At Autobots Base
Ratchet: "Optimus, Cliff jumper's life signal came back online."
Miko "Who's Cliff jumper?"
Optimus "How is that possible?"
Ratchet: "It isn't another bug, the system is full of them."
Arcee: "If there is any chance that cliff's alive."
Optimus: "Ratchet prepare sick bay we may need it."
Miko: "Hey what can we do?"
Optimus: "Remain with Ratchet."
Miko: "Ohh!" sadly
Ratchet: "Oh!" sadly as well.
Ratchet opens the ground bridge for the autobots to reach the coordinates.
Unknown Location
A swirling vortex of green light erupted from thin air as the ground bridge opened up, casting an otherworldly glow on the rocky terrain. One by one, the Autobots rolled through in their vehicle modes, before transforming into their towering robot forms. Optimus Prime, Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee scanned their surroundings, their optics zeroing in on Cliffjumper.
Arcee, the first to step forward, scanned Cliffjumper quickly. "Cliff, are you okay?" Her voice was laced with concern, her optics flashing as she scanned for any signs of damage or injury.
Cliffjumper didn't respond. His systems were still in stasis.
Before the Autobots could investigate further, a voice echoed from behind a nearby rock.
"He's fine. Repaired, actually. You can take him away now."
The Autobots whirled around to see a man emerging from the shadows. Marcus Allen, calm and collected, stepped into the light. He didn't seem threatened by the towering Autobots around him. Optimus stepped forward cautiously, his gaze never leaving Marcus.
"Who are you?" Optimus's voice was deep, resonating with authority but somehow reassuring as well and approached Marcus.
Marcus smiled politely. "Marcus Allen. Nice to meet you. This is Autobot Cliffjumper, right? As I said, he's alright just in stasis for a while. We patched him up."
Optimus's optics narrowed slightly, scanning Marcus for any signs of deception. "You repaired him?"
"I didn't do it personally," Marcus said, hands raised slightly in a non-threatening gesture. "But the Cybertronian I work with did. They found him damaged and on the verge of being captured by Decepticons. I was asked to return him to you."
Arcee stepped forward, her stance tense. "What Cybertronian? And why should we trust you?"
Marcus turned to face Arcee. "A friend. They prefer to remain... anonymous for now. But I assure you, their interests align with yours for the time being. As for trust, well, you'll see soon enough that I don't mean you any harm. We've been watching the war between you and the Decepticons, and I think we can help each other. Of course discreetly."
Bulkhead huffed, his suspicions clear. "So you're just some guy working with a Cybertronian we don't know, offering to help us? Why?"
Marcus kept his calm, eyes scanning the Autobots before focusing on Optimus. "Because the Decepticons are a threat to all of us humans and Autobots alike. And we all know what happens if they get their hands on the wrong things, don't we? I'm not asking to join your fight, just... for cooperation for now."
Optimus stared at Marcus, silent for a long moment. Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee exchanged glances, their doubt evident. But after a few more moments of contemplation, Optimus finally spoke.
"We will consider your offer of cooperation, Marcus Allen. But if your intentions are not as you claim, you have my word that I will find and make you answer for any deception."
Marcus nodded, showing no fear. "Understood."
Optimus looked at the ground bridge. "We will take Cliffjumper now."
With a nod from Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead gently lifted Cliff jumper and carried him toward the ground bridge. As they stepped through, Marcus watched silently, his mind already spinning with his next steps.
The Next Day: Outside the Autobot Base
The following day, Marcus is standing at the entrance of the Autobot base, nestled in a hidden cavern in the Nevada desert. The massive doors loomed before him, and though he couldn't see it, he knew that the Autobots inside were watching him closely.
"Zeus, you ready?" Marcus muttered under his breath.
Zeus's voice chimed softly in his earpiece. "Always, Marcus."
He stepped forward and spoke calmly into the air, knowing the Autobots were listening. "I'd like to request entry. I have something important to discuss something that could change the future of the Autobots. Besides I am here alone, there is no point in hiding right."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a grinding sound, the enormous doors parted. Marcus entered the base, greeted by the sight of Optimus, Ratchet, and the other Autobots waiting for him.
"What is it that you have to discuss, Marcus?" Optimus asked, his voice as steady as ever.
Marcus glanced around the base before speaking. "I've come across something. A set of coordinates, to be specific, given to me by my Cybertronian associate. They lead to something called a Data Cylinder."
At this, Ratchet's optics widened in surprise. "A Data Cylinder? You mean one of the Cybertronian Data Cylinder, Those contain ancient invaluable information!"
Marcus nodded. "Exactly. And that's why I'm here. If this falls into the wrong hands say, the Decepticons it could be catastrophic. I'm offering you the coordinates because I believe the Autobots are the ones who should safeguard it."
Before Marcus could say more, Arcee crossed her arms. "And why should we believe you? This could be a trap."
Bulkhead chimed in, still not convinced. "Yeah, how do we know this isn't a setup?"
Marcus remained calm, even as doubt swirled around him. "I understand your hesitation. But if you don't collect it, someone else will. And I think we can all agree that the Decepticons getting their hands on this is the last thing we want."
Optimus remained silent for a moment, his optics fixed on Marcus as he weighed the risks. After a brief moment, he made his decision.
"Prepare the ground bridge," Optimus said, his voice resolute. "Ratchet, Bulkhead, Bumblebee you'll come with me. We cannot allow this Data Cylinder to fall into Decepticon hands."
Arcee opened her mouth to object but stopped herself, realizing that Optimus had already made up his mind. Ratchet quickly input the coordinates Marcus had provided, and the ground bridge hummed to life.
Optimus, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee stepped through the glowing portal, their mission clear. Marcus watched as they vanished, a satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Everything was going according to plan.
After a while Optimus's voice crackled over the base's comm system. "Ratchet, we have found the Data Cylinder. Prepare the ground bridge for our return."
Ratchet, who had been anxiously waiting by the console, immediately activated the ground bridge once again, the swirling green vortex opening in the center of the base. Moments later, Optimus, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee stepped through, the Data Cylinder in Optimus's hands.
Ratchet's optics lit up as he hurried over. "You've secured it!"
Optimus nodded, handing the relic to Ratchet. "Download the data from it Ratchet. If the Decepticons had found it first."
"They didn't," Marcus interrupted. "And now it's in the right hands."
Optimus regarded Marcus once more, his gaze softening slightly. "It appears, for now, we have a common goal. Your help is appreciated, Marcus Allen."
Marcus smiled, feeling the weight of his plans starting to shift in his favor. "Glad to be of service."