"…MEGATRON? I-it can't be..."

Ratchet slowly shook his head in disbelief as he tried to process this newest damning piece of evidence.

"Are you really that surprised, Ratchet?"

Arcee's words were flat as she turned her cold gaze on the Autobot medic. Before hearing Bulkhead speak Megatron's name, she had been unfocused…unsure of herself. Now she had a target for her pent-up fury. Now she was herself again. Arcee the warrior was back.

Ratchet continued, "I know I shouldn't be. Earlier when I was examining the damage to the space-bridge I had suspected his handiwork. It's just…when we last saw him it seemed that he had finally seen the error of his evil ways…even declaring that the Decepticons were no more…"

Arcee angrily shot back, "He's a Decepticon! His so-called 'redemption' was just another in a series of endless lies…that's all the Decepticons ever do! They'll never change…"

Ratchet became more and more frustrated. "But why now? Why go out of his way to harm Jack's parents? Why take your baby? It doesn't make any fragging sense!"

His growing outrage was something Arcee understood perfectly. "I don't know, Ratchet…what I do know is that Megatron is about to find out that you never cross a mother…especially an Autobot mother who has anger-management issues…"

"I'm so sorry, Arcee…I'm sorry for all of this. If I hadn't opened that blasted space-bridge, none of this would have happened…"

Arcee immediately softened when she heard the self-loathing in Ratchet's words. He had been blaming himself for what had happened.

Just like Jack.

"Ratchet…"

She laid her hand on Ratchet's shoulder as she smiled sadly and said, "…Come here."

She gently pulled him into an embrace. Ratchet immediately stiffened at the unexpected contact.

"Arcee, what are you doing? This is a human thing, isn't it?"

"It's called a hug. It's supposed to make you feel better."

"Is it supposed to make me uncomfortable…?"

She smirked, "Don't worry, Ratchet. I'll make sure that Megatron gets payback...from both of us."

Ratchet self-consciously pulled away from Arcee. He suddenly became alarmed when he took a close look at her.

"Arcee…? Are...are you crying?"

Her hand automatically moved to touch her face and she felt the flood of tears that had been steadily flowing from her eyes. She hadn't even realized...

…Arcee…

The sudden wave of emotional pain from Jack hit Arcee like a fist. She became very afraid for her beloved Sparkmate, praying that his parents' condition had not deteriorated further…or worse.

Jack! Jack, are you all right? What's wrong…?

Oh, God…this is all my fault…!

Jack…? What do you mean?

Look into my mind, Arcee…look there and you'll understand…

The memory was as clear as the day it happened over five years ago.

There had been a cave-in…

In an effort to help free those who were trapped, Jack had taken control of a giant Decepticon mining drill. He accidently uncovered the face of the Decepticon Warlord Megatron, who had been buried and pinned by countless tons of rubble. Megatron's furious glowing eyes burned crimson, transforming Jack's perception of the world into an endless sea of blood.

The drill was aimed directly at Megatron's face. He knew Jack could end his life with the push of a button. Unafraid, he cruelly taunted Jack and tried to coax the innocent youth into taking advantage of the situation…an act that Megatron knew would morally destroy him.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Think of the glory…SEIZE THE DAY!"

Megatron could see the hesitation in Jack's face and could not resist the urge to further twist the knife.

"Optimus would…"

With that, Megatron had sealed his own fate. However, instead of his seductive words sending Jack down a spiraling path of darkness, the mere mention of Optimus Prime's name had snapped the young human back to reality and restored him to his senses.

Without hesitation Jack replied, "No, he wouldn't. Not like this."

Megatron was outraged that a lowly human had resisted his corrupting influence and snarled back, "I will be sure to share the details of our little conversation with Optimus…the day I rip out his spark!"

Jack left Megatron without another word. He hoped and prayed he would never see the Decepticon Warlord again.

He hoped in vain. Months later when the Autobots were forced to ally themselves with Megatron against the threat of Unicron, Jack found himself once again standing in Megatron's malevolent presence.

"…YOU! I never forget a face…even that of a human."

Jack did not even bother to speak that time. He simply glanced at Megatron for what seemed to be an eternity. He then turned and walked away…again.

The memories faded.

Arcee did her best to console her Sparkmate.

Jack, you can't keep torturing yourself over your decision…you remember how proud Optimus was when he found out? You chose life over death! You refused to allow Megatron to turn you into something that you're not!

That's NOT what I'm talking about, Arcee! Don't you see? I turned my back on Megatron…twice. Even worse…I IGNORED HIM. To someone like Megatron, that must have been the ultimate insult.

…and it took some pretty big bearings to have done that, Jack.

But that's just it, Arcee...! Megatron would never allow an attack on his pride like that go for very long…least of all when it came from a lowly HUMAN.

Jack…

It all makes sense now…the attack on our home, what he did to my parents and our friends, taking our baby from us…this is Megatron's way of hitting me - hitting both of us where we'd be hurt the most! This whole thing has all been about REVENGE...

Arcee carefully considered what Jack had said. She didn't know what terrified her more, that Jack sounded like he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown or that his words were starting to make sense…

Jack, y-you're exhausted…you HAVE to get some rest or you're going to -

I've rested enough. Does Ratchet think the space-bridge can be repaired?

He…he hasn't said yet. Jack...

Find out. We're running out of time. We need to track Megatron down…fast.

Jack, please -

JUST DO IT…!

Jack severed the mental connection with Arcee. He instantly regretted how he ended things but couldn't ignore the fact that time was short. He slowly rubbed his temples as his headache continued to worsen.

"You're going after him, aren't you…after Megatron?"

"I have to, Dad…he has my son."

"Don't worry, Agent Fowler…Jack won't be going alone."

Surprised, both men turned to see Miko standing at the door. They could see the righteous fury barely restrained behind her eyes.

"Megatron, huh…? Guess I'd better get ready…"

Miko abruptly turned on her heel and vanished.

Jack breathed unsteadily as he sensed a storm brewing…a storm called Miko.

"I don't know, Jack…are you sure it was him? I've seen Megatron more times than I care to remember, but this bruiser…? He never said a word, and we all know how much old buckethead loves to hear the sound of his own voice. Also, he definitely acted the part but he didn't look the part. This guy's armor wasn't like polished silver, it looked almost rusted and pitted…corroded, even."

Jack nodded, "Arcee told me that when Unicron possessed Megatron's corpse, he had twisted and transformed his body into a form more like his own. She said we'd barely recognize him now…"

"Makes sense, I guess…"

Bill sighed deeply and grunted in pain, "Well, since I'm obviously not in a position to stop you…let me at least teach you a few things I know that aren't in your training. You're going to need every trick in the book against Megatron…and that includes a few dirty tricks I've picked up over the years…"

Bill finished with a sheepish grin, "…and when we're done with that, would you please call the nurse and get her to bring me a bottle of asprin?"

Jack returned the smile as best as he was able.

There was a knock at the door. Rafael shyly stepped inside.

"Agent Fowler…? How are you feeling, sir?"

"About as good as I look, son. What's up?"

Raf blushed slightly, "I…I was just wondering if either of you had seen Miko. We were talking earlier and then dozed off. When I woke she wasn't there."

Bill grunted again, "You just missed her, Raf. If I know that girl she's probably hitting the training course."

Rafael brightened, "Thank you, Agent Fowler. I hope you feel better soon. Jack, call me if you need me for anything!"

"Raf…it looks like we're dealing with Megatron."

Jack sadly noted how Rafael suddenly paled at the mere mention of that hated name. Years ago Raf had nearly been killed in a chance encounter with the Decepticon Warlord. He obviously survived but the experience was traumatic to say the least.

"I'm sorry, Raf. I thought you should know."

"Thank you, Jack. I - I'll see you soon."

Rafael quickly left.

He started shaking once he was out of sight and it took Raf several minutes before he was able to stop. He remembered his earlier conversation with Miko and prayed for the strength to deal with the confrontation that he knew was coming.

It didn't take Raf too long to reach the training area. He was relieved to find Miko there as well. Relief quickly became awe…astonishment…even a little fear.

Miko was in the zone. No matter what the automated training course threw at her, she was ready for anything…anticipating surprise attacks with an instinctive, almost supernatural sixth sense…avoiding traps and dodging obstacles with an effortless grace that put trained ballet dancers to shame…and eliminating robotic drones with an unerring accuracy that bordered on the inhuman.

Finally the session appeared to have terminated. Miko stood and panted heavily as she appraised the precision carnage she had wrought.

Suddenly there was the sound of something clicking into place directly behind her. Miko whirled and instantly aimed her weapon at her final target: she stared down her sights at an image of a gunman holding a child hostage. Miko squeezed the trigger and fired, drilling a clean hole through the center of the target's head.

Miko realized she was not alone. She turned to see Raf staring agape at her.

"You saw…?"

Raf could not conceal his amazement, "…yeah. Wow, Miko…I didn't realize your training had already come so far."

"It hasn't, technically. To be honest, I had gotten a little bored with the basic training we've gotten so far. It's not really designed for fighting Decepticons, so I had to reprogram the simulator…"

"Reprogram it how, exactly…?"

As she walked towards Raf, Miko shrugged, "Nothing much, I just removed all the safety protocols and raised its attack parameters a few levels…"

Raf knew he would regret asking but couldn't stop himself, "How many…?"

"…about fifteen…"

"Are you crazy, Miko?!"

"…and a quarter."

Raf raised an eyebrow, "Seriously…? That stopped being funny years ago." He huffed, "I'm worried about you."

Miko smiled slightly as her hand reached out and caressed Raf's cheek. "That's sweet, Raf…but you can stop worrying about me and start worrying about the other guy. When I get my hands on Megatron for what he's done…"

"That's just it, Miko…this is Megatron we're talking about. Aside from Unicron, they don't come much bigger than this."

Miko smiled, her face was devoid of fear.

"The bigger they are, Raf…the bigger they are…"

Miko walked out of the training area, leaving Raf to his own thoughts.

Raf sighed and eventually found his way back to Hangar E.

Carefully stepping around the debris, he approached Ratchet and Arcee and asked, "I don't suppose there's anything that I can help you with, is there…?"

Ratchet surprised Raf with his answer, "Absolutely I could use your help, Rafael!"

Arcee could not contain her amazement, "Ratchet, are you feeling well…?"

"Yip, yip, yip…Arcee, I don't think I have seen things more clearly. Once I would have been perfectly content to work alone, but the stakes are far too great this day. I would be a fool not to accept Rafael's able assistance. Working together we should have the space-bridge operational again very soon."

Ratchet looked at Raf and winked, "You can handle this, right?"

Raf smirked, "Puh-leaze. Just point me in the right direction."

Ratchet grinned, "Finally…somebody who speaks my language. Let's get to work."

Arcee smiled at the exchange and asked, "What do you need me to - "

Ratchet interrupted her, "What I need for you to do is find your Sparkmate and stay with him for the time being. Get some rest, Arcee…you haven't stopped once during this whole travesty, and you're going to need to be at your best when the scrap starts hitting the fan."

"Ratchet…? Do you really believe the space-bridge can be repaired? Everything was practically destroyed…"

"Obviously Megatron has forgotten who he's dealing with, Arcee. Nobody hurts my friends and kidnaps my Godchild. Don't worry...Rafael and I will have the bridge operational by tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Ratchet. I'll be back soon…both of us will."

Arcee transformed into her vehicle mode and rocketed towards the hospital.

She arrived in less a minute, entering the loading area and getting on the freight elevator. She transformed into her human-sized third body, making sure to 'cover' herself with her retractable armor plating. It was a striking look, giving her smooth form an almost dangerous edge not unlike that of her much larger fifteen-foot body.

Arcee thought to herself, It's nice to finally be able to walk freely among other humans, even if it is only with military personnel on the base. She quickly added as an afterthought, ...but only Jack gets a 'show' from this femme.

Arcee asked an orderly if he had seen Jack. He directed her to the intensive care unit where June was being held. She found the room and quietly entered.

Inside she found Jack. He was seated next to June's hospital bed as he watched over his mother. He held her hand and spoke to her softly, almost conversationally.

"…you just remember to get plenty of rest and don't worry… I'll be coming home as soon as we kick Megatron's tail across the galaxy."

Jack gently kissed his mother on her forehead and turned to see Arcee. He stood and quietly walked towards her.

He whispered, "They say that people in comas can still hear everything you say to them…they just aren't able to answer."

Jack looked like the weight of the world was upon his shoulders. His voice shook as he spoke, "She looks so frail, doesn't she…?"

"Your mother is strong, Jack. She's going to make it…"

Arcee reached out to comfort Jack. He pulled back, just outside her arms' reach. He shook his head violently.

"D-don't…"

"…Jack?"

"I - I can't, Arcee…I can't. If…if I let myself feel this…if I feel anything, then it's over. I won't be of any good to you, to our son…to anyone. I…have to do this…I…I…"

"Stop it."

She quickly stepped forward and pulled Jack close to her. He struggled briefly but it was no use. Arcee wasn't letting go.

"Nooo…p-please…"

"Shhh…let it out, baby…let it out."

Jack finally broke.

Great heaving sobs tore through him. He desperately held onto Arcee as his knees buckled and gave out. Arcee's strong arms continued to embrace him as they sank to the floor together.

Even then Arcee could still feel Jack trying to emotionally distance himself from her. She reached out with her spark and joined with his.

Jack…

Arcee…! Please don't look…you shouldn't see me like this…I'm so weak…y-you must think I'm pathetic…

You are NOT weak, Jack! The suffering you've been through would have BROKEN anyone else, but not you! You have kept fighting! You are strong, Jack…stronger than anyone I've ever known! But if you keep fighting this battle alone, eventually you WILL break. Remember, Jack…we are SPARKMATES.

Arcee got through to him. Jack slowly began to repeat the words...

Always together…

Arcee finished...

…forever as ONE.

Their joined sparks began to glow like a small star.

Take it, Jack...take my strength, my little Sparkmate…together nothing can stop us, not even MEGATRON.

Arcee held back nothing as she shared with her beloved Jack.

I love you, Jack.

I love you, Arcee. I...love...you...

Jack fell asleep in Arcee's arms. She watched over him through the night, fondly remembering similar nights during a much simpler time.

Early the following morning they finally received word from Ratchet.

"Arcee…? Will you and Jack please meet us in the hangar…?"

Before leaving they said farewell to Jack's parents. Despite his condition, Bill began making arrangements to have supplies rushed over to what was left of Hangar E. By the time Jack and Arcee had returned, everything had arrived and was ready for them.

Ratchet and Raf had feverishly worked through the night repairing the space-bridge. Miko had joined them several hours ago but had eventually fallen asleep. Despite his own lack of sleep, Raf attempted to rouse her from her slumber as Ratchet explained the situation.

"We were able to cannibalize the ground-bridge for the necessary components. Everything has been jury-rigged. We have only one chance at this, so until I can spend a great deal of additional time on repairs, this is a one way trip."

Jack inquired, "A trip to where, exactly?"

Ratchet's optics tightened, "…Cybertron. Just before the attack, I was able to determine the approximate coordinates of the other end of the space-bridge connection. It may not be much…it may not be anything…but right now it's all we've got."

Arcee permitted herself a tiny smile, "So we could be leaping right into a trap? Perfect."

Jack grinned, "We'll take it. We've been in worse situations than this before."

"We have?" Miko sleepily asked.

"Okay, maybe not." Jack smirked, "But that's never stopped us before, right?"

Arcee stood at her Sparkmate's side, "Right."

Ratchet solemnly promised, "I will watch over Bulkhead and Wheeljack while the space-bridge is repaired."

Jack became deadly serious.

"We do this together, understand?"

Arcee was apprehensive and tightly held Jack's hand.

"For our son…"

Raf nodded with determination.

"For our family…"

Miko stood by Raf, eager for retribution.

"For our friends…"

It was time.

"Fire it up, Ratchet."

The space-bridge opened.

Jack turned to his team and addressed them one final time.

"Be ready for anything."

He turned back towards the vortex.

"Roll out."

Team Prime jumped into the unknown.