Chapter 23

A/N: man, I think this is going to be one of my longest stories yet! As always: I own nothing!

/comm/

Telepathy

'Bee's speech

Russia, September 20

An abandoned city in Siberia shook with the impact of Bulkhead crashing into the side of a building.

"Bulkhead," Breakdown grinned putting his hammer away, "what are the odds that we'd meet here in the middle of nowhere tracking a stray energon signal."

"Yeah Breakdown," Bulkhead huffed hopping down, "must be your lucky day!" They grabbed each other's fists pushing against each other with everything they had.

"Where's the sidekicks?" the Con sneered. "How about when I'm done with you I pay those two boys a visit?!" Bulkhead hollered with rage, tackling him to the ground. "So the Wrecker has a soft spot!"

Bulkhead pulled out his wrecking ball, swinging it down, Breakdown rolled out of the way, getting to hsis feet. Pulling out his own hammer, he too a swing, slamming it right into the Wrecker's jaw, sending him flying back onto the ground.

Breakdown aligned his hammer with the semi-conscious man's head. "As much as I'll miss our little reunions, it's hammer time," Breakdown grinned. Raising his hammer, he cried out as something hit him, sending an electrical pulse throughout his systems, knocking him out.

Bulkhead looked up to see several helicopters circling, before he could identify who it was he passed out.

The copters landed, and Silas and his men came out. "Sir, we only have the resourced to transport one," one informed.

Silas contemplated for a moment. "Take the victor."

-.-

"Marco?"

"Marco?"

"Kid Flash?" Bulkhead asked getting up to see the speedster kneeling next to him.

"Wrong, you're supposed to say Polo," Wally frowned. "What happened to you anyways?"

"I'll explain back at base."

-.-

Autobot base

"Engaging the enemy on your own was foolish Bulkhead," Optimus reprimanded as Ratchet patched him up.

"Breakdown jumped me, I knew I could take him—OW! Watch it Doc!"

A loud clang resounded as Ratchet hit him in the head with a wrench. "Stay still and maybe it wouldn't hurt!"

"We should see the other guy right?!" Wally grinned.

"…"

"You didn't torch him?"

"I thought you did," Bulkhead said. "When I came to Breakdown was just gone…though I do remember hearing a copter, maybe it was Fowler or Batman."

"Sorry," Batman shook his head.

"Wasn't me," Fowler stated walking in. "But I have an idea who. Where did this Con-napping occur?"

-.-

Nemesis

"Lord Megatron, I fear Breakdown has gone missing," Starscream said approaching the black-haired man.

"The League?"

"According to survailence by the amazingly accurate Soundwave, Breakdown was abducted by ordinary humans," he informed.

"Your point?"

"My strongest recommendation is that we assemble a rescue team to retrieve him and slaughter the vermin responsible for this atrocity!"

Megatron frowned at the concept of rescuing someone so weak they were caught by humans. "Breakdown is on his own," the tyrant growled.

"Master?"

"If Breakdown allowed himself to be captured by those weaker than him, more primitive than him, he deserves whatever fate awaits him," he stated.

"But Breakdown is a key player in our—" Starscream stopped as the dark red eyes turned to glare at him. "Your wisdom reigns supreme…for now."

-.-

Unknown location

Breakdown groaned as he woke up, looking around he found himself if a dark environment that was not the warship's medbay. "What?!" he gasped as he felt restraints on his arms and legs. The lights turned on and he glared at the men strutting in. "Filthy fleshlings! Who do you think you are?!"

"We are MECH; and I am Silas."

"Release me now and I will let you live!" he threatened.

"I'm afraid you're far too valuable to us," Silas declined.

"Megatron will never pay a ransom!"

"You misunderstand, we don't want a ransom; we want only you," Silas stated, "all of you."

-.-

Base

"This is where we got Bulkhead," Ratchet said pulling up the coordinates.

"A peninsula in eastern Russia, that particular area was abandoned twenty years ago when the volcano erupted. My intel reported MECH activity there earlier today," Fowler stated.

"MECH? You mean the weird techy guys that were after the DNGS thingy?" Erica asked.

"They must've tracked one of you there," Robin pointed out.

"What would they want with Breakdown?" Artemis asked.

"Who cares if they have him," Arcee grumbled.

"He did let himself be dragged off by humans," Bulkhead snickered. "No offense." The team shrugged, they didn't really mind.

"Ratchet, reactivate the previous coordinates," Optimus commanded. "We will rescue Breakdown."

"What?!" Ratchet and Robin gaped.

"You can't be serious?" Artemis said.

"Let the Cons rescue their own!"

"They can melt him down for all I care!" Bulkhead agreed.

"It is unlikely that Megatron would send a rescue team," Prime stated.

"But this is Breakdown we're discussing," Emerald pointed out.

"Sometimes we must rise above ourselves for the greater good," Optimus replied.

"I swear he's like Yoda," Wally grumbled.

"Whats that supposed to mean? That when we rescue him he'll go all soft and join us?" Bulkhead retorted.

"Everyone has the capacity for change."

"You think he and Yoda ever met?" Artemis asked.

"Yes!"

"By greater good, I meant humanity," Optimus said. "MECH is a clear and present danger."

"He's right Bulkhead," Aqualad agreed. "We know they're obsessed with obtaining ground-breaking technology."

"Which means we can't let Cybertronian biology fall in their hands," Emerald sighed.

-.-

Russia

Breakdown continued to struggle against his bonds, trying to break out.

"Full disclosure," Silas said, "we intend to to open you up, break you down if you will. And we will utilize whatever we discover to develop a new generation of weaponry." A man walked up next to him with a tray of supplies. "I'm afraid you won't survive, so thank you in advance for your sacrifice. MECH is very much in your debt."

"You're making a very big mistake little man! When I'm finished with you they'll have to scrape your remains off the floor!"

"Since you obviously aren't squeamish, you can watch," Silas smiled. "Are the pain receptors disabled?" The man nodded. "Good, then he won't make as much noise. Open him up."

The man grabbed a scalpel and started going towards the horrified Cybertronian's face.

-.-

"C'mon! You should go!" Wally said.

"Don't wanna!"

"Bulkhead."

"Optimus I'm sorry, I just can't do it!" he snapped.

"I support your descision," Prime said.

"What?"

"Given your history with Breakdown, your judgement may be clouded, and thus jepordize the mission," he explained. "Besides, he may be in more need to a medic than another warrior."

"Locked and loaded Optimus," Ratchet said.

"Roll out!" Optimus ordered as they vanished through the vortex.

"Happy hunting," Bulkhead huffed. Looking back he saw Wally looking down. "Creature double-feature?"

"Sure."

"I'm in!" Fowler said.

-.-

Bell Revee

"Superboy? You online?"

"Yea, but I thought the collars—"

"Custom designed to inhuibit Tupence's superstrength, not my telepathy. Your superstrength on the other hand…"

"Isn't on Superman's level, got it," Conner growled.

"That's not what I'm saying."

Just forget it!" he snapped going into his cell with Icicle Jr.

"I call top bunk!" Jr exclaimed.

Superboy sighed and laid on his bunk. "Wonder what Bulkhead and the team are doing right now?" he mumbled wishing he was anywhere else but there. Why was he on this assignment again?

-.-

Russia

"No signs of life," Optimus said, "human or Cybertronian."

"I think I got something," 'Bee said kneeling next to a few tire tracks that lead off through the abandoned city.

"Forget the tracks Bumblebee," Ratchet said. "I'm picking up an energon signal three-clicks north by north-west."

"But we shouldn't be getting a reading unless…" Arcee trailed off.

"His blood has already been spilled," Ratchet sighed.

They rushed after the signal, but 'Bee stopped for a moment looking back at the tracks. Shaking off the pit forming in his gut he raced off after the group.

-.-

Base

Fowler was snoring on the couch, having fallen asleep sometime into the movie. Emerald and Robin took off a bit ago to try to break into the Autobot's bedrooms, which were typically locked; leaving Wally, Artemis and Bulkhead sitting watching the movie.

"Dino-lizard vs Five-headed-ape, you're missing the smack-down," Bulkhead said looking at Wally, who was glumly looking down, not even touching the popcorn sitting in his lap.

"No, you're missing the smack-down!" he snapped. "Breakdown is your nemesis, not Prime's! And definitely not MECH's!"

"KF, you don't get it…Breakdown and I…we go way back, you don't know what that traitor's done! I am not resucing him, not now, not ever!"

"Duh, I'm not askin you to bromance him," Wally huffed. "You just have to beat him!"

"You lost me," Artemis said.

"Same," Bulkhead nodded.

"No rescue, no rematch."

-.-

"You think Fowler will be awake when we need the bridge?" Artemis asked as they hopped out.

"Oh, he will," Robin said as he and Erica high-fived.

"Tire tracks!" Wally pointed out.

Bulkhead opened the door to his car, letting the Boy Wonder and archer hop in. "Let's roll!"

-.-

"That way," Ratchet pointed.

Nodding, Arcee and Bumblebee ran forwards, peering around corners and ducking behind walls as they went. Getting to a plaza, they stopped to see an eye sitting on an old fountain.

"Found the source of our reading," Arcee grumbled as Prime and Ratchet joined them.

"Breakdown's eye," Ratchet grumbled looking it over.

"Ouch."

The medic picked it up and attacked its systems to the scanner.

"What are you doing?" Arcee questioned.

"The optic receptors might've retained the final images seen," Ratchet stated as a man came on the screen and moved a drill towards his eye.

"Weird science wins again," she sighed.

The feed was interrupted and Silas appeared on screen. "Well, well, Optimus Prime, a pleasure to set eyes on you again," he said.

"He's converted the optics to a two-way feed."

"You must be Silas," Optimus said.

"In the flesh, but since our captive is not one of yours, I have to admit, I was expecting Megatron."

"In this circumstance, Autobots and Decepticons share a common foe," Prime replied.

"MECH is anything but common," Silas said motioning to where they had men working on Breakdown behind him. "Our guest is yeilding quite a bit of information about your biology as you can see. Though, Breakdown himself can't see that well anymore."

"We don't fear you," Ratchet growled.

"But you should, in fact I strongly suggest that you not stand your ground."

"It's a trap!" 'Bee said spotting the bomb.

"Evacuate now!" Optimus ordered and they transformed back, barely escaping the explosion.

"Any clue where they're keeping the rest of Breakdown?" Arcee sighed.

"I don't know…maybe where those tracks lead to."

"Shut up."

-.-

"Got them, inside that tunnel," Robin said hopping back down from where he was doing surveilence.

"Stealth or brute force?" Emerald asked.

"Since when am I stealthy?" Bulkhead asked pulling out his wrecking ball.

"Touche!" she exclaimed flying in.

CHASH! BANG! "AHHH!" SLAM! CRASH! "MOMMY!"

"PERISH UNDER MY MIGHTY HAMMER!" Erica shouted.

"That's one way to make an entrance," Artemis said.

"That's my cousin!" Kid grinned before racing in and snatching the guns from the guys just as Artemis' arrows hit them, trapping them in foam.

Bulkhead raced past slamming his wrecking balls into the doors. "MARCO!" The men began firing, crying out as he slammed it down next to them. "You're supposed to say Polo!"

Silas sighed and snapped his fingers, he and his men disappearing.

Bulkhead and the kids raced aroun the corner, spotting Breakdown, Bulkhead stronde over and loomed over the terrified man. "Must be your lucky day," the Wrecker said ripping the restraints off.

"W-What are you doing?" he questioned looking at all of them.

"Getting you out, duh," Kid Flash replied.

"I don't believe it either," Bulkhead shrugged when the Con just stared at them.

"Can you walk?" Robin asked.

"Yes."

"Can you maneuver your armor?" Emerald asked pointing at the truck.

"I think so," Breakdown said, stumbling over, he got in and transformed.

"Good, let's go!" Emerald said charging forwards with shield in place.

MECh soldiers fired at her as she turned around the corner, widening her shield, she let the two Cybertronains pass through, taking them out before they continued forwards again.

"Creature Double-Feature coming at ya!" Bulkhead quipped.

Getting outside Emerald had to make a large shield as numerous guns, copters, and even a few grenade launchers shot at them. "We didn't exactly plan this out, did we?"

"Nope," Robin sighed.

"Anyone have some sort of escape plan?" Breakdown asked.

"Yea, but you won't like it," Bulkhead said going to his comm. "Bulkhead to Optimus, we need back-up!"

Breakdeown reached through the sheid grabbed a truck and hurled it into one of the helicopters.

"Nice toss," Emerald commented.

Bulkhead went out and started smashing up the cars along with the Con, but being careful not to kill any of the humans.

"They're leaving!" Wally pointed as they started driving/flying away.

"Your back up?" Breakdown asked.

A split-second later, Starscream landed with several Vehicons.

"Scrap," Wally sighed.

"Commander!" Breakdown straightened.

"Consorting with the enemy?"

"They got me out of there," Breakdown informed.

"Many spark-felt thanks, now kill them," Starscream ordered.

"But…"

"Do you plan on joining the Justice League anytime soon?" Starscream hissed. "No?! Then get rid of them!"

"Tough break guys, maybe in the afterlife," Breakdown said swinging his hammer down at them.

"Not today!" Emerald said making a clamp to grab his arm.

Bulkhead swung behind him and slammed his wrecking ball into his back, knoking the Con forwards. "Destroy them!" Starscream commanded before his face was thouroughly greeted with a wrecking ball, sendin him flying into a building.

"FIFTY POINTS!" Wally cheered. The vehicons aimed their weapons at them. "Scrap!"

"HAMMER TIME!" Bulkhead shouted, picking up Breakdown's prone from and hurling it into them.

"Forty points!"

The two groups prepared to fighed when gunfire cmae from behind the Cons, turning they saw the other half of the Autobots heading for them. "Retreat!" Starscream ordered.

"Engaging the enemy was even more foolish this time Bulkhead," Optimus sighed.

"At least he wasn't alone!" Emerald pointed out.

"But, I am honored you saw fit to rescue your rival, you've truly risen above yourself."

"Did you see it! I totally won the rematch!" Bulkhead cheered.

"Bulk! We totally need to find an awesome souvenier of the occasion!" Wally said. "How bout this? Or this? Or this? Maybe this? What about this one?"

"They're gonna be at the for a while aren't they?" Emerald asked.

"Most likely."