Chapter 116 - Connectin' tha Dots

Jazz P.O.V

The other Autobots an' humans alike found a place ta settle into or made themselves comfortable where they stood.

I nodded, ''Well as ya all remember, after we were told ta leave Deigo Garcia and go inta hidin' on tha mainland, we broke inta two groups ta try and keep a lower profile rather than paradin' around tha country en masse. We were ta keep comms contact and every few months at first, we would meet up.''

Prime nodded as did several other Autobots as they recalled that time. 'Bout a year and a half after we arrived here, the Wreckers in my group decided they'd had enough tourin' and wanted ta do some smashin' of Cons, so they decided ta strike out on their own for a bit. I thought they'd be okay, bein' Wreckers and all…''

There was a small growl off to ma side as Roadbuster chimed in. ''We WERE fuckin' okay and got quite a few of those jobby-flavoured fart lozenge Decepticons that had been fart arsin' around since Sentinel wanking Prime invited 'em here. Then we got separated from Leadfoot.'' Roadbuster clenched his right servo into a tight fist and his visor flashed angrily. Tha seemingly permanent scowl on his face deepened. ''Those pansy arsed, Cemetery Wind twally-washers, deliberately spilt us up ta hunt us doon and pick us off one ba one for its…''

I interrupted Roadbuster in a tone that indicated he should shut his dermas for now. ''ANYWAY, as I was sayin' before….I THOUGHT they'd be able ta take of themselves and I THOUGHT they'd all be back soon after they'd had a bit a fun.'' Roadbuster glowered at me, but he remained silent – for now. ''How wrong I was!'' I shook ma helm and sighed out loud as a sudden weariness settled in ma joints and a sadness about ma spark. ''Jus' a few months after Roadbuster, Leadfoot and Topspin struck out on their own, I received a rather distressed transmission from Roadbuster askin' if Leadfoot had made his way back to us yet.''

Roadbuster growled out loud again and threw his arms up in the air in anger, ''Ahh, we don't need to hear all this shite Jazz! We all fuckin' know what those bawbags did te Leadfoot.''

Topspin walked over ta join Roadbuster, ''Yeah Jazz, can't we just skip this part where those arseholes killed our friend?'' Topspin turned to address Prime. ''There was nothin' we could'a done Prime, but by Primus we'll make it right!''

I nodded ma helm. It would seem Roadbuster and Topspin's anger was not only directed at Cemetery Wind and that arsehole Joyce, but at themselves. /Seems they blame 'emselves for what happened, despite tha fact tha blame lies with me bein' tha one in charge at tha time/. That heavy, guilty feelin' tried ta settle in ma spark again so I rose ta ma pedes and began ta pace about tryin' ta rid maself of it.

Prime, who had remained silent up ta now, musta sensed tha same thing and saw fit ta respond. ''I understand Topspin, no one blames you or Roadbuster for what happened, I'm sure not even Leadfoot himself would do so.'' At this Roadbuster averted his gaze and took a great interest in a pile of rubbish layin' on tha floor near his pedes. Prime continued, ''I am deeply sorry for the loss of Leadfoot. He was a fine Wrecker and a great friend.'' Prime looked around tha room at all who stood before him to reiterate his point. ''This is why we must stand together and work as team to get to the bottom of who hunts us and why,'' Prime's optics shuttered slowly and his shoulders seemed ta slump, ''so that no more of our friends suffer the same fate.''

Sideswipe, who had remained unusually quiet durin' tha exchange, piped up. ''Well Prime, I believe something positive may have come out of this clusterfuck.'' Prime turned to give Sideswipe his full attention, raising an optic ridge at the colourful use of language once again. ''Ya see after what happened – happened – we all regrouped.'' 'Sides nodded in ma direction. ''Jazz took it upon himself to lead us in an all-out special ops intel mission to find the bastards responsible for what happened.'' Prime sent an approvin' nod in ma direction.

Dino stepped forward, ''That's a right Prime. We met up with the Wreckers and returned to the site where Leadfoot was last seen and a we searched for clues, for any sign of whata could lead us to those responsible.'' Dino shook his helm from side to side sadly, ''But we could not a find anything much.''

Topspin added his observations, ''But that's when good ol' Roadbuster and I remembered seein' some big ol' white trucks with ''KSI'' written on the side of em' around the site where we last saw Leadfoot, the day before the others showed up. There were some of those pasty-faced government types in black SUV's accompanying them.''

''Wait! KSI?'' Cade spoke up. He turned ta face Prime, ''that's the name we got from that drone I knabbed when those arseholes came to get you, threatened to kill Tessa and destroyed our home.'' I made a mental note ta ask what Prime was doin' at their house and how he came ta suddenly reappear five years after tha events in Mexico City.

''Fuckin' arrogant twats,'' Roadbuster began ta burr up again but Prime shot him a witherin' glare and clenched his servos in annoyance an' he shut his dermas.

Cade turned ta face me. ''KSI, Kinetic Solutions, seem to be involved in everything. Defense, aerospace, government contracts..''

Topspin placed his servos on his hips, ''Oh you can say that again!''

I picked up tha narrative again, ''Well, we followed these KSI trucks, all secret like mind ya, all tha way back ta Chicago and their headquarters.''

''Despite wantin' to blast our way in there and lay waste to everything and everyone, Jazz made us lay low and maintain surveillance over the next few months to get a handle on what they were up to and why on earth they might be needing Transformers for,'' Sideswipe once again spoke up.

I continued ma explanations again, ''Afta the first few months of surveillance it became clear there was a lot of shit goin' down here so we stuck it out, hangin' around here ever since. Occasionally followin' them but mostly observin' the comin's and goin's here. Over time we noticed a few things. Their Chicago headquarters is like a fortress so you're gonna need a game plan ta get in there. They have various departments as they are workin' on various enterprises. We need ta get inta tha secret military wing ta put tha final pieces of tha puzzle tagether.'' I turned ta face Prime again. ''We also learned how we might be able ta get inside and where might be best ta do that.''

Prime smiled, ''Great work Jazz, Sideswipe, Dino and Wreckers, you have saved us all a considerable amount of work and time.'' I felt maself heat up a bit, embarrassed by Prime's praise, but I was jus' glad I could be of some help.

''Well, that's not all Prime. We also found out who runs KSI and we now know who is workin' with him from Cemetery Wind, the very guy we reckon is in league with Lockdown and was spear headin' your capture.''

Prime's optics narrowed dangerously. ''Cemetery Wind? Who is this Cemetery Wind and who are these people?'' He spat the last word out distastefully.

''Oh, they're just the scumsuckin' parasites that have been huntin' us doon and pickin' us off one ba one Prime,'' Roadbuster explained.

Ignorin' Roadbuster's comments, I gave Prime a small smile, ''These people are Joshua Joyce, tha Director and boss of KSI, some scientist genius and a bit of an arrogant arse ta boot. After tailin' him for a while we worked out he is tha one who is after tha bodies of dead Transformers for some purpose we have not yet uncovered and tha other man, a man who goes by tha name of Harold Attinger is tha one who has been mastermindin' and condonin' tha killings. He is a former CIA agent and he founded Cemetery Wind as a means of eradicatin' all Transformers from Earth.'' I felt my lip components turn up in a sneer. ''Has a catchy lil' mantra– Keep Earth Human''.

Prime's optics flashed brightly in anger before dimmin' in sadness. I could sense tha struggle within him. Prime had always championed Earth and its inhabitants since we first arrived here, sensin' in them a potential for greatness. They were, accordin' ta Prime, a species with much ta learn but much ta offer and so we stayed. We protected them. We died for them. And for what? Oh yes, I not only sensed his struggle, I shared it! When I eventually tell him what this Attinger and Joyce are in league with Lockdown for… what we think it is they are trying to obtain, /I doubt he will view tha humans in tha same way!/.

''Well, the humans can have Earth if they want! I've said it before and I'll say it again, who else is thoroughly disenchanted with our little Earth vacation and is ready to pack our bags and head off?'' Crosshairs added his opinion to the conversation - which was duly ignored by everyone.

Ironhide shook his helm as he tried to connect tha dots, ''What? So, this Cemetery Wind, headed by this Attinger, they're the new Government agency that was commissioned after N.E.S.T was dispatched to continue eradicating Decepticons?''

''That would be them 'Hide with an exception - they not only hunt Decepticons, but us Autobots too.'' Ma visor dimmed and I lowered ma voice, ''only the US Government doesn't know that's what they're doin'! Far as they are aware, we Autobots are jus' goin' about our business stayin' outta trouble, bein' law abidin' citizens and Cemetery Wind is getting' rid of the bad guys.''

''Well, that would explain why they refused to listen to me when I pleaded with them to not kill me that night. I tried to explain that I was an Autobot not a Decepticon, but it made no difference.'' Rachet's voice sounded somewhat detached as he recalled the events of the night he was almost killed by these arseholes. I felt ma spark ache as I took in tha sight of Rachet lookin' distant and almos' afraid. I recalled how I could not go ta his aid, could not even respond ta Phoenix's call for help from Hound and her message ta say Rachet was okay, though it damn near killed me not ta. We had ta keep our plan a secret till we found out all we could.

''Leadfoot tried te do the same thing Rachet, as ya know, and the heartless fuckin' bastards ripped him apart!'' Roadbuster agreed.

Rachet continued nodding his helm in agreeance, ''There was another man there that night, Savoy, Phoenix knew him, he said as much to me. He was the one who gave the kill order and spoke with Lockdown. He must be working with Attinger. So, if we find him, we find this Attinger - and we find Lockdown.''

I cast Prime a quick glance at the mention of Phoenix's name ta see his reaction. Did he know she came back? /He does not know where she currently is, no one does but me, and I'm gonna keep it that way for now/. He momentarily stiffened and closed his optics but then almost as quickly as he reacted, he appeared as though nothing out of tha ordinary had been said.

''But, but this is not fair! It's not right! How can they even do that without the President knowing about it? Surely that's illegal?'' Tessa spoke up for tha first time, clearly feelin' less intimidated.

Cade turned to is daughter and gave her a sad smile, ''Tessa, life's not fair – you know that honey.'' Tessa averted her eyes and seemed ta be tryin' not ta cry. ''And, as you will learn, to some people, things are only illegal if you get caught. And by the sound of it that is why they are after us.'' Cade looked up ta Optimus and then ta me as he seemed ta be puttin' more pieces of tha jigsaw puzzle tagether. ''These Cemetery Wind people, they're after us because we know you guys are the good guys and they are trying to kill you. They know we can blow their cover, so they want us out of the picture!''

Prime scowled and shifted on his pedes as he processed this information. He was clearly not happy about tha humans puttin' themselves in danger to help us. /But he might not have a choice, if we are ta get inside/.

''So, then we gotta get proof! We gotta get inside that place, get hard evidence of what they're up to and blackmail 'em. It's the only way we get our freedom back!'' Shane, the girl's boyfriend, also managed ta find his voice. ''And stop 'em killin' you guys,'' he added belatedly.

At his bravado I found maself laughin' out loud. ''Well, that sounds easy enough doesn't it Shane.''

Once again Ironhide spoke up, ''Well Jazz, you said you knew how and where to get into this place so if you let us know, we'll make it easy enough.'' 'Hide folded his arms across his chest and cast me a shit eater grin.

I laughed and shook ma helm. ''Fair call 'Hide. Well, the how we might get in part we discovered after careful an' prolonged monitorin', is a couple of times a day some guys are moving in vehicle shipments into KSI for somethin' called 'scanning''. We aren't sure why they are doing that as we haven't gotten in – yet.'' I gave a mischievous smile.

Sideswipe spoke up, his optics gleamin' in excitement, ''Major security all over the place so our best shot of getting in is a back classified research entrance. Before you guys rocked up, Dino and I were planning on having ourselves put in for scanning to see what goes on in there, but we hadn't worked out how we were going to do that just yet.'' Sideswipe cast Cade and Shane a wicked grin. ''But, I think we may have just found two volunteers to help us with our plan.''

''Make that three!'' Tessa called out defiantly.

''Tessa, honey…'' Cade started to reason with his daughter.

''Dad, I'll be fine. I'll go in Bee. I'm sure he'll look after me,'' she flashed Bee a smile.

Bee nodded his helm, ''Count on me like one, two three and I'll be there. Ya can't touch this!'' Tessa's smile broadened and she laughed.

''Hate ta break up tha party here folks, but we haven't worked out how we get past tha security guards jus' yet,'' I hated ta ta bring tha vibes down with ma negativity, but I had ta make sure we did this right.

Cade smiled at me, ''Don't worry Jazz. While you were busy sneaking in here today to give us all heart attacks, we were off doing some reconnaissance of our own. We managed to use the drone to get a photo of someone's ID tag and Bee here can help laser cut a new one for us. I'm sure we can grab another one or two if needed for Tessa and Shane – IF that is the plan we're gonna run with?'' Cade looked up to Optimus for approval.

We all did.

Prime had not spoken since he heard about tha people involved in huntin' him and us Autobots. He had been quietly deliberatin' all he had heard, processin' it, weighin' up his options, calculatin' possible casualties and problems and arrivin' at tha notion of whether or not we could or should take this course of action.

Prime looked around tha room at us all as he seemed ta make his final decision. ''Autobots, Cade, Shane, Tessa. I do not usually condone violence, actively attacking humans or their buildings and the idea of putting you all in harm's way yet again does not sit well with me,'' he shuttered his optics and looked off out the window again.

I could almos' feel Roadbuster preparin' ta explode and I also felt maself close my optics behind ma visor as I prepared ta hear Prime disagree with our course of action.

''However,'' his voice rumbled on slowly and I opened ma optics in anticipation as he returned his gaze to us all. ''These people, Joyce, Attinger and Savoy, they have willingly and knowingly slaughtered innocent lives, or looked the other way as it was done, in their greedy quest. They have torn lives, families apart and taken our freedom from us. They have acted without honour and without mercy and so – we shall return the favour.''

A cheer erupted around the room and Prime's optics flashed dangerously and his face seemed devoid of emotion, givin' me a moment ta pause. /These men, their actions, have definitely affected Prime/. ''Jazz, Sideswipe, Dino, Wreckers. You know of my oath to never harm humans. But, as I said to the others the night I found out about Leadfoot and KSI, I promised whenever I found out who was behind this, I was going to kill them.'' He blinked his optics and turned ta face tha window again, what he was lookin' for or at, I don't know. ''When I find this Attinger – he is going to die.''

Prime spared a glance back towards us, a small smile returning briefly. ''Jazz, Dino, Sideswipe, Roadbuster and Topspin, it is wonderful to see you all alive and well and I thank you for your efforts in gathering this important intel. Autobots, dismissed, get some recharge, tomorrow promises to be a big day.'' With that, he turned back towards tha window, walkin' tawards it and foldin' his arms across his chest, lost in thought.

At Prime's dismissal, everyone wandered off ta find a place ta settle in for tha evening though I stayed where I was. Tha tone in Prime's voice was at once a relief and a concern. A relief in tha sense that he was commited ta endin' this nightmare. A concern in that tha price to end all of this would be too high.

Prime had lost his friends and his soldiers, his trust in humans, he had almost lost his life and he had lost the other half of his spark – Phoenix – as a result of the chain of events all of this put in motion. As I stared quietly at tha silent and contemplative figure of Prime alone with his thoughts, I couldn't help but feel he may also lose his direction – his moral compass, his integrity – all the things that make Prime - ''Prime'' - as he fulfills his promise and fights to kill those who have inflicted such pain and senseless loss to his family.

/And if what you think Attinger and Joyce are after from Lockdown gets into their possession – what then?/. Surely no price would be too high to pay to stop them from making such a catastrophic mistake?

Lookin' at Prime's servos clench and unclench in torment, his chassis rise and fall in barely restrained anger and sorrow and sensin' tha waves of loss, sadness and darkness radiatin' from him – I began ta think perhaps there was such a thing as too high a price. That without Phoenix ta ground him, ta stop him from losin' himself – Prime may well pay it.

As I continued ta stare at tha lone figure consumed by doubt, anger, sorrow and frustration, a rueful smile spread slowly across ma dermas. /We have all seen what comes of a Prime who loses their way/. I just prayed ta Primus that Optimus was stronger than his predecessor. With a heavy sigh, I turned an' walked back into tha darkness I emerged from.

Tomorrow, it would begin.