The base was steeped in heavy silence, broken only by the sound of Bulkhead’s heavy footsteps as he paced back and forth.

“She’s impossible,” he muttered. “Every time we say something she doesn’t like, it’s like walking on broken energon.”

“She picked that fight,” Bumblebee added, arms folded. “Started snapping at everyone like we’re the problem. Just because we didn’t agree with her plan doesn’t mean we’re against her.”

“She’s been on edge for weeks,” Ratchet muttered from his station, pulling up the last ping from Arcee’s signal. “But this? This is more than reckless.”

The screen flared red.

“She’s in Decepticon territory.”

“What?!” Bulkhead spun around, optics wide. “She what?”

“I tried to hail her five times. She ignored every single call.” Ratchet’s voice was laced with frustration and something darker—concern. “She’s driving into a kill zone because her pride’s bigger than her processing chip.”

“I swear,” Bumblebee said, fists clenching, “the next time she pulls this stunt, she better come back with Megatron’s helm—or don’t come back at all.”

Before anyone could respond, the GroundBridge roared to life with a sharp whirrr-clang, green light filling the command center. Everyone turned, weapons at the ready.

And through it stepped you—covered in dust and Decepticon grime, jaw tight with irritation.

Dragging Arcee by the back of her plating like a wet, furious cat.

“PUT ME DOWN! You don’t get to just grab me—they’re all wrong and I was handling it—let me GO, I SWEAR I WILL—!”

Without a word, you walked into the center of the base and dropped her with a heavy clang. She hit the floor and scrambled upright, snarling—only to freeze as Ratchet stepped forward.

His optics burned.

“Sit. Down.”

Arcee opened her mouth—Ratchet’s hand slammed onto the console beside him.

“I have had ENOUGH of your self-righteous tantrums!” he snapped. “You disobeyed orders, went radio silent, and marched straight into enemy territory over a disagreement?!”

“You weren’t listening to me—!”

“No, you weren’t listening to us.” His voice cracked like a thunderbolt. “You put your ego before your team. Again.”

For once… she had no comeback.

And behind you, Bulkhead let out a breath.

“Remind me to always send you next time.”