CHAPTER THREE
When the Ark had crashed on Earth over a century ago, everyone on board had been knocked into stasis lock. When the volcano which the ship had been embedded into erupted, only five initially awoke: Optimus Prime, Jazz, Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Ironhide.
Over the next several months, Ratchet had been able to revive others overtime, such as Wheeljack, Arcee, and the Twins. He was far from pleased, however, considering that there were still ninety-something Autobots left to go, and some of them had already died in the crash.
He bent down beside the deactivated form of Hound and began to scan for a spark signature. When he got a positive reading, he turned to Optimus Prime, who always accompanied him on these ventures to the Ark.
"Hound's got enough power to be revived," the medic said.
Optimus nodded. "Make it so."
Ratchet brought out a pair of cables and attached them to Hound's chest. With a jolt of energy, the green Autobot was instantly sitting up, dazed by being woken up after over a century.
"What the... what's going on?" He looked up at Optimus. "Didn't we crash?"
"Indeed we did, my friend," the Autobot leader said. "I'll give you the details later. Ratchet, can you revive anyone else?"
"Hot Rod, Bulkhead, and Mirage seem to have enough power. Just give me a few minutes."
"Take all the time you need, old friend."
Ratchet went quick to work and in short time, three more Autobots were online. Under Optimus' direction, they scanned their alt modes-- provided to them via holographic representations-- and were using them to drive out of the crashed ship, tailing the red truck that was their leader.
"You'll need some time at our new base to recover," Optimus told them. "Not to mention be filled up on recent events."
"And then what?" Hot Rod asked.
"Then," Optimus said gravelly, "we find our missing comrade."
* * *
"Okay, now try it."
Bumblebee pulled the switch and a green portal materialized in the large arch that had been recently built into the base. Wheeljack, the arch's creator, threw his arms up in the air triumphantly.
"Success! Now we don't need to bug Fowler all the time for a free plane ride."
"How wondrously convenient," Ironhide muttered. "Back in my day, we didn't have new-spangled GroundBridges. We had to, y'know, transform and drive to places."
"Welcome to the new age, 'hide," Wheeljack said, planting his fists firmly on his hips. "This is just the beginning of the Transportation Revolution."
"What's next then?" Arcee said dryly, her arms folded across her chest. "Teleporting in the blink of an eye?"
"Well, if we could capture Skywarp...."
Arcee rolled her eyes. "I was being sarcastic."
"You always are."
"Hey!" The Autobots turned to see one of their human companions, Verity Carlo, sitting nearby with her friend Jimmy Pink. "Could you stop bickering for one moment and maybe think about how we're going to rescue Hunter and Sunstreaker?"
Arcee sighed. "Don't worry, Verity. Sunstreaker is as much of a friend to us as Hunter is to you. We haven't forgotten about either of them."
"Not to mention he's my brother," Sideswipe murmured, leaning against a wall. The red Autobot had been brooding ever since Sunstreaker's capture.
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "How does that even work?"
Before Sideswipe could answer, the door to the command center opened to allow Optimus Prime, Ratchet, and four other Autobots to enter. Upon seeing the two humans, one of the mechs stiffened and gave them a disgusted look.
"What... are those things?" the blue and white Autobot asked.
"They are called humans, Mirage," Optimus said. "They are native to this planet."
"They kinda look like Nebulans," said a green Autobot, looking at the two teens with curiosity. "Except pink instead of green."
"Actually, I'm the only one who's Pink." Jimmy laughed at his joke only to be elbowed by Verity. "Sorry."
Letting the kids trade banter, Optimus said to Wheeljack, "Any luck on the GroundBridge?"
Wheeljack patted the arch fondly, a proud twinkle in his optic. "She's up and running."
"Good. It'll get us to locations faster, especially if we're to search for Sunstreaker and Hunter."
A red Autobot with flame decals shook his head. "Wait, Sunstreaker's missing?"
"Yes," Optimus replied. "He and one of our humans allies were captured by an unknown party. We doubt they were Decepticons--"
Before he could finish, the main computer pinged in alarm.
"Speak of Mortilus," Ironhide grunted as he went over to it. "Decepticon sighting in Arizona."
"Decepticons?" Mirage exclaimed. "Here?"
"What's an Arizona?" asked a larger green Autobot.
"Guess it's time to test this thing," Wheeljack said as he activated the GroundBridge again. "Um, where at in Arizona?"
"The Grand Canyon," Ironhide said. "Want me to go there, Prime?"
Optimus nodded. "Yes, and take Bulkhead and Hound here with you. Their alt modes are equipped for off-road terrain."
Bulkhead scratched the back of his head. "Except, uh, we haven't gotten used to them."
"Well, now's a good time as any to test 'em out," Ironhide grunted as he converted into a red and black pickup truck. Revving up his engine, he sped into the green portal. Bulkhead and Hound followed suit and the GroundBridge soon closed behind them.
Wheeljack wiped an imaginary tear from his optic. "That's my baby."
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