Chapter 1-Experimentation

(A/N: This fic is inspired by Rise of the Predacons by Forsaken Darklost. Its one of my favorite fics ever! This will be different from his, but the idea is the same with a few differences, and you will see them in future chapters when things heat up. GO READ RISE OF THE PREDACONS! IT IS AWESOME!)

(Cue Transformers G1 Movie Unicron Melody)

The lab was bathed in darkness, lights blinking on and off every few seconds from lab equipment, computers, and other advanced systems in the large base of operations. A lone figure was working in for several hours and was standing in front of a large tube with a dark living breathing mass inside of it.

Well...standing wasn't really the most appropriate term to describe the figure, but rather the figure was hovering using micro suspension energy flux stabilizers that projected the body off the ground, and in front of the large tube. The large tube in front of the figure was currently filled with yellowy suspension liquid made to hold scientific specimens in a living, yet preserved state.

This particular specimen in the tube was alive, breathing, and currently asleep with various cords connected to its body. The figure looking at specimen moved over to a computer consol not that far away and activated the record button on the terminal to start one of many journal entries logged regarding this experiment.

(End Unicron Intro)

"Journal Entry #29383: I am living in the second seasonal cycle on this planet called Earth. My time on this planet has once again proven to reveal itself to be a remarkable place to inhabit since my arrival here over a millennium ago. Only recently not that long ago have I discovered this planet is no ordinary planet, but rather Unicron in a new form, and has recently been awakened before being put back into stasis. The actions of Unicron resurfacing and return to stasis has caused many things to happen that I have found to be intriguing. First, dark energon has emerged on this planet during his awakening, a large majority of the material was harvested by the Decepticons, and their leader Megatron. Second, normal energon deposits have long since doubled in the process since he was forced back into stasis. My theory is that they were all created surprisingly by Unicron, but for some reason yet unknown these energon deposits failed to become its darker counterpart. Third, the humans on this planet, which have proven to be a useful intriguing species to study, and experiment has produced a remarkable specimen for me to work with. I have already begun altering his genetic makeup, his body is no longer that of a human, but something else closer of Cybertronian design, and yet unique at the same time. For so long, I have strived to bring about the perfect servant to us, and take our revenge on those descended from our first two creations," replied the robotic voice, as the figure's thin tentacle like limbs went to other parts of the terminal, hitting buttons, and pulling levers with the systems around the specimen coming alive.

The specimen awoke from its slumber.

"Where am I? Who are you?" asked the entity in the large tube in a dark rumbling voice while looking at the strange oval shaped robotic form currently hovering barely a foot off the ground.

"Interesting. You do not remember me?" questioned the hovering robot with specimen in the tube currently in fetal position shook its head no.

"My memories of distant. Shattered. No sense of time," answered the creature honestly while the robotic creatures face transformed into a new face.

"The specimen's mind is nearly a blank slate. As projected when we first started," said a different melodic male voice coming from the robot before it transformed again into another kind of face.

"All of his technorganic parts have nearly reached full maturity. Scans show sign of a functioning T-Cog and the ability to transform into an alternate vehicle mode," said a third robotic voice that was raspy before the face transformed yet again.

"Curious and intriguing. This T-Cog is different then the usual kind. It is not designed to scan for a vehicle mode," replied the fourth voice before scanning the specimen over to fully understand its components.

"What am I? What have you done to me?" asked the curious creature in the tube, as he could not see himself, or what he had become.

"You are an experiment. One of many, but the only successful one we have had to date," replied the robot before a fifth face appeared.

"Time for sleep. We still have much to do before we can be let you out," replied the fifth voice, as a thin tentacle hit a button the consol, and within moments the specimen's eyes dimmed before going to sleep.

"That went better then expected," said the first voice after the robot changed its face from the fifth to the first before changing again to the second.

"Indeed. He has no true memory of his past or what he once was before our Sharkticons helped in retrieving him," said the second voice before the face changed to the third.

"What of his former allies? Do they suspect anything? If they learn about what we've done before we're ready..." came the third voice with a hint of fury and caution before his face went to the fourth.

"There is nothing to fear from the Autobots. They will never suspect one of their trusted allies is one of our loyal servants and a spy for our cause. Remember, they surround themselves with human technology, and even the Autobot Medic's own scanners will not be able to reveal the difference," answered the fourth voice before the fifth one spoke.

"Besides, they are currently dealing with the Decepticons, and the hunt for the Iakon relics scattered throughout this planet. By the time we play our hand and reveal ourselves to them...," added the fifth voice before the face changed to the first one.

"It will be too late," finished the first voice before it began laughing.

Before transforming into the other four faces with each one laughing at the evil intentions being let out from the sound of the laughter.

(Autobot Base-One Week Later)

"How bad is it Ratchet?" asked Jack with Ratchet sighing at the state Bulkhead was in while going over the Wrecker with his scanners.

"Not good Jack. I've done everything in my power to help Bulkhead survive his ordeal, but his exposure to that Tox-En, and his fight with the Insecticon over it have put his body under heavy strain. I was lucky to even revive him after all the abuse he suffered during the mission. We are fortunate that Bulkhead is stubborn like Wheeljack and that his strength lies with his physical abilities over that of mental ones," answered Ratchet while working on Bulkhead yet again.

"How long until he recovers? Or should I even ask?" asked Jack with Ratchet letting out a sound and looked down at him.

"Bulkhead has a very slim chance of awakening from this Jack and even less of making a full recovery from his injuries. While I would like to be optimistic about this situation, I have seen too many Autobots fall during the war, and few have ever recovered from their own near fatal injuries," answered Ratchet with Jack sighing and rubbing his head.

"Its probably for the best Miko didn't hear you say that Ratchet. She'd probably take her guitar and throw it at you," remarked Jack with Ratchet scowling at him.

"Its not Miko's temper that concerns me, but rather Wheeljack's, and his Wrecker style way of doing things without approval from those higher-up in command," countered Ratchet before he looked around and noticed Wheeljack wasn't there.

Oh scrap.

"Something wrong?" asked Jack, as he looked around to see what Ratchet was looking for, and didn't see it.

"Wheeljack isn't here. That dumb slagging glitch faced moron! He went to pick a fight with the Decepticons and the Insecticon that did this to Bulkhead!" exclaimed Ratchet angrily while Jack backed up away from him.

"How can you tell?" asked Jack with Ratchet letting out a growl.

"Because that's what all Wreckers do when one of their own gets hit hard like this. They have always done things like this since the war and I doubt Wheeljack has changed in that regard. It was those kind of actions from a Wrecker that did more harm then good!" answered Ratchet with Jack looking concerned now.

"Good thing Miko isn't here or else she might have snuck on board his ship to get her own bit of revenge," added Jack with a chuckle while Ratchet simply nodded in full agreement before they froze in thought and looked at each other before they both sighed in defeated.

"She went with him," said Ratchet and Jack at the same time.

"Do you want to contact her? Or should I and convince her to come back to base?" asked Jack with Ratchet shaking his head.

"You can try. I have to work on Bulkhead and help speed up his recovery with what tools I have at my disposal. With one Autobot down, the hunt for any further relics could turn in Megatron's favor," answered Ratchet while going back to working on Bulkhead's form.

"I'll leave you to it and give you the necessary privacy while I call Optimus to let him know what's going on," said Jack before walking out of the area to a different part of the silo.

"At least one of them is kind of enough to do that," whispered Ratchet knowing few did give him the space needed to work.

However, Ratchet failed to see Jack's one eye glow red when it was covered in a shadow he walked under when leaving the main area of the base, and headed for the bathroom meant for males only.

(Unknown Location-2 Hours Later)

"Journal Entry #29578: Subject's body has reached full maturity, all internal organs that once ate organic food have been completely altered to devour energon, and his memories of the past are still scattered. To ensure our test subject has no loyalty to the Autobots, we've scanned his memories prior to our altering of his human body, and uploaded only the ones where the Autobots have been somewhat hostile to him. While rare, we can use these memories against the Autobots, and those among the group that would try to convince him to return. Several of these memories are more impacting then others, but each one holds value in driving our specimen away from the Autobots. We have also enforced that the Decepticons are not to be trusted and used plenty of Megatron's past actions from what our test subject has seen to further enforce that point across," said the figure recording his journal entry before the face transformed.

Out of all the different human specimens they had acquired over the centuries for study, this one was the most promising of test subjects they collected, and he was without question the key to their revenge. Past test subjects would either reject what was done to them or their bodies would change into something else entire that resulted in some of them escaping into the world. Each one a failure and later found dead due to their bodies being unable to sustain themselves for long outside of the lab. But this one was unique, advanced even from what it determined from the genetic samples of their experiment acquired before taking their prize out from the nose of the Autobots. Indeed, this subject was proving to be a remarkable find that could not be found on this planet, and would not be found for another couple of centuries.

A beeping sound on another terminal drew the creature's attention away from its thoughts on the current achievements acquired from the past few Months experimenting on this test subject and soon hovered over to the communication terminal.

"Master, I have an update regarding the situation at the Autobot base," came a voice that was distorted and scrambled to prevent identification.

You never know who might be trying to listen in on their conversation.

"What do you have to report?" asked the robotic figure now speaking in a raspy voice.

"The Autobots are down one of their own. He was badly injured fighting an Insecticon and is being treated by the Autobot Medic as we speak. Their is a strong chance the Wrecker may die from his injuries. The other Autobots and their human allies have long since left the base for energon scouting runs. The other Wrecker named Wheeljack has left to get revenge on the Decepticons and the Insecticon responsible for his friend's near death situation. The tools I need are at the ready and awaiting your orders," replied the scrambled voice.

"Excellent news. The time to begin the next phase of the plan has arrived for us and come sooner then expected. Proceed with the next part of the plan JX2. Free her from the stasis pod and then ensure she knows to come here," ordered the robotic squid like figure.

"My target has history with...him. She will no doubt try to terminate me upon eye contact before I can provide the necessary coordinates," said JX2 with hesitation in his voice.

"Yes. Given her past behavior, I calculate there is a ninety percent chance our target will lash out, and destroy your body. Nevertheless, you will do everything in your power to ensure she comes to us. Is that clear JX2?" commanded JX2's Master.

"Yes. I understand Master. I will proceed with the next phase of the plan. JX2 out!" said JX2 before the line went dead.

"Sharkticons, prepare for our future guest. Ensure we are ready and should she try to do anything hostile like last time," commanded the robotic squid figure with the Sharkticons nearby nodding dumbly before setting out to do their assigned task.

(Autobot Base)

JX2 closed the communication system built into his palm and let out a sigh even though he didn't have to sigh. The only reason JX2 sighed was because the being that he was modeled after would have sighed in his place and acted like the human would due to his brainwaves being copies of the original to further make his actions more realistic. His Master had acquired a sample of the original's blood and made a synthetic version of it to fool even the Autobot Medic's own scanners along with the base's own sensors to avoid possible detection.

But now it seemed that the deception was coming to an end. A shame really since JX2 was starting to like his life among the Autobots and humans around him.

"Jack! Jack are you okay?" came the concerned voice of a young boy by the name of Raf from outside the bathroom.

"Yeah Raf. Just some food that didn't agree with me. You know how my Mom is with organic tofu," replied JX2 using one of the memories of Jack eating organic tofu and how his stomach disagreed with him later on.

"Okay. Just wanted to let you know Miko is heading back to base with Wheeljack. They took down the Insecticon that injured Bulkhead," said Raf with JX2 grimacing since he didn't expect anyone to get back so suddenly.

He would need to act fast.

"That's great! I'm glad they both made it back in one piece. Go and greet them when they come in. I'll be out shortly," said JX2 while sensing the young boy nod and rush off to do just that.

Letting out another sigh, JX2 waited another minute, and then opened the door to the bathroom before heading for his intended destination.

Airachnid's stasis pod.

"Wheeljack, what you did was reckless, and with Miko added to the mix its a miracle the two of you weren't destroyed by the Insecticons," scolded Ratchet with Optimus and the others watching.

"What was I suppose to do Doc? Let the Cons get a free pass? Bulkhead is my friend and a fellow Wrecker. Wreckers don't leave one of our own to suffer when taking hits like that," said Wheeljack with Ratchet scoffing at his response.

"Besides, we got the jerk that took down Bulkhead, and sent a message to Megatron to not cross us like that again!" added Miko with Ratchet gritting his metallic teeth.

"Unfortunately Miko, I fear that Megatron did not receive the intended message, as the other Insecticons you encountered will no doubt report to him of your involvement, and he will now take human kind more seriously in terms of being a threat," replied Optimus with the others looking at him now.

"You think he would do that now? I've seen the way he looked at the children when he was here. If anything, Megatron looked at them with annoyance, and not worth his time with the exception of Jack," said Arcee while Raf was mocked more then admired by the Decepticon Warlord.

"Megatron will see this as a wound to the Decepticon cause and his own pride in letting a species he deems inferior land such a powerful blow to his forces. His retaliation upon the human race will be swift and merciless to anyone caught in the crosshairs," replied Optimus gravely with the others not liking that one bit.

"I'm just glad Jack was able to call Optimus regarding this situation with the Insecticons and what you two did," stated Ratchet with Optimus frowning in confusion and so did the others.

"Uh...Ratchet, Optimus didn't get a call from Jack," said Arcee since she would know on account of her being on the scouting mission with the Prime.

"What? But Jack said he would call Optimus while I was working on healing Bulkhead!" countered Ratchet before everyone looked around and found the boy was not with them.

"Jack? Jack where are you? Jack!" called Arcee and looked at the Prime now frowning with worry.

"He was in the bathroom earlier, but was going to be out soon," explained Raf, but even the boy genius knew that Jack should have been here by now, and was getting worried.

"Ratchet, check the security cameras for Jack's current location here at the base," ordered Optimus with Ratchet going to the main consol and bringing up the security camera that were all over the base.

"What in the name of Primus?! What is Jack doing?" questioned Ratchet after finding Jack's location and zoomed to show Jack was where they kept the Iakon relics acquired by them so far.

And where Airachnid's stasis pod was located.

"Let's find out," replied Optimus before he and the others headed toward Jack's location to get answers.

(Iakon Relic Storage Area-Few Minutes Earlier)

JX2 quietly opened up the door holding Airachnid's stasis pod, the memories Jack had of his interactions with the Spider Bot suddenly manifesting themselves for a brief second, but were quickly squashed, and focused on the task at hand. His Master's orders were clear regarding this particular Decepticon and that she was to be freed from her current prison right away. Why JX2's Master wanted Airachnid free from the stasis pod and then have her visit him at the secret base was beyond him. But JX2 knew it wasn't his place to question the Master and was programmed to obey no matter what.

Even if it meant JX2's annihilation.

"Time to get to work," said JX2 before he took the blow torch he had acquired and put a protective facial helmet over his face before getting to work on the stasis pod.

JX2 he needed to act fast. While he was sure the others wouldn't miss his presence, JX2 also knew that there was a chance Ratchet would mention him calling Optimus about the situation with the rogue Wrecker taking Miko to get revenge on the Insecticon. Once it was confirmed that Optimus was never called and his presence not being there apparent to them all...they would come searching for him.

By that point, the ruse would truly be over, and the truth unraveled. His time was short in more then one way and had to make it count in order to carry out his Master's plan.

"Jack! What are you doing? Get away from Airachnid's stasis pod!" called out Ratchet, as the sounds of the Autobot, and the others with him made themselves known to JX2.

The fake Jack grimaced, as his time table had not gone as planned, and ignored the group heading his way knowing he only needed to cause a minimum amount of damage to the stasis pod in the corner section to force an emergency release. According to his Master, it was a failsafe for all stasis pods in the event they landed near lava, or anything else that would result in killing the Cybertronian sealed away. How his Master knew this, JX2 didn't know, and didn't ask since it wasn't his place to know these things much less ask others about them from those who did.

"Jack! Step away from Airachnid's stasis pod! Now!" commanded Optimus, his weapons now drawn, and the others had done the same in the event the boy succeeded in freeing the Spider Bot from her prison.

"I can't do that Optimus," replied JX2 in a sad tone while hearing the sound of their guns charging with energon in weapon form and knew they were getting closer.

"And why is that?" asked Arcee while feeling hurt and betrayed by her partner that he would do this.

"For one...I'm not the person you think I am Arcee," answered JX2 while he didn't stop his work before seeing the crack in the corner spot, turned off the torch, and then picked up the sledgehammer on the ground next to him.

And swung it with all his inhuman strength he was told to hold back until this point with the damage to the stasis pod after five harsh swings being enough to cause an emergency deactivation. The stasis pod soon retracted into itself while Airachnid came to the land of the living and that of conscious thought. She looked around to see what had befallen her before looking down at the sight of her human prey, which brought shock to her optics, and was soon replaced by pure joy.

"My Jack!" exclaimed Airachnid, as she quickly grabbed JX2, and held him close to her face plate before walking out of her prison cell within a cell to see the Autobots currently aiming their weapons at her.

"Surrender Airachnid and put Jack down," ordered Optimus with Airachnid smirking at him and then at Arcee.

"Why should I? So you can restrain me further like Arcee did with that stasis pod. Not a bad plan Arcee. Shame it didn't last very long. Now your partner is going to pay for it with his life like all the others before him," replied Airachnid gleefully with Arcee now growling at her.

"You so much as cause a single bruise to his body...," threatened Arcee with Airachnid letting out a cruel chuckle.

"What? You plan to kill me? You keep threatening me with that Arcee, but every time the opportunity knocks...you ignore it!" mocked Airachnid before turning her head to look at what she was assumed was Jack.

"You don't want to terminate me...at least not yet," said JX2 with Airachnid looking at him with a raised metallic eyebrow.

"Oh?! And why is that my dear sweet Jack?" asked Airachnid before she saw his eyes glow with a hint of red in them.

"For one...I'm not Jack," answered JX2 before a beam of energy shot from his eyes and into her own much the shock of everyone seeing it for the span of 2.5 seconds that the beam of light was visible.

"I see. Thank you for sharing that information with me. You serve your Master well," stated Airachnid with a hint of respect in her voice much to the confusion of the Autobots watching her.

"Its what I do," replied JX2 with Airachnid smirking at him.

"No. Its what you did!" corrected Airachnid before crushed him in her hand, his blood spraying all it, the walls, and the floor with Arcee watching everything like it was in slow motion.

"JACK!" yelled Arcee in horror with Airachnid turning to face her arch nemesis and threw the mangled body of JX2 at her.

"Catch him if you can Arcee. Maybe you can stabilize him if your Medic works fast!" mocked Airachnid before tunneled herself deeper underground knowing she needed to get out of the confined space and to the surface to transform into her alt mode.

While this happened, Arcee moved quickly to catch the boy's body, his mangled form seemed to linger in midair in an almost mocking fashion to her optics, and dived for the form that she believed was her partner. A dive that proved to be successful in the end, as she did catch him, but upon looking at his form could only see the horror that it had now become after being crushed by Airachnid, and soon had Ratchet hovering over her to see his remains.

"Bumblebee! Wheeljack! We need to get outside and stop Airachnid from taking off to whatever location she intends to hide. If she were to make contact with Megatron, the base's location could be revealed to him, and divert his attention away from her," said Optimus with the other leaving Arcee and Ratchet to look at the remains of what they assumed was their friend.

"Jack...why? Why did you do it?" whispered Arcee with her optics filled with only sorrow.

"Arcee...that's not Jack," whispered Ratchet before he was suddenly hit in the face by a now enraged femme Autobot.

"Don't you dare say that to me again!" exclaimed Arcee with Ratchet rubbing the side of his face.

"I may not like saying it to you Arcee, but my scanners were able to confirm it before your fist hit my face. That's not Jack at all," replied Ratchet with Arcee looking at him and then the mangled body in her hand.

"What is it then? What am I holding?" demanded Arcee with Ratchet looking at her with a grim look.

"An android. A robotic body with fake synthetic skin, flesh, and blood designed to fool even those closest to Jack. Mainly us, the children, and even his Mother if my theory on this is indeed correct," answered Ratchet with Arcee looking at him in horror.

"His Mother? June! You don't think she is...?" questioned Arcee with Ratchet shaking his head no.

"If Mrs. Darby was an android like this fake Jack, then she would be here helping free Airachnid from the stasis pod, and suffer the same fate as the android version of Jack," replied Ratchet with Arcee nodding.

"All the same, we should make sure. Just to be safe," said Arcee with Ratchet nodding knowing if Jack had been replaced by an android without them knowing any of the other human allies they had could be androids too.

There was no telling who else was not what they appeared.

(Unknown Location)

The creature stirred within its preservation tube, the thin metallic tube connected to its body feeding him nutrients that would promote full body maximum potential in terms of size, strength, and eventually combat efficiency. Its system processor was in the final stage of formatting, what shattered memories were stabilized for watching became accessible, and the creature did just that.

Your not my partner! Your a kid! You are here because this was suppose to be no risk!

Her words hurt him deeply. Yet he wasn't injured or showed any physical wounds. Why did it hurt to hear those words?

Get this through your head Jack, you're not my partner. You are a liability!

Jack? What that its name? Why was he so...small? Puny?

How could you use Bumblebee for your own personal gain?! And for what? To impress some girl by racing? She only likes you because of your motorcycle. Which just happens to be me! Do you know how close you came to being a prisoner on Megatron's ship? Knock Out was known for ripping into Autobots during the Great War and wouldn't have problems ripping you apart to see what makes you tick!

Again with the lecture from the angry blue femme? For what? Something to do with racing? It made no sense.

More images appeared of the other Autobots. The orange and white one seemed to have a chip on his shoulders all the time. The yellow and black one was more energetic. The all green and rounded Autobot clearly had anger issues while having a protective nature for the human girl he drove around.

Dude! You're not a chef. You're a rock star!

Rock star? What was that?! The creature then saw the same human girl running through a portal his mind instantly told him was Ground Bridge and it seemed there was always trouble on the other side of the portal. The girl seemed to love it. Crave it even! And what was he doing during all of this? Running after her. Calling out for the girl, this "Miko" from what he remembered calling her to come back, and saving the foolish human from being killed while the Autobots fought the Decepticons.

And how was he rewarded? With scolding! And Miko? Nothing! No look of disapproval. No frown of disappointment in poor judgment. She just made this pouty face and all was forgiven. It wasn't fair!

The specimen in the tube stirred almost violently for the first time since its awakening and let out a brief growl from deep within its throat. Its creator turning slightly to look at him for a moment with a curious expression on one of its five faces and personalities before going back to its worktable.

I mean it Jack. You have to be more responsible. Your grades are slipping and your boss at work says you've been late several times!

Another argument. It seems everyone around him was being judgmental and scolding. This one seemed...familiar. Someone he had known for most of its life before being what it was now. She had clearly been a main influence in his life, but why was she being so mean now in this memory? What grades? What job? Who was his boss there?

The creature stirred more in its forced slumber though more in discomfort then rage and more memories around the current one manifested themselves. Images of him working at a "fast food joint" called Knock Out Burgers. Images of humans his apparent age or around his age laughing at him for having such a demeaning job while they got to hang out and have fun. The creature recalled a time when he wished to be like them. Happy. Free to do what they wished rather then being caged like some animal or exotic pet to mocked by others. He yearned for more! He wanted more!

Surprisingly, the images vanished to another one where he was encountering a dangerous femme in dark plating with purplish lines running down the body structure. The optics were the same purple color and she had a soothing voice that was melodic when talking to him. The creature calmed itself at the memories of this Decepticon (if the symbol on her chest plating was anything to go by) and rather then be completely terrified at the sight of her through the memories his processor was showing...it was actually soothing.

She was a predator. She hunted. She stalked. She killed her prey with great finesse while a few messy kills existed here or there. It didn't matter. This femme was good at what she did and it was making him feel something deep within his Spark begin to pulse.

"Curious. His Spark's heartbeat has suddenly doubled," remarked the squid like robot creature while examining his specimen.

What could his specimen be thinking about in his stasis nap?

(With Airachnid)

The Spider Bot was laughing in her alt mode with vicious glee with a sadistic joy that went down deep all the way to her Spark at the sight of seeing Arcee's expression of horror when the foolish Autobot femme believe Jack had been killed. It was even sweeter knowing she gave Prime and the others the slip once outside of their base. A good piece of information to have should she get into a bind that required a trade in exchange for the needed maneuvering room to escape. As for the Autobots, by the time they even realized that the Jack she had slain wasn't the real one, Airachnid herself was going to be long gone, and away from her various enemies.

The last part ended the laughter however, as the reality of the situation she was now in had finally hit home, and Airachnid realized her current dilemma. On one hand, she could go back to Megatron, hoping he wouldn't try to scrap her, and forgive the Spider Bot for sending all those Insecticons after him. Fat chance of that happening. Second, she could lay low on her own, digging for energon like a lowly creature, and wait for the Autobots or Decepticons to find her. She had more pride in herself then that! And then there was the third option presented to her via the android that looked like her Jack. The beam of red light was actually triple encrypted information that only her processor had the means of decrypting on account of her mind having the only cipher for it. But should she return to her creator? Could she? The pain she went through all those Mega Cycles ago were almost too much for her mind to handle even now. The only reason Airachnid was even partially sane right now instead of completely insane (a big difference when you think about it) was because she had channeled her anger, rage, and hatred for what had become of her body toward the Autobots during the Great War. But where else could she go? The information the android sent her also provided a set of coordinates to follow and where to enter the hidden base of the one that made her body the ruthless hunting machine it was today.

What's more, the thing that had...remade her just prior to the war had apparently had key information on where her Jack was, and promised him to Airachnid upon coming to the lab. The message also stated that it was important she return to him in order for the not so good scientist to finish what he had started before her...protest when she awoke to find herself in spidery form back when the Great War first began.

With her options limited, she decided to go to the one that made her into Airachnid, and let the mad scientist finish what he started Mega Cycles ago.

She would return to the Quintesson.

(Autobot Base)

No one could imagine what they were seeing on the operating table. The Autobots, the two remaining children, June, and Agent Fowler were all present for this after a series of test done by Ratchet to confirm the humans with them were in fact human. None of their human charges could hide their surprise at seeing the remains of the android that they had all assumed was Jack before they were told what happened. June was horrified knowing her only son had been replaced by an android and she never even noticed it. Aside from her job at the hospital, she saw her son every chance possible, even more now after being brought into the secret alien war Jack had been dragged into Months prior to M.E.C.H. having forced the Fates to make certain things aware to the once naive woman.

Not that far from June, the Autobot femme Arcee was silently trying to process what she had witnessed back in the Iakon relic storage unit with Airachnid crushing the android version of Jack, and wondering where the real Jack was. The only possible answer to the question was the boy, her partner, and friend was kidnapped by an unknown party.

At first, Arcee along with Ratchet suspected the Decepticons, but Optimus stated that Megatron would have attacked them long before now, and the android would never have made the attempt to free Airachnid. The Prime concluded another foe was currently at work, lurking in the shadows, gathering what resources were needed, and was waiting to strike with everything needed to obtain absolute victory.

Which was why Agent Fowler was looking for other potential bases that could be used to house the Autobots while staying the state of Nevada. Fortunately, there were several other locations in Nevada desert that were perfect to use, and just needed to get the all clear from his superiors on the possible choices for the Autobots to take up residents.

"How could Jack be replaced by an android without us knowing? Shouldn't we have seen the signs? I mean...wouldn't he be all twitchy and learning impaired when interacting with us?" questioned Miko with Ratchet sighing and mumbling something in their native tongue.

"Miko surprisingly has a point. This android acted exactly like Jack and we don't even know how long Jack's been missing," added Arcee with June wincing and holding back tears that wanted to fall down her face.

"Not necessarily. This is a highly advance android made with Cybertronian technology that I believe far exceeds what Megatron has on his warship. This android was designed specifically to look, act, react, and interact as Jack would if he were here with us...with the exception of him freeing Airachnid from her prison," said Ratchet when June and Arcee gave him a glare to say that last part.

"You said this was Cybertron technology. Only Megatron has access to that kind of tech on his ship. Why aren't we assuming he's had a hand in this?" asked Wheeljack curiously.

"Megatron did seem to dislike Jack when they saw each other before we went into the Unicron's Spark chamber," added Arcee while shuddering at the idea of what could be happening to Jack on Megatron's Warship.

"For one, the Nemesis has yet to be detected remotely near our base for some time. Two, Megatron would not hesitate to gloat over capturing Jack, and make sure we knew he was in agonizing pain. Since neither is the case, we can only assume, and hope that Jackson is indeed alive...and healthy," replied Optimus with the others nodding though it was clear they weren't thinking all positive thoughts.

"How do we even find Jack? Or Airachnid? Why did this android free her? Who made this thing?!" Arcee demanded angrily before punching the wall nearest to her form.

"Can't we put part of him together and get answers? Like that one classic movie where the android went crazy and they plugged him back in to get answers?" asked Miko since she recalled a horror movie back during her parents time that did really well and had a similar problem with an android.

Now if only she could remember the name!

"We could try that. Though I would advice caution in case there is some kind of failsafe implanted in the android we can't detect to make it explode," answered Ratchet, as he began working on patching up the android's head to the rest of its body.

"We have to take the risk. For Jack's sake," said Arcee with Ratchet finishing his patch job and almost instantly the android awakened though slowly.

"Hello everyone. Its good to see you all again...despite the current circumstances," said JX2 before he let out a sheepish chuckle.

"Who do you serve?" asked Optimus with JX2's face sporting a sad smile.

"I regret that part of my programming prevents me from revealing information about my Master to you. He anticipated this might happen to me after I set Airachnid free. I can't even tell you what kind of species he hails from," answered JX2 with Ratchet muttering something about failsafe programs.

"What can you tell us?" asked Arcee with JX2 smiling at her now.

"That I was meant to get close. Just like Jack could. My Master made sure I acted like Jack in every single way. From personality, to recalling memories, his reactions, and even being able to eat organic food. Incidentally I would advise June to cut back on serving the organic tofu. Even my own systems that were design to handle digesting organic things humans eat was heavily strained," answered JX2 with June blushing slightly in embarrassment.

"She'll keep that in mind. What about Jack? Where is he?" demanded Arcee while she gave the android a heated glare.

"With my Master," answered JX2 with the others looking uneasy.

"Why did your Master take him?" asked Optimus while seeing JX2 tilt his dislocated head towards the Prime.

"I do not know. I was not told such things by my Master," replied JX2 with June's face getting increasingly worried while Miko walked up to JX2 with a scowl on her face.

"Come on! You have to know something. All androids know something useful and you know something. So spill it already!" exclaimed Miko with JX2 just letting out a small chuckle with synthetic blood leaking from the side of his mouth.

"You watch too many movies Miko. This is not a movie. I'm sorry I can't be much help to you. Believe me when I say I wish to help you. Sadly, while I do have Jack's brainwave patterns, and personality...I am bound overall by the programming of my Master. Even if I wanted to point you in the right direction like Jack no doubt would in my place...I can't disobey," replied JX2 sadly with Optimus nodding.

"What did you send to Airachnid with that beam?" asked Arcee with Jack looking at her.

"I want to tell you Arcee. I want to tell you because I know Jack would tell you. But I cannot. Again, its all part of my programming," replied JX2 with Arcee's optics softening a bit.

"Come on! Give us something! Anything! Like when you were created? Or when did Jack get kidnapped and you took his place?" demanded Miko with JX2 thinking for a moment.

"That question I can surprisingly answer for you. It was around the time the United States Government began to question whether Optimus Prime had gone rogue before it was discovered that M.E.C.H. was responsible for the various incidents in their attempt to discredit all of you. I recall my instructions being given the very day Jack was taken by my Master, at his part-time job after work, and Arcee was out on an energon scouting mission with the others. Optimus was in disguise at the military base where Agent Fowler was giving his report on the recent events that led to that meeting in the first place. My Master is very through in his work when it comes to monitoring you all," replied JX2 with the others looking unnerved by this.

"That meeting with General Bryce was Months ago! How did you act like Jack would so quickly?" demanded Agent Fowler with Ratchet sighing.

"As I explained to you before Agent Fowler, this android was designed to act just as Jack would in our presence, and considering it has a copy of his brainwaves leading up to that point...it didn't have to try very hard," said Ratchet with Fowler looking at him and then at JX2.

"Ratchet is correct. For now, our best bet is to find a way to track Airachnid, and find her before Megatron notices her sudden return. Wherever she is going, it is possible that our mysterious enemy will be there too, and hopefully with Jack," stated Optimus with JX2 smiling at him.

"That's the spirit. If its not too much trouble...could you deactivate me? I'm too mangled to be repaired and even if I was...I'll never be at the top of my game. End me," requested JX2 with the looks from the others being showing they were shocked and surprised by it.

"Are you sure? We could put your mind in a computer or something," offered Raf with JX2 letting out a chuckle.

"Thanks Raf. You're every bit the friend Jack knows you would be if he were here in my place. Sadly, I'm on borrowed time as it is, and my mind will be of no further use to you in the next two minutes," answered JX2 with the shock appearing on everyone's faces.

"Why is that?" questioned Ratchet curiously.

"Because of a program built into me to terminate my mind should I ever be reactivated upon being put in the state similar to what I'm in now. From what I've been able to see with the program's function...its going to hurt me...a lot!" answered JX2 before looking over at June with a sad smile.

"That's why you want us to finish you off. So the program wouldn't do it in our place," said June with JX2 smile increasing.

"Yes. I may go offline one way or another, but if its all the same to the rest of you...I'd rather not die in agonizing mental pain. You have less then ten seconds," replied JX2 with Ratchet moving to pull the plug and after pausing for just a moment...disconnected the necessary nodes that connected the android's head to the rest of his body.

"What do we do now Optimus?" asked Arcee with Optimus Prime thinking for a brief moment.

"Ratchet, see if you can find any clues within the android's remains while Arcee scan's for Airachnid's signature. Agent Fowler, you must inform you superiors that this base has been compromised, and we are in need of a new one," commanded Optimus knowing what needed to be done.

"Already on it Prime. Each potential base has the necessary shielding and even additional space to house any additional Autobots that come around. Along with their ships and toys though the space for those things are a bit tight," replied Fowler with Optimus nodding and turning to a worried Arcee.

"Optimus, this foe that has Jack...why did he just take him, and not the others? Why not contact the Cons and tell them where we live? Why free Airachnid? It makes no sense!" said Arcee with Optimus nodding.

"It may seem like that at first Arcee, but I believe the purpose behind this new aggressor reaches beyond the conflict between Autobot, and Decepticons into a realm beyond our understanding," answered Optimus with Arcee hating how cryptic he would get with his responses.

"Optimus, if you want, I can take the Jack Hammer, and fly around the planet to increase the chances of running into the crazy spider," offered Wheeljack with Optimus shaking his head no.

"Our energon supply is low as it can possibly be Wheeljack. Your ship while impressive in its armaments and flight will require more energon when refueling then all of us put together. We will need you and your ship at the ready with enough fuel to last in a fight should it be needed," replied Optimus with Wheeljack nodding.

"I understand. A secret weapon to fight the Cons in the air should you need air support when the time counts. No problem," replied Wheeljack, as he looked over at a downed Bulkhead, and frowned knowing his buddy was in such a state.

(With Airachnid)

She stopped halfway to the coordinates, landing in a deserted area, still in her alt mode to think for a moment, and Airachnid used this time to properly process what could happen when she got to the base with the Quintesson waiting for her. She knew he would have his small army of Sharkticons at the ready, waiting to strike if given the order. And why shouldn't they? They were dangerous yet stupid. Mindless drones that served their Master because it was in their programming just like the Insecticons she commanded only they acted in a hive minded form.

Wait! The Insecticons? Of course! How could she be so stupid?! They were alive and active...under Megatron's command. Scrap! Wait! The link between her and them was still active. In fact, the stasis pod only weakened the link, but never turned it off, and all she needed to do was call upon them like before to meet her at the Quintesson's base of operations. They could even the numbers in fighting off the Sharkticons should she need them in the event her barbaric scientist responsible for her reformatted spidery form she now possessed tried anything lethal.

'We didn't exactly leave on good terms. If anything, that glitch of a squid might try to alter my programming to make me his obedient slave like the Sharkticons, but slightly higher in the intelligence level, and yet stupid enough to march to my death. I can't have that. Not with Jack possibly being there for me to run my servos through and then give to Arcee while keeping the head for myself,' thought Airachnid before she used the weak link with the Insecticons and began to reach out to them before taking off once more in the event that five faced scrap of a glitch head was monitoring her movements.

(Quintesson Lab)

The being in the tube, which concluded upon access to the memories that its name was Jack, opened its eyes to see the squid like creature working on a terminal, speaking into a microphone system, and recording something into it. A journal perhaps for scientific purposes? Or something else entirely? Whatever it was, Jack felt something was off about this creature, he disliked him for some reason, and had the sudden urge to be violent. Not knowing where it was coming from, Jack stomped on the feelings he felt, telling himself to wait for the proper moment to use them, and just watch his creator for now. But what to do since then? Count the other creatures that were different from his creator, yet all looked all the same? Boring. Been there and done that. As he looked over at the terminal the squid like robot creature left, Jack got a crazy idea, and decided to act on it.

'Raf would be proud,' thought Jack before he jerked back at the mention of the boy and frowned for a moment at why that name sounded familiar before shaking it off to carry out his plan.

Acting as discreetly as possible or as possible as he could since he had never done this before today, Jack used his processor to access the database in the lab, and called up the journal entries within. It wasn't hard to access them surprisingly, as his creator didn't really think it was necessary to guard his findings from his past experiments on account of the only one accessing them would be him, and didn't anticipate any unwarranted access. With his eyes now closed, Jack focused on the entry that was being brought up, and playing within his mind.

Journal Entry # 14958: I have just arrived sometime on this planet to study the primitive species that dwells here. My first impression of the species upon observing them is that they are mindless, violent, and easily provoked over the smallest matters. They horde, they fight, and betray each other for what they want. They form governments to retrain the chaos around them and provide stability only to be cast down or altered from the wars they start with each other. It should be interesting to see how far they will go before wiping themselves out.

Journal Entry #16789: the species which have been called humans are more fascinating then I first suspected. They have advanced themselves quickly through war and are fast learners when it comes to military tactics. They make alliances with each other, only to break them later, and lash out in such violent ways. While their individual lifespan are relatively small, a fraction compared to my own, and those of Cybertronian origin they make up for it by moving themselves increasingly fast to make up for it.

Journal Entry #16854: my continued observations of the human race has shown me what I already know, as they spiral out of control into chaos despite their pitiful attempts at controlling, or stopping their species from wiping itself out. They have gone from swords to guns. Arrows to cannons and missiles From the organic creatures they call horses to mechanical vehicles for transportation with the goal in mind for their advancement being to kill each other.

Journal Entry #17973: the human race continues to intrigue me with the level of violence they are willing to unleash on themselves. I've collected quite a few specimens since my own arrival to this planet, its energon supply being more then enough to sustain me, and my experiments on them. The genetic code of the human race his highly complex, which I find ironic considering the species itself is primitive by nature, and act in such a simple manner. Their organs are the same way as I learned from my examination of a male human specimen after he tried to escape and had to be...put down before my examination began. Their brains are impressive as well, scans show that the human brains are only working at ten percent at most. The rest of the mind seems locked however, as making attempts to awaken it has resulted in...violent reactions, and the specimens dying soon after. Forced evolution is clearly not possible at this stage.

Journal Entry #23238: my research up until now has stalled due to the humans I have examined in my experiments not showing any potential for the grand plan I wish to start with this species. None of the current test subjects I have used are able to bond with the CNA I injected into them and their bodies have rejected new genetic strains despite initial tests that their bodies hold the potential to do just that. However, I am quite intrigue by one such human, who upon recent chaotic events has had interaction with the Autobots, and has now joined their group in battling the Decepticons. I will watch him with great interest and see just how much potential this human male possesses.

Journal Entry #23403: my own scanners have shown me the boy is indeed different from the usual humans and shows much promise for future experimentations. After acquiring some of his genetic material from the medical station at the education building the human male attends. The human male was sent there when he got into a fight with another male named Vince, an unimpressive human, who at best symbolizes the possible devolution of the human race, and should eventually be put down to prevent his genetic material from spreading like all organics do on this planet at one point or another. Upon studying my intended human specimen's genetic code, I compared it to the other past samples, and found that this human named Jack could be a potential candidate for the vision I have longed to achieve yet failed to accomplish since that blasted Cybertronian femme broke free before she could be restrained to complete the process.

Journal Entry #23590: the human male now known as Jack has an unusual energy about him now that the other two humans around him do not possess. It is of Cybertronian energy similar to that I sense within Optimus Prime and the Matrix of Leadership. How that is possible still eludes me despite several theories I have, but the fact remains the human male is not dead yet from being exposed to such energy is amazing, and further study is required. Unfortunately, the battle between the Autobots, and the Decepticons has increased since my last observations of the boy so abducting him will require more time.

Journal Entry # 24690: I have just learned something incredible and startling about this planet! It seems Unicron himself has become the very world in which I now reside on. How could I have not noticed?! The energon laying on this planet was no doubt at one point dark energon, but years of being untouched allowed the darkness to leave, and the energon spoils left by Autobots during the end of war helped further in negating what was already here! It also explains the chaotic nature of the humans that reside on the Chaos Bringer, as they are his progeny, even if the arrogant being doesn't acknowledge them as such, and only drives me further to bring about my grand vision. I must tread cautiously though, as the Bringer of Chaos recognizes friend nor foes to be his equal, and will not hesitate to destroy me should he learn of my own existence.

Journal Entry #24780: The Chaos Bringer has been defeated by the combination of the Autobots and Megatron using an unorthodox strategy of enemies working together to defeat a common foe. While I do not know how it came to pass that Unicron was put back into stasis, I do know that the matrix energy surrounding the boy has not dimmed since Optimus Prime's lack of presence, and upon learning why has startled me greatly. The Key to Vector Sigma is said to be the bridge between Vector Sigma and Prime should the latter lose their memory for whatever reason. What intrigues me however, is the boy's body has not had any problems in handling the excess energy leaking from the Prime when near the human, and seems to be drawn to him. When near the other humans, it seems to stay within the Prime, as if the Matrix of Leadership knows the energy will harm them, and wishes to prevent that. I MUST have my chosen research subject soon or I will be forced to risk revealing myself sooner then expected.

Journal Entry #24890: I have finally acquired the boy at his place of work. So demeaning for a human of such potential to work at such a lowly place of human business. I almost pity the android copy I made of Jack, which I have made to prevent the risk of the others around him from being alerted to his disappearance, and I am confident JX2 will carry out his mission flawlessly.

Journal Entry #25020: My newest specimen has gone under a series of tests, all of which he has passed, and shown remarkable results from the data collected. I took more genetic samples and tested on whether the CNA would be rejected when bonded to the human's genetic makeup. My preliminary results estimate that the boy has an astounding ninety percentchance of bonding with the CNA without complications or risk of rejection. As it stands, I need him sedated for the duration of the experiment, and to prevent risk to his body being damaged during the changes it will undergo. No doubt he'll awaken every so often, but won't remember it, or anything prior to his body's changes. Even if he did, I can always alter, or delete his memories to serve my purposes.

Jack growled lowly in anger at hearing this and snapped his eyes open to stare at the robotic squid like creature with disgust while making a silent promise to rip his creator to pieces. This thing kidnapped him! Altered him! Turned him into something that would make people hate him! The Autobots would hunt him down because of his unnatural birth. And as for Megatron...while Jack couldn't remember much about the Decepticon, he felt an incredibly strong urge to rip the Warlord's Spark clear from his chest before roaring like an animal in victory.

As for Airachnid...whoever she was or what she was...Jack for some reason wanted to see her again.

Hopefully she wouldn't reject him.

(A/N: YAY! First chapter of a new fic. I know I said to some people I wouldn't do this until later, but the urge to write with what free time I had was so overpowering. I was compelled beyond reasoning to get this out there. As for my other fics, I will get to them in May, and only in May so please hold out until after the first week of the new upcoming Month. Until next time...PEACE!)