Mazuiko: Here's a note for all readers. This takes place before the movie, and the main difference is that the Decepticons and Autobots have already landed on Earth. The Decepticons have been looking for the Allspark and trying to form a base of operations on Earth (the destruction of the human race has to start somewhere). Megatron and Optimus Prime are NOT brothers in this fic (they are in the movie), which is important (there are several pairings in this fic). Barricade/Bumblebee, Megatron/Optimus Prime, and Blackout/Jazz (never saw this one coming). This is my first Transformers fic, so please have a bit of mercy on me. I am not familiar with the characters, so some OOCness might happen (my apologies). As always, if anyone's OOC, please let me know why, how, when, where, and how to fix it. Thank you.

"Cybertronian"

"English"

'Thoughts'

"…" Pause

Taken

Dawn had come, and if his GPS was correct, his coordinates were where he feared. He didn't move, didn't dare test the Earth's limited patience lest he further aggravate his condition. His sensors were sending him signals of increasing pain, though that told him his legs were still attached. Running the memory through his processor once more before declaring himself lucky, he sent another distress signal out into the distance.

Bumblebee was stuck.

The lower half of his body was buried beneath an unknown amount of rubble after he was surprised by what the humans called an avalanche. Perhaps, if he had known about it sooner, he might have gotten away unharmed. Unfortunately for him, he had been caught off guard, and was overtaken by debris too heavy even for him. Trying to move his legs out from underneath could further upset the delicate balance of the rock in the side of the mountain, risking an even deeper burial and greater injury. His coordinates were far from the other Autobots…he knew he was risking discovery by the Decepticons. Still, he had come so close to getting to Sam Witwicky…he had to get help. It was right after sending the signal at dawn that he received a returning signal…from Optimus Prime!

"Bumblebee, where are you?"

He consulted his GPS yet again, verifying his whereabouts.

"Near the town of Tranquility…Optimus, my sensors are picking up another signal nearby."

Bumblebee noticed the signal was getting closer, probably trying to track his own signal.

Wait…

"Optimus, are there any other Autobots near this location?"

"I have already contacted Ratchet and Ironhide. They should make it to your coordinates in about an hour."

"I'm picking up another returning signal, about ten to twenty minutes from here."

"A Decepticon…do you know who it is?"

"No…wait…"

That was when he heard the footsteps, the mechanical hum of working machinery and circuit systems becoming clearer as the robot approached. He could see the red optics from an angle, allowing him to remain hidden while waiting for the enemy to pass by. Bumblebee somehow knew better; he could sense the familiarity between the Decepticon and himself. He recognized the teeth, the forward, daring stance, and the hands…

"Optimus…Barricade picked up my signal. He hasn't found me…yet."

"Can you move to defend yourself?"

"My cannon works, but my legs are useless. I am half buried underneath the remains of an avalanche, so if he finds me…"

"I understand. Jazz and I are coming as quickly as possible."

Bumblebee kept himself ready as Barricade continued to approach, still unable to bring out his cannon due to the sound it would create. He was absolutely still, the tension high as his processor worked to find a solution. 'He's too close...only about several hundred feet. They won't make it here in time.' Only his optics moved, following Barricade's every movement. It wouldn't be long, he knew, before the black Decepticon found him. He cocked his head slightly when he heard another noise, that of a…helicopter? 'Slag! Blackout's here too?' It made sense to him; one looking on land, one looking in the air. If his suspicions were correct, he had an entire group of Decepticons looking for his signal. He soon found it to be true; when he brought his gaze back down, he was staring into very red optics. His first initial reaction was expected; a cannon that became the only barrier between them. Barricade didn't move, simply staring at the still, golden form of the Autobot spy. He lifted his right hand to his head, using what Bumblebee suspected was his communicator with the other Decepticons.

"Blackout, I have found the source of the signal. Contact the others, lock onto my location, and rendezvous immediately."

Barricade's hand retreated back to his side, leaving him as still as the crumpled form in front of him. Bumblebee's aim never wavered, his options growing more limited with every passing moment.

"Optimus, where are Ratchet and Ironhide?"

"They'll be at your location in about 34 minutes."

"Optimus, he found me."

"Bumblebee—"

"He's already contacted the other Decepticons. I don't know where they are but—"

"Ratchet and Ironhide won't make it in time. We're coming; has your condition worsened?"

"Only my legs are injured, but I can't move Optimus. My cannon—"

"It won't hold them off. How many Decepticons are headed towards your coordinates?"

"I'm not sure. He contacted Blackout, but Blackout will be contacting other Decepticons. Optimus—"

The time for talking was over. Barricade's movement towards him caused his cannon to buzz with energy; his aim fixed right where the shock trooper's spark was located.

"Well, it seems we have found the bubbly, bumbling bee. Now, how is it that you came to be in this condition?"

Bumblebee glared at the other robot, his memories of past interrogations running through his processor as a helicopter transformed above him, coming to land at a distance behind Barricade. 'He was always quick to get to interrogating others, and now Blackout's here. Primus, I can't hold them off on my own!' Blackout approached and stopped only a short distance behind the other Decepticon, his gaze also fixated on the gold Autobot.

"The others will be here soon. Shall I terminate him?"

The aim of his cannon fixed itself on Blackout once his auditory system picked up his words, but Blackout didn't seem concerned. 'He doesn't really need to be.' Barricade cocked his head, and Bumblebee suspected he was using a private communication link with Blackout.

"Dig him out."

He wasn't the only robot surprised by Barricade's order. Blackout was obviously questioning Barricade through their link, but the answer came quickly.

"He'll be of greater use to us alive. Dig him out."

Bumblebee would have none of it. His cannon fired upon Blackout, but Barricade used the opportunity to slam his arm down, trying to force his cannon into the ground. He released a high pitched scream of pain, the new injury adding to the pain in his legs. Blackout saw it necessary to place his weight upon Bumblebee's left arm as Barricade nearly tore his right arm apart, the two Decepticons using his arms as foot mats while they tore at the rubble on his legs. His cries of pain were ignored, and his struggles had been reduced to the occasional tug as his body had almost no more room to move.

"Bumblebee, what's going on?"

"Optimus? Let me go! They're digging me out, and I can't move at all. Barricade tore my cannon apart and—"

He heard the sound of a jet, and Bumblebee didn't have to look to know who had arrived. 'That's Starscream, and I can see Brawl and Bonecrusher in the distance.' The same trees that had hidden him from Barricade were obstructing his view, but he could make out the forms of the other Decepticons as they spoke.

"Barricade, what are you doing?"

Starscream had a temper, and Bumblebee knew he'd order them to stop and kill the Autobot instead. What he didn't know was that Barricade didn't care for Starscream's 'command', and the shock trooper continued.

"We are digging the Autobot out. We can put him to use. He probably knows where the glasses are and has information as to the location of Megatron and the Allspark."

Starscream appeared to be considering Barricade's position, but Bumblebee was fairly sure that Brawl and Bonecrusher looked disgusted with the idea. He never spoke to the Decepticons in Cybertronian; to most Autobots, the Decepticons had no right to speak in the language of their home world, the very place they tore apart with war.

"Let me go. I don't know where the glasses are."

Barricade laughed. Bumblebee hated when he laughed. It made him shiver, and he couldn't understand why.

"The spy is lying. He must have been on his way towards the glasses' location. He's too close to have been doing otherwise. We'll take him to the base and…question him once we dig him out."

The looks of delight on the Decepticons' faces told Bumblebee just how dire his situation had become. 'Bonecrusher, Brawl, Starscream, Barricade, Frenzy, Blackout and Scorponok…Primus, help me.'

Mazuiko: I hope this wasn't too long or short. It's hard to tell on Microsoft Word. Anyway, hope you enjoy it. I am already typing out chapter 2; I just hope someone wants to read that as well!