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We landed in front of the castle gates, which were wide open. I dug my feet into the gravel driveway, steeling myself and praying that Grimlock wouldn't see Megatron and immediately mistake him for a large, ugly chew toy.

We began walking, Megatron following behind as I led.

"What the hell is that?" Bumblebee's voice floated across the courtyard, followed by the short wail of a siren. I nearly leaped out of my skin, raising my hands and Bumblebee rolled between Megatron and I, shielding me with his body. I saw Izzy, Cade and Viviane burst outside, all armed.

"Hold on," I raised my hands higher, shouting, "Bee! Stop it! Stand down!"

Megatron hadn't flinched. A smirk danced across his face as he stared the scout down, dwarfing the little bot with ease. Bumblebee was still on guard, guns raised, but at my command he stepped back.

"Rachel, what's going on?" Viviane kept her eyes on Megatron. "Why is he here?"

"He's with me, unfortunately," I said. Before I could say anything else, Izzy had her arms wrapped around me, Her hug was tight, her eyes squeezed shut as she buried her face in my chest. I returned the gesture with just as much vigor. "Hey. Hey, it's okay. You're okay."

"Where's Optimus?" Cade asked me. "I thought you were under base arrest or something? Did Lennox help you slip out?"

"No. Megatron did," I jerked my chin towards the warlord. "He's here on a contract. Sort of. A deal was made, he's clean now. Good. He won't hurt anyone."

"I'm not sure if I believe you."

"Believe me, Yeager, if I wanted to kill you I would have done it already," Megatron touched a servo to his chassis. "For now, we are allies."

"We'll see about that," Cade murmured, holstering his gun and pulling me into a hug. He kissed the top of my head and whispered, "You okay?"

"i'm good. Optimus is back at the base," I said, reaching out to grasp Viviane's hand. "I know you want to retire from the whole 'world saving' business, Cade, but we need you help. Again."

An hour later, I'd debriefed everyone — Bumblebee, Cogman, Izzy, Cade, Viviane and Sqweeks. We sat in the courtyard, Bee and Megatron looming over us.

"So this talisman can kill her?" Cade grazed a finger over the metal slithering over his arm. "And then that's it? No more Unicron?"

"Unicron won't have her as a resource. He's practically powerless, since he's in stasis. He relies on her to do all the heavy lifting," I explained. "That talisman belonged to one of her Knights. They were her protectors, and the only ones who could kill her. They knew all her secrets — when they betrayed her, she killed them. That thing on your arm is all that's left."

"Okay, so I doubt Quintessa is going to let us waltz up to her uninvited," Cade said. "It was already hard enough getting a swing in the last time we fought."

"Leave the military tactics to me, Yeager," Megatron said smugly. I saw Cade roll his eyes, but allow Megatron to speak. "An ambush would be our best option. But we will need bait — enticing bait."

Megatron's optics darted towards me. Viviane was the first to notice, nose wrinkling in disgust.

"No," she said firmly. "Absolutely not."

"Hold on," I said softly. "Let him talk."

Megatron snorted, cocking his head to the side. "I will present the half-breed to Quintessa as a sign of good faith. I will beg for her forgiveness, and pledge my loyalty once more."

I looked around. Expressions ranged from anger, to disgust. Izzy's eyes were narrowed and her nails were biting into the stone slab that she sat on.

"I find your entire proposition risky and foolish," Cogman crossed his arms. "Not to mention stupid."

"Will she come, though? If you have me with you?" I craned my neck to look at Megatron. "If we can catch her by surprise, she might not have time to react and we can—"

"Is Optimus okay with this?" Viviane crossed her arms. "Does he even know that your here?"

"He does, and he and Lennox are trying to convince the military to provide support," I snapped back. Viviane raised her hands in a placating gesture, and I quickly shot her an apologetic look. "Look, none of you have to follow me. None of you have to come — I certainly don't want Izzy coming—"

"I'm coming. You can't stop me."

"Izzy—"

"I sat and waited for you. You're not leaving and getting yourself hurt without me to back you up," Izzy crossed her arms. "Sqweeks and I are going to be there. You need someone who can hold Quintessa down and keep her from running."

"She has a point," Bumblebee shrugged.

"We're all coming," Viviane said, shooting a glare at Megatron. "Don't think that we're going to leave you alone with him."

"Your distrust is disheartening, fleshling. After all, whether you like it or not, we will be working together on the battlefield."

Viviane could only continue glaring, because Megatron's words rang true. I stood, wiping my hands on my pants. "Tomorrow, then?"

"Tomorrow. I require recharge," Megatron brushed past Bumblebee. "Are there any berths in this wretched estate?"

"It's a sixteenth century castle. Of course we don't have giant alien beds," Cade scoffed. "You can survive sleeping on the grass for one night. You don't even deserve to sleep comfortably."

Megatron huffed, but did not retaliate. I watched him stomp around towards the less decorated side of the castle. When he disappeared from view, three humans and three very, very confused bots were staring at me.

"So we're trusting him, now? Just like that?" Cade raised his eyebrows. "Didn't he tie you down and torture you, Rachel?"

"It wasn't him. It was Quintessa," I said shakily. At Cade's incredulous look I said, "I was the one he hurt, Cade. And trust me, even now, I'd like nothing more than to see him die. Hell, I'm hoping he and Quintessa off each other tomorrow. Kill two birds with one stone."

"Or have one bird kill the other, and then have me stab the bird that's left alive," Cade said. "I think this whole plan is a mistake."

"You're kind of the centerpiece to all this. But you don't have to come. We can find some other way—"

"No. I want another shot at her, and I want to get the job done this time. It's just…Megatron is the last person I want watching my back."

"He won't be the only one," I said. "I'll be with you."

Cade smiled.

Quintessa had agreed to meet Megatron in an old abandoned amusement park deep within Louisiana. The place was vacant for miles and miles, making it the perfect spot.

I flew with Megatron while Cogman readied the plane and followed close behind. I was silent the entire ride, surprised that Megatron only made one attempt at getting me to talk. I was silently letting him know that I wanted nothing to do with him outside of killing Quintessa. The more distant we were, the better.

The amusement park was filled with overgrown grass, weeds bursting through the concrete. Buildings that had once been used to entertain were now vacant, left to rust and rot. A roller coaster and a ferris wheel dominated the skyline.

Cogman landed the plane a ways away, forcing Megatron and I to wait.

"We had places like these back on Cybertron," Megatron mused. "They were much more impressive, of course."

"Cool," I shuddered at the surreal image of Megatron enjoying himself on a rollercoaster. I wasn't even sure if the word "fun" existed in Megatron's vocabulary, at least, not anymore.

Megatron huffed at my response. I rolled my shoulders, hearing footsteps — Izzy and Cade rounded the corner, and I waved.

"We're all set up. Cogman is on the ferris wheel with the sniper," Izzy said. "Bumblebee is with Viviane and Sqweeks."

"Are you sure you can do this, Izzy?" I caught her by the arm. "You don't have to. You can go home—"

"I'm staying, and I'm fighting."

I nodded. I pulled her into a hug, ushering her towards her hiding spot.

"If you try anything," Cade glared up at Megatron, pointing, "I'll have Izzy hold you down so I can kill you myself, understand?"

Surprisingly, Megatron said,"I understand."

"Good," Cade darted to where Izzy was hiding, checking over his shoulder as Megatron and I were left, standing on old, downtrodden concrete.

Ten agonizing minutes passed before Megatron rumbled, "she's here."

I heard the squeal of the Insecticons. Four of them dropped from the sky, talons biting into the dirt. Then Quintessa, emerging as they parted like the red sea.

I ducked my head as Megatron drew his axe, lightly nudging the bladed end against the small of my back, forcing me forward. I stumbled, keeping my face as neutral as possible.

"Megatron," Quintessa hissed. She tilted her chin up, sneering, "You've come to your senses, I see."

"I have. I made a grave error, a lapse in judgement," Megatron slowly knelt, dipping his head down in a submissive bow. The act pleased Quintessa, and she beamed. "Forgive me. I allowed my rage to control me."

"You are forgiven. You have brought the girl to me," Quintessa's face fell, though her anger wasn't directed towards Megatron. I stood still as she rushed forward, gripping my cheeks between her fingers, lurching my head back as she stared into my eyes. "Unicron will be pleased."

"Go to hell."

Quintessa's slap was like a thunderclap. My head snapped to the side, but I did not fall.

Wait for the signal, Cogman, wait for it…

Megatron rose to his feet as Quintessa hovered, her Insection's hissing. The moment Megatron sheathed his axe was the moment Cogman fired from atop the ferris wheel, a perfectly aimed shot from his rifle that shattered through Quintessa's shoulder.

"Now!"

The Cybertronian grenade sailed over the empty buildings. I could only turn and haul ass, the concussive force of the explosion flattening me against the concrete. The Insecticon's howled as the night sky became alit with orange fire.

Quintessa went to lunge but was stopped, hand outstretched and trembling. She was unblinking, mouth open and stuck between a bellow of rage and sheer confusion.

Hold it, Izzy, hold it…

She was. I could see her, hair framing her face like a halo as she focused intently on Quintessa.

Two Insecticon's had survived. One shrieked and headed towards me while the other made a beeline towards Cogman — only to both be held back by an unseen force.

Oh, no.

Izzy was sweating, the veins in her temple pronounced as she struggled to keep the three entities from moving any further. Cade rushed past her, sword in hand.

Go Cade, go Cade.

One of the Insecticon's broke loose, forcing Cade to roll our of the way as it mandibles swept up anything in its path. I scrambled to my feet, bracing myself and meeting the Insecticon head on, wrapping my hands around its two mandibles and shoving, praying that I wouldn't be shaken around like a rag doll.

My back hit the ground as the Insecticon's mandibles were forced open. Sticky green saliva dripped from its open maw and onto my face and neck, causing me to squeeze one eyes shut. It's front two legs kicked and thrashed, attempting to impale me but struggling due to the awkward angle. All the while I could feel the concrete begin to crack as my body was pushed harder and harder against it's surface.

I heard Izzy scream as Quintessa broke from her hold.

Shit. Shit.

Cade still had a chance. Cogman, Bumblebee and Viviane were dealing with the second Insecticon while Izzy had collapsed in exhaustion.

"Sqweeks! Grab her!" I shouted. The blue bot zoomed past toward's his companion.

The Insecticon was tugged from me and subsequently turned its attention to my rescuer — Megatron. I found myself staring up at flickering stars, which were descending down faster and faster —

Those aren't star.

Six more Insecticon's impacted the ground. I met Quintessa's gaze and she smirked.

Asshole.

I rolled to my feet as Megatron decapitated his attacker before being jumped by two more.

This plan has gone to shit.

You think?

I wiped Insecticon saliva from my face, frantically looking around. Quintessa was in the thick of it all, unwavering, having regained her composure. Her injured shoulder didn't seem to be bothering her, and she was setting her sights on Cade.

Shit.

I'd never tried anything like I was about to do before. Control was the only thing I wasn't able to have over someone while linking with them, but I could always distract. After making sure that I wasn't about to be flanked by Insecticon's, I closed my eyes, fingers digging into the ground.

Focus on her. She's right in front of you.

Focus. Breathe.

I opened my eyes and only saw Quintessa, a stark contrast against the dark void of her mind. I wasted no time in rushing her, catching her by surprise. I did the only thing I could think of — I began punching.

Don't stop don't stop—

She shrieked, arms flailing. I dug my fingers deeper into the ground, muscles tensing. I prayed I'd incapacitated her enough for Cade to get a hit in—

"Rachel! N.E.S.T is here! We have backup!"

I swung harder until Quintessa parried one of the hits, closing her mind off as quickly as I'd entered. I was thrust out, back into my own conscious. My eyes opened and I was painfully aware that my hands were cut and bleeding from the Insecticon's mandibles as I swayed on my hands and knees, brow slick with sweat.

"N.E.S.T is here! Let's go!" Viviane, gun and hand, frantically began tugging me by the shirt. She was right — a barrage of missile fire destroyed an Insecticon, the sound of jets streaking overhead deafening, followed by the repetitive thunder of Hound's minigun. I finally managed to get up, ducking as the sounds of battle raged around us. We slid behind an old concrete structure that had once been used as a carnival game.

"Where's Izzy?" I immediately asked.

"She's with Bumblebee. Cogman and Sqweeks are with them," Viviane answered. "I sent them away."

"Thank you," I let out a breath, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. Quintessa's bellows were loud and angry, her streaks of lightning cracking through the sky.

"Don't go back out there," Viviane said firmly, practically reading my mind. "Don't."

"I can fight. I have to help—"

"Rachel! It's over. We're done," Viviane stopped me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "We missed our chance. Don't do something stupid, something that could get you killed.

I slouched back before peering around the corner. Quintessa was gesturing wildly, ordering her Insecticon's to retreat. I could see Cade adjacent to us, ducked behind the operating panel of the ferris wheel. There was no way he had an open shot at Quintessa from his position, and all I could do was silently hiss.

"We'll fight another day," Viviane said softly. "Let it go."

I did, taking several breaths as I heard Quintessa and her Insecticon's get farther and farther away, leaving the amusement park eerily quiet.

Viviane and I rose, emerging from cover. I saw several N.E.S.T vehicles approach, followed by Optimus. Hound rolled into view, gun raised.

Lennox hopped from the front car, armed and ready. He dropped his guard when he saw Cade, Viviane and I approach, only to raise it when Megatron dropped from the sky, landing in a crouch.

"Did you get her?"

I could only shake my head, ashamed. The amusement park around us had been razed to the ground, the dirt black, the buildings around us singed and destroyed, some burning. We'd destroyed a shitton of property and we hadn't gotten Quintessa.

"Thank you for the air support," I watched Optimus transform out of the corner of my eye. He approached warily, looking Megatron up and down. I said, "Lennox, I'm not going back to Diego Garcia—"

"I'm not making you," Lennox said.

"What about Mearing? What about—"

"What about it?" My eyes swiveled as Charlotte Mearing slid from the car. She looked as composed as usual, standing at attention next to Lennox. "I pulled some strings."

"I'm free?"

"Not exactly. But we'll get to that later," Mearing turned, dressing Cade. "I don't think we've met."

"Cade Yeager. Although I'm guessing you already knew that."

They shook hands, a glint in Mearing's eyes. She said slowly, "I did. But formalities never hurt."

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm here to give you an an ultimatum," Mearing said gravely. "Six weeks. You have exactly six weeks from today to dispose of Quintessa. To kill her."

"Or what? And this was decided by who?" Viviane asked.

"The President," Mearing replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. I could tell that delivering the news pained her, as did the news itself. "That's how much time you've been given until all of you are…deported. To Cybertron."

"All of us?" I raised my eyebrows in alarm. "Wait, so if we don't kill Quintessa we're being kicked off the planet? Even though half of us are native to here? They can't just…exile us—"

"I'm afraid they can. I was the one who convinced them to give you time," Mearing replied.

"Izzy is a kid. She didn't have a choice — Decepticon's killed her parents —"

"Trust me, I tried to make that case. But these people are afraid," Mearing said. "They've been pushed into a corner, and this is much better than the alternative."

"The alternative being…?" Cade probed.

I met Prime's gaze. He shifted, his stance going from casual to aloof.

"Death. There were talks of…euthanizing the girl," Mearing nodded to me, and I froze, fists clenched as I felt almost a dozen pair of eyes swivel to look in my direction. "Had it come to that, I would have given you sufficient warning. But it didn't, and this was the best deal I could work out."

"Thank you, Director," Optimus said coldly, though his seething, silent rage wasn't directed towards her. "Your loyalty has spared us a great deal of misfortune."

"I told you Prime, I never make the same mistakes twice. I didn't trust you before — I do now. Always will."