Don't worry, she's not dead.
Holoforms in my stories:
Holoforms are like a third form, but not at the same time
They're solid light constructs with nanites
They still have their bot and alternate forms
They can change 100% to holoform if emergent
They can change the clothes through mental commands (like M'gann's telepathy (Martian, DC)) or use actual human clothes
They do not have to stay a certain distance from their vehicle mode—simply use human food.
"Normal Talk"
"Bee's Talk"
"Bee's Talk Holoform"
"Other Side Over the Phone (Comms)"
'Thoughts'
~Bond communication~
~Telepathic communication~
Ambulance
Outside, Third POV
Arcee is sitting in her vehicle mode behind the brown and white trailer. With Ratchet's directions, she had been able to find the house easily, but so far, she hasn't seen any solid proof of Mariposa being there.
"See anything yet, Arcee?"
"No." She huffs. "Same as the past week."
"Keep watching. I'm detecting her beacon close by."
"I'm out here staking out some innocent family, while Electro's suffering."
"Cliffjumper is doing fine with him, Arcee. Mari is the one suffering. That's where I rescued her when she was six months old!"
2:00 am, Third POV
Stacy peers in at the baby, and gasps when she sees her unresponsive. In a panic, she calls for an ambulance. While she's on the phone, she cleans up any evidence of abuse, and any visible drugs or beer. "I heard a thud in my daughter's room, and when I went to check, she was lying on the ground. Now she won't wake up!"
"How old is she?"
"Almost fourteen months."
"We'll send a unit by. Is she breathing?"
She looks over the baby. "Barely."
"Is there any chance she may have fallen out of her crib?"
"I-I don't know!"
It's five minutes before the ambulance pulls up. In a few minutes, an EMT runs in and takes the baby girl. "You can follow behind us."
Arcee's POV
"We've got an ambulance!"
"What? Is it—"
"I'm moving in." I inch closer to get a glimpse of the baby. "Sweet Solus Prime." I reach up to my comm. "Arcee to base."
"I'm here, Arcee. What did you find?"
"Mariposa. She's unresponsive. Ratch, you need to get here, quickly."
"I'm on my way. Stay with her. Please."
I've never heard Ratchet sound so…desperate. It's almost like he's lost any hope of saving her. "I will. I'll keep her safe, Ratch."
Third POV
The paramedic takes her out to the ambulance to check her over. She unzips the sleeper and gasps. "We've got an abuse case." She then quickly starts cutting through the sleeves and feet.
A male EMT turns to radio the new discovery in as the woman turns to close the doors. Arcee quickly activates her holoform and runs over. "I know her history."
"Who are you?"
"Sadie Taggart. She's my cousin. My uncle just adopted her, then someone kidnapped her on their vacation. He lives in Nevada, and had to get back to work, but he asked me to wait out here in case they found her."
"Hop in."
Arcee does, then turns to the woman. "Her name's Marianne Anderson. She's been missing since last Friday. She was taken from Lake Maxinkuckee at three in the afternoon." She kneels by the cot. "It'll be okay, Mari. Cee's here."
"Cee?"
Arcee shrugs. "Her name for me." She sighs. "Her father's on his way."
Jasper, Nevada, Ratchet's POV
"Ratchet?"
"I have to go, Optimus. I don't have time to talk."
"What—"
I sigh heavily before turning from where I'm gathering a few things I'd gotten to keep in my vehicle mode for if she'd gotten hurt. "Arcee found her." I turn back to the small red bundle I'd prepared. I don't want him to know I'm barely keeping it together. "It's…not good news."
He lays a hand on my shoulder. "How bad is it?"
"She's unresponsive—maybe in stasis lock. I told Arcee to stay with her, in case she wakes up on the way, but…" I sigh heavily. "It's highly unlikely."
Optimus sighs. "Whatever happens, I am here if you need to talk."
I turn and activate the ground bridge. "Thanks, Optimus." I grab the bundle and transform before driving through. The moment I'm out, I switch on the lights, leaving my sirens off so I don't wake anyone.
Emergency Room, Arcee's POV
We pull into the ambulance bay, and I can see Ratchet's vehicle mode waiting in the parking lot. I nod toward him before following the cot in. "Fourteen month old with signs of abuse."
The doctor turns to me. "Who's she?"
"Name's Sadie. My Uncle adopted her. She was kidnapped on their vacation last week. I've been searching for her."
Ratchet runs in and flashes a medical ID card. "Richard Anderson. How is she?"
"How did you—"
Ratchet sighs. "I was already here, getting ready to speak with the police when I got Sadie's call." He nods toward Mari. "I want to transfer her as soon as she's stable."
"We'll have to get back to you on that." He turns to the medics. "Get her into Trauma One and get radiology."
"Could I stay with her?"
The doctor sighs. "After Radiology."
Two Hours Later, Ratchet's POV
"Richard?"
I cross the room to the doctor. "How is she?"
He sighs. I recognize the look, as it's one I've used myself, when delivering bad news. "Her right arm's broken, and she's got internal bleeding." He leads me to her side. "The good news is, the injury is small enough that it should heal on its own, and she shouldn't need surgery, but she needs to be under observation just in case, and she's got several other minor injuries, including a rather large bruise on her back." He gives me a look. "Kidnapping and abuse are usually done by a family member or other relative…"
I scoff. "I would never abuse a child under my care. I assume it was her biological father. He lives near where she was taken." I sigh. "Is she stable enough to transport?"
He sighs. "Yes, but be careful. She doesn't need to be jostled."
"Trust me, I'd never hurt my daughter." I turn toward Arcee. "Sadie." She turns to me. "Update Orion. He should be with Bailey."
Ratchet's Vehicle Mode
Arcee turns to me. She's still in her holoform. "How do you drive this thing?"
I roll my eyes. "Turn it on, foot on the gas, take it easy. He's opening the portal as close to us as he can."
"I don't see why I couldn't stay back with her."
"Because she's my daughter, and I haven't seen her in over a week. Now she's unresponsive, and we'll be lucky if she wakes up. She needs to know she's safe now…" I wipe a tear off my cheek. Guess I did too good on the holoforms… "I need to know she's safe now." I run a thumb over one of the many burns over her arms and legs before turning my attention to the bruise—correction, bruises—on her stomach. She's only in a diaper because of the exam, but it's warm enough that it's not dangerous. "Oh, Little One. What have they done to you?"
Heaven
~It is time for you to return, Little One.~
'Dada?'
~He is with you, and quite worried.~ She sighs. ~You will be in pain once you awaken, but your Carrier and I will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.~
'Tank you, Sowus.'
~You are welcome, Sweetspark.~
Ratchet's Vehicle Mode, Mariposa's POV
I whimper before starting to cry, then scream. I hurt!
"Mari! Thank Primus!"
I open my eyes to see Dada above me with sad eyes. He disappears for a minute before returning with an armful of stuff. It's only a moment before I see binky. "Inky!"
He slides it into my mouth before setting something beside me. I turn to see that it's a teddy. I can feel something soft cover me. Of course, all this doesn't take the hurt away—or make me stop crying—but it just proves that I've got my Dada back.
"Nearing ground bridge coordinates."
Dada turns to the voice. "As soon as we're through, go to Jasper Hospital. I'll have Optimus send a bag of her things with Agent Fowler."
