Recap: Wasp came to Bumblebee's rescue, but they didn't really have an escape. A Wrecker sent by Sentinel, Wheeljack, came in and saved their afts... sort of. Now they've been captured and are off to face justice for real this time.

Bumblebee looked over at Wasp, trying to give him a reassuring smile. He was pretty sure that the only thing he managed was a half-hearted grimace. "We'll be fine," he said, trying to convince both his brother and himself. But he had no idea what Sentinel might have planned for them.

Wheeljack slowed the ship, confusing both twins. He answered a comm. message, but was too quiet for either of them to hear what was said. The ship stopped and turned.

"Look's like Sentinel came all the way to your little planet to pick you up." The Wrecker laughed a little. "Don't know why. I heard he hated this place."

"He probably wants to see the look on Prime's face when he carts us off," Bumblebee muttered. "Those two hate each other."

"Yeah, I can see it," Wheeljack agreed. "Looks like you get to see your friends one last time before you get sent to the big house."

Bumblebee's frame sagged. This would be the last time he'd see Sari. He didn't even want to imagine what this whole thing was doing to the kid, and what she might go through after he was sent off. "Yeah..." he muttered. "Whoopee..."

Wasp reached over and grabbed Bumblebee's wrist, since the yellow bot's servos were still locked up. Wheeljack hadn't bothered to cuff them, since they had nowhere to go, and he could easily overpower them both at once if they tried to take control of his ship. "Thank you, Bumblebot," the green twin said softly.

Blue optics met purple in confusion. "But we both got captured." He sighed. "Guess this whole running thing didn't matter, huh?"

Wasp shook his helm. "What Bumblebot do mean lots to Wasp," he said. "Bumblebot save Wasp from Waspinator. Bumblebot try to help Wasp escape, even when Bumblebot could clear Bumblebot's name."

"Hey, what're brothers for?" Bumblebee asked, able to properly form a smile this time.

"Alright, if you two are going to get all mushy, could you at least do it quietly? You're gonna make me sick," Wheeljack commented, half-joking. Bumblebee rolled his optics and Wasp managed a laugh.

X

A few hours later, they were in Detroit, landing in front of the old factory the Autobots on Earth considered their base. Waiting for them were Optimus, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Prowl, Sari, Jazz, the jet twins, a very fragged off looking Smokescreen, and Sentinel Prime himself.

Wheeljack pulled both twins up and held each by the arm, leading them off the ship.

"Good work, Wheeljack," the blue Autobot said with a nod.

"Wheeljack?" Bulkhead asked. "You brought in a Wrecker?"

"Who told you about the Wreckers?" Jazz asked, curious. They were a team of operatives that were supposedly only known to the Elite Guard.

"I did," Wheeljack said with a shrug, letting go of Wasp and Bumblebee once he was satisfied they wouldn't try running off. "We go way back."

"Okay, this is a story I need to know," Bumblebee commented before receiving glares from every bot present.

"Unfortunately, Bumblebee, I doubt you'll be around to hear that story," Prowl pointed out. "You've both been charged with high treason."

"High treason?" Bumblebee asked, incredulous. "That's a little excessive, don't you think?"

"Helping a convicted traitor and dangerous fugitive escape is a serious offense," Sentinel stated. "Now get going." He motioned to the Elite Guard ship. "Before I have to make you."

Wasp looked at Bumblebee nervously. He didn't want to go back. Bumblebee was looking around at everyone else, probably trying to judge his ability to escape. His entire frame sagged as he realized how slim his chances were, especially unarmed. Literally.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get you out of this, Wasp..." he whispered as he slowly began walking toward the ship. "You know, I think Ultra Magnus would've at least heard us out or given us a fair trial."

"Yeah?" Sentinel sneered. "Well, he isn't here, or in any state to hear your lame excuses."

Jazz removed his servo from his audio with a small smile. "I'd rethink that statement if I were you," he said. "Guess who came back online?"

Sentinel's optics widened as Jazz withdrew a small projection device from his subspace and pointed it at the ship for a good screen. He pushed a button and the image of Ultra Magnus appeared, looking a bit weak, but still online. Jazz turned on his speakers to project the comm. frequency he was getting.

"Sentinel Prime," he began, addressing his temporary replacement.

"Sir!" he replied, standing at attention. All other Autobots did the same, except Bumblebee and Wasp, who still stood there like the convicted criminals they apparently were.

"I understand that you have been attempting to capture Wasp for some time now," Ultra Magnus began.

"Yes, Sir," the Prime replied. "He knows something about the Decepticon plot, so—"

"He is not the traitor," Ultra Magnus continued, "and he has been in the stockades far too long to have acquired any Decepticon knowledge."

Sentinel paused. "But he assaulted multiple Elite Guard forces in his escape!" he defended.

"Hey! Wasp was scared, and there was no way he was going back to prison!" Bumblebee argued. "And I wasn't going to let you do it, either!"

Sentinel glared before turning back to the Autobot leader's projected image. "And Bumblebee assaulted Jazz and locked Smokescreen in his own stasis cuffs! He should at least be detained for that!"

There was a pause before Sari stepped forward. "Okay, I don't know a lot about how all this works, and I'm sorry if this is completely out of line, but Bee was just looking out for his brother." Ultra Magnus looked down at her. "I may just be some techno-organic kid on Earth, but Bee is one of my best friends, and I know him. He wouldn't do something like that unless he had to."

Bulkhead stared at Sari for a moment before taking a deep intake. "Ultra Magnus, Sir, Sari's right. I don't think either of them should get locked up. At least, not without some kind of trial."

"Please," Bumblebee begged.

Ultra Magnus nodded. "You will be pardoned for these charges." He offered a soft, rare smile. "I understand the need to protect a sibling." His face drew back into a stoic mask. "There is, however, still the matter of Wasp's escape from prison, as well as evading arrest. He may be innocent of his previous charges, but he has still committed punishable crimes."

Bumblebee took a step forward. "I'm begging you, Sir, please... Don't put Wasp back in the stockades. It screwed him up enough already. I don't even want to think about what going back will do to him." A thought occurred to him. "Couldn't he stay here? On Earth, with us?" He looked back at the rest of the team, hoping they would back him on this. They looked thoughtful, but didn't object, so he took that as a good sign.

Ultra Magnus pondered the proposal for a moment. "Very well," he finally agreed. "Wasp will remain on Earth with you and your team. I trust you to keep a close optic on his behaviors." The leader looked back to Optimus. "And Optimus Prime, I trust you to keep a close optic on them both."

"Yes, Sir," Optimus said with a quick nod.

Wasp stared at the other Autobots before turning his gaze to Ultra Magnus. He stepped forward. "Thank you," he said. "Wasp very grateful."

"Do not make me regret my decision," Ultra Magnus said. The projection turned off, and Jazz put the device in his subspace, turning off his speakers.

Sentinel sputtered angrily. He couldn't believe they were getting of so easily!

"Come on, Sentinel, let's get going before you crash your processor, huh?" Jazz suggested.

"Fine," he muttered. "At least I'll be off this filthy organic planet."

Jetfire and Jetstorm smiled at Wasp and Bumblebee. "We are glad we are not having to arrest you," Jetstorm said.

Jetfire nodded in agreement. "Twins must stay together."

"Thanks, guys," Bumblebee replied with a soft smile in return.

Smokescreen walked over. "You know, I'm still fragged about the whole stasis cuffs thing, but I think we're even now." He glanced down at Bumblebee's locked servos.

"Guess so," he replied. "You've got some pretty fast moves. If you're even back on the planet, look me up. We could race, and you can see how fast I am without being really fragging tired."

Smokescreen laughed. "I might take you up on that," he answered before jogging to the ship.

Wheeljack was standing with Bulkhead. "It was nice to see ya, Bulk," he began. "Keep in touch, huh?"

"I'll try," the green bot replied as his old friend headed to his own ship.

"You really do need to tell us how you know a Wrecker sometime," Ratchet commented.

Sari ran over to Bumblebee. "I'm glad that's over with," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, me too," her best friend agreed. "Well, now that we're all back on friendly terms, Sari, this is Wasp. Wasp, meet Sari. She's my best friend."

Sari looked at the green bot, thinking. She was still miffed that he had caused all this, but at the same time, she could tell it made Bumblebee ecstatic to have his brother back. She'd give him a chance. "Nice to meet you," she said with a smile.

Wasp smiled back. "Nice to meet you," he replied.

X

"Honestly, kid, I don't understand how you get yourself into these things," Ratchet said, shaking his head. He had his electric generators out, focusing acutely on Bumblebee's wrists. The young bot was finally getting his servos unlocked.

"Just lucky, I guess," he said with a shrug.

"Hold still!"

Wasp laughed at his brother, watching from a seat by the door.

"Hey, Wasp," Optimus said, causing the green bot to look up. "Come here for a second."

Was, confused, stood and approached him, slightly wary. "What Bluebot want...?" he asked slowly.

"Jazz left you something," he said, earning a confused look. He pulled something out of his subspace. "Once Ratchet's done with Bumblebee, he can get to work getting this on you."

In the Prime's servo was an Autobot emblem.

Yep. That's it for Bugs on the Run. So, Wasp is a part of Team Prime, so all's well that ends well, right? But wait, something seems off. Did I miss something?

Don't worry. There's a sequel on the way called 'At the End of the Solar Cycle'. (Though I do have a few things I have to work on that have become priority. But don't worry, I won't forget about this none!) But until then:

See ya on the flipside~ Elisa out~