A/N: Here we are again with Chapter Four! Holy crap, I was scared I'd never get this finished, but with my NaNoWriMo word count dangling over my head, I couldn't afford to let writers' block take hold of me again. Anyways, thanks to SunnySides for reviewing and leaving such kind words. :D I'll try to update as often as I can!


Emma soon found herself with a piece of gauze stuck to her face with medical tape after her cheek had been cleaned up and disinfected. Her clothes were filthy, and she felt a little embarrassed to be sitting in her pyjamas in the middle of a small military base. By now, she and Jason were sitting in Agent Fowler's 'office' as the man poured Jason a cup of coffee- Emma had been given a bottle of water- before sitting down. "You kids have had one rough night, I bet," He said, trying to be casual.

"Something a little like that, yeah," Jason replied gruffly, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Then I'd better cut to the chase." Fowler pressed a few keys on a laptop. "You two need to know what it is you're dealing with."

"I know about MECH and their attacks," Emma piped up.

"And about how they're hunting Autobots?" Fowler asked. Emma shrugged in reply. "Well, that's why Autobots have been disappearing." He turned the screen towards the two, a video on the screen showing footage of a transformer being torn apart. "MECH's been tracking them somehow, but to what purpose, we're not yet sure."

Emma gulped nervously. "And they're attacking anyone who shields them?"

Agent Fowler nodded gravely. "Looks like you two aren't the first. We found corpses near remains of other Autobots. Human corpses." Emma was scared stiff to hear those words as images of a young woman being shot by MECH agents in front of another Autobot as it was injured and dying played on the screen. "We've taken your friends and their families into protective custody- they're being guarded by the best security Uncle Sam's got."

"So why are you guys lookin' for the Autobots?" Asked Jason. "I thought the government didn't want anything to do with 'em after what happened in Chicago."

"That's what I thought, too." Fowler turned the laptop away and shut the lid. "Some months ago, I get called into my superior's office and he tells me I've gotta round up what's left of NEST and go after the remaining Autobots after this whole mess with MECH started."

"What are MECH even doing?" Asked Emma. "The guys who came after us wouldn't say."

"They claim they're trying to usher in a 'new world order', or whatever crap they're telling themselves nowadays." Fowler waved his hand dismissively. "From what we can tell, it's just textbook megalomania. Their leader calls himself Silas, and we don't know much else about him, or his organisation, other than he's been trying to get his hands on some pretty fancy tech and somehow has access to classified secrets from countries the world over." He looked over to a huge corkboard, where various pictures, newspaper clippings and notes were connected by a web of string. Some of the photographs were of Autobots, some with their faces crossed out. "We've chased 'em all over the globe with the use of the groundbridge Ratchet made, but we're almost always too late."

"That's great and all," Jason cut in. "But why the hell are you telling us?"

"Because you're the first humans to have contact with an Autobot and still be breathing in a very long time." Said Fowler. "You at least deserve to know what's going on before I put the both of you in custody."

"Custody?!" Cried Emma. "Nuh-uh! No way! I wanna stay here with Optimus!"

"The hell you are!" Argued Jason. "He almost got you killed!"

"Would you two keep it down?!" Snapped Fowler. "These walls ain't soundproof. Look, kid, it's not safe for you to be staying here."

Emma looked to Fowler with pleading eyes. "But I can help-!"

"According to your permanent record, the last time you tried to help, you got arrested." Agent Fowler put a hand on a nearby file. "Look, I know you're worried about the big guy, but he's in good hands. You gotta trust me on this- you're dealing with stuff you don't understand. You'll get killed out there."

"For once in your fucking life, Emma, can you just do as you're told?" Jason growled at his sister. "You've done enough already."

Emma went quiet for a moment, trying to weight up her options. She could play her little game and lie to get Agent Fowler to let her stay with the Autobots, but she was already in enough trouble and it wasn't the best idea to be messing around with government agents- or Jason when he was pissed at her enough as it was already. Her shoulders sagged and she hung her head, defeated.

Agent Fowler walked around the desk and set a hand on Emma's shoulder. "You can hang around the base for a few days while Prime gets fixed up," He said hesitantly. "Some of your friends we took into custody told us you worked hard to try and help the big guy."

Emma looked up at him. "Really? You're allowed to do that?"

"No," Sighed Fowler. "But I get that Prime wouldn't be too happy if you just up and left, and I've seen the guy when he gets pissed- it's scary stuff."

Emma grinned. "Thank you so much, Agent Fowler!"

"But you're not going on any rescue missions." Fowler's tone was firm. "I mean it. I'm already in enough trouble by bringing you kids back here, I don't need anyone else breathing down my neck for putting you in danger."

Emma's grin dropped. "Can't you make an exception?"

"Emma, will you just shut up?" Jason snapped at her. "Just listen to the guy, alright? He's already risking his neck letting your stupid ass hang around here."

"Yeah, well whose other stupid ass did he say could stay?" Emma quipped. "Look, Agent Fowler…there's an Autobot I met in Chicago when I was younger called Ratchet. He saved my life, I wanna save his. I owe him."

Fowler sighed. "We'll see what happens. You two can leave now, I gotta make a few calls."

"Gladly." Jason stood up, then took hold of his sister's wrist and dragged her out the door. Once it had shut behind them, he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and scowled at his sister. "I am so close to slapping you right now," He growled. "The fuck did you think you were doing, mouthing off to a government agent? Dude's CIA, he could've shot you!"

"Yeah, like hitting me is gonna solve anything," Emma snapped back at him. "If I recall correctly, you haven't been any bit helpful since this mess started- you're the one who said we should leave Optimus for MECH to take."

"Don't try to pin this on me!" Jason stuck his finger in his sister's face. "You're the one who insisted that we help the guy- for all we know, you kids would have somehow fucked up and ended up giving MECH something to track to our house, so don't you go saying that I've been unhelpful when all of this is your fault!"

Emma scowled, then lashed out and bit her brother's finger hard. Jason reeled back, the hand gripping the redhead's wrist snapping back to cradle the other. "You're such a jerk!" Emma shouted at him, then took off in a sprint back towards where she'd last left Optimus.

Jason seethed quietly as he checked his finger. "Little bitch…" He didn't mean the insult in any sort of cruelty or abuse, but Chicago had changed him. The older of the Craven siblings sighed and stalked off somewhere to clear his head. Why? Why couldn't Emma just listen for once and just do as she was told when people were trying to tell her how to not get herself killed? These Autobots were dangerous, hadn't she learned that already in Chicago?

He remembered that day in almost perfect clarity. It was like the sky was falling, and he remembered racing through the city with the only question echoing in his mind as chaos broke out around him being whether or not his family was okay. Jason dreamed of different ways that day could have ended- he found his parents first, his mother's upper half lying lifeless under a pile of rubble, and his dreams had altered the memory so many times that he hardly remembered just how he'd found Emma after he'd dreamed of finding her being shot by a Decepticon, or lying dead in the road in various horrifying states. They were just kids at the time, and Jason had been forced to grow up in order to protect his little sister, the last remnant of his family that he had to hold onto. Yes, he'd been cruel at times, but he was scared and far too prideful to admit that he was afraid of losing Emma- surely she knew that, right?

…right?


Optimus had heard the stories from the other Autobots about how they'd been found, rescued, or convinced to join the humans for the sake of their own safety, how they'd found remnants of so many other Autobots who were taken or killed. There was still no word from Ratchet, or any of the other Autobots that had come to Earth, and Hound had told Optimus how Bumblebee had been the first, following the death of Sam Witwicky. First Aid was seeing to him, and the Prime sat in silence as he tried to contain the rage and sorrow swirling within his spark. He could only hope that Blurr would come around soon.

"Looks like you've let a human root around under your hood," First Aid observed as he carefully removed some of the patch-up work that Emma and her friends had done. "They did a good job, considering it's only best to have it as a temporary fix. Awfully kind of them."

From out of the corner of his optic, Optimus could see Emma slowly walking in with a nervous smile on her face despite the damage she'd taken. He looked to her, for a moment, but said nothing as she approached. "I hope we didn't do that bad of a job," She piped up, catching First Aid's attention. "My friends and I worked really hard to try and deal with the worst of the damage."

The medic shook his head. "No, no, you did a fine job," He said quickly before getting back to work. "You're welcome to take a seat while I get to work, there shouldn't be too much to do here. A new vehicle mode scan should fix up the rest of the damage."

Emma shook her head politely. "That's okay, I'm going to head to bed pretty soon." Her smile dropped as she looked to Optimus. "Agent Fowler said that Jay and I can stay here for a few days before we go into protective custody," She explained. "I didn't want to leave without being able to say goodbye."

Optimus nodded slowly. "It would be better if you stayed out of this, Emma," He told her. "While your efforts have been valiant, I can no longer allow you to risk your life when you have already saved mine."

"I know," The young human sighed. "I just wish there was more I could do to help. I don't want to just sit here being useless."

"Well, I could always use an extra pair of servos around here while the others are out on rescue missions," First Aid piped up. "It would be nice to not be alone while waiting for them to return, it gets so lonely around here."

"Good to see you haven't changed, First Aid." Optimus exvented slowly. "I will not endanger you further, Emma Craven. It seems that MECH has very little regard for human life, and even less for Cybertronians. They have already tried to kill you and your brother- I thank you for your kindness, but it would be for the best if you stayed out of this."

"I already got the talk from Agent Fowler," Said Emma. "But…I have a feeling that wouldn't be the end of it- Fowler saving whatever Autobots are left wouldn't be the end of this MECH problem."

The human had a good point. This Agent Fowler hadn't quite made his intentions known to him yet, or what they planned to do about MECH at this point. From what Optimus had learned, MECH had used guerrilla tactics, hiding amongst humans and various armies around the globe. There was a chance that there were a few hiding among them here as well. There was no clear way as to how they could stop these terrorists and no clear indication as to where their base of operations was.

"While that may be true," Optimus reasoned, "We cannot ignore any other surviving Autobots who may need rescuing."

"I certainly hope we find more medic-bots. I would appreciate having more skilled hands than my own here," Mused First Aid as he finished up his repairs. "Well, sir, I've done all I can for now. The most I can recommend is that you scan a new vehicle mode. I just hope we can find one. I just wish that I could do more, but I am most certainly no Ratchet."

Optimus nodded slowly and exvented before standing up and walking off, motioning for Emma to follow. He saw her give a short wave to First Aid before hurrying to keep up. "How is Jason?" He asked.

"Same as always," Sighed Emma. "Still as much of a jerk as he was before. But forget him, it's you we should be worrying about. How are you feeling now?"

Optimus looked down at her. "As you humans say, I have had worse."

The young human shrugged. "If you say so."

Optimus led Emma out towards the other Autobots, noting how they regarded her with caution. Bumblebee, however, seemed to be curious- the scout had always been curious of new humans that he had been introduced to- he even had made quite a few friends among the human soldiers before NEST was officially disbanded.

"Looks like First Aid did a pretty good job," Quipped Crosshairs. "He's alright for a nurse. Little shabby, but not too bad." Then, the wrecker noticed Emma. "…We're not keepin' it, are we?"

"That is hardly of any concern at this given moment in time, Crosshairs." Optimus looked around at the remaining Autobots. "Is this all that is left?"

"Looks like it," Grumbled Hound. "If Blurr don't make it through the night, that is. I mean, how the hell did all 'a this even happen, anyways?"

"The people MECH have hurt are probably asking the same thing," Emma piped up. "I mean, none of us asked for this. No one deserves any of this. Whatever it is MECH wants, they're ready to take out anyone and anything to get to it."

"No one asked you, meatbag," Snapped Crosshairs. "Beat it, before I make ya."

"Crosshairs," Optimus told the wrecker, being a little more firm in his tone. "That's enough." Crosshairs sat down with a grumbled curse in Cybertronian. The wrecker had always been difficult to deal with, breaking ranks and disobeying orders whenever it so suited him. From what the Prime had heard, Hound had to drag him back here at gunpoint just because the mech's own overconfidence had made him oblivious to the real danger ahead of him. "Emma is right. We are not the only ones affected by MECH. They are hunting our kind, but to what end, we do not know. What's more, they are not alone. When you came to our rescue, I saw something that looked like one of us- though I cannot say whether it was Autobot or Decepticon in origin."

"It would not be the first time," Said Drift. "At other rescues, we have seen an unknown figure somewhere in the distance that has slain some of our comrades- we have never been able to track it or see it in time to be prepared."

That gave Optimus some fuel for thought. As far as he knew, any remaining Decepticons had been destroyed in the battle of Chicago some years ago now. "Has Agent Fowler divulged his plans for what happens to us next?"

Bumblebee beeped in negation and shrugged. Emma looked up at Optimus with a shrug of her shoulders as well. "Fowler didn't tell me and Jay anything, either," She explained. "My guess is he doesn't know what to do next, and he's just focusing on rescuing any remaining Autobots that are still on the run or in hiding."

"Typical human government types," Grumbled Hound. "No idea what they're doin'. As usual."

Optimus would have spoken again, but they were interrupted when First Aid rushed over. "Sir! Blurr's awake! He says he needs to speak with you right away!"

That certainly caught the Prime's attention. He picked up Emma and set him on his shoulder, then walked with First Aid to the medbay, where Blurr laid on a makeshift recharge berth, looking worse for wear than the last time Optimus had seen him. From the looks of things, First Aid had done all he could, but he was merely a nurse and could not do much else- Blurr was dying. The blue mech looked up at the Prime, only just hanging on.

"G-good to see you alive, sir…" He stuttered. "W-we were…starting to lose hope."

"At ease, soldier." Optimus placed a servo on Blurr's shoulder. "What is it you needed to say?"

"I…I had to warn you, sir…the humans who attacked me…" Blurr coughed a few times, a spark-wrenching sound that Optimus had heard one too many times before. His bellows had taken severe damage and were starting to give out. It was too late for him to merely scan a new vehicle mode- neither his chassi or his spark would be able to handle the change. "There was someone with them…s-someone I recognised from my days working with Prowl in law enforcement…" He coughed again. "L-lockdown, sir…the others came and saved me…b-before he tried to take my spark." Blurr gave a pained whimper and clutched at his exposed spark chamber. "Primus…it hurts s-s-so much…"

Optimus had to look away. He knew what would come of this now. He could see the other Autobots standing nearby, anxious to know if their comrade was going to make it. "Who was it you saw, Blurr?"

It took Blurr some time, but the mech managed to give them a name. "L-lockdown…he said his name was Lockdown…" Blurr's servo reached out to grab Optimus' shoulder, nearly putting Emma off balance. "Please…sir…I know I'm not g-gonna make it…" His vocaliser reset itself, and there was a hitch in his bellows. "It hurts…so much…"

Optimus had to shut his optics. He knew what Blurr was asking, and he knew that it was an awful thing to ask, but it had to be done. Optimus looked to First Aid, and the medic shook his head, giving the Prime the affirmation that it was the best that anyone could do for Blurr right now. "Emma," Optimus said gravely. "Look away."

"W-what are you doing?" Emma had tears in her eyes. "There has to be something we can do for him…!"

Optimus wished he could believe that, but vorns of experience had told him otherwise. "There is nothing else that can be done. Please, look away now." Emma looked hesitant, afraid, but she did as she was told and turned her head away with a quiet sob. Optimus didn't think he'd have to do this anymore, that he wouldn't have to lose anyone else, but it seemed that was inevitable- for a Prime, death was never far behind.

Reaching into Blurr's spark chamber, Optimus wrapped his digits around the container frame. "Goodbye, old friend." There was a crunch of metal as Optimus' digits snapped the frame as quickly as he could manage, so as not to cause Blurr any more pain. Blurr's bright blue optics flickered once, then fell dim as his spark ceased its pulsing before dissipating entirely. Emma was sobbing into his shoulder, First Aid had already sat down next to the berth with his head in his servos. Not far from them, Optimus could hear the other Autobots murmuring amongst themselves, accompanied by Bumblebee's saddened beeping.

Loss made the Prime's spark ache, and he, too, felt like joining his comrades in their grief, but he could not afford to show that kind of emotional weakness- that could wait until this was over. The sense of loss was quickly replaced with something else, a rage that boiled up from within, different to the rage he'd felt when he'd found out the humans had been hiding secrets from him and the other Autobots, different to when Sentinel Prime had betrayed him.

One thing was certain: Though he had sworn never to harm a human, when he found the one responsible for this…he was going to die.