Chapter 4: Heatwave's Plan

In a matter of minutes, Blurr and the rest of the Crown City Bots had Ground-Bridged to the Academy, having been summoned by Bumblebee per Heatwave's instructions. Heatwave, Bumblebee, and Grimlock were waiting by the Ground Bridge when they arrived.

"What's the sitch, Bee?" Blurr asked.

"It's Hot Shot." Bumblebee replied. "He's been kidnapped."

"What?!" Sideswipe gasped.

"That's terrible!" added Strongarm.

"Who would dare commit such an atrocity as this?" finished Drift.

"Madeline Pynch, an old enemy of mine and the rest of my team." said Heatwave.

"What was the motive?" asked Strongarm.

"Apparently, it's revenge." said Grimlock.

"It is indeed." nodded Heatwave. "Revenge for ruining her "Pynch Cell" venture all those years ago."

Heatwave then went on to explain what Madeline had demanded from the Rescue Bots in exchange for Hot Shot's return.

"You're not really going to give this "Madeline Pynch" what she demands in exchange for your son, are you?" asked Jetstorm.

"In a way, yes." said Heatwave. "Along with something a little extra. However, what she won't know is that the energon I'll be giving her won't be real."

"How so?" asked Slipstream.

"You'll see later." said Heatwave. "For right now, let's go into my office to discuss how we're going to rescue my son."

"Of course." nodded Drift.

And that's what they did.

"Alright, what's the plan, Heatwave?" asked Sideswipe.

"Me and Bumblebee will bring Madeline the so-called "energon" ourselves." said Heatwave. "And when she grabs the stuff, that will be your cue."

"Sounds simple enough." said Blurr. "Say, what about Quickshadow and the rest of the Rescue Bots? Will they be joining us, too?"

"No." said Heatwave. "I don't know who Madeline hired to kidnap my son for her, but whoever it is, it's probably someone much more dangerous than any other foe we've dealt with in the past. I don't want any of them getting hurt or worse, so that's why I'll be the only Rescue Bot who will be going on this mission."

"Makes sense to me." said Sideswipe. "But what I want to know is who exactly kidnapped our little friend. Maybe it was Steeljaw and his Pack?"

"Maybe." shrugged Bumblebee. "I doubt it, though. I mean, Steeljaw and his gang haven't been very active lately."

"Even so, we have to be ready for anything." said Heatwave. "That's why I'd like you guys to join me instead of the rest of the Rescue Bots."

"We will be by your side for the entirety of this campaign, Heatwave." said Slipstream.

"And that is a solid promise." added Jetstorm.

"I could not have worded that any better myself." smiled Drift.

"We're with you, Captain." said Blurr.

"Thanks, guys." said Heatwave. "This really means a lot to me."

"Hey, don't mention it, Heatwave." said Grimlock.

"Yeah, we care about Hot Shot just about as much as you do." added Bumblebee.

"So, when do we actually go save him?" asked Sideswipe.

"Three days from now." said Heatwave. "Because I need time to prepare my little surprise for Madeline."

"Understood." nodded Drift. "Just say the word and we shall be there."

"You got it." said Heatwave.

And with that, Blurr, Sideswipe, Strongarm, Drift, Slipstream, Jetstorm, and Fixit left to go back to Crown City. Bumblebee and Grimlock then looked at Heatwave.

"What's this "surprise" you've got for Madeline?" asked Bumblebee.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Heatwave replied.

"Good point." Bumblebee chuckled.

"Well, in any case, she definitely won't see it coming." said Heatwave. "You can bet on it."

"Oh, we will." said Bumblebee.

Meanwhile, back at the Pynch Compound, Hot Shot, who was still in his bonds, was gazing up at the ceiling in his prison. The Mercenaries were elsewhere at this point, so he was alone, lost in his thoughts.

"I really hope Dad and the others will be coming to get me soon..." he sighed sadly.

Just then, Hot Shot heard a beeping, and he managed to get a glimpse of his arm which was flashing a warning light in the form of a battery. Seeing this caused Hot Shot a great deal of concern.

"Make that real soon." he went on. "I'm starting to run low on energon. Oh, please, hurry, Dad! Please!"

End Of Chapter 4