Chapter 17: From Dusk to Dawn

Lying on the cold dark floor of the brig, Cole cried softly. Everything was aching now. Every inch of him was hurting in some form or another. Clawing at the ground, Cole dragged himself to the nearest wall, struggling to sit up.

Looking down, Cole whimpered in agony because everything was spinning. Closing his optics, Cole set his head on his knees and continued to cry softly. "I should have listened. I shouldn't have followed dad and Bulkhead through the ground bridge, and then none of this would have happened. If I would have just done as I was told I would be home safe and sound. BUT NO! I was an idiot!"

Sobbing, Cole coughed hard, so hard he covered his mouth and hacked violently. Pulling his hand away from his mouth, Cole froze.

The sight of energon was unmistakable for its illuminating blue properties, and Cole's hand was covered in it. He was leaking energon internally. Looking up at the door, Cole's hand trembled.

Ratchet had said that energon was the fuel and life blood of all Cybertronians, just like what normal red blood was to a human, so if he was leaking energon from within, that was the equivalent of bleeding internally.

That was how mom died.

Shaking, Cole fell to his side and laid there, feeling his energy draining slowly…painfully…

Was this how it was all going to end? Was he just going to lay here in the dark and die alone?

Crying, Cole clung to the floor whimpering…pleading. "Mommy, I hope you can hear me from heaven. Please tell God or Primus or whoever is listening…t-that I don't wanna die!"

Just then, the door to the brig opened. Looking up tiredly, Cole stayed still. It was Knockout again, and this time he was with that bot that Optimus was fighting before, he was with Dreadwing.

Looking down at the small sparkling, Dreadwing turned to Knockout. "The Autobot prisoner in question is a youngling?"

Nodding, Knockout laughed. "Yeah, he's Optimus Prime's kid. And Lord Megatron said that if Optimus doesn't show, he's going to make an example of him in front of the entire crew."

Kneeling beside Cole's motionless frame, Knockout huffed. "Unfortunately, we have to keep the runt alive long enough to last until tonight. If Prime doesn't show with the relics…well…"

Looking directly into Cole's optics, Knockout grinned. "Then junior here gets a front row seat in watching Lord Megatron carve out his spark."

From a distance, Dreadwing watched as pure horror illuminated from the youngling's dampened optics. He truly was afraid for his life.

Just then, Dreadwing and Cole's optics met, and Dreadwing could feel the anguish and fear Cole was feeling just by looking at him.

Looking away, Dreadwing huffed. "Hurry and finish Knockout. Lord Megatron awaits us on the bridge."

Glancing at Dreadwing from the corner of his optics, Knockout sighed. "I would, except we have a little problem."

Scowling slightly, Dreadwing huffed. "What kind of problem?"

Turning to look at Dreadwing, Knockout shrugged. "The runt is leaking energon internally. It's only a matter of time before his vital functions start feeling energon deprivation and all his systems shut down."

Scowling at Knockout, Dreadwing slowly looked at the youngling who was barely awake let alone looking at him. Shaking his head, Dreadwing slowly kneeled beside Knockout taking Cole into his arms.

Standing, Dreadwing motioned to move out. "How long will it take you to make repairs?"

Scowling Knockout shrugged. "A couple hours I suppose…but why should we repair the runt if Megatron is just going to scrap him anyway?"

Glaring at Knockout, Dreadwing snarled. "Do you wish to explain to Lord Megatron why the youngling is dead before he can use him to gain the relics?"

Cringing, Knockout looked away scowling. "Eh…good point—." Waving dismissively, Knockout stomped past Dreadwing out of the brig. "Alright, alright give me a few cycles to get my surgical instruments ready."

Watching Knockout leave, Dreadwing slowly looked upon the child in his arms again. His mass was still and almost lifeless. Groaning softly, Dreadwing whispered. "Where is the honor in this?"

Shaking his head, Dreadwing slowly exited the room in the direction of the med bay where Knockout was waiting.

Upon entering the medical bay, Dreadwing very carefully placed Cole down on the berth, and scowled at Knockout. "Get busy on the repairs."

Returning a scowl of his own, Knockout huffed. "I guess you weren't around when I told Starscream that I was better at breaking them then fixing them."

Growling, Dreadwing huffed. "Do not mention that traitor's name! Fix the youngling before I fix you!"

Chuckling dryly, Knockout waved dismissively. "Alright, cool your jets. I'll fix him so he can at least operate for an extended period of time before Megatron scraps him at dusk."

Looking to Cole who lay awake on the table, Dreadwing couldn't help but fell some ounce of pity for the small bot. They were merely delaying inevitable, for as far as Megatron was concerned his fate was already sealed…

Dreadwing knew that Megatron was never planning on giving Cole back.

As soon as Megatron got his hands on the relics, he was going to terminate Cole before Optimus' very optics. There was not going to be a negotiation, the decision had been made.

…

Two hours passed, and Cole had long since fallen unconscious even before Knockout began to operate.

Sealing his hull back shut, Knockout stood back looking at his handy work. "Are you happy now? That patch job should hold until Megatron decided what he wants to do with him."

Watching Cole stir slowly, Dreadwing growled ominously. "Go see to the strike force that is being assigned in assisting Lord Megatron."

Huffing, Knockout's shoulders sagged and he snarled. "Why do I have to do that?!"

Growling louder Dreadwing hissed. "Do as you are told!"

Looking Dreadwing up and down, Knockout slowly folded his arms. "And just what is it you're going to do?"

Lifting Cole from the operating table, Dreadwing sighed. "I will bring this Autobot youngling back to the brig where he belongs."

Watching Dreadwing leave the medical bay with the youngling in his arms, Knockout could help but feel a little suspicious of Dreadwing's actions.

…

Entering the brig, Dreadwing very carefully laid Cole on the ground being carefully as not to jar any of his injuries any worse that what they were.

Slowly opening his optics, Cole jolted back suddenly and cringed in pain. Setting a hand on Cole's chest, Dreadwing sighed. "It is alright little one, you have nothing to fear."

Looking up at Dreadwing, Cole's mouth slowly started to move but no words escaped. Swallowing Cole tried again, only to stutter out a whisper. "W-What do you w-want? Are you here to k-kill me?"

Shaking his head very slowly Dreadwing huffed. "No. I am not going to kill you."

Continuing to stare up, Cole whispered with his vocalizer still shaking. "But you—and Megatron—he…"

Scowling Dreadwing huffed. "I am a Decepticon, and Megatron is my rightful lord and Master…" Looking at Cole, Dreadwing was careful in helping him sit up. "However, I do not condone the actions that Lord Megatron has taken against you. I do not see the honor and nobility in beating an Autobot too young and inexperienced to defend himself."

Looking away Cole whimpered. "Megatron is going to kill me, isn't he?"

Standing to his full height, Dreadwing nodded. "More than likely, yes…he will kill you. That is unless your sire and the other Autobots can find you in time."

Lying back down on the cold dark floor, Cole sighed tiredly. "They won't find me, and by time they do I'll be dead. Ratchet said that your ship is so hard to find let alone track that it's almost impossible to pin point its location."

Turning away, Dreadwing remained silent as he left the brig closing the door quietly.

Closing his optics, Cole curled up into a fetal position and cried for his dad, saying to himself over and over again hoping to find some comfort. "Please find me daddy. Please rescue me from this nightmare."

…

…

Walking up behind Ratchet slowly, Optimus sighed gravely. "Any luck Ratchet?"

Looking over his shoulder, Ratchet sighed shaking his head. "Not yet Optimus, but I will keep searching. The earth has only so much sky, if the Decepticon ship is anywhere, we'll find them."

Turning away, Optimus slowly walked away with a grave sigh, heavy shoulders and heavy spark.

Cole was his responsibility, and yet though as hard as he tried he still couldn't keep Cole from the very thing he feared the most.

Sighing solemnly, Optimus realized his spark at that moment was full of the one thing that causes someone to make foolish, irrational, decisions…fear. Fear for Cole…fear for Kira and Melody…fear for his Autobots…fear for himself.

Over the course of three years he had changed so much, and those changes were inflicted by the children, and now one of them was in grave danger, and a part of him felt helpless to do anything about it.

Cringing, Optimus growled out of frustration. A part of him wanted so badly just to take the relics to Megatron, hoping…praying that some part of Megatron would be merciless and would give Cole back. But Optimus knew better than that…

He and Megatron had been at this for a very long time. In most respects, he knew how Megatron operated; he could predict with some accuracy what Megatron would do. But at this moment, Optimus prayed he was wrong. He already lost Jacklyn; he didn't want to lose Cole too.

"Optimus, I think you should come take a look at this."

Turning around to look at Ratchet, Optimus slowly approached. "What is it?"

Looking at the screen, Ratchet groaned softly. "It's another message, and it's for you."

Walking up Behind Ratchet, Optimus nodded. "What does it say?"

Opening the embedded frequency, Ratchet huffed. "It's from Dreadwing. It says; your sparkling is still alive for now. Megatron plans to terminate his life as soon as you hand over the relics. He is badly damaged and will need medical attention. The ship is landing at the provided coordinates for repairs while Megatron meets with you. The ship will only remain stationary for so long. Don't waste time."

Looking at the screen with furrowed brows, and then at Optimus, Ratchet huffed. "Why would he send us this information?"

Sighing with some ounce of relief, Optimus smirked. "Because Ratchet, although Dreadwing is a Decepticon, he still has an innate sense of honor."

Continuing to furrow his brow plates, Ratchet huffed. "I'm sorry?"

Looking to Ratchet, Optimus slowly started to turn away. "Unlike Megatron, Dreadwing has the innate nobility of sparing those weaker then himself and sees the wrong in fighting and or hurting an individual incapable of defending him or herself."

Shaking his head, Ratchet scowled. "That still doesn't explain why he would help Cole who is—might I add—is your sparkling!"

Walking in Bulkhead snarled. "What's it matter why the guy did it?! We know where Cole is, so why don't we go and get him?"

Strolling in behind Bulkhead Smokescreen held up his hands. "Hold on, how do we know that this isn't some kind of Decepticon trap?"

Looking at the ground bridge, Optimus shook his head groaning softly. "I do not believe that this is a trick."

Making his noise of disbelief, Ratchet groaned. "You can't be serious Optimus?! Regardless whether or not this is Dreadwing or Starscream we'd be talking about, a Decepticon is still a Decepticon. How can you be so certain that this isn't a trick Megatron came up with to kill us all?"

Groaning softly, Optimus lowered his optics. "Dreadwing may be a Decepticon, but he is a Cybertronian warrior with ideals of honor and nobility. He knows the difference of right and wrong when involving sparklings in a war fought by adults."

Shaking his head, Ratchet slowly approached Optimus lowering his voice. "Optimus, I know you want to get Cole back, but making an irrational judgment on a hypothesis is foolish and you know it! Believe me, I want to believe that Dreadwing is doing this for the right reasons, but how can we be absolutely certain that this isn't a trick?"

Looking at Ratchet for but a moment, and then looking at the others Optimus sighed. "Ratchet, I cannot be certain that this is not a trick, but if there is any chance that we can retrieve Cole and keep the relics…then that is what needs to be done. Am I saying this is the best option, old friend? Probably not, however it may be our only option." Looking up at everyone else, Optimus stood up looking proud and mighty. "I realize that some of you may think my decision as being rash and foolish; but consider, if this was your child being taken by the Decepticons, would you not do everything in your power to get them back?"

Looking up, Bulkhead nodded with his fist held up. "But Optimus, this is one of our kids."

The room suddenly fell quiet as everyone watched Bulkhead. Huffing Bulkhead shrugged. "The twerps may be yours by biology or adoption, but all of us have come to adore these kids and except them as part of Team Prime. They're part of our family now, and when you mess with our family…you pay the price."

Nodding Smokescreen gave a thumbs up in approval. "Bulk is right. Those kids are family too, and we don't leave family behind. If you're going after Cole, Prime; then I want in."

Nodding Quickly, Bumblebee beeped jumping in approval.

Slowly walking up Arcee sighed as all optics gradually fell on her. "Optimus, Cole was under my watch when he went missing, and I don't blame you if you hate me right now for what has happened. But know that I will do whatever it takes to get him back to you safely."

Watching Arcee, Optimus shook his head. "In no way, shape or form do I blame you for what has happened Arcee. You did not know that Cole was missing, let alone taken. Right now, let us just focus on getting him back."

Nodding slowly, Arcee moved away and shrugged. "So what's the plan Prime?"

Turning to stand in front of the ground bridge, Optimus remained quiet for a long time. Then he turned around standing with his fists clenched. "The likely scenario of the situation is that Megatron is going to keep Cole on the Nemesis until he is ready to bring him forth to terminate him. Regardless we need to prepare for any scenario…"

"Bumblebee…" Turning to Bumblebee, Optimus lowered his tone. "You and Smokescreen will use the phase shifter and phase displacer to sneak aboard the Nemesis to retrieve Cole." Looking at Arcee and Bulkhead, Optimus nodded. "Arcee, you and Bulkhead will accompany me as we deliver the package to Megatron."

Gently folding her arms, Arcee raised her optics suspiciously. "What kind of package are we talking?"

Popping up out of nowhere, Kira bolted out clinging to Optimus leg. "The magic trick daddy, the magic trick!"

Chuckling softly, Optimus gently kneeled taking Kira into his arms and stood looking at her. "I was getting to that Kira…" Looking at the others Optimus sighed. "We have recently learned that the Decepticons have been utilizing technology capable of replicating the energy signature that the relics emit. Ratchet has been working on a prototype piece of technology that virtually does the same. We will deliver those to Megatron, leading him to think he has the actual relics thus giving Bumblebee and Smokescreen time to get into the Decepticon warship, get Cole and then bridge back to base without being detected."

Setting Kira down again, Optimus stood looking around the room in a very serious tone. "The stakes are high. If Megatron suspects any trickery he will undoubtedly order Cole annihilated. We have to work swiftly with the utmost care. As far as Megatron knows, we have five relics; the phase shifter, the phase converter, thepolarity gauntlet, the immobilizer and the apex armor. Ratchet is already well underway in making five separate energy outlets to transmit a frequency."

Running up to Optimus, Kira beamed. "I'm ready daddy! What do I get to do?"

Kneeling, Optimus smiled as warmly as he could. "You are going to stay here and be Ratchet's back up."

Groaning Kira huffed. "But daddy—? I want to be a sniper when I grow up! Bulkhead even made me a sling-shot to practice with, see?" Holding up and Autobot size slingshot made of metal and rubber, Kira beamed with delight. "And I've been getting really good daddy! Watch, I'll show you!"

Grabbing a small piece of scrap metal from a cavity on her armor, Kira loaded the slingshot and pulled it back aiming. Then she released.

Hitting the back of Ratchet's head with a loud TWANG, ratchet huffed angrily. "Alright which one of you scrap-heads did that?!"

Quickly hiding the slingshot behind her back, Kira pointed to Smokescreen. Scowling Smokescreen huffed pointing at Kira. "It wasn't me! She did it!"

Laughing, Bulkhead scoffed. "No it was Smokescreen alright."

Looking up in confusion, Smokescreen stuttered. "It wasn't me! Commander tell him!"

Gazing upon Kira for a long time, Optimus slowly smiled and flared his brow plating up and down quickly making Kira giggle. Looking at Ratchet, Optimus sighed. "I saw nothing."

Smacking Smokescreen upside the head, Ratchet growled and turned away. Huffing smokescreen followed trying hard to explain that he was telling the truth, that it really wasn't him who hit him.

Shaking his head, Optimus stood looking over the room. It was only a matter of time now before the plan was moved into action.

…

…

Standing in front of the ground bridge, Smokescreen jumping around punching the air, pumped to get the show on the road. "Come on Ratch'! Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead already left to meet Megatron. When de we roll out?"

Snarling, Ratchet huffed. "Be patient! As soon as Optimus send the signal, then you and Bumblebee will depart, until then you will stay put."

Groaning loudly, smokescreen stumbled while pacing back and forth. "Come on Doc, I wanna see some action!"

Scowling, Bumblebee beeped several times simultaneously. Some beeps where short and high pitched; others were long, drawn-out and low toned.

Shrugging sheepishly, Smokescreen huffed. "Well of course I want to rescue Cole too! Isn't that the whole point of this mission?"

Again Bumblebee beeped a few times before rolling his optics while looking away.

Groaning loudly, Smokescreen sighed. "Oh come on Bumblebee, I was just having some fun, I didn't mean—."

"Will you two be quiet?!" Ratchet snarled, holding up a hand. "I need to be able to hear Optimus when he says the key words."

…

The sun was just starting to set over the fiery red desert sand. Optimus, Bulkhead and Arcee were already there waiting when in the distance, the soft, but definite sound of jet engines growing closer, began to grow louder.

Transforming in mid flight, Megatron crashed to the ground scattering an array of dust and dirt into the air. Following his lead, a squadron of eradicons did the same.

Standing to his full height, Megatron chuckled. "So you decided to show yourself after all Optimus. I must say…this is not your usual character."

Scowling, Optimus snarled ominously. "Where is Cole?"

Raising and optic ridge, Megatron smirked in evil delight. "The location of the youngling is not important at this time. Give me the relics in your possession and I may, consider negotiations for his return."

Growling Bulkhead bellowed. "You said that you'd give him back if we brought you the relics! Now hand him over!"

Laughing in his usual mocking tone, Megatron grinned. "Did you really think that it would be that simple Autobot? I am not stupid…I know how valuable that youngling is to you Prime, and I intend to use him to his full value." Looking at Optimus, Megatron showed a teethe grin. "If you really want him back Optimus, you'll do exactly what I tell you to do…"

…

Listening to the entire conversation via Optimus' comm. link, Ratchet turned to Bumblebee and Smokescreen. "Megatron did exactly as we had predicted. He left Cole on the Nemesis." Moving to the ground bridge control panels, Ratchet tightened his grip and looked at Smokescreen and Bumblebee. "I will bridge you to the coordinates provided from Dreadwing. Activate your tracking system as soon as you find Cole."

Nodding, Smokescreen gave a thumbs up. "Got it."

Activating the ground bridge, Ratchet sighed. "Hurry and good luck."

Both Bumblebee and smokescreen nodded before moving through the ground bridge, disappearing on the other side.

Sighing softly, Ratchet turned to the main communications hub displaying all in the field Autobot's life signals. Watching Optimus' he groaned softly. "Don't worry Cole. We're coming…"

…

…

Meanwhile n a canyon ravine somewhere in Nevada on the Nemesis, Cole spark was beginning to grow faint. The seal that Knockout had made was only temporary, and now it was beginning to come apart, allowing energon to leak through once more.

Lying on the floor of the brig, Cole sighed softly, thinking about everything that had happened. To think that only three short years ago, a strange man that their mother didn't even know had come into their little world, busting it wide open. So much had changed since that first meeting; Cole learned to trust again, Kira found her voice…mom found love. They went from being simple human beings to being sentient machines caught in the heavy rifts of a war that had lasted for millennia.

Now, after it all…after all they had gone through and experience…it was going to end like this?

"Megatron was exactly as dad described…only worse…" Cole sighed quietly, looking at the floor.

How could he have been so blind…so stupid to the fact that he did what he did. He knew he should have never run through the ground bridge. He should have stayed at the base and waited until their father returned and then they would have gone outside and played.

Everything would have been alright.

But now…now because of his stupidity, he was more than likely going to die in the bowels of this hell hole they called the Nemesis.

Running his fingers along the cold, hard ground Cole sobbed softly. "I should have listened to you, dad. I should have listened to the warnings and never should have followed you."

Making a loud bang as it opened, Knockout slowly strolled into the room with a wide grin carrying a long black cable with strange ports on both ends.

Looking up Cole tried to move back away from Knockout but fell in pain.

Chuckling, Knockout flexed the cable in his hands and bared his dental plates. "So kid, have you ever heard of a cortical psychic patch?"

Trying hard to move back away from Knockout, Cole choked. "No."

Waving a vehicon into the room, Knockout laughed. "Guess what? You're going to find out." Looking at the vehicon, Knockout huffed. "Take him to the medical bay and secure him to an examination table. Lord Megatron wants to know the location of the Autobot base…and I will be the one to find it for him."

Managing to pull himself up, Cole put his hands up protecting his face from the approaching vehicon. "No, please…I won't do anything bad I promise! Please—!"

Grabbing Cole's arm, the vehicon dragged Cole's weak frame out of the brig into the hallway, yelling at him to stand up and walk. Cole tried, but fell to his knees and sobbed.

Kicking Cole down, the vehicon snarled the command to get up now.

Cole tried and somehow managed to get his footing.

The walk from the brig to the medical bay was pure torture. Everything ached more now that he actually had to use the parts that hurt of his body that hurt.

Falling down again, Cole cried and whimpered out of fear and frustration. Why couldn't they understand how much he was hurting right now? Why couldn't they understand just how much pain he was really in?

Picking Cole up by the arm, the vehicon carried him the rest of the way to the medical bay.

Laying him on the examination table, after strapping him down, the vehicon stared at him, shook its head and walked away.

Cole watched as the vehicon left and then watched as Knockout approached with the cable still in his hands. Smiling, he waved it around in front of Cole's optics to see. "Do you know what's going to happen now?"

Remaining motionless, Cole watched in horror though for some reason it was becoming hard to stay awake.

Laughing, Knockout pointed to his head and talked with his hands. "I'm going to probe your mind from the inside out, until I find every little thing we Decepticons need to know about your sire and the Autobots. Because once we find their base, we're going to stain the floor with Autobot energon…and that will all be thanks to you."

Trying to pull away from the restraints Cole thrashed with every ounce of strength he had left in his body, but…it wasn't enough.

Laughing at the effort, Knockout waved around the cortical psychic patch. "Try all you want kid, but you aren't going anywhere."

Watching Knockout draw closer with the cable, Cole tried to scream, tried to call for help but no words came out, his voice was mute. Lubricant streaming from his eyes, Cole whimpered and pleaded wondering why God or Primus was letting this happen…

Suddenly without warning there was a repercussion of several loud explosions in the hallway and shot fire echoed through the walls.

Looking up, Knockout snarled in annoyance. "What is going on now?!"

Blowing the door off its hinges, Smokescreen barreled into the room, opening heavy fire on the vehicons present, deactivating the phase conductor, Bumblebee joined in the firefight by helping to eliminate all drones in the room.

Dropping the cortical psychic patch, Knockout sprinted out of the room through another exit.

Growling, Smokescreen charged his blaster. "Why's pretty boy running? Doesn't he want to play too?"

Snarling a harsh series of beeps at Smokescreen, Bumblebee shook his head and motioned to Cole with a long solemn series of beeps.

Jogging over, Smokescreen stopped dead in his tracks and fell quiet. "Oh kid…"

Opening his optics slowly, Cole's spark leapt for joy seeing Bumblebee and Smokescreen's faces. Smiling, Cole was barely able to speak. "Smokescreen…Bumblebee…boy am I happy…to see you—."

Laying his head down, Cole's optics disappeared into the back of his head, and his hand fell limp. Raising his vocalizer Bumblebee Screeched loudly.

Ripping the restraints holding Cole to the table, Smokescreen lifted Cole into his arms and looked at Bumblebee. "We got to get Cole to Ratchet as quickly as possible before he dies!"

Nodding, Bumblebee activated the locating beacon hoping that Ratchet would get the signal before more Decepticon troops discovered their presence aboard the Nemesis.

…

Seeing, the locater beacon light up on the screen, Ratchet sighed in relief. "They found him. Thank the All-spark."

Opening a channel to Optimus, Ratchet spoke quickly. "Optimus—."

…

Hearing Ratchet's voice, Optimus listened.

"I just picked up Bumblebee and Smokescreen's locater. They have Cole…"

Sighing in relief, Optimus spoke. "Understood." Turning off his comm. link, Optimus looked onto Megatron who was losing his patience.

"I grow tired of this Optimus. Give me the relics or your precious Youngling dies! It's your choice…"

Looking at Arcee and then at Bulkhead who both received the same message from Ratchet, Optimus growled. "If you want the relics Megatron, then you will have to take them."

Shrugging, Megatron bellowed in laughter. "Have it your way Optimus. Decepticons, attack!"

Watching the vehicons approach while firing their weapons, the Autobots fired barely a shot or two before a ground bridge portal opened behind them. Retreating through it, Arcee and Bulkhead both left the relic containers on the ground. Optimus looked at the containers before looking at Megatron.

With a smirk, Optimus fired one last shot before retreating through the ground bridge shortly before it closed.

With a scowl, Megatron approached one of the canisters taking it into his hand, examining it closely wondering... why Optimus all of a sudden smirked.

Opening the canister, Megatron's optics suddenly turned to rage. The canisters were empty…

…they had been tricked…

Suddenly Megatron's comm. link rang out with Dreadwing's voice at the end.

"My lord, somehow Autobots found the ship and took back the hostage."

Snarling out a loud roar of rage, Megatron bellowed. "You let them escape?!

From the other end of the link, Dreadwing's voice grew slightly quiet. "They bridged out before they could be stopped my lord…"

Growling Megatron suddenly erupted into a rage of yelling. "CURSE YOU OPTIMUS PRIME!"

…*****…

The scene Optimus witnessed upon emerging on the other side was that of confusion and chaos.

Grabbing up Cole out of Smokescreen's arms, Ratchet rushed him to the medical berth. "He's suffering from energon deprivation and is not responding!"

Running the scanner over him quickly, Ratchet tried to get a pulse…but there was nothing.

Watching in utter horror, Optimus tried to move through Past Bulkhead and Smokescreen almost screaming. "COLE!"

Stopping Optimus, Bulkhead and Smokescreen tried to hold him back. Literally, it took most of Bulkhead's strength to restrain Optimus as so to keep him back so Ratchet could work.

Running in, Kira yelled in horror. "Cole! Cole no!"

Grabbing Kira, Arcee tried to comfort her and hold her back out of the way.

After working quickly to open Cole and repair the damaged components, Ratchet pulled out the pads, sending a shock of energy through Cole's systems, and then quickly proceeded to scan him again.

"I've got a pulse!" Quickly grabbing a syringe Ratchet turned to Optimus and the others. "His pulse will not last long if we do not raise his energon level to a more stable amount. We need to perform a transfusion immediately."

Pushing himself past Bulkhead and Smokescreen, Optimus huffed. "I will do it."

Looking Optimus over quickly Ratchet nodded. "Lay down on the medical berth beside Cole, and do it quickly, we don't have much time."

Walking over to the medical berth, Optimus laid down looking up at Ratchet.

Taking the syringe in his hand, a long tube with a pump in the middle of it, he looked at Optimus and nodded for verification that this is what he wanted. Nodding in return, Optimus demanded that Ratchet do it.

Moving the syringe in under Optimus' armor into the soft cables in his arm, Ratchet watched as energon almost immediately started to flow.

Injecting the other end into Cole's arm, ratchet activated the pump and watched.

For several minutes, Optimus just laid there watching, hoping that Cole's optics would open, but they didn't.

Grabbing Cole's hand, and holding it in his own, Optimus sighed grievingly. If anything happened to Cole…if he died today…he would never in a thousand lifetimes forgive himself…

…

…

Several hours passed…

The entire base stayed quiet for a long time…that was until Smokescreen came back with Jack, Miko and Rafael.

Climbing out, Miko immediately laughed and hollered. "Oh man! Did you see the look on Vince's face when Raf totally called him out?! Raf made him look like a total—."

Snarling, Ratchet hissed a whispering growl. "Miko, please keep your voice down!"

Looking up at Ratchet with some ounce of confusion, all three humans slowly looked at one another and then back at Ratchet.

Shrugging Miko looked Ratchet up and down. "Why do we have to be quiet? What's going on?"

Turning away to look in the sick bay, Ratchet sighed softly. "We have patients who need it to be quiet so that they can rest."

Looking past Ratchet into the medical bay, Miko, Jack and Raf stopped, watching in awe.

Together on one berth, Optimus and Cole laid. Optimus was laying on his side letting gravity pull his energon through the tube to Cole, while Cole laid in a fetal position next to Optimus' chest, clinging to him for dear life with one hand while the other rested within Optimus' hand.

Looking up at Ratchet, Miko beamed with joy. "You found Cole?" also looking up, Raf asked with worry. "Is he okay?"

Looking at the pair again, Ratchet whispered. "He suffered several lacerations and blunt force traumas to various parts of his body. He also was leaking energon internally and was close to a full system failure. As far as we can tell, Megatron literally almost beat him to death."

Looking at Ratchet in awe and some ounce of horror, Jack gasped. "Megatron did that?!"

Slowly Ratchet nodded. "But I managed to repair his systems, and he is already showing significant improvement. Unfortunately, there's no way to tell the psychiatric damage caused by this incident until he wakes up."

Looking over at Optimus and Cole again, Raf sighed softly. "Poor little guy."

Nodding Ratchet slowly started to usher them away. "Now, if you three don't mind, please keep the volume down. Rest is the best thing for Cole right now."

Nodding together, Jack Miko and Raf slowly moved away to go find the other Autobots. Turning back around, Ratchet sighed moving away to attend to any repairs the ground bridge may or may not be due for.

…

Opening his optics slowly, Optimus gently looked over the tiny frame that lay beside him on the medical berth. Optimus could feel it as Cole's tiny mass started to tremble uncontrollably and he cringed.

Carefully letting go of Cole's hand, Optimus very gently caressed his frame, whispering softly in his auditory sensor. "It's alright Cole. You're safe now. It's alright."

After a few long moments of rubbing Cole's back gently, the trembling began to subside and Cole once again lay in simply a peaceful slumber.

Taking Cole's hand in his own again, Optimus very gently slid closer to that their foreheads were flush against one another's. Whispering gently, Optimus closed his optics and cooed. "Cole, I'm so sorry that I let harm come to you. But know…I will do everything in my power to keep anything like that from ever happening again. I will never let you out of my sight."

"D-Dad…"

Opening his optics again, Optimus watched, but saw that Cole was still asleep. Twitching slightly, Cole furrowed his brows and sighed. "D-Dad…"

Whispering, Optimus brushed his face against Cole's. "I'm right here Cole. I'm right here."

Tightening his grip on Optimus' chest, Cole cringed and whimpered. "D-Daddy! Daddy help me!"

Raising his voice Optimus stared at Cole, worrying. "Cole!"

Opening his optics suddenly, screaming 'no', Cole looked around and saw Optimus.

There was a moment of silence where Cole and Optimus simply stared at one another. Then…without warning, sobbing, Cole fell into Optimus crying hard. "D-Daddy! I thought I was never going to see you again! I yelled, and screamed, and cried for you …but –!" Falling away to his vocalizer shaking, Cole simply fell against the berth and cried.

Wrapping his arms around Cole in a tight embrace, Optimus cooed softly, trying to comfort him. "I know. I know son. I'm SO sorry you had to go through that." Looking at Cole, Optimus softened his voice. "I almost thought I had lost you forever."

Looking up at Optimus, Cole swallowed hard. "Dad, I'm sorry I followed you out of the base. If I would have just stayed here like you told me in the first place—."

Gently hushing Cole, Optimus smiled the best he could and purred. "None of that matters now. All that matters is that you are safe."

Falling against Optimus Cole continued to cry softly, and Optimus let him. They simply laid there together for what –to them—seemed like hours.

As soon as the tears subsided, and there had been a long moment of silence, Cole sighed rubbing into Optimus chest. "You were right about Megatron…"

Looking down at Cole, Optimus sighed gravely and rested his chin on his head. "I'm sorry that you had to find out the way you did."

"I'm not."

Looking down at Cole, Optimus was a bit stunned to hear such a thing come from the mouth of a youngling, especially a youngling in his condition.

Looking up at Optimus, Cole simply shrugged. "Because of my experience with Megatron, and the way I've seen the Decepticons operate, I now know why it is we need to become warriors when we get older."

Chuckling softly, Optimus gently laid his head against the berth watching Cole. "And why is that son?"

Stretching with a yawn Cole shrugged. "There has to be someone around in the future to make sure they never win…"

…*****…