Here it is! It's long too!

Will Optimus and the Autobots find Kacey in time to save her from more of Spielman's torture? Or will Megatron learn Spielman's location first and get there before them?

a/n: language and violence

Megatron

Venom's cries of pain were becoming unbearable to listen to. Not because he wouldn't stop but because there was nothing I could do to help ease his suffering. Normally I didn't mind hearing it when some bot was suffering, especially if I was the cause of it. But this was my son. He has done nothing to deserve this!

"Are you sure this is normal?" I asked Thunderblast.

"Yes, it's quite normal for sparklings to get system upsets," she answered, continuing to gently rock Venom in her arms. "Nothing we can do except make him as comfortable as possible."

I groaned in frustration.

So far, nothing seemed to work. For the past several hours we couldn't get Venom comfortable in any position. And he when his pain was its most intense he'd shriek loudly and only wanted his mother to hold him. I relented only because I was willing to do anything for my son.

"To ease your processor, the worst is over," she told me. "He hasn't shrieked in pain for some time now."

"My processor will feel at ease once he's back to normal."

"Lord Megatron."

"What is it, Soundwave?" I responded, growling, my irritation upon being disturbed while with my son so apparent that Soundwave moved back a few steps.

"There has been an interesting development on Earth. I think you will want to see this. I can bring it up on the monitor over here so you can remain with Venom."

After I long moment of glaring at him, I nodded for him to proceed. At least Soundwave had the good sense to understand my reluctance to leave the Med Bay right now. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from my friend. Plus, I am well aware of the fact that he wouldn't disturb me unless it was important.

"Here, he's calming down now, see if he'll go into recharge in your arms."

Venom whimpered softly as I took hold of him, cradling him securely in one arm. Finally, my son was content to be with me. He didn't fuss one bit as I slowly walked to where Soundwave was waiting.

"Proceed," I ordered.

I suspected this development had something to do with my brother and his Autobots. As I watched a fleshlings' visual, and rather informative, broadcast I wasn't disappointed. My spirits actually rose.

"So, Kaceystar has been kidnapped. My brother must be going insane about it," I smirked. "Good. Let the slag suffer. It's what he deserves." I paused, turning to address Soundwave. "Have those femmes located Spielman yet?"

"They have not received any visual confirmation that Spielman is on the premises. However, they have reported that the amount of security has doubled over the past three days. I am certain he must be there."

"Very well," I muttered, looking down at the exhausted sparkling recharging deeply in my arm. "It is time I head to Earth. I'm to be contacted immediately once Spielman has been spotted or if there are any kind of new developments."

"Yes, my Lord. I will also continue to monitor the situation involving Kaceystar," he said then left.

"It still bothers him that the youngling escaped from him," I chuckled to my sparkmate.

"If I had been there the little slag wouldn't have escaped," my mate seriously said making me laughed even harder.

"I have no doubt," I smiled, gently transferring Venom into her arms, my large hand lingering on his small head. "I will return once my mission is finished."

"I'm disappointed that I won't be going with you."

"You wouldn't like the two day flight from here to Earth. Its cold out in space…too cold for femmes," I joked, making her laugh softly. Then I turned serious, caressing her beautiful face. "Patience, my love. The time will come when we will have our revenge. Remember, our son is the key to the Autobots downfall. For now your place is with him."

Thunderblast nodded. I could feel how disappointed she was. She like many of my Decepticons were getting anxious for battle. And while the war continued back on Cybertron, the war on Earth would soon be ready to resume.

Ratchet

Five days now. Five days since Kacey was taken from us. Most of the base was a riled up, ready to fight. The problem was they were ready to fight anyone at this point, even each other. Thank Primus it hasn't been too serious. A few scuffles. A couple of minor dings and dents.

I have been as frustrated as the rest of the Autobots. I too wanted to lash out for not finding Kacey yet. We had learned which hotel Spielman had stayed at and what alias he used. Only the alias led to a dead end. Simmons couldn't find any addresses linked with it except for a PO Box in New York City.

Then I thought we were closing in when we discovered that the license plates of the vehicles used in the abduction were from Colorado. Despite the fact that the hotel owner couldn't remember any license plate number it was still the best lead we had for it gave us a smaller area to search.

Optimus even sent two volunteer Autobots to Colorado. One to the liquid nitrogen distribution plant and the other to the last known address Spielman had used located in the suburbs of Colorado Springs.

Primus, I think just about every Autobot on the base volunteered for the assignments. Alas, only two were chosen.

Huffer, because of his smaller size, changed his alt from to resemble one of the factory's forklifts. Through a necessary act of sabotage one of the factory's forklifts broke down. It was quickly sent for repairs and Huffer returned it its place. With him on the inside of the plant, he'll be able to tell us if large quantities of liquid nitrogen are being shipped and to where.

Bluestreak, an experience scout, was sent to survey Spielman's house. Simmons said it was highly unlikely that the Doctor would ever return there. Optimus agreed but he wasn't going to take a chance, not when his daughter's life was at stake. Plus, it was the only address we had for Spielman within the state of Colorado for Simmons couldn't find any others.

No one wanted to mention it to Optimus, but I know the thought had crossed his processor that there was still the possibility that Spielman wasn't even in Colorado. I prayed so hard for any kind of a sign as Teletran 2 thoroughly scanned the state.

Nothing. Teletran 2 wasn't able to pick up Kacey's energy signature. Bumblebee was quick to point out, and Prowl heartily agreed, that it meant nothing, that her energy signature could still be shielded from Teletran 2's sensors.

Teletran 2 did pick up two Decepticon within the area, Shade and Nighthawk. Prowl thought their presence was significant at first. Then we discovered they were out in the middle of nowhere near some, according to the most recent maps we could find, old abandoned mines that were last used by humans in the early 1900s. Prowl concluded the femmes were off having their fun with each other as was there reputation. Many of us agreed and didn't question him when we focused our search elsewhere.

At this point I wouldn't mind a fight with a Decepticon, anything to let out some of my frustrations.

"Get the frag out of my way!"

I turned from doing my supply inventory to see Ironhide shoving Red Alert aside.

"For Primus sake!" I grumbled, immediately seeing his injured hand. "What did you do to yourself now?"

"Nothing," Ironhide growled. "I had a disagreement with a drone."

"Give me your hand. You're leaking energon all over my Med Bay!"

Ironhide did so without complaint. That in it self told me he wasn't himself.

"I know it's difficult but we must be patient," I reminded him as I began sealing up the wound. "We're getting close to finding Kacey. I can feel it."

"I know," he groaned. "I just hate this sitting around and doing nothing slag. I need to blow something up!"

"Well, maybe you should blow something up. Because beating the slag out of a drone obviously isn't helping you."

He chuckled at me, watching as I finished mending his hand.

"What about Optimus?" he quietly asked after a few minutes.

I sighed, my spark sinking within its chamber. Optimus hasn't gotten frustrated. He's not even anxious or angry. At least not since that day he demolished the briefing room.

"I'm worried for him, Hide," I admitted. "He's…he's reverted a bit to his old self…like when he was a youngling. His energy levels are below normal, he's quiet, keeping to himself."

"Elita knows and tries to keep him occupied with the sparklings. In fact, I saw them with him in his office before I…"

"Went to pick a fight with a mindless drone."

My friend smiled at my comment.

"Please, to avoid any more injuries to yourself, go blow something up. Just make sure it's a safe distance from the base."

"What about you?"

"I'm going to go check on the lugnut."

I had every intention of talking with Optimus when I went to go check on him. Only I didn't have the spark. I couldn't interrupt him when I saw him sitting on the floor with Orion on his lap and Ariel and Leo playing nearby. The youngling was in tears and Optimus was doing his best to comfort his son.

Optimus

The past few days dragged slowly for me even though the search for my Kacey had intensified. Each day without her makes me feel a little more incomplete. I need my family…each of them to feel whole. We rely on each other; our bond is strongest when we're all together. I love them all equally and cannot bear it when I cannot give my love to one of them.

My sparkmate…my sparklings…they are my life.

"It doesn't help if you get mad at it Leo. Be patient," I told him gently as he growled at the puzzle before him.

"Like this Leo," Ariel cheerfully smiled and put the piece in its place.

Leo clapped excitedly and squealed.

"Now you try," she said, holding another piece out for him.

My little mech took hold of it, his brow creased as he put serious thought into what he was going to do with it. I simply remained quiet and watched him and Ariel. It eased some of the emptiness I felt within my spark to be with my little ones.

But I wasn't the only one who felt as if a part of me was missing.

Orion had been sitting on the floor with his brother and sister. He wasn't playing. He sat quietly, not moving, deeply depressed. And now was crying softly.

Without saying anything I gently lifted Orion up onto my lap. My son turned his face into my chest and wept, clinging to my armor.

"I know you're hurting Orion," I spoke softly to him. "I know that you feel sad for not being able to protect Kacey. These feelings are all perfectly normal. I feel them too."

Those big blue optics of his looked up at me in surprise.

"I miss Kacey too," I smiled to him. "You must have faith in Primus, my son. Pray that he watches over Kacey until we can bring her home."

"Does Primus know where Kacey is?"

"He knows where we all are. Even now he is watching of us…over me, you, and even Kacey."

"Then ask him where she is," he said and was quite serious about it. "That way you can go get her."

"Believe me, if I could I would, Orion," I smiled fondly. "But in order for me to talk to Primus I must pass into his realm. And the only way to do that is for my spark to extinguish."

"But I don't want you to die, daddy," he wept loudly, clinging to me. "I just want Kacey to come home."

"Shh, I'm not going to die," I cooed, hugging him closely, kissing the top of his head. "And Kacey will come home."

I glanced up to see the confusion in worry in Ariel and Leo's optics.

"Come here my sparklings," I beckoned with an open arm. I smiled, waiting for them to get situation on my lap. "It's time we reach out to Kacey again. I sense she really needs to feel your love right now."

Kacey

The warm presence resonating within my spark lifted me from my gloom. I knew it would only be temporary but I would cling to it for as many astroseconds as my family reached out to me.

Never mind that it was difficult for me to concentrated hard enough to reach back but I still dared not reach back to them for fear of upsetting them even further. My despair had reached a new low. I could no long calculate how much time has passed since I was captured. Each time Jim zaps me when I do not cooperate I feel as if I am losing more of myself.

I have lost hope that I'd be able to escape on my own. The cold has made it impossible for me to function properly. I cannot even get a full recharge in. The lack of recharge doesn't give my systems a chance to recover from Jim's torture sessions. And the pain from where my left audio receptor should be has only gotten worse.

My only source of light in my darkness comes from my family and from Roller. I've learned much from talking with Roller each time he visits.

The artificial life form has indeed evolved beyond his original programming. Jim made a mistake, a miraculous mistake when he created Roller. He programmed the little bot to make its own decisions regarding its function of servitude, basically if there's a mess that needs to be cleaned Roller would do so without being ordered to. But this ability to think on its own helped it evolve over the years.

True his programming was simple when it started out. But Roller became self aware. He came to realize, through logic, that if he angered his creator his life was in jeopardy. Self preservation is one of the most important qualities of sentient life. And Roller acted accordingly.

But he only evolved so far. For example, he couldn't help me figure out where we were unless he asked one of the humans. Nor could he deduce how to turn off the energy shield keeping me prisoner.

Still, it was a pleasure to talk to someone. I looked forward to each of his visits. And will keep my promise. When I am rescued I am taking Roller with me. No mechanism deserves to be treated as he has.

'Kacey…please my daughter…speak to me…I beg of you.'

Tears flooded my optics. My father's voice was so full of despair.

'I'm still here, father. I'm just so tired. I don't have the energy.'

'Then just listen to me. We will find you. Even now our search has narrowed down. I'm confident we will get the break we need any day now to locate you. But you must hold on. I love you my child.'

I sent my father and my family my love with the last of my energy as I curled up, exhausted. At last, recharge blissfully came. Only it was short lived.

A scream escaped my vocal processor when I was literally jolted from recharge. I stumbled forward a bit after I got shakily to my feet. Instinctively I extended my arm to use the wall to support myself. Only my sluggish cerebral processor had forgotten that the walls were charged.

I crashed back down to the floor howling in pain. If felt like an eternity for the pain in my systems to pass. Once I recovered, I heard laughter…human laughter.

It saddened my spark when I sat up to see three humans laughing at my suffering. And to think, all I wanted to do was protect the humans of this world. I felt so foolish in believing that they were worthy of needing my protection.

"Oh hey! It's the walking trash can!" one of the cheered.

I saw Roller performing his standard clean up duties around the lab. I must have been recharging when he started for he was nearly complete. The three men migrated towards him and picked him up off the floor.

I let a deep guttural growl sound from my vocal processor. My instinct to protect my kind had not diminished one bit.

"Do nothing, Roller," I told him through a quick series of beeps. To the humans I shouted, "Put him down!"

"Ah shut up you overgrown toaster!" one of them yelled making the other two laugh.

"What are you going to do about it?" another one asked.

I simply glared at him, continuing to growl.

"Just leave him alone," I said in a threatening tone.

"No," he replied as he walked toward the controls.

Even though I was prepared for the jolt, it still hurt. I cried out, collapsing to my knees. The human hit the switch again but I refused to give him any more satisfaction and roared as loud as I could, doing my best to ignore the pain.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON IN HERE?!"

I almost laughed. I never thought I'd be glad to hear Jim's voice since he took me as a prisoner. Relaxing, I sat back on my feet and looked out the window of my prison chambers. I managed to focus my vision enough to see him and Hank, neither man looking pleased with my three tormentors.

"Send them to pick up my shipment of liquid nitrogen," Jim ordered Hank.

"You heard him," Hank grinned, handing on of the men a piece of paper. "Here's the address of the factory."

"You're kidding…it will take us an hour just to get there! It's one in the morning!"

"Then I suggest you get moving," Jim snickered. "Hank, go with them. I don't want them to fuck it up."

"Of course, Doctor."

Jim watched them leave before focusing his attention on me.

"You're not looking well," he said as he moved to within a few feet from the window.

I said nothing, nor did I show any kind of emotion as I stared back at him.

"Well, the fault lies with you, Kacey. If you'd only be more cooperative you wouldn't be in this condition."

Again, I said nothing. My expression as emotionless as it could be. Yet on the inside I was furious and desperate.

"Suit yourself," he smirked then walked off. "RX, come with me."

Once I was alone, I sighed in disappointment. I would have like to talk with Roller. Instead, I laid down and wept.

'Father, please hurry,' I said to him, not knowing if he was listening or not.

Prowl

Recharge did not come to me as I lay on the bed in my office staring at the ceiling. I couldn't help but feel as if I was over looking something, something important. My processor was going over every bit of information collected over and over…and over.

"Frag," I groaned getting to my feet.

Recharge wasn't going to come at all whenever my processor did this. So I headed to the command center. Someone had to keep their optics on the twins anyway while they were the only two in the Command Center for the overnight shift. I swear to Primus those two almost needed constant supervision. On far too many occasions have they allowed their enthusiasm to impair their judgment. Still, they are good in battle, even when they get a bit carried away with their fighting style. And they are still so young compared to the rest of us.

"Unable to recharge?" Sides asked in a serious tone.

"No. I keep wondering if I've missed something. Have the Decepticons moved from their position?"

Sides punched a few commands on the control panel.

"Shade is still stationary. Nighthawk is moving north at a steady speed of sixty miles an hour."

"That's odd," Sunny commented. "Those two femmes are inseparable."

"Agreed. Sunny, keep monitory Nighthawk's movements. Sides, scan Shade's area for other Decepticons," I ordered.

"Nothing."

"No 'Con would be out in the middle of nowhere for no reason," I muttered.

"Try a thermal scan," a recognizable deep baritone sounded.

We turned to see Optimus standing a few feet behind us with his arms folded across his chest.

"Yes, Sir," Sides acknowledge.

I moved back to where my commander was standing.

"I couldn't recharge," he sighed. "Prowl, Kacey's running out of time."

"Has she contacted you or anything?"

"She has…but our connection isn't as strong as it used to be."

"I suspect she's not getting a proper recharge," Ratchet commented as he joined us.

"Frag it all the way to Vector Sigma! You have to check this out!" Sides exclaimed, putting a thermal image of the area up on the main monitor.

"Are those human heat signatures?" I asked.

"What's that though?" Ratchet asked pointing at an obvious heat signature on the side of the mountain.

"Get a visual, zoom in," Optimus ordered.

"Must be a man made cave," Ironhide said.

I glanced to see him striding up beside us.

"But the maps said these were deserted mines," I said, my spark shuddering within its chamber. "I'm so sorry, Optimus…I really fragged up."

"You did nothing wrong," he said to me, patting my shoulder. "I would have made the same choice given the same information you had. It was the logical choice to focus our efforts elsewhere."

His spark-felt words did nothing to easy my processor. As second in command I'm supposed to think of everything.

"Stop beating yourself up," Ironhide said. "What's done is done. Let's move on."

"There are a lot of trees," Sides informed us. "It's difficult to get a clear shot. Plus it's dark."

"Use IR," Ironhide suggested.

That did the trick. The trees were still blocking the view but there was definitely a manmade tunnel entrance there with a dozen humans guarding it.

"I calculate some thirty humans," Sides said. "Some are stationary. Some appear to be on patrol."

"Frag! Nighthawk just arrived at the liquid nitrogen plant!" Sunny said.

An astrosecond later, Huffer was calling in over the communication link.

"What is it Huffer?" Optimus asked.

"Four dozen canisters of the liquid nitrogen are being loaded into an Earth transport vehicle. I thought it strange because first shipments for a day aren't loaded until 5AM."

"Keep an optic out for your tail pipe, Huffer, there's a 'Con in the area," I informed him.

"Send Bluestreak to Shade's location," Optimus ordered. "Tell him to keep his distance and be careful. I just want him to gather information."

"This is obviously where Spielman is, why don't we just go in there…." Ironhide started.

"Because we don't know for a fact that Spielman is at this location or not," Optimus interjected, his optics intense, being the leader we've all respect. "Believe me, I want to go in there and rip the place apart to find my daughter. But I will not risk harming the humans to do. Especially, if we're wrong and Kacey is not there."

An alarm suddenly sounded. I quickly moved to a console to see what it was. Then I cursed to myself as things just got even more complicated.

"Optimus, it's Megatron," I told my commander. "He just landed at Shade's coordinates!"

"Tell Bluestreak to stay where he is," Optimus ordered. "Can you see what Megatron is doing?"

"He's just…standing there…"

A deep, guttural growl suddenly rumbled behind me. I turned to see Optimus' optics flaring with pure rage in them.

Oh…frag!

Spielman

Things weren't going according to my plans and it was beginning to piss me off. The mechanism was much more resilient then I thought. I was forced to turn the temperature down in hopes to keep it more compliant. All that did was make it more stubborn than ever.

To make matters worse, I learned that Simmons was at the plant in Colorado Springs snooping around. The manager, who didn't know my true identity, was very helpful. He informed me that one of the Autobots were there too and that they were trying to match up shipments with a list of addresses.

I was confident he still wouldn't find my secret lab. Everything here was done off the books. I had paid a lot of money to get it done that way. There were no records of any building permits or purchases of materials linked to this location.

Hank understood that if he was being followed to not return. I'd work out another way to get the liquid nitrogen I needed to continually keep Kacey as cold as possible. In light of what I witnessed a short while ago might not be necessary. I believe I finally have a way to get through to Kacey and be able to control it.

I glanced back to see RX-134 was still where I told him to remain. Then I turned my attention to Kacey.

"It amazes me that you can shed tears."

"Let me out of here and I can amaze you even more with all I can do."

"I will let you out…only if you cooperate for me."

Kacey laughed, sitting up and drawing its legs into its chest.

"You obviously don't know who I am. I am the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita One…and I will never cooperate!"

"On the contrary, I know exactly the kind of mechanism you are," I smiled. "In fact, I'm counting on you to be…you. You see, one way or another, Kacey, you will cooperate with me."

I walked over to where RX-134 was standing, pulled the long pry bar off the lab table, and didn't hesitate to swing at it as hard as I could. Its legs were swept out from beneath it and it crashed hard to the floor.

Kacey growled like lion so loud the equipment around the lab vibrated, reacting as I predicted.

"Ah, so you care for other mechanisms lower than yourself," I smirked, raised the weapon above my head and slammed it down on my own creation.

Sparks cracked where its leg used to be attached. I slammed the pry bar down again severing an arm.

"STOP IT!" Kacey screamed.

"I didn't hear the magic word."

"PLEAST," it wept.

"You'll have to do better than please," I snickered, swinging the weapon of destruction down hard upon the center of RX-134's chest.

Instantly its eyes went dim as I damaged its power core.

"NO! PLEASE DON'T HURT HIM ANYMORE!"

"It's still salvageable," I said, bending down and detaching the head. "Everything RX-134 is, its programming…its personality…is within here. It's up to you Kacey. Does it live or die."

"I'll do whatever you want, just don't hurt him anymore…please," it sobbed, tears streaming down its face.

"You…deactivate the energy field and open the door," I shouted at the guard. "There's a large table over here Kacey, I want you to get on it. If you make any sudden moment, I crush your little friend's skull."

The guard sat there, looking rather afraid.

"GET OFF YOUR FUCKING ASS AND DO IT!" I shouted at him.

The idiot finally did as instructed. Almost instantly the humming of the energy field stopped and I heard the lock clank loudly within the door.

"It's much warmer out here too, Kacey. Now get moving."

Kacey reached and opened the door. Its footsteps were small and unsure. But its optics were a blazing fury as they looked down at me.

"You're a fucking asshole."

"I've been called worse…now move it! You, get over here. Hold you gun on this," I said, holding the head of RX-134 out for the guard to take. "If Kacey makes any sudden movements destroy it."

As predicted, Kacey was more than compliant with me now. I made quick work of strapping it down. I was not to be denied this time as I began working.

"Hmm, you have fluid where your ear was," I observed.

"You didn't put the cover back on. If sparklings or younglings have an exposed system, it can get infected."

The mechanism suddenly tensed, whimpering, as I inserted my hand to pull some of the frozen gunk out. I just need to expose the port so I could access the CPU.

"Ah…there it is," I grinned, not hesitating to attach the cable.

Kacey cried out in obvious pain. For fifteen minutes all it did was whimper and periodically cry, sounding very much like the little mechanism that it called Leo.

I ignored it all. I was half way done with copying the data. And that much closer to getting everything I wanted.

Elita

I ran to the command center as fast as I could when I got the call. And even if I hadn't gotten the call I would have come running anyway. I could feel the torment of my sparkmate so strongly through our bond that it jolted me awake.

When I arrived I found Prowl, Ratchet, Ironhide and the twins straining to hold Optimus down. His strong arms and legs flexed and strained to break free. His roar was so loud the walls were vibrating.

"Thank Primus…Elita see if you can calm him down," Ratchet pleaded. "We can't afford to put him into recharge right now."

"What happened?"

"He just went berserk," Ironhide answered, struggling just to keep hold of one of Optimus' arms.

"I think it's like the time before, when that fragger was hurting Kacey," Prowl suggested.

"It is," I sighed, reaching to my love through our bond. First I tried to sooth him with my love then with my sparkfelt words. 'Optimus, please, you're not helping Kacey this way. And you will only upset the sparklings.'

His form immediately relaxed. His blazing optics dimmed as they looked sorrowfully up at me.

'I'm sorry…Kacey is in so much pain. She can't keep it all to herself.'

"Let him up," I told my friends.

Teletran 2's alarm system suddenly went on the fritz. Optimus was hoisted up onto his feet and we all gathered behind Prowl as he sat at the main console.

"It's Megatron…he's attacking!" Prowl told us.

"Optimus, we must do something," Ironhide insisted. "What if Kacey's in there?"

"We can't go attacking the humans just to free my daughter. That's if she is even there. But we can try to lure Megatron away from the humans to protect them."

"Optimus…" Ratchet started.

"No, I am not going to rip apart the mountain and injure any humans no matter what they did to Kacey. I am not going to be responsible for a bloodbath! That's not our way."

"Then let's go," I growled. "Because if Kacey is in there, I don't want that fragger of a brother in law laying a finger on my sparkling!"

"Sunny, Sides…continue to monitor the situation," Prowl ordered. "And keep us informed."

"But we want to go too!" Sunny complained.

"I gave you an order, soldier!" Prowl shouted and the twins immediately complied.

"Ironhide, inform Magnus he's in charge of the base. Have him get a secondary unit ready in case we need back up," Optimus ordered as we headed out of the command center. "Prowl, how long will it take for us to get there."

"Twenty minutes."

"Frag, Megatron could have the entire mountain gutted by the time we get there," I worriedly said.

"Then we'd better hurry," Optimus said, grabbing hold of my hand and started running. "Prowl, contact Keller, have him send troops to deal with the humans. If they are working for Spielman they will most likely attack us as well."

'You believe Kacey is there?' I asked him through our bond.

'I'm still not one hundred percent certain. But my spark is telling me we're doing the right thing by going there.'

'Good enough for me.'

"Hey…what's going on?" Bumblebee yawned as we ran towards him. "I couldn't recharge…"

"Bumblebee, you lazy aft!" Ironhide teased, playfully smacking the younger bot on the head. "Snap to it. We've got a Decepticon to fry and hopefully a little femme to rescue."

"Don't stand there, youngling, get moving!" Ratchet said, shoving poor Bumblebee.

"Must you two always tease him," I grumbled. "I think he's grown up enough for you both to stop treating him like a youngling."

"Why, we still treat Optimus that way and he's some hundred or so years older than Bumblebee," Ratchet smirked.

"Mechs…none of you ever grow up, do you?"

"No, ma'am, we don't," Bumblebee smiled.

I had to smile at the mechs around me as we ran into the shuttle bay. It kind of reminded me of our days on Cybertron. No one could recharge before a big battle. I often woke from recharge to see one half of an empty bed. It never once bothered me. I understood Optimus needed his time alone to prepare for an upcoming battle. And Ironhide and Ratchet always knew how to break the stress with a bit of humor by teasing Optimus then when Bee was old enough to fight he became their new favorite target.

'If she's there, we'll get her…some way without harming the humans, we will get her,' Optimus told me.

His hand squeezed mine as we sat down in the shuttle. I squeezed it back, not wanting to let go, trusting him completely as I have always done. I have never doubted my love, I will certainly not start now.

Megatron

"Pathetic fleshlings," I muttered in disgust as I walked towards them.

I failed to see why my brother bothers to save them. They're frail creatures compared to us. Even our sparklings are stronger in every way. Their primitive ways are nothing compared to that of my kind.

With the force shield Shockwave designed for me even their weapons were useless against me now. I swatted them easily out of my path like the annoying little insects they were as I made my way into the tunnel. They pitiful cries of pain and fear did nothing to sway my spark.

Nothing could ever sway me when I was on a mission. I am not weak like my brother.

Soundwave's intel had always been accurate over the years. I had no reason to doubt him. Despite, Shade and Nighthawk not making visual confirmation, one way or another I was going to find out if that fragger Spielman was here. And I didn't care if I had to tear the place apart to find him either.

Frag!

I roared in frustration.

The tunnel was too constricted for me to maneuver once I was inside. To make room I surged upwards with all my strength. Concrete and earth explode up into the air. Some of it fell around my feet, most of it sending the humans fleeing for their lives. Their terrified screams fueled my frenzy as I dug, ripped, and clawed my way further into the tunnel to my goal.

The elevator shaft.

The large metal doors complained to no avail when I ripped them apart. I was not to be denied my revenge. Without hesitation, I dropped down into the shaft. The fall was not far but was gloriously destructive when I landed.

I growled in satisfaction then barrel through the wall before me. A large underground cavern was before me littered with familiar human technology. The same kind of technology at Sector Seven that was used on me against my will.

The scent of a human's fear captured my attention. He was very close to me. Ah, there he is. The human screamed in terror when I picked up what he was hiding under.

"Tell me what I want to know I may let you live," I demanded.

"Anything…just don't kill me!"

"Where is the human…Spielman?"

"Over that way! The next room!" he quickly said, pointing even as he was crawling away.

I ignored him and pressed on. My spark pulsed excitedly within its chamber. I had been robbed of my revenge so many times by my brother. At last, I would have it on this one human and my dear brother wasn't here to stop me.

With a roar I smashed through the wall only to be greeted by something I was not expecting. I heard what sounded like…a sparkling crying. The cries sounded so similar to Venom's that my instincts as a father took over and I hurried towards it.

My optic covers blinked a few times when I thought my optics were deceiving me. But there was no denying the feeling in my spark.

There, before me was the little cretin…Kaceystar.

Kacey

The entire lab shook violently. The guard had been smart when he took off running, kindly leaving Roller's head on the table with the rest of his body. Jim remained, but I could see his fear through my tears. Pfft, I could smell it. Jim had reason to fear what was coming.

However, in my anguish and pain I misinterpreted the feeling within my spark.

The one approaching was not my father.

It was Megatron.

My spark raced in fear as he stood before me. His expression was one of confusion, which only lasted for about a few astroseconds. He obviously wasn't expecting to find me here. Then his optics locked on Spielman and I saw the same cold, sparkless, evil in them I had come to know all to well.

With a swing of his arm, Spielman's frail body was sent far across the lab, crashing onto some equipment. The human didn't move. Not that I was paying attention to him. My optics were focused on my uncle as he approached.

Tears were still streaming down my cheeks, I couldn't stop crying. The pain was too much to bear and my fear only seemed to make it worse. Like the frightened, vulnerable youngling I was, I trembled and closed my optic covers as his large hand reached towards me.

"No mechanism deserves to be treated like this," he said, disconnecting the cable from my head, his voice so uncharacteristically full of…compassion.

I dared to look up at him. To my surprise he carefully began removing all the straps that were holding me down. However, the tender moment was over the instant I was freed. Megatron turned his back to me, his hate for me ever present within his spark. He did nothing to hide it from me.

"Go, before I change my mind, Kaceystar. Word of warning, don't ever cross my path. I will never be so kind again."

"I understand," I replied, moving slowly across the room to where Roller's remains were and quickly gathered them into my arms. "Thank you…uncle."

Megatron roared, shaking me to my core. I took off for the gaping hole in the wall, not daring to look back. I paused briefly when I reached another hole and peered up it. It seemed like a long way up. But it was freedom. With Roller tucked securely in one arm I made the ascent.

Humans were shouting when I emerged and saw the clear night sky for the first time in so long. Few humans were running for their lives, most suddenly seemed focused on me as they opened fire upon me. With uncle's threat looming heavily upon my mind I ran. I didn't care in which direction…I just ran.

And the humans gave chase with their weapons continuing to fire.

Spielman

My entire body hurt, my left leg most of all. It was broken. I think there was even some internal bleeding since I coughed up some blood. It was hard to say, I couldn't get the coppery taste out of my mouth. Regardless, I had to get away even if I had to crawl.

"So, we meet again…Dr. Spielman."

Something grabbed my uninjured leg and I was suddenly lifted off the ground. Dangly upside down I came face to face with NBE-1. Pure hate radiated from it. Its red eyes were intense and dangerous as they focused on me. Its voice threatening as it spoke to me.

"I remember everything you did to me. Though in a chryogenic state my sensors recorded everything. Including you, trying to copy information from my processor. Do you know what kind of violation that is?! And you dared to do the same thing to the youngling!"

The room was spinning as I was hurled through it. White hot pain flashed through me upon landing. Tears streamed down my face when I struggled to crawl away. The blood was rushing so furiously within my ears that I couldn't even hear my own cries of pain.

Laughter sounded. A deep menacing laugh that made my blood turn cold as ice. I turned over just as it grabbed hold of me.

"Do you fear death?" it smirked, inhaling deeply. "I think you do. I can smell your fear."

"AHH!" I screamed when its grip tightened around me. My chest was so constricted that I could barely breathe. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to simply die," it replied then dropped me to the floor below.

I landed flat on my back, gasping for air. My will to live still strong despite the darkness I see as unconsciousness was trying to take hold of me.

"Fuck you!" I spat defiantly.

"Foolish human," it chuckled.

Its red optics flared as it roared. A scream escaped from my throat when I saw its foot rise up then come down towards me. For a split second I felt the agonizing pain of my bones crunching…then...

Optimus

Kacey was in pain. I couldn't get the thought out of my processor. My daughter was in pain and I couldn't help her. And now her pain had turned to fear and she was pushing me away.

I felt so helpless right now, wishing Prowl would fly this fraggin shuttle just a bit faster. It was a fruitless wish for I knew Prowl was already flying the shuttle as fast as possible. The only faster speed was hyperspace which doesn't work well for short distances nor does it work within Earth's atmosphere.

"We're on approach," Prowl said to me softly. I moved to stand behind him. "Not close enough to see through the window but here, I'll put a visual up on the monitor."

I immediately saw the results of my brother's destruction. We were too late. All we could do was hope to save as many humans as possible. And…hopefully find my daughter.

"Primus, it looks like Megatron tore a hole in the mountainside," Prowl gasped.

"Any sign of him?" I asked.

"Negative. We know he hasn't left the area so he must be underground. But our sensors can't penetrate the mountain."

Elita stood, grabbing hold of my hand. I felt it within my spark as well.

"Kacey's here…I can feel her more strongly now," I whispered to Elita.

Elita nodded in agreement, "She so terrified."

"Prowl, what's our ETA?"

"Five minutes. Keller reports his troops are fifteen minutes away."

"See if you can't speed things up…"

An alarm sounded on the shuttle console.

"Optimus! Teletran 2 just picked up Kacey's energy signature!" Prowl said excitedly.

Everyone else in the shuttle was press up against my back, trying to view the monitor. I ignored them. Elita's hand tightened around mine. And Kacey was still pushing me away each time I reached to try to calm her.

"Can you get a visual on her?"

Prowl must have already been working on it for less than an astrosecond later the image of Kacey running through the trees came on the screen. Only she wasn't alone.

"Those humans don't have a chance, she's already pulling away," Ironhide pointed out.

"Primus, she's fast!" Bumblebee exclaimed.

"She's running scared," I said, a sudden bad feeling filled my spark. "Prowl, hurry and get a head of her."

"Why don't you just reach out to her?" Bumblebee asked.

"Because Kacey is terrified, she's blocking us from reaching her," Elita explained.

"Primus help her," Prowl gasped. "Optimus, there's a six hundred foot deep gorge ahead her."

"She doesn't have sensors, I doubt she'll see it in time," Ratchet said. "Younglings can't see as well in the dark as we can."

"And Kacey lost her night vision when she had the procedure," Elita said, clinging to me, the fear in her voice could be felt through our bond. "Optimus, she can't take that kind of fall."

"Frag! These trees are in the way, we can't get close enough to her," Prowl muttered.

"Just get a head of her," I ordered again, turning to Elita. "Don't worry, I'll get her."

Without a second thought I hurried to the back door and opened it. The trees were thick and just below the shuttle.

"She's a mile a head of us…another 2.6 to the gorge," Prowl informed me.

"Got it," I said then jumped out of the shuttle, my mask sliding into place.

The astrosecond my feet touched the ground I took off running after Kacey. She was small enough to run with little hindrance from the tree branches. I did not have that luxury, nor did I have the time to deal with it. I just plowed my way counting on my brute strength to get me through.

'Kacey, let me in child!' I begged over our bond.

Still nothing but the burrier she erected to protect herself. I growled to myself. I had a feeling my brother's presence was the cause of Kacey blocking Elita and I. It was safer that way, no chance of Megatron reaching out to touch her spark like he did years ago.

"You're gaining on her, two thirds of a mile back. She has a mile and a half to the gorge."

"Thank you, Ironhide."

Frag! By my calculations I wasn't going to reach her before the gorge. So, I pumped my legs harder and faster, risking a systems overload from overheating. I wasn't going to lose my daughter!

"Please Primus, give me the strength to save my child," I prayed to the heavens above.

Bumblebee

Primus, my spark was racing as fast as Optimus' must have been. And I was merely standing still and watching him chase after Kacey on the monitor.

"We're over the gorge," Prowl announced.

"And here comes Kacey! Frag it to pit! She's not slowing down," I shouted worriedly.

She didn't either. She jumped. Elita gasped. I swear my spark stopped pulsing as Kacey shot into the air. Right away I could tell she wasn't going to make it across the wide gorge. But an astrosecond after she jumped Optimus dove for her, his angle undercutting hers just enough to hopefully…

"Prowl!"

"I'm on it, Ironhide!" Prowl replied calmly and quickly maneuvered the shuttle down in to the gorge.

I kept my optics on the monitor and saw how much love a father had for his daughter. Optimus didn't even think twice about diving off a cliff for his daughter.

"Holy frag! The lugnut did it! He caught her!" Ironhide cheered, slapping me hard on the shoulders. "And he claims I'm crazy!"

I don't know if that's true. I highly doubt there's a mech any crazier than Ironhide. But if loving one's daughter is crazy, than Optimus is certifiable. For he did jump off a cliff and he did wrap both arms securely around Kacey several hundred feet off the ground. It was even a thing of beauty as he tucked and rolled through the air so that his feet were now ready to land.

"Brace for impact!" Prowl announced.

Whoa! He wasn't kidding! There was an enormous thud and the entire shuttle rocked when Optimus landed on top of it. But with Prowl's sound flying the shuttle quickly steadied itself out and Optimus dropped inside from the roof. Ironhide was quick to shut the door and we all stood aside very much relieved to see the little femme in Optimus' arms.

"Kacey, Kacey…it's ok! It's dad!" he said, his arms trying to keep their hold on the wild youngling flaying about.

Optimus' voice seemed to break through in an instant. Kacey stared up at him with knowing optics and broke down crying.

"Shh, you're safe now, you're safe," he cooed to her, holding her close, tears streaming down his faceplates.

Kacey started whimpering, nuzzling her face against Optimus', seemly desperate for affection, desperate for what's been denied to her for five days. She even did the same to Elita as the family embraced each other.

"Let's have Ratchet look at you, ok?" Optimus said, choking back his tears.

She whimpered, slowly nodding her head. Ironhide and I sat opposite the relieved family as Ratchet knelt down before Optimus and started working on Kacey. My processor wondered exactly how badly damaged Kacey was both physically and mentally. I prayed to Primus that she wasn't too traumatized. I'd hate for her to change too much because of her captivity.

"Primus, her core temperature is fifteen Kelvin below normal," Ratchet muttered, sounding as angry as some of us felt upon seeing Kacey's condition.

I didn't hesitate to pull a couple of thermal blankets from one of the storage compartments.

"Thank you, Bumblebee," Elita smiled, taking the blankets from me. "Can I wrap her up?"

"After a quick exam," Ratchet replied. It didn't take a medical expert to see Kacey was in pain. Her soft whimpers and the way she kept clutching Optimus' armor were telltale signs. "She's missing her left audio receptor and there's an infection. Forgive me Kacey, this gel will help with the infection and ease some of the pain. But it will sting at first."

Kacey's hand clung even tighter to Optimus chest armor. Only once she nodded that she was ready did Ratchet proceed. The audio receptor piecing screech she let loose shook me to my core. I couldn't stop my tears. Neither could Ironhide or Prowl.

"Primus," Ratchet gasped, gently lifting up Kacey's leg.

I saw the marks too. They looked like burn marks on her ankles and forearms. I growled softly to myself. What kind of monster could do such a thing to some one so young and innocent?

"I want to go home," she wept, her optics look so sorrowful up at her father and mother.

"We're on our way, Kacey," Prowl said, wiping the tears from his face plates.

"Prowl…stop the shuttle," Optimus suddenly order, transferring Kacey to Elita.

Ironhide and I exchanged glances, not knowing what Optimus was up to. Not until he opened the back door and we saw Megatron rapidly approaching. The Decepticon leader came to a stop, hovering in the air behind us. No words were spoken, at least none that I heard or anyone else for that matter. However, Optimus stood aside and I saw Megatron's optics lock onto Kacey. After that, he gave Optimus a quick nod before flying off.

"Don't tell me that fragger…" Ironhide started as Optimus closed the door.

"He killed the man responsible for doing this to my daughter," Optimus said, sitting down beside Elita. Kacey immediately climbed back onto his lap. "He said killing Kacey wasn't on his agenda today so he spared her."

"She's back were she belongs. That's all that matters now," Elita said, caressing Kacey's face affectionately. "Can we wrap her up now?"

"Of course," Ratchet smiled. "I'll give her a sedative so that she rests too."

Kacey screeched in protest when Elita tried to gently pull her hand away from Optimus' chest armor.

"It will only be for a few moments my daughter," Elita cooed lovingly, holding the blanket up for Kacey to see.

It was then as Kacey stood on her wobbly legs that we saw her arm holding something.

"What's this?" Elita asked, reaching for it.

Kacey reacted like a sparkling reluctant to give up a toy, clutching it close and even shrilling in protest when Elita's hand got to close to it.

"Looks like…a small robot," I said, noticing what looked like arms, legs…and a head in her hand.

"His name's Roller," Kacey said, tears suddenly streaming down her beautiful face. "I promised I'd bring him with me to live with the Autobots where he'd be free. Jim hurt him to get to me…it's my fault…and now I have to fix him."

My spark twisted into knots. I wanted so much to comfort Kacey as she choked and sobbed while Elita quickly wrapped her in the blankets. She's far too young to bear those kinds of burdens.

"He'll be welcomed amongst us," I smiled once she was settled back in Optimus' arms.

On impulse I got up and moved over, kneeling before Kacey.

"We're just so glad to have you back with us, Kacey," I sincerely said, then kissed her on the forehead.

"Thanks, Bee," she sighed, her optics locking briefly on mine.

"Yeah kid, we're so glad you're safe and with us," Ironhide added, taking my place and kissing her too. "Don't let her go."

"Not planning to any time soon," Optimus smiled warmly, his optics glowing with affection upon his daughter.

Yes, we were all glad Kacey was back where she belonged. Each of us remained quiet and watched Kacey drift off into a medicated recharge. Seeing the others around me and knowing how we all felt for this little femme made me realize that I too was where I belonged.

A part of me was sad for I knew I could never leave Kacey again. My place was with her and my fellow Autobots. I hope my good friend Sam will understand this when I tell him.

Up next: We'll see how Kacey is recovering and conclude this story arc.