Author's Note: Thanks to all the reviews, followers, and favorites!

Disclaimer: I don't own transformers.


Three days later (according to Knockout), Bumblebee's resolve had begun to waver. There had been no explosions or fights that would signify a rescue team. And the continues shocking sessions hadn't turned up anything for the 'cons, much to Knockout's displeasure.

He entered the cell again, an obvious scratch in his usually flawless finish. He was muttering to himself about how impatient Megatron was. The shock prod was being toted in his arms, looking as deadly as it had every time before.

Bumblebee watched the medic closely. "Why do you bother with this anymore? You know I'm not gonna tell you anything."

The 'con glared at 'Bee. "Well, today we are going to try something new." He gave a crooked smirk and opened Rafael's cage. Then he grabbed the boy in a clawed servo before he could try to run away. Then Raf was hung up next to Bumblebee, making the mech's optics widen. Raf looked scared.

"Where is your base?" Knockout asked impatiently, activating the shock prod and hovering it inches in front of Raf's face.

'Bee had to give the kid credit, because he visibly swallowed his fear and said, "I'll never tell you."

Knockout tutted, and let the prod barely skim the surface of Raf's stomach. The boy gritted his teeth as the electricity danced through his bones, but he forced himself to not cry out.

Bumblebee winced as Raf convulsed. The mech waited only a moment longer before saying, "No! Stop! I'll tell you, just don't hurt him!"

Knockout arched an optic ridge, but withdrew the rod. "You will tell me?"

'Bee nodded. "Just don't hurt Raf!"

"Finally! You autobots are too soft," Knockout said, dropping the prod rather roughly. 'Bee spared a quick glance at Rafael, who looked rather pale. But Knockout interrupted Bumblebee by asking, "Alright, where is it?"

The yellow mech stared at the medic, who looked somewhat tired, but a bit excited to finally be harvesting the fruits of his labor. Bumblebee sighed, but rattled off the coordinates, knowing Raf's safety was on the line.

Knockout shook his helm in disbelief. "Your team is still in Jasper? Lord Megatron checked there!"

"It's c-called shield...ing," Raf mumbled, looking worse for the wear.

The 'con rolled his optics. "Whatever. I need to go speak to Lord Megatron now. So enjoy yourselves!" he cackled. Before he left, he tossed Raf back into his cage. The boy winced as his abused body came in contact with the ground.

Once the medic had left, Bumblebee whirred unhappily. "I'm sorry, Raf!" he chirped, doorwings trembling. "If I had known they were going to hurt you..."

"It's f-fine, 'Bee. Y-you shouldn't..have t-told them," the boy stuttered, wrapping his arms around his suddenly shaking body.

"They were hurting you! Human bodies can't take that amount of electricity going through them at once. He would have killed you." His doorwings dropped at the thought.

"Well we're s-still alive. D-don't worry," Rafael replied, trying to sound strong.

Bumblebee gave a small smile at the boy's courage.

-oOo-

Knockout practically ran to the bridge of the warship, narrowly avoiding several vehicons. He'd yelled "Hey! Watch the finish!" a couple times already, disregarding the scratch his lord had given him that he still needed to buff out. Megatron had been waiting for the coordinates of the autobot base for a while now.

"My lord!" he yelled, his voice ringing through the command center. "They've given up the location of their base!"

Megatron, who was in some sort of scientific conversation with Shockwave, turned at the news. "Excellent! Soundwave, obtain the coordinates from our dear medic and prepare to open a ground bridge." Then the warlord placed a servo to his helm, activating a public comm. "Starscream, ready your armada and meet me at the bridge."

He turned back to the mechs assembled. "It's time to end this little game once and for all."

-oOo-

Miko let Raf's mother cling to her and cry, mourning the loss of her youngest son. Fowler had just delivered the news, and then departed swiftly, offering his apologies and saying he had a meeting to attend. Miko knew he just didn't want to see the woman cry and possibly break into tears himself.

Miko herself was missing her friend, but she was too numb to cry for the time being.

Rafael's mother had been informed that her son was missing, but not that he'd been kidnapped by 'cons. And now she knew he was deceased, but Fowler wouldn't let her see the footage, saying it was highly classified and claiming it was too gory for the woman to see. She believed him, and hadn't asked again.

Back at base, the Japanese girl stared blankly at the screen, wondering why playing the racing game on one player was so much more boring than two. The words "YOU WIN" flashed over and over on the screen. She sighed and dropped the controller.

She stood up and looked around, wondering what she could do to keep her mind off of 'Bee and Raf. She'd offered to go dune bashing with Bulkhead, but he had to go on a patrol, leaving her stuck at base, bored. She sighed again.

"'Ey, kid," a gruff voice said, making her turn. Even standing on the elevated platform, she had to partially crane her neck to see Ironhide's face. "Ah know this is more ah yer and Bulkhead's thin', but Ah got nuthin' else ta do. Wanna go dune bashin'?"

She perked up a little. "Sure. Do you like the slash monkeys?"

He shook his head. "Nah. But Ah'll go fer some nice hard rock instead."

Miko shrugged. "Okay." She climbed down the ladder and started to head for the red mech when the whine of jet engines reached her ears. She stopped in her tracks and cocked her head to one side. Jasper didn't have its own airport, so planes rarely came through, if ever.

"Optimus! Incoming!" Ratchet yelled. The Prime looked up at the medic, and unspoken words passed between them. Ratchet's yell attracted Hound, Mirage, and Jazz to the main room, making it feel rather cramped.

The engine noise increased, accompanied by the shrill whistle of something else.

"Missile! Everyone take cover!"


A/N: Sorry for the shortness.