This fic is courtesy of me and Sentinel Prime/StarscreamSkydancer and I only own my OCs.
Disclaimer: Transformers belongs to Hasbro/Michael Bay.
A week and a few days later, Sentinel had been recovering well while the Autobots ensured the safety of the NEST members' relatives. It seemed that the elder Prime would be ready to fight again within the next couple of days. However, they couldn't find any sign of the Patriarch Syndicate headquarters.
At the moment, after breakfast, Bailey left Sentinel's quarters after putting on her boots and searched the hall until she found Simmons.
"Hey, Simmons," called Bailey, "are you available?"
"What do you need?" asked Simmons.
"I did some research on the members of the Patriarch Syndicate," explained Bailey, "and I found that one of the members lives in DC and goes to this Russian bar in the morning. I was thinking maybe we could go there and find this guy so we can tag him. That way, he can locate the headquarters for us without even knowing it."
"I've taught you well, young Padawan," smiled Simmons, "when should we go?"
"I was thinking of leaving as soon as we find Akane," answered Bailey.
"Turn around and you'll find her," advised Simmons.
"Huh?" paused Bailey.
Bailey turned her head until she noticed Akane behind her.
"Oh, Akane," warbled Bailey, "what a surprise!"
"I got the message," replied Akane.
"So," asked Simmons, "what do we do and when?"
"Do you really want me to repeat what I just told you a moment ago?" groaned Bailey.
"We find one of the members and place a tracer on him," recited Akane, "and then let him lead us to the headquarters of the Patriarch Syndicate."
"Good," smiled Bailey, "let's go!"
Bailey led Akane and Simmons through the hallway until they reached the hangar, where they found Prowl.
"Hey, Prowl," called Bailey, "could you take us to this Russian bar in DC? We're looking for someone there."
"Oh, good," nodded Prowl, "an excuse to get away from Double Trouble. Sure."
"And maybe you could bring along Smokescreen and Mirage as backup?" added Bailey.
"Got it," answered Prowl.
Once Prowl, Bailey, Simmons and Akane stepped out of the hangar, Smokescreen and Mirage joined up with them.
"So," asked Mirage, "where are we going?"
"Prowl says it's some Russian place in DC," answered Smokescreen.
"Oh, ok," nodded Mirage.
Prowl, Smokescreen and Mirage transformed into their alternate modes, allowing Bailey, Akane and Simmons to hop into Prowl. The three Autobots drove out of the base and down the road. It was only a long while before they finally reached a bar.
"Is this the place?" asked Smokescreen.
"Definitely," nodded Bailey.
"So, what do we do?" asked Mirage.
"We keep an optic out for Decepticons," answered Prowl, "that's what we do."
"Ok," announced Bailey, "we're going in."
Bailey, Simmons and Akane hopped out of Prowl's alternate mode and stepped into the bar. After they found a table to sit at, Bailey pulled out a photograph out of her handbag and glanced around the room while holding the photo in front of her. Eventually…
"I found him," whispered Bailey, pointing at a man sitting at a booth, "over there."
"Hand me the tracer," requested Simmons, "I'll go place the tracer on him."
Akane pulled the tracer out of her pocket and handed it to Simmons.
"I'll be back," assured Simmons.
Simmons stood up and approached the man with the tracer in his hand, catching his attention.
"Can I help you, sir?" asked the man.
"Special Agent Seymour Simmons," replied Simmons, "and you are Mr. Douglas Hamilton, yes?"
"Yeah," nodded Douglas, "how did you know my name?"
"We found your name mentioned in articles and exchanges regarding a Patriarch Syndicate," answered Simmons, "sound familiar?"
"Uh, yeah," admitted Douglas, "feminists are a joke."
"May I ask why you joined a group that includes members known for criminal activity," interrogated Simmons, "some of whom are rotting in federal prisons right now? Or were you previously unaware of this fact?"
"How are members of the Patriarch Syndicate criminals?" objected Douglas, "we're doing justice for men by putting women back into the kitchen. I was thinking of going to the nearest Crisis Pregnancy Center tomorrow, so I can help persuade those pregnant whores to keep their crack babies."
"There are some more extremist members who have mile-long records of violent sex crimes against women, as well as abuse," explained Simmons, "and quite a few gruesome murders, in which the victims were females or feminist males. While I can see the group encouraging this, I would strongly urge them to remember my buddies, the government, and also to remember that such acts are highly illegal in the US, and that a judge and jury aren't going to favor what appears to be an extremist group."
Simmons gave Douglas a pat on the back, placing the tracer underneath his collar.
"Just tell them to keep that in mind," advised Simmons.
Douglas didn't say anything, even when Simmons returned to the table where Bailey and Akane were sitting.
"So you did it?" asked Bailey in a quiet voice.
"Yeah," nodded Simmons, "I think the stats rattled him some."
"Let's wait until he leaves," suggested Akane, "then we can take the Autobots and go scope the place out."
While Bailey, Akane and Simmons began staring at Douglas, a waiter passed by.
"Good morning," smiled the waiter, "can I take your order for drinks?"
"Uh," stammered Bailey, "no thanks."
"Same here," added Akane.
"I'll just have an ice water," requested Simmons.
Satisfied, the waiter left.
"So, Bailey," asked Simmons, "how's Sentinel doing?"
"He's doing ok," answered Bailey, "Ratchet said that he should finish his recovery in a few days."
"That's good," replied Simmons, "I don't know how he stays still for so long with no action. I couldn't do it."
A few minutes later, the waiter returned with a glass of iced water and set it onto the table. After the waiter left, Simmons drank from it. They all waited for several minutes until Bailey noticed Douglas answering his smart phone.
"Yes?" said Douglas, "ah, I see. Not to worry, I will be there shortly."
Douglas hung up, stood from his table after placing a few dollar bills near his glass. He then exited the building.
"Ok," announced Bailey, "now's our chance."
"Let's go," replied Akane.
"Prowl's out front," added Simmons, "let's track this creep down."
After making the payment for the drink, Bailey, Akane and Simmons stepped outside of the bar and noticed Douglas hopping into his sports car before taking off. They hopped into Prowl's alternate mode and buckled up.
"All right," announced Prowl, "I have a visual on him. Smoke, Mirage, stay with me in case the whole group is working with Decepticons."
"You got it, sir," nodded Smokescreen.
Prowl, Smokescreen and Mirage followed the sports car down the road until they reached a massive building. They could see Douglas park his car before he hopped out and stepped towards the building.
"Say," paused Bailey, "is that the building Dylan works at?"
"Looks like it," nodded Akane, "maybe Saburou is here, too."
"Anyone picking up any Cons?" asked Prowl.
"I can't find any on my radar," answered Mirage.
"Keep an eye out," advised Prowl, "let's find any possible points of weakness in this place and report it to Optimus."
"Should I call the police for this matter?" asked Bailey.
"No," answered Prowl, "that just means we'd have to explain who we are."
"Ok," nodded Bailey.
"All right," announced Akane, "we're going in."
"Call us if you need backup," advised Prowl.
Bailey, Akane and Simmons hopped out of Prowl's alternate mode before sauntering into the building. There, they could see Vehicons packing up technology into crates.
"Oh, shit," muttered Bailey, "this is not good."
"Tell Prowl and the others," instructed Simmons, "the Cons are definitely here."
Bailey sprinted outside while Akane and Simmons began searching the building, catching the crewmembers' and Vehicons' attention.
"What was that," exclaimed a Vehicon, "who's there?"
Akane and Simmons were stopped by a man wearing a blazer.
"What brings you two here?" asked the man.
"Who's the head of this place?" interrogated Simmons.
"That would be Dylan Gould," answered the man.
"Then that's who we're here to speak to," replied Akane.
A few moments after the man left, Dylan showed up.
"Are you the creep running this joint?" asked Simmons.
"I don't know about creeps," replied Dylan, "but how can I help you?"
"Where is Saburou?" demanded Akane.
"Tell him we want to have a little chat with him," added Simmons.
"Oh," answered Dylan, "I have heard of him, but he's not here."
"Where can we find this guy, then?" insisted Simmons.
"I don't know," answered Dylan.
"Well," advised Simmons, "next time you see him, tell him. Now then, on a totally unrelated note, what connection do you have with Miss Bailey Hanson?"
"You mean TigerFang77? I only remember meeting her at JCPenney," replied Dylan.
"Do you make a habit of stalking and hitting on women like her?" interrogated Simmons, "she said you wanted to hire her. For what, may I ask?"
"I was thinking of hiring her for kitchen duties," answered Dylan, "so she can stop playing video games and start making sandwiches for our crew."
"You're despicable," snarled Akane.
"Why would she do that?" objected Simmons, "she's on the verge of starting her own game company, which she would actually get paid for. You didn't think she'd work for no pay, did you?"
"Really?" scoffed Dylan, "how can a girl run a company based on designing video games? That's a man's job!"
"It's called a capitalist economy," clarified Simmons, "Doesn't matter whether a man or a woman makes it, if people are buying it, you've got a company. Women can do anything men can do. That's how things work here in the 21st century, so get your head out of the 1500s."
Simmons and Akane turned to leave, but Simmons made one last glance at Dylan.
"Oh, by the way," continued Simmons, "guess what company most of everything you're using in here can be somehow traced back to? That's right, Prior Enterprises."
Simmons and Akane sauntered towards the exit of the building.
"I hope Sentinel kicks that guy's ass to Cybertron and beyond," muttered Simmons.
Suddenly, a couple of Vehicons blocked their path before they could exit the building.
"Out of the way," yelled Akane, "you bastards!"
"Shit!" exclaimed Simmons.
Simmons was about to call Prowl, but he saw the Autobot Second in Command smash through the building and shoot the Vehicons in the heads.
"Looks like I got here just in time," instructed Prowl, "Mirage, Smoke, there's more where these two came from. Clean them out, will you?"
Smokescreen and Mirage entered the building and began taking out the Vehicons, much to the dismay of the crewmembers and Dylan, who just rushed into the lobby.
"What do you think you're doing?" protested Dylan, "those are our clients!"
"Decepticon scum!" shouted Mirage.
"Foiled again," added Smokescreen, "you little fraggers!"
Smokescreen and Mirage continued to shoot the Vehicons, careful not to harm the humans.
"We're cleaning up some trash," answered Prowl, "I know you humans don't like littering."
"You're the ones doing the littering!" countered Dylan.
"No," corrected Mirage, "we're clearing out Deceptiscrap."
Smokescreen took out the last Vehicon.
"That's the last of them, Prowl," reported Smokescreen.
"Good," nodded Prowl, "we're heading back and reporting this to Optimus."
"Yes, sir," acknowledged Smokescreen and Mirage in unison.
Prowl, Smokescreen and Mirage exited the building while carrying Simmons and Akane, where Bailey was waiting outside. Prowl lowered them to the ground before they transformed into their alternate modes. Bailey, Simmons and Akane entered Prowl's alternate mode before the Autobots drove out of the parking lot.
"Well," commented Simmons, "that went well."
"But we still haven't found Saburou," reminded Akane.
"Maybe he's with the Decepticons?" assumed Bailey.
"Yeah," agreed Simmons, "maybe he's with Megatron at the Cons' base."
"Do you think we should try infiltrating their warship?" asked Bailey.
"We'll have to find it, first," answered Prowl, "let's see what Optimus says."
"Ok," nodded Bailey.
Bailey peered out the window and noticed three black SUVs following Prowl, Mirage and Smokescreen on the highway.
"Guys," called Bailey, "I think someone's following us."
"You go, Prowl," advised Smokescreen, "Mirage and I will take care of this."
"I'll bet it's the damn Dreads," added Mirage.
"I'll get us an advantage," replied Prowl.
Prowl activated his com-link.
"Prowl to base," called Prowl, "calling for backup."
"What seems to be the problem?" asked Ironhide over the com-link.
"We're being tailed by what appears to be the Dreads," answered Prowl, "I have the humans, and I figured I'd get some backup for Smokescreen and Mirage, just to be safe. I'll give the details later."
"All right, then," nodded Ironhide over the com-link, "I'll help with the pest control."
"Bring some friends with you," advised Prowl, "anyone looking for some fun."
Prowl soon ended the call, hoping that the Dreads would soon be taken out.