Author's note: Holy slag! Des has written a whole chapter in just a few days? I thought this one would take more time but ya know, I'm finding this to come out fairly easy. Funny what happens when you actually plan out each chapter huh? Maybe I outta be more organized… anyway, much thanks to Tiamat, Whirlwind and Mariashadow for the wonderful comments! As I said before, I live off of comments. :) Glad everyone seems to be enjoying it. Oh and, for everyone who I have talked to and knows what happens and stuff, please no tell K? I know I don't I need to say that but I'll say it just ta be sure ;) This next chapter's a cliffhanger. Yes, I'm evil to Jazz I know. Thanks again to everyone for keeping me going on this! (Oh and no, I don't own Transformers and all that slag. Does anyone else get tired of writing disclaimers or is that just me? ;))

Alone

Chapter 3

"Autobots! To command center immediately!" The baritone voice boomed over the speakers, alerting all of the groggy mechs from their berths. Some sprinted at the sound of the commander's voice while others, like the twins, rolled out of bed with their optics half opened, cursing all the while.

Prowl watched by the door as each Autobot arrived and took their respective seats. The tactician couldn't help but notice in dismay at Jazz's empty seat. When the others found out, Prowl knew their would be a riot on his hands, with the twins leading the charge.

Oh it was not going to be pretty when those two found out.

Not as to say that the twins would be the only mechs upset by the sudden turn of events. The saboteur was very popular among the ranks and always brought a smile to one's lip components. Even the taciturn tactician had found a smile cross his face when Jazz happened along. Sometimes anyway. Other times Prowl thought he'd shoot him.

Without him here though…Prowl feared what would happen to the crew as well. It was always Jazz's unspoken duty to keep the troops from killing each other.

As the last Autobot took his seat, Prime was already back on his feet, leaning over the table with an expression Prowl had rarely seen on his commander's face. Even with half of it covered, it looked mistakably like worry, fear and hate all rolled into one. Prime didn't usually let such a look cross his optics in front of his troops.

It was so…un-Optimus like.

His optics remained at the table for a few moments, the other Autobots shifted nervously in their chairs. "I can't say this any differently, so I will just say it plainly." Prime paused and focused his attention back to the occupants in the room. "Something has happened to Jazz. He has been out of radio contact for the last fifteen hours and has missed two check in times."

"Awh Prime, ya know how that boy likes ta skip check ins. He's probably just goin' out fer a night on the town." Ironhide waved his hand dismissively. "Ah bet he's fine."

Prime shook his head sadly, "No I'm afraid that is not the only thing out of place. His communicator is offline as well as his homing beacon."

Ratchet thoughtfully rubbed his chin with a hand, "And homing beacons are always placed underneath armor. Whatever took it off line either did damage or was purposely removed."

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe exchanged a look, dark and dangerous as ever. Prowl noticed that just about all of the other Autobots had similar looks plastered on their faces too. It didn't seem logical to himself either that the Decepticons would do this. Prowl doubted Jazz had ever killed a Decepticon in cold blood. Perhaps in the earlier days back on Cybertron, he might have during one of his sabotage mission by accident but never would Jazz maliciously kill a Decepticon. The only reason the Decepticons would capture Jazz would be for information. It was the only logical reason.

Suddenly Telatran One blared to life, its wailing alerts echoed off the wall, startling several Autobots. Prime shoved past the others who were already at the door and reached for the super computer's controls.

"Report Telatran."

The monotone voice replied, "Decepticons sighted at the South Central Hydroelectric Plant. Assistance requested."

Prime nodded to the computer and moved to look at his troops, "Autobots, I know many of you want to know what has happened, and we get to the bottom of it." Prime looked intently at the twins before continuing, "First, we must stop the Decepticons before they gather the energy, and then we will focus on getting answers." The commander held his hand up at the group's protest, "We will find him."

Need less to say, the Autobots barreled out of the Ark's door with more muster than Prowl had seen in a long time. The twins in the lead.

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Tink…

Tink…

Jazz threw another rock at the steel door with his good hand. It had now been a grand total of 24 hours since his capture and Jazz was royally bored. He had had enough trouble sitting threw briefings for a few hours before, but now, when he had no choice but to sit still, Jazz was going absolutely crazy.

And it had only been a day.

Trying to keep his mind busy, Jazz counted everything he wanted to do as soon as he got out of this.

If he got out of this, that is.

The first thing he would have to do would be to meet up with that little repair tech femme he meet in Demoircon. Jazz smiled at the memory. Best couple of weeks he ever had.

Then he'd have to- Jazz's good hand reached for the side of his enclosure as a loud boom could be heard overhead. The Autobots must have found him and were trying to get to him.

His head sank to the ground in relief. He wasn't going to be here nearly as long as he thought after all.

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"Megatron. The Autobots are incoming. Expected arrival: 22 astroseconds."

The Decepticon leader acknowledged Soundwave and turned back to Starscream.

"Is everything set as I ordered?"

Grunting in an effort to lug heavy cables from the power plant to his leader's feet, the second in command gave a nod. "Yes, Megatron. But I don't see why we are doing this either! Why not-"

"Shut up, you fool! I am in charge of the Decepticons not you." Megatron stopped as engines were heard nearby. "There they are. Right on schedule."

Megatron waited as Optimus Prime gave the order for the other Autofools to transform. Ever so predictable.

Half expecting Prime to start right into the attack, Megatron held back his forces to ensure the Autobot leader held back his. Megatron had a message and he wanted to be very sure Prime heard it. Their whole mission depended on it.

As predicted, Prime held them back, shouting out to the figure on the top of the hydroelectric plant. "What did you do to him, Megatron? If you are not already power striping the plant, then you made us come here to talk. So what is it this time? What do you want?"

"What do I want, Prime?" Megatron cackled, "Who said I wanted anything?"

Sideswipe's trigger finger was getting antsy; his twin reciprocated the action, his golden feet rubbing angrily into the dirt road.

"Why else would you capture Jazz?" Prime shouted back.

"Maybe just to watch him suffer." The Decepticon smirked as several Autobots' optics flashed furiously in his direction.

"But, I'll give him back to you," he added, clutching what appeared to be a remote of some kind in his hand, "If you can find all of him anyway." Megatron clicked the button in his palm.

An immense explosion rocked the area, knocking the Autobot Commander off his feet. By the time Prime looked up, Megatron and the Decepticons were gone and the other Autobots were racing off in the distance to the explosion site.

Although most already knew their friend was gone.