DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything of Transformers Prime, just my OC, Elena Fowler. For this chapter I will be following the episode "The Human Factor" from season two of Transformers Prime.

After weaving through the non-existent traffic of Jasper, Smokescreen finally pulled up to Elena's house. Smokescreen opened the car door, which Elena promptly exited out of, after grabbing her backpack, and walked up to her door front. "Thanks for the ride, Smoke." she said, before looking back at Smokescreen. "Anytime, Elena." he replied. As Elena reached for the door handle, she was surprised when the door opened itself. Elena's father stepped out and gave her a disapproving glance. "Where were you?" he asked in a scornful tone. "I was with the Autobots and my friends at the base." Elena replied. "I mean where were you tonight? And who is the spangled hotshot who drove you home?" Elena's father asked as he looked at Smokescreen, who was still parked at the curb. "That's Smokescreen. He's an Autobot, and he just joined today." Elena replied calmly. "So you're the new Autobot Prime told me about?" Elena's father asked indifferently. "Yes, sir. You must be Agent Fowler, Elena's father." Smokescreen replied. "You bet your shiny rims, I am! Now Smokescreen, you are dismissed." Elena's father replied. "Okay. Catch you later, Elena!" Smokescreen replied before he speedily drove off into the night. "And slow down!" Elena's father shouted as Smokescreen hit a turn a bit faster than he should have. With Smokescreen's departure, Agent Fowler's attention locked back onto Elena. "I think we should continue this discussion inside." he said as he held open the door for Elena. Elena took one look at her dad and knew she was in for a very long lecture, before she stepped inside the house.

Once inside, Elena reluctantly sat down in one of the recliner chairs in the living room, while her father stood across from her. "I can't believe what you pulled tonight, Elena." he began, pacing uneasily and huffing a little as he spoke. "Prime told you, didn't he?" Elena asked, her voice carrying an upset tone. "About what? About how you snuck into a battle with the Autobots and a Decepticon!?" Elena's father said in an angry-sarcastic tone. "I just went to see the fight. I didn't plan to participate in it." Elena replied haughtily., adverting her gaze from her father. "But you were almost hurt, killed even! And for what, a little of an adrenaline rush?" Elena's father asked. "Hey, I was saved by Smokescreen alright. At least he was there for me; unlike you were when mom died!" Elena snapped at her father, a tear creeping out of the corner of one of her eyes. Elena's father was silenced by his daughter's retort, and frozen in place. "You decided to just take off on one of your missions in the corps, and you didn't return for over a year!" Elena shouting angrily in reply. "I needed you. I really needed you, and you weren't there." she added, her voice beginning to choke from tears, "I know it's been years since Mom died, and its in the past, but that doesn't mean the pain is gone.." Elena's father looked at his daughter sorrowfully and with grief that weighed heavy on his heart. He walked over to Elena and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know honey. It's been a long and hard road for us, especially you. I know I shouldn't of up and left you when you needed me. And I'm sorry for that. I'm so sorry." he said as the slightest trace of tears welled in his eyes. Elena looked into her father's eyes and embraced her father in an emotive hug. "And I will never, ever, leave your side again." Elena's father said as he held Elena in a soft embrace.

The following day, Elena awoke to the sound of what she thought was a stampede. She groggily dragged herself out of bed and looked at the clock adorning her nightstand, which read: 6:40 AM. Might as well get ready for school.. she thought as she made her way to the door. Once she exited her room, Elena walked down the stairs, which led to the center of the living room. She looked around for the source of the sound of footsteps clamoring throughout the house. As Elena entered the hallway, she passed the guest bathroom and peered inside to see her father rapidly brushing his teeth as if possessed. "Dad?" she asked curiously, confused by the scene in front of her. Elena's father looked at her, then proceeded to spit into the sink, and rinsed the remaining toothpaste out of his mouth with water. He then dried his hands on the hand towel hanging from the towel rod on the wall, then continued on to readjust his tie. "No time to talk now honey. I've just been called to work on an emergency situation. Your lunch money is on the kitchen table, so don't forget it. See you after school - or after your club." Agent Fowler said hurriedly, as he exited the bathroom and entered the hallway where Elena was standing. "Dad. What's going on? I know there's only one thing that could be so urgent. It's Decepticons, isn't it?" Elena asked smartly, an impatient, no-nonsense expression on her face. Elena's father sighed in both disappointment of her catching on so fast, and the fact that he was wasting time. "Yes. But you'll have to be filled in later. I really need to leave honey." Elena then watched as her father grabbed his car keys and dashed out the door.

After she got herself ready for school, Elena caught the bus to school; which she detested due to its constant chaotic atmosphere, which she wouldn't have minded so much if the other kids weren't so loud. Finally, the Bumblebee-colored School Bus arrived at Memorial High School, where Elena promptly exited, and walked onto the school campus. As Elena entered the school building, she made her way through the halls; where she met up with Miko and Raf, who were walking to the Biology classroom; though Miko was practically being dragged by Raf. Miko's hope was rekindled when she saw Elena walk up to her and Raf. "Elena! Good thing you're here! I need you to convince Raf here that I'm allergic to sciency stuff." Miko said with her usual perky voice. Elena playfully rolled her eyes at Miko's plea, "Nice to see you too, Miko." she said enthusiastically, "Hey Raf." "Hey Elena. Did you get the study sheets that I emailed to you for the pop quiz today?" Raf asked politely. "Yes. I read up on them a couple nights ago. Thanks for sending them, I don't know what I would of done without them." Elena replied kindly. "No problem." Raf replied, "Can you help me get Miko into the classroom?" "Sure." Elena replied, then grabbed a hold of Miko's hand and dragged Miko into the classroom along with Raf's help. "No! You'll never take me alive!" Miko shouted in protest as she was taken into the classroom, and the door was closed behind her; ending her escape plans for good. "Traitor." Miko sneered at Elena as she took a seat at her desk. Elena shrugged innocently before taking her seat, deliberately trying to avoid eye-contact with Miko.

Throughout Elena's classes, all she could think about was what her father had told her before he had left the house previously that morning. The thought of a Decepticon attack was both thrilling and terrifying to think about. What if her father was attacked by one? What was she supposed to do then? All Elena could do was pray to the Lord for her father's safety and keep her composure. After school, Elena met up with Jack, Miko, and Raf out on the stairs of the school entrance. She deliberately sat down next to Miko, who was farthest from Jack (whom she was not yet ready to speak to yet), and placed her desert-tan camouflage backpack, which was laden with heavy textbooks, on the step level she was at. "So, how about that Biology test huh?" Elena asked. "I still can't believe you betrayed me by dragging me in there." Miko said derisively, her pink-tipped twin-puffball buns bouncing as she turned her head away in anger. After Miko's comment, Elena's eyes went to Jack, who was sitting next to Raf, and had an uneasy expression on his face. Elena turned her gaze back away from Jack, as did he, and all four of them sat on the steps in awkward silence. Raf and Miko looked at each other and shared a confused glance as they noticed the awkwardness between Jack and Elena. It was the sound of car-horns honking that finally broke the discomforted silence. Elena and the others' attention was immediately drawn to the curbside, where Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead pulled up in their vehicle forms. Elena grabbed her backpack, and followed everyone as they all rushed over to the curb.

As Miko and Raf hopped inside of Bulkhead and Bumblebee, Elena felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see Jack with an anxious expression on his face. "Elena, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said the other night. And -" "Its okay." Elena said, interrupting Jack before he finished his sentence. "What?" Jack asked in confused surprise. "I know that you were just worried about me. And I know that Optimus told my dad about what happened." Elena replied. "He did? Elena, I'm sorry." Jack replied apologetically. "Why are you sorry for that? It's not like you can control what a three-story tall robot says." Elena said positively. "Oh. Well then, do you.. need a ride to base? I don't see Wheel -" Before Jack could finish his sentence, the sound of an engine revving echoed through the parking lot; drawing Elena and Jack's attention. As Wheeljack pulled up in his sports car vehicle mode, Elena was surprised and overjoyed to see her guardian again, seeing as she hadn't seen him in a little while. "I guess not." Jack said, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "See you later, Jack." Elena said as she walked over to Wheeljack. "Later? You're not going to the base?" Jack asked in a perplexed tone, as he walked over to Elena, who was buckling her seatbelt in Wheeljack. "Oh, I'll be at base later. Right now Wheeljack's going to take me to his ship, the Jackhammer. Going to work on the flying controls." Elena said cheerfully and a slight hint of mischief in her tone. "Alright then. I'll see you later." Jack replied, his mind beginning to wonder what Elena meant by, 'work on the flying controls'." "Don't worry kid. I'll bring her back in one piece." Wheeljack chimed in, before starting his engine and driving away.

Elena and Wheeljack arrived at the site where the Jackhammer was, and they were soon inside of it. "So, exactly how am I supposed to fly this thing?" Elena asked inquisitively, as she and Wheeljack walked into the cockpit of the ship, "It wasn't exactly easy last time." Wheeljack chuckled in amusement and looked down at Elena. "Don't worry sport, I made a few adjustments to the steering consol to fit your…smaller physique." Wheeljack pressed a few of the plethora of multi-colored buttons on the dashboard. After he pressed the final button, a human sized steering consol appeared out of the main steering consol and stretched down to the pilot's seat at human-sitting level. "All yours." Wheeljack said, extending his arm in invitation towards the pilot seat. Elena eagerly climbed onto the seat, with some help from Wheeljack, and began investigating the steering consol curiously. "Are you serious?" she asked in excitement. Wheeljack nodded, then sat down in the front passenger seat across form the pilot's seat. "Now, I assume you know how to get this baby off the ground?" he asked. "I think I remember. Let me see.." Elena replied as her hand hovered over the different holographic touch-screen buttons on the steering consol. "I think it was this one." she said as her hand pressed against a green button with what appeared to be an arrow pointing upwards on it. The ship gave a sudden jolt, as the engine began to whir as it started up. Elena turned to Wheeljack to make sure that was a good sound, and not a bad one. Wheeljack returned a positive glance which reassured Elena that she was doing this right.

Given new confidence, Elena grabbed a hold of the steering consol and pushed down on it slowly, which caused the ship to slowly rise into the air. "I'm doing it!" Elena exclaimed happily, thrilled by her accomplishment. "This isn't even the best part. Wait until we're actually in the clouds, thousands of feet in the air." Wheeljack said enthusiastically. "Thousands of feet?!" Elena exclaimed uneasily. "Oh come on you did it before! I think if you can fly the Jackhammer thousands of feet in the sky, while dodging a barrage of Insecticon fire, I think you can handle this." Wheeljack said, scoffing at Elena's nervousness. "Well that was pure adrenaline." Elena replied. "Trust me, you'll be fine." Wheeljack replied calmly. Elena took a deep breath, and pushed forward on the steering consol, steering the ship away from the cliffs that shielded the ship. Elena then pushed down on the consol, slowly flying the ship higher and higher into the sky. Once the ship was high in the cloud cover, Elena began to enjoy relax and enjoy herself a little, and Wheeljack could tell as he noticed a smile creep across Elena's face. "See? I told you so." he said cheerfully. Suddenly, Elena was overcome with pure joy, and she expressed it by jerking the steering consol sharply, sending the Jackhammer into a quick 360 degree spin. Wheeljack was surprised by the sudden stunt, but soon relaxed and chuckled joyously at Elena's sudden burst of boldness. "That's the spirit!" he chortled. Elena smiled at Wheeljack's words of encouragement, and unexpectedly pulled on the steering consol, causing the ship to perform a back flip. "Let's see how fast this thing can really go." Elena said daringly, as her hand found the thruster control button and pressed it, sending the ship rocketing through the sky.

After a few hours had passed by, Wheeljack had suggested that they land so he could refuel the ship. With the aspect of the ship running out of fuel mid-flight, Elena agreed with Wheeljack's suggestion and steered the ship back to the mesa. Elena slowly lowered the ship under the cliff, where it was mostly hidden by the rock face and successfully set the ship down on the ground. "I've gotta say that you're a natural pilot, Elena. Especially considering that you're a human." Wheeljack said. "Thanks." Elena replied, a proud smile evident on her face. "I bet your Dad would freak if he found out you flew the Jackhammer. Right?" Wheeljack jeered. Her Dad! How could she have forgotten about him!? "Yeah, he totally would." Elena said bluntly, trying to keep herself calm. "Hey Wheeljack. Could I you give me a ride to base? I told Jack that I'd be there later." Wheeljack looked at Elena. "Sure, but I'd think it'd be a lot easier if I just called Ratchet and asked him to open a bridge." Wheeljack replied. Elena looked at Wheeljack curiously. "You don't feel like driving today? And we have a new Autobot who just joined the team." she asked. "A newbie huh? I'll have to meet him. But for now I have to refuel the Jackhammer, and they're expecting you at the base, not me. Plus, I don't think the team really likes me." Wheeljack replied complacently before placing one of his hands to his com-link. "Ratchet, I need a bridge back to base for Elena." "Understood." Ratchet replied over the com-link. Wheeljack looked back at Elena with a slight smirk on his faceplate. "Don't worry Sport. I'll catch you later." he said kindly. Elena's attention was redirected as a ground bridge opened behind her. "Catch you later then." she said half-heartedly, before walking through the ground bridge.

Once Elena had exited the ground bridge, she was greeted to the familiar sound of Optimus and Ratchet discussing a crisis. She looked at the ground bridge controls to see Optimus and Ratchet discussing the problem in a most serious manner, and she was taken aback when she turned her head to see Miko excitedly pop up in front of her. "Elena! Guess what?!" she asked excitedly. "Uh…what?" Elena asked in confusion. "Remember Breakdown? The con that's Bulkhead's mortal enemy? Well he's back! I can't wait for a major rematch, one that Bulkhead's gonna totally win!" Miko replied, even more excitedly and energetically then before. "So that's the Decepticon that attacked the military base?" Elena asked curiously. "Yep. Though you don't have to worry about your Dad." Miko replied. "Why?" Elena asked suspiciously. "He's over there!" Miko replied as she pointed towards the second story ledge next to Ratchet and Optimus. Elena looked and saw her dad standing on the ledge talking to Optimus and Ratchet. Thank God he's alright, Elena thought. She made her way over to the staircase so she could get in on the conversation from a better vantage point. Elena climbed up the stairs and stood next to her father, who quickly took notice of her, but continued to listen to Optimus as he spoke to him. "…we must prevent the Decepticons from obtaining the codes to Project Damocles." "I don't mean to be rude but, what's Project Damocles?" Elena asked. "Project Damocles is a satellite-based weapon built by Leland Bishop, also known as Silas; that when activated, fires an extremely powerful energy beam at the chosen target. With pinpoint accuracy." Elena's father explained. "And now the cons have it. Great." Elena replied sarcastically. "So what are we supposed to do?" "You, Elena Alexandra Fowler, will stay here at base while Prime and the other Autobots will secure the warehouse where the codes are stored." Elena's father replied sternly. Elena's expression of curiosity soon turned to an expression of discontent, and with a swift and sudden turn, she walked down the stairs. Optimus briefly looked at Elena and then at Elena's father with a confused expression and lift of the optic ridge, before returning to the previous discussion with Ratchet and Agent Fowler.

Elena sharply walked over to the wall across from the ground bridge controls which Arcee was leaning against, and heatedly leaned against the wall with her arms folded over her chest. Arcee looked down at Elena. "Have to stay in the base?" she asked perceptively. "Yeah." Elena replied, with a bitter sharpness in her voice. "How'd you know?" "I know that look." Arcee replied. "Don't worry, they'll be other missions to go on." "Like my dad will let me go on a mission that involves action or danger." Elena replied sarcastically. "Who knows, he can't keep an eye on you every second." Arcee said with a slight tone of mischief in her voice. With her statement, Arcee pushed away from the wall and walked over to Optimus and Ratchet to join the conversation. Elena's gaze was redirected towards the couch, where Jack and Miko were resting on, as they listened to the ongoing conversation about Project Damocles. She noticed however, that Raf was missing from the trio. Curious, and not having anything else to occupy herself with, Elena walked over to the couch. "Hey Jack, where's Raf?" she asked. "He's grounded." Jack replied. "Are you kidding me? Raf is grounded?" Elena replied in sarcastic shock. "I know right? Guess Raf got an A- instead of an A+." Miko said in a chirpy tone. "Well that's something new. I guess he'll miss out on any action too." Elena replied in a downcast tone. Jack opened his mouth to say something, but stopped as Smokescreen stepped in-between him and Elena. "Hey Elena." Smokescreen said in a chipper tone. "Hey Smoke." Elena replied, trying to force her lips into a smile. "I just finished studying all the Wreckers' battles. I didn't know Bulkhead and the other Wreckers were in so many tight scrapes! They kicked so much Decepticon tailpipe in the days of the war." Smokescreen said excitedly. "The Wreckers huh? Well then, you should know that I'm an official Wrecker." Elena replied proudly. "What?! You can't be a Wrecker, you're a.. a human." Smokescreen replied in shock. "Yeah Elena. How can you be a Wrecker? I thought only Cybertronians could join." Jack asked in confusion. "Well according to Wheeljack, I'm an official member of the Wreckers. And so is Miko." Elena said. "Wait..Wheeljack? As in..the Wheeljack who took on a hundred Decepticons and blew them all sky high with a single grenade!?" Smokescreen asked in giddy surprise. "So I'm told. I piloted his ship and dodged a swarm of Insecticons that were on our tail, while he blew them up with a case of grenades that he exploded with his canons." Elena said confidently. "That's so cool! You've gotta let me meet him sometime." Smokescreen gushed. "I'll see what I can do." Elena replied smugly.

A short while later, Agent Fowler had ordered the evacuation from the warehouse, though to his surprise, they had already evacuated. "Strange." Elena's father said. "What is it, Agent Fowler?" Optimus asked in curiosity. "I ordered all personnel at the warehouse to evacuate, but it seems they already have." Agent Fowler replied. "Why would all of the humans evacuated if you didn't give the order?" Ratchet asked impatiently. "I'm not sure." Agent Fowler replied, "Prime, I think you and your team should head out to the warehouse now. Something doesn't seem right." "Very well, Agent Fowler." Optimus said. "Autobots! Roll out!" Ratchet activated the ground bridge with a pull of the lever, causing the familiar portal of green light to appear in the bridge. "alright! I'm ready to pound some new dents into those cons! Let's roll!" Bulkhead said harshly, pounding his fists together as he spoke. "I have not yet cleared you for active duty, Bulkhead. Nor are you ready to roll." Ratchet protested, causing Bulkhead to moan in displeasure. Optimus walked through the ground bridge, along with Arcee, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen, leaving only Jack, Miko, Elena, Bulkhead, Elena's father, and Ratchet in the base. Elena remained positioned against the wall, thinking about how useless she was feeling being stuck at base. Jack noticed Elena's displeased expression, and hesitantly got up from his seat on the couch and approached her. "Hey, don't worry Elena. I'm sure you'll get to go out on another mission soon." he said bashfully, "Honestly I didn't think you'd be so eager to rush into another crazy Decepticon battle." Elena looked at Jack slowly, trying to contain her anger while at the same time being civil to him. "I guess you're right. I just don't like being left here at base like a third wheel. It makes me feel useless and weak." Elena replied. "Tell me about it." Bulkhead added in. "I've been out of action longer than I'd like, and I'm itching to pound some Decepticon tailpipe." "When you get better Bulk, you'll be smashing cons left and right even better than before!" Miko said eagerly.

Elena and the others had barely had a moment of quiet before the communication link activated. An image of Optimus's profile appeared on the communications screen. "The Decepticons have preceded us!" Optimus said. Everyone was slightly surprised by the news, but not completely, seeing as the Decepticons always are quick. "The Decepticons are already there?" Jack asked. "It would appear so. But how could they have gotten there without causing an uproar from the humans on site?" Ratchet replied. "That's' it!" Elena exclaimed. "What is?" Jack asked curiously. "Earlier you said that the base had already been evacuated, right?" Elena asked her father. "Yes." Elena's father replied. "Maybe the Decepticons somehow used an evacuation recording to trick the personnel at the base into leaving. That's why they were already gone!" Elena explained energetically. "But how could they do that?" Miko asked. "Soundwave." Jack said bluntly. "Who?" Elena asked. "A Decepticon who specializes in surveillance and reconnaissance. He's also what you might call the 'hacker' of the Decepticons." Ratchet explained. "Ratchet, we require backup!" Optimus exclaimed over the communication link. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to the communication screen. "I'm there!" Bulkhead stated as he pounded his fists together in anticipation. Ratchet scoffed and placed a defiant hand on Bulkhead's shoulder. "Can you remotely disable Project Damocles under Agent Fowler's advisement?" Optimus asked. "On a human-based computer network? Without my backup? Without Rafael?!" Ratchet exclaimed in doubt. "We could just bridge to his house, couldn't we?" Elena asked. "Indeed you could." Ratchet said in a pleased tone before turning to Agent Fowler. "Agent Fowler, I will bridge you and the children into Rafael's home. You must have him disable Project Damocles before it is too late." "Understood, Doc." Agent Fowler replied. "Finally I'll be able to help somehow." Elena muttered to herself as she and the others walked into the ground bridge. Elena, Jack, Miko, and Elena's father walked through the ground bridge to come into a small bedroom. In front of them was the back of Rafael, who was busy studying on his computer. As the ground bridge closed, Rafael noticed their presence and whipped around quickly in surprise. "What are you guys doing here?!" he exclaimed in shock as he jumped out of his chair. "Son, your planet needs you." Elena's father said as he handed Rafael the folder containing the information on Project Damocles. Rafael looked at it curiously, before hesitantly taking it out of Agent Fowler's hand. "Alright, but you guys have to be quiet."

Rafael quickly typed away on his computer with speed and precision that Elena had never witnessed before; not even by the hundreds of computer analysts and experts she had seen in military bases. Suddenly, a screen of Project Damocles appeared on Rafael's computer. "I'm in, but I can't reach the targeting systems. Too many firewalls." Rafael said, before returning to typing away on his computer. "Come on son! If the Cons get that interface code, they'll light up the skies twenty-four-seven." Elena's father exclaimed. "You can do it, Raf!" Miko said encouragingly. "Let them have the code. It won't do them any good without the satellite." Rafael replied confidently. "I can't say I follow you." Elena's father said bluntly. "All satellites have maneuvering thrusters, so they can adjust their orbits. If I can break into the satellite's sub-routine, I can bring the whole satellite down." Rafael said as he looked through the Project Damocles folder. "So all you have to do is hack into the satellite's maneuvering thrusters and you can crash the satellite?" Elena asked. "Yes, but I have to get in first." Rafael replied. "Great!" Elena's father exclaimed. "Now, which way's the bathroom?" Jack, Elena, and Miko all turned around and looked at Agent Fowler. "Are you serious, Dad?" Elena asked in aversion. "What!?" Rafael exclaimed, turning around in his chair to face Agent Fowler. "No. If my mom sees you -" "Relax. I trained in Covert Ops." Agent Fowler said calmly. "I don't care if you were trained by a ninja. My mom has eyes in the back of YOUR head!" Elena could barely suppress a giggle at Rafael's comment. Seeing her father's face was all too amusing. Elena stood by the window and leaned against the wall near it. Rafael was busy typing away on the keyboard, and her father had just slipped outside on a dangerous mission to find the bathroom. She glanced out the window and looked up at the star-covered night sky, wondering where and how far away the Damocles satellite could be. Elena looked back towards the room. Jack and Miko were circled around Rafael as he continued to work furiously on his computer, occasionally looking back to the folder for more information. Suddenly, Elena heard the sound of tires screeching and quickly looked outside; though Jack, Miko, and Rafael didn't respond, seeing as they were wrapped up in the task at hand. Elena peered outside the window to see a large blue jeep-like vehicle parked outside in the street, with a glowing yellow cannon attached to the roof. Just as she was about to sound off, a familiar green jeep slammed into the blue vehicle; overturning it and pushing it along the street, and out of Elena's line of sight. "Guys!" she exclaimed. "Shh!" Jack, Miko, and Rafael shushed Elena, before returning their focus onto the computer. Elena rolled her eyes before grabbing her cell phone and dialed a number.

Bulkhead had pushed the blue Decepticon into an irrigation ditch, and transformed in mid-air, landing on his feet on the hard concrete below. The blue Decepticon transformed and landed across from Bulkhead. "Been a long time since I've seen you Breakdown. Where've you been?" Bulkhead asked in a taunting voice. "Be patient. I'm about to send you there." the blue Decepticon replied smugly. A wave of realization hit Bulkhead as he realized that wasn't Breakdown's voice. "You're not Breakdown!" he exclaimed. "but you are Bulkhead, and this is the last time you'll interfere with one of my operations." the blue Decepticon replied. "Silas." Bulkhead said in angry realization. "In the flesh. In a manner of speaking." Silas replied before transforming his right hand into a giant hammer. He then charged at Bulkhead, who in turn, transformed his right hand into a mace-like fist and charged at Silas. The two exchanged blow after blow; both landing painful blows on each other, one after the other. Silas slammed his hammer against Bulkhead's faceplate, stunning him before he landed another devastating blow to the jaw-hinge which sent Bulkhead reeling back. Bulkhead recovered and looked up at Silas, who mockingly taunted Bulkhead by signaling with his left hand to bring it on. Bulkhead filled with anger and charged at Silas again.

Smokescreen was in his vehicle mode driving around the edge of the warehouse. The Damocles satellite had not fired in a while, and he had a clear shot at the warehouse. "I've got a clear shot!" he exclaimed before hitting the gas and accelerating towards the warehouse. Suddenly, a beam of orange light blasted down right in front of Smokescreen, causing him to immediately turn around and park away from it. "Scratch that." he said in a defeated tone. All of a sudden, Smokescreen got an incoming call over his com-link. "Hello?" he asked in a perplexed tone. "Hey Smoke, it's Elena." Elena replied. "Elena? Why are you calling me?" Smokescreen asked. "I need a favor, it's important." Elena replied. "I'm a little busy right now." he said as he maneuvered away from the Damocles satellite's fire. "Just listen to me. I'm at Rafael's house and I need an assist." Elena replied in a serious tone. "An assist? What for?" Smokescreen asked curiously. "Bulkhead's facing off against a Decepticon, and I think he might use some help. Plus, you can't get into that warehouse until Raf disables the satellite." Elena replied. "Understood, miss." Smokescreen replied before ending the call. Realizing that the call had ended, Elena put her phone away in one of the pockets in her jeans. Did he just call me 'miss'? Elena thought to herself, curious and confused by Smokescreen's kind word. Suddenly, Rafael exclaimed in frustration. "Where did they hide the sub-strain?" Rafael said in an irritated tone.

As the battle continued, Bulkhead was losing steam and energy fast. He swung his mace-fist at Silas weakly, in a desperate attempt to keep fighting. "You're reaction time is slow." Silas said, dodging another one of Bulkhead's blows. "You're favoring your right side." Silas said as he easily avoided another blow from Bulkhead, who had stopped throwing blows and was struggling to stay on his feet. Silas looked at Bulkhead with a menacing grin. "Legs are weak." he said as Bulkhead came at him with an attempted blow. Silas easily dodged Bulkhead's attack and knocked him back with a combination of powerful blows. Bulkhead skidded across the concrete for hundreds of feet before coming to a complete stop. He was too weak and beaten to stand up, and remained facing down on the ground as Silas walked up to him. "You should've stayed in bed, Autobot." Silas said evilly as he raised his hammer for the final blow. The sound of tires screeching caught Silas's attention. As he looked in the direction of the sound, he was taken by surprise as he was kicked in the face by Smokescreen, and was thrown back a small distance away. Bulkhead looked up to see Smokescreen standing above him. "Assist. What the new guy's for." Smokescreen said as he offered his hand to Bulkhead. Bulkhead took Smokescreen's hand and was quickly helped onto his feet. Smokescreen and Bulkhead looked back to Silas and were surprised to see him standing right next to them. "One new guy to another: This is your final day on the job." he said cockily before shouting a battle cry and charging at them. Silas brought his hammer down, but missed as Bulkhead and Smokescreen dodged, his hammer slamming into the concrete.

Back in Rafael's house, everyone was on edge as Rafael was making progress. "I'm almost there." Rafael said as he typed away. Elena. Jack, and Miko looked at the screen curiously as an image of the targeting system moved away from the Autobots. "Raf, rock on! It's moving!" Miko exclaimed in excitement. "Um, that isn't me." Rafael replied worriedly. "Then the Decepticons are?" Elena asked. "Um, guys. That's Jasper." Jack said in a worried tone. "Ooh! I can see my host-parents house!" Miko shouted elatedly, causing everyone to look at her disdainfully. Everyone looked back at the computer screen to see the targeting system of the satellite continue to move over Jasper. The target stopped over a house and locked on. "And I can see my house. Right in their target sight!" Rafael exclaimed. Elena's expression turned to shock as she and everyone else realized that the Damocles satellite was right above them. "Anytime, son!" Agent Fowler said as he tried to keep his composure. "Full thruster burn!" Rafael shouted as he furiously typed away on the keyboard, pressing the "Enter" button within seconds. Elena watched anxiously as the target sight on screen quickly moved away from Rafael's house. Everyone shouted in joy at Rafael's accomplishment. Jack, Elena and Elena's father jumped in the air happily, and Miko fist bumped the air before quickly and happily hugging Rafael. Elena was surprised when Jack embraced Elena and hugged her as they leapt. Jack quickly realized what he was doing and released Elena from his embrace and they both awkwardly turned away from each other. "Um.." Elena mumbled. "Yeah…sorry." Jack said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Oh no, it's my mom!" Rafael exclaimed in shock. "Hurry, everyone get down!" "How will that help?" Elena asked. "Just.. Quick! Everyone grab one of my textbooks and open them like you're reading them." Rafael ordered. "Me? Read a textbook? As if." Miko said in defiance. "Just do it!" Rafael, Jack, and Elena exclaimed. "Miko scoffed before quickly grabbed a textbook and opening it. "Rafael Jorge Gonzales Esquivel!" an angry female voice shouted from outside Rafael's room. Just as Miko opened the book, the door to the room opened, and Rafael's mother walked in. "What are you doing in here?" she asked. Elena looked at Rafael's mother, she was calmly smiling on the outside, but she was praying on the inside. "Study group." Rafael replied calmly.

In the irrigation ditch, the battle between Smokescreen, Bulkhead, and Silas continued as Bulkhead pounded Silas with a barrage of fist-blows to the lower torso. The force of the blows caused Silas to turn in the other direction, where he was greeted by a jump-kick to the chest by Smokescreen, and was sent reeling head-over-heels back against the hard concrete. Silas pushed himself up with his hands weakly, and looked at Smokescreen and Bulkhead. "Silas. Return to base immediately." Megatron ordered him over the com-link. Silas grimaced, then activated his blaster on his shoulder and fired a missile at Smokescreen and Bulkhead. They managed to dodge the missile, which created a cloud of fire and shrapnel, and by the time they looked back at Silas, he was running away into the Decepticon's ground bridge. As it closed, Bulkhead and Smokescreen heard a roaring sound and looked up into the night sky to see a flaming object burning up in the sky. "looks like someone's big plan just burned up in re-entry." Bulkhead said smugly, before exchanging a high-five bump combo with Smokescreen. "And for the record. I studied every one of the Wreckers' battles." Smokescreen said with a grin. "There's hope for you yet, newbie." Bulkhead replied.

Elena was amazed at how they all had managed to avoid getting fried by Project Damocles and barely escaped the wrath of Rafael's mother in the same day. Elena, Jack, Miko, and her father finished their "Study group" and left Rafael's house. Rafael's mother, though described as terrifying by Rafael, was quite hospitable to Elena and the others, even inviting everyone to stay for dinner. Jack and Miko explained that they couldn't stay, and were soon picked up by Arcee and Bulkhead. Elena and her father however were hungry from a long day's work of saving the planet and took up Rafael's mother on her offer. After dinner was finished, Elena and her father said goodbye to Rafael and his mother and left the house. "I'll call for pickup." Elena's father said. "Wait Dad. I'm calling Wheeljack, I might be able to get us a ride from him." Elena said. "There's no way in Sam Hill that I'm riding with that crazy bot!" Elena's father said. Elena's father's words went unheard as Elena was already in the middle of making a call to Wheeljack, but only received an automated recorded message. "Who knew alien robots had voice mail?" she said to herself. "Come again?" Elena's father asked. "Looks like we'll just have to wait for your ride." Elena answered. "I don't think so." a cheerful voice said. Elena turned around to see Smokescreen pull up to the curb. "I can give you guys a lift home." "Thanks Smoke." Elena said kindly, before turning around to her father. "Come on Dad. Ever ride in a race car before?" "No, and I don't plan to." he replied. "Aw come on, Fowler. Live a little." Smokescreen said, joining in on the conversation. "Even if you did give us a ride, we're in another state. That would take at least a day of nonstop driving, and I plan on getting home tonight." Elena's father replied scornfully. "I'll have Ratchet bridge us to Jasper. I'll drive you guys home from there." Smokescreen replied. Elena turned to her father with big eyes. "Please Dad? It'll be fun." she pleaded. Elena's father looked at Elena then at Smokescreen. He sighed. "Alright. But if he does any fancy turns or goes over the speed limit-" "Yes! Thanks Dad!" Elena exclaimed, giving her father a quick hug before dashing away towards Smokescreen, who opened the front passenger door for her. Elena quickly hopped in and buckled up, as her father slowly made his way to the driver's side, which Smokescreen opened his door. Elena's father sat down in the driver's seat and buckled up. "Here we go." Smokescreen said before hitting the gas and driving down the street. The sudden acceleration caught Elena's father off guard, and his eyes opened wide with shock as he gripped the sides of his seat tightly. "Whoo-hoo!" Elena shouted with enjoyment as Smokescreen accelerated. The ground bridge that Smokescreen had sent for opened in the middle of the street, which Smokescreen drove through, landing Smokescreen, Elena, and Agent Fowler on the empty desert roads of Jasper, Nevada. "I told you to drive the speed limit!" Elena's father shouted. "There's no speed limit when there's an empty road!" Smokescreen shouted as he sped down the empty road towards town.