Chapter 113 – The Rules have Just Changed….

Prime P.O.V

As I pull off the main road and feel the dirt and dust flick up around me, I am suddenly transported back to three years ago when Elita and I set out to try and bring back our missing friends. Had I known what was in store for us, I might have rethought the idea and come up with another strategy. But, as the humans say, ''hindsight is a wonderful thing''.

Coming to a dusty stop, Crosshairs runs up to greet me. Not the first Autobot I had expected to do so. ''Mr Leader of the free galaxy is back! I knew you'd make it, I never doubted you.''

He seemed genuinely happy to see me, something that automatically set my senses to alert and my processor sifting through possible scenarios as to why. Crosshairs, has always come across as almost borderline Decepticon with his seeming self-centred and self-serving attitude. To be so happy to have me back, when I know prior to my departure he was challenging my authority, made me somewhat – dubious of his intentions.

A moment later Drift transformed from his helicopter mode and landed off to Crosshair's side, bowing respectfully to me. ''We got your message, we've been waiting''. I can't help but let the thought flash through my processor, /Who else got my message? Who else is here waiting?/.

I do not have an opportunity to dwell upon the thought any longer as a very dear friend greets me. ''Welcome back Optimus! By Primus are you a sight for sore optics, good to see you old friend.'' The familiar yellow and red form of Rachet my medic and long-time friend approaches me, closely followed by my weapons specialist and other dear friend, Ironhide who smiles warmly at me.

Before I transform, I notice Rachet's body is very badly scared with multiple patches and welds to his framework. As our medic, Rachet is often spared the heat of battle as he is needed to repair those of us who get injured. /It would seem while I have been gone much has happened and things have had to change/. A fresh bout of anger at myself for allowing my Autobots to remain leaderless and exposed to such danger while I lay hidden away, engulfs me.

I open the cabin door for Cade and his family to get out. The moment they are clear, I initiate my transformation sequence and punch the ground in anger, frustration and sadness. As I stand tall in my new form, taking in the sight of my small family as Bumblebee and Hound also join the others, I can't help but angrily grind out a warning instead of a greeting. ''Humans have asked us to play by their rules. Well, the rules have just changed!''

Ironhide snorts out loud and folds his arms across his chest, ''Well good to see you too Prime.''

I blink my optics and turn to face him, ''It goes without saying Ironhide that I am overjoyed at seeing you all functioning and together.'' I nod my helm in Rachet's direction, ''though I can tell things have been rough for you all, that you have suffered in my absence and for that – I am sorrier than you know.''

At this Rachet speaks up, ''Well I for one am glad you have not been around Prime. If you had have been, Lockdown and those scumbag Government agents may have already got their filthy hands on you and Primus knows where you would be or in what condition you'd be in!''

Drift agreed with Rachet, 'He's right Prime, Phoenix said…''

At the mention of that name my spark pulses rapidly, my helm snaps up and my optics bore into Drift's, ''PHOENIX?! Where is she? Is she here?'' I cannot keep the excitement and desire to learn of her whereabouts contained as I sweep my helm from side to side and turn about looking for her. /I must know if she is here!/.

Rachet shoots Drift a filthy look before he raises his servos to calm me. ''Prime we had not intended to so bluntly inform you about Phoenix.''

''Is. She. Here. Rachet.'' my voice dropped to a quiet and almost threatening tone as excitement and hope began to give way to irritation and anger at the seemingly purposeful manner in which my questions were being ignored and cryptically answered.

I was vaguely aware of Cade, Shane and Tessa talking amongst themselves asking who Phoenix was, why I seemed so ''eager'' to see her and why was suddenly so upset about her. I ignored them.

Rachet sighed out loud in that human manner he has picked up over time. ''Prime the answer to that question is not so straightforward.''

I clench my servos into fists and my optics take on a fiery, hard expression, a reaction that does not go unnoticed by Rachet who continued, ''Essentially Prime, Phoenix did come back here.'' Rachet sent me a sad smile, ''when you sent your first warning out three years ago. She made her way here to the mainland.''

I closed my optics briefly and allowed a small smile to spread across my dermas, /Perhaps she does still love me and care for me/. My servos slowly unclenched, and I opened my optics, ex-venting deeply.

The sound of Ironhide's voice picks up the story and I turn to face him. ''As it turns out, Phoenix spent two years after you sent that message looking for you and at the same time looking out for us. Watching silently and secretly from afar to keep us safe.'' Ironhide had a wistful smile on his dermas and there was a fond tone in his voice as he recalled Phoenix.

''But then, about a year ago,'' Rachet's voice took up the narrative once again and I turned to refocus my attention on him, ''I found myself the target of Lockdown and the same agency that hunted you!'' For a moment a shadow passed across Rachet's face and he gave a visible shudder as he recalled the memory.

I wanted to speak to him, but he gathered his thoughts and continued with his recollection and explanation. ''I was fired upon, attacked and, despite numerous attempts to explain that I was an Autobot not a Decepticon and that I was injured and did not pose a threat to them, they refused to listen to me, instead asking me why I was running. I replayed your message for them and tried to explain how we were in hiding as we feared for our lives. It wasn't long after that that the order was given, and Lockdown fired upon me.'' Rachet stopped and seemed to lose all emotion, his optics took on a far-off look about them and I took a step towards him. ''As I lay there looking up into Lockdown's soulless optics, I could feel my life ebbing away from me. I thought I was done for. Lockdown said there was one way I might live and that was if I told him where you were Optimus.''

''Rachet, I'm so..'' I started to reach for my friend and comfort him, all desire to know Phoenix's whereabouts forgotten for the moment, but he cut me off.

''Naturally I refused. I'd rather die than betray you Prime,'' the old medic smiled fondly at me and I returned the gesture, all the while my spark aching to know I was the cause of the pain my friend had gone through.

''Ya almost did you cranky old bastard!'' Hound's gravelly voice cut in as he tapped the ash from his cigar nonchalantly on the ground. ''If it wasn't for Phoenix…''

I interjected, ''What did she do? Where is she Rachet?'' My voice dropped to a whisper, ''Why isn't she here with you all, why has she ignored my last message?'' though a part of me hated appearing so needy and desperate in front of my team like this, I could not help it. I HAD to know. Apart from my Autobots, Phoenix is the one thing that keeps my spark pulsing, keeps me motivated to keep fighting.

Rachet continued. ''I don't care to go into too much detail about that night Prime, but just as Lockdown was about to end my life, Phoenix showed up and, using her powers, which by the way have grown considerably as has her control over them, she sent Lockdown flying and subdued all the humans. She threatened them all!'' Rachet fixed me with an interrogative stare. ''Prime she knew one of them!''

I found myself nodding, ''Yes. I think I know of whom you speak. I recognised his face in Mexico City too.'' My optics took on a cold, hard stare to them. ''I believe he was the one who took Phoenix away when she was OC, that day when we first learned of her powers.'' Rachet nodded slowly, comprehension dawning on his features.

At this point Cade spoke up, ''Phoenix, powers, OC? What the hell and who the hell are you all talking about?'' Cade's face is crinkled in confusion.

Shane nodded in agreeance, ''Yeah! Why is she so important and if she is, why the hell isn't she here?!'' Tessa remained quiet but seemed to stare sadly at me as though she understood my need to see Phoenix as well as my frustration at her absence.

All at once Crosshairs, who had up until this point either ignored or not noticed my human companions, suddenly produced his weapon and aimed it right at them all. ''Who's the stowaways?'' he demanded in a haughty tone.

Immediately, and somewhat protectively, Ironhide produced his cannons and aimed them at Crosshairs, raising an optic ridge at him in silent challenge.

Hound, unperturbed by the standoff unfolding before him, once again flicked his ash on the ground and sneered at them, 'human beings. Bunch of backstabbing weasels.'' There was a brief pause as he seemed to consider the subject of our previous conversation. ''With a very few exceptions.''

''Whoa! Hey what's with the guns?!'' Cade yelled in fear and not a little annoyance as he glanced between the barrel of Crosshair's and Ironhide's guns. Tessa clung to Shane in fear.

I took a protective step towards Cade and the others and angrily reprimanded my soldiers. ''Stop! Hound, Crosshairs, Ironhide, all of you. They've risked their lives for mine. We owe them.'' I gave Cade and his young charges a nod of thanks which, as Crosshairs reluctantly lowered his weapon, was returned.

Rachet sighed out loud and walked over to me, placing a servo on my shoulder, partly to calm me down and partly to gain my attention once again. ''To make a long story short Prime, Phoenix saved my life that night. She got me to Hound,'' Rachet nodded in the portly field medic's direction and smiled, ''and he was able to save me.''

Hound gave a loud grunt, ''Hunh, no easy task either Prime if I do say so myself. We nearly lost him – several times.''

I gave Rachet's servo on my shoulder a quick squeeze. ''Thank you Hound for your skill and diligence in helping to save Rachet, I am sure we are all indebted to you.'' I cast my optics to the ground. ''As we all are to Phoenix too.'' I raised my optics to look at Rachet again. ''Did she leave you soon after you recovered Rachet? What became of her and again, why isn't she here?'' I did not want to labour a point, but I had to know.

Rachet once again gave me a sad smile before continuing. ''Phoenix hung around Prime.'' He fixed me with a very serious and calculating stare. ''She actually took it upon herself to lead in your stead and carried out the role of acting Prime to the best of her abilities for a whole year.''

It looked as though Crosshairs and Drift were about to say something unfavourable though they immediately thought better of it as Bumblebee and Ironhide cast them both a challenging look and balled their servos into fists.

Though I was shocked, I also felt a smile spread across my dermas. /But of course she did! I would expect nothing less of her/. As I studied the reactions of all my Autobots gathered around me to Rachet's words, I would say she achieved her role with a varying degree of success.

Rachet's voice dropped to a soft whisper. ''Phoenix has been here waiting for you, looking for you for a year Prime. But two weeks ago, she ventured out on a routine patrol, scouting around for any clues as to your whereabouts and well..'' his voice trailed off and the Autobots gathered around me all seemed to shuffle awkwardly on their pedes and cast their optics away from mine.

'''Rachet, tell me. I need to know.'' I almost hated myself for the pleading tone in my voice, but pride be damned.

''She hasn't been seen or heard of since.'' Rachet's optics held sorrow and concern in equal measure before he looked away from me, as though he somehow felt responsible for what happened.

I said nothing. I did not move. I couldn't.

It took all my energy and effort to simply stay standing. I felt numb. I felt angry. /Two weeks. I missed seeing her by two slagging weeks! Just as I show up, SHE disappears/. I simply fixed my optics on the fire the humans had started to make while we were preoccupied with our discussion.

Fire. Flames. /Phoenix/. I stood transfixed as the flames leapt into the air, remembering.

''I'm sure she is fine Prime, wherever she is. Phoenix is more than capable of looking after herself, she proved that time and again,'' Ironhide's gruff voice managed to pierce my contemplative bubble and I found myself nodding.

/What cannot be helped must be endured/. My old mantra drifted through my processor yet again. /I cannot focus on this now. As much as I desperately want to go off in search of Phoenix, I am once again the Prime. I must take charge and do what is necessary to keep all of my Autobots safe/. Jazz, Sideswipe, Dino, Roadbuster and Topspin were still missing not to mention….. ''So, there's been no sign of any others?'' I paced agitatedly around the fire. A pang of guilt tore through me as I realised, I had been so focused on Phoenix's well-being, I had not really taken the time to enquire about Elita, Arcee, Jazz and the others.

Drift, who sat off to the side of the fire propped up against his sword, spoke up. ''Only those gathered here with you Prime. The rest remain scattered to the winds. Hiding like the delicate lotus bloom hides from the approaching storm.''

''What the hell are you sayin'?'' Hound spits out as he stalks past Drift. ''I'm sure Jazz and Sideswipe would love to hear you compare them to a lotus flower.'' Hound shoved Drift roughly as he continued past. ''Now cut that crap out before I drop a grenade down your throat, and you scatter to the wind!''

Drift turned glaring optics towards Hound, and in a lightning-fast move, picked his sword up and pointed it menacingly at Hound's retreating form. ''Try it – you'll be dead.''

Bumblebee, who had remained quiet since I returned, spoke up in frustration, ''Ya know what. It'll save us. So much time!''

''Yes! I've been waiting for them to all dispatch of each other so I can take charge, with no trouble at all. Just me, reporting to me!'' There was a manic gleam in Crosshair's optics.

''Wow, looks like you and this Phoenix, whoever they are, have sure been missed around here,'' Cade observed.

It was both true, a little unsettling and disappointing that some of my Autobots could seemingly ''fall apart'' without the constant presence of a leader to guide them and keep them in line. I had hoped during the millions of years under my leadership, I would have instilled in them far more resilience and morality than what was on display in this moment.

I gave a low growl of irritation and disappointment as I glowered at Drift who placed his sword back on the ground and fell silent under my withering glare. Hound had propped himself up against the rocky outcrop we gathered before, Crosshairs averted his optics from my gaze and walked to the opposite side of the fire and Bee sat back down near Cade and the others.

Rachet gave a small chuckle, ''Just another day in paradise around here since Phoenix disappeared and you've been gone,'' Though he had a wry grin on his dermas, his tone held a weariness to it that I felt deep in my spark.

Crosshairs, who had recovered from his silent rebuke spoke up, ''It seems they're picking us off one by one.''

Ironhide then spoke up for the first time since talking about Phoenix, cutting straight to my unspoken concern. ''We have not heard from Elita or Arcee yet since we received your message. Though we know their primary objective has been to find you and Jazz and his team, it would seem with your reappearance they will more than likely head back here and regroup.''

Rachet spoke up again, ''I know as of a week ago both Elita and Arcee were alive and well and somewhere in the northern areas of Texas searching for you. I have not heard from them since, though I am sure Elita would have commed me if she ran into any sort of real trouble Prime.''

I nodded my understanding. I wanted to ask the question that I both dreaded and desperately wanted to know. /Had Phoenix and Elita crossed paths yet?/, though I refrained. This was not the forum or moment in which to seek that answer.

I glanced around the fire at my team, ''Autobots, Lockdown is hunting us, and humans are helping. We need to know why.'' I stared at them all to try and impress upon them the seriousness of our situation.

''Well listen I don't know why, but I have an idea about who,'' Cade Yeager walked towards one of the ''liberated'' back packs, producing a small drone. ''Who's up for watching some home movies?''

I nodded to Drift who transformed and shone his headlights onto the rock face. Cade walked over to him and got inside, setting the drone up to replay its recordings. ''This drone I stole recorded footage of an Autobot raid. It's in pieces but watch what happens here..'' Cade's voice drifted off.

''Oh, that's Leadfoot,'' Hound's gruff voice identifies the solitary Autobot beset by these heartless people.

''They rip him apart,'' Cade sounds equally disgusted by their actions.

''Savages,'' Hound respectfully removed his helmet in remembrance and voiced what we all undoubtedly were thinking.

The image of Leadfoot being attacked and killed in such a dishonourable way, almost overwhelmed me and I had to avert my gaze as I fought the swell of anger that built up inside me. /I have sworn to protect the very beings that killed one of my own in such a brutal and heartless manner. How can I stay true to my promise, my beliefs if that is how humans treat another sentient life?/.

As I fought a silent battle against my own beliefs and morals, Cade continued to elaborate on his macabre findings. ''And later this truck comes to haul them off to KSI – Kinetic Solutions. Defense, aerospace, government contracts. They designed this drone!''

''So, these government guys, they just hunt you down and then just pass you off to this KSI?'' Shane tried to bluntly encapsulate his thoughts on the possible why we were being hunted.

I rose to my pedes again and flicked my optics from Shane to Cade as I considered his words. /But what is the link? WHY would this KSI need the remains of Autobots, indeed actively seek to kill them in order to obtain their remains? What is it they are up to?/.

''It also still does not explain Lockdown's involvement and why he is so determined to capture you Optimus,'' Rachet added his assessment of the situation with a grave reminder.

Ironhide nodded his helm, ''That's right. Is he in league with these humans at KSI or has he been is he working for some external ''partner'', so to speak? What on Earth a Cybertronian Bounty hunter has to do with a human ''scientific'' research and development facility is both concerning and troubling.'' I found myself nodding my helm in agreement to both my medic and weapon's specialist analysis of the situation.

''The company is headquartered in Chicago. Could be where they were taken,'' Cade reasoned.

''No way to get inside without a battle,'' Hound quickly pointed out the obvious impediment to our finding any further intel on these people and their organisation without the possibility of casualties.

Cade looked to me and then to the others, ''Well, what if you had some human help?''

''What? Are you two partners now?'' Cade's daughter Tessa subtly nodded her head between Cade and I, a sarcastic sneer appearing on her face.

''Sweetie, we're targets now too. We need to know why, or we are never getting our lives back,'' Cade tried to reason with his daughter.

Having listened to all Cade said, feeling the aching loss of my missing Autobots and teammates, the concern and fear I felt over Phoenix's whereabouts and the deep sorrow and grief I felt over the loss of my friends killed by this organisation for reasons yet unknown, I made my decision. ''Autobots, I have sworn to never kill humans..''

''Big mistake,'' Hound interrupted, though I ignored his pointed comment and continued.

I clenched my right servo tightly trying to contain all the anger, pain and fear I could feel coursing through me, preventing it from escaping. In a low, menacing voice laced with simmering hostility and rage, I gave voice to my promise. ''But when I find out who is behind this, he's going to die!''

''Booyah!'' Hound was clearly overjoyed by my promise as are several other Autobots, which does trouble me on some level, though given the circumstances I chose to overlook it.

''Autobots; Cade, Tessa and Shane, best try to get some rest. We depart for Chicago at dawn.'' One by one my Autobots peel away from the group to go and find a spot to enter recharge. Tessa and Shane move closer to the fire and curl up together, a fact that does not go unnoticed by Cade who scowls but says nothing. For a moment I am left standing alone with my thoughts as I gaze into the flickering flames of the fire.

''Optimus?'' a tentative voice seeks my attention, and the figure of Cade comes into view at my feet.

I kneel towards my new human ally, ''Yes Cade? What is the problem?'' I blink my optics at him as I try to fathom what concerns him.

Cade looks about awkwardly for a moment and then reaches a hand up to scratch at his head before nervously speaking. ''Ahh, no real problem as such Prime, just,'' he stalls a moment as if searching for the right words. ''You still haven't explained who this Phoenix is and why she is so important.'' He pauses a moment before looking me in the optic, ''especially to you.'' He gave a small, nervous chuckle, ''What, is she like your girlfriend or something?''

For a moment I am taken aback by the unexpected question and comment and I visibly flinch before averting my gaze.

Noticing my reaction Cade quickly apologises, ''Okay, well. Didn't see that coming. Look, I'm sorry Prime if I asked something inappropriate or out of line, I was just – wondering.'' He once again paused for a moment before looking up at the night sky. ''It's just. I know what it is like to love someone and loose them. To have a gaping hole in your heart because the person who filed it is gone. I know what it is like to find yourself wishing you could have just one more day with them by your side so you could tell them one more time that you loved them and what they meant to you.'' I can sense a change in Cade's heart rate, his eyes mist up and his voice is thick with emotion as he finishes speaking.

At Cade's words I raise my servo to my chest and clutch at my spark, a sound very much like a mournful groan is torn from my dermas. ''I… I never got that chance Cade Yeager. I never got to tell Phoenix I loved her and now, it seems I may never get the chance.'' A weight unlike any I have ever felt before seemed to settle about my spark and crush me to the point I found myself gasp and cycle air through my intakes rapidly for a moment.

Cade walked over to me and placed a hand on my pede. ''Do you know for a fact that she is dead?''

Again, I flinch at the unexpected words and their blunt delivery, though after a moment I shook my helm. ''Negative. I do not know for sure Cade. She is just – missing.''

He gives my pede a gentle pat, ''Then you still have another chance Prime. Your Phoenix is out there somewhere, hell she may even be making her way to you right now as we speak!''

At this thought some of the pressure about my spark seemed to lift and a spark of hope was lit. I find myself nodding slowly.

Cade gave my pede one last tap and beamed up at me. ''Just make sure Prime, that when you do see this Phoenix again, when you get the chance - you tell her you love her.'' His face grew serious and a sad half smile tugged at the corner of his lips. ''And you tell her every day after that 'cause that's all we get Prime. Days, hours, minutes - precious moments.''

I ex-vented deeply and slowly shuttered my optics as Cade's words seeped into my audials and my spark. I tilted my helm towards my newfound friend and ally in great respect. ''Cade Yeager, I thank you for your advice and,'' I allowed a small sad smile to spread across my dermas, ''I am deeply sorry for the loss of your wife and Tessa's mother. She must have been a remarkable woman.'' I cast my optics over towards Tessa. ''I am sure she is proud of you Cade and how fiercely you protect Tessa.''

Cade's breath hitched and he simply nodded. I smiled kindly at him. ''This Phoenix we speak of tonight, she taught me something I find of great comfort and perhaps, you might too.''

Cade, still overcome with emotion, nodded wordlessly for me to continue.

''The ones we love the most never truly leave us. Carry them forward with you, don't hide them away.'' I smiled warmly at him.

Cade closed his eyes and I watched quietly as a few silent tears rolled down his cheeks. Raising his hand, Cade swiped furiously at his tears, as if embarrassed by his reaction.

/I can understand that, though it is not necessary at all. There is nothing wrong with allowing how much you care, or cared, for someone to show/.

''Thanks Optimus,'' Cade's voice was soft. ''I can see why you miss this Phoenix so much, she must be quite the…'' his face screwed up as he seemed to consider what to refer to her as.

I gave a low chuckle, a pleasant relief from the serious nature of our conversation just now and put him out of his misery as I supplied the correct terminology. ''Femme. We refer to female Autonomous robotic lifeforms as ''femmes''. Cade nodded his head, taking in this information. ''And yes Cade – she is indeed quite the femme.'' I did not feel the need to tell Cade about Phoenix's previous life as a human, his mind was already dealing with so much new information, I felt it best to omit certain facts at this point.

Cade sniffed and then smiled up at me again, ''Well, night Optimus and thanks.''

I tilted my helm at him, ''For what Cade Yeager?''

He shrugged his shoulders, ''For saving my life,'' he nodded over to the two sleeping forms by the fire, ''our lives, for accepting us and helping us. For our talk tonight, just ya know - thanks.''

I nodded my helm. ''You are welcome Cade, though I believe it is you I should be thanking for saving my life for by doing so, you have given me the opportunity to help save my Autobots and… make things right with Phoenix. Thank you.''

Cade looked away from me and shuffled awkwardly on his feet. ''Um yeah, really no need to mention it.'' He gave a quick smile and turned to walk off towards the fire. ''Night Optimus.''

My deep voice rumbled quietly through the evening air towards Cade's retreating form, ''Good night, Cade Yeager.''

Once again, I fixed my gaze upon the flames that danced and flickered above the fire and saw within them a pair of brown and gold flecked optics staring back at me. I sighed out loud as I stared up towards ''our'' stars. /Good night my Phoenix, wherever you are. I will see you again, and when I do, I'm never letting you go again!/.

With a final sweep of my stars, I transformed and slipped into recharge, hoping that the coming day would bring the answers we so desperately sought.