Prowl leaned forward over the console, scrutinizing the three dimensional computer generated model of his latest defensive strategy for defending the Ark against a possible Decepticon attack scenario. All the settings were correctly adjusted and all the Autobots were in their assigned positions, so he dimmed the overhead lights and tapped a few keys on the console, initiating the battle scenario on the computer. On one of the screens next to him, the computer scrolled through a lengthy listing of attack calculations based on the latest known Decepticon attack strategies and patterns.

The strategist watched with curiosity as the glowing translucent images of the Decepticons approached the holographic image of the Ark set into Mount St. Hilary. He set time delays into the model to conservatively approximate how long he figured it could take for the Autobot forces to assemble without notice into his defensive formation. The Seekers approached ahead of the flanking Decepticon forces, aiming to take out the Ark's automatic defenses. Images of Cliffjumper, Brawn, Smokescreen and Jazz appeared near the entrance to the Ark on simulated guard duty and began to fire at the approaching jets. An image of himself, Prime and Ironhide emerged next, followed closely by Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.

He was pleased with the sequencing. As the Autobots began to move into formation the Seekers began to circle above the cone of the large volcano, locating themselves out of range of the Ark's laser cannons. The jets worked together, concentrating their firepower, to knock out one of the laser cannons before being dissuaded by the fire from the grouping Autobot forces. Prowl frowned. He hadn't expected the Seekers to act together intelligently like this when fired upon by several Autobots. Perhaps the computer was enacting this strategy because it assessed the emerging resistive forces to be too weak.

Bluestreak, Mirage and several of the minibots next appeared at the entrance to the Ark. Prowl was intrigued by this timing. The gunner definitely would have been better placed sooner in the scenario. He watched as the image of Bluestreak turned around to face the volcano, preparing to fire on the circling jets. Prowl knew the silver gunner was a good shot, but he also knew Bluestreak's inhibitions and had programmed in a probability that the gunner would not attack. He squeezed his fist into a ball, waiting for the gunner to defend himself and the Ark. Precious time passed as the image of the gunner froze. One of the Seekers strafed the side of the mountain, targeting the motionless Autobot. Prowl sat back, disappointed. The model will need some work. Mirage and Hound appeared behind the gunner to defend him against an attack. Finally the image of Bluestreak let off one of his shoulder mounted missiles at the jets. The resulting explosion tore clean through the wing of one of them. As he let off his other shoulder mounted missile at another jet, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe moved in to finish off the first damaged jet as it fell out of the sky and transformed.

A communicator screen flashed to life to the right of Prowl, distracting him from the remainder of the scenario playing out. The images of the Autobots and Decepticons continued their play of war, without his attention given to them.

It was Wheeljack. Prowl sat up straight, surprised to see the engineer's image on the screen. It was not typical for Wheeljack to directly contact Prowl, and the strategist wondered what the purpose of the call was. "Yes, Wheeljack? What is it?"

"I need to see you in my workshop," the engineer stated, the lamps on either side of his head flashing blue.

"Uh," Prowl punted, suspicious of Wheeljack's statement. "What's going on?"

The engineer laughed. "Oh don't worry. Nothing's gone wrong; I just need to see you here."

Before Prowl could answer, the image of Wheeljack disappeared and the screen went dark. Prowl frowned. He stopped the computer model. Perplexed as to what the engineer wanted to see him about, the black and white strategist got up and left his office for Wheeljack's workshop. He passed down the corridor and, as he approached the intersection to the adjacent corridor, a large familiar red and blue Autobot appeared, going in the same direction as he was.

"Prowl," the Autobot commander Optimus Prime greeted, "Did Wheeljack just call you, too?"

"Yes. Do you know what this is all about?" Prowl was clearly displeased at being summoned without advance notice and without an adequate explanation of what he was needed for. Improper protocol was something that he would have to discuss with Wheeljack later.

"You know Wheeljack," Prime suggested, half joking. "He's probably got some new invention that will solve all of our problems."

They passed Gears, who was walking in the opposite direction. The minibot happened to be within range to hear the exchange between Prowl and Optimus and lent his opinion. "Or he's looking to blow himself up for good this time."

Prime and Prowl paused, turning as Gears passed them. The red and blue minibot was his typical grouchy old self. "Glad I'm not you," he proclaimed as he continued down the main corridor, not even bothering to face them as he spoke. He made a large sweeping motion with his arms to indicate an explosion.

Prowl quizzically raised an optic ridge. "Do you know who else Wheeljack asked to come to his workshop?"

"He wanted just you and me to see his invention," the Autobot commander explained as they continued through the Ark. "He said it was something of strategic importance."

"Hmm. Now I'm interested."

The strategist and the Autobot commander approached Wheeljack's workshop and the doors opened automatically. They paused for a brief moment before entering. It was always wise to ensure that the workshop was safe to enter, to make sure that some experiment had not gone wrong resulting in an explosion or some other chaos.

Wheeljack was seated behind a console, making an entry into a computer. "Glad you could make it," the engineer greeted them and got up, "Come on in."

Prowl followed Optimus Prime into the workshop. The black and white strategist looked around, unimpressed by the disarray of Wheeljack's workshop. Half-finished work and tools lay everywhere about the workshop. To him, Wheeljack's projects appeared to be the work of a scatterbrained genius, one who didn't have the discipline to finish something through from beginning to end without being distracted by another project. Prowl looked from his surroundings to Wheeljack. "So what's this invention of great importance?"

"I'm glad you asked," Wheeljack chimed, pitching his device. He picked up what appeared to be a non-descript metal box, and held it in the palm of his outstretched hand. Pointing to it with his other hand, he looked seriously at Optimus. "I call it the Spark Cell. It's quite simple." He handed it to Prowl, who looked surprised to receive it, and continued to explain. "I wanted to find some way to recover an Autobot's spark should he be terminated in battle. The device basically detects vital systems functioning and will automatically download the Autobot's spark into it if it detects that termination is occurring."

Prowl and Optimus both looked intrigued. While they hadn't known what kind of invention to expect, this sounded like something very unique indeed.

Prowl looked for a hole in the logic behind Wheeljack's device. "So what's the advantage if someone is damaged beyond repair?" Prowl inquired. "Won't the device be damaged as well, possibly even destroying it?"

"It won't get damaged because I've taken great care to shield it from the typical types of explosion, radiation, fire, and so on that you would expect to cause critical internal damage." Wheeljack slowly paced in front of them, deep in thought for a moment, then stopped and turned to Prowl. "Prowl, let's say one day you get blasted. The blast penetrates your energon regulator shielding and ruptures a main fuel line. I know it's highly unlikely, but in that case, even a small amount of energon could become highly unstable very quickly, leading to an internal fire or explosion that could spread throughout your body and leave you as a burned out shell."

"That's quite graphic," the strategist stated flatly.

"Agreed," Prime affirmed, surprised by Wheeljack's description. "Wheeljack, what are you suggesting we do with this device of yours?"

"Quite simply, I think everyone ought to have one of these devices installed in them, to save them from being destroyed. I've already taken the liberty to have Ratchet install one in me. It's a last chance device - the perfect way to prevent the Autobots from being exterminated." Wheeljack paused and raised a finger for emphasis. "And the 'Cons wouldn't know to look for it after you fell."

"Hmm," Prime considered aloud as he cupped his battle mask in his hand. "Your invention has merit. But how are we to deal with your device afterwards?"

"The device would keep the spark in a state similar to stasis lock, like when we crashed here, before Teletraan-1 reactivated us," Wheeljack continued. "The device has its own power source and therefore could last virtually indefinitely because the power draw is so low. All you have to do is to retrieve the device and download the spark into a new body. Simple. Oh, and I've configured it so that it will only match standard Autobot spark integration protocols."

Prowl probed Wheeljack's last statement. "What exactly are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is that as long as you retrieve the Spark Cell, basically any Autobot can use it to transfer your spark to a new or even rebuilt body."

Prime turned to his strategist. "Prowl, what do you make of this?"

Prowl inspected the simple-looking device. He turned it over in his hands, and noticed an indicator light on one face. He held up the device towards Wheeljack. "What's to stop this device from being triggered prematurely? If that were possible an Autobot could suddenly go off line. Or worse, if the Decepticons found some way to trigger the device remotely, it could disable us all at once."

"I thought of that," the engineer responded. "The device is also shielded against tampering signals. It requires additional feedback from your systems to verify an encrypted vital systems signal for it to operate. Once installed in a new body, it will automatically download your spark…of course, as soon as it detects a functional new Autobot body."

"Good thinking Wheeljack," Prime commended him.

"I'd hate to wake up as a Decepticon," Prowl agreed, tilting his head to one side. But he was still not sold on Wheeljack's invention, so he crossed his arms. "It would appear that your invention is a good idea, but I'm not convinced that we should use the Spark Cell without seeing the results of testing on it, first."

Prime considered Prowl's recommendation. "I agree," the Autobot commander concurred. "We need to see proof that the device works as intended. All our lives would depend on it."

Prowl nodded.

Wheeljack sagged. Testing the Spark Cell was something that he had not done yet. "I'll find some way to get you test results." He sounded dejected as Prowl and Prime began to leave.

Prime stopped in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder. "Wheeljack, it's a good invention. We just don't have enough information about how well it works yet."