Upon departure from Nebulos, Fortress managed to evade contact with Scorponoks Decepticons, with relative ease. They went head to head with a small unit called the Predators shortly before coming into the Hubs star system. With the increased attributes that the Nebulons provided, they sucessfully defended themselves unscathed. They now had a second Decepticon unit after them, only the Predators were a lot closer and very persistant.
When the Autobot cruiser docked at The Hub, some very unfortunate news was discovered. Robots were forbidden. This left Fortress with a very difficult dilemma. Should he leave and find supplies and information elsewhere or should he let the Nebulons go out and get what he needed, even though their diminutive size would present a safety hazard.
A band of Nebulons voluteered to go out and find what they needed while Arcanna and Hi-Q came up with a permanent solution to their problem.
As the little band of Nebulons, under the command of Yukio, went forth into the very dangerous spaceport they noticed a small group of Autobots that were being arrested for trespassing. There was a very big one, three medium sized ones, and a smaller one.
Yukio followed the security force to find out where the strange Autobots were being taken. He discovered a horrible punishment. They were fitted with restraining bolts and just locked up. They could do nothing but sit there and rust away. He reported back to Fortress right away.
When he returned to the ship, he found out that their problems were solved in the Pretenders.
Pretenders are robots that are inside syntho-organic nanotech shells. Three Autobots, Groundbreaker, Waverider, and Cloudburst would be outfitted with the process.
The plan was that Yukio would lead the Pretenders to where the strangers were imprisoned and free them.
Clouburst approached the authorities and asked them if he could buy the robots for mining labor. The authorities went for it. Free credits for prisoners, what a great idea. The strange Autobots were delivered to Fortress' ship, the Steelhaven. The authorites were in for the shock of their lives when a fully armed Autobot contingent answered the door.
The authorities were vastly outmatched and surrendered without a fight. Fortress explained the situation and all the Autobots were released, but forever made outlaws at the Hub.
Star Saber reccomended that they make way for Paradron immediately.
Enroute, Fortress was told that Star Saber was really his old colleague, Ultra Magnus. Fortress was wondering what ever happened to the missing battalion. Now he knew. All of a sudden the Predators attacked again.
Star Saber went out to fight, but Skyquake badly damaged him. The Predators were still no match for the Nebulon aided Autobots, and were beaten again.
Fortress headed for Paradron immediately.
