Chapter Six

It was time, Optimus Prime knew.

Everything was set. They had the location of the Decepticon base as well as all the information they could find on the AllSpark and possible Neutrals for Megatron to use to control it. They had all the information they would need. Ironhide had drilled and checked everyone over for fitness in battle. Not one mech had failed his tests.

Now they were in formation, a semi truck at the front, a Solstice to his left, a GMC Topkick to his right. Behind him were twin Lamborghinis, behind them a yellow Camero and a grey Datsun, and bringing up the rear was a rescue Hummer. They flew down the deserted highway with no regard to the speed limit, not really caring who caught them. Chances were any cop who tried to stop them would be a Decepticon. Bonecrusher was the most likely candidate.

They encountered no one.

The trip was supposed to have been made in silence, but as far as Jazz, Sunstreaker, and Sideswipe were concerned, there was no such thing as silence. Much to Ironhide's annoyance.

"Do you think that the Seekers will be there?" Sunstreaker asked over the comm. link. Jazz laughed outright at that.

"Of course. Do you really think Megatron would be here without them? They're the only reason he's still alive!"

"We call dibs on the vultures then!" Sideswipe said cheerfully. Jazz would have shaken his head if he had been in his mech form. As it was, he could only sigh in exasperation over the comm. link.

Ironhide patched through to Optimus's personal mike. "Is there any way to shut those three up?"

Opitmus chuckled at that. "Not that I'm aware of, Ironhide. We'll just have to suffer with them a while longer."

"I can always disable their vocal processors when we get back." Ratchet offered. "They're beginning to give me a headache."

That brought a few protests from the offending mechs, although it didn't stop them from chattering away nonstop. Ratchet sighed. It was going to be a long drive.

/---/

Megatron knew they were coming.

It would only be a matter of time after they drew attention to themselves attacking the Neutral base. He doubted Prime knew about their little human or the secret of the AllSpark that he had spent his life trying to find. Every attack, every mission had been an attempt to discover a way to end the war. By whatever means necessary.

He had found his answer in the AllSpark, and the power it was said to have. A very old mech had told him the secret, and afterwards Megatron had killed her to cover his tracks. It was sad but he felt no pity. The information was too valuable to fall into Prime's hands.

Now he just had to decide what to do with Rae during the attack. He doubted she would go to the Autobots with her contempt of Prime, but she would choose the time to make a break for it. Chances were she would try to go back to Veris and whoever else took care of her at the Neutral base. He simply could not allow his only chance at winning this war to escape before he even found the AllSpark.

He motioned for Soundwave to come to his side. "Yes, Lord Megatron?"

"I want you to watch the human girl during the attack." he said. "Your CPU has been adequetly repaired, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then use your power to get any relevant information out of her about her little 'family'. The last thing I need is a surprise when we finally find the AllSpark."

Soundwave smirked. "As you wish, my lord."

Standing a safe distance away, Starscream and Barricade exchanged looks. "Do we know where Rae is?" Starscream hissed.

Barricade shook his head. "No. But I hope we find her before Soundwave does."

/---/

AN: Yeah, it's short, but the next two chapters will be longer. The battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, and the outcome as it pertains to Rae!