The flight to Russia was long and boring for the Autobots, but for Optimus Prime, it also left him with uncertainty.

"Ratchet, do you copy?" Optimus said through the comm link.

"Yes, Optimus?" The medic responded in a slightly annoyed tone.

"What is the status of the Forge?"

"Status is the same as an hour ago and the several before that. The Forge hasn't gone anywhere."

Optimus sighed. He understood Ratchet's annoyance.

"Alright, then. Inform me if there are any changes."

"I will, Optimus."

Optimus remained silent in his alt, which was strapped down in the cargo hangar of the aircraft he was in. Bumblebee was across from him, also remaining silent. Agent Redfield was upfront with the pilot, discussing the matter at hand. Bulkhead and Wheeljack were with Agent Alomar and Agent Nevans in a separate aircraft. Optimus looked over to Bumblebee, who was clearly uncomfortable being tied down in his alt. It was an inconvenience, but also a necessity. They were just too big for the aircraft. They could have requested one that was large enough to accommodate their size, but their comfort was not a priority. Speed was the important factor of this mission, getting to the Forge before the Decepticons.

Optimus noticed by now that his scout had not expressed a single complaint since they embarked on this long journey. Bumblebee was never one to handle discomfort for too long without letting his allies know. For him to be this quiet was a sign of his troubles.

"Bumblebee." Optimus called.

The scout beeped back suddenly, obviously in his own little world before being addressed.

"What troubles you?"

Even in his alt form, Bumblebee was too easy read. He never could hide much from anyone, his expressions very telling of what he was thinking. He took a nano-click or two to answer back.

"I'm thinking about Raf."

"I see...And may I ask what is bothering you about your charge?"

"It's just...We left in such a hurry. I didn't ask Rebecca or anyone to keep an eye on him."

Of course, he was worried about Rafael. They were all worried for the children and June, given what they had endured before abandoning the base. They not only witnessed and narrowly escaped an onslaught brought on by Umbrella's weapons, but had also lost a place they had called home for a long time.

"Rafael is a responsible young man. I have no doubt that he will remain safe back home and out of trouble."

That didn't feel right to Optimus. The B.S.A.A. base was not home to them. Grateful as he was to be given a safe haven from Umbrella, it was only that, a safe place. But it wasn't home, it wasn't Jasper. Bumblebee had gone silent again. Optimus knew that he was still worried.

"Optimus?"

"Yes, Bumblebee?"

"Are the kids gonna be okay?"

The tone his voice was a reminder of how young Bumblebee truly was, just barely a mech and still like a sparkling in so many ways. Optimus didn't know the answer to his question. He had many feelings about the situation, most of them not optimistic. He never wanted to lie to his Autobots, but he did not wish to discourage them either.

"This is a very difficult time for our human companions. They need us now, more than ever. With our help, we may bring them back from what the what they have all suffered through. It will not be an easy road, but they need our help. Have faith, Bumblebee. We can only help them if we believe they can be helped."

Optimus hoped that was good enough for his scout. The silence that followed left him with uncertainty. Unfortunately, this was going to have to wait until the mission was completed. But with the distance still left to travel, Optimus had a lot of time to think about the mother and son he was so worried about.

'June, Jackson...Please, don't give up on us.' The Prime sadly thought to himself.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Leon stood alongside Helena as they listened to Jill Valentine explain everything that's happened over the past month or so. She explained how she knew Jackson Darby and his mother June, how Jackson was bitten by a zombie but was cured by a vaccine. They learned that Albert Wesker, a name Leon remembered from a file Claire had found in the Raccoon City lab, was still alive and had his sights set on Jackson. The learned about his blood and what it could mean for them or Umbrella if Wesker got his hands on him.

Leon never even knew a vaccine for the T-Virus existed, let alone was a failure. But apparently, Jackson's blood was immune to the T-Virus and could potentially be used for a real vaccine against it. There was also the possibility that his blood could be the catalyst for a vaccine against all of Umbrella's viruses, including the C-Virus. It was no wonder Umbrella wanted this kid so badly. The threat he posed to them was beyond anything either the D.S.O. or the B.S.A.A. could ever be.

But there was a darker side to this situation. Wesker wanted Jackson's blood to create some new kind of virus or a new B.O.W., maybe both for all they knew. Umbrella's endgame was human enhancement, the idea of some kind of super virus or an enhanced monster was not beyond the realm of possibility when you add the kid's immunity to the equation. Umbrella even went as far as to abduct and infect his absent father and set the man after his own son.

"Oh, no." Leon said suddenly.

"What's up, Leon?" Helena asked as she observed the alarmed agent.

Leon thought for a moment about what Jill had just told him.

"Agent Valentine, can you tell me exactly what Jackson's father looked like in his mutated state?"

Leon prayed to God that it wasn't what he thought. Jill's disturbed expression was a bad sign.

"He was bigger than most other B.O.W.s, almost as big as the Tyrants."

"Was he partially mutated?"

Jill's sudden surprise was also a bad sign.

"Yes...How did you know that?"

Leon took a deep breath. There was one sure fire way to tell if it was a G-Mutation.

"Did he have an enlarged third eye somewhere on his body?"

Jill didn't answer the question, but her silent look of shock was all the answer he needed. The answer left Leon feeling defeated.

"I figured as much."

"Leon?" Helena curiously asked.

"Joshua Darby was injected with the G-Virus."

"What?" Jill asked in shock.

"I fought one in Raccoon City. It fits the profile of everything you just described."

"Oh my God." Jill said with a shortness of breath. "That's the G-Virus?"

"It gets worse."

Jill looked back up at Leon.

"I know what Wesker was trying to accomplish by infecting Joshua Darby and sending him after Jackson."

Jill was giving Leon her complete attention, but Leon heard the movement of metal limbs and saw that the medic, Ratchet had also begun listening to him.

"I'm sure you know who William Birkin is."

"Yeah, he was the one that created the G-Virus. He used worked at the Arklay Mountain facility." Jill answered.

"Do you know he had daughter, Sherry Birkin?"

Leon knew that this was news to Jill.

"No...I didn't know that."

Leon took a moment before beginning his story.

"Umbrella had tried to assassinate Birkin and steal a sample of the virus. He had plans to betray them and sell it to the US Military in exchange for their protection. The hit would have been a success if the Umbrella Ops had made sure that Birkin was dead. They left him to die and he injected himself with the G-Virus, becoming the same type of creature that attacked you guys at the Autobot's base."

"That's the thing chased after you and Chris' sister?" Jill asked.

"One of them. It was stronger and more vicious than anything else we encountered, aside from the Tyrant. However, it didn't set out to just kill anything that moved. It also intended to spread the virus through its embryo."

Jill's shocked face became of both shock and disgust.

"What do you mean, embryo?" Ratchet, who was now standing among them, asked.

"The G-Mutation is designed to search for suitable host to infect with the G-Virus. It implants an embryo through the mouth and into the stomach where it tries to adapt to the human host."

"Primus." Ratchet said loudly in a clearly disgusted tone.

"The idea, I believe, is to have a perfect bonding of the virus with human D.N.A. and creating whatever it is that Umbrella is trying to create. The problem is, the host and virus are often incompatible. Chief of Police was implanted with an embryo but it rejected him. It ended up cutting its way out and growing on its own."

"In other word..." Jill began. "It's just another failed virus."

"Not exactly."

Leon readied himself. This is where it gets very disturbing.

"Birkin may not have known about this when he injected himself, but as a G-Mutation, his instincts made him search for his daughter, who had run away from the facility when the outbreak had occurred."

"What? Why would he do that?" Jill asked.

"Because of their shared D.N.A." The agent replied. "As his daughter, Sherry Birkin was biologically compatible with the embryo his body produced."

The implication was realized.

"His daughter? He tried to implant his daughter?" Jill asked.

"Tried, succeeded."

Even Helena was disgusted by that.

"Had Claire not gotten her the vaccine in time..."

Leon didn't finish. He actually had no idea what a cellular bond with the virus would've resulted in, nor did he want to.

"So what you're saying, Agent Kennedy..."

Leon looked up to Ratchet.

"Is that Jack's father went after him so he could implant an embryo inside his body?"

There was a brief moment of hesitance to answer.

"All signs point to that, Doctor Ratchet."

Ratchet turned around and walked back to his console, leaning over the controls with a disturbed look across his face.

"Wesker..." Jill said to herself. "You sick bastard."

"We can't tell Jack about this." Ratchet proclaimed.

"Why is that?" Leon asked.

"He thinks his father might still be alive." Jill answered.

"Is he?" Helena asked.

"No." Said Ratchet. "Not even the thing Wesker turned him into could survive what the Decepticons did to Jasper. He's dead. I'd stake my reputation on it."

"So then, why hide it from him?" Asked Helena.

"Because Jack is in a very bad place right now." Jill responded. "This whole thing has pushed to the edge. If he finds out about this, thinking his father is still out there..."

Leon saw the worry in Jill's eyes, realizing just how much she cared about Jackson Darby. It reminded him of Claire and how she came to care for Sherry enough that after they all escaped Raccoon City, she became her legal guardian.

"Where is Jack Darby?"

Jill looked at Leon.

"In his quarters. Why?"

"Thought maybe I could talk to him. I don't know...Maybe I can help him."

Jill and Ratchet were looking at him know, each wondering if they should let Leon try his hand at helping Jack. No one else at base had any luck before. It seemed unlikely that a total stranger would be any more successful. But the both of them were desperate to help Jack any way they could. Letting Leon talk to him couldn't hurt.

"I'll take you to him." Ratchet said.

"No." Jill countered. "You keep working on Jack's eye. I'll take him."

"Very well."

Both Leon and Jill left to go find Jack, leaving Helena with Ratchet.

"His eye?" Leon questioned.

"Fowler didn't tell you?" Jill replied.

"No."

Jill looked forward, trying to hide the emotion on her face.

"You'll see. You'll see just how twisted Albert Wesker is."

Helena looked up at the platforms, seeing the other two children peeking over the edge. As much as she wanted to try and help them like Leon, she was never very good with kids. Still, she didn't like the idea of them being caught up in this mess. Umbrella never had any qualms about hurting children.

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Leon was led back to the room where Ratchet had taken them earlier that day. Jill peeked inside, nodding at someone, looking very concerned at someone else, and signaled Leon to go in. Leon stepped into the large room and saw a black haired youth sitting on a small bed, seemingly disconnected to the world around him.

"Can I help you?"

Leon turned to see another Autobot, standing against the far wall. She was smaller than the others and apparently female if her voice was of any indication.

"You must be Arcee."

"I am. And you are?"

"Leon Scott Kennedy of the Division of Security Operations."

"Oh, right. You're the one who gave Fowler the intel on Umbrella."

Leon turned back to Jackson, noticing that he hadn't acknowledged anything that was happening.

"You must be Jackson Darby. I heard a lot about you."

Jackson lifted his head to look at Leon, showing him what Umbrella had done to his eye. The agent's reaction to the sight of it was subtle, a small change in expression, hiding what he felt very well. How could Umbrella do something like this to a kid, and for what purpose? What good was Jackson's right eye to them?

"Nice to meet you, kid."

He held out his hand to Jack, which was taken and shook in kind, but not with much emotion. The kid was merely going through the motions of formality. He looked to be somewhere else, somewhere with no Umbrella maybe.

"Sorry, Agent Kennedy was it?"

Leon looked over to the female Autobot.

"Jack really needs his rest. He's dealing with a lot right now."

"I understand. I just wanted to have a word or two with him and then I'll leave him be."

Leon kept his focus on Arcee until she hesitantly nodded that he could continue. Leon turned back to Jackson, who had lowered his head once again. Leon eyed a nearby chair and pulled it closer so he could take a seat in front of Jack.

"I heard about what happened your old man."

Jack looked away suddenly. This was something he didn't want to talk about, Leon figured.

"I'm sorry that this is happening to you and your mom, kid. I'm sorry you and your friends saw what you saw and lost your home."

Jack shrunk with every reminder of what Umbrella had taken from him.

"I can't change any of that or give back what you lost. I wish I could, but..."

Jack wasn't even listening. He was shut off from the world, maybe even shutting down altogether. Leon took a moment to think. He decided to approach from a different direction.

"I know someone like you, a kid who's been through the same hell."

Jack didn't seem to process what Leon said right away, but looked up after a few seconds. Leon had his attention.

"She's about your age, still in high school. Well, she's home schooled now. Anyway, she's like you, Jack. She was kid in Raccoon City when it all went to shit."

Jack's attention was more focused now. Leon was beginning to reach him.

"Me and my friend, Claire, we found her wandering the police station alone, so we protected her. Both her parents worked for Umbrella, so she was pretty much on her own."

"They..."

Leon was surprised when Jack spoke to him.

"They died?"

"Eventually, yes. But when we found her...Her mother was 'preoccupied' with something she felt was more important."

"And her father?"

"Well, you see...You and Sherry have a lot more in common than you realize. Her father...he was infected with the G-Virus, just like yours."

Jack's single eye was widened with shock and he sat straighter for a moment.

"The G-Virus...that's what they put in my Dad?"

"Do you know what that is?"

"Not really...I heard the name but...I just figured it was the same as the T-Virus."

"That was just a failure...I guess this was a failure too, because...Well, you've seen what it does."

Jack looked away again, shutting his eye to block out whatever was in his head.

"Anyway...We stopped her father and we all escaped, but...Well, Sherry was just a little girl who'd lost her both her parents. She saw things no one should see. She needed a lot of help."

Jack leaned back into the wall, still looking away.

"It took time, but she came back. She lives with Claire now. Everything that's happened to her, she put it behind her. All the things she'd seen, she's come back from it. It wasn't easy and didn't happen overnight, but she's still here. Do you understand?"

Jack didn't answer back, nor was he looking at Leon. But his eye wasn't as distant as just moments ago. He seemed to be thinking to himself now, instead of just drifting off in his own world. Leon moved from the chair to his bed and put a firm hand of Jack's shoulder.

"Look, kid...I know you're not in a good place right now. I can't imagine what you're going through anymore than I could with Sherry...It didn't break her, though...and it won't break you. I don't know you from a hole in the wall and I'm just some ex-cop you've never seen before, but from what I've heard from Fowler, you're one tough kid. And you still have your mother. You've got one person to keep fighting for, no matter what. Don't let Umbrella beat you. They haven't won yet. You're a bigger threat to them than anyone in this base. They're living on borrowed time and they know it. And I know there's a lot people here you can talk to if you need to. Just know you've got one more...You're gonna be alright, Jack. Just hang in there."

Leon stood up and looked over to Arcee, giving her a nod. The female transformers mouthed the words "thank you" back, showing her appreciation. As he left, Leon cast a glance over her shoulder. Jack was still sitting on his bed, still looking a million miles away. But Leon knew that what he said had stuck. It was small, too small to see maybe, but it was a ray of hope for the kid. That's all Leon wanted, to give the kid some hope. He needed it. They all needed it.

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Optimus drove down from the ramp of the aircraft and took his bipedal form. He was stiff from staying in his alt for such a long amount of time. Bumblebee drove from the aircraft and transformed as well, groaning loudly in a strange buzzing sound.

"That was a boring flight."

Optimus, once again, contacted Ratchet.

"Ratchet, we have landed in Russia. We will proceed on the ground to the Forge. What is its status?"

"The Forge is still there, Optimus. You've got a bit of a drive from your current location. I suggest you head there quickly before your luck runs out."

"Indeed. I will contact you when we have retrieved it."

Optimus saw Bulkhead and Wheeljack pulling up to him and Bumblebee. Piers and Sheva exited Bulkhead's alt, allowing him to transform along with Wheeljack.

"Really miss the Jackhammer." Wheeljack said as he rotated his right arm to work the stiffness out. "She coulda' got us here in less than half the time."

"We will proceed on wheels from here. Everyone is to remain on alert for any signs of Decepticon presence." Optimus ordered.

"You think they could be around, Boss?" Bulkhead questioned.

"I am not sure, Bulkhead, but I find it highly suspicious that the Forge has remained untouched for the amount of time it took us to come here."

"You're thinkin' it might be another trap." Bulkhead stated.

"It is a strong possibility. The forge is located near the Stony Tunguska River, the site of an impact event. The area is surrounded with particles of the fallen meteor that may be interfering with our sensors. The beacon was designed to send out a signal powerful enough to withstand this interference, but the Decepticons may be using it to hide themselves. Be cautious, all of you."

"Yes, Sir." Bulkhead responded.

Optimus turned his optics to Chris, Sheva, Piers, and the other B.S.A.A. agents.

"I understand that you wish to help, but it is best that you remain here."

Chris looked as if he wanted to protest, as did Sheva and Piers, but none of them had any argument to counter with. Reluctantly, Chris nodded his head in agreement.

"Thank you." Optimus responded.

Optimus and the others took their alt forms and left to find the Forge of Solus. Once they were far enough away, Chris looked to Piers.

"Take inventory of our arsenal and see if we have anything we can use."

"Yes, Sir."

Piers went to carry out his command as Sheva walked up beside Chris.

"What are you planning, Chris?" She asked.

Still looking at the Autobots in the distance, Chris answered.

"I've never been one to play the bench, not without at least seeing if there was a way to help. What about you?"

Chris looked to his West African comrade for an answer.

"Chris, you may not have known me as long as Jill, but I think you know me better than that."

The two exchange amused smiles before Piers returned with a pair of Milkor MGL Mk 1Ls.

"We've got a few stocked in both planes." Piers followed.

"I don't know, Piers, grenade launchers?"

Chris then noticed that Piers was also carrying a bag around his shoulder. He put the bag down on the ground and pulled out three packs of grenade rounds. Two of them were in boxes labeled "Black Panther", one light blue and one dark blue, electric and flash. The other was a three packed container with a ice blue cap, nitrogen.

"There's a few more of these two in the carrier." Piers said as he pointed at both the nitrogen and electric rounds. "We've got more of these." He followed as he pointed to the flash rounds. "The rest are just standard rounds and a few napalms."

Chris began rubbing his chin. He wondered how well these would work against a Decepticon. It was foolish to test them out in the middle of a battlefield, but if the Autobots needed their help...

"Bring all of it." Chris said.

"Sir?" Piers asked.

"C'mon, let's move these carriers close enough to follow on foot. If somethin' goes down, it'll happen before we get there. Let's try and stay out sight until then."

The trio entered one of the air-crafts and the both of them took off after the Autobots. They intended to maintain a safe enough distance until they knew what was going on. Chris wanted to respect Optimus' wishes. But he had lost too many allies, too many friends, to let this all go down without him. And Optimus Prime was Chris' friend, that much he knew.

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Optimus and his team had made the drive to the location of the beacon. They came upon a large forest, too thick with trees to proceed by vehicle mode. At least, had time not been working against them, that would have been the case. Even though Optimus took the preservation of the planet's natural terrain very seriously, he broke the rules to reach the Forge of Solus by running down trees and creating a path for his teammates. This served to only make him feel less Prime worthy than he already did. But the Forge was of great importance. Optimus kept forward until he came upon a clearing where the trees seemed to stop growing altogether. The Autobots followed behind and they all transformed to observe the area.

This large section of the forest, a circle in the midst of it all, was barren. No trees grew from the ground. Not even grass rose from the dirt beneath their pedes. Optimus wondered if this was where the Forge had fallen. Considering the size, weight, and speed of impact it would have have upon entering Earth's atmosphere, he decided that it was unlikely to have landed without causing much more damage to the area. Optimus then noticed a crater in the center of the clearing. He signaled his subordinates to keep guard as he approached it.

This seemed all wrong to him. If the Forge had landed in this clearing, the rest of the trees around him would have been wiped out. The crater that he was looking at would've have been much bigger and for it to have landed in the center of such an area, it all seemed too perfect. Optimus stood at the edge of the shallow crater, scanning the surrounding area for any signs of an ambush. It was the ideal set up for one, a thick forest that was difficult to get through, radio interference, easy targeting for an air strike, and them without a ground bridge. But if it was a trap, why hadn't Megatron made his move yet?

Optimus cautiously went into the crater, which was clearly caused by the Forge being dropped from a low altitude. He knelt down to pick it up. Trap or no, once he had it in his servos, the mission would be half complete. Getting out would be the tricky part. He lifted up he great hammer made of gold that was once used by the blacksmith, Solus Prime, expecting an explosion to be triggered underneath it. To his surprise, there was none. There was no bomb rigged beneath it. Optimus was confused. The Forge was clearly placed here and could have only been so by the Decepticons. What were they planning?

"Optimus, do you have it?" Bulkhead called from his position by the forest.

Optimus ignored him, scanning the skies above, searching for an approaching aircraft. He was too focused on the sky, he didn't notice something rising from beneath the dirt. By the time he looked back down and saw it, it was too late. Several blasts to the chassis and Optimus fell on his back, dropping the Forge. When he looked back up, he saw a blue, bird like Mini-con carrying the Forge away with a claw that hung beneath it, despite its small size.

"Laserbeak." He said in realization.

Optimus didn't have to give the command before his three Autobots began firing at Soundwave's companion. It was Bumblebee's well aimed shot that hit Laserbeak and caused it to drop the forge. But before any of them could make the claim for the forging hammer, a ground bridge opened up in front of it. Before they could put their guards up, two aerial vehicles flew from the portal and began firing at the Autobots as they ran circles around them. Optimus recovered and stepped out of the crater, shifting his blasters out. He recognized one pf the two airborne Decepticons as Soundwave. The other, a blue and gold V-Tol, he did not recognize.

As the two Decepticons exchanged fire with the Autobots, Optimus saw several Aerial Drones come through the bridge, followed by Megatron and Airachnid. The bridge closed behind them and the two aerial attackers landed by their master's sides, taking their bipedal forms. Optimus was able to recognize the V-Tol as Dreadwing, Skyquake's twin brother. Megatron walked up to the fallen Forge and placed it behind his back.

"So, the Forge has been with you all along, Megatron." Optimus stated.

"I'm disappointed, Optimus. The Orion Pax I remember was never so careless as to send off such a valuable artifact in such an irresponsible manner."

Optimus sized up his opponents as best he could. The drones would be no problem for him, likely cannon fodder for Megatron. The Warlord himself looked to have been repaired from their battle in Jasper, but he had not replaced his fusion cannon that Optimus had destroyed. The Prime saw that his arm was patched up, but not fully repaired. Airachnid was not terribly injured by Arcee and was more or less at her full potential. Soundwave was not present during the battle. He was one of the two bigger threats. The other was Dreadwing. Both of them were known for their fighting skills. Dreadwing had a powerful arsenal at his disposal and Soundwave, like Megatron, was a veteran gladiator from Kaon. Both of them would be very difficult to take down.

Optimus, while patched up well enough, was not at one hundred percent. His helm injury from Megatron was still slowing him down. The same could be said about Bulkhead after his fight with Breakdown while Bumblebee was still moving a little slower from his stab wound given to him by Knockout. Both Decepticons were not present, most likely due to their injuries. While Wheeljack was in full function, he was also under-equipped, lacking any grenades he often made great use of. The odds were not in their favor. Optimus regretted telling Arcee to stay behind.

The Autobots stood with their backs to the forest and their weapons aimed at the Decepticons. But to their confusion, neither Megatron nor his men made a combative move. There was something else in play here. Why would Megatron set a trap while he and his followers were still recovering?

"What do you want, Megatron?" Optimus demanded to know.

Even though his posture was non-combative, Megatron's face was anything but peaceful. He was angry about something, that was obvious to all of them.

"I want answers, Optimus Prime." The scowling warlord replied.

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Arcee watched as Jack took another shot at eating. His food was probably cold by now, which she knew was not something humans enjoyed. Still, she was grateful to Leon Kennedy for what he had said to him. There was another person out there who had been through the same storm that Jack was currently struggling through. She was tempted to ask Leon to bring the young girl here to perhaps talk to Jack. But she thought it'd be wrong to involve someone that had nothing to do with this, especially since she had been involved with Umbrella already. Jack may not have been lifted by more than a few inches after Leon's talk, but it was the most progress any of them had made. Arcee was desperate to find any hope that he would be okay, however little. But the fact that a total stranger had done more for him than she could was discouraging. It made her think about the things Airachnid had said to her, about her failures to protect all of her partners.

Arcee kept her optics on the silent Jack as he kept on trying to eat his food. He managed a few more bites, but ultimately pushed his tray away. At least he hadn't thrown up again.

'Sparkling steps.' She thought to herself.

She walked up behind Jack, observing the food that was left, still more than half. She looked down at Jack, who was once again staring off at nothing. This wasn't healthy for him, she thought.

"C'mon, Jack. Let's take a walk."

Like usual, Jack's response was slow. He kept his focus on wherever he was looking before giving an answer. Arcee wished that she could take him for a ride, but with Jack's safety being the issue, it just wasn't an option. Jack pushed himself up and looked up at Arcee. He still looked so tired and weak and still so lost. He looked back to whatever might be in front of him, waiting for Arcee to lead the way.

"After you." Arcee said.

She preferred to keep her optics on him. She was still scared to let him out of her sight. The pair walked down the corridor and into the main hall, where everyone stopped what they were doing to look at them. Jack inhaled at the attention, averting his eye to the ground. Arcee could tell that attention was something he didn't want right now. Everyone, for the most part, saw his reaction and carried on with whatever they were doing. But Arcee felt all their glances when they walked by, knowing that Jack felt them too. As they walked under the platforms, Arcee looked up and saw Rafael and Miko watching them both. They looked at Arcee, such worry on their little faces. Arcee tried her best to reassure them with a smile. But their expressions did not change. Jack was taking extra care not to look up at them, Arcee noticed. He didn't want them to see how bad he looked. Unfortunately, that seemed make them worry even more. They finally left the hangar with no destination in mind.

Leon watched them leave, turning back to see the two sad children go back over to the couch where they were sitting, the little one with his head down while the older one put her arm around him.

"Hang in there, Jack." He said to himself again.

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Jack and Arcee walked around the base for about an hour. Arcee found some amusement whenever a group of soldiers, or even a drill sergeant, would stop what they were doing to look at her with awe. It felt good not to have to hide for once and she was happy that the humans were only amazed by her and not afraid. But that didn't distract her from her current predicament, Jackson. The two eventually came to an interior fence that looked over the desert of wherever they were. The outer fence, manned by armed guards, obscured their view slightly. But then, there wasn't much to look at anyway. That didn't seem to stop Jack from looking on with a thousand yard stare at absolutely nothing.

"I didn't think it was possible to have less to look at than Jasper. But here we are?" Arcee said.

That was a bad opener, she thought. Why on Earth did she bring up his home that wasn't there anymore? When Arcee was done cringing to herself, she tried again.

"Ya'know, maybe if we had someone scout ahead, Optimus might let us go for a ride out there. I feel like I haven't burned rubber in vorns."

She looked down at Jack.

"If I can convince him when he gets back, would you be up for it?"

Jack probably didn't even hear the actual question.

"Sure."

It was a verbal answer at least.

"Alright then, fingers crossed." Arcee looked back out into the nothingness of the desert. "I'm sure he'd understand. You need to get out of here for a while. Hopefully, Airachnid won't crash the party like she did last time. A little ride through the desert might do a world of good for you."

"Okay."

Arcee looked back down to see Jack leaning his head forward against the fence. He had shut his eye either to get lost in his head again, or to shut something out.

"Jack?"

No answer. Arcee lowered her helm, feeling Jack slipping away from her again.

"Jack..."

Jack opened his eye.

"'Cee?"

Arcee didn't want to ask him this, but by now, she was afraid.

"If you were...I mean...You're not..."

Jack looked up at her.

"Arcee?"

"Jack, you don't want to die, do you?"

Arcee couldn't look at him when she asked that, nor control the strain of her voice.

"What?" Jack practically gasped as he finally looked up at her with some emotion.

"With everything that's happened, you're not thinking about killing yourself...are you?"

Arcee couldn't see the horror upon Jack's face, nor the hurt that she would even think he would do such a thing.

"No...No, Arcee. I wouldn't..."

"Promise?" Arcee cut him off as she looked at him.

Arcee saw something in his eye, the look of regret.

"Yeah, I promise...Wh-why would you think that?"

Arcee looked down again.

"I feel like I'm losing you, Jack."

She knew how her voice sounded. She'd heard it in June's voice, in Jack's, Miko's, and Rafael's when things became too much for them.

"Every time I see you standing there with nothing to say, no emotion whatsoever, I..."

Arcee had never felt like this before, this helpless.

"I'm scared...Scared that if I'm not around, you might..."

"Arcee, stop." Just tried to cut her off.

"I can't, Jack. I can't forget how you were when you told us what happened and I don't know how to help you. I just...What kind of partner am I that I can't do anything for you? I'm afraid that if I look away for even a second...you'd disappear."

"Arcee."

Jack moved closer to her. She was still unable to look at him.

"I could never face your mother again. I wouldn't be able to take another partner. I couldn't even keep on fighting. If I lost you...I'd..."

Arcee felt something against her leg. She looked down to see Jack resting himself against her, holding her as best he could.

"Just stop." He said with the same emotion that Arcee had. "I'm not going anywhere. You're not gonna lose me."

Arcee couldn't take it, she couldn't hide herself from him. She knelt down and took him in both her servos, holding him close to her spark.

"Promise me."

"I promise."

"Swear it by the All-Spark."

"I swear by the All-Spark, before Primus, on all I hold dear to me." Jack looked up into Arcee's optics. "Including you."

Arcee held him tighter when he said that, but she was still afraid.

"Arcee, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you think that I...I'm sorry."

Jack was in tears by this point.

"It's okay, Jack."

"I'm really sorry."

"Ssshhh, it's alright. Just...tell me you can get through this."

"I can, Arcee. I will." He looked up. "I promise, I will. I just..."

There were many reasons for Jack's distant behavior, but the one that stood above the rest...

"I just wish I could've said goodbye." He tearfully said. "I still love him. He's my Dad."

For a moment, Arcee wished she could've known what it was like to have a mother or a father. To feel the love that June showed Jack or the bond he once felt with Joshua. Even if it meant the hurt of betrayal such as when Joshua abandoned him, or the pain of loss because of what happened to him, Arcee wondered what that love felt like. But her father was Primus, the creator of all Cybertronians. Still, she understood that Jack was hurting and the only thing that could help him was time. He was going to need lots of it and she would stick with him every step of the way.

Arcee released Jack from her embrace, allowing the teen to wipe away his tears. She gently stroked the side of his face, brushing away a tear he missed. It hurt her spark to see him cry, but she was able to smile for him. He needed to be able to express the hurt he felt so that he could heal. This was another step forward to the other end of this.

"Let's go back. There's nothing to do here." She said.

The two went back to the hangar, going around the back entrance to avoid the others. Jack entered his room with Arcee behind him. The teen removed his shoes and climbed onto his bed. However, he changed his mind and reached under the bed to pull out an old sleeping bag he had found in the vacant room that became his when they first arrived. Arcee watched as Jack unrolled the bed onto the floor, wondering why he was doing that?

"What are you doing?" She asked.

Jack removed his shirts, separating the the long sleeve from the short and putting the latter back on.

"I've been in that bed all day. This is better, for now."

Jack got comfortably into his sleeping bag. He was only laying down for now. His vitals didn't indicate that he was ready to sleep. He was facing the bed to his side with his back to Arcee. Even though Optimus' warning was still in the back of her mind, she wanted to show Jack that she trusted him and his promise.

"I'm gonna go grab a cube of energon. I'll be right back."

"You want me to go with you?" He asked as he looked over.

"No, get your rest. It'll only take a click."

"Alright, I'll be here."

Arcee left Jack alone, who remained where he was. He thought a lot about the conversation he had with Arcee and with Leon earlier. He felt so guilty about causing Arcee to think he would take his own life. He would never, not in a million years. He couldn't dare cause his mother that kind of pain, and from what she had shown, Arcee as well. He could never face his beloved grandparents in the afterlife for hurting their daughter so or either of Arcee's partners for the same reason. He'd never be worthy of the Key to Vector Sigma, to even stand in Optimus' presence. No, he'd never take his own life, especially since he had a role to play in all of this. It was like Leon said, he was a greater threat to Umbrella than either the Autobots or the B.S.A.A.

When Arcee returned with a cube of energon, Jack was asleep. He was on his side and facing the doorway with his arm held out on the ground. Arcee placed the cube of energon on the floor and walked over to her sleeping partner. She lied on the ground next to Jack, putting them at face level, somewhat. He looked peaceful now, seemingly getting a restful sleep. But she knew he still had a journey ahead of him. But her tire tracks would be right there beside his foot prints. Whether or not she could really help him, she would be by his side. Gently, she moved her large servo beneath the hand he held outward, letting it rest in the center. She hoped he knew that she was there, that she was with him. She wanted to squeeze his hand to let him know, but didn't want to hurt him. She felt herself ready to power-down, but remained online for a little while longer.

"I love you, Jack...Please, don't leave me."

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"I want answers, Optimus Prime."

Megatron stared down his nemesis, who held that signature fierce gaze of a Prime. Hard to believe that this was once the mild mannered Orion Pax.

"Answers to what, Megatron?" Optimus replied.

Megatron thought back to the horrors he saw in Jasper, Nevada.

"I want to know what in the Pit that was in Jasper."

There was skepticism in the Prime's face. Well placed skepticism, mind you.

"This is why you lured us here with the Forge of Solus, to learn about the B.O.W.s?"

"To learn about the vermin that stole my victory from me!"

"Yeah, right." The Autobot brute, Bulkhead, claimed. "You're probably lookin' for ways to get some of your own. That's why you got Wesker up there with you! Yeah, we know about that!"

Megatron was angered by what Bulkhead was suggesting, wondering how they knew that. He looked over his shoulder to Airachnid, knowing she must've been the one to let it slip to one of them, Arcee most likely.

"We'll you can frag right off, Buckethead! If you want to know about those things, go ask your new best friend!" Bulkhead continued on.

Megatron ignored Bulkhead's banter, focusing solely on Optimus. He knew enough about the Prime to know that he had already pieced together what happened.

"He has escaped your grasp."

Megatron growled beneath his breath.

"Yes, he has."

"You were a fool to trust him, Megatron."

"I did not trust him!" Megatron spat. "I was using him to find out what he knew about you. You're human boy, Jackson Darby, let the name Umbrella slip to Airachnid and piqued my interest. I intended to learn why Wesker was so interested in you and your Autobots."

"And true to your arrogance, you overestimated the control you had over him." Optimus finished.

It always angered Megatron when someone called him out. When that someone was Optimus, it angered him by triple.

"The little pest managed to slip through the cracks of my ship and unleash his beasts. I want to know what they were and why he set them loose on you all."

Megatron watched Optimus closely, who remained silent for the time being. He was weighing his options, Megatron figured.

"Give us the Forge and I will tell you what you wish to know."

No, Megatron was not going to barter with his worst enemy. He responded by taking the Forge between his clawed servos, keeping a firm grasp on both ends.

"You will tell me about Wesker and Umbrella or I will break this Prime artifact in two!"

"You will not, Megatron!" Prime yelled as he and his Autobots aimed their blasters.

The Decepticons responded by doing the same, outnumbering the four Autobots. Megatron smiled from his position of power.

"It took you quite some time to come here, Optimus. It must be difficult for you not to have a base to return to and lick your wounds or a ground bridge to provide an easy path to your destination. Without the Forge of Solus, you will never rebuild your sanctuary. Tell me everything, Optimus, or lose the only hope you have of regaining what you've lost."

Optimus expression showed Megatron that he understood the situation that he was in. The Autobots were at their mercy and Megatron enjoyed every moment of it.

"Very well. I will tell you everything about Umbrella." Optimus said in surrender.

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The forest was thick, providing easy cover for Chris and his men. However, it also made seeing what was going on through the trees incredibly difficult. He, Sheva, and Piers had moved just close enough to get a decent view of the Autobots and the Decepticons that stood across from them.

They were outnumbered, Chris could tell that much. Several of them were indistinguishable from one another, clearly faceless fodder for their leader. The ones that stood out did so in a big way. The single female looked more vicious than the pack of them, the dark one without a face seemed ominous as he just stood there, the big one holding the huge weapon looked meaner than the rest, and the spiky one that stood among all of them made him think of a robotic version of Genghis Khan. These were not weak Decepticons, Chris concluded.

Agent Redfield signaled some of his other men to take positions ahead of them. They did as commanded while remaining unnoticed. Perhaps the Decepticons were too caught up in the conversation between Optimus and who had to be Megatron to see them. They were each armed with grenade launchers, some loaded with different types of rounds. Chris hoped that his plan would work, because he and his team would be screwed if it didn't.

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Megatron stood where he was, shocked, horrified, and intrigued at the same time. Optimus explanation seemed to satisfy his curiosity. However, he left out everything Jackson had to do with it, so as not to give Megatron any interest in him. Optimus let Megatron believe that Wesker was merely trying to silence Jack for Raccoon City's destruction. Airachnid, however, looked as if she knew better than that. But then, she had her own interest in Jack and would not want Megatron to get in her way.

"Bio-Organic Weapons...created from human D.N.A. and a virus."

There was a twisted smile on Megatron's face. Optimus feared that Bulkhead may have been right about him seeking to gain control over Umbrella's weapons himself.

"As much as it pains me to admit it, I'm impressed with these humans. To be able to create such living weapons from their own kind, to turn such weak beings into an army of monsters."

Megatron looked to Optimus.

"If only Shockwave were here. He'd find some amusement to know that a few humans were able to put aside morality to pursue a higher goal such as evolution. Perhaps this race isn't as pathetic as I thought."

"Megatron, heed my warning. These creatures cannot be controlled. Umbrella has only managed to create a plague that will destroy all that is caught in its path. Their weapons are a danger to you as well as us. Even they are not safe from their creations."

"Do you take me for a fool, Optimus?! You believe me to be so shortsighted that I would even consider such means to conquer this planet?! While I am surprised by what Umbrella has accomplished, I know better than to try and control those 'things'! It does make me laugh to know that Wesker's desire to ascend the human race has ultimately led to the means of their own extinction. But this 'T-Virus' will also leave this planet infested with more monsters than we could possibly hope to destroy. Make no mistake, Optimus, Umbrella is an enemy to the Decepticon cause."

The Autobots lowered their guard, except for Optimus.

"Wesker released his weapons on us as well as you. He will pay in blood. And I intend to destroy Umbrella and all traces of their virus to protect my empire."

The smile he wore earlier had returned, filling the Prime with unease.

"Perhaps...an alliances is required so that we may stop these arrogant humans."

The Autobots were struck with confusion and shock, as were the Decepticons. Only Optimus didn't appear to change his expression.

"I don't intend to make peace with you, Optimus. Once Umbrella is dealt with, our war will continue. But for the sake of both our endgames, I propose a truce."

Megatron held his servo outward for Optimus to take, but the Prime was hesitant. Neither side seemed to be willing to follow Megatron's request. Optimus stepped forward, moving in front of him.

"Optimus, you can't be serious?!" Bulkhead protested.

"It's a trick! It has to be!" Bumblebee voiced.

"Enough, both of you."

Optimus took a long look at Megatron's servo. It was his left, confirming that his right was still injured. Optimus cautiously moved his arm and slowly locked servos with Megatron. The warlord smugly smiled at him.

"Megatron, you're the one who takes me for a fool."

Megatron's smile disappeared and he shifted the still damaged sword out of his right hand. Optimus acted quickly and yanked Megatron forward into his knee, ceasing his so called sneak attack. As he was hunched over his knee, Optimus reached over him and grabbed the Forge on his back. Realizing what he was doing, Megatron swiped at his lower chassis with his claw, painfully forcing the Prime back. But Optimus held onto the Forge and was able take it from him. When Megatron recovered and saw that Optimus now had it, he signaled his men to move into formation. The Autobots were cornered against the trees, only the single path open to them. None of them wanted to abandon the others by being the first to go. They armed their weapons, waiting for the 'Cons to make the first move.

"What now, Prime?" Wheeljack asked.

"I am not sure, Wheeljack." Optimus said as he placed the Forge behind his back.

"Well, you better think of something fast 'cuz we can't fight in this tight aft space. Plus, we're outnumbered and outgunned."

"Stay calm, Autobots. I will think of something."

Megatron stepped forward with his chipped sword.

"Give me the Forge, Optimus."

"Even in the shadow of a greater threat, you still wish to war with us."

"I will destroy Umbrella, I will crush Wesker beneath my pedes, and I will conquer this planet in the name of the Decepticons. But what I will not do is allow the advantage I achieved when I destroyed your base be wasted by allowing you to survive."

"Megatron...It was that way of thinking that led to the fall of Cybertron."

Optimus shut his face plate, ready for battle, no matter how hopeless it looked.

"I will not allow Umbrella to condemn Earth to the same fate...And you will not stop me."

"You and your Autobots are cornered, Optimus. How can you hope to survive?"

Optimus prepared his blasters to open fire and readied himself to receive it. Somehow, he had to get the Forge to Bumblebee and have him drive it back to Chris Redfield and the others.

Before the first blast could be let off, four projectiles were launched from the forest behind them and into the air above the Decepticons.

"What is that?" Airachnid cautiously questioned.

She was answered by four blinding lights accompanied by four loud bangs. The light was enough to distract them for what came next. Before any of them knew what was happening, they were then struck in their frames by small projectiles from the ground. Upon impact, the projectiles exploded and sent a jolt of electricity through their frames. It wasn't enough to hurt them, but just enough to disorient them for a few moments. Optimus looked down to where the projectiles were coming from and he saw several agents of the B.S.A.A. firing them from below him.

"Optimus!"

The Prime looked behind him and saw Chris signalling him from the path he made earlier.

"We need to go!"

Optimus looked to his Autobots who all nodded to him.

"I could not agree more, Agent Redfield."

With that, Optimus began firing back at the Decepticons along with the agents on the ground as Bumblebee and Wheeljack transformed and allowed several soldiers to enter their vehicles. They drove off back to the direction of the air crafts. Chris, Sheva, and Piers remained with Optimus and Bulkhead and were all firing at Megatron's forces.

"Bulkhead, take the Forge and head back to the others. I will follow shortly.

"You got it, Op."

Bulkhead grabbed the Forge from Optimus' back and transformed with it on his roof.

"Piers!" Chris called.

Piers ceased his fire and entered Bulkhead's alt.

"Go with them, you two." Optimus ordered.

"No, Optimus, we're sticking with you." Chris replied.

"We're not leaving you behind." Sheva followed as she fired another flash round at the Decepticons, blinding them once again.

Optimus increased his fire until he was certain that he had enough room to retreat. He transformed and let Sheva and Chris get in his cabin.

"Roll out!" Optimus said as he drove away from the fight.

Megatron recovered enough to see Optimus getting away.

"Don't let them escape! Destroy them and the Forge!"

With that, he and his followers took their aerial forms and gave chase to Autobots and their allies, intent of killing them all. Without a ground bridge to grant them an escape, they were in for one hell of a chase.

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I owe you all an apology and an explanation. I am truly sorry for the long wait on this chapter. Things got a little hectic for me over the last few weeks. I ran into some financial troubles and found myself in a bit of a panic as some of my bills started to pile up. I managed to get out from under it with a little help from family and after that, I began looking into going back to school and picking up a trade. This whole minimum wage thing isn't working out for me and I need to find a career. With all this going on, I had to back away from writing for a little while. If and when I start school, I'll try to keep things on a set schedule, but I am really sorry for going so long without an update. Anyway, let's get into the chapter at hand.

It took me writing weeks at a time to finish this chapter and to be honest, it shows. I'm not all that thrilled with the writing, but I just wanted to move past this point to get to the more interesting parts of my story.

The talk with Jack and Leon. I really wish I had written Sherry in somehow because she would be the perfect person to help Jack through his trials. I just can't figure a way to do that without it coming off as forced. Hopefully, Leon's words seemed real enough. I didn't want what he said to magically heal Jack and bring him back to normal, so I made it that Leon's talk would cause Jack to take the first step.

This, of course, led to one of the more enjoyable moments in the chapter between him and Arcee. I really like writing Arcee without walls around her, especially where Jack is concerned. I know her flat out asking Jack if he was thinking about suicide was a bit direct, but I feel by that point, not knowing for sure would have driven her crazy. And yes, Jack's emotional breakdown is still happening, but he's healing little by little. And we know that even after all the ways Joshua betrayed him and his mother, Jack still has love for his old man. That came from a personal place with me and my Dad. Jack is still in a lot of pain, but he's trying to get better, even if it doesn't seem like he is. But we all know that fate and Wesker aren't done with him yet. I feel cruel for the things still to come. And I know, between this and ASOG, I'm running the whole "I love you" bit into the ground. But I felt it was the right moment for Arcee.

The less fun to write parts were the bits following Optimus and the Forge. First thing, I am positive I got something wrong about Tunguska Event. It's funny how in this internet age, where we have all this information at our disposable, a lot of it is unreliable. So whatever I got wrong about the event, I apologize and we'll just chalk it up to artistic license once again. I wasn't sure about the B.S.A.A. and how they managed to lend a hand to the Autobots, but I hope it seems believable. I will address where Dreadwing came from next chapter as well.

Anyway, thank you so much for all your patience and I do apologize for the delay. I'm still trying to stay in front of my schedule and hope to never go this long without an update again. Thanks for sticking with me and I'll see you next chapter.