Chapter 3

Building a Plan

Megatron was pleased, more than pleased, when Soundwave successfully brought him the Autobot's human pet, the one with powers. What was his designation again? Jack wasn't it? Yes, and it was the very same human that had ruined his chances of destroying Prime, when he was at his weakest. Oh, he was going to take very great pleasure harnessing the boy's strange power, and he couldn't wait to see his expression, when he was used against the Autobots.

If Megatron wasn't such a disciplined mech, he'd be leaping about the laboratory, hands in the air, and cackling like an idiot. As it was, with Knockout and Soundwave standing behind him, as he examined the human male for himself, it just wouldn't do. Perhaps later, yes, in his quarters, when no one could see him. First though, there was something he had to do.

Turning to his master spy he said, "Soundwave, feel free to treat yourself to some energon. You have earned that right this day."

And he had too, in the years that the silent mech had been with them, he had proved invaluable, doing more than a full army of his finest Decepticon warriors, in all conflicts with the Autobots, combined. Who said Megatron didn't reward a job well done?

"Knockout," The red mech turned to him, "Prepare to examine our guest. I want him alive, however, so take precautions, or you'll be answering to me."

"Yes sir, Lord Megatron." The speed loving medic replied, "I'll just start with some basic tests. Do you have anything in particular you'd like to request?"

Megatron eyed the boy laying on the examination table, "Bring me a copy of his brainwaves. I have something special in mind for him."

Knockout grinned devilishly and bowed, "As you command, my Lord."

Arcee was pacing.

She couldn't help it, she was too worried about Jack. Back and forth she went, from one side of the command area to the other. In the human space beside the main computer, Jack's mother, June, was doing the same thing, worried for her son. Soon the sound of an engine could be heard from the entrance, as Bulkhead and agent Fowler pulled up, with Miko and Raf.

"I know why you're doing this," Fowler began when he got out, "But I still say we should've left Raf at home, kid about threw up on me on the way over." He finished, as June came over and led the poor boy to the couch to lie down, covering him with a blanket.

"You'd of deserved it too." Bulkhead muttered.

"Hey, what'd you say big guy?" Fowler rounded on him, "You trying to start something?"

"Maybe I am, tiny!" The wrecker snapped.

"Bulkhead! Stop it!" Miko cried, but neither listened, caught up as they were.

"I thought you had people to watch the kids if we couldn't!" Bulkhead was shouting now.

"Well maybe we would if MECH wasn't busy tying up every agent we had!" Fowler defended, also shouting.

"Blow it out your aft!"

"BULKHEAD!" It wasn't Miko this time, it was Optimus. The humans jumped, they'd never seen him angry like that before.

"Enough, both of you. You're fighting does not help Jack's situation." He stated firmly. The two looked down chastised while the kids were curious.

"What do you mean Optimus?" Raf spoke softly trying not to irritate his stomachache. Miko looked at everyone, carefully noting that Arcee was now leaning by the corridor doorway, brooding, while fiddling with a device.

"Where's Jack?" She asked with worry.

"The Decepticons took him." Arcee growled, crushing the device in her hands.

"Arcee," Ratchet started, "I-" She gave him a look, he closed his mouth and shut up.

Miko again looked around at everybody.

"Well what are we doing here? Let's go bust the cons and rescue him!" She pumped her fist into the air. Bumblebee, across from her, smashed his fists together, whirring in agreement.

"It's not that simple." Ratchet began, "Jack left his cellphone behind at his residence and went off into the canyons. Why he went, we don't know, but there was a Decepticon in the area who managed to take him without any witnesses-"

There was a bang as Arcee hit her fist against the wall behind her, before Ratchet continued.

"My scans of the place could not pick up Jack's signature and if he was taken to the Nemesis, without his phone, I have no means of tracking him." Ratchet finished sadly shaking his head.

June stood up with tears in her eyes, "There must be something you can do to get my son back!" She strongly protested.

"Mrs. Darby," Optimus gazed at her with determination, "Though we have no means of tracking Jack's location, there are other ways of finding him, and I will not rest until he is brought home safely to you."

"But in the mean time, the Decepticons could be doing all sorts of things to him!" Miko cried out in horror.

"Miko! Not helping!" Bulkhead said glancing over at June and their brooding femme member warily.

June appeared equally horrified, but unsurprised. Really, she'd known what it could mean for her son to be involved with them, and had determined to accept it. Arcee though, she seemed too lost in thought to have heard.

"Jack is strong, and we will find him, but we must have a plan." Optimus steered them from the topic, they didn't need to dwell on the cruelty of the Decepticons right now.

"I could help." Raf braved sitting up.

June gently pushed him to lie down, "You need to rest or you'll make it worse." She said with care.

"It's just my stomach that hurts." He said firmly sitting up again, "I can still use my mind, because I'm not just going to sit here while Jack is in trouble." He stared at her with conviction, pleadingly. June sighed in defeat.

"Alright, but I don't want you to strain yourself too hard." She said, "The minute you start feeling sick again I want you to stop and take a break. Understand?" Raf nodded his head happy she was letting him help.

"So how can I help?" Miko inquired.

"You will have to stay here." Ratchet told her seriously.

"There's no telling if the Decepticons had plans to kidnap you and Raf. What you can do however is clean up while you stay out of trouble." He handed her a mop and bucket, hoping it would keep the reckless girl busy.

He hoped in vain.

Jack groaned as he came to.

He must have hit his head because it was pounding. He tried opening his eyes, and shut them again, the bright light around him stinging them. Where was he? Was he at the hospital? He opened his eyes again carefully. The room was blurry and might have been spinning too, he thought it looked big as well.

He sensed something beside him and, as his vision cleared, looked up into the face of terror.

"Hello, Jack." Megatron was grinning down at him.

"I hope you enjoy our hospitality. We wouldn't want you to leave unsatisfied." He leaned towards the teen, teeth showing, in a leer. It hit Jack then. He knew where he was. He'd thought when Soundwave found him, without his protector, that that was his worse nightmare brought to life.

He was wrong.

The nightmare was just beginning.