The trio sped through the desert towards the direction where three of their comrades had disappeared. The day was warm and sickly humid and had no breeze like it had before, but the clouds above were racing along; a sign of a storm not too far off.
Inferno, Smokescreen, and Sideswipe had been charged by Optimus to search for the three missing Autobots that had been picked up, supposedly, by Decepticons Seekers.
To pass the time, they had started talking over their comm.links about the whole thing.
"I say that Jazz went after that Barricade guy for trashing Prowl and got snatched." Sideswipe joked, masking his worry for the mech that had practically raised his brother and himself from younglinghood.
Smokescreen chuckled, "Sure, and I bet that Ratch got sent and Blaster missed his darling of music, got spark-broken, and went after Jazz. I'm surprised Prime wouldn't let Prowl come along with us- he's about to snap or have a conniption. Either one would be hilarious to watch- Inferno, does Red tape surveillance?" he teased, hailing the fire truck from his obvious daze.
"Yeah he does, but he'll never hand 'em over ta anyone, not even me!"
"Bummer." SideSwipe agreed.
"Ah just hope Prowl don't go and do anything stupid before we get Jazz and the others back ta base."
The other two snickered at the thought of PROWL doing something stupid or just plain intellectually-challenged while Inferno went back to his musings. He thought fondly of his bondmate and how horrible it would be to be separated from Red Alert without knowing where he was or what had happened. Though he really never had to worry about Red being in danger; the Security Director was overly-cautious and always tense and alert to his surroundings. He was usually more of a threat to himself by staying up for days without rest or sleep all for the purpose of watching over the Ark like a guardian angel. But to have someone like Jazz as a mate; poor Prowl must be out of his mind 24/7. Still, he couldn't help but worry for his friends; to be trapped as a prisoner in the base of your mortal enemy, wherein they could do to you as they pleased with no moral standing whatsoever must be the most terrifying thing any 'bot could lay awake at night and dread for. Inferno hoped that he could make a difference and bring the captives back home safely to their loved ones.

Jazz was lying in Blaster's arms, moaning in pain and whimpering from his dreams occasionally. Blaster had his hands maneuvered to stop the heavy flow of Energon that drained from the Porsche's multiple wounds. Ratchet was on the other side of the stereo, doing the best he could with the poor mech, but from the medic's expression- it wasn't too good.
"So what's going to happen, Doc? Is Jazz gonna go…offline?" Blaster choked out the last word with effort as fear strangled him. The medic was silent for a moment; his hands fiddling around Jazz's body, before he paused and pulled back. Ratchet's shoulders slumped and his face didn't drop its fearful look. "He's not doing well. Jazz has been without Energon for too long and his wounds aren't helping what's left of it in him." Ratchet shook his head, "Factoring unseen damages, I doubt Jazz will last another 50 hours or so." He said grimly. Blaster looked as if he'd seen Ratchet roast a kitten. Together, after they were left alone, they had gotten the restraints off the poor tortured mech and managed to get Jazz into a position where they could do the most they could.
Meanwhile; Jazz was lost in a memory of the past he'd retained for times when was saddened.
'Please?'
'No.'
'Aw, C'mon, Prowler. Pretty please?'
'Prowl. And, No, Jazz.'
'PLLLLEEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE?'
'No. You can beg and plead all you want to, but I still won't allow you to go.'
'Why not?'
'Their last concert ended in a police movement, I refuse to let you get into that.'
'What are you, my mother?'
'Seems like you still need one.'
'Oh? Does that mean I get to call you mommy in front of the others?'
'So help me if you do…'
'Ha-ha! Hey Beach! Guess what Prowl's new nickname is!'
'JAZZ! Get back here!!'
Jazz sighed in contentment; how he missed his bondmate. He knew his odds of getting out of this situation alive and it wasn't very high. His only hope might be the Autobot's coming en masse or there was one other option, but he would rather die than see it come true.
Barricade didn't do something without a reason. He always had a way of getting what he wanted too, without doing much at all. He had done his work, now he was waiting for the benefits.
Jazz knew exactly what those were as well.

Barricade wanted Prowl.
And as much as Prowl was afraid of Barricade, he wouldn't abandon Jazz to a fate like this; a fate worse than death.
That's what the evil Decepticon wanted. He wanted Prowl to come to his bondmate's aide; to save him- at any cost. Said cost probably being Prowl fulfilling his worst nightmares and, once again, being forced to submit to Barricade's will. It would be just like last time; his beloved Datsun being required to humiliate himself and do what he had to do to keep Jazz alive and unharmed. The Porsche would rather die than see that happen; than see Prowl so scared and filled with pain.
Realizing it had been a while since he checked his surroundings, he decided to take a chance and online his visor. When it powered up as much as the broken transparasteel, all he could see was different dimensions of red and yellow. Barricade got a paintjob?
He looked up through cracks and blurs, squinting his optics hard to figure out who was holding him.
He took a shot. "B…Bla...B-Blaster?"
Blaster and Ratchet both looked to the drowsy and delirious mech in the stereo's arms. Ratchet breathed a deep sigh of relief that Jazz was at least able to reboot himself into consciousness, Blaster immediately grinned at his friend. Gently, and without pressing against the sore nerve cables of the open armor plating of both him and Jazz, the stereo hugged his friend closely.
"Hey sleepin' beauty, glad to see your awake!" he all but cried, very pleased seeing his crush awake. Jazz exhaled a breath he didn't know he had held, too relieved about being with his friends again and not Barricade. He rested his head against Blaster's chest; tired and happy. Though he wondered how Blaster had gotten caught up in the horrible situation, he was a little grateful that his long-time friend was there to comfort him. But how he wished to be in his bondmate's protective arms; safe and sound in the Ark with this nightmare behind him.
Using his sensors to locate Ratchet, he turned his head to look in the direction. "R-Ratch, what's b-been goin' on?" Jazz asked weakly; he wanted to know if he had missed something important.
The medic flashed his good optic to Blaster, who had a guilty face on. "I want to know that too. Blaster, how did they get you? Surely with two missing, Red and Optimus must have forbid anyone leaving the Ark except for rescue efforts."He pointed out. Jazz looked up at Blaster with an easy smile. "Nice goin', man. Ya zoned out again, huh?" The Porsche teased in good humor. The stereo laughed a little, having the grace to look embarrassed.
"Maybe just a little." Blaster admitted bashfully, he then turned to look downwards to Jazz with a slight serious expression. "Prowl's drivin' himself mad, he looks like he's gonna have a spark-attack and Optimus won't let him come look for you."
Jazz perked at the name of his bondmate, Ratchet nodded. "He'll need Prowl to stay to coordinate Rescue operations and keep the peace."
Jazz was about to speak, but a malice-drenched voice interrupted him. "Keep the peace? Now do tell me how Prowl will managed that when he's too busy keeping your comrades inside of your base. That and trying to keep his sanity." The voice sneered.
The trio looked up into the doorway; the door had been opened and shut so silently, none had even noticed. Ratchet moved closer to Blaster's front, Jazz couldn't suppress a whimper as he shrunk back into the red and yellow chest; Blaster saw this and instinctively tightened his arms.
Barricade smiled and stepped towards them, his fangs glinting in the dimmed light. The four blood-red optics fixed on the shaking body of Jazz, feasting on the sight of the Porsche's fear. "Hello my pet, want to play some more?" Barricade sang, his hypnotic voice enticing the three's audios to listen further.
Blaster growled as Barricade came within spitting distance, Ratchet moved to defend his comrade despite the fact that Barricade could kill him at this point with one shot.
The Saleen grinned, "Come now, Jazz, I want to play again."
Ratchet lunged at the black mech, trying to at least get a punch in. Barricade, though, was too fast for the injured mech to keep up with. He had grabbed Ratchet by the arm and slipped his other arm around the medic's waist. In a fluid movement; the Decepticon had turned him around in his arms- to face the other two. Ratchet struggled to remove himself from Barricade's grasp, his injuries made it all the more difficult for him to move around; as limited as the space in the crushing embrace was. The mech behind him snickered, his hand crushing the medic's wrist as it pulled at the appendage. Blaster was debating if it would be foolish to charge the Decepticons- he could kill Ratchet in one move- then there was Jazz…
Barricade watched the mech in his arms squirm; rubbing his white and red body against his ebony one in a futile effort to gain freedom. He snickered and moved his head to lie next to Ratchet's; pressing his face to the wires in his neck and closing his optics, all the while- pulling the CMO's arm out of its socket. Ratchet screamed and kicked, trying to get free. His screams stopped when he felt a slick glossa slide up his Energon-stained cheek. Barricade was licking him! The medic felt disgusted, especially when Barricade's claws started to make their way down his body from his waist.
"S-stop."
The four optics opened halfway, the smile still there even with his tongue on the medic's cheek. Jazz was pulling himself from Blaster's arms, despite the effort the stereo was making to keep him safe. The weak Porsche still had enough strength to push Blaster off of him; making contact at the wounds in his upper chest, enough to paralyze him for a few seconds. Barricade in turn ejected the mech in his arms. Ratchet landed on the floor on the arm that Barricade had disabled; he gave a yelp of pain before he was able to see Jazz staggering out the door with Barricade right behind him. The Saleen turned to close the door with a face of triumph.

All three of them were pushed inside the chamber by unforgiving hands. Before they even had time to groan, they were hauled upward by the chains on their cuffs. They were separated to the 3 walls- to keep them from tag-teaming. Skywarp snickered; pulling out a length of thick cable. He stalked predatorily towards the confused Smokescreen with a glint of sadism in his optics. Thundercracker twirled a dagger in his hands- looking at the writhing Sideswipe on the floor; his hands tied back, his legs cuffed together to prevent any kicks of sort, and a gag over his mouth to prevent any backtalk. Oh, how the blue seeker's mind was generating all the ways to get back at this mech for all his 'Jet Judo'.
"My, my, how unfortunate for you that your brother isn't here; you'll just have to take punishment for the both of you." Thundercracker sneered, kneeling down to lodge to dagger blade into the red warrior's shoulder.
Starscream pushed Inferno to the back of the room to a large throne-like chair. He stopped to pull the handcuffs of the fire engine's hands.
"Hm, captured so easily…and here you are- the one sworn to protecting a certain S.D." he snickered when Inferno started shivering in anger. "And you are able to do that how? I'm curious; how is it that you can make Red Alert feel safe when you cannot protect yourself? Red must sleep so well knowing you're by his side, right?" The seeker smiled as he managed to un-cuff Inferno; only to have the larger mech turn and try to grab him by the neck. But the seeker was slightly faster; he kicked the Fire truck hard in the chest- shattering his glass frame and landing him on the throne. The pain in his chest distracting him, Inferno didn't notice when Starscream walked to his side and flipped a switch on the wall. Instantly- restraints snaked across his wrists and ankles. Inferno grunted as he pulled and twisted; attempting to get out of the heavy iron bindings. The seekers smiled, reached down, and pulled the red mech's chin to look at him.
Red optics met blue ones in a clash of ferocity. "This is going to be fun…"
oooooooooooooooooooo
He nearly gagged as a smooth glossa entered his mouth and brought with it a surplus of disgustingly sweet flavors. Claws ran over his aching and beaten body; touching sensitive places that could not be enticed. His lips were finally freed, and he jerked out of the grip that held his face. He heard a laugh. "Ah, it is so much like our last meeting, eh, Porsche?" he smiled.
Jazz refused to look in his direction; he wouldn't give Barricade the satisfaction of it. A sharp hand delved into the wiring that was displayed from the opening in his midsection. Another hand grabbed his horn and yanked him to look into his face. "I asked you a question, Autobyte, answer it."
Jazz remained silent; but to stop the pain rippling from his wound, he nodded.
Barricade's cheery smile returned as if a terrifying and dark expression had never taken hold of the Saleen's face.
Now the Mustang practically had a song in his voice. "It is! I remember how easily it was for me to get you alone…to charm and seduce you- you either are a whore or your precious bondmate hadn't touched you in a while…" He said the last part, almost thoughtful. "He warned you too, he knew me- he tried to get you away, but you didn't listen. You yelled at him, but still he tried!" Barricade laughed. "How a simple argument with him could damn you!"
Jazz glared at him; unwanted memories resurfacing from the time he and Barricade had first met.
"In my defense- I'm pretty petty when I'm mad and I thought you were a refugee from Cybertron." He muttered, though Barricade didn't even hear it- he was too wrapped up in his own thoughts.
"And despite all of it; he came for you. I remember his begging, too; how he was on his knees pleading for your safe keeping- At any cost…"
Barricade's eyes got dreamy. "After all that time; he still tasted so sweet. Nothing had changed; his delicious tears as they fell in rivers, his warm blood as it leaked onto my hands, those absolutely angelic screams…yours are almost as lovely…so beautiful he is…"
The saboteur wanted to purge, but had nothing left in his barren tanks to heave. How dare Barricade talk about his bondmate, as if his spark were something to be toyed with then thrown away when it broke!
"Too bad for you…" Barricade looked at him now, "That Prowl won't be joining us this time. Optimus needs him too much; he'll send others instead!"
Barricades fangs appeared as a cold, evil smile took hold of his lips. Dread coursed through Jazz like a rapid virus. No. No!
"The 'others' have already arrived; yes your dear friends…er…forgive me: I'm not too good with names. The red twin, the Lamborghini?"
'Sideswipe…'
"And your security director's bondmate; the fire engine with the accent?"
'No,I-Inferno…'
"Oh and the oldest Datsun, the blue one with the bad smoking habit?"
'Smokescreen, too…'
Barricade nodded, "Yes, they all arrived some time ago; my seeker companions are dealing with them. Now let's see here: You, the medic, the stereo, and those three…Six Autobots in all." The Saleen leered over the wide-opticed Jazz. "More than enough for another rescue operation. And this time- I do believe we'll have the guest of honor finally arrive."
Jazz challenged. "And if he doesn't?"
A Cheshire grin spread, his ruby optics gleaming, claws flexing as they reached to stroke the tear stained cheek.
"I don't think dear Prowl will be able to stay away once I give his lover a countdown."
He gulped, a shudder rippling through him. Like he had to ask:
"A countdown to what?"
Lips brushed his audio receptor in a whispering threat. "Until your death."