TFP - A Different Approach, Chap. 1

Megatron stood staring at the multiple screens on the bridge of the Nemesis. They were playing videos of the Autobots; videos of his failures.

With a clenched fist he spoke, "I command an entire decepticon army, yet my actions are continuously thwarted by merely five autobots!" The decepticon leader angrily brought his fist down on the control panel in front of him. "It is time I take a different approach," he said as he turned to face Soundwave.

The screen that is Soundwave's face showed a picture; one that he had taken at the satellite base here on earth.

"The human children whom Optimus Prime holds so dear. A most... interesting suggestion." Megatron's lips slowly creased to form a wicked smile.

* * * * *

"Hey, Darby!" Jack's boss called. "Eddie can't come in today! Wouldja mind taking the late shift?"

"Sure! Just give me a minute to call my mom," Jack said as he stepped outside.

"We rollin'?" Arcee asked.

"Not yet Arcee. I've got the late shift." Jack put his cellphone up to his ear after dialing his mom's number.

"Hi, honey!" Mrs. Darby answered.

"Hey, Mom. Just calling to let you know that I'll be working late tonight."

"Okay.... just be careful. Alright?"

"Don't worry Mom. I have Arcee with me."

"Alright. I love you."

"Love you too Mom. Bye." After hanging up Jack turned his attention to Arcee. "You don't mind waiting up for me, do you?"

"I'll manage," Arcee said with a slight chuckle.

Jack smiled and went back into the building. Unbeknownst to any of them, the ever-listening Soundwave had been listening in on Jack's phonecall and was currently tracing the coordinates of its signal, along with two other signals he had picked up. The data was being displayed on his eerie face.

"Excellent Soundwave," Megatron praised as he looked over the information. He turned to Breakdown and Knockout and gave them and Soundwave orders to follow.

Knockout was not very pleased with these orders. "All due respect Lord Megatron, but wouldn't Airachnid be a better choice for the job?" the vain mech asked, hoping to avoid a situation that could be harmful to his beautiful paintjob.

Megatron growled in disgust. "It will be some time before I trust Airachnid with another mission. Especially after she failed one so simple."

Knockout wanted to sigh but he resisted the urge out of fear. "As you command Lord Megatron." Knockout bowed and left to prepare. Breakdown followed.

* * * * *

In a middle-of-nowhere place like Jasper, rarely anyone ever stays up as late as midnight. Jack was the last one left in the restaurant. His boss left him with the responsibility of cleaning up and Jack wasn't about to get sloppy. Anyone else would have put things away, swept here and there and left.

Outside, Arcee waited and wondered what was taking him so long. She was about to ask and find out when a blaster shot flew by her. There, in the parking lot across the street was a vehicon, which started to drive off when Arcee spotted him.

"How cute. He wants to play," she said as she turned on her holographic driver and gave chase. However, parked in the shadows nearby was Knockout; waiting.

By the time Jack was done cleaning, you'd think no one had ever cooked in that kitchen before. Tired, Jack turned off the lights, walked outside, locked the door and turned to see that Arcee was gone. Scratching his head, he did the only thing he could think of and called Arcee on his cellphone.

"Arcee? Where did you go?" Jack asked, pacing.

"Sorry Jack. A 'con wanted to play tag and I'm it," Arcee answered.

"Well could you-" Jack stopped at the sound of something transforming behind him. He fearfully turned around and there stood Knockout.

"So this is where you work, eh Jack?" the red Decepticon said as he nonchalantly inspected his fingertips. "Not much to look at, although I must say I love the name." Without another word, Knockout began to walk towards Jack.

Jack ran as fast as he could and screamed into the phone, "Arcee! Help!"

Arcee stopped and started racing back to the drive-in. She didn't bother to ask any questions due to the urgency in Jack's voice. But she was too late. She made it only in time to see Knockout go through a groundbridge with Jack squirming in his hand. "Nooooo!" She bawled as the bridge closed before she could make it through. "Arcee to base, the 'cons have Jack! ....What?!"