Sorry for taking so long. Hopefully the delay is worth it.

As you can tell, the humans are making more of an appearance for this part of the story. And we start of with one, straight from the movie. Sorry, it's not Sam…yet.

Tom Banacheck

With a worried frown I turned the television off. My worst fear had come to be.

I rubbed my tired eyes and sighed.

A small part of me that didn't want to believe it. But I'm a sensible man. When presented with the facts I have no choice but to face the truth. And the truth was we were in trouble.

My cell phone rang. I knew who it was before even glancing at the caller id. In fact, I had been anticipating his call once I saw the news.

"Yes, Simmons, I just saw the evening news."

"Now, will you admit it's not a coincidence?"

I sighed. Yes. After the third tragedy within two weeks of the first, I could no longer deny the deaths of ex-Sector Seven scientists were coincidental. Nor could I deny the gruesome facts of how two of the homes had been literally obliterated. Yet, no one saw what did it as each attack occurred in the dead of night.

"I'll inform the President and Mr. Keller. In the mean time, start getting our people to the safe houses."

"What if those locations have been compromised too? We went to great lengths to hide these people for fear of this exact scenario. It seems the Decepticons are very adept at finding the whereabouts of our people!"

"I don't know. For now it's our best option. I'm sure the Autobots would be most interested in learning of these events. Perhaps they can help."

"What about the boy?"

"The boy is probably safe. We left no trace of his family's relocation on any computer anywhere. As far as the world knows, the Witwicky's do not exist."

"Very well. I'll make the necessary calls to start evacuating our people. I'll compile a list of the most likely targets and send it to you."

"Thank you."

I closed my cell phone, severing the connection.

There were so many possible targets. Most likely the core group would be the scientists who worked closely on NBE-1, or Megatron as the Autobots call him. I'm sure several of my staff, including Simmons, could be possible targets.

It was a risk I knew about when I took the position at Sector Seven and learned of NBE-1. We were playing with fire and I knew one day we'd get burned. But the benefits were worth the risk and if asked to do it all over again I would for humanities sake.

Of course, I had no idea we'd have giant alien robots fighting their war on our world. We suspected that NBE-1 wasn't the only one. I was just grateful there were those on our side.

Without further delay, I dialed Keller as I headed into the kitchen to make some coffee. I had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

"This is Keller," he answered after only one ring. "What can I do for you, Tom?"

"Sorry for the late call but this is rather urgent, Sir."

"No need to apologize. I know you wouldn't call me unless it was important."

"I'll get to the point then, Sir. It seems the Decepticons are killing the ex-Sector Seven employees."

"Are you certain of that? I can't make the call to Optimus Prime unless we know for sure. You know that, Tom."

"Mr. Keller, we worked hard to relocate them all…" I sighed wearily. "They're locations have been compromised. Three families have been killed so far. The latest was last night. It's not a coincidence and I think we can assume it's the Decepticons. I've already ordered the evacuation of the others to safe houses. I can't risk anymore lives."

"I understand. I need their locations, including the safe houses. And I will convey our concern to Optimus Prime. I'm sure he will want to find out for certain if it's the Decepticons or not."

"Thank you…"

The house suddenly shook hard. The lights flickered. And the fear rose in me as I saw the Decepticon striding arrogantly across my backyard. He let loose a loud growl as his red eyes flared. I immediately recognized a weapon transforming from his hands and forearms.

"Keller…I don't have time! Tell Optimus Prime its Megatron! He's doing the killings!"

A part of my house erupted and burst into flames. The force of the blast knocked me down. I could barely hear Keller's frantic voice.

"Simmons knows the locations of our people. Except the Witwicky boy. That will die with me!"

I didn't even have time to pray as the next blast was mercifully quick in doing the job.

Prowl

"According to Mr. Simmons, there is no discernable pattern to the killings. It appears as if that Megatron is picking these humans off at random."

"That's a cold way to say they're being murdered," Ratchet snapped at me.

"I'm simply stating the facts," I calmly replied, looking across the briefing room table at him.

"Please, continue, Prowl," Optimus ordered me.

"I have the list of ex-Sector Seven scientists and high ranking officers. There are just too many of them to protect. There are even too many these so called safe houses to protect. Our numbers are already spread out as it is."

"Bring them here," Bumblebee jumped in. "No one knows the location of our base, including Megatron and the Decepticons. The humans will be safe here until they can be safely relocated and we don't have to weaken our patrols."

"I thought of that," I muttered, leaning back in my seat beside Prime. "It'd be a security nightmare. Getting there here without them knowing the bases location isn't a problem. It's once they're here that makes my processor buzz. They'd have to be confined inside the base and not be allowed outside. I can't risk them discovering where are base is located."

"However, Bumblebee is correct," Optimus said. "If we bring the humans here, we can protect them properly. I don't want an Autobot ambushed while safe guarding a home with a family in it. Prowl, pick a section of the base you deem secure enough and make any necessary security arrangements to see that they stay there."

"I can adjust the bases internal sensors to monitor the human activity, let us know if they entered a restricted area of the base," Wheeljack suggested.

"Do it," Optimus ordered.

"Probably want Kacey to make a list of what you need for the humans too, Prowl," Ironhide snickered.

"That's not a bad idea," Optimus smiled proudly.

"I meant it as a joke!"

"I know, Ironhide. But this would fall under her new duties and responsibilities. Besides, with so many humans here it's highly unlikely that we'd be able to keep her away from them. Prowl, have Kacey put a list of necessary requirements to tend to the humans while on our base."

"Yes, Prime."

"In the mean time, I'll contact Mr. Keller and offer our services to round up the families from these safe houses."

"Optimus…"

I looked to see a worried look on Bumblebee's faceplates.

"I know what you're going to ask," Optimus smiled reassuringly. "Keller assured me that the location of the boy is still secret. Apparently, Banacheck was the only one who knew Sam's whereabouts and that information died with him. Sam and his family are safe."

Ah, the Witwicky boy. Yes, Bumblebee told me all about the boy when I found him trying to locate the human on one of the terminals in the command center. Normally, I wouldn't have allowed such activity in the command center. But I made an exception knowing what the boy had done for Optimus and the rest of the Autobots.

I, like many Autobots, were grateful to Sam for killing Megatron. However, a few of us didn't like the fact that he destroyed the All Spark, the only means of restoring our home world, in the process.

Optimus got wind of this and quelled any of our angers and doubts. He told us it was his decision to destroy the All Spark; at the time, it was the only way to end the war. I understood that and made sure others did as well. I've never doubted my Prime's decisions. Never.

And while it is true our home was lost to us forever, we must thank Primus we have a new one with new friends.

Kacey

When I learned why I was putting together the list for my father I was concerned. Not only for the lives of those people at risk, but for life of one particular human and the well being of my uncle and good friend, Bumblebee.

He had told me all about Sam Witwicky and his girlfriend. From the emotions conveyed through his voice and body language the young human meant a lot to Bumblebee. With the killings of these four former employees of Sector Seven, I knew that Sam had to be a priority target for Megatron.

It was obvious to father and the rest of us that Megatron was hell bent on revenge. Father would do anything in his power to thwart his brother's plans. And like my father, I too would do anything in protecting the humans and stopping my uncle.

"Kacey, you've been sitting there all day," Prowl gently scolded. "I hope this job isn't too much for you to handle."

"I've completed my list and gave it to father already. I'm doing some research. It's taking so long because the humans have actually gone to great lengths to…bingo!"

"Bingo?"

"A human expression," I muttered not taking my optics off the screen.

I smiled victoriously.

"What are you doing?" he asked, resting a hand on the back of my chair.

"Having Teletran 2 check the location for Decepticons."

"May I ask why?"

"You may," I replied, not taking my optics of the sensor readings.

To my relief no Decepticons were in the area.

"Kacey?"

"Prowl, I need to see my father immediately!" I requested a bit enthusiastically.

My optics implored him. I've never asked to see my father while he's on duty. I'm aware of his duties all to well and do my best to not interfere or be a distraction.

"What did you find?"

"I'd like my father to be the first to know. I know how happy this information will make him. Prowl, please. When have I ever asked to see my father when he's on duty?"

"Ok," Prowl sighed. "I'll see if he's available for a few minutes."

"Thanks Prowl," I said then quickly transferred the information to a data pad.

While waiting for Prowl to tell me it was ok I recalled some of what Bumblebee had told me about what happened between Sam and my father and my uncle. I suddenly felt hesitant to tell my father unsure of how he would feel about learning the whereabouts of the human that killed his brother.

I know father doesn't like talking about that day. I was curious and had asked him about it once. My spark filled with an overwhelming sense of regret and grief from him for a brief moment before he quickly blocked such feelings from me. I had quickly retracted the question and never asked it of my father again.

But I was curious still. It was Alpha Trion who explained to me how the pain of losing a sibling or sparkmate can be unbearable. I don't even want to imagine the pain my father must have felt in his spark when his brother died before him. If that was part of the reason why father has always been reluctant in killing his brother I sympathize with him. Personally, I hope to never experience such a loss.

Optimus

"No, I don't mind, Prowl. Send her in," I replied through my communicator.

Of course I wasn't going to deny the right to see my little Kacey during such a busy day. It'd be a welcomed relief and she's been well behaved enough to not bother me while I'm on duty. Actually, I'm the one who usually finds some excuse to go visit her or the rest of my family during a busy day when I need a brief break from my duties.

Besides, I didn't get the chance to praise her for the thorough job she did on the list of supplies she put together. And I was rather impressed with how quickly she compiled it. Even now Keller, who was equally impressed and had nothing to add to the list, was having the supplies shipped to Nellis Air Force base for us to pick up tomorrow morning. This was the perfect opportunity to tell her how proud I was of her.

However, my proud smile quickly faded upon seeing the somber looked on my daughter's face as she entered the office. I quickly got up and moved around my desk, kneeling before her.

"What's wrong, Kacey?"

"I…I found where they hid Sam," she said, handing me the data-pad.

The boy? When did Kacey learn about Sam? The answer hit me before I finished asking myself the question.

Bumblebee.

He was fond of Sam and took his responsibility as guardian very seriously. In fact, if Bumblebee and hadn't performed beyond the call of duty I might not be here today. None of us might not be.

I glanced at the address information. Both excitement and trepidation filled me. I had wondered where this country's Government had sent Sam. I still felt as if I owed it to the boy to look after him for what he did. To finally know where he was would give me that opportunity. On the other hand…

"Father, if I found him. I'm sure the Decepticons will sooner or later. I've checked the area and so far there is no Decepticon activity," she continued, seemly so acutely aware of my fear. "I know how important Sam is to you. He saved your life. He did what…"

Kacey's head dropped in shame.

"He did what I couldn't?"

"I didn't mean to imply," she whispered, refusing to meet my optics with her own.

"It is not easy when your sworn enemies with your brother. I pray that such a thing never happens to you. I too deeply loved my brother as you love your siblings. And even though Megatron tried to kill me I couldn't find it in my spark to hate him. The day we fought in Mission City I still believed I could save him. But no longer. I've finally accepted the fact that my brother is lost to me."

I reached to turn her face up towards me and smiled.

"I take comfort that I have so much more too live for now than before. You, your brothers, your sister, and mother are the light of my life. Especially you Kacey. You're my first born. I got my spark's desire because of you."

"I don't understand, father."

"You were something I've wanted for so long in my life, my child. Even though you didn't come to be exactly as I had planned, you were a welcomed joy that filled the void in my spark that my brother left. No other joy in the universe can compare to the day I learned I was a father, because of you. Well, no other joy than the day your mother bonded with me that is. What I'm trying to say is that I love you very much, I'm so happy you're a part of my life, and that I'm very proud of you, Kacey."

Kacey straightened as her optics confidently held mine.

"I'm proud to be your daughter. And I'm proud of you too, father. I wish you luck and pray you find the boy and his family safe," she told me, making me raise an optic ridge at her.

"You know me well enough to guess what I'm going to do?"

"It's what I would do," she replied with that usual confidence of hers. "It's the right thing to do."

"Yes, it is," I smiled. "Now go play or something."

"Ironhide, Ratchet, Bumblebee…report to the main base entrance on the double!" I ordered through my communicator as I watched Kacey leave.

Once they acknowledged my order I headed to the command center, eager to get to the boy and his family.

"What is it Optimus?" my second in command didn't hesitate to ask.

"I'm taking Ironhide, Ratchet and Bumblebee on an urgent mission. Is everything on schedule for tomorrow morning?"

"Yes. May I ask what mission?"

"We should be back no later than tomorrow evening. I want you to proceed as planned with the allocation of supplies and start with the evacuation of the humans."

"Optimus, as your second in command I have a right to know what mission my Prime is heading on. How can I lend support if you need it?"

"We're going after the boy," I told him quietly.

"So that's what Kacey was doing. Shall we continue to monitor his location for Decepticon activity?"

"Yes and keep me posted."

"I wish you luck then," he smiled.

"Good luck to us all," I replied then left.

When I reached the hall leading outside, I reached to my love through our bond. I waited in anticipation for her response within. For some reason, I just needed to feel her with me.

"Yes, Optimus?"

I turned, surprised to see her following me.

"Kacey told me," she explained, laughing softly at me.

"Where is the little pit-spawn now?" I asked, taking my love into my arms, ignoring the amusing looks of my fellow Autobots as they passed by.

"Watching over her brothers and sister for a few minutes," her voice almost purred back to me as her arms encircled me, holding me close.

It was such a rare show of affection in public by my beloved that I intended to take full advantage of. Her optics dimmed when I pressed my forehead against hers, my finger tips softly caressing her face.

"Primus, you're so beautiful, my love," I whispered. "My optics never get tired of seeing you."

Her cheeks flushed slightly beneath my fingers. I became all too aware of how close her form was to mine. My spark pulsed with desire to bond sensing how close hers was to mine. Her lips looked so inviting, so tempting that I couldn't refuse losing myself in one passionate kiss for at least a few moments.

"For Primus sake! Get a room! We have younglings roaming the halls!"

Our lips quickly parted and my spark jolted in its chamber at the sudden grumbling of my chief medical officer loudly in my audio receptor.

"Can't a mech give his bonded a goodbye kiss?" I countered, not releasing my hold of my love, and turned to face Ratchet.

"Honestly Optimus, from my sensor readings you both want to do more than kiss," he scoffed then marched off. Then shouted back at us. "You're both a couple of overheated toasters!"

Elita and I simply looked at each other and giggled.

"Be safe," she told me, nuzzling her head beneath my chin.

"I will. I'll be back tomorrow night."

"I can't wait," she purred, giving me a wink.

I quickly turned before my interface system took over! But after a few feet I suddenly turned and noticed she was still watching me.

"Oh, Elita…"

"I'll give your sparklings a hug and kiss for you," she smiled then turned away from me.

I watched her for a few moments. Then had to shake my head and turn away. Primus, I must be horny or something. Perhaps it was just the excitement of Kacey's discovery as it put me in a really good mood. Regardless, I had to force myself to return to my course and hurried to find my friends waiting for me. Ironhide had a smirk on his face.

"Femme groping in the halls, Optimus?" he snickered.

"Get your processor out of the pit. And I wasn't groping."

"Someone was," Ratchet snorted.

I shook my head. Yes, I had allowed my excitement to get the better of me. I knew this what I had to say would be happy news for my friends as well, despite the dangers.

"Hope you're all rested, we have a long trip and a short time to get there," I explained to them. Then I turned, looking at Bumblebee. "Kacey found Sam."

"What?" he asked in disbelief, his optics wide.

"We're going to get him and his family. So far they're safe but they may not remain that way long. I thought it was the least we could do for what Sam did for us."

"We should hurry then," Bumblebee insisted. "If Kacey found him…"

"Then the Decepticons might as well, if they haven't already," Ratchet finished.

"Do you ever have anything positive to say?" Ironhide asked. "You're always so doom and gloom about things."

Ratchet gave him a long look, blinking his optic covers a few times.

"Moonracer's pregnant. That positive enough?"

I laughed at the totally surprised look on Ironhide's face.

"You're not going to faint, are you Ironhide?" Bumblebee asked, giggling.

Of course he got a whacked on the head for the comment by Ironhide. I too still like to poke fun at him for fainting. It was one of the funniest things I had ever seen.

"Let's roll out," I suggested then quickly transformed. "We'll have a sparkling celebration when we get back."

"Prowl's gonna have his hands full with humans and more sparklings running amuck all over the base," Ironhide said then transformed.

"Primus, I hadn't thought of tending to the human's medical needs. Leo in his excitement might step on one."

"My little mech will be well behaved."

"Pfft, in which reality, Optimus?" Ratchet countered as he transformed.

My engine revved in response and blew smoke out my exhaust pipe at him, making him cough. Ironhide and Bumblebee laughed. It was nice to see my friends in such high spirits despite the possible danger that may lie ahead.

Sam Witwicky

"So, do you consider yourself a super hero with all your abilities?"

"No," Kacey in earnest. "I don't even consider myself a hero for saving those people. No Autobot would. We're not egotistical mechanoids. We believe in helping to save lives and protecting those from the evil Decepticons. It was just luck that I happen to be in the right place at the right time and reacted as any Autobot would. But in no way am I like Superman, or Spiderman."

"But you can fly like Superman."

Kacey laughed.

"True but that doesn't make me a super hero. Flying is simply one of my abilities. There are others of my kind who can fly too."

"Can you're father fly?"

"No, he prefers to battle with his two feet on the ground," she smiled. "Understandably so, since he's the tallest mech on the planet."

"Really? Well why don't we ask him ourselves?"

"Oh…before my father comes out, can I say something. I promised my uncle. Well, he's not really my uncle but he's as close as family to my parents as one can be."

"Sure, go ahead."

"My uncle, Bumblebee says hello to his friend wherever you may be. He sincerely hopes you're doing well and he misses you and your girlfriend making out on his windshield. Oh and he wishes for lots of interfacing between the both of you."

"What's interfacing?"

Before Kacey could answer Optimus suddenly appeared, covering his daughter's mouth with his hand.

"Please retract the question," he said in earnest. "There are some things younglings shouldn't be talking about."

"Then perhaps you could answer the question, Optimus?"

I laughed wildly. I do every time I get to this part of the video. The look on Optimus' face was priceless. Never thought anything could scare the big guy.

"It's a form of affection," Kacey answered after pulling her father's hand down. "And that's all I'd better say else I'm ground for life with no chance of interfacing myself!"

I laughed again. The mortified look on Optimus face was to die for! However, this was obviously not the first time Kacey has put him on the spot as he recovered quickly.

"Please excuse my daughter. She has an over active imagination and an even more active curiosity. And for the record I will not ground her for life as she is too intelligent for that. I may however, ground her for a short time and pray she'll learn when to shut her vocal processor off so as not to embarrass her mother or father."

"Nice recovery, Optimus," I said to myself.

Mikaela suddenly stirred beside me on the bed.

"Hmm, are you watching the interview with Kacey again?" she asked, snuggling against me.

"Yeah. Sorry if I woke you."

"It's ok. I didn't want to nap too long anyway. Start it over. I like to watch it from the beginning."

Of course, I obliged, wrapping an arm around her, holding her close.

"I still can't believe the big guy has a kid."

"She looks a lot like him. Even has a lot of his mannerisms," Mikaela added.

"I wonder why Bumblebee didn't tell me about her. He told me about a lot of things but never said he had a niece."

Mikaela didn't answer. Like me, she didn't know either. Not that I was upset about it. I just…

I let out a long sigh.

"You still miss Bumblebee, don't you?"

"Yeah," I answered, taking hold of her hand. "If I could have, I would have told him where we moved."

"It was for our protection as well as Bumblebee's that we were brought here by Agent Banacheck."

"I know. That doesn't make me miss him any less."

A knock sounded on the door.

"Sam?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

"Are you two decent?"

Mikaela giggled.

"Of course we are!" I shouted, rolling me eyes.

"I don't want to walk in if you're having sex."

I groaned loudly into a pillow.

"You are using condoms, right?"

"No, I thought we'd make you a grandma! Of course we're using condoms, mom!" I snapped getting to my feet and slipping my shoes on.

"You're mom's so sweet and funny," Mikaela smiled.

I opened the door quickly and refrained from laughing.

"You can open you eyes mom, we're dressed. We were just taking a nap before heading to the movies. Besides, we can't have sex here. No locked doors remember?"

I dodged a playful slap from my mom.

"Did you need us to bring you something back after the movie?" I asked her.

"No, I was just wondering if you'd both be home for dinner. You're father's grocery shopping and wanted to know."

I turned back, silently asking the question of Mikaela. She smiled and nodded.

"Sure, we'll be home for dinner. Mikaela, we'd better get going or we'll miss the trailers."

"I'm ready," she replied, pulling her hair up.

"Be safe you two," mom said, giving us a hug.

"We will," I promised, taking hold of Michaela's hand. "Walk or drive today?"

"Let's walk. It's still warm enough and the theater's only a few blocks."

She was right. For the middle of fall it was still warm enough. And we often walked to the theater. Even the community college where we attend classes was close enough to walk to as this was a small town compared to the one we used to live in.

Just your average small quiet town in the middle of No Where, USA. I thought I'd hate it here. I even tried to convince Mikaela to run away with me after the first couple of days. She wisely talked me out of it. And once we settled in I found I liked it.

It did have its advantages even though it was missing a few luxuries of a big city. There was no smog here. I never thought that sky was that blue! There isn't very much crime at all. Just a few kids stealing from the local grocery stores.

We were allowed to keep our first names at least. Dad wasn't happy about the Government changing our last name from Witwicky to Wilkerson. But he understood why. He wasn't complaining too much as the Government even set us up with cars, a home, and a few necessities for living.

My Dad had already been retired so they set him up with basically his same retirement fund with extra benefits. Otherwise, the rest was up to us. Mom found a part time job at the flower shop in town where she sold some of her own flowers. Mikaela and I graduated from the local High School last year and now attend the community college.

Over all, it had been a couple of years here. It took some time, but I finally had reached the point were I could relax without looking over my shoulder.

Only today something was different. I don't know but something just seemed…off. The hairs on the back of my neck were on end.

"What's wrong?" she asked, as I had stopped and glanced around.

"Not sure. Just a bad feeling is all."

I saw a police cruiser turn the corner onto the street. It slowly passed by and turned down another street. It was just a police cruiser. I'd seen them before in this town.

"Sam?"

"I don't know, I just I hate police cars," I frowned. "I don't think I'll ever trust one again after what happened. I still half expect them to transform into a Decepticon and start chasing me around the city."

"Me too. Come on, let's get moving."

I smiled, wrapping my arm around her waist as we continued walking. What happened in Mission City had made us grow up a little faster that we normally would have. Dad often joked saying Mikaela and I were more like an old married couple than a young horny teenage couple.

After what happened, we learned to make the most of our time and learned to live in the moment for you never know what may happened next.

Up next, we meet some more humans. Bumblebee is reuinted with Sam. And Kacey makes a new friend.