A/N:PLEASE READ!

Surprise 600 word chapter. Why? I couldn't condense this into 100 words, that's why. *Shakes head* I epic failed at it.

I'm also going to use this as a fact reminder/clarify-er in case some of you forgot some things that I've mentioned, or didn't fully understand it to begin with.

1) This all occurs before the episode "Scrapheap" in Transformers: Prime, season one.

2) I have only seen season one and I have no idea as to what happens afterwords. Therefore, I have my own plot planned out and I can guarantee that it strays from cannon. I'll be making this as original as possible, so heads up.

3) I've never mentioned this before, but I grew up on the G1 cartoon, and I'm much more familiar with terminology/facts from that show than I am with Prime, so I'll be taking quite a bit of my material from G1. If it contradicts what is said at some point in the Prime series, then WHOOPS. Please don't try to get me to change it.

4) Knock Out has NOT reported to the Nemesis yet, because I don't think he ever becomes the official Decepticon Medic until after the episode "Deus Ex Machina" in season one. He and Breakdown are currently roaming Earth, checking out the sights and investigating Energon Deposits for shits and giggles.

5) I haven't mentioned this either, but I'm stating it now; Marian will NOT become a Cybertronian/Transformer. She's a human, and will remain a human. Science says "NO." when it comes to a human becoming another species (gender doesn't count), and since I would like this story to be as real as possible, I will be sticking to my decisions. She was born human, thus she will stay that way.

6) I do have holiday oneshots and milestone specials typed up and ready to post, but if I released them now, they would spoil things that have yet to occur in the official story, so I'm keeping oneshots/specials hostage until a certain point in the story. They'll eventually be posted in their own little "story"

7) The OC from my other story "I Like You (I Love You)" will make a temporary appearance in this story AFTER I catch that story up. Which I need to get done, like, NOW. XD

8) Marian is Twenty-Seven years old and is a bit overweight!

9) Sometime, I'll whip up a picture of Marian so you all can see what she looks like, but it'll have to wait until I get my computer back because if I tried using my drawing tablet on my brother's laptop, it would explode after telling me to "Eff off."

10) This is still a drabble (100 words per chapter) series, and I still have no update schedule. V_V

Sorry for that long bit. I hope I cleared up any questions you may or may not have had! Please enjoy~!

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime, just the random OCs and plot rainbows I barf out.

Chapter 101: "Woe!" Says the Medic

When Optimus returned to the Autobot base with four distraught children, Ratchet knew something was horribly wrong.

Raf was the first to exit the cab, immediately running to Bumblebee, who had arrived moments before the Prime after said leader had sent out a comm ordering all Autobots back to headquarters. Jack was next, heading towards his own guardian at a much more subdued pace and Arcee quickly knelt next to him in an attempt to offer comfort, though none of them knew what happened to upset the children. The normally energetic Miko shuffled out, turning and lifting a silently sobbing Honey out of the Semi and carried her towards Bulkhead solemnly.

That alone had the Medic double-taking; he could have sworn the seven-year old didn't like the Japanese teen.

Optimus took his time transforming to his bipedal form, and once he did, the obvious look of shame and worry was plastered on his faceplates. "Ms. Padauk has been taken by an unknown Decepticon mech."

The words made Honey wail loudly, clinging to Miko like a monkey.

"How did they manage that?" Arcee questioned, standing to her full height.

"The Decepticon was hiding in a cavern rich in minerals that effectively hid him from my scanners." He vented a sigh, shaking his head, "I was caught off guard, and she is now in captivity because of my carelessness."

"C'mon Optimus, it was an honest mistake." Jack piped up, "It shouldn't be too hard to track the Decepticon down and get her back."

"Easier said than done." Ratchet moved over to the control panels near the Ground Bridge, "Since the Decepticon is one we're not familiar with, it will be harder to get a read on his unique signal." As if to prove his point, fifty red dots appeared on the screen, all near the state of Nevada and there were scattered red dots throughout the United States, "These are lone Decepticons that are showing up on our radar. Was the Decepticon a flyer?"

The Prime moved closer, "Negative."

"Then he's limited to traveling on the ground, and I doubt Starscream would allow usage of a Ground Bridge for a lone Decepticon, so that takes these-" All dots outside of Nevada disappeared. "Out of the equation. Now, where abouts was she taken?" Optimus pointed to a small mountain range near the center of Nevada, "So that eliminates these-" More dots disappeared. "Which leaves approximately thirty possibilities, if the Decepticon we're looking for hasn't found a hiding spot that would jam his frequencies and if he hasn't manually jammed his own frequency."

"Okay, so it's going to be a process of elimination." Jack gave a nervous laugh. "We can do this... Right?"

"Bulkhead, Arcee, Bumblebee." The trio immediately stood at attention, "We will return to the scene in an attempt to find anything that will aid us in narrowing our choices. Ratchet, send briefing packets to alert us to what we should be looking for and remain with the children."

"We're going too!" Miko exclaimed loudly, "We can't just sit around here!"

"No." She backed off instantly at the strained tone in Optimus's voice, "I will not risk a Decepticon taking one of you as well." He turned away from them, pausing before transforming back into his vehicle mode, "Autobots; roll out."

Thus, Ratchet was left behind to deal with four kids and he grimaced at the sound of Honey's cries as Optimus drove away.

This would not be pleasant.