper.

Somehow, Hot Rod really wished that his scanners were working properly. They had been damaged during a drag race after he'd gotten blinded by an ignition of fire. Without them, he could not scan his follower and find out whether he was friend or foe, or if he was one of his own kind.

The policeman got out of the car and made his way towards Hot Rod. From what Hot Rod could make of him, he appeared to be in his mid-forties with a moustache and an icy stare that sent chills down his cerebral processor. Nervousness crept into his mind as Hot Rod waited anxiously for the police officer to approach him. While he had never been arrested before, he remembered that he had to avoid them at all costs because Tracy had told him that they do not react well when it came to meeting something they have never seen before.

Finally, the police officer was up beside his driver's side and bent down, looking into his window and peering at his hologram.

Hot Rod held his breath.

"So what is a car with an illegal paintjob doing here?" he huffed as he looked at Hot Rod's hologram in the eye. The policeman took out a pen and paper and started writing something down. He tore off the paper and handed it to Hot Rod, his icy stare almost seemed to pierce Hot Rod's holographic blue eyes. "Something wrong with your eyes, son?"

Hot Rod didn't respond, his vehicle form trembling nervously.

Come on, he thought, go away.

The officer frowned some more and Hot Rod suddenly felt something sweep over his body before the feeling soon vanished seconds later. If he said something stupid, then he was bound to get into serious trouble. He didn't have much experience when it came to dealing with policemen. Most of the time he made an escape before they appeared, disappearing without a trace, but making himself scarce was easy, but losing cops was as complicated as trying to find his own aft. Not unless he switched his number plates to confuse them.

But there was something odd about the way this policeman stared at him. They didn't make him feel comfortable... they made him feel cold to his consumer tank.

"Well, aren't you going to say something boy?" the officer snapped. "Or is your voice box malfunctioning?"

Hot Rod was about to answer when he stopped dead in his tracks.

Malfunctioned? he thought. Does he speak like a machine or something?

The policeman suddenly reached forward to grab his hologram's arm, but it phased for a second and appeared to be solid once more. The man's face then converted into a snarl as he bared his teeth and he too phased and vanished.

Shocked, Hot Rod realised that the policeman was not a policeman at all. He then felt a massive bang behind him and his rear wheels lifted off the ground, his front tyres screeched as he fought for control.

"Megatron would reward me for bringing you to him, boy," the police car snarled.

Realising that he wasn't getting anywhere, Hot Rod reversed the clutch and his front wheels became still, and then his back wheels spun like crazy, bashing the police car in the face. With a satisfying crack, Hot Rod reversed until he was driving on top of the police car and was back on all four of his wheels. Without waiting for a further response, his bumper clipping a nearby vehicle, he sped off as fast as he could.

He didn't want to risk a fight where there were hundreds of innocent bystanders, who were looking on with curiosity at the violent display between him and the police car, but he knew that he had to get out of here.

As he turned a corner into the next street, he heard the screeching of the police car's tyres as they turned with him.

As he sped along a highway, frightening questions entered his mind. Why does this guy want me? Who is he, and what does he mean by Megatron? He didn't know the answer to any of them, but whoever he was, Hot Rod knew that things would not go well if they stayed in the city. Humans would get hurt, and some of them may even die. He hadn't transformed in a long while, but he was determined to turn around and fight him.

But how did he know what he was?

"Leading me outside the city are you, boy?" the police car asked. "Well, do what you will. I want to see you what you look like from the inside before I take you to Megatron."

"I don't know who this Megatron is," Hot Rod countered, "but if he's as ugly as you smell, then I'm sure I'm going to enjoy laughing at the sight of you."

The police car roared as he gunned forward and slammed into Hot Rod's rear end. Hot Rod spun for a second as vehicles raced to get out of his spinning form. He pulled the clutch down, slammed on his brakes, and straightened himself correctly until he was facing the right way. Once he regained control, he sped forward and disappeared into an alleyway. He hated alleyways, but they were extremely useful when it came to losing enemies.

But just as he was reaching the end and the police car was gaining on him, he saw a vehicle halting itself in its tracks and blocking his escape. Hot Rod just laughed with giddiness and he sped even faster towards it, but the vehicle looked like it was determined to hold its ground.

Then, Hot Rod lifted himself up on his left side, pulling a wheelie as he skidded over the vehicle and back onto his wheels. He heard the police car roar again with frustration, but Hot Rod laughed as he sped off towards the nearest highway that led to the outside of the city and to freedom.

-----------

The alarms were blaring like crazy! Many of the Autobots were rushing to and fro as they worked to quieten the panicked mechs and femmes who had never experienced a drill before. Sideswipe, who was on shift at Teletrann-One, was typing furiously with his three-fingered hands. He could hear his Autobot comrades ordering one another to their stations, but he raised an optic ridge to see Ironhide taking out his cannons, their plasma humming within.

Ironhide hadn't physically been the same since Ratchet had just barely saved his life when Sentinel betrayed the Autobots and shot him with his Rust Gun. Ironhide had lain dying as the rust ate his body, but it was thanks to Ratchet's quick thinking that he managed to stop the rust from killing him. Now these days, Ironhide had trouble walking and his left hand was missing, eaten away by the rust. The old veteran still had bits of rust covering his body, but he had never felt more alive than ever.

Optimus Prime was gathering up some of his troops together as Prowl approached the silver mech. "What's the situation, Sideswipe?" he asked him.

"Teletrann just picked two Decepticons in Sacramento," Sideswipe answered as he brought up the image of two Decepticon signatures heading outside the city while following another Cybertronian signature. "It's Barricade and Onslaught, but I can't get a reading of the energy signature they're chasing. It could be the Cybertronian Teletrann picked up earlier this afternoon."

Optimus approached from behind. "Why would two Decepticons be chasing one of their own?"

"Beats me," Sideswipe replied.

He stood to attention as Crosshairs and Bluestreak approached their stations, sitting down at the console and typing away faster than a human could blink. Sideswipe looked at his commander and his old teacher, frowning. "Sir," he said, bowing his head respectfully to Optimus, "may I come along on this mission? That mech in trouble could be someone we know."

Optimus looked at Ironhide, then back at the silver mech, his azure optics emotionless for a moment as his battle mask slid into place. "Very well," he answered. "But no harm must come to this mech. If he is indeed a Decepticon that has betrayed Megatron, then we must bring him into custody."

"As you wish, sir," Sideswipe replied as he stood up and followed after Ironhide and Optimus with Bumblebee and Ratchet following close behind. "What are you doing here, old timer?" he teased Ratchet.

Ratchet glared. "I have every right to be here," he snapped, backhanding Sideswipe. "And don't call me old! You aren't getting any younger yourself."

"Knock it off," Optimus barked as they raced through the corridors. "You're acting like younglings!"

Bumblebee snickered, but was silenced when Sideswipe shot him a glare that promised him pain.

As they stepped outside into the cold, Sideswipe shivered with excitement. He couldn't wait to get his blades into the metallic flesh of some Decepticons. He hadn't seen battle in a while since the Decepticons had retreated, but he was certainly looking forward to getting his hands bloodied by his kills. He felt his swords hum above his wrists hungrily, but he mentally silenced their eagerness.

"Soon," he said to himself, earning looks from his comrades.

"Autobots," Optimus declared as Sideswipe, Bumblebee, Ironhide, and Ratchet stood at attention in a line, "we may have had peace for a few months, but it seems like the Decepticons have not given up yet on their goal. Whoever this mech is that they are chasing, he's obviously important to them. We mustn't harm him, but if he is a Decepticon, then we must put him into custody for the time being."

Sideswipe frowned. "What about Barricade and Onslaught?" he asked his leader.

"We must do what we must to protect the humans," Optimus replied. "Capture one of them so that we may interrogate him later, but do whatever is necessary to kill the other."

"Leave that to me for the interrogating," Bumblebee replied. "I've been itching to pay him back."

"Then leave Onslaught to me," Ironhide replied. "Killing him won't be so difficult."

"Don't underestimate him," Sideswipe answered coolly, folding his arms across his chest. "Onslaught may be weak, but he's not stupid."

"Agreed," Optimus said as he turned to address Sideswipe. "Since you seem so keen to see who this mech is and have the equipment in your system to hunt him down, you're coming with me."

Sideswipe was disappointed. "Very well."

"And what about me, Optimus?" Ratchet asked.

Optimus chuckled, "Don't worry, old friend. I haven't forgotten you. Since it's possible that we may get injured in this little skirmish, you're also coming with me and Sideswipe."

Ratchet nodded.

"Autobots," Optimus said, standing up straight, "transform!"

The Autobots quickly complied as they transformed into their vehicle forms, revving their engines loudly in excitement. Optimus transformed too, his horn honking in response to their excitement. None of them could ever hope to match the power of his engine.

"Roll out!" he ordered.

Optimus then took the lead and drove down the hill and onto the path that led to the highway, his comrades following close behind. Sideswipe and Bumblebee eventually took the lead to scout ahead for any enemies, but they soon fell back behind Optimus. Despite his disappointment, Sideswipe was still eager to get his swords dirtied. He hoped that this Decepticon Barricade and Onslaught were chasing was a vicious one. He couldn't wait!