Author's note. The sequel is finally up, I hope you all enjoy it.

Any name ideas for Chromia's sparkling? Winner will be credited naturally in the next chapter.

Thanks to Kittygirl for her Sparkling design.

Enjoy and please review.

"The Sparkling should be stable," Ratchet said softly as he carefully closed up the incubator. "We just gotta keep an optic on the little guy and he should be fine."

"Thanks," Ironhide rasped out, his whole body feeling numb with painkillers. He could barely move, slag that, he could barely stay conscious. His processor was heavy and sluggish, he could easily slip into unconsciousness at any moment but there was so much turmoil in his Spark which prevented him from doing so.

His optics found the still form of his mate, lying on her side as she watched their precious Sparkling sleep. He'd cried so much after his premature birth and had only quietened down a short time ago. He'd been born much too soon, his armour was dangerously soft and some of his wires were exposed, his protoform was still forming. He'd have to remain in an incubator while energon, nutrients and other minerals were pumped into him.

The little Mech hadn't had a great start to life, first he'd lost his twin and now his birth had been induced far too early thanks to his mother being raped.

"Mia?" Ironhide called softly but she didn't respond, didn't even blink. "Mia, you okay?"

Again there was no reaction and Ironhide felt his Spark sink.

"She's in shock," Ratchet murmured quietly to Ironhide, bending down slightly. "Give her time, she'll come round."

Ironhide's optics just remained on her, he wasn't so sure. For the first time in their relationship, not even counting the time they'd been separated, the bond between them was closed. Chromia did not want to let him feel anything from her or allow him to send her feelings in return.

"You...you sure the little guy's okay?" he asked, forcing himself to focus on something other than his mate.

"He's fine," Ratchet told him. "He just needs a lot of care and his creators close by. He's a fighter; he'll pull through this Ironhide."

"Yeah," Ironhide said with a small nod, looking intensely at his little son. His optics roamed over him, focusing on a little twitch his boy's foot gave. Apart from that, he was completely still; the only movement came from the pulsing tubes attached to him.

"Ah...ah...," he stammered, not sure how to explain what he was feeling.

"Ironhide?" Ratchet questioned softly.

"How am ah gonna protect him. Protect her?" he managed to croak out. "Ah've failed them so badly."

"You haven't failed them," Ratchet said fiercely. "How could you have known what Megatron was going to do?"

"Doesn't matter," Ironhide mumbled. "Ah should have stopped 'im from ever getting near her."

"You can't focus on what happened," Ratchet told him. "It doesn't do anyone any good, least of all your mate and son. Just think on helping your family to recover from this."

Ironhide looked away, he didn't know what to say, he was just being overwhelmed with guilt over it all. He simply couldn't think, couldn't process the terrible series of events that had led up to this moment and he certainly couldn't think of any solutions.

"One step at a time," Ratchet murmured kindly. "Your son will have a good life, you, Chromia and all of us will ensure that. And I'm willing to bet that soon enough he'll have several playmates to look forward to."

Ironhide cracked a small smile at that, he'd been worried that his child might not have anyone since all the other Sparklings had Decepticons Sires, meaning play dates weren't very likely. But who knows, perhaps if they were able to rescue the likes of Elita or Moonracer, there could be a few Autobot Sparklings around. After all, those Femmes hadn't seen their Mechs in such a long time; Sparklings were bound to result from any coupling.

Just as he was starting to relax at the thought that things might not be as bad as he'd thought, something started a frantic beeping. He looked over at his son with alarm, also spotting Chromia shaking with fear as spasms rocked the little Sparkling.

Ratchet was instantly at his side, checking the monitor as he started to work, trying to bring the Sparkling back to a stable state. If he'd been fit enough, Ironhide would have held Chromia's hand, offered her comfort but he couldn't do it physically or through their link. Instead, he watched as her form seemed to slump as Ratchet barked out.

"First Aid, get me that vial!"

The medic rushed over and the two of them set to work, their patient's creator anxiously watching. They seemed to take forever and at times, Ironhide couldn't even see his precious first born but finally they drew back with signs of relief. Ironhide also made a similar noise, he was thankful that his son had pulled through. He spotted movement on the little Sparkling's face and saw that he was trying to open his tiny optics.

Ironhide started to smile as the optics opened before yelping in pure shock.

"What, what is it?" Ratchet said urgently, leaning over the Sparkling before muttering a small oath at the sight of the Sparkling.

His optics were bright scarlet red.

Outside the Arc

"Megatron has gone too far," Optimus growled, his fist clenched as he stared in the direction of the sea and under it, the Nemesis.

"He'll be expecting an attack," Prowl pointed out, also looking out to sea.

"I know," Optimus said darkly. "But we cannot stand by and do nothing."

His shoulders suddenly sagging, he said quietly. "Was I wrong for not doing something sooner?"

"No," Jazz stated firmly. "We didn't know the Femmes where there for long enough and then when we did find out, they were carrying. None of us wanted to risk them and hey, old Megs was actually acting reasonable for a while. There's no way we could have predicted he'd lash out like this."

"That's right," Prowl agreed. "Something has happened beyond our control, to push Megatron over the edge. Unless he decides to tell us, we won't know what that is until we reach the Nemesis."

"I do not want to risk the Sparklings in the Nemesis," Optimus said quietly.

"You won't," Prowl told him. "There is not a single possibility that Soundwave will allow his daughter to be hurt in any form. And somehow, I do not think the Combaticons or Starscream will allow their Femmes to be put in harm's way."

"That is true," Optimus nodded. "But I have no idea what is happening with Elita, Arcee or Moonracer. They might be..."

"I don't believe it," Jazz exclaimed. "Megatron was trying to hurt you as much as he could, if something had happened to any of them, he'd have said it. But he didn't even pretend that something had happened, didn't you say he was surprised when you mentioned Arcee?"

"That only really tells us that his rage had nothing to do with her," Prowl pointed out. "But Jazz is right; there would have been no better way to enrage you than tell you one of the Femmes had been hurt."

"Hmm," Optimus murmured pensively. He was determined to attack the Nemesis and he wasn't going to change his mind but his processor still reeled with questions. The burning one was of course why had Megatron done what he'd done.

"We have to go in," he said as some clouds rumbled overhead, a storm was coming. "I just wish I knew the real reason for Megatron's madness. But no matter his reason, he has done something inexcusable, raping a carrying Femme and almost killing her child. We have to go in for her sake and for the sakes of the Femmes on the Nemesis."

"The preparations are almost complete," Prowl said softly, they'd all been organising the attack, they'd simply taken a break outside to reflect and gather their thoughts.

Optimus nodded.

"Then it begins," was all he said.

The Nemesis

"Soundwave, what is the state of our defences?" Megatron asked coldly, standing with his hands tucked behind his back watching as Soundwave examined a glowing screen in front of him.

"They are eighty six percent functioning," was the reply, making Megatron growl.

"Why were they allowed to drop so low?" he asked in a dangerous tone.

Soundwave paused and said. "There are a few glitches in the system and several repairs have yet to be completed."

Megatron scowled, this was completely unacceptable. He'd allowed his troops to become far too lax; those Femmes had turned them soft. From now on, he was going to take a hard line on all of them.

"What did you do Megatron?" Starscream demanded. "Why is Prime so angry? Did you tell him Elita is your..."

His next words were cut off by Megatron's hand closing around his throat and gripping it so hard Starscream could only make clicking sounds.

"Do not test me Starscream," he said with a hiss as Starscream's optics looked set to crack under the pressure.

"Ak...ak...," was the only reply the seeker was able to give.

Without letting up the pressure, Megatron said curtly.

"Mobilise your Seekers and get them into the air. Prime is not getting anywhere near those Femmes."

Having said this, he tossed Starscream away from himself, the Seeker crashed into another Mech and both crumpled to the ground. Megatron turned away in disgust, ignoring Starscream's gasps and spluttered curses as he barked out.

"All Decepticons will prepare for battle, make sure those Autobots cannot penetrate our base."

They all received his orders and hastened to carry them out. Scowling, Megatron focused again on Soundwave.

"At least that damn Shuttles appears to have left the planet," he muttered to himself.

"My lord?" Soundwave rumbled. "What about the Femmes?"

"They will be placed where the Autobots cannot reach them, your cassettes can guard them. Make sure the Femmes themselves cannot escape and aid the Autobots," Megatron commanded.

"It shall be done," Soundwave intoned gravely, no doubt thinking of his offspring and mate. Megatron did not terribly care about them, as long as they were locked away from the Autobots. He would not allow Prime to take a single one.

"Megatron," Starscream croaked, rubbing at his throat. Annoyingly, he hadn't left to carry out the orders he'd been given.

"What is it Starscream?" Megatron growled dangerously.

"Even if we beat Prime back today," Starscream began and Megatron was angry at the implication that they wouldn't repel the Autobots.

"How are we supposed to stop him coming back tomorrow?" Starscream finished. "You've successfully managed to frag him off."

"I will decide what is to be done about him," Megatron snarled back. "You need not concern yourself with that Starscream."

Starscream scowled and muttered.

"Very well Megatron, I shall gather my fliers and take to the skies."

Megatron just sent him a contemptuous look before turning back to the monitor.

"I have located a suitable room for the Femmes," Soundwave now said emotionlessly. "They will be safe and secure there."

"Good," Megatron said shortly. "It might be necessary to restrain them; some of them will attempt to escape."

Soundwave made a small movement but said nothing. The warlord noticed and said.

"Nothing arduous, Firestar and Nightracer are expecting after all. Perhaps a shackle on their ankles will suffice. They may have mats to lie upon while they wait for us and Energon."

"Thank you my lord," Soundwave intoned, knowing that Megatron was being so considerate mostly because his intended and child would be done there.

"Have them sent there now," Megatron commanded and Soundwave nodded, quickly sending out a command for the necessary arrangements. He also sent an order to his cassettes to ensure their mother and sister was comfortable and reasonably happy, he knew this would be stressful for Echo.

He mentally promised himself he'd make it up to her.

"Remove anything the Autobots could use from the upper levels," Megatron now commanded. "Make sure all our supplies are sealed and out of their reach, especially the Energon.

"Of course Megatron," Soundwave said as he contacted the appropriate Decepticons who could accomplish this efficiently and quickly like Blitzwing and Astrotrain.

Megatron just made a grumbling sound, his anger bubbling just under the surface. It felt like a massive eruption had previously exploded, spewing hot ash and debris before the first trail of lava had roared down the mountainside. That was when he'd attacked first Ironhide and then Chromia before moving on to Prime. But now that lava had dried up but the magma still lingered within the volcano, ready to erupt again. The molten rock bubbled slightly but nothing more for now.

He was more than ready to unleash on the oh so vengeful and predictable Prime. And perhaps this time he'd finally obliterate him.

Author's note. How does the battle proceed? What about the Femmes? Find out next time, until then.