As Logic Dictates

Better.

I am not particularly interested in poetry. 

I am, however, moderately interested in reading comprehension and the general preservation of literature. You do this human author a disservice by omitting content which is critical both to the original metric structure and the work’s intended message.

Is that so?

I thought the factors were too numerous to list.

It varies.

In my universe, the ‘standard’ holoform serves largely as one small aspect of our innate disguise mechanisms. They are intended to deflect suspicion, not engage in sophisticated action at a distance from our frames. 

For a price, some individuals elected to enhance this program with modified coding and additional emitters-- external or otherwise. This proved especially useful in ambassadorial matters and espionage, though I am certain that it was also utilized by various... hobbyists. Even so, there is a maximum range at which the process becomes impractical to maintain.

In other universes, this extended functionality may be more common.

...Amusing.

Typically, there is at least one layer of paneling placed between the helm and the vehicle’s underside, to prevent this issue from occurring.

It is possible that the Bumblebee you reference was in a state of disrepair, leading to a shortage of protective material-- but as I am not the one who conceptualized his alt format, I take no responsibility for any egregious oversights in design. 

I have revolutionized entire scientific fields. Transformed the concept of combination from rare, limited instances of symbiosis, to an evolution of our species. Solved countless ‘unsolvable’ problems in peacetime and war alike.

I suffer from no lack of creativity.

At this point, it seems like ‘rewards and tentacles’ have been brought to my attention more since joining this website than across the entirety of my lifetime. That says more about the greyfaces than it says about me.

Predaking’s wings are not necessarily unique among his species, but you are correct to note that most available points of comparison tend toward segmented metallic phenotypes.

The membrane in question is composed of inorganic fibers, with moderate elasticity and high tensile strength. Your species has yet to synthesize an equivalent substance— but one might think of it as a thicker, naturally-structured polyethylene naphthalate.

Such material is not impermeable to damage, but Predaking’s self-repair systems are capable of knitting most minor punctures closed. If significant injury was incurred, I could assist his recovery through a number of methods, including sutures, grafts, or in the worst case, prosthetics.

In all likelihood? Nine. One for root mode, and eight for the alt.

The Cybertronian helm is a complicated and vulnerable structure— it is more common to see it tucked away for protection than reused in both modes.