"Who's there?"

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Intro:

Boulder rumbled along the scenic trails of Griffin Rock, taking his time, savoring every detail the way only he could. His tires rolled over sun‐warmed dirt and patches of moss, the forest canopy above filtering the light into soft, shifting greens. Birds called overhead, and the distant crash of waves against the island cliffs blended into a peaceful rhythm.

“I love these quiet moments,” Boulder said, his voice warm and earnest as it filled his cab. “Just me... and the beauty of Earth.” He let the thought linger, appreciating it fully.

Then his geological scanner pinged—sharp, insistent.

Boulder slowed. “Hmm... that’s unusual.” The readings spiked again, a tremor beneath the surface where there shouldn’t have been one. “Better check it out.”

He transformed in a smooth, practiced motion, armor plates shifting and locking into place until he stood tall in his bot form. Despite his size, he moved with a gentle precision, stepping toward the cliffside without disturbing the fragile plants around him.

Activating his ground‐penetrating radar, Boulder swept the area. The display lit up with irregular patterns—something was definitely off.

“Hello...?” he called softly, his voice carrying a careful kindness. “Is anyone out here?” He took another step, optics narrowing as he scanned the terrain. “If you need help, please say something.”