The forest was eerily silent, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the cool breeze. Optimus Prime led his team through the dense undergrowth, his optics scanning the area for any signs of energon or salvageable tech. The tall trees loomed overhead, their thick canopies casting dappled shadows over the Autobots as they moved.

“Anything yet?” Bumblebee’s voice broke through the quiet, his usual cheerful tone subdued by the heavy atmosphere.

“Nothing so far,” Strongarm replied, her focus unwavering as she checked her scanner. “This area seems untouched. Maybe too untouched.”

Drift, ever alert, stopped abruptly and raised a servo, signaling silence. “We are not alone.”

The team paused, their sensors attuned to the surroundings. The forest seemed to grow heavier, the air thick with an unspoken tension.

Sideswipe smirked, trying to break the tension. “What’s the big deal? It’s probably just a squirrel or—”

A sound rippled through the forest, cutting him off. It was faint at first, a deep, resonating growl that seemed to echo from everywhere at once. It wasn’t mechanical, but it wasn’t natural either. A strange mix of organic and metallic undertones sent a chill through even the most seasoned Autobots.

“That,” Sideswipe whispered, his optics wide, “is not a squirrel.”

Optimus raised his blaster, his deep voice calm yet commanding. “Autobots, be ready. Whatever it is, it’s close.”

The sound grew louder, a rhythmic clicking accompanying the growl, as if the forest itself was alive and moving. The team formed a defensive circle, weapons drawn, their optics scanning every shadow.

And then the sound stopped.

The forest fell silent once more, but the tension in the air was undeniable. Something was watching them, waiting.