Disclaimer: I do not own GoBots nor its characters. Just this strange plot.

Author's note: This chapter jumps around a lot. Lots to cover! But also works well for the plot's own feel.

"Cy-Kill was right. You Guardians ARE pathetic!" Snoop spoke as she tasted victory in ousting not only the enemy, but the other female black jet that competed in HER skies.

But Aurora was a Guardian Commander for a reason. Faster than lightning could crack the skies, Aurora roundhoused her Renegade adversary, knocking Snoop's gun to the ground. Regaining her balance, Aurora then spun her leg around once again and took Snoop's legs out from under her. Pinning the Renegade jet to the ground, Aurora then placed a neural lock upon her, thus paralyzing the Renegade.

"Leader-1's mine, bitch!" Aurora spat as she stood, finished releasing the captive hero, and tried to assist him forward.

"Matt, slide that gurney over here. There's no way Leader-1's going to get out under his own power and I don't have the strength to carry him."

Matt pushed the levi-gurney to Aurora who, with some difficulty, managed to place the wounded Guardian upon it. She then went back into the cell to pick up the severed pieces and placed them beside the stricken hero.

"Matt, get in!" Aurora spoke and hoisted the human up towards her cockpit. He quickly climbed in and they were off!

Letting off a transponder, Aurora signalled her team for pickup.

In space...

The familiar beacon was noticed by Turbo first.

"Time to GO!" Turbo spoke as he banked the ship sharply and headed for the port side of Rogue Star. The little ship pulled aside just as Aurora blasted open one of the emergency exit portals. Spinner and Tigress were at the bay door to assist Aurora in bringing in Leader-1. Then, the little ship sped off. Aurora converted back to jet mode and joined it. There was little need for conversation. Speed was of the utmost essence and the task at hand was a trained, routine maneuver.

"Take him to the Command Center. His ship will be better equipped to deal with this." Aurora spoke to her team then changed frequencies. "CCI, do you copy?"

"Loud and clear Aurora. What's up?"

"Scooter, prepare for immediate docking and plot for hyperspace jump to New Earth. We have an emergency! Prepare the med-bay! We'll meet you on your starboard cargo bay."

Scooter's voice was that of a nervous concern. "Y-yes Aurora."

Switching frequencies once again, Aurora contacted her own ship. "Jazzmin, rendevous with CCI to pick up the rest of the team. Then take all back to GoBotron and await further instructions. I will be taking command of CCI until further notice. "

"As you command! Is he okay?"

"No." Aurora replied flatly then said nothing more as Command Center One loomed into view.

On Rogue Star...

"I can't BELIEVE this! You are all a bunch of worthless idiots!" Cy-Kill yelled as he discovered Snoop and the missing Leader-1.

"Should we go after them Cy-Kill?" Fitor asked.

Cy-Kill looked at the fluids that had puddled around the floor of the cell. Much of which were vital life supporting fluids. "No. Leader-1's likely done for anyway and the Guardians will be awaiting a pursuit anyway."

"But we know where they will be going."

"Yes...we do. And that is why we have no reason to pursue immediately, not in a grand scale anyway. Summon Crasher, Cop-tur, and Snoop. We'll be taking Thruster I. You will be in command of Rogue Star in my absence."

"You are heading there?"

"Not there. The humans are with them. They will have to return to Earth eventually."

"And those new Guardians?"

"Aurora and her female cohorts will be dealt with in the same swipe. If she's anything like Leader-1, I've already guessed her tactics. Her team is not going to follow to New Earth. Standard Guardian tactic--split if pursuit imminent. They will probably be sent off either in advance to Earth or GoBotron. But, Aurora will remain with Leader-1's team and take command in Leader-1's absence. There's something personal going on between her and Leader-1. She won't leave his side, whether he's dead or alive."

"Genius as usual Cy-Kill."

"Yes...I am. Now, let's be off." Cy-Kill spoke with one final glance at where his greatest enemy once hung.

Aboard Command Center One...

Scooter gulped at the sight of his commander and friend. Leader-1 was in dire straits indeed. Turbo, who had held back and focused on the mission until this point, also showed serious concern. Nick and A.J. were kept at the bridge to fly the ship and keep them from being exposed to the ordeal. Matt joined them since he felt in the way of all the flurry of activity and moving GoBots. Tigress, Jazzmin, and Spinner assisted with hooking up Leader-1 to various medical monitors and assisted with some basic first aid. There wasn't much that any GoBot could do however. Once all that could be done, was, Aurora bid her team farewell as they departed, reboarded their own ship, and sped towards home. Aurora then turned back to Turbo and Scooter.

"Scooter, remain with me here as we monitor Leader-1's condition. Turbo, return to the bridge and get us to New Earth fast! I'll contact the Last Engineer from here."

"Yes ma'am!" Turbo replied and ran out the door.

Aurora turned to a communications console, dialed, and awaited a response.

"Last Engineer. Aurora, that you?"

"Yes Last Engineer. We're en route to you in an emergency situation."

"I see. Leader-1?"

"Yes Last Engineer. He's severely damaged and barely clinging to life." Aurora spoke as she turned the camera towards Leader-1 for the Last Engineer to see.

A look of concern crossed over the Last Engineer's face. "I will prepare my lab. I'll have all clearances already set for Command Center One. You will have no need to contact for such. Land directly at the lab site."

"Thank you Last Enginner. Is there--"

"Anything more you can do? Yes. Surely it is stocked on that ship as I had told Leader-1 about it in case of a human medical emergency. There is a highly addictive drug, morphine. Give the entire stocked inventory to Leader-1 via his neck neural port. It'll stabilize his brain from the shock of pain. Also, when five minutes out from New Earth, inject RB-365 into his system. This will put him into an induced coma and prep him for immediate surgery."

"Understood."

"I await your arrival. Last Engineer out."

As the message faded, Aurora did as instructed. Scooter had also heard the instructions. All was followed accordingly as they fast approached New Earth.

On the bridge...

"Is Leader-1 okay?" A.J. asked Turbo.

"No, he's dying. That's why we're going where we're going as fast as we're going. Matt, prepare for hyperspace exit!"

"Got it Turbo. Aurora said the Last Engineer had already cleared the ship for arrival on New Earth so just bring her on in."

"Roger. I have the Last Engineer's lab on visual. Approaching now."

On New Earth...

The Last Engineer was informed of the Command Center's approached. He stepped outside his lab with several aides and awaited its landing and sure enough, the sound of a ship's retro-rockets broke the uneasy silence. The Command Center landed perfectly before him.

Running up the ramp, the Last Engineer joined the Guardians in med bay. He got his first look at the downed hero up close. "Hurry! There's not much time at all!" he yelled as they grabbed the gurney and exited the ship.

They rushed into the Last Engineer's lab and then stood back and let the Last Engineer and his aides work.

"You all may wait in the next room or the ship. I'll call as soon as I can." the Last Engineer spoke as he worked.

All nodded and exited. "I'm going to contact Zeemon. He and the Council need to know. Then I'll contact my team. I'll meet you all in the room in a few minutes." Aurora said as she went in the opposite direction, towards the ship.

Several hours later...

The Last Engineer exited his lab and rubbed his sweaty forehead. The others jumped and leaned towards him, anxious for news.

The Last Engineer got to the main point. "He'll live. I couldn't save his modified form, however. His brain was causing his body to reject reattachment of the severed pieces. So in that, his F-15 Eagle form is dead. But, he will convert again. I accessed UNECOM's research records for a new form and programmed the modifier I have here. He will now be Earth's latest, state-of-the-art fighter jet...the F-22 Raptor. Not much change actually. His conversion process will be nearly the same as his previous form and there's virturally no difference in his physical appearance aside from the wings, vertical stablizers, and nose cone shapes. I also enhanced his weapons and engine systems. Though, with this new form, he's lost some weight. It's a sleeker, lighter design than the F-15 was. In general sense, he's been upgraded and updated."

The others were speechless! Aurora was first to find words. "Wh-when can we see him Last Engineer?"

"He needs rest and I'm keeping him in the induced coma for a few days, if only for his brain to overcome all the trauma from the capture and torture. With a new body and limited pain, his brain will focus on other things. It'll also allow his brain and body to adjust to its new modifications. He's an aging GoBot near mid-life, it's not as easy as a Guardian cadet's conversion process. In fact, Leader-1's the first GoBot to undergo a total remodification process and hopefully the last. It's not easy on a GoBot that was already modified. It can mess with the mind and personality. I cannot predict how Leader-1 will respond to it once we wake him. But, surrounded by his caring friends, hopefully, it'll be more positive than negative."

"How can we thank you?"

"Please, no need for thanks. I understand the value of Leader-1 to GoBotron, this galaxy, and you all. I also have my own motives for saving him. This civil war between GoBots that spans time has to end. In truth, Cy-Kill just screwed himself by trying to destroy his arch rival. Leader-1's body was aging faster than his true age due to all the battles, missions, and other tasks he deals with. That GoBot is a work-aholic worse than I! Cy-Kill would've outlived him if combat didn't destroy one or the other first. Leader-1 was burning out and of course, he was too proud to let any of you or Zeemon and the Council know about it. That may have been one of Leader-1's personal little secrets. Don't tell him I told you of course. Now, his body has many more good years ahead of it, if the bot doesn't constantly continue in his obsessive, overworking craze. Though if he does...let me know. I'll set him straight. " the Last Engineer spoke with a slight smile and wink...trying to lighten the mood a little. "Now, as Matt and the kids know, work brings forth an appetite. How about we all get something to eat."

Even the GoBots nodded in agreement. With the good news that their illustrious commander would live, it was time to fulfill a need that most had ignored during the entire ordeal.

Aboard Thruster I...

"Landing on Moon's Dark Side complete Cy-Kill." Crasher spoke.

"Good. Now, engage the Stealth Device and turn all survelliance monitors to full power. Sometimes in a hunt, one has to wait patiently. Our prey will arrive soon. I KNOW it." Cy-Kill replied with a slight chuckle.

Crasher cackled. "I can't wait!"

"But Cy-Kill said you have to." Cop-Tur added.

"It's a figure of speech stupid!" Crasher replied as she smacked him upside the head. "Is there anything in there?"

to be continued...