TATSC!- Extended family.

Episode 3- Extended family.

Alexa woke from her bed with a groan. Sumdac had her up till one in the morning and she needed to be there by eight. It had been awkward with her and Sari in the past few days. When Alexa was working in a room and Sari was there, she could feel her eyes drilling into her. Yet everytime she turned around, Sari was gone. 'I don't know why she hates me, but I hope she'll come around.' She thought to herself. As she was pulling herself up, the phone started to ring. She didn't hear anyone yell "I got it." So she answered. "Hello, this is Alexa."

"Hello Alexa," came the professor's voice through the receiver. " I hope I did not disturb you."

"Oh no not at all," Alexa halfway lied." I was just heading out now."

"Actually Alexa, that is why I called. I need you to pick up something for me at one of my plants. The Autobots are currently staying there. It's a prototype infrared receiver. Would you mind going over and fetching it for me?"

"No problem Professor. As long as it's under forty pounds."

"Thank you Alexa. I'll upload the directions to your vehicle."

"Thanks sir. I'll be by as soon as I get it."

Alexa finished the conversation and exited her apartment heading for the tenant garage. It was weird to be classified as a tenant; as she lived with no parents. Just a roommate. It was difficult, but she eventually got the city of Detroit to classify her as an adult. It took months of lobbying and proof she could maintain a financial record; but it was well worth it. She just hoped her roomie wouldn't trash the place while she was gone.

Optimus was on high alert for the past week. Ever since he broke the news of Megatron escaping, the other bots were on edge. Bulkhead had become more clumsy, Jazz looked ready to spring at anytime, Arcee became anxiety ridden, and Ratchet more irritable as Bumblebee accidentally mistook him for a Decepticon and had shot him with his stingers twice out of fear; the second time earning him a lecture from Optimus and Ratchet threatening to down grade his mods. Optimus himself hadn't gotten much recharge. Ratchet was fully aware of this however.

"If you don't get some recharge soon, I swear I'll put you in the medbay until you do." Ratchet had told him this morning. Along with commenting how young bots think their invincible when Prime said he'd only consider it.

Sari was here this morning. She had come to show Bumblebee and Bulkhead a new video game. She became a little annoyed as Bee kept constantly winning, which resulted in multiple victory dances and self-glorification. Sari actually didn't care that much. Bee was acting like his old self and that was what mattered.

The incoming call monitor began to make noise. Optimus activated it and saw Sumdac on the other line. "Good morning Professor. Is their something we can do for you?"

"Good morning Optimus. and hello Autobots and Sari." The other bots had all gathered around. "I used your plant to store something and now I am in need of it,"

"No problem Professor. I'll have Bulkhead and Bumblebee drop it off."

"I thank you Optimus. But I'm afraid I've already sent Alexa to meet you at the plant to pick it up."

Sari immediately flipped. "Wait a second! You told her about the base? It's supposed to be a secret!"

"Now Sari, Alexa is now a trusted intern. She was going to find out sooner or later." The Professor's expressoin turned to a glimmer of hurt. He felt bad he had tarnished his daughter's trust again, but she might have been overreacting. Alexa could be trusted. Besides, Alexa's curiosity would have lead her to the plant anyway. If he didn't tell her, she'd know eventually.

Sari crossed her arms and gave a pouty expression. She turned to walk away."Yeah, but...couldn't it have been later? Much later?" Sari mumbled the last part so only Bumblebee heard it. They both left and resumed their video game on the couch. Bumblebee wasn't that intrested anymore. He sat their thinking to himself why that new girl had to go and ruin Sari's life. The more he thought, the more he resented the full organic. 'She can go fall from a twenty story fragging building. I really don't care.' He thought to himself. It didn't help that Sari had turned the tables and now was kicking his aft up and down the virtual playing field.

Fifteen minutes later, Optimus heard a slight engine whine outside. It sounded like an Earth vehicle pulling up.

"O.K everyone, lets make Alexa feel welcome. That includes you Bee."

Everyone got up and exited the plant. In the case of Bumblebee, whether he liked it or not. After refusing to move, Jazz walked up behind him and picked him up by the back of his neck and then proceeded to carry the squirming mech to the front door. Bee was about to curse Jazz out when he plopped him next to Arcee, but the pink intelligence officer gave him a look that could melt steel, scaring Bee into submission.

As the Autobots opened the plant door, they saw a person starting to dismount a black and silver lean over earth bike. The person was wearing a dark leather jacket, and a black helmet with silver flames around the visor shield. The rider pulled off the helmet to reveal Alexa. She gave a smile and walked over to Prime.

"Hi Optimus." She began. "The professor sent me over. I assume he already told you I was coming though. " She looked around. The plant did not look like much, but that's what was good about it to Alexa. Staying in a low profile place when half of Detroit's news crew is on your tale is genius. 'The autobots really hit the nail on the head in choosing a location.' She thought to herself. "Anywho, I need to pick up the prototype Sumdac wants. So, if you can point me in the right direction, I'll be out of you're circuitry."

"Sure thing." Optimus lead her into the base

"Would you at least like a tour?" a voice said next to Alexa making her jump. The white mech named Jazz had suddenly appeared by her side. He had said he was a ninja, but untill now Alexa thought he was joking.

"Ummm...sure. If it won't be to much trouble, I'd love one. If it's alright with Optimus of course."

Optimus turned around to face them. "Feel free. Ratchet moved the prototype so it will be a minute. Jazz, show her around the base."

"You got it O. Follow me A." He said motioning for Alexa to follow. Clearly Jazz loved to be generous with acronyms.

Jazz conducted her here and their. He expected questions, just not as many as Alexa was putting out. She seemed even more intrested in Cybertronian martial arts and about planetary customs of their home world. Jazz was happy he was giving the tour rather than someone else; otherwise he'd worry about Alexa overloading their processors with questions. However he was tired; and was not as alert as he normally would be. Alexa picked up on this when she asked a question and found Jazz letting his head rest on his chest.

"Jazz, I know I don't know you very well, but you seem…fatigued. Is everything all right?" She had tried to keep the genuine worry out of her voice, but she had failed miserably.

"Yeah everything's A-O.K. Just had some craziness go down in the last couple of days is all. Not many of us had time to take the pedal off the metal."

"Oh. All right. Well, Prime's probably got what I came here for, so I'd better get a move on."

She let Jazz lead her back to the main room. Sure enough, Optimus was waiting with the prototype.

"Here you are Alexa." He handed the prototype to her. "What exactly does it do?"

"Well," Alexa began as she put it in her backpack."It's a receiver that allows the user to send multiple signals to multiple things with use of infrared; therefore making it less susceptible to jammers."

Alexa was a little uncomfortable sharing such information; but it was only the Autobots. Or so she thought. Alexa had failed to notice a little techno "bug" sticking to her backpack. On the other line, a man in an immaculate business suit sat behind a desk smirking to himself. "While Sumdac thinks I'm out, I'll give him a little surprise." He hit a button on his desk. "Masterson, I want to see you."

As Alexa was returning to Sumdac tower from the plant, she had a funny feeling she was being followed. However it was just that. A feeling. She had no proof she was. Instead, she switched up her route. Taking a few more minutes in an attempt to trip up anyone who might be as a precaution. "If anyone was following, I think I lost them by now." She thought to herself. However, she was looking behind herself when a large object jumped off a building and obscured her path. As she turned around and saw the mass, she immediately jammed her brakes, but she was too close to turn around without stopping. The object which now Alexa could see was a robot, swung it's arm down and knocked her off her bike. Alexa slid sideways into the sidewalk; her helmet flying clean off. A faint trickle of blood welled from her cheek. She turned her head to see the robot as a voice resonated from it.

"Total ownage! Prepared to be further schooled noob by the Headmaster!"

The Headmaster started to close on Alexa. Alexa managed to stand and started to run. She was fast but, the robot was faster. As it closed the distance and reached out it's hand to grab her, a flash of white smashed into it; knocking it on its back. Alexa was dumbfounded as Jazz reached inside the robot and pulled out a semi scrawny guy who was dressed like an ugly girl. The man started to yell and call the Autobot a noob.

"Call me a noob all ya like. But they won't like ya lingo in the slammer. Some of you humans really are strange cats."

At this, Masterson paled. He paled further when Capt. Fanzone showed up to cuff him. As Masterson was being lead away and the Headmaster unit impounded, Jazz turned to Alexa.

"You forgot your cell phone at the base." He reched in his compartment and handed Alexa her phone. "I started following you about ten minutes after you left. I would have been here sooner, but your little hide and go seek game road style paid off."

Alexa grinned sheepishly. "Sorry." She looked around. "Well Fanzone had my bike picked up as potential evidence so I'm gonna go walk to the nearest bus station." She began to walk away but Jazz stopped her. To her amazement, he transformed and opened a door.

"Climb in." He said.

Alexa gladly complied and Jazz sped off for Sumdac Tower.

A lone ship circled earth. It was barely visible against the blackness of space. A Decepticon stood on its bridge and talked into a receiver.

"I'm here Lord Megatron. The Autobots will soon be found and there dismembered shells brought back to you."

"Good Astro Train. But you shall contact me immediately when you find them. I have something certain in mind."