The Ark was bustling with the awakened Autobots with some outside checking out the beautiful scenery for themselves. Those who were not too old or too young to transform downloaded alt modes of their choosing, and some were even testing them out while not crossing the safe boundary set by Optimus Prime. The younglings were fascinated by the new organic world, especially the green “hairy” ground. Meanwhile, inside of the Ark, The head doctor was setting up the medbay and laboratory sector, but was displeased to see all the potted plants. 

“Lifeline, I need this space! These weeds are cluttering everything!” an older bot called out angrily while wearing white and red robes. 

“They are NOT. Besides, they are part of MY research, so they belong in here, Ratchet.” Lifeline clad in a green flowing dress continued to arrange the little plants she collected outside with Hound clad in a dark green Jeep armor. 

“And what exactly IS your research? New and creative ways to annoy me?” he scoffed. 

Lifeline rolled her eyes “I am researching how Earth’s plants, so that I can grow and adapt Cybertronian plants to thrive on Earth. Greenhouses only have so much room and hopefully, we will have more tanks to fuel. We will need to be able to grow crops.” 

Ratchet opened his mouth and lifted his finger “That... is a good idea actually, but can’t you do it in your greenhouse for now?” 

“I have a right to do my research IN the lab, doctor. Besides, from what I researched on Earth’s data, having plants in the work area is good for them and those around them.” she insisted. 

“I’ve been working in a lab longer than some of these bots have been alive and I did just fine without having weeds in my face.” he retorted in annoyance. 

“They aren’t weeds! I’ll have you know that each of these plants is medicinal to humans!” she scoffed. 

“Then put them in the medicine cabinet!” Ratchet grumbled. 

“Ugh, get a chatroom you two.” a muscular green bot with a gentle face sighed while walking in on them “If you’re quite finished here, Optimus called in a meeting for all Elite Guard members. That extends to you guys.” 

Ratchet and Lifeline looked away from each other in both embarrassment and annoyance before following him to the meeting room where Optimus, now clad in a red, white and blue armor , awaited them with some other bots. 

“Good. All of you are here. Now we can begin. First off, let us take a moment to congratulate Teletraan-1 on succeeding at bringing us to the prophesized planet Earth. Well done, old friend.” he says and applauds him as do the others making the avatar smile and turn pink “Second off, now that we’re here, we need to formulate a plan on how to make ourselves a proper home here the right way. Ideally, I would have preferred giving Earth’s leaders a head up before stepping onto their front porch instead of crash landing, but we’ll have to make the most of it. Teletraan-2, what have you learned while observing humans?” 

The orb floated over, and he displayed several projections “Well, as expected, humans are dominant species of Earth and so far, the only “people” race. They are resourceful, intelligent and for the most diplomatic, but well ah... also VERY primitive. How primitive? Well... they haven’t gotten past touch screens and still use the Internet.” 

The room was in an uproar for a moment, but Optimus raised his hand “Now, now. At one time, WE were like that. Let’s not judge. Go on, Teletraan-2.” 

“You should also all be aware that humans have never made or had interplanetary contact. They’ve never even had a successful case of sending anyone to space. After the failure of attempting to just visit their moon and the controversy that followed in the Earth year 1969 AD, they never tried again. They only send satellites and such. With that said, humans have a stigma towards space travel and space travelers. Most of their media paints non-Earth life as threatening.” he went on. 

“So basically, we’re on a planet that’s never taken a step beyond its front door and is most likely afraid of us. Lovely.” Ratchet groaned. 

“Hmm. What else can you tell us about humanity, Teletraan-2?” Optimus stroked his mask. 

“Humans are about one third the size of the average bot, they don’t transform and they are organic which is expected, but strangely... culturally and socially, they seem to share a lot in common with Cybertronians. They also seem to big fans of robots and robotic beings.” the orb when on. 

“I’ll say.” Hotrod now clad in an orange and red armor with fire designs chuckled. 

“Alright then, we must seek out the Earth’s leaders and make proper introductions. So far, the Ark’s automatic defense mechanism has kept us hidden from prying eyes, but we cannot stay hidden forever. We will start by making gradual planned contact under my authority with the closest city. Your tasks are as follows... Lifeline, Ratchet, finish setting up the medical and science sector.” he turned to them. 

“As you command, Prime.” she bowed in a ladylike fashion. 

“Yes, Prime.” he salutes. 

“Wheeljack, research Earth’s technology as we may need to adapt to it.” he says to a white and gray bot with a beard and “elf ears”. 

“You got it.” he nodded. 

“Windblade, Hotrod, scout the city and learn who is leader there as well as any other details about humans. And do so with utmost discretion.” he turned to a black and red bot with black hair in an ornate up do and a beautiful snow-white face and Hotrod. 

“Yes, Prime.” she saluted. 

“You got it, dad.” Hotrod nodded. 

“Hound, Ironhide, you two are to go scout the surrounding area with me. We may be here for a while, and I want to set up a proper and safe perimeter.” Optimus instructed a muscular dark green both with a gentle face and a burlier red bot with a strong jawline. 

“Yes, Prime.” Hound and Ironhide reply in unison. 

“Alright then... roll out!” Optimus commanded. 

Wheeljack, Lifeline and Ratchet as well as Ironhide’s children Hoist and Moonracer saw the rest of the Elite Guard off as they exited through the main entrance. Windblade transformed into a helicopter, Hotrod transformed into a muscle car, Hound transformed into a Jeep, Ironhide transformed into a van and Optimus Prime transformed into a large pickup truck. They all left and then split up. 

Meanwhile, back in the military base in the Antarctic, an angry scientist throws down his tablet in frustration before a short-circuited machine with smoke coming out of it. He then kicks it and paces around grumbling. 

“ANOTHER FAILURE!! Failure! Failure! FAIIIIIIIIIIIILURE!!” he knocks things off the table and then turns to the staff “GET OOOOOOOOOOUT!!” 

They all ran out of the lab frantically as he continued to break things all around. 

“I hate my job! I hate this place! I hate MY LIFE!! All of it is BENEATH ME!! What am I doing here building toys that are broken before they’re made while being provided with cheap materials that were garbage when they were new?! I should be doing REAL research and doing REAL science!” the scientist with shaggy messy gray hair ranted when his cellphone rang “WHAT?!!” 

“Temper, temper. I only wished to introduce myself.” Megatron lectured. 

“Huh? Who are you? Another new assistant? Ugh, how come now one tells me anything?!” the scientist grumbled while rubbing his face. 

“No. I’m not a new assistant. I’m your new neighbor, Dr. Arkeville.” Megatron explained. 

He stood up “... Who are you and how do you know my name? Do you realize calling me on this line can get you in a lot of trouble.” 

“Oh, I highly doubt any law you humans have written applies to me.” Megatron chuckled. 

Arkeville frowned “I am NOT in the mood for jokes! I am having a HORRIBLE day! Heck, I’ve been having a horrible time since I’ve been transferred to what is hell frozen over!” 

“I can see that. I saw your outburst before on camera.” Megatron went on prompting Arkeville to look up at the camera with a stunned expression “Come outside and we can talk more.” 

“Are you a spy? Is this a hostage situation or threat?” Arkeville was dumbfounded. 

“None of the above. Now, can you please come out? We need to talk.” Megatron persisted. 

Not knowing what else to do, Arkeville got his parka and complied. He gasped upon the prototype mega-tank right outside the door. While in shock, the tank transformed into a robotic man three times his size with a grinning mouth full of sharp teeth and glowing red eyes. 

“Hello, doctor.” Megatron looked down at him. 

Arkeville fell backwards against the wall “Y-You’re a robot?! Amazing! Who built you?!” 

“Nobody built me because I’m not a robot. I’m a robotic organism. My name is Megatron leader of the Decepticons.” he picked up Arkeville so that he could talk to him face to face “Come. We have much to discuss, doctor.” 

He then transformed back into a tank while taking Arkeville as his passenger before rolling away. Back in the forest mountains of North America, Ironhide and Hound were walking around in the woods as there was no way to drive safely. Hound was in the process of marking a tree when a butterfly flew over and landed on his shoulder. 

“Wow. Ironhide. Ironhide, look.” Hound whispered and pointed “This insect turns into a flower when it lands.” 

“Haw haw! And this little guy here can stuff up to ten nuts in his face! Where does he put it all?” Ironhide points and laughs at a squirrel. 

“This world is as fascinating as it is beautiful.” Hound looks behind himself and sees the footprints they left behind “It’s also fragile. We should be careful.” 

“No kiddin’. Everythin’ here’s so tiny and soft. Sniff sniff, smells nice though.” Ironhide commented. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever smelled something that didn’t have a bit of rust in it too. It’s so... clean. I mean, even the dirt is clean. There’s no grease, no smog, and nothing artificial. I wonder if Cybertron used to be like this before it all fell apart?” Hound sighed. 

“Don’t know for sure. Accordin’ to my granny, HER granny used to tell her stories of how it even used to have its own little niche of organic life, but tech became the dominant species. The only organic life that ever survived was the critters deep, and I mean FAR deep in the ocean. And honestly, between you and me, I doubt they made it if organics are this fragile. No offense, ma’am.” Ironhide chuckled to a doe in the distance who then turned and walked away “Hey! Check out this field of pretty plants! These leaves are so shiny!” 

“Wait! Ironhide! Remember what Lifeline said!” he tries to stop him.