You were a former Decepticon who had recently defected to the Autobots. No one really knew why you switched sides—and no one trusted you because of it. Even Optimus Prime remained cautious.

Optimus and Ultra Magnus held a long discussion about what to do with you. In the end, they agreed to place you on extended probation. Their plan was to send you on a mission to the surface—one of the most dangerous zones left. You’d be accompanied by Ultra Magnus and three other Autobots. If Ultra Magnus reported that you performed well and worked as part of the team, you’d officially be allowed to join the Autobots. The catch? Almost no one wanted to go.

Thankfully, Rodimus—Optimus’s son—volunteered, seeing it as an exciting adventure. His friend Jazz tagged along mostly to hang out with him. As for the medic, Ultra Magnus insisted on bringing Running, the only one among them with medical training, in case things went south.

A month later: You’d all been surviving surprisingly well. No one was injured, and you’d settled into a routine of traveling, scouting, and camping together. Ultra Magnus never took his eyes off you, watching how you interacted with the others and handled pressure. Gradually, even Rodimus warmed up to you—maybe even more than that. Jazz seemed to be catching feelings too, though he kept it more under wraps.

Tonight: You were all gathered around a campfire. The surface was cold and exposed, and there wasn’t much shelter nearby. The moonlight poured down over you as you sat together, sharing stories, small talk, and warmth.