Chapter Nine Gone Fishing

\/

The next morning Crystal woke to Moon cooing at her. "Time to wake up beautiful."

"Mmm why?" She yawned.

"Sam is pacing. He wants to go fishing."

"Haha Ok." She tied back her hair and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Moon opened up for her and she climbed out.

"See! Moon lets her sleep in there."

"Sam, it doesn't matter what I say; you sneak off to go sleep in your car anyway."

"I'm sure the proper words would keep him in bed Mikaela." Crystal giggled and Sam started to scratch his head nervously.

Everyone gathered up a fishing pole and Sam grabbed the tackle box as they started a brief walk to the lake up ahead.

"This is going to be great! I'll beat my record from last year."

"I hope not, that smell is still in my trunk." Bee grumbled.

"What is the point of this fishing might I ask?" Moon asked as they approached the lake.

"Dinner tonight." Mikaela grunted. "Fish is alright, but I could go for a pizza right now."

"Bah! Nothing beats the great outdoors!" Sam stated and began baiting his hook. Moon sat down, waiting for Crystal to join him when she asked him to prop his knee up. She climbed to the top and cast her line. It went farther than Sam's.

"Hey! Let me try that!" So he did, perched on Bee's knee, swinging his arm as hard as he could. He didn't get as far but he dealt with it. Mikaela was content on Bee's foot, not really that into fishing.

While they enjoyed each other's quiet company Moon had plans of his own. He retrieved a small stick, keeping it in two fingers without breaking it he started to lightly touch Crystal's hair. She swatted at it without turning around, assuming a bug was buzzing about her head. It wasn't until about the fifth swat that she moved fast enough to feel the stick. She turned around, shooting daggers at Moon with her eyes. He only chuckled at her when she swatted at his leg.

"You are lucky you are too big for me to toss you in the lake!" She threatened. Moon slumped, his head down. She reached over and patted his head. "That's a good boy."

"That is so wrong Crystal." Sam laughed.

"What? He knows I'm joking."

"Do I?" Moon asked as he sniffed and went to remove an imaginary tear from his optic.

"What? Is this pick on Crystal day now?"

"It should be, it has been a long time since we had one of those." Mikaela giggled until a worm was tossed in her hair. She stood screaming, hands flying through her hair to remove the slimy creature. She glared up at Crystal. "One of these days!"

Five hours and six fish later they returned to camp. The fire was dying and the boys decided to go gather firewood. This would consist of Bee pulling down a sapling and the two bots dragging it to camp.

It wasn't until Moon saw the scattered tents, the uncontrolled fire, and Mikaela face down on the ground, that he dropped the tree. Bee looking up and seeing the scene before them. Sam ran to Mikaela, rolling her over to find her still alive. Moon made quick work of picking up the tent remains, searching frantically for Crystal. He couldn't find her anywhere.

"Who did THIS?" He yelled, his baritone voice reverberating off the ground.

"Mikaela? Who did this?" Sam asked, whispering, afraid that if he talked any louder he might hurt her.

"Uh..." She moaned, "My leg hurts." She hissed. Bee confirmed it was broken. They needed to get out of here.

"Mikaela, do you remember what happened?" Sam asked again.

Mikaela was half out of it. Her eyes shot open and she looked around. "Where's Crystal? Oh no! Starscream!"

"I knew it!" Moon yelled. "Which way did he go?"

"I, I don't know." Mikaela whimpered.

"Calm down Moon, we will find her. Let's get out of here." Bee insisted and transformed. Sam placed Mikaela carefully in the back and got in with her. Moon transformed and followed the Camaro away from the campsite and to the Autobots new base.

They came upon a large warehouse, course you wouldn't think to look inside. The military built the Autobots a lavish base. The top, just a simple warehouse, but underneath, catacombs of rooms and storage at their dispense. Even the inside of the topside warehouse looked run down and empty, but underneath, it was clean, with scattered equipment, monitors, and instruments the Autobots needed for repairs.

Moon landed and transformed, storming inside where Bee had already entered and Sam pulled Mikaela out for Ratchet to have a look at her. Optimus came up the ramp, his mechanical eyes showing worry.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Mikaela and Crystal were attacked, Crystal is missing." Bee reported. Optimus looked at Moon's enraged expression.

"Any idea why they would want her Moon?"

"Because of me I am sure. They have a traitor, and they will do anything to get me to come to them. Those bastards!" Moon punched a nearby wall, the warehouse shaking.

"Calm down Moon. We will find her."

"How? We don't know where they are."

"We have some ideas though, thanks to your surveillance. And they don't have the help of the military. So whatever facilities they might be using, they are top side, and don't have underground corridors to hide in."

"Then let's go look!" Moon turned to storm off but Optimus called after him.

"Moon wait! We must formulate a plan. She could be hurt if we rush anything."

"Arg! What am I supposed to do?" He growled, his hands holding his head in frustration.

"Be patient. I think I have an idea."

Crystal woke with a pounding headache. Her arms were numb as they were tied behind her back. She was lying on a dirty floor, and her legs wouldn't separate when she stretched them out. The room was dark, and she looked around as best she could. A voice hissed, echoing off the walls. Two glowing red eyes peered down at her and she knew it wasn't Moon.

"Make yourself comfortable human, you won't be here long."

"What do you want?" She tried to speak, her throat dry and her voice cracked.

"I want Vertical. And because of you, he will come to me. And I will kill him."

"No." She whimpered. This was not happening to her. She closed her eyes to fight tears, but it was too late.

"Silence! Until he arrives, why don't you tell me where the Autobots are hiding?"

"I don't know."

"Wrong answer." On that note four small blue lights appeared and Crystal was aware of pain on her back. Frenzy clawed at her flesh, and although she couldn't see it, she knew she was bleeding. She cried out. "Do you know now?" She shook with fear, she was never taken there, of course she didn't know, so what was she supposed to tell them? When her answer didn't come she felt electricity shoot through her body. It was anything other than pleasant and she began to sob. "Answer me human!"

"I DONT KNOW!" She screamed and then returned to sobbing. Her voice echoed off the walls and it was quiet for some time before another jolt shook her. She was going to die.