"I need a volunteer to go after he Sun-Pak," says Optimus Prime gravely.

"I still have a few hours' worth of fuel," says Mirage. "Let me follow Shrapnel. We can't let him escape with the Sun-Pak!"

Optimus Prime nods. "A good point, Mirage. But I can't send one Autobot alone againstthe Insecticons."

"I'll go along," says Buster. "I don't need fuel. And two heads are better than one."

Optimus thinks a moment. "If this weren't such a desperate situation, I would refuse," he says. "But you can both go on one condition. You will promise that you will go as scouts - only scouts. If you find the Sun-Pak, you will radio for help. You won't try to do anything on your own."

"But what if -" says Mirage.

"No buts!" says Optimus Prime. "Promise me."

"I promise," says Mirage.

"Me too," says Buster.

The other Autobots roll off in the direction of headquarters. Mirage spends a moment adjusting his electronic sensors. "I detect a strange insectlike buzzing on the ultrasonic frequencies," he says. "Let's follow it."

Continue.