And the story continues...just how much of a little devil can one little youngling femme be?

Day 2

"Father! Psst! Father…wake up!"

"I'm up," I yawned but didn't move.

I didn't want to move. Every joint was stiff from the construction work I've been helping out with on the base.

"Come on…we'll miss it!" my daughter's voice whispered.

I felt her tugging on my arm. It wasn't going anywhere. I think my arm alone weighed three times as much as her.

Her grip slipped.

"Whoa!"

One optic came online when I heard her tumble. She was up cursing and brushing the snow off but seemed unharmed. I took my optic offline. I exhaled slowly. Recharge was imminent. I welcomed it as I had been dreaming of Elita. The way she moved, the way she talked, the way she felt in my arms, the way her lips felt on my…

PLUNK!

That was the sound of something hitting the armor on my chest pulling me out of recharge before I was in! I brought my optics online just as something round and white was coming at my face.

Round…white…and fraggin cold!

I opened my mouth to say something and more snow hit me right in my mouth!

Needless to say I was up and on my feet. My daughter's giggling the only thing keeping my anger at bay.

"I accessed the internet like you told me…it's called a snowball!" she laughed, hit me again in the chest with another 'snowball' then took off running.

"Maybe you should go play with her Optimus. Some of us are trying to recharge," Ratchet grumbled.

"I'm going," I muttered through a yawn as I stretched.

As I slowly headed after her I looked up what a snowball was using the internet. I had to laugh. It was appropriate for the setting. On impulse I scooped up some snow and made my own snowball. I turned and threw it at Ratchet hitting him right in the face.

"Optimus!" he growled loud enough to wake a few of the others.

"Oops, sorry, my bad!" I shouted at him.

I chuckled, making my way through the trees. I found Kacey already standing in our spot staring expectantly up at the sky. I wondered if she was going to be like this every morning. Primus, I honestly don't know if I could handle that! Hopefully, she's just excited because this is still new to her being it's only her second sunrise.

"The sky doesn't look the same," she pointed out.

I gazed up. She was right. So I check my internal chronometer. I groaned covering my optics with my hand. My daughter woke me up from recharge...a full two hours before sunrise.

"Sunrise is at 7:33 am this time of year. It's 7:35."

"Kacey, it's only 5:33 am where we're at," I moaned.

"Oops, sorry, wrong time zone," she smiled innocently. "I'll reset my chronometer to the right one."

The massive snowball came from nowhere and hit Kacey square in the chest knocking her over. If she wasn't laughing so hard I would have been concerned.

"You missed!" Ironhide hissed.

"Well you're the marksman…you throw it then!" Ratchet shot back.

"This is war, Ratchet!" she shouted at him, leaping up on her feet.

She wasn't supposed to transform but she did anyway. She transformed into her Cybertrionian armor, including the mask on her face, which was a good idea. That snow was fraggin cold the face plates.

My mask went up just in time. Splat…right on my mask.

"Got him!"

"You're so going down, Ironhide!" I shouted at him.

"Make a big one father and pack it tight!" she suggested then threw one she had made using her left arm.

"Hey!"

"Nice shot!" I laughed as she had nailed Ratchet right in the face.

"Thanks. Mother said I had good aim," she said, then snickered. "Better than yours!"

"Oh really, shall we test that?"

"You're on!" she shot back without hesitation.

I had to laugh. She reminded me of Elita at the moment. My Elita never backed away from a challenge. Anything a mech can do femmes can do better was her motto. And she was right the majority of the time too.

And so began our little war. Over all I calculated that my daughter and I had more hits than Ratchet and Ironhide. And she was right, her aim was better than mine and she was using her left arm, not her right which she uses the most. Our little war ended when the sun started to rise.

Kacey had fallen into recharge before the sun finished rising. Ratchet said to expect that as she was still adjusting to our schedule and her shoulder still had a long ways to go before it was completely healed. And any kind of over exertion just drained her energy fast at this point.

Her recharging during the day actually was beneficial as I didn't have to worry about her too much as we labored to construct the base. And it kept her out of trouble. But I knew if she was anything like me, that wasn't going to last forever.

Day 7

It was about noon when Kacey showed up full of energy and almost bouncing off the walls. This was the first day she didn't go back into recharge after we watched the sunrise together.

"Can I help?" Kacey asked excitedly, making sure to stay out of the mechs who were carrying the equipment

"No. I'm sorry but it's not a place for younglings at the moment," I told her firmly, keeping an opitc on the work going on. "No…that goes to Ironhide!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"But I'm an Autobot…it's my duty to help," she insisted, showing me her insignia. "I understand what it means to be an Autobot. I want to help."

Yes. I could see she understood. At times she had a maturity that was way beyond her years. At other times…

"I just want to be with you father," she added, sounding like a youngling.

How could I tell her no or that I was too busy?

"Give me an hour then we'll go do something together," I smiled at her.

"Ok!" she cheered then hurried away.

The hour came and went quickly. I was so focused on helping Wheeljack install our computer system that I lost track of time. Nearly three hours had passed since I told Kacey we'd do something together. My only concern was to protect my fellow Autobots, not intentionally neglect my daughter.

"She's gonna be mad at you!" Ironhide teased as I hurried out the tunnel.

Primus, I hope not. I can tell Kacey already has Elita's temper as she is not afraid to speak her mind to anyone.

I picked up my pace just in case. Once outside I scanned the landscape but didn't see my daughter with the other younglings as they played. Regardless, I headed over to Chromia who was watching them.

"Optimus, you need to find another teacher for Kacey. Her education is much higher than any younglings."

"Yes, she told me that was all she did everyday for more than five orns was study and train. Knowing Alpha Trion her studies probably weren't light either."

"If I may make a suggestion, once we've settled, have Wheeljack teach her. I'm sure he wouldn't mind having a little help in his workshop. Ratchet's not going to teach her that's for certain. And I don't think you want Ironhide teaching her any bad habits."

"I'll consider it," I replied looking past the younglings through the trees. "Excuse me."

I walked to our spot where we watch the sunrise together. She wasn't there either. I groaned. The last thing I wanted to do was reach out to her with my spark and seem like a panicked parent who couldn't find his child. Thinking she had gone in the tunnel and I'd missed her I headed back that way and into the command center.

She wasn't there. Ok, there was still time before I needed to panic. I used my sensors to locate her energy signature. Nothing. Which could mean she's just out of my range. So, I tried to reach out to her through our bond. I frowned.

I was panicing now but I wasn't about to show it!

"Wheeljack, how soon can you get Teletran 2 up and running?" I asked quietly.

"Another six hours or so," he answered grabbing a tool of the panel.

"See if you can't cut a few hours off…I can't find my daughter."

"Don't tell my you lost her!" Ironhide chuckled.

Only I wasn't in the mood as I stormed passed him.

"Optimus, Sir," a mech technician spoke up, stopping me. "She was here a couple of hours ago. She saw you were busy. I asked her if she wanted me to get you. She said that it was ok and that she'd find something to do. She was quite cheerful about it and seemed to understand you were too busy."

I cursed at my self. I should never be too busy for my daughter.

"I'm sure she's fine, Optimus," Ironhide said.

"This is my daughter we're talking about!"

And my daughter seemed to have lots of my tendencies! I could only imagine what trouble she was getting herself into. Ironhide finally realized that himself.

"You're right," he replied. "Hound…we need those sensors of yours on the double! We got a youngling to track!"

I ran back outside, reaching out to her again. The others followed. I could only barely sense her but that was a relief in itself. Only it didn't tell me where she was at.

"What is it?" Ratchet asked.

"I can sense her…but barely. It's like she's in deep recharge. Hound?"

"I'm not picking up her energy signature. Not even on long range sensors."

I frowned. Those damn defense systems of her had a way of making my life difficult. She could hide with that dampening field of hers and did on a few occassions when she'd gone too far with a prank and knew I'd be angry with her.

"Not now, Nitro. Go to your mother," Ironhide ordered his son. "Now."

I turned to see Nitro was nearly in tears as he turned to do as his father had told him. He was Kacey's friend. The two were always throwing snowballs at each other.

"Nitro…come here," I spoke softly, kneeling down to his level. The youngling slowly came to me, looking up apologetically at his father as he walked by. "Do you know where Kacey is?"

He nodded, tears rolled down his faceplates.

"Can you show me?"

He raised his arm and pointed up high at the cliffs that partially surrounded the base. They were the reason I chose this location. Over a two thousand foot high wall to help shield the base.

"She said she missed flying and need to see what was up there," he wept. "She made me promise not to follow because she said I'd get hurt."

"And she was right," I smiled, wiping his tears away. "Thank you, Nitro. Now go to your mother like your father said."

I watched as Ironhide grabbed up his son and apologized with a kiss to he forehead before letting the little mech continue on.

I climbed up the cliff wall and sure enough, there she was in deep recharge on the plateau. And a week's worth of rehab on her shoulder wasted. I couldn't convince Ratchet to keep the sling off after that. I did however order him to reactive her plasma burners. He tried to argue with me on the matter. I told him that if he didn't do, than Kacey was going to do it at some point. I'd much rather they be reactivated properly. I couldn't risk her injuring herself trying, not when I could at least prevent it.

Four months

After about a month, Kacey's shoulder had completely healed. Then her true colors really started to shine. I think Ratchet bore the brunt of her pranks as she had not entirely forgiven him for deactivating her plasma burners. At least three times a week, I'd hear him shouting her name followed by her giggles as she ran down the hallway from the Med Bay.

Sometimes it was both her and Nitro laughing as they ran. The pair had become the best of friends much to Ironhide's delight. I honestly think he's trying to pair my daughter off with his son. I don't say anything about it. I have a feeling Kacey will chose her own mate when the time is right, much like her mother had chosen me. Primus, I fear for this mech, whoever he may be. He won't stand a chance against my daughter!

Then last month, I decided to give Kacey something more constructive to do, in an attempt to at least slow down her antics. Of course, in hindsight, allowing her to work with Wheeljack in his workshop probably wasn't the most logical of choices. His brains and her curiosity ended up being a destructive combination. Oh well, at least they haven't blown up the workshop this month…yet.

"Optimus, can you join me outside, please?" Ironhide's voice sounded through my internal communicator.

"Acknowledged, I'm on my way," I replied getting up from my desk.

I took my time walking through the now completed base as it didn't sound like an emergency. I strolled by the Med Bay to see Ratchet and Moonracer having a deep discussion. Wheeljack was actually working alone today in his workshop. The recreation room was buzzing with mechs talking about the old days on Cybertron.

I smiled. Life was good for us at the moment. We were safe. The Decepticons were still quiet. Ironhide and Chromia's little sparkling boy, Sidewinder, was a joy to have on the base. And fifteen more Autobots had fallen to Earth over the past four months and were amongst us now.

Even the green trees and grass beneath my feet brought joy to me for I was so glad the snow finally melted. Kacey was usually very accurate with the snowballs and packed them hard. I hadn't realized just how hard until one hit me right in the groin. She had disappeared before I fell to the ground and hid from me for three days so sure I was mad at her. Primus, it hurts every time I think about it!

Ironhide turned and signaled for me to be quiet as I approached. Once at the peak of the ridge, I saw Kacey and Nitro…having a shooting contest with the small plasma guns on the training field we created!

"Kacey's been hiding something from us," Ironhide said handing me visual data cube. "I noticed after last inventory the energy level on the small plasma guns had dropped. I was curious and had my suspicions that someone was sneaking into the armory. I had a hidden camera put in there."

"I don't see anything," I said as I looked at the recorded data.

"No, you wouldn't. Not until you see the drawer open where I store the plasma guns."

I saw it. The drawer open and close. But I didn't see anyone.

"A cloaking device," I frowned.

"I often wondered how she got into the Med Bay at times while Ratchet was in there. He may be up there in orns but he's not blind."

"But why didn't she tell me about it?" I asked.

"She's a youngling. Probably thought you'd confine her to quarters or worse, have her cloaking shield deactivated. You already had Ratchet try with her dampening field."

"With no success," I added. "Wheeljack said it was part of her program and the only way would be to take her offline. I'm not going to do that. And I can't say I approve of this."

I nodded down towards the two younglings firing their weapons. Younglings had no business with weapons or the war.

"They're both really good," he smiled proudly. "I've been teaching Nitro. Elita must have trained Kacey. Watch, she has some of Elita's best moves."

As much as I hated to admit it, Kacey was handy with the plasma gun. She tumbled, rolled and came up shooting just like her mother. And she could shoot with accuracy too.

I sighed.

Watching her made me miss how Elita and I used to fight side by side as a team. Hard as I tried, I couldn't keep Elita off the battle field. So, to keep her as safe as possible, I made her a part of my team. We actually fought better together. On some occasions, when neither of us were injured, the fighting really got our energon flowing and we'd end up making love with fiery passion in my quarters or hers after a battle.

Ironhide chuckled when Kacey tripped and fell during one tumbling pass then came up cursing.

"That must be one of your moves," Ironhide teased. "Yup, I'd recognize it anywhere!"

I hit him hard on the back of his head.

"Hey, don't touch my mech that way…that's my job," Chromia shouted from behind us.

Ironhide quickly went down to her as if to keep her away from the ridge.

"What you two fine mechs doing?" she asked.

"Nothing!"

Chromia wasn't fooled and Ironhide had answered her question too quickly. She approached the ridge and gasped.

"Ironhide! We said we weren't going to teach our son how to use a weapon until he was older! Primus, he can barely hold it now!"

"At least he knows how to hold it and won't be shooting off a vital part of his anatomy!"

"I'm gonna shoot someone's off if he doesn't explain himself, right now!"

I wisely moved away from them as they continued to argue, grateful Chromia didn't have a weapon. I had no doubt in my cerebral processor she would follow up on her threat. I just didn't want to be in range when it happened.

"That was a good one…shall we go again?" Kacey asked as she and Nitro turned. "Oh frag!"

"Optimus…Sir"! Nitro yelped.

Kacey flipped the safety on and told Nitro to do the same. She took his gun and quickly handed them both to me.

"Please father, don't punish Nitro. It was my idea. I hacked the code for the armory and took the guns."

"Yes, I saw that. Why didn't you tell me you had a cloaking shield?"

"I…I wasn't sure how to tell you. Then I was afraid you'd take me offline to have it removed."

"I'd never do that," I said, kneeling down to her level. "Never."

I handed her the weapon back.

"So, you think you're good with that?" I asked her.

"She's as good as shot as my father!" Nitro chimed in.

I raised an optic ridge at them.

"He's joking," Kacey said nervously. "Mother only said I had a steady hand and a good optic for my target."

"But better than mine, if I recall what you told me once," I added.

She nodded shyly. She wasn't sure if I was angry with her or not. But I could feel her spark reaching out to me tentatively, apologizing to me. I merely sent her my love which was eagerly accepted.

"Let's test it for real," I smiled down at her. "Throwing a snowball is one thing. But shooting in the heat of battle is entirely different."

I led them to the shooting range on the field.

"You know the object of this game I assume…first one to hit all ten targets wins."

"Yes, father. In know the game."

"Let's make it interesting and have some moving targets," I smiled, hitting a switch and allowing my laser cannon to form on my back. "And to make it even harder, you have to hit dead center on all ten targets."

Kacey smirked up at me. So like her mother, never backing down from the challenge.

"Nitro, you can do the honors."

"Ready…3…2…1…mark!"

I pulled out my cannon and started firing. It was dead even…all the way to the last target. Even the computer told us it was a tie.

"Elita taught you well, Kacey," Ironhide smiled.

I turned to see him, in one piece, standing beside Nitro.

"Thank you," she smiled proudly.

"Come on. Let's see it again," he insisted. "That was a fluke that Optimus hit all ten that accurately."

We went again a few times. Kacey only beat me once but she did beat me. Of course, Ironhide couldn't go without shooting his cannons. He and I squared off a few times. Of course he won most of them. I didn't care, I never did.

"So, little one. You think you're ready to challenge me?" Ironhide asked.

"You bet your plated aft!" she shot back at him.

"Optimus, get ready to comfort your little sparkling," he teased. "She'll be in tears when I'm done."

Kacey on the other hand, was serious about this challenge.

"Make all ten targets move," she said with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Go Kacey…you can get him!" Nitro cheered.

"Whose side are you on?"

Nitro merely laughed at his father.

"Wait…" Kacey said, putting the safety of her gun on. She handed it to Nitro. Then she smirked up at Ironhide. "To be fair."

Kacey transformed, only not into her Cybertronian armor but into her new armor. I hadn't seen her this way since she arrived on Earth and had chosen her transport form. I must admit, I was very proud she had some of my features. Her antenna looked more flashy than mine as they angled back. But the face was her mother's…it had always been her mother's. And it was then that I realized Kacey had grown a full head length taller over the past four months.

"Father, because of you I've gotten stronger. And I've learned a new trick," she said from behind her mask. The all black laser cannon formed…on her back. Her black hands flexed as her side. "I'm ready when you are, Ironhide."

"Optimus…"

"Ready…3…2…1…mark!" I shouted.

It was the oddest feeling. I could feel how calm Kacey's spark pulsed as she fired each shot. It was frightening how my little Kaceystar was growing up so fast. It was too fast for my liking but there was nothing I could do about it. However, I was proud of her…very proud of her.

She won the contest. It was only by a mere fraction of an astrosecond. But she won.

It was all over the base. Ironhide actually told everyone. I think he was just as proud as I was as he held her up high for the others to see her. She was the first one to accept his challenge and beat him on the first take. And my Kacey, humbly accept the praise but was quick to point out how her mother was taught by the best, giving Ironhide the dues he deserved.

Yes, I was proud of her. I knew in my spark that if Elita were here, she'd be equally proud of our daughter.

One week later

"I've divided the map up into six quadrants based on the populations of these six major cites," Prowl explained pointing at the map of the United States. "I've already got the six teams ready for deployment. They'll work in conjunction with the human's military if an attack occurs. Everything is ready we're just waiting for you orders, Prime."

"Excellent."

"Sunstreaker and Sidewipe did say it was Soundwave, correct?" Bumblebee asked.

"Yes, he arrived and checked out the remains of our abandoned base," I explained. "I had Sunstreaker and Sideswipe move Starscream's corpse there. They were to wait until a Decepticon came to retrieve it before contacting me."

"So, he's the Decepticon's new leader then," Ironhide muttered. "I don't like it. He's too cold and calculating…you never know what's he's thinking. I'd prefer Megatron or Starscream. At least with them you knew you'd have a fight on your hands."

"Regardless, we can expect the attacks to occur within the next few weeks," I said.

"Father."

I had already turned before she called me. I felt the turmoil of her spark. It was in agony. As evident my the tears in her optics and by how she was trembling.

"What's wrong?" I asked, quickly kneeling down before her.

"I had a bad dream," she wept, pulling away from my hands as I reached for her. "I remember now…."

She choked and sobbed, continuing to back away from me.

"I remember what happened in the Badlands…I remember…it was my fault. Father…I'm so sorry…it was all my fault!"

next up...we take our final trip to the past...to the Badlands