Sorry it took a little longer than planned. I had a bit of writers block. Block is GONE! So here it is, at last!
Enough with the chitchat…we start off with Kacey waking up.
a/n: tissues and punching bags required.
Kacey
The sound of my father's deep voice filled my audio receptors. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or not. In many of my dreams I often heard father's voice. The deep baritone was always so soothing and comforting to me. It often calmed me during a restless dream.
"Readings indicate she's coming out of recharge."
Well, I guess I'm not dreaming. No mistaking Ratchet's voice. I guess this means the operation was successful. No more transforming. No more defenses. No more…
My spark sank.
How could I help my fellow Autobots now?
There was no answer to my question now. I was basically useless as an Autobot now because I had no defense systems to warn others, to protect them or myself. And without being able to transform I had no armor, no weapons, no…flying abilities. I couldn't even protect my brothers and sister any more.
"Kacey, wake up for me child."
Father's love filled my spark as his spoke to me. I felt his hand caressing my head.
"Everyone's here for you Kacey," mother added.
I wasn't sure I was ready to face everyone yet. So it was with some reluctance that I brought my optics online. Father and mother were right beside me, both smiling affectionately at me. With them was my uncles Ratchet, Ironhide, Prowl, and Bumblebee. All of them smiling at me, looking so relieved.
"How do you feel?" Ratchet asked. "Is everything functioning properly?"
I ran an internal diagnostic on my systems. All were function properly. Out of habit I went to activate my transformation systems for my armor.
Nothing happened. I didn't even get an error.
I lifted my right hand up and stared at it. It was unarmored, vulnerable…so like a youngling's hand. I couldn't even activate my blade.
Tears fill my optics and I turned away from them all and curled up.
"Ratchet, may I?"
"Go ahead, Optimus."
Father's gentle hands turned me over then lifted me into his arms, cradling me close. I couldn't look into his optics and turned my face into his armored chest. I couldn't face any of them. How could I? I wasn't one of them anymore.
"Kacey, this is only temporary. You will be able to transform once mature enough," father said encouragingly.
"That's right, soon you'll be back to giving Prowl migraines," Ironhide chuckled.
"I don't get migraines," Prowl grumbled.
"And just think, Kacey, you'll be older and even faster on the road and in the air," Bumblebee added.
I wept. They didn't understand what this meant for me. I doubt anyone could.
I am the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita one. That is a heavy burden to bear. One I'm very proud of and take extremely seriously. And as their daughter and the future Prime it is my sworn duty to protect my fellow Autobots. To not be able to do that for even one astroseconds means I am…
My spark twisted into binding knot. My tears flowed more freely.
'Can we go to our quarters?' I asked father over our bond.
He sighed, his arms tightening every so slightly around me. I let out a soft whimper wishing a simple hug from my father could take away my despair.
"Kacey, sweetie, everything is going to be alright," mother cooed, her hands caressing my head.
"Can we go? I want to go to my room now. Father…please," I begged, my optics imploring him.
"Go on. I'll drop by and check on her later," Ratchet said much to my relief.
"She just needs a little time is all," Ironhide added, his large hand squeezed my arm gently. I buried my face back into my father's armor chest. "Listen to your mother, she's right. Everything will be alright. It just takes time."
"Sometimes even Ironhide can say something smart," Prowl commented, making them laugh. "We're just so glad you're ok, Kacey."
"I think we'd better go," father insisted.
Ratchet explained a few things to my parents before we finally left the Med Bay. What he said I don't really know because I wasn't listening. I just wanted to go to my room and be alone.
"Wait, Optimus!" Bumblebee called.
My father came to a stop and turned around.
"Yes, what is it Bumblebee?"
"Sir…I…may I speak with Kacey for a moment?"
"Kacey?"
I looked up at my father and nodded for him to put me down. Bumblebee waited until my parents moved away a bit.
"I feel really terrible for missing your call earlier," Bee said his optic filled with tears. "It will never happen again. I swear. My communication systems will wake me from recharge whenever I receive a call from you."
"It's ok, Bee. Not much you could have done for me anyway," I sighed staring at the floor.
"That's not true," he smiled, gently lifting my chin with his hand. "If I had gotten the call I would have been here before the procedure. I'd have been here for you when you needed me most. I'm your uncle and your friend. I care for you too much, Kacey."
"Then why did you go?" I sniffled.
"You know the answer to that," he smiled warmly, wiping my tears.
"We each have a duty."
How was I to fulfill my duties now, I wondered.
"I know you can't see it now, but things will work out. You will fly better than ever. I promise you that."
"Thanks, Bee," I replied politely.
"I'll come see you before I return. If it's ok, Sam and Mikaela would like to see you too."
I nodded. My vision blurred. Bee pulled me into a hug once again telling me everything would be ok. Honesty, I didn't see it. How could everything be ok when what I love most was taken away from me?
Like a sparkling I reached up for my father to pick me up again when I returned to them. To be in his arms usually made the pain in my spark easier to bear. Only not today. I doubt anything would take it away.
"My poor child," he whispered, patting my back, my head resting on his shoulder as I continued to cry. "The ache in your spark will go away. I promise."
"When?" I foolishly asked.
"It's going to take time. But we will take it one day at a time…together."
Optimus
Some of the light was gone from Kacey's optics. They were normally bright and full of energy. Now they seemed dull and tired. Even that devilish smirk that was almost always on her face was gone. She sat listless and almost unresponsive on her mother's lap after we returned to our quarters.
Nothing Elita and I could do or say got much of a reaction from Kacey. She didn't even say anything or make a fuss when Ratchet came by and took a sensor reading of her systems. She just sat there and gave one word answers or nodded her head.
The only emotional reaction came when Bumblebee visited with Sam and Mikaela. Kacey wept when they said their goodbyes. She did at least return the hug from Bumblebee. However, she didn't want to leave our quarters to see them off.
Elita decided it was time to bring in Orion, Ariel, and Leo. It was our hope that our little sparklings presence would lift Kacey's spirit. She loved them so much and they loved her. Only it didn't have the desired affect Elita and I had hoped for.
Kacey wasn't very responsive to them.
Orion, Ariel, and Leo had a hard time understanding what was wrong with Kacey even though we attempted to explain it to them. They knew something was wrong with their big sister and the only way they knew to help was hug her.
Kacey just wasn't in the hugging mood. I watched her gently pushed them away without a word. My little sparklings stared at their big sister in confusion as she left the main living room and headed down the hall to her room.
Without a second thought I plucked up Leo and started to follow. If Leo couldn't bring her out of this depression I doubt any bot on the base could.
"Optimus."
I stopped and turned to face my sparkmate.
"Remember we can't force her. You said so yourself."
"I know," I frowned. "But I need to do something, Elita. I can't stand to see her like this."
Elita came over to me, taking Leo out of my arms.
"She needs time," she smiled cuddling the tiny mech. "Be there for her. But don't force the little ones on her yet."
I nodded at my sparkmate, caressing Leo's head. The little mech leaned into my hand, purring softly, seemingly happy and content. I wish it were that easy with my Kacey.
Standing in doorway of her room, my spark ached for my child. Kacey lay on her bed, curled up, facing the wall. Her soft whimpers echoed to my core. I could feel her despair as if it were my own. It seemed to consume and overwhelm her. And she let it, doing nothing to prevent it.
She didn't even react to my presence when I sat on the bed beside her. Yet, she was aware I was there for she wasn't surprised when I gently rested my hand on her shoulder. She did attempt to shield her spark from me.
At first I said nothing.
What could I tell her? That it was going to take time? That eventually everything would be ok? Those words didn't bring her any comfort before they weren't going to now. I knew another approach was needed and prayed it would help.
"I was around your age when my military training started. I had…mixed feelings about the decision Sentinel made. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a soldier. Being a soldier meant handling a weapon of some sorts. I didn't like plasma rifles or laser cannons. I didn't want anything to do with weapons."
"I had already seen my share of death after witnessing my parents being murdered. And I hadn't gotten over the feeling in my spark when I stared down the barrel of my own brother's cannon the day he tried to kill me."
"So I was dreading my first weapons training session. Yet, at the same time I didn't want to disappoint Sentinel. He had personally hand picked only a select few of his elite soldiers to be my teachers. Still, I couldn't stop my waste tanks from churning or myself from shaking during my first lesson with Ironhide."
"I…" I paused letting out a soft chuckle. "I actually expelled my waste tanks after Ironhide handed me the plasma rifle."
Kacey slowly turned to look at me. She appeared slightly surprised by my admission. It was a small reaction but at least I knew I had her attention. I leaned closer, caressing the top of her head as I continued.
"We all know Ironhide treats weapons like they're his sparklings. So I can tell you, his initial reaction was not a good one when I spewed all over the plasma rifle. And mine…well I was horrified that I had done such a thing and terrified of what my punishment would be. So, I dropped the weapon and ran."
"That year I happen to discover a place where I could always be alone and undisturbed. It was at the top of the highest tower of Decagon, only a few agile Autobots could climb up. Even fewer still with the courage to because it was so high. I thought no one knew about it. I was wrong. Sentinel found me there, crying my optics out, ashamed of myself, terrified that I had disappointed him."
"He wasn't mad. Told me I had no reason to feel ashamed. But he implored me to tell him next time if something was bothering me, to let him know if I wasn't ready for it. He said that as long as he wasn't on a battlefield that his office was always open to me if I just needed to talk."
"Just like I'm here for you Kacey. I know how independent you are. You get that from your mother. I'm proud of that. However, at times you're like me, you keep things inside. I'm not going to force you to talk. But I just want you to know that both your mother and I are here whenever you need us. Do you understand?"
She nodded at me.
"Good. Now get some rest. I'll see you in the morning. Weather report shows a storm is blowing in overnight, but I think we can do something else like watch one of those action movies you love. Does that sound nice?"
Again she simply nodded at me.
I sighed. Leaning down I kissed her tenderly on her forehead.
"I love you my beautiful star. I love you so much."
"I love you too, father."
My daughter's love filled me briefly before she turned back onto her side and took her optics offline. I reluctantly left not knowing if what I said helped or not. When morning came my doubts still lingered for my Kacey was in a deep recharge at the designated time for our morning ritual.
I did not wake her despite wanting desperately to. Elita implored me to not force Kacey into anything just yet. But we agreed that if Kacey's depression persisted that we would do more when the time came.
Nitro
It had been three days since Kacey's procedure. And in three days my best friend was still as depressed as ever. She'd smile politely to the matures when they'd talk to her and act as if everything was alright to make her parents happy. But when she was with Firestar, Rox and I she was herself.
I hated seeing Kacey like this. I didn't know what to do to help my friend. Nothing I said or did helped. I even thought of asking my father for advice. But then I changed my mind. I knew if I told him about Kacey's depression he would tell Optimus. I couldn't do that to Kacey.
"Come on, Kacey," Rox smiled, wrapping his arm around her slumped shoulders. "It doesn't matter to me if you can transform or not. You will when you're old enough. And I'll still want to interface with you."
"Rox, have some fraggin compassion you aft!" I hissed shoving him to the snow covered ground.
"What? All I'm saying is Kacey's hot whether she can transform or not!"
I was ready to pounce on him when Firestar put a hand on my arm stopping me. My irritation was gone the instant she touched me. Only she could do that.
"He's only trying to help in his own way," she spoke softly. "He knows Kacey would normally rip his aft for speaking that way to her. He's just trying to get her to respond…like we are."
It didn't work. Kacey sat still, head down, optics dimmed. She was staring at her hand for the longest moment before she balled it into a fist and walked off.
"Let her go," Firestar told me when I stepped to follow. "Adjusting to not being able to transform isn't easy for her."
"No, something's bothering her. I know she's upset about not being able to transform. But I don't think it would cause her to be this depressed."
I glanced up at the light snow fall and sighed. It wasn't snowing earlier when we followed Kacey outside.
"I have to do something, Firestar. She's my best friend. She wouldn't hesitate to do the same for me."
"Then do something, Nitro," Rox seriously said after getting to his feet. "You're the only one who knows her better than her father. And I don't like seeing a pretty femme so depressed. It's just not right."
I rolled my optics. Primus Rox never gave up hope that he'd get to interface with Kacey one day. I knew he didn't have a chance. He just better be careful or one day he'll find a limb ripped off and shoved up his aft or worse, with Kacey's aim he might not have an interface appliance anymore.
"Get inside before it starts snowing heavily again. I'll get Kacey."
I marched quickly, following Kacey's footprints. Not that I had to follow them. I knew where she'd be. I approached the meadow as quietly as I could to see Kacey standing there, head down, her fingers sliding over the Autobot insignia on her chest.
It was the first time I saw it since…since before her procedure.
My spark sank within its chamber. I realized now why she was so depressed. Sure, Kacey loved to transform, to fly and drive. But she loved being an Autobot most of all.
"Nothing's changed, Kacey," I said startling her. Her head popped up, her insignia hidden once again behind a protective sheath. "You're still an Autobot. No one can take that away from you."
"But it has been taken from me, Nitro. I am incapable of lending a hand to a fellow Autobot in need. I no longer have my armor, my defenses…I'm…"
"A youngling just like me. It isn't all that bad being…normal."
"You do not understand," she sighed turning from me.
"Then help me to understand. I'm your friend. I want to help."
"From the moment of my conception I was anything but normal," she spoke softly, looking me squarely in the optics. "It's what forced my mother to flee the safety of the Autobot base in order to protect them and to protect me. I am the first offspring of a Prime. Do you fully understand what that means?"
"You're next in line to be our leader if anything were to happen to Optimus," I answered.
"You are only partly correct. I may be Prime one day. However, until that day I have a duty to do what I can to assist my fellow Autobots in their fight against the Decepticons."
"Kacey, you're only a youngling…you can't…"
"I am the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita One! I was born an Autobot! And as an Autobot I am obligated to render my assistance, sacrifice my life, do whatever I must for if I shirk my duty in any way than I am no longer worthy of this!"
Kacey showed me her insignia, tears streaming down her face plates, her voice now but a whisper.
"But I have been stripped of my abilities as a transformer. I can no longer fulfill my duties as an Autobot. I am…useless. I am no longer…worthy."
"You will be," I insisted. "You will grow up and be able to transform one day again."
"They have taken away my abilities but not my desire to want to be an Autobot. Yet, how can I be an Autobot without my abilities? What is my function now?"
I frowned. I had no answers for Kacey. And in that moment, I knew nothing I could do or say was going to help. How could I help my best friend when I didn't fully understand what she meant?
Unlike Kacey, I still I had to learn what it meant to be an Autobot. I didn't know what it was like to be in battle, to lay my life on the line for a fellow bot, or to even see a Decepticon up close. And since she is the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita One her sense of duty and honor is so breed into her systems that it far exceeds my own and that of many Autobots.
"Come on my friend," I sighed, taking hold of her hand. "Let's go. I'll beat up Rox some more for making that interface comment. Maybe that will make you feel a bit better."
Kacey pulled her hand from mine and put it on my shoulder.
"Thank you, Nitro," she smiled kindly. "You're a good friend. But I need to be alone for a few minutes right now."
"Ok," I frowned.
Jim
It only took half a day for us to reach our destination in northern Washington. But then we had to wait another three days in a small motel on the outskirts of town. The conditions to drive into the mountains were impossible due to a snow storm passing over the area.
It was not wasted time.
Kacey called as promised. It wasn't in a very talkative mood. From its tone I would say it was in a depressed mood. I played the dutiful friend telling it things to make it feel better and thus gaining more of its trust, enough to give me a means to call it back from my cell phone.
It was almost too easy. Kacey was so trusting of me.
Perhaps more importantly, the delay gave me time to make some modifications to some of my equipment. Mainly the pulse disruptor, as I call it. I was able to gather enough data from several of the Autobots during my stay with them to learn that each one has their own unique frequency. I gather this is the energy signature Kacey had mentioned to me.
My pulse disruptor was designed to…as it's called…disrupt the frequency and in theory render the target inert. For how long I don't know. If my plan works and we get Kacey into the trailer, I only need it to work for a few minutes. That would be long enough to use the liquid nitrogen and place Kacey in a cryogenic state.
The next step would be to then hide the mechanism's energy signature so the Autobots cannot come to its aid when they discover it's gone or if it calls for help. For that I have an EMS devise I built years ago but didn't have a practical use for until now. An electro-magnetic shield that is impenetrable to even the most sensitive of sensors. Once we're at my lab I'll have no worries about her being discovered there. It's deep within the bedrock of the Rockies, a natural barrier similar to the manmade one in Hoover Dam.
It was a perfect plan.
"Sir, there's no way we'd be able to get the big truck up here," Hank said interrupting my thoughts. "Exactly what is it we're going to load? Can it be moved down from these mountains?"
My attention focused back on the surrounding snow covered trees. The four by four truck easily speed up the snow covered fire road.
"What about the parking lot at the lake we had passed?" I asked, ignoring his questions.
I wasn't about to tell them what I wanted to load in it. The less Hank and his men knew the better from my experience.
"That shouldn't be a problem. The road is clear enough to there."
Hank suddenly slammed on the breaks. I lurched forward a bit but was held back by my seat belt. I saw it too. Several trees appeared to be blocking our path.
"That's odd. According to the map, the fire road is supposed to continue here," he said.
"We're only a couple of miles from where we need to be," I mentioned after glancing at the GPS display on the dashboard. "How accurate is your map?"
"Up to date."
A thought struck me. I quickly unbuckled and reached into the back, pulling my small case off the back seat.
"What's that?" Hank asked when I pulled the device from the case.
"It's a scanner. It takes energy readings and records them," I answered then exited the truck.
The snow crunched softly beneath my boots as I walked toward the trees in front of the truck. Hank had followed and was beside me as I took my sensor readings. I was going on a hunch here. I knew the Autobots had gone to great lengths to keep their base hidden from the world. I was just wondering if…
I smiled. There was definitely some kind of energy output where the trees were at.
"Just to be safe, I think we're going on foot from here," I said. "The truck might cause suspicion."
"Suspicion? From what? I only see trees."
"There's nothing there," I smirked then walked through the hologram barrier.
"Holy shit! Where did you go?"
"It's a hologram. It isn't real. Come on, let's get the truck off the road," I said heading back and getting my portable GPS locater and cell phone. Hank stood there, dumbstruck poking his hand through the hologram. "Move your ass! I don't pay you to fuck around. And we don't have much time. We need to get back here well before sundown."
Hank did as I ordered, making quick work of it. Together we walked up the fire road getting closer and closer to the coordinates of the Autobot base. My leg ached from the physical exertion but I didn't care. I was that much closer to achieving my goal. I was willing to do whatever it took even if I had to suffer through some discomfort.
"Wait…the road continues down that way but our destination is over here."
"Might be safer if we stuck to the road," Hank suggested.
"Safer yes. But I don't want to get caught in a place were I'm not supposed to be. We'll cut through the trees here."
"Get caught by who? I doubt anyone's out here," he commented.
I marched off ignoring him, giving him no choice but to follow. The trek was difficult because of my bum leg. Hank had to help me a few times until finally we came to a clearing and a spectacular view of the hidden valley. Light snowflakes fell upon us as we emerged from the tree line.
"It's a cliff top," he panted slightly out of breath, helping me sit on a rock so I could catch my breath. "We could be well over a thousand feet up from the valley. I've heard some of the water falls deep within the mountain range are at least that high."
"The air is thinner, that's for sure," I gasped.
"You'll be fine in a few minutes, Sir," he smiled.
I simply nodded, checking our position. If correct, the Autobot base was below us in this valley.
"Oh shit!"
Looking up I saw Hank dive to the ground near the cliff's edge.
"What is it?"
"Something down below!" he whispered back.
Getting up I hurried towards him then knelt down beside him. A big smile shined brightly on my face. There was the Autobot base! It looked like they dug into the cliff walls to make it. Not a bad idea. And it was in a well defended area with the high cliffs.
More importantly I saw a youngling walking slowly, dragging its feet through the snow, head hung down low, shoulders hunched over. It was looking rather depressed. I quickly pulled up my cell phone and dialed Kacey's number. After two rings she answered.
"Hey Jim."
"Kacey, you sound as depressed as you look," I chuckled to her.
"As I…look?"
"Clever child. Look up and to your left fifteen degrees," I said standing up to my full height.
Kacey did as I instructed and I waved my hand.
"What?! How?"
"It doesn't matter how. I'm your friend and as promised, I'm here for you."
I hung up the phone, not giving it a chance to ask more questions. I know it was going to anyway.
"What is that?" Hank asked. "And what's it doing?"
"That is the precious cargo and it's climbing the cliff wall," I smirked.
Indeed, Kacey was nimble and quick as it scaled up the cliff wall. In less than a couple of minutes it was walking towards Hank and I. The youngling was indeed unarmored. Its entire form was a smooth except for the face. I found it amazing how from this seemingly simple form that they could transform into complex machines. My mind was buzzing with all the tests I want to run on just a small sample of the alloy that made up Kacey's protoform.
"Put that away," I growled when Hank raised his gun.
I glared at him for further emphasis and he immediately holstered the weapon. He even took a few steps back in obvious fear.
"I mean you no harm," Kacey spoke softly stopping several yards away from us.
"Hank, this is Kaceystar, daughter of the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. Kacey, this is my head of security, Hank."
"Nice to meet you, Hank," it smiled politely.
"Ah…nice to meet you too."
I ignored him and moved closer to Kacey.
"Come down here," I smiled. "I want to get a better view of you." Kacey obliged, kneeling before me. I reached up to wipe its tears away. "You've been crying again, child. No need for that."
"But I no longer function as an Autobot should. I'm useless."
"I know you believe that," I sighed, my hand sliding down her cheek. "I understand what losing your abilities means to you. Yet, you are still quite a beautiful mechanism despite not having any armor, Kacey. I can see you still have power. And you are anything but useless. Who else will help me fix my algorithms?"
"You're a good friend Jim," it smiled. "But how did you find the base?"
"Best to not tell you. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble with your father."
"Oh," it frowned.
"Enough of that. I'm here to see you! And ask if you'd like to visit my lab. I could really use your help."
"I can't drive anymore," it replied sadly. "And I'm not sure my parents would let me go."
"I'm sure you could come for a quick visit without them knowing. I have a way to transport you safely. I have guards who would protect you. And the lab isn't all that far away. Just a short drive. You wouldn't even be gone for an entire day. No one would ever know."
"Perhaps," I sighed. "But not today. Maybe in a week or so. My parents have been watching me closely the past few days since…since my procedure."
"Don't cry, darling," I cooed, wiping away its fresh tears. "You're young and not yet wise enough to know that things will work out."
"When will they work out? Tomorrow? Next week? I don't see it happening," it wept. "Things are only getting worse! Just this morning I overhead Prowl talking to my father. They were discussing possibly removing from my post in the command center!"
"Why would they do that?"
"Because I have no armor to protect me in case of an attack. The command center would be the first target."
"Did they say there were going to remove you?"
It hesitated.
"No. Father had pointed out that no matter where I was on the base I was at risk. Still, Prowl made his case and father said he would think about it. But my post in the command center is one of my most prided duties as an Autobot."
"Then you should tell your father how you feel about it."
"I can't…he doesn't understand what this change means to me."
Kacey's head drooped down. More tears fell.
"If they remove you, will you consider coming to my lab and helping me? It'd be an honor working with you, even if it's only temporary. You could do whatever you want, even go outside and roam the grounds. You'd be safe too. I won't ever tell you couldn't do anything. I promise you that."
"I would like to see your lab," it sniffled. "But I can't leave my brothers and sister. They need me to watch over them."
Fuck!
What did it take to convince it?
A wicked thought crossed my mind. It was a bit cruel but I had to convince Kacey to leave the safety of the Autobots.
"But you don't have armor anymore, Kacey. How can you protect them? You don't want them to get hurt, do you? Wouldn't they be better off if someone more able was watching over them?"
Kacey looked squarely at me, its eyes filled with tears.
"You're right, Jim. I can't even protect them anymore," it wept.
The snow started falling heavily. We didn't have much time.
"We have to go, Kacey. Will you promise me you'll think about my offer?"
"I promise, Jim," it said, wiping away its tears.
"Call me anytime, even if you just want to talk. I'll be in town for a few days."
Kacey glanced up at the snow falling.
"The storm is nearly upon us. I'll help you back to your vehicle."
Before I could protest, Kacey lifted me up in one arm. I signaled for Hank to allow it to do the same.
"You're a true friend, Kacey," I smiled.
"So are you."
Kacey trotted through the trees following Hank's instructions about where we left the truck. A trek that took Hank and I nearly two hours only took Kacey twenty minutes. We were back at the truck as the snow started coming down even more than before.
"We'd better hurry," I suggested to Hank as we were gently set on our feet.
He quickly got the truck started.
"Thank you, Kacey. I look forward to seeing you again…hopefully very soon," I smiled.
"I have missed your company," it replied, watching the truck move out on to the road. "I won't tell my father you know where the base is. I don't know how you found it but I know he isn't going to like it. I don't want to see you get into trouble with your Government."
"Again, thanks. You are one of the best persons I know. You have a good heart…or spark, as you call it."
"Think nothing of it Jim. It's in my nature. Now hurry up. I don't want you to get into an accident."
I did as Kacey suggested. I had no desire to be in an accident. Not now. Not when I was so close to achieve my objective. And during the rest of the late afternoon I didn't realize just how close I really was. Not until…
It was my cell phone ringing that woke me. I groped in the darkness for it managing to see it was almost one in the morning before answering the call.
"Kacey…"
"Jim, I'm sorry to wake you. I had to wait until my parents were in recharge before I could call! Prowl did it! He demoted me to another position on the base! He told me it was his decision and that he did it for my safety!"
"I'm sorry," I responded, turning the light on and sitting up. "Shh, don't cry. It breaks my heart to hear you cry."
"I want to go with you, Jim. Just for a few days. I have to get out of here! When can we leave?"
I was up, out of bed and gathering up my clothes in an instant.
"Can you meet me at that lake…what's it called…"
"Diablo Lake."
"Can you meet me there in two hours?"
"I'll be there."
"Promise me."
"I promise Jim. I'll be there," Kacey replied then severed the connection.
It took me a few minutes to dress. The first thing I did was wake Hank up. Within fifteen minutes he had the guards up and we were heading to our rendezvous.
"Will it be there?" he asked.
"It promised me."
"Promises can be broken."
"Not by this mechanism. Kacey has an over developed sense of honor. It will be there."
I smiled. I knew Kacey most definitely will be there.
Up next: Kacey keeps her promise. Will she have second thoughts about leaving the Autobots? Or will she go with Jim?