(A/N: Rotors is one sick motherfragger)
It had been six weeks since Heatwave disappeared, and the other three bots had regained 90% of their memories.
Chase, Boulder, and Blades were playing Go Fish in the bunker.
"Have either of you noticed everyone's odd behavior?" Chase asked.
"Well, they're worried about Heatwave," Boulder said.
"But, Chroma and several of the Protectobots do not appear to care."
"That's because Heatwave most likely made the decision to leave by himself," Chroma said.
"I do not believe that. Heatwave would never—"
"Chase, there isn't anything we can do right now. It's out of our hands and Ionix is doing everything he can to get more earadicons to help search for him."
"Besides, we know what he'd want us to do," Blades then did his best impression "'Protect the humans'."
"Chase, you're going kill yourself with all this worrying you do, just like when you were in Rescue Bot training," Boulder said.
"No, I won't," Chase pouted and crossed his arms. Something dripped from his left wrist.
"Um, are you okay?" Blades asked.
"I'll contact Razor," Chroma said.
Xxx
Heatwave woke up from recharge and walked out of his room to get energon.
One of Rotor's gaurds was following him.
This had been going on for a while. Rotors had seemed to be very protective of him.
Then there was also the love life. I won't go into detail, but let's just say Rotors had his kinks and was always dominate. They did use protection, but Hetwave had his doubts. They also didn't sparkbond. They've done so before, why no longer?
As he continued to walk to the energon, he got lightheaded, so he stopped and leaned against the wall.
"What's going on?" the guard asked.
"I-it's nothing. J-just a-a little—ugh…" Heatwave passed out.
Xxx
Razor patched up Chase's wrist. "Okay, Chase, you're ready for work again. Just don't rub your wrist anymore. You could open the seam again."
"Any updates on Blades and First Aid?" Blades asked.
"They're still with Ratchet. First Aid's still pretty shook up."
"Think he'll be okay?"
"Could take a while."
"Have you any information on Heatwave?" Chase asked.
Razor shook her head. "I believe it's a lost cause. If Heatwave remembers what happened to him… Rotors could snuff him."
"I remember the Protectbots said someone name 'Darksyde' helped them save First Aid. Think he could help?" Boulder asked.
"It's possible. But, we don't know for sure."
"Um, this is gonna be a weird question, but what if Heatwave's…?" Blades made the gesture of carrying an infant in one's arms.
"At least one of his victims was gestating post abduction. I think the answer is sadly clear. Heatwave's at an increased risk due to his previous gestation, which increases his likeliness of conceiving again."
Xxx
Lindsy walked downstairs and saw Jackie still binge-watching Netflix, playing online games, Sims, and typing her fanfictions.
"You okay?" she asked as she sat next to the teen. "You've been doing this since last night."
"She's fucking gone. She didn't talk to me for two weeks and she fucking died," Jackie pulled tissues to herself. "My best friend… is gone. And I'm constipated again."
"I'll get your medicine," Lindsy said. "And you need to go to bed early today."
"No, I won't," Jackie pulled off the blanket covering 25 liters of Coke-a-Cola.
"Okay, no DLC downloads for a month," Brains said.
"Dude, school starts next month," Wheelie said.
Buzzsaw crashed through the window.
"Buzz! What the fuck?!" Lindsy gave Jackie the apple juice and picked up the minicon.
"His, perch's missing," Jackie said.
Buzzsaw turned his head to the barn and back to the house residents.
"Jackie, translation?" Lindsy asked.
Jackie just put on her Bluetooth headphones and raised the Netflix volume.
'Abby's one with the AllSpark,' Lindsy mouthed to the minicon. "C'mon, let's get you to Ion."
Xxx
"I'm not getting rid of it!" Heatwave yelled at Rotors.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! I'm not forcing you to do anything. I just want to make sure you're ready for a sparkling. It's too soon for me," Rotors said. "And you must mind your condition."
"Yeah, I know. Heh. I guess one of the positives is a break from interesting."
"More like a negative for me…"
Heatwave took a step back. "Uh, you're not an interface addict, are you?"
Rotors shrugged. "Why do you ask?"
Heatwave felt as if he was remembering something. "Nevermind, I'm gonna get some rest." He walked back to his room. Were the others right about him?
Xxx
Kade was playing on his phone at Jackie's house the next day.
Why was he at Jackie's?
He was stuck babysitting her while Lindsy was in a meeting on the mainland base.
Jackie walked down the stairs with her laptop and turned on the TV.
"Hey, hey, hey! You're supposed to be resting, not watching TV and playing on your computer," Kade said.
"Well, I'm not tired. I'll sleep when I'm tired," Jackie started to play her online games and Sims while watching Mysteries at the Museum. "Also, this IS how I rest."
Kade got an idea. "You like Pokémon, right?"
"Yeah, I like Pokémon."
"You ever play the first video game?"
"No."
"Well, I got a game in the truck the Graham and I worked on to play on TV or a computer with two or more people."
"Why did you make it?"
"I thought it would help me get girls in high school."
"Did it work?"
"No," Kade sighed.
Xxx
(A/N: next two scenes may be triggering)
Heatwave looked around his room. It was bland. He left Griffin Rock so fast that he didn't have any time to collect his stuff.
Rotors entered his room. "I've been thinking about what you said. About our love life."
"And?" Heatwave asked. "You know I'm gonna be celibate for a while."
"Sparkbonds are safe."
"Sorry, you addict, we're taking a break. Might do you some good."
Rotors' expression turned dark and he hit Heatwave in the gut.
"Hey!" Heatwave curled up, protecting his belly. "What are you doing?!"
"Do as I say and I won't hit you again," Rotors said.
"Uh, how 'bout neither!" Heatwave barreled past him and into the hall. Why didn't I listen to my team?!
He almost made it to a groundbridge when two of Rotors guards grabbed him and pinned him to the ground.
"Get off of me!" he yelled.
Rotors walked to him and put his foot on Heatwave's crotch and applied pressure, making him squirm. "What happens next is your fault." He looked at one of his guards. "Open his spark chamber."
Xxx
Darksyde was checking on the security bots and heard/saw them laughing at something.
"You better not be watching cat videos again," he said as he walked over to them.
"Nah, boss, the big boss is teaching his glitch a lesson," one of the bots pointed at the screen.
Darksyde couldn't do anything but look in shock. He knew Rotors was getting risky, but sparkraping in public? Sure, it was his ship, but a crowd of mechs was forming and laughing at the victim.
He saw Rotors finished and he got a good look at Heatwvae. The poor mech was hivering and crying with a look of horror on his face.
Rotors then started to remove his victims armor.
"Rotors, that's enough! He's learned his lesson!" Darksyde said into the comm.
Rotors said something to Heatwave, who appeared to agree with what Darksyde said.
"I don't think he has," Rotors said. "Not until the life's out of his optics."
"No, do-!"
Xxx
("First Aid, I don't think it was a joke,") Bumblebee said into the medic's room.
"How do you know?!" First Aid screamed.
('I don't! I'm just hopeful.")
"What happened now?" Blades asked.
("He say the Mr. Jelly Bean scene.")
"'Mr. Jelly Bean'?"
"It's a character from that stupid show Bumblebee watches," Optimus said.
"Is it 'After School Specials' again?" Arcee asked.
("Uh, yeah… First Aid and I were watching Adult Swim last night and I got up for my patrol and when I got back, the end of the Mr. Jelly Bean episode of 'Rick and Morty' was on and First Aid was… catatonic, so I took him to his room for the night, and now…") Bumblebee trailed off.
"Why didn't you just tell me when Toonmai was on?!" First Aid yelled.
"What's First Aid freaking out about, now?" Agent Fowler groaned.
"He saw a triggering scene on TV last night," Optimus said.
"Who allowed that to air?!" First Aid exclaimed.
("It's rated TV-MA for a reason!") Bumblebee snapped.
"Just watch cat videos, 'Aid," Bulkhead said.
Xxx
Rotors threw Heatwave on the latter's berth.
"Now, think about what you did," Rotors left the room.
Heatwave covered himself with a blanket. The forced sparkbond caused a wave of his memories came back all at once. I can't believe how stupid I am! Oh, Primus, was I being raped with consent?! Why didn't I listen to my team?! I hope my kid's okay…
Xxx
Optimus was monitoring the screens for Decepticon (or Rotors) activity while Ratchet comforted First Aid.
A call from Razor came in.
Optimus answered and before he could get a word out…
"Optimus, Buzzsaw found Rotors' ship," Ionix said. "It looks like Heatwave's still alive, but it took a few days to get the info, so we gotta move fast! Some of the Protectobots and Chroma are here, and Megatron's on his way with reinforcements. Can you send anyone?"
"Are you planning on bringing him in alive?" Optimus asked.
"Mm… alive enough. We all know you want to give him a trial, but everyone doesn't like it. Heck, a group of chicks in India killed a guy like Rotor before his trial!"
Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee arrived at the base with the kids and they were debating Bumblebee's mishap with First Aid.
"Autobots, Rotors has been located and—"
"What?!" Blades dropped the tools he finished fixing for Ratchet asked.
"Where?!" Bulkhead activated his wrecking balls.
("That fragger's gonna pay!") Bumblebee's door-wings went down as he punched his fists.
"Let's go," Arcee walked to the groundbridge, punched in the coordinates for the Broadside, and the portal opened.
"Well, got my answer," Ionix said before signing off.
The bots started walking through the groundbridge.
"No, no, no! Wait! I-I haven't-!" Optimus was cut off when the groundbridge closed.
"Uh, what… just happened?" Jack asked.
"What I was afraid—where are Miko and Rafael?"
Jack looked around. "Funny, they were right—"
They both looked at the groundbridge and realized what just happened.
"Oh, no," Optimus went to the groundbridge and was about to reopen it when the power went out. "What?! No, no, no, no, no! Not now!"
"Optimus, what hap—AH!" Ratchet ran in and tripped on the dropped tools. "Blades!"
"Did we have a power out?" First Aid asked as he found a flashlight and turned it on.
"Well, the news said that there's going to electrical storms over the weekend, so it isn't surprising," Jack said.
"How long will it take for the power to return?" Optimus urgently asked.
"Optimus, what is going on?" Ratchet asked.
"I heard that they found Rotors and everyone took the groundbridge before the power went out," Jack said.
"I have never lost control of a situation so quickly," Optimus said.
First Aid started shivering, so Ratchet took the flashlight from his son.
"Jack, are you able to get a cellphone signal?" Ratchet asked.
Jack checked his phone. "Sorry, no."
The emergency generator kicked in.
"I'll drive to a location where I can contact Razor and ask for a groundbridge," Optimus said before transforming and leaving.
"Come on, First Aid. Let's see if anything needs repairing. Jack, keep trying to get a signal," Ratchet said.
Xxx
"Razor, is this really necessary?" Chroma asked as she sat on the exam berth.
"Yes, I'm doing check-ups everyone before we start the meeting," Razor said.
Knockout entered the room. "Oh! Sorry." He covered his optics. "Uh, here's the medical files you asked for."
"Just put them on the counter and take that bag. You don't have to cover your optics, by the way."
Knockout took the bag. "This is… a bit awkward. And what's in the bag?"
"A severed head," Chroma joked.
"What?!" Knockout looked in the bag. "This is CNA."
Chroma laughed.
"You and Breakdown are working with Jackie," Razor said.
"I would've preferred a severed head," Knockout said.
"Well, you're on rescue duty. Further complaints can be made during the meeting."
"Ugh!" Knockout rolled his optics and left the room.
"How long is this going to take?" Chroma asked.
"I'll only ask a few questions and do a quick scan," Razor said. "I know you're a mated femme, so have you and Chase been intimate lately?"
"A couple times. It's been a bit hard for him with all that's been happening."
"Okay, I'm going to have to run the scan, now."
"What? Why?" Chroma asked as she was scanned.
"To make sure you aren't—" Razor was cut off by the scanner beeping. "—gestating."
Chroma's expression turned deadpan. "Whoopie."
Xxx
Optimus was driving as fast as he legally could to try and get a signal.
He was starting to panic. He knew Ionix and Bumblebee's ages were very close to First Aid's and if they were going after Rotors—if something went wrong—if they were captured—
He swerved out of the way of another semi, almost losing control. He parked by the median. He activated the experimental holoform, just in case.
He wouldn't think of that, or, at least, he would try not to.
He calmed down and continued driving.
Xxx
Razor walked to the meeting room and walked into Megatron.
"Meeting room's this way," she motioned for the Decepticon to follow her.
"I assume you read my soldiers medical files," Megatron said. "Have omitted any?"
"Only two Autobots and the recovering Earadicons."
"Why are two of your Autobots not battle ready?"
"One is at risk of reopening suicidal injuries and the other, a mated femme, is more likely than not gestating."
"How many medics are there?"
"Myself, Knockout, Ratchet, Blades, a Rescue Bot, and First Aid, but I doubt he'll be of any help."
"Will Optimus be joining us?"
"Couldn't reach him after his team arrived," she said as they entered the meeting room. "Let's have our meeting."
Xxx
Optimus was starting to drive more and more recklessly.
He couldn't help thinking of those worst-case scenarios.
He was NOT about to lose his son again.
And Bumblebee… he viewed him as his son, too. He practically adopted him after that raid. He knew that those prisoners they took made Bumblebee uncomfortable, with their disgusting remarks. And after First Aid killed them… well, that was probably because First Aid killed him.
He couldn't help but blame himself for what happened to him.
Ratchet wanted somewhere safe for First Aid after the raid, and he suggested Hot Spot's team… they were down two units and a combining unit. First Aid was ecstatic to be part of a combining unit. Ratchet had allowed him to join.
Two Cybertronian years had passed when Hot Spot crashed an escape pod from the Defender at their base at the time and ran out with First Aid in his arms, calling for a medic.
Ratchet, Pharma, and Ambulon—Ratchet's apprentice—ran to him and Ratchet thought First Aid was shot by Decepticons or tortured by them, as a mech his age was silent, like First Aid was at the time.
Hot Spot handed First Aid to Pharma and took Ratchet aside and explained what happened to First Aid.
Ratchet tried to kill him, thinking he knew what was going on the whole time.
But Optimus knew that no one could have predicted or known what Rotors really was, due to countless legal papers being damaged and/or destroyed.
Optimus put the idea of a gestalt in Ratchet's head and was afraid he was going to pay the ultimate price for his mistake.
He clipped an SUV and his form went, what Miko called when she saw him after he found out Rotors was back, Shattered Glass.
Xxx
Ratchet had gotten the vitals screen back online and saw Optimus' current status. "Oh, no!"
"What's going on?" Jack asked.
"I-it's Optimus! He's losing it!"
"Losing what?" First Aid asked.
Agent Fowler arrived back at the base in his car. "Where's Prime?"
"Were there any casualties?" Ratchet asked.
"Uh, no… a red and blue speeding semi caused a traffic accident by clipping an SUV, closing two eastbound lanes!"
"Scrap! Jack, have you gotten—"
"Still no," Jack said.
"Alright, someone better tell me what's going on right now," Fowler said.
"Rotors is back," Ratchet said. "Everyone went to join Ionix in hunting him down—they found his whereabouts—and we had a power out shortly after the groundbridge closed. We can't even get a communication signal. That's why Optimus originally left. To contact the team."
"Dad, we really need to contact Razor," First Aid said.
"What are you gonna do? It's damn near impossible to get a signal in this storm, like you said," Fowler said.
"I have an idea, but it's extremely stupid and dangerous one that should never, ever be tried at home," Ratchet said.
Xxx
Knockout, Breakdown, dragon Jackie, and Miko exited the groundbridge onto Rotors' ship at their specific location.
Knockout screamed like a bitch when Rotors' mechs started shooting, but Breakdown and Jackie took care of them quickly.
"That was easy," Knockout said.
"Oh, sure you did," Breakdown and Miko said in unison while Jackie rolled her eyes.
"Just hand me a phenotype," Miko said.
Knockout opened the bag. "Uh… which one is 'smell' again?"
"The one with the daisy—the flower, you baka."
Knockout handed Miko the syringe and Miko injected it into the transmutate's neck, making her shine red and her olfactory sensor to enlarge.
"Does this 'Heatwave' have a big nose?" Breakdown joked.
"No, this is an earth animal thing," Miko said. "Now, Knockout, het Heatwave's CNA sample—white cap, red insignia—and open it under her nose."
"Uh, here, Breakdown!" Knockout gave Breakdown the vial.
"We don't have to be afraid of her, Knockout," Breakdown said as he gave Jackie the scent.
"I'm just keeping my guard up."
Jackie ran off.
"Looks like she found the scent," Breakdown said.
"Oh, Primus, help me!" Knockout said as he and Breakdown Followed the transmutate.
Xxx
"Bumblebee, make sure you and Ion have your guards up for your own safety," Arcee commed. "Who knows how Optimus'll react if he found out Rotors did something to you."
("No problem, 'Cee. We got TONS of vehicons with us!") Bumblebee said.
"Why am I not reassured?" Arcee rolled her optics.
"Because they keep dropping like flies," Airachnid said.
"Why did your sister pair us together?"
"Frag if—stay back," Airachnid pushed Arcee behind her.
"What is it?"
Airachnid shot a web-ball into the hall and was immediately incinerated. "We better warn the others."
"No scrap."
Xxx
Air Raid and the Protectobots had taken care of several of Rotors' mechs.
"Remember, when we get to Rotors, we beat him to an inch of his life!" Groove said.
"I think it should be no less than six inches," Air Raid said.
They then got into a heated debate over how much life they should leave him.
Xxx
Knockout and Breakdown had reached Jackie and Miko's location. Jackie had her head on the door to a room and was making a weird whining noise.
"I think we found him," Miko said.
Knockout pushed them aside and looked at the door panel. "It looks like it requires a code to get in. a code we don't have."
Jackie pushed him aside and typed in the code.
"How did you? Never mind, the door's open. Let's get Waveheat," Knockout said.
Jackie made a face and growled.
"His name's 'Heatwave'," Miko said.
"How 'bout you two stand guard while we get him?" Breakdown asked.
Knockout scoffed and entered the room.
A whimper met him. The whimper came from under blankets on a berth.
Knockout pulled off the blankets and was kicked in the face. "Hey!" he pulled out his electric staff and electrocuted his attacker.
"Knockout! That's they guy we're rescuing!" Breakdown said.
"Oh. Whoops," Knockout continued to pull off the blankets and got a shock. "Uh, Breakdown, c-can you take a looked at this?"
Breakdown walked over and saw the mech all scuffed on, it looked like his sparkchamber was forced open, and there was some energon on the berth.
"Let's get him outta here," Breakdown wrapped the mech up in the blankets and carried him out.
"Aand the transmutate's gone," Knockout said.
Xxx
Razor was in the communication center with Raf when they received a message from Knockout and Breakdown.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The good news: we found Heatwave; the bad news: we lost the transmutate," Knockout said.
"Get to a groundbridge station and go to its last coordinates. I'll prep sick bay. Raf, you're in charge."
"Roger that," Raf said.
After Razor left, Raf got a message from Team Prime's base.
"What's going on?" he asked.
First Aid's staticy voice came through. "Can you guys pick up Optimus' signal? He left the base to find a radio signal and we can't get to him due to weather. We were lucky to get this signal!"
"On it, just—"
Raf was cut off by a clap of thunder and Ratchet screaming in pain before losing the signal.
Xxx
Optimus had to pull over because he burst a tire. It didn't, it was just annoying.
A groundbridge opened and he drove through it.
"Optimus?" Raf asked. "Are you okay?"
"I am fine, Rafael. Where are Ionix and Bumblebee?" Optimus asked.
"Don't worry, they're almost done with their mission. Heatwave's in sick bay, but Knockout and Breakdown lost track of Jackie and Miko."
"THEY ARE ON ROTORS' SHIP?!"
"What's going on?" Breakdown asked as he walked up to them and saw Optimus. "Oh, uh, hi. I-is that a new paint job?"
"WHO ALLOWED IONIX AND BUMBLEBEE TO CONFRONT ROTORS?!"
"D—I – uh, R-Razor did. You can talk with her when she's done with Heatwave."
Optimus grumbled as he walked off. "I'll be in the recreation area if anyone needs me."
"So, uh, Raf, h-how's First Aid doing?" Breakdown asked.
Xxx
Megatron ripped out the sparkchamber of one of Rotors' mechs and stabbed/shot another.
"Lord Megatron, we have reports that the victim was retrieved and the transmutate is missing," Airachnid said.
"She may attempt to go after Rotors. Perhaps she enjoys the thrill of the hunt," Megatron said.
"Arcee says if anyone finds her, to shove her through the nearest groundbridge."
"Understood. She can blow up the ship if she chooses to or by mistake. Check on Ionix and Bumblebee. We CANNOT risk Rotors taking them!"
"Copy that."
Xxx
"Phew!" Blades (RB) said as he entered the bunker from the command center. "They found Heatwave and are treating him."
"That is good news," Chase said. "Is there any news on when we can visit him?"
"We can board the ship tomorrow. Also, Chroma has news for you, but I don't know what it is."
"Are the others returning from their mission?"
Blades shrugged his shoulders.
Xxx
Bulkhead was looking for Jackie and Miko. "Miko? Jackie? Where are you?"
He turned a corner and saw Darksyde laying on the floor, unconscious and leaking energon.
"Ugh. Well, it's better than nothing," Bulkhead said as he picked the mech up and continued to look for the two girls.
He turned three more corners and saw green smoke.
"Miko? Do you read?" he commed.
"What does it mean when Jackie's breathing green smoke?" Miko asked.
"Probebly nothing good. Try to steer her out. Your fire suit's working, right?"
"I think so."
"Oh, Miko!" Bulkhead switched comm signals. "Raf, see if you can comm everyone. I think Jackie's gonna try and blow this ship up. I'm evacuating already."
"Copy, Bulkhead," Raf said.
Xxx
Knockout was walking to the sick bay to help with any injuries when he walked into Optimus. "Oh. Excuse me."
"Do you have any information on Ionix and Bumblebee?" Optimus asked.
"Not at the moment, but they are pulling bots because the transmutate went AWOL. Maybe you'll see them before the day's over."
"They better be alright..."
xxx
"Shouldn't Ionix or Bumblebee be answering their comms?" Airachnid asked.
"Something isn't right," Arcee said.
"Has anyone seen or heard from Ionix or Bumblebee?" Airachnid commed.
"They're missing?" Air Raid asked. "Wait, how many frequencies did you use?"
"All of them."
"Everyone continued to evacuate. I'll look for them," Megatron said.
Airachnid and Arcee got to the groundbridge and activated it.
"Arcee, you go. I'll help look for Ionix and Bumblebee," Airachnid said.
"No arguments from me. Just… make sure they aren't harmed," Arcee walked through the groundbridge.
Xxx
Optimus looked through the security cameras, trying to find Ionix and Bumblebee as Autobots and Decepticons exited the groundbridges.
All the groundbridges closed with no sign of the two.
"Optimus, Razor wants you to go to recovery bay one," Raf said.
"What for?" Optimus asked.
"One of the patients wants to talk to you."
Xxx
Megatron found Rotors. "Airachnid, search for the transmutate. I'll handle Rotors."
Megatron lunged at Rotors.
Xxx
Optimus walked into recovery one.
"In there," Knockout pointed to a room.
Optimus walked in and saw Darksyde.
"What is it? If you want to repent, then it is a higher power you must speak to," Optimus said.
"No… I… regret to inform you that Rotors has taken Ionix and Bumblebee," Darksyde said.
"What?!"
"I tried to stop him, but you can see the results of it."
Optimus punched a wall and left the room.
Xxx
Airachnid found Jackie and Miko.
"Come on, we have to leave," Airachnid said.
"I've tried to get her to leave, but she just wants to blow this place up," Miko said.
Airachnid sighed a grabbed Miko.
"It's best I get you out of this pit," Airachnid said as she walked to a groundbridge.
Xxx
Rotors seethed when Megatron's blade slashed his arm.
"That sings a lot!" Rotors complained.
"Tell me where the two mechs are and your demise will be swift!" Megatron said.
"Where's the fun in that?" Rotors activated the hall's fire extinguishers and ran away in the fog.
By the time Megatron got out of the hall, Rotors was gone.
"Dammit!" he cursed.
Then noises came from the other end of the ship, which became closer and closer.
Megatron realized he needed to get off the ship as soon as possible.
Xxx
Optimus was punching in the coordinates from Buzzsaw into a groundbridge.
"Where do you think you're going?!" Air Raid asked.
"To save Ionix and Bumblebee. You have apparently given up on them," Optimus said. He activated the groundbridge and had begun to enter when an explosion blew him back.
"Sir!" Air Raid threw Prime's arm over his shoulders. "Let's get you to sick bay."
"N-no! we can still—"
"Raf, try to figure out where Rotors' ship might land. We're gonna have to look for survivors."
Xxx
The Rescue Bots were helping Razor's team look for surviviors from Rotors' shipwreck.
"We found a survivor. You guys find anything?" Hot Spot commed.
"Just a bunch of dead bots," Blades (RB) said.
"I found Jackie!" Boulder picked up the squirming transmutate. "I think she's okay!"
"Optimus is scouting a new crash site we found," Raf said.
"I'll help him. Give me the coordinates," Blades commed.
"No!" Razor said. "It's not a crash site from the ship! It's an escape pod!"
"What?!"
"Does that mean Rotors could be in that pod?" Chase asked.
"More likely than not, I'm afraid," Razor said.
Xxx
"Optimus, if you see anyone, do not engage," Razor said. "Let us know."
"Understood, Razor," Optimus said as he walked over a hill.
His injuries from the blast were minor. He was just dazed.
Optimus wasn't going to listen to Razor. This island had a lot of iron and other minerals that blocked signals all he had to do was drag Rotors to a cave or mountain side and make him pay.
He heard footsteps and stealthily followed them and saw Rotors near a cave.
How perfect.
He lunged at Rotors, pushing into the cave, punched and pinned into the ground.
"Where are they?! What did you do to them?!" Optimus ordered.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Stop hitting me!" Rotors whined.
"What have you done to Ionix and Bumblebee?!"
Rotors smirked. "Oh, I made them into mechs. Drugging them really helped."
Optimus roared as he continued to punch Rotors in the face.
Xxx
"What do you mean his signal's gone?" Arcee asked.
"I mean there's probably some sort of interference with his signal. Probably some kind of natural minerals," Raf said.
"Then how did we get the crash site location?" Bulkhead asked.
"We used Buzzsaw to copy the ship's main computer to find the rest of the ship and escape pods."
"Should we go?" Miko asked.
"Perhaps the Protectobots should look for they boys while the rest of us look for Optimus," Airachnid suggested.
"Depends, what are you gonna do when you find him?" Arcee asked.
"Well, if he doesn't comply, knock him out and bring him back here. We were ordered not to kill each other on this mission, remember? Besides, Megatron wants to snuff Optimus, and guess who's in sick bay?"
"I'm not sure if there are any better ideas," Air Raid said.
"We better get a medic," Bulkhead said.
"Razor could help us," Arcee said.
"I doubt it. My sister's patients may be stable, but there's no way in the pits of Kaon she'll leave them," Airachnid said.
"So, we're bring Knockout?"
"Obviously. We just have to find him. It's highly unlikely that your medic will be mentally able to handle this one."
"Let's get ready to go," Air Raid said.
Xxx
Heatwave slowly woke up. He got scared for a second but then realized he was in Razor's private recovery room.
There was an energon I.V. in his arm.
He didn't want his memories back. He wanted them gone again.
Firestar entered his room. "Oh, you're up."
"Think I can have a memory wipe or something?" Heatwave asked.
"Heatwave, treatments like that are VERY dangerous! You could end up a vegetable!"
"Well, it's better than these stupid memories! They hurt so much…"
"If they're really bothering you, you can talk to Razor, but, for now you can talk to be," Firestar sat on the berth with him. "Chief Burns… filled us in on what originally happened to you, so we could help when…"
"Why didn't somebody tell me before I met him again?"
"We didn't want to scare you."
"I'm getting some rest," Heatwave covered himself with his blanket.
Xxx
The Autobots and Decepticons arrived on the island.
"S-so, uh, what are we doing again?" Knockout asked.
"You and Breakdown are going to find Ionix and Bumblebee and bring them back here for a groundbridge. The rest of us are going to do the same with Optimus," Arcee said.
"What about Rotors?" Breakdown asked.
"If you find him: kill him. If we find him: same result," Airachnid said.
"Yeah, Breakdown, I'm gonna leave that one up to you," Knockout said.
Xxx
Bumblebee and Ionix slowly woke up.
"Ugh… my head… wait a minute," Ionix looked around and saw that they were in an escape pod. "'Bee, you okay?"
("Ugh, the last thing I remember was…") Bumblebee's optics widened. ("ROTORS! He took us! We have to make sure we weren't violated!") he immediately began checking for injuries.
"'Bee, the only injuries we have are head and crash injuries."
("I'M MISSING A LATCH!")
"Which latch?"
("Left hip! Oh, Primus, my pelvic armor's coming loose! He must have torn it off!")
"'Bee, calm down. It probably came off in the crash."
(Stop getting my hopes up!")
"Well, I guess we found you," Knockout said as he entered the crashed pod.
Bumblebee shrieked as he held up his pelvic armor.
"Relax, Bumblebee. I may be gay, but I'm not like that," Knockout said as he got out his medical kit.
"Dude, no one asked," Ionix said.
("Wow, you're a walking stereotype,") Bumblebee said.
"Well, forget that I said it and both of you sit down while I scan you," Knockout said.
"'Bee lost his left hip latch. Can you give him something to calm down?" Ionix asked as he and Bumblebee followed Knockout's order.
"Sure, Bumblebee, stay still," Knockout examined the injury. "You have nothing to worry about. The damage suggests you bumped into something. And it looks like your armor hasn't been removed. It could still be here. Have either of you experienced light-headedness?"
"A little, now that you mention it."
"You two sit still while we look for the latch."
Xxx
Blades, Boulder, and Chase were watching Jackie until she went back to her human form or close enough.
"Razor says that Heatwave's awake and that we can talk to him if we want to," Blades said.
"Shouldn't we give him a few days to recover?" Chase asked.
Jackie growled and nodded.
"Heatwave could also ask for a memory wipe," Boulder said.
"If he does that, he could be even more distant and then we'll have a repeat of this situation."
Chase sighed as he stood up. "I'm going to see what Chroma wanted to talk about."
Xxx
("Knockout, are you sure I'm okay? I mean, you SAID I'm okay, but you couldn't find my latch despite it being canary yellow which means Rotors took it and if Rotors took it he probably—")
"Bumblebee, shut up!" the other three mechs said.
"If this bothers you so much then you can talk to Razor," Knockout said. "How's the tape holding up?"
("Surprisingly well,") Bumblebee looked at the yellow duct tape patch on his left hip.
"Okay, Razor, we're here and Bumblebee and Ionix want to have check-ups," Breakdown commed.
"Mostly Bumblebee," Ionix said.
"I'll prep the exam room. A few Decepticons are being moved back to their ship for further recovery, so there might be some traffic," Razor said as the groundbridge opened.
The four bots entered the groundbridge.
Xxx
"A sparkling? Are you sure?" Chase asked.
"Yeah… I kinda feel like it's a bad thing, to be honest," Chroma said.
"What if it's another false positive?"
"Razor ran a couple other tests to confirm, so we better get prepping."
"I will immediately start researching," Chase got up to leave.
"Chase, you need to give something to Heatwave."
Xxx
Chase walked to Heatwave's room with a puppy in his hands.
Firestar stopped him before he reached the room. "Heatwave's in recharge. What's that creature you're holding?"
"A puppy. Chroma says Heatwave likes this puppy. Her name is Sparkler," Chase said.
"Oh, it's adorable! I'll give it to him as soon as he wakes up," Firestar took the puppy from Chase.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some research to do," Chase left.
Xxx
"So, how did Airachnid come up with this search method?" Arcee asked a nearby vehicon.
"She researches earth hunting mothods in her spare time. This one is used for finding missing people," the vehicon said.
"Really?"
"Yep."
They then heard some shouting.
"What's that?" Arcee asked.
"Something about Optimus and weapons," the vehicon said.
They followed the others and were shocked by what they saw:
Optimus had Killed Rotors and was a different color.
Some of the Decepticons were talking about how Optimus looked like a Decepticon.
Optimus slowly stood up, panting and began walking towards them.
Some of them got their weapons ready.
Optimus took a few more steps before collapsing.
"Go contact Razor!" Airachnid ordered a vehicon.
Bulkhead and Arcee ran to Optimus, who had fainted.
"We're gonna need some help getting him to the pick-up zone," Air Raid told some vehicons.
"And why would we help you?" one vehicon asked.
"Because this whole Rotors deal isn't over," Airachnid said. "Now, help them get Optimus to the pick-up site and tell my sister to get some bots to get what's left of Rotors."
The vehicons grumbled as they followed Airachnid's order.
Xxx
Jack finally got a signal and called Miko.
"Miko, what's going on?!" he asked. "You're on speaker phone."
"Well, everybody's more or less okay. Except for Rotors—"
First Aid tensed up.
"—he's head."
"Phew! It's over," First Aid said. "It's finally over."
"By the way, what happened to Ratchet?"
"He tried fixing the comm by holding on antenna to it and got electrocuted."
"Something like that. Is Optimus okay?" Jack asked.
"I don't know. We're being kept in the dark. Oh! I gotta go, I'll fill you in later!"
Xxx
"Knockout, do you always electrocute your patients when they panic?" Razor asked after Knockout electrocuted Bumblebee.
"Hey, when they panic, I panic!" Knockout said.
"Look, just repair his latch. We both know he's alright. Rotors just took his latch to make Optimus kill him," Razor handed him the latch.
Xxx
Optimus was pacing around the room he was put in, trying to figure out if what Rotors said was true.
"Oh, you're already up," Razor said.
"D-did Rotors—"
"Don't worry, they're fine. The worst that happened to them was being drugged."
"How are they?"
"Heatwave will be… fine once he's back on his medication and therapy and emotional support. Bumblebee had a startle, but he'll be fine. Ionix says he's going to move in with you and your bots."
Optimus sighed. "Well, that's some good news. Why did Rotors… take Bumblebee's latch?"
"Look, he's like an amalgamation of John Wayne Gacy and the Joker. He most likely did it to make you snap."
"Well, he succeeded long before that."
Xxx
During the following month, Heatwave had a surgery to remove his gestation chamber, the Protectobots and Slayer were in the planet's atmosphere, Darksyde was in the Broadside's brig, First Aid rejoined the team, and Firestar and Inferno joined the team as reserve members.