Holy slag! This is a really long chapter. Sorry, there was no way to break it up. So have a pillow for your aft, some food and drink for your tank, and some Visine for your optics. Also, have some tissues and boxing gloves handy.
Author's notes: italics denote comlink chatter.
Warning: Violence and language
Fasten your seatbelts and away you go!
Optimus
I finally relaxed once the base came into view. I'd been ever watchful over my daughter since we left early this morning. I didn't like the idea of her being so exposed. But I'm glad I made the decision to let her attend the funeral ceremony. I can feel she's found peace and has had some closure, as was intended.
I cannot thank Keller's family enough for allowing Kacey to speak at the services even though it wasn't planned. Her words were so eloquent, so spark felt. They stuck a cord with everyone there, Autobot or human. I was nearly brought to tears myself like many of the humans were.
Honestly, I don't think I've ever been more proud of my daughter than in that very moment.
"We're on final approach," Prowl quietly announced.
My arm tightened gently around my daughter's form. When she didn't respond to my affection I leaned forward slightly to get a look at her face and smiled.
"Prowl's flying put her into recharge," Ironhide chuckled. "Almost did the same thing for me."
"She's still young enough to recharge almost anywhere," Ratchet smiled. "I seem to recall Bumblebee suddenly just curling up wherever and going into recharge when he was a youngling."
"And how many times did you step on me because of it?" the scout smirked making Ratchet narrow his optics at him.
"I just remember Optimus having one of his less than graceful moments almost stepping on you," Magnus said. "While trying to keep his foot from coming down on you, lost his balance and fell knocking over several weapons crates. The noise was enough to wake the dead."
"Only Bumblebee didn't wake up," I smiled.
"Actually, Sir…I did wake up. But you were cursing so much I thought it best to pretend I was in recharge for my safety!" Bumblebee said, making us all laugh.
I felt Kacey stir and appeared to be coming out of recharge. I sighed feeling bad that we disturbed her. I knew she needed the rest.
"What was so funny?" she asked me yawning.
"Nothing," I smiled, kissing the top of her head.
"Optimus! I just received word from Hound," abruptly Prowl blurted out. "Teletran has detected Decepticons in the area! They'll be at the base in five minutes!"
"Land as quickly as you can!" I ordered. "Where's our other shuttle?"
"Right beside us," Prowl answered pushing up the speed of the shuttle just a bit to get us inside the bay as quickly and as safely as possible.
"Kacey…" I started as my officers, Kacey and I filed out the shuttle's door.
"I know father," she smiled. "I'll make sure Leo doesn't pull off any heroics and keep the younglings calm. You just take care of yourself and mother when out there."
My daughter took off running and disappeared in the crowd of oncoming Autobots. I did not worry about her trying to join the fight. She knew the dangers involved. And I knew she'd look after her siblings and the other small younglings. She always did.
Then my thoughts shifted as my optics locked onto Elita who was running towards me. I gave her a look, my optics briefly glancing at her abdomen. My thoughts dwelled upon the new life developing within her. I could already sense them deep within my spark. They're essence was faint but definitely…alive. It would be days before they would reach back to me though our bond. But it was a day I greatly looked forward too.
'I'm with sparks, not an invalid! Don't you dare try to order me to stay behind!' she hissed at me over our bond.
"Sorry, love. It's in my nature to protect. I do not doubt you're feminine prowess," I smiled as we turned to head outside.
"Keep talking like that lugnut and you'll be recharging on the couch!"
"Better use that sexual energy on the 'Cons, Optimus!" Ironhide laughed as he ran by.
"TWO MINUTES EVERYONE!" Hound's voice sounded over the PA system.
"Just better keep some in the reserves for your femme later…sexy beast!" Chromia snickered trailing behind Ironhide.
"Primus you didn't!"
"They're still as crazy as ever," Elita laughed. "And it was just femme talk. So of course I did. But I didn't tell her about…you know."
I grabbed hold of her hand, pulling her close, pressing my forehead against hers. A rush of Autobots hurried around us.
"I can feel them in my spark," I whispered. "They're strong like they mother already."
"No, they're strong like you, my love."
"Elita, promise me you won't do anything crazy," I begged.
"Me?" she smirked at me.
"Yes, I know you femme. You and Chromia get carried away sometimes when fighting Decepticons."
"Well, we can't let you mechs have all the fun, can we?" she countered, kissing me on the cheek before trotting off. My optics followed her form appreciatively.
"Enjoying the view, Sir?" Sunny asked.
I growled at him, making him cringe slightly. Then I went after my femme. As much as it frightened me to have Elita on the battlefield, I do love having her at my side. We made a great team when fighting 'Cons. She gives me strength to keep pushing forward when I falter.
Ever since that day we first met on a battlefield long ago, Elita has always looked after my backside. I have made it my personal oath to always do the same for her. For I do not want to imagine my life without her.
Kacey
"I've got her Moonracer," I smiled, lifting Kayla up into my arms.
The young little femme was crying. She always did when the alarms signaled that the base was under attack. She, like many of the little younglings, was frightened. But I always managed to calm them down. It was my job since I could not be on the battlefield.
"Take care, sweetspark," Moonracer said, kissing Kayla's cheek.
"I'll take good care of her," I smiled.
"Galen…"
"With Ariel. They're already on their way to the safe room," I said.
"Thank you Kacey," she smiled. "Ratchet and I appreciate it so much."
"Just doing my duty."
Moonracer shook her head and then ran off. She like many others knew what I really wanted to be doing.
"I don't believe it!" Nitro growled, stomping in my direction, pulling his brother along with him.
"I told you they weren't going to let you fight," I chuckled. "You have no experience and still need training. Now that you have armor, you have to learn how to use it and then use it in combat. Remember it took Rox a couple of years to get the hang of it."
"I'm not Rox and I don't need training to shoot a gun accurately. I should be out there, blowing up 'Cons. Instead, I get sparkling duty!"
"Sparkling duty isn't all that bad," I said, glancing back as we trotted along. "LEO! GET YOU AFT OVER HERE!"
"Coming, Kacey!" he shouted running as fast as he could to catch up.
"Where's Orion?"
"He was doing extra homework with Trion and is already in the safe room."
"Good."
"Are my mommy and daddy going to be ok, Kacey?" Kayla asked.
"I pray everyone will be alright. As you should do," I smiled at her reassuringly.
It only took another minute to reach the safe room. All the younglings were accounted. Many of them were younger than Kayla and already accustomed to this drill.
I watched as Kayla ran over and sat on Galen's lap for comfort, same as she always did whenever the base was under attack. He and Ariel were talking. Orion was reading a datapad as usual. Leo and a few of the little mechs were playing video games. All the other little mechs or femmes sat quietly, ready to wait for ever how long we had to until the fight was over.
It saddened my spark to see them so young and too familiar with war. Father was right - younglings have no business being near war. Still, he will admit that family units are strongest when together. Nothing can ever replace the smile on a mech or femme's face when they return from a battle to be rejoined with their family. I see it every time when parents come to collect their younglings after a battle. My father and mother always had the biggest smiles for us.
"Sam, what are you doing here?" I asked when he walked into the safe room. "I thought you had to leave this morning with your family."
"I decided to stay behind for one more extra day. Bluestreak took Mikaela and the boys home and will protect them until I return with Bumblebee."
"You're a good friend to Bee," I smiled. "He's lucky to have you."
"Well, he wanted to be here in case you needed him. I couldn't just leave without him."
"I'm glad he stayed," I sighed. "His presence is always up lifting to my spirits."
"He…cares for you so much, Kacey."
"I know he does," I frowned, turning to face the direction where the battle was taking place. I couldn't see it. But I could feel the rush that always came with it from father. My thoughts were of him and my friends. I couldn't help but be afraid for them. I know its wrong, but some are in my spark more than others. Bumblebee being one of them. He has done so much for me for so long. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I ever lost him.
Megatron
The terrain before us was scarred from previous battles. Trees had been removed to make a larger clearing. Fortifications had been built to help in the defense of the base. I grinned watching as my brother's precious Autobots took up their defensive positions. My own troops were doing the same behind me.
Then my optics locked on my brother. At this distance I couldn't hear him but I could see by his hand gestures that he was position his mechs and more importantly his femmes. Such precious mechanisms that birthed hope for my dear brother and his fellow Autobots.
I almost couldn't wait to see my brother's reaction when I took away all his hope! It actually took great restraint on my behalf to not reach out and torment him through our spark bond. I feared that if I did I would accidentally give away my plan.
"Your Decepticons are ready, Megatron," Soundwave said, coming to my side.
"Good. Thunder will let me know when her team is in position," I said turning to him. "You should have seen the pure evil grin on her face when I told her she was going to be there to see the terrified looks on my brother's younglings' faces. She could barely contain her excitement."
"I have no doubt about that, my Lord."
"Does Carbine understand he is not to begin phase one of my plan until ordered?"
"He does. I have made sure he completely understands that if he fails to follow your orders this time that he will slowly be dismantled…alive."
"Soundwave, I do believe you are almost as cruel as me at times," I smirked, making him raise his head proudly. "Good. He'd better not frag up like he did the last time. I don't care if he's my only sniper! I will not accept failure! For without phase one, Thunder and my second in command cannot pull off phase two…abducting the younglings."
"I have calculated that once the Autobot's base has been breeched we will only have a five minute window of opportunity to remove all the younglings. More than enough time if all goes well."
"Then let's hope that all goes well, my friend," I grinned and then turned. "DECEPTICONS!!! ATTACK!!"
Elita
The battle started out like all the others. An exchange of weapons fire. A few hurled insults from the Decepticons towards us. A few of our mechs spat a few witty ones back – mainly Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. The twins were agile and quick warriors with even quicker vocal processors!
My femmes were all well trained to be more dignified than that. They would never stoop to such childish behavior. Well most of them wouldn't. Chromia tends to shoot her vocal processor off as accurately as her plasma rifle. Still, all their sparks are devoted to the Autobot cause and our leader…my love.
Optimus collided with Megatron with a thunderous metal crunching sound that echoed across the battlefield. I swear with each new confrontation the two brothers are more vicious with each other. Megatron seemed more determined than ever to kill Optimus. My love always did what was necessary to defend himself.
I know Optimus would never kill Megatron. He doesn't have to voice his reason why. I know his spark like no other. Deep down inside a part of Optimus still believes he can save his brother. It's a very small part compared to what it used to be, even he would admit that much. Still, I'm afraid my Optimus may die trying one of these days.
My optics quickly spotted a Decepticon attempting to come up behind Optimus while he was still engaged with Megatron. I didn't hesitate to take aim. Only to my surprise the mech was shot down before I could pull my trigger.
"Prowl, are you trying to take my job away?" I asked over a private comlink.
"I would never do such a thing," he chuckled in response. "I'm simply doing what I must to keep my own job, ma'am."
"A few 'Cons broke ranks and are attempting to penetrate the lines!" Ironhide announced over the officer's comlink frequency.
"I'm on it!" I smirked spotting three Decepticons heading towards my position.
Taking aim, I shot one down. The other two ignored their fallen comrade and blasted up into the air. I was able to get one more steady shot off. Only the fragger twisted his form just in time to avoid my plasma fire. I didn't hesitate to swing my rifle at his head the astrosecond he landed before me.
The butt of my rifle hit its mark. Energon streamed from above his left optic. However, before I could finish him off the other 'Con had landed behind me and grabbed hold of my arms. I used it to my advantage, lifting my legs up and thrust my feet hard into the chest.
"Hey, Elita, save some for the rest of us gals!" Chromia laughed over the comlink when the injured mech went to the ground.
"You're more than welcome to have at them!" I grunted back, struggling to get free.
Then suddenly I heard a choking sound from behind me and the Decepticon released me. I turned to attack to find his optics were offline. His body was dropped to the ground to reveal the Autobot that just killed him.
"Prowl, what the…? You're one sneaky fragger!"
"Just doing my job, ma'am," he said, calmly pulling me aside and shooting down my other assailant. "And I wasn't named Prowl because of my handsome looks."
"Thanks. Now get out of here," I laughed, shoving him along.
"Are you ok, Elita?" Ratchet asked as he arrived at my side after Prowl left.
The CMO knelt down and checked the vitals of the Decepticons. My own sensors indicated that they were both dead.
"I'm fine. But you didn't need to come all this way to ask me that."
"Sorry, just doing my job. And Optimus did ask me to stay near you because of…you know."
"Oh he did," I growled, narrowing my optics. "That fragger. I'll have a few choice words for him later!"
"I can't blame him," he seriously said. "I know I wouldn't want my bonded out here in this if she was with spark."
"I'll be fine," I gritted through my teeth.
"Just…"
Ratchet grabbed his chest, grimacing in pain. I thought he was hit and tried to move his hand to exam the wound.
"It's not me…spark shock," he said, tears filling his optics, as he leaned against me.
"RED!!! GET OVER HERE!"
I turned towards the direction I heard Prowl's scream. The mech was covering a ghastly wound on Moonracer's chest. Energon was all over his hands and quickly pooling up beneath her.
"Elita…help me…please," Ratchet pleaded. "It will take my spark a few more moments to recover but I need to…"
He grimaced, grabbing his chest.
"Frag…"
"It's never easy the first time," I told gently him. "You will learn to block it. Now, let's get over to your sparkmate."
Nitro
Kayla screamed as if in pain and then suddenly fell to the ground convulsing. At the same time, Galen fell over and curled up, grabbing his chest.
"Nitro! Get me the medical kit off the wall!" Kacey ordered, holding Kayla as still as possible. "HURRY! Leo, hold her legs! Orion, keep the others back."
I did as she said. When I arrived to her side I saw Galen was now crying. Ariel was caressing his chest over his spark, trying to sooth him as best as she could. The other younglings Orion was keeping back looked frightened as they watched, my brother included. I quickly sent him my love and encouraged him to be a brave mech.
"Its spark shock," Kacey told me quietly as she opened the medical kit. Her hands quickly grabbed a syringe and she injected it into Kayla's neck. "I'm putting Kayla into stasis as a precaution. That way she won't have to feel the pain…just in case."
I nodded knowing what Kacey meant and trusted her judgment. I have never experienced spark shock like she or her siblings have. I've only heard about how it feels when losing someone connect through a sparklink. It is not a feeling I wish to experience.
"Hand me the medical scanner," Kacey requested.
After I handed it to her, she carefully hooked up Kayla to the scanner to monitor the young femme's spark rate and vital signs. All appeared to be slowing down…I think. I don't have the medical training that Kacey's had yet. I highly doubt mine would be as involved since I've only just started basic field repairs with Sockets.
"She's in stasis…all her life signs are stable," Kacey announced with some relief.
"What's spark shock?" Sam asked watching with concern.
"Something's happened to Ratchet or Moonracer," I told him, noticing he'd left the group to join us. "Because of their family's spark bond all feel the pain from one."
He nodded seeming to understand. For a human, he seemed to understand us better than most other humans.
"MOTHER!" Galen grimaced, hands clutching his chest.
"Keep talking to him, Ariel," Kacey said, grabbing another syringe and hurried over to Galen.
"Here Nitro…for Kayla," Sidewinder said quietly holding out a thermal blanket.
"Thanks little bro."
"NO! I don't want it!" Galen shouted, shoving Kacey's hand away.
"Ok, that's your choice," she replied calmly putting the syringe back in the med kit.
"I'm scared," he wept.
"I know you are," Kacey spoke softly. "Can you still feel your mother?"
"Yes," his voice trembled. "She's in a lot of pain."
"Believe it or not, that's a good sign," Kacey smiled, wiping his tears away. "It means she's fighting. Would you like to help her?"
Galen nodded, his teary optics intently locked on Kacey.
"This is what you do. Focus on your mother and only her, giving her all the love you have for her in your spark. It's going to be difficult because of the pain you feel. But you must keep your focus. Can you do that?"
"I think so."
"Of course you can," Kacey smiled. "You're strong here," she said, touching his chest. "Just like your mother and father."
"Sidewinder, get me another blanket for Galen," I whispered to him.
"Keep talking to him quietly, Ariel," Kacey told her sister as she got to her feet.
"Is he going to be ok?" I asked, taking the thermal blanket from my brother.
"I hope so, Nitro. It all depends…"
Again, I understood what Kacey meant. We've been friends a long time and didn't always need to voice our concerns or fears. So I knew that Galen's condition depended on Moonracer's.
Kneeling down, I carefully covered Galen and said a prayer for his mother…and my own.
Ratchet
My hands were shaking so badly as I tried to stem the flow of energon form the ruptured lines. Frag it to pit! They never shake! Not even when Optimus had his guts blown out and was spurting energon all over the place. I didn't even flinch as I did the surgery in the middle of a battle field with bombs exploding all around us.
Only the love I have for Optimus was nothing like what I have for Moonracer.
"Frag!" I whimpered, clenching my fists, fresh tears threatening to fill my optics. I needed to get the energon flowing back to her spark chamber in order to make repairs and I didn't know how.
"Ratchet, allow me," Red Alert said, his hands gently replacing mine.
"Yeah, it will be ok, Ratchet," Wheeljack smiled warmly, patting me on the shoulder.
"Jack, work on the main line to stop the hemorrhaging. I'll work on the damaged spark chamber's primary valve," Red Alert ordered. "We'll have to work fast to restore the energon flow to the chamber."
"Understood."
I felt numb all over as hands pulled me away to make to allow Wheeljack and Red Alert to do my job. I felt like such a failure! My processor couldn't even calculate what I was supposed to do to save my own sparkmate. All I knew was my spark trembled at the feeling that I might be losing Moonracer…and it was all my fault.
I suppose this was exactly why they tried to teach us to be unemotional, to not get attached to the patient, as a medical bot. Because if you cared too much you might not be able to do your job. But I couldn't be that way. It never seemed right. How could I do my job well if I didn't have some feelings?
I needed my feelings. My anger fueled me, it drove me to do more that what some thought possible. I hated war. I hated seeing a soldier or innocent so badly damaged that they were on the brink of death. I hated it when they died and I had done everything to save them and failed.
Where was it now when I needed it most?
"Will he be ok?" someone asked sounding so distant that I couldn't figure out who it was.
"He's still in spark shock," someone else said.
"I need to get back out there and keep an optic on Optimus. Let me know the moment you know something."
"Sure thing, Elita."
"It will all work out," Elita whispered too me.
Looking at the energon of my love on my hands was just too much. I couldn't see how it was all going to work out. My feelings overwhelmed me and I wept burying my face in my hands. Only strong arms and hands refused to let me to the ground and held me up.
I didn't have to look to see who it was. Ironhide was my best friend. We'd been together long before Sentinel was Prime. We were like brothers and were always there for each other whenever one of us needed support.
"Prowl, Chromia…keep those fraggin 'Cons away! Get those crazy twins over here to help!" Ironhide barked. "Red, you need anything you tell me and I'll see you get it."
Ironhide suddenly yanked me to one side and shielded me as Red and Jack shielded Moonracer. Dirt and rocks cascaded down on us from a nearby explosion.
"Keeping the dirt from flying into the wound would be a big help!" Red griped.
"TRAILBREAKER!!! GET THAT FRAGGING FORCE SHIELD OF YOURS OVER HERE!"
"Nice Hide! Yell a little loud so the 'Cons on Cybertron can hear you!" Chromia snarled while she and Prowl kept firing their weapons.
"I'll do what I must!" he snapped. Then his tone softened as he held my face in his hands. "You listen to me good, Ratch. Everything is going to be ok. Red and Jack are good at what they do."
"SLAG! JACK, CLEAR!" Red suddenly shouted.
It didn't matter how much I prepared myself. I still jumped when he sent an energy discharge directly into Moonracer's spark chamber to keep her spark from fading. My knees buckled and it took all of Hide's strength to hold me up.
"AGAIN! CLEAR!"
'Moonracer! Hang on! Please…I can't live without you!' I wailed over our bond hoping she'd hear me.
"FRAG IT TO PIT!" Red Alert growled.
The comforting feeling of my love was fading from me. Moonracer was dying and I could feel it so potently. Oh Primus…I now understood how Optimus felt when he lost his parents and why he wouldn't talk as a sparkling. I understand the pain he felt. It was torture on my spark! But in the moment of pure agony, I suddenly saw things with such clarity within my processor and I knew exactly what to do.
"Chromia! I need you! Now!" I ordered, pushing away from Ironhide. "Red, stop…you'll kill her. We need to get a stable flow of energon to her spark chamber."
"But the primary valve is damaged," he said as I knelt down beside my love.
Her spark was losing energy fast I didn't have an astrosecond to spare to explain it to him or anyone.
"Chromia, expose the port to your secondary energon line in your left forearm," I said pulling her down with one hand. My other hand reached deep into Moonracer's wound. I found the access port with my fingers, knowing precisely where it'd be. After a brief link up to her systems I was able activate the specific transformation sequence necessary to open up her up exposing her insides, including her womb chamber and reproductive systems that all connected to the bottom of her spark chamber.
"Ratchet, I don't…"
"Quiet, Red," Ironhide's voice rumbled. "Ratchet knows what he's doing. Just be ready to help him."
"I've stopped the energon flow from her main line," Jack announced.
"Good, help me here," I ordered him, my hands working to expose the necessary energon line I needed. "Red, keep working on that valve…this will only be a temporary fix but should save her. Jack I need you to seal up this valve on her womb chamber after I cut the line. Chromia…"
"I'm ready!" she said.
I glanced at Wheeljack who quickly nodded that he was ready. My cut was precise as always. Energon rushing out the line and the valve was instantaneous. With speed and skill I quickly hooked up a connector line from Chromia's secondary energon line to Moonracer's main womb chamber energon line. Then I carefully monitored them both as I waited to see if my theory panned out.
"Frag it to pit!" Red exclaimed excitedly. "It's working! Her spark is stabilizing! How…what did you do?"
"I reversed the energon flow in her main reproduction energon line," I answered, my spark feeling much relieved as Moonracer's gained strength. I moved Red out of the way and started working on the damaged valve.
"I…I didn't think that was possible."
"Neither did I until I just thought of a way to do it," I smiled, not looking up from my work. Red did a good job for a back up medical bot. The valve was nearly as good as new.
"Ratchet never ceases to amaze me," Ironhide chuckled. "The fragger can pull a miracle out of his aft like no other medical bot!"
I grunted in response making him laugh even louder.
"So modest too," Chromia smiled, kissing me on the cheek.
"Red, get ready to disconnect Chromia and reattached the line to Moonracer's womb chamber. Jack…"
"I'll have it ready for him, just give the word."
"I'm connecting her main energon line to her spark chamber…now," I said inserting the line back in the valve where it belonged. After a quick scan to make sure the flow was good and there were no leaks I ordered Red and Jack to do their part.
"So, how is she?" Chromia asked, rising to her feet.
"She still needs some major repair work done but she'll be ok," I smiled, glancing at crazy femme.
I saw the weapons fire just coming in time and managed to yank Chromia aside to avoid a direct hit. The force of the impact hit her thigh instead. I barely managed to hang onto her, keeping up on her feet.
"Chromia!"
"I'm ok, Hide," she grimaced, grabbing her thigh.
My medical sensors scanned her leg to determine the extent of the damage. She was lucky, nothing major was hit and the shell went through her leg.
"Oh no!" Prowl gasped.
I saw it to. Another femme went down. My young apprentice, Sockets was quick to get to her side. And it dawned on me too just what Megatron was doing. He tried such a thing once before when he attacked the youth sectors. Not only did we lose the majority of the younglings and sparklings but so many femmes with sparks died that day as well.
"We've got to get Chromia and Moonracer to safety!" Prowl shouted. "Ratchet, can Moonracer be moved?"
"Not much choice! I'll carry her," I said, gently lifting her. "Hide, get Chromia!"
"I'm fine! Get your fragging paws off me!" Chromia growled at Hide, smacking his hands away from her.
"Ah, right…I think I need to go help Prowl get Elita anyway," Ironhide said nervously as his femme glared at him.
"Jack, just get her. Her bark is only half as bad as her bit," I told him over a private comlink.
"Yeah, but it's her bite that has me worried, my friend!" he responded even as he got behind her and lifted her up.
"Put me down you piece of slag! I can walk just fine!" she yelled at him.
Wheeljack bravely ignored her ranting. Primus, the femme could speak Cybertronian curse words that made even my audio receptors burn!
"Chill Chromia, we're here to watch your backside!" Sunny grinned.
"About time you two!" Ironhide barked at them which only made Sunny smile wider.
"Good. Everything's settled. I'll see to it the rest of the femmes withdraw!" Prowl announced and then ran off, ducking from weapon's fire as he went.
"Red stay out here and help with the injured. Let's move out!" I ordered and moved as quickly but as carefully as I could, trusting in the twins to protect us. I knew I could. They may be pranksters but they were excellent mech wreckers.
Magnus
My optics just happened to spot Ratchet running fast into the base with Moonracer in his arms. I paused long enough to see Wheeljack was right behind him with an injured Chromia in his.
I refrained from calling them over the comlink. I didn't to interfere with any medical attention the femmes needed. Plus, I didn't want to clutter the comlinks up.
"Firestar, look out!" Rox shouted.
I whirled around just in time to see the young mech under my command launch himself through the air. His long body was fully extended with his forearm as far as he could reach. The shell that was meant for Firestar exploded in a bright fireball off Rox's shield.
A tribute to his name, Roxsolid, the young mech tumbled and came up to his feet unaffected by the weapons fire that in know had to have hurt a bit. Even though he wasn't nearly the size of Nitro, Rox was a brute of a mech wrecker when he had to be. And he was smart enough to keep his shield up to continue protecting Firestar.
On instinct I suddenly yanked Akima behind me. The ground where she was just standing erupted. Dirt spewed up into the air onto us. We didn't even have time to exchange a word between us when I heard a femme cry out!
Looking up, I saw one fall. I recognized her. It was Starbreeze. This was only her second time in combat. Luckily for her the sniper's aim was off and she only lost an arm. Huffer quickly pulled her to safety and started to tend to her injury.
"Elita! Order your femmes to withdrawal! There's a sniper…he's picking them off one by one!"
"I've noticed! Moonracer and Chromia are down but will be ok! Prowl is issuing orders to mechs to help get the femmes safely inside. And I'l…AAAHHH!"
I heard the scream across the battlefield as well as in my communicator. My optics quickly scanned the field until they found Elita. She'd been hit once in the shoulder and then I saw a second shot hit her in the back and go through out her front. Energon flowed heavily through her fingers as she clutched her abdomen and fell to the ground.
Before she even hit the ground I heard and felt Optimus' roar. I think everyone did since everyone paused for a moment in what they were doing until the roar died down.
"Rox…."
"Go, Magnus! I promise I will get Firestar and Akima inside!"
I nodded and started to run in Elita's direction.
"Sockets, come with me!" I ordered grabbing the young medic as he was running by.
"But…I need to help Starbreeze, Huffer says her arm got blown off!"
"Elita-One is down and more critically injured, do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Huffer, this is Magnus. I'm taking Sockets…Elita's down in a bad way."
"I saw! Don't worry! I'll take care of Starbreeze. Huffer out."
Sockets, to his credit, did his best to keep up with me stride for stride. At the same time I did my best to protect him from weapons fire. The fragging 'Cons knew where we were heading and kept firing at us.
"Keep, going Magnus! Hide and I got you covered!" Prowl said.
"Thanks…I felt like my armor was melting from all the laser fire!"
"What's the matter, Mags…can't take the heat?" Ironhide snickered.
"Yeah…but only so much!"
"Sorry, it took so long," Prowl said. "Trailbreaker is on his way to help shield Elita."
A few moments later, when I arrived at Elita's side I literally thought a shield wasn't going to be much good as Sockets started working on her. There was so much energon. Her optic covers where closed and her form so still. My sensors barely detected any life signs.
I shook my head, quickly pushing such morbid thoughts aside. This was Elita-One. The Femme Commander who was tougher than half the mechs in the army. Sparkmate of Optimus Prime. Mother to four beautiful younglings. And one stubborn femme who's come back from the brink of death a once or twice herself just like Optimus.
"ELITA!"
Looking up upon hearing Optimus' voice I saw him running towards us. Frag, it must be really bad if he's totally lost focus on the battle. Elita's gone down in battle before and he never reacted like this. I've seen other mechs react in such a way when their sparkmate was killed. Not that I'd blame them, the spark shock alone was enough to unnerve even the best of us.
"Is she…?"
"She's alive…barely," Sockets answered, his hands working as fast as he could to stem the flow of energon.
Again I looked up towards Optimus. The mech was so intent on reaching his beloved that he was oblivious to the weapons fire hitting him or the ground exploding around him. Perhaps most importantly, he was completely unaware that Megatron was chasing him down.
"PROWL!"
"GO MAGNUS! TRAILBREAKER IS ALMOST THERE. HIDE AND I WILL KEEP THE 'CONS OFF SOCKETS AND ELITA!"
With all the confidence in my fellow Autobots I sprinted off, choosing my angle carefully. I was unafraid of the size or strength of my enemy. I've experienced it first hand long ago. I'll admit it didn't turn out too well for me that time. But I was not going to let that fragger touch Optimus! Luckily for me, like my Prime, Megatron was so focused on getting a hold of his brother that he didn't see me coming.
SLAM!
The collision was jarring! A mangled mess of metal crunched, crashed, and skidded across the dirt. The impact itself temporarily knocked my optics and audio receptors offline. I shook my head to clear my senses as I got to my feet.
Megatron's snarl was all the warning I got!
"AAHH!!" I screamed in pain when his powerful forearm sent me flying.
I landed with a heavy thud on a corpse and just lay there in agony, staring up at the clear blue sky. My chest armor was indented so much that a large part of it penetrated my protoform layer. I literally couldn't move as even the slightest movement hurt like pit!
"You will pay for interfering!" Megatron growled, lifting me up by my throat.
I laughed even though it physically hurt. I didn't care at the moment that I was going to die. I could see that my Prime was safe. My duty as a soldier was done. My only regret was not being able to see Akima one last time…to tell her how much I loved her. Such was the life of a soldier. I'll have to wait patiently in the afterlife for her to tell her then.
Or…perhaps not.
"I would put him down if I were you, Megatron!" Bumblebee growled from behind the Decepticon leader.
And before Megatron could turn, Bumblebee shot him in the shoulder and I fell to the ground. Frag! That impact hurt worse than the first one!
"You little meddlesome fragger! You've interfered for the last time!"
I lifted my head and tried to get up so I could help Bumblebee. The mech was one of our bravest and never flinched when he came face to face with Megatron on Tiger Pax. Only I couldn't let the young scout get hurt like the last time. It tore Optimus up the last time, I couldn't allow it again.
It was no secret that Bumblebee held a special place in Optimus' spark. The little fragger got away with so much growing up because Optimus almost never disciplined him. We all attributed it to the father-son like bond they had with each other, more so than the rest of us even though we all helped to raise him. And Bee always made it clear when he was a youngling that he wanted to be a mech wrecker just like Optimus.
"AH!" I cried out feeling white hot pain shoot through my chest forcing me back down. I whimpered, helplessly. "No…"
"MEGATRON!"
Wincing, I turned my head hearing a voice I thought I recognized. I was right. It was Soundwave and he looked…nervous.
"Oops, did you go too far behind enemy lines?" Bumblebee snickered dangerously, his plasma gun still primed and ready to fire.
Looking around I did notice that Megatron was nearly in the middle of a dozen Autobot mech wreckers. Each one with their weapons aimed and ready.
The Decepticon leader took it all in, growled, and did one of his patented moves…he retreated by flying off with Soundwave closely behind him.
"You ok, Magnus?" Bumblebee asked, kneeling beside me.
"Help me to my feet and I will be!"
"THIS IS HOUND! THE BASE HAS BEEN BREACHED…FRAGGERS ARE GOING AFTER THE YOUNGLINGS!" came blasting over the officers' comlink making me wince even more as Bumblebee helped me to my feet.
"Oh no…Kacey!" Bumblebee gasped. "Here…take Magnus!"
I was roughly handed off to a fellow Autobot and left there to watch as Bumblebee took off running. Honestly, if I could I would be right there with him. Those younglings were the most precious things we Autobots possessed.
So that's what the plan was today!
A deep growl rumbled within me. It sickened me that Megatron would stoop to any level to gain the advantage. The youth sectors weren't enough! He had to attack our femmes and younglings on Earth! The femmes and the younglings…they're the future not just of the Autobots but of us Cybertronians.
Sam
It happened so suddenly!
One moment, Kacey was trying to consoling her siblings, Orion most of all because he was in hysterical tears about their mother. Nitro told me something had happened to both their mothers – his was ok but Kacey wasn't sure about hers. And then next moment, the room was shaking just before an explosion violently blew a hole in the floor near the front of the room.
The blast wave knocked us all down. An alarm sounded and the room instantly filled with smoke. I was quick to get back up on my feet. The smoke was even quicker to get sucked from the room to reveal that Kacey too was back up on her feet. She had her sword in hand and ready as she quickly advanced toward the hole.
"Kacey, what do I do?" Nitro asked, looking a bit nervous.
Behind him all the younglings whimpered, some crying, all were huddling together as they watched Kacey. She signaled for Nitro to keep quiet as she got closer to the hole. I immediately noticed how Leo didn't appear afraid at all. In fact, I thought he was being too bold.
"Leo, get back," I whispered to him as if I was ordering one of my boys to do as their told.
A heavily armored head with red eyes suddenly came up from the hole. Leo jumped back. All the other younglings screamed and panicked, running for the far corner of the room. Orion and Ariel helped Galen carry Kayla. I pressed up against the wall to avoid them and watched as the Decepticon's head went flying.
Kacey's blade was so quick I almost didn't see it! I just kind of assumed that it was her sword that took off the 'Cons head because I didn't see anything else that could do it. I heard shouting from below in the Cybertronian language I've grown accustomed to hearing.
They sounded pissed!
A rocket sounded and a Decepticon with dark gold armor shot up out of the hole. Kacey kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him into the wall. He quickly recovered and was joined by another Decepticon with pale grey armor that also flew up out of the hole in the floor.
Nitro charged wildly at the second Decepticon. Only his inexperience cost him. The Decepticon easily disarmed him and sent him flying. He crashed in the wall near us and fell to the floor unconscious. The younglings screamed and tried to cram themselves even further into the corner. The 'Con tossed Nitro's rifle aside and focused on Kacey.
"Rumble, get your aft over here and help with the pretty little femme!"
"I'm coming Skyshadow, don't get you shaft all bent out of shape!" Rumble smirked and then charged.
Kacey ducked, jumped, dodge, kicked, stabbed…fuck! They were moving so fast I could barely make out what they were all doing! Only what I could ascertain was that Kacey was holding her own with no problems whatsoever against two Decepticons just a bit taller than herself.
Then two more Decepticons, one a dark purple and grey and the other all black, climbed out of the hole. Kacey was quick to be the aggressor as her blade pieced the chest of the all black Decepticon. He fell down dead with her sword still in his chest. The other three rushed Kacey at the same time. She managed to flip one over her shoulder before the other two tackled her to the ground.
Curses, or what I thought were curses, where hurled. A jumble of arms and legs were flailing about as they wrestled on the floor. A growl sounded but I couldn't tell who it was from until Skyshadow rose to his feet with Kacey in his arms. It was Kacey who was growling.
Even though her arms were pinned at her sides with her back to his chest, her legs were free. Using the wall, Kacey shoved off it hard sending them to the floor once again. The other two 'Cons pounced on her and their comrade. This time when they all came up, Rumble and Skyshadow were holding Kacey.
"LET GO OF HER!" Leo suddenly screamed and took off running.
"NO…LEO…STOP!" I shouted even though there was no way in hell I could stop him!
"LEO NO!" Kacey herself shouted.
I watched and felt as helpless as Kacey as Leo went for Nitro's rifle. It looked too heavy and too big for Leo. He actually grunted when he lifted it up and took aim.
The Decepticons laughed at him.
"Look at the mini Autobot, he wants to play!" Skyshadow teased.
"LET HER GO OR I'LL SHOOT!" he growled at them.
"Just take care of the little fragger, Blitzwing," Rumble said.
"What do you think I'm doing you aft?!" Blitzwing snarled.
I literally held my breath in anticipation as the one called Blitzwing headed for Leo. My eyes scanned the room for anything to help. Kacey struggled in vain to free herself. And Leo…
Leo fired the rifle!
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed as I wasn't expecting him to shoot.
Unfortunately, because of Leo's size and the weight of the weapon, he only grazed the Decepticon's shoulder.
"STOP! DON'T HURT HIM!" Kacey screamed as the rifle was ripped from her little brother's hands.
The Decepticon kicked Leo hard to the ground, sending him across the floor.
"He hurt me, I only think its fair to hurt him back," Blitzwing sneered, walking over and yanking Leo up by his arm, letting him dangle in the air. "Shall I kill him now or later?"
"I'll make you a deal!" she quickly said, her optics locked onto her brother's.
Leo nodded at her, looking terrified. No doubt they were talking over their bond. Bumblebee told me how his species was able to do that.
"You've come for all the younglings, correct?" she pressed on. "I assume Megatron doesn't want any of them harmed as well. I know he doesn't like such precious commodity damaged."
"Go on."
"Do not harm the little one and do not take any of the younglings. I will go with you willingly."
They all laughed at her.
"And who are you to think you can bargain with a Decepticon, femme?" Rumble asked.
Kacey raised her head up, "I am Kaceystar, daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita-One. I am the successor Prime and I am far more valuable than all these younglings combined. And…I will make your lives a living hell if you do not take my offer."
Rumble and Skyshadow laughed.
"And she's pretty too," Skyshadow leered groping at Kacey's chest.
Kacey head butted him right on the nose.
"AH!" he cried out releasing her and grabbing his nose.
"DON'T THINK ABOUT IT FEMME!" Blitzwing shouted as Kacey kneed Rumble right in the crotch sending the Decepticon to the floor, grabbing himself.
Kacey froze at the sound of the rifle being primed. Blitzwing was pressing it right up against Leo's chest.
"YOU SLAGGIN FEMME! YOU BROKE MY NOSEPLATE!"
"WE GOT INCOMING!" Rumble suddenly shouted.
"Times up, do we have a deal?" Kacey asked.
Skyshadow punched Kacey hard across the face. Kacey retaliated but punching him back in the face. At the same time Blitzwing left Leo behind and was trying to get them to stop fighting by whatever he was saying in Cybertronian. Even Rumble tried to separate Skyshadow from Kacey only to get punched in the face from his own comrade!
"FOR PRIMUS SAKE! STOP!" Blitzwing shouted and shot Skyshadow in the ass.
"OW! What did you do that for?"
"Quit whining, it's only a burn mark. Rumble…"
"Fifty seconds…sensors indicated four Autobots…one is far ahead of the others."
"Slag, Thunderblast is not going to be happy we failed!" Blitzwing said, holding Kacey tight by one arm, Rumble now had the other. "We'll take the fragging femme! Best to not go back empty handed."
"NO!" Leo shouted charging towards them.
The gun fire and Kacey's desperate scream almost sounded at the same time. Skyshadow didn't hesitate to shoot down Leo. The youngling's small body was thrown backwards several yards before landing hard on the floor. There he lay…unmoving and bleeding heavily.
"Oops," Skyshadow snickered. "Oh well, one less Autobot to worry about in the future."
"GET THE IN THE HOLE!" Blitzwing ordered, shoving Skyshadow with his foot.
Kacey was glaring at him. If looks could kill Skyshadow would have exploding a dozen times and then his tiny pieces would have exploded too until nothing left of him was dust.
"What, femme?" he quipped.
"I promise you will die a most painful death," she said, sounding nothing like the sweet femme I'd come to know. "If you know me…then you know I'm a femme who keeps my promises."
"Whatever," Skyshadow snorted jumping down the hole.
I was able to see Kacey's face one last time before they all disappeared down the hole. Her eyes were fighting the tears as she looked at Leo one last time.
And then…they were gone.
"Galen!" I shouted, running over to where Leo laid.
Not sure what I was supposed to do, I pulled off jacket and tried to stop the flow of energon from the chest wound. He was still breathing from what I could feel. A good sign from what little I understand about transformer physiology.
"GALEN! I know who your father is! I know you have an idea of what to do to save Leo! Get your ass over here!"
The young mech got to his feet, grabbed the medical kit and hurried over. As I moved away I heard a familiar engineer roaring into the room. The tires screeched the vehicle to a halt and Bumblebee transformed into his robot mode.
"They just took her down the hole!" I shouted at Bumblebee.
"Are you ok?"
"We're good. Galen's taking care of Leo…GO!"
Bumblebee went straight for the hole and was getting ready to jump down. Only weapons fire erupted, forcing him to literally flop backwards onto his back with as fast as he had reacted.
My friend quickly recovered. He crouched low and was growling. The weapons fire paused.
One second passed. Nothing happened.
Two seconds passed. Still nothing.
On the third second, Bumblebee jumped down the hole and after the femme he loved.
Ironhide
When I heard Hound saying the younglings were under attack it took sheer will power to keep me from running the way Bumblebee did when he sprinted across the battle field faster than I'd ever scene him run. It was hardest for me because I could feel Sidewinder's fear through our bond. I didn't feel any emotions from Nitro which was odd because I always felt something from him.
Chromia calmed me and said she was going to see to our boys and the other younglings as soon as she ditched Wheeljack! I chuckled at her knowing full well she probably would too!
I trusted her like I trusted my fellow Autobots to protect what is most precious to us. It allowed me to do my duty not as Prime's weapons specialist but as Optimus' guardian. For when I arrived at Elita's side and saw her condition I knew he was going to need me now more than ever.
"Ratchet, we're going to need you here as soon as possible…its…its bad."
"So I've heard from Sockets. I'm prepping Moonracer so Wheeljack can start working on a few essential her repairs and will be there in two minutes. By the way…you're sparkmate busted Jack's audio receptor and flew the coup!"
"Just you get here…fast!"
"On my way!"
"ELITA!" Optimus shouted, barely slowing down as he arrived.
"No, no…Optimus wait! Let Sockets do his job!" I said, intercepting him and trying to hold Optimus back.
I was tossed aside like I was Leo's weight! It was a little startling. I was not an easy mech to move!
"RATCHET!! No…no…no…Elita…no…RATCHET!!!!"
"I can help her, Sir!" Sockets said after Optimus shoved him away.
"RATCHET!!!"
"Optimus! He's coming! Let Sockets do what he can for now!" I pleaded as Prowl and I tried to pull him away from Elita to give Sockets room.
The mech was out of his processor and actually looked like he was going through spark shock. Optics frantic. Hands shaking badly as he tried to stop the bleeding from Elita's abdominal armor. The hole was ghastly but repairable if tended to quickly. Still, it all depended on how much energon she lost and she lost a lot.
"NO!!" Optimus screamed, flinging Prowl off of him.
He tried to do the same thing to me but I latched onto him and wouldn't let him. Several other mechs all came over and helped me pin him to the ground. The combined weight of us finally held him down. And still he struggled.
Arms and legs thrashed. He growled and grunted loudly.
"OPTIMUS!!! SNAP OUT OF IT!" I finally yelled and punched him in the face.
His anger faded into complete surprise as he looked up at me. I felt his entire body slacken as all the fight left him. Then his surprise fell away even quicker into remorse…anguish…pain. With a nod at the others, they got up and moved away giving me the space I needed.
"You ok now?" I asked, helping him to up.
"I felt them die," he whimpered, tears filling his optics.
My first thought was his younglings and that terrified me.
"PROWL!"
"Hound is nearly to the younglings. I'm ordering Red Alert to go as quickly as he can."
Optimus' teary optics locked onto Elita. This time when he knelt beside her he did nothing to interfere with Sockets. His hand trembled as he caressed her cheek.
"I felt them die, Hide. I felt them die," he wept.
"Oh no!" Ratchet gasped having just arrived. "Sockets, work on her shoulder."
"Yes, Sir."
"Oh…slag…Optimus…I'm so sorry," my friend said, resting a hand on Optimus' shoulder for a brief moment before he started working on Elita.
"I felt them die, Ratch," Optimus said again.
This time I noticed how his optics were locked on Elita's stomach and it suddenly dawned on me.
"Was she…?" I started to ask Ratchet but couldn't finish because I was afraid of the answer.
"Yes, she was pregnant…two little femmes…fragging 'Cons. It's not enough for them to attempt to kill our femmes they have to kill our sparklings now too!"
'Chromia, you see a 'Con near those younglings you kill it!' I said to her over our bond.
'If they harm one nut or bolt on any of those younglings you know I will babe!' she said back. So in tune with each other, I felt her anger melt into worry for me and her friend. 'Hide, what's wrong? Is Elita ok?'
'Not sure yet. Ratchet's working on her now. They're so much energon. And worse…Chromia…she…her and Optimus were pregnant. Those fragging 'Cons killed their little sparks!'
"FRAG!!! SOCKETS GET BACK!" Ratchet shouted, shoving his subordinate aside. "CLEAR!"
Optimus' body literally jerked when Ratchet sent an energy pulse into Elita's chest. On instinct, I grabbed hold of him, holding his head against my chest. One to try and hold him incase he went berserk again, which he's been known to do during spark shock. And two, to comfort him through his pain.
"CLEAR!"
Each mech here knew our Prime well. Each mech knew our Prime would lay his life on the line for every single one of us. It's comforting to us to know we could be there for him when he needed his Autobots the most.
"CLEAR!"
Prowl came over, as did several mechs the instant Optimus started struggling against me and growling. I was not going to let go this time. He could rip my armor off for all I cared. None of us there cared for ourselves. The dings, scrapes, and dents could be repaired.
"CLEAR!"
Matters of the spark were not so easily repairable. In all my long life I've never encountered a mech or femme who's had to endure so much spark ache as Optimus has. Yet, through it all, he has always continued to be strong…for us.
"What more do you want of him?!" I bellowed the heaven's above. "Haven't you sacrificed enough today? If you need one more than take my life!"
"And mine," Prowl added.
I looked over at the mech. Like me he too was crying…for Optimus.
Bumblebee
The astrosecond I was in the base and clear of any wounded I transformed into my vehicle form and raced through the hallways. I swerved, even skidded around corners, doing anything possible to not slow down. I even beeped my horn at Sunny, Sides, and Hound to get out of my way even though they were all heading the same way I was.
The younglings and…Kacey.
My friends transformed behind me. I could hear their tires burning rubber as they accelerated. I pushed myself harder than I've ever pushed myself before, pulling away from them. I couldn't let anything happen to Kacey or the younglings. I still have not forgotten the duty Optimus charged me with all those years ago.
Eleven symbols of hope.
There are so many more than that now. I refuse to let hope die! I refuse to let anything happened to Kacey!
Sliding to a stop I quickly transformed and spotted Sam.
"They just took her down the hole!" he said, pointing. I didn't even need to ask who her was. I knew he was talking about Kacey.
"Are you ok?" I asked, noticing that Leo was badly damaged.
A part of me wanted to help him. The other part knew that his best help might be Kacey!
"We're good. Galen's taking care of Leo…GO!"
I trusted Sam. I knew Hound and the twins would be here in few moments to tend to Leo and the other younglings. With nothing to hold me back I went for the hole.
Slag!
The heat hit my face first making me jump back just before the plasma fire shot up out of the hole. All it did was fuel my rage! How dare they take Kacey?!
I readied myself for the right moment. And when the moment came, I didn't hesitate to dive head first into the hole and into the darkness. I quickly switched my vision to night time and checked my sensors. The bottom was coming up rapidly with no Decepticons detected directly below me.
There was just enough space that I was able to flip around and land heavily upon my feet. The first thing I saw was the cloak I gave Kacey lying in the dirt. Growling, my plasma gun transformed and I took aim down the tunnel and fired at the first Decepticon I spotted.
"Hurry up and get the femme out of here!"
"KACEY!!!" I called knowing she was the femme.
"BEE!!!"
I ran. I didn't think. I just ran. My weapon fired or I barreled over a Decepticon in my way. I only had one thought on my mind and was…
WHAM!
The Decepticon came from a side tunnel I didn't notice colliding with me. Sparks flew off my armor as he rammed me into the rocky tunnel wall. I was still so focused on getting to Kacey that I wasn't even dazed.
I threw my shoulder at him hard, knocking him off. Not wasting a moment, I charged, tackling him to the ground. My fists pounded him over and over. I could feel and hear his fingers clawing at my chest armor as he tried to defend himself.
"BEE! LOOKOUT!"
I landed face first in the dirt after another Decepticon kicked me off his comrade. Snarling, I scrambled to my feet and started to charge.
"STOP OR I'LL KILL HER!" A femme's voice shouted.
I skidded to a stop, panting. My systems so charged that I felt like I was going to burst if I didn't smash something. Regardless, I stood my ground as a couple of lights moved closer revealing the 'Cons and…
"Kacey…" I rasped, seeing her lovely face.
"I'm ok," she quickly said.
"We shall see," the femme growled yanking Kacey to the foreground and held a plasma gun to Kacey's head.
"Thunderblast," I breathed, finally recognizing the femme. "Interfaced you way to the top I see. We should have guessed that the spawn of Megatron's was yours as well. Only something so vial could have a mother as despicable as you!"
Thunderblast growled at me, looking furious.
"Thunderblast, we don't have time. Get rid of the slag!" a familiar mech's voice said.
"About time you joined us," she smirked and my optics widened upon seeing the who the mech was that had come up behind her. "Besides, I was just having a little fun."
"Don't look so surprised, Bumblebee," he smirked raising his arm. "Just make sure you give Optimus my sincerest regards…if you live that is."
He fired at me before I had a chance to react. The bullets penetrated my chest armor knocking me to my knees. I struggled to raise my arm to fire back. Only I couldn't as a barrage of laser fire knocked me onto my back.
In the midst of it all I heard Kacey screaming for me. All I could think of as the tunnel caved in on me was that I failed her. I failed the femme I loved more than life itself. I failed Optimus…I couldn't save…hope.
Kacey
I fought to not cry as Bumblebee was buried alive…or dead…I did not know. I didn't have sensors to tell me. Only I didn't have time to mourn my friend…my brother…frag…my mother. It would have to wait until later. If there was a later.
"Well, what do we have here?" the mech said. My spark stilled, I remember that voice from so long ago. I painful memory I've worked hard to get over. I turned to see him standing there with a crooked smirk on his faceplates, a leery look in his optics. "I'd recognized that energy signature anywhere." He stopped, gently grasping my face in his hand and turning it up towards him. "So beautiful too and almost fully grown now too."
I yanked my head away from his grasp. My reward was him pressing his armored body up hard against my vulnerable protoform and pinning me against the wall. I steeled up my courage and pushed him away with my chest.
"I thought you were dead!" I spat at him.
"Oh I was. But it seems Megatron couldn't do without me and had me brought back."
"You can have your fun later, Starscream," Thunderblast said roughly yanking me away and flung me against the other wall. I could feel the heat from her primed weapon as it pressed hard into my chest. "As for you, Kaceystar! I'm going to enjoy killing you slowly for fraggin up Megatron's plans!"
"Patience, Thunderblast," Starscream grinned evily, pulling the femme's weapon away. "Megatron won't want her damaged before he sees her. You never know. He might want to have some fun with her first before I get my shot."
Thunderblast growled and stormed off as the mechs laughed.
"As for you," Starscream growled, hauling me up to my feet. I resisted the urge to shudder when his hands and optics moved with sheer lust over my form. "I'm going to enjoy taking my revenge out on you for what Optimus did to me."
All my training with Prowl had paid off. I was able to keep my spark from racing with fear as he pulled me up against his body. Prowl told me anything and everything that he deemed necessary for my training. Even the unpleasantness of femmes or mechs being raped by their captors. Even though my interface systems weren't online, I knew I was still susceptible.
So, I did what I was taught to do!
I kneed Starscream hard in the crotch plate sending him down to the ground howling in pain. I took advantage of the fact that no one was holding me and made a run for it. Only I didn't get far. I was tackled from behind. I kicked, punched, did anything I could to try and get the heavy weight off me.
"Pick her up!" Thunderblast yelled and I was wrenched up by two mechs to face the angry Decepticon femme. "This will make you more compliant!"
The pain in my neck was brief when she jabbed me with the syringe. After that I was powerless to stop my systems from shutting down one by one. Before succumbing to a forced recharged my last thoughts were of Leo, my mother and Bumblebee…I didn't know if they were alive or dead.
All I could feel was father's anguish.
Up next: We'll find out how much devastation the Decepticons caused for the Autobots and for Optimus.