As they drive back to where the tyre tracks were first found, Optimus was hoping that they would be able to find Mech before they could do permanent damage to Breakdown. While Breakdown was a decepticon, he knew that Breakdown did not deserve what was being done to him. Even Megatron wouldn't deserve it if he was held down on the chopping block, as Optimus knew the danger that it poses to the autobots, decepticons and humans. He doubted they would stop Mech completely today, but slowing them down was the objective, along with saving Breakdown from certain doom if they do nothing.

As they reach back to where Bumblebee had located the tyre marks, he transformed suddenly, surprising the other bots, as Bumblebee skidded to a stop and looked at the ground in surprise. Arcee, Ratchet and Optimus transform as they were not sure why Bumblebee had stopped suddenly, as they were about to follow the tyre marks. But Bumblebee likely spotted something else, which was why he stopped.

"Bumblebee, why did you stop suddenly and force us all to stop?" Ratchet asked the scout with a frown, irritated that Bumblebee had stopped so suddenly. He looked around their surroundings curiously, though he saw nothing that concerned him. "I do not see any danger around us at this time. Did you detect something?"

Bumblebee rolled his optics and points to the ground. "Fresh tyre marks." Optimus looked at the ground and Bumblebee was correct. "But they are different. They look like Bulkhead's tyre marks. Did he send a message that he was coming and we didn't hear because of the explosion before?"

Optimus frowned as seeing the tyre marks, Bumblebee was right. These were Bulkhead's tyre marks. "I did not hear him." He hummed softly and saw the tyre marks followed the other marks that they had seen before. "If Bulkhead did arrive without informing us, it seems he has gone to engage Mech on his own."

"That is not good," Arcee said as her expression turned to worry and looked at Optimus. "Should we reach out to him and see if he is still in the base or follow the tracks right now as…" Arcee paused as they heard the echoes of shots being fired in the distance, along with revs of engines and sound of helicopters. "Well, scrap. I hope they're shooting at decepticons."

"I am detecting Bulkhead's signal as well, and it seems he is here, and in the same vicinity as the fighting." Ratchet had checked Bulkhead's signal, and he was not at the base. "It would seem he has changed his mind. Though it was extremely foolish of Bulkhead to not inform us he was coming, as he has now done something more foolish than taking on Breakdown on his own."

Optimus narrowed his optics as he heard explosions in the distance, while listening to Ratchet. "We need to ensure that Breakdown is freed from Mech, and hope that Bulkhead will not land himself in their hands before we reach him. Let's roll!" He transformed and sped in the direction of the firefight.

Ratchet sighed deeply, worried that things might not go so well, but he transformed along with Arcee and Bumblebee to follow Optimus. He was also worried about how Mech will respond to realizing that Optimus was carrying a sparkling. They would not be stupid, considering Optimus was not carrying during the train incident. Though Ratchet could really only hope that Optimus could be kept away from Mech. Optimus was a strong bot, but carrying a sparkling also takes energy from the carrier, and manoeuvrability, which means Optimus is burdened in a sense. But Mech has already shown how relentless they were, and that they were not shy in dishing out torture, so he hoped Optimus would not find himself on the table like Breakdown.

"Bulkhead to Optimus, rendezvous to my coordinates." Optimus was relieved to hear Bulkhead's voice, though he could hear the shots and explosions through the com link, confirming what was happening on the other side. "I'm in need of back up!"

"We are on our way, Bulkhead!" Optimus responded to Bulkhead immediately. "Stand your ground, Bulkhead, and do not allow them any opportunity to capture you."

Optimus did not know how extreme the circumstances were at this time, but as they sped through the abandoned area, they were able to observe a lot of activity on their scanners. It did seem Bulkhead and Breakdown were able to shoot down some of the helicopters, but more would appear, and it was unknown just how many of Mech's soldiers were here. But that did not matter, so long as they could stop Mech from taking another Cybertronian, no matter who it was.

Ratchet himself was even more worried the closer they got to the fighting. He could see just how extreme the shots and explosions were at this time, and he would hope that they wouldn't be in for a long fight against the humans. Bulkhead and Breakdown might be able to hold themselves fine against the humans, but given how many vehicles and aircraft there was shooting at them, it was hard to tell.

"It seems like Silas always has a large army prepared wherever he goes," Arcee commented as she observed the fight ahead of them. "I actually wonder how many of his men have worked in the military, or are working for the military. Mech wouldn't have known about the Dingus that day without some sort of internal information."

"It is deeply concerning the amount of men Silas has been able to recruit to his side. However, so did Megatron. I fear if Mech gains more power, this planet will have themselves a leader under Silas's iron first." Optimus did know that Fowler would deep to do some internal investigations to make sure that Silas did not have any men on the inside, but that would remain to be seen. "There does seem to be a big difference between the motives of both Silas and Megatron, that we can agree on. We all know Megatron's motivation, even if he caused a war to the whole of Cybertron."

"We are all fully aware, Optimus." Ratchet remembered it extremely well, and it was something he wished never happened, but they could not change the past. They could only influence the future. "The only thing we know is that Mech are searching for the most advanced technology to be ahead of everyone else in the world. And that is based on our first meeting, and we know nothing of his past."

"We at least can guess he used to work for the military. Something clearly has made him decide to go rogue and turn against this world. I am unsure if information about him can be found." Bumblebee wasn't wrong. They all had guessed that Silas was an ex-military person, due to his experience, but they were not sure what the reason would have been for him to leave and go rogue. "Though I doubt knowing the past will help much."

"It will not. It will only explain his motives," Optimus responded, before grunting a little upon feeling another kick. "Ugh…and it seems Azura is going through something as well in her dream…which is a little distracting."

"And you still want to proceed?" Ratchet questioned the leader in a blunt tone. "As you have been distracted this whole time with your concern for Azura, Optimus, maybe you should fall back and let us take the lead. I do not think your mind is clear for this right now, Optimus."

"I will be fine, Ratchet. I would regret not helping and finding out that Bulkhead has been captured or terminated when it could have been prevented if I were present at the time. So no, Ratchet. While it is true my mind is concerned for Azura, I am focused on saving Bulkhead. If I do feel I need to fall back, I will contact base to have Rafael open the bridge for me." Ratchet hoped Optimus would follow through with that, because he certainly believed that it could happen.

Though as Ratchet was about to respond, his scanners picked up something else, and he gasped loudly. "Scrap! I am detecting a group of decepticons closing in fast! It seems Megatron has finally decided to assist Breakdown."

"Oh, great! More trouble!" Arcee groaned loudly as they got closer to the fighting. They all then noticed that Mech was retreating, as they could see the helicopters flying away, and the last of the vehicles speeding away. "Seems like Mech noticed them too."

"Not even Mech are foolish to face a group of Cybertronian warriors," Optimus commented as he observed Mech's retreat. "However, Bulkhead is not out of danger. He might have assisted Breakdown, but he is unlikely to receive mercy or respect for his actions, no matter how honourable the choice was."

Knowing that, the autobots sped through the abandoned town as quickly as they could. It was unknown if it was Megatron who had arrived, or if Starscream was sent to assist Breakdown. It did not matter. They all knew the stakes at this time, and they were not able to fly over the buildings, so they could only move between the buildings as quickly as they could without causing damage to the land and buildings. Being abandoned, it was unknown how stable the buildings were.

They did know if the decepticons did decide to turn and fight them, it could turn into quite the disaster for the area. But the autobots would have to defend themselves and protect Bulkhead, as he likely would have damage to his body from Mech shooting at him. And now they had to deal with the decepticons on top of that, which was simply adding to the problem they were facing. They could only face it head on at this time.

"We are almost there. I count at least half a dozen decepticons, so it's a small squadron," Bumblebee stated while taking notice of the scanners. They all hear the sound of metal clangs and punches as they get closer. "Bulkhead's bringing the hurt!"

"But he still needs our help!" Arcee snapped back at Bumblebee, speeding around a building and spotting the ground of decepticons. He saw Bulkhead was swinging Breakdown around and had thrown him at the vehicons and Starscream. "Looks like Starscream was sent here. He isn't dead after all."

Optimus made no comment as he transformed and armed his canon. Arcee and Bumblebee transform with their weapons ready, and Ratchet transformed last, arming his swords ready to fight. They run towards Bulkhead, and the autobots began to shoot at the decepticons as Bulkhead was ready to fight the entire squad on his own, but now that Bulkhead had his backup, the decepticons were thrown off.

However, Starscream stared at Optimus in surprise as his optics glance at Optimus's abdomen. "What in the name of…" Starscream ducked as a blaster fire flew over his head and he huffed loudly. "Well, well, well. It seems something has happened to the young sparkling since we last met, huh? I will be sure to inform Lord Megatron of this news. He will be delighted!" He chuckled before he turned and gestured to the decepticons. "Retreat!"

They watch as Starscream and the vehicons transform before they flew away, knowing that they would be destroyed, even though Starscream would certainly try and annoy Optimus to see how agile he is while carrying. They don't manage to shoot any of the decepticons down as they fly away, but that was okay. They chased the decepticons away from Bulkhead and Breakdown, so they still achieved what they wanted.

Optimus looked at Breakdown, and he saw that the decepticon has really gone through a lot. Bulkhead was banged up too. Though Breakdown ignored the autobots as he stood on his feet, and swung his fist at Bulkhead as he ran by the autobot before he transformed and sped away, leaving the autobots on their own, and the autobots were able to see the damage around them, as there were vehicles and helicopters burning on the ground, along with bodies of Mech's soldiers.

Though even though that Mech and the decepticons were gone, Optimus was certainly not pleased that Bulkhead had decided to take them on, on his own. He would have welcomed Bulkhead to join them no problem, but Bulkhead clearly was not thinking properly, which could have resulted badly. Now Bulkhead needed medical treatment, and Optimus would have to wait a little longer before attempting to see in Azura's dream.

"Bulkhead…" The wrecker flinched hearing his leader's disappointed tone. "Engaging the enemy on your own was even more foolish this time." Bulkhead sighed a little, glancing towards the burning cars nearby without a word. Optimus looked at the damage around them before his expression softened a little. "But I am honoured you saw fit to rescue your rival. You have truly risen above yourself."

Bulkhead smiled and looked at Optimus, happy that Optimus was not completely mad at him. "Did you see? I beat Breakdown and bashed them all with his own hammer! I won the rematch!"

Bumblebee and Arcee glanced at each other in surprise, before Arcee rolled her optics. "I'm sure Miko would be proud. Though you do know you could have been scrap metal if Mech got a good hit on you?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Bulkhead turned to Optimus as he calmed down. "It won't happen again, Optimus. Next time, I will make sure to inform you when I decide to join in on something like this in the future." He glanced at Optimus's abdomen and his expression turned to guilt. "Now Megatron will find out about this."

"He was bound to learn of it sooner than later. Even though I do believe Megatron will likely allow it to happen." Optimus rubbed his abdomen gently as he relaxed his body. "Though I do hope that there won't be a next time. And you need to find yourself in the medical bay."

"And there will be no ifs or buts about it!" Ratchet added bluntly as he looked at Bulkhead sternly, and the wrecker just shrugged with a nod. "Alright…" The medic opened his com link to base. "Rafael, we request a ground bridge at our location. The mission has been successful."

"That's good!" The boy responded happily, and a few moments after that, the bots see the vortex opening beside them. "I hope no one got hurt. Um…I hope Bulkhead was able to catch up with you."

"He did, just not as it was intended," Optimus responded as he waited for Bulkhead and Ratchet to walk through the vortex before him. The medic made sure that Bulkhead walked in before him, so he could follow to the med bay.

"At least it didn't end badly today," Arcee said as she walked up to Optimus, and the leader nodded. "On the bright side, it would seem we managed to avoid Mech, and they won't know about Azura."

"I agree." Optimus walked towards the vortex with Arcee and Bumblebee with a smile, lowering his face plate now that the danger had past. "However, I am unsure how often we will encounter Mech. Now that we know they use bait tactics, we are going to have to be even more cautious going forward." Arcee and Bumblebee both nod as they understood, walking through the vortex, and looking ahead as they saw Miko running towards the med bay with a happy expression. "While I know everyone is thinking of me and Azura, but I am thinking of all of us, Arcee. You can't just focus on me even though I am carrying my daughter."

Arcee smirked at her leader and shrugged. He was right, as they all should be worried about each other, but all of them knew that Optimus needed them more than he thinks at this time. "We are fully aware, Optimus. That is why we are all one big team. And hopefully, Ratchet won't take long with Bulkhead."

"While I am feeling eager to find out what is causing Azura distress, Arcee, I am fully aware that Bulkhead could have damage to him that requires aid. Ratchet also does not overlook anything or take shortcuts when it comes to medical needs. You already know that." Optimus smiled at the boys who were watching them and Optimus turned to head to the energon storeroom. "And as such, Ratchet should take the full precaution of treating Bulkhead. I am certain that by the end of the day, I will have my answer regarding Azura."

"I hope so." Arcee watched Optimus walk away as her expression changed into amusement. "But in the meantime, it seems like you are going to raid the energon supplies…" Optimus stood and looked over his shoulder at Arcee who chuckled, as did Bumblebee and the two boys. "I won't stop you, Prime. But I guess I should not be surprised. We were not even gone very long and you already need to fill your tank." Optimus smiled in amusement at her and continued to walk. "I know, you are carrying, so it is fine."

"He seems to be in a better mood than he was earlier," Fowler commented as he watched in amusement. He looked at Arcee as he walked over to the railing. "I don't suppose you mind telling me what went down out there? I feel like I should be informed, as I need to do a lot of investigating, and hope that we can catch Mech before they do something else."

Arcee shook her head. "Not at all, Fowler. While Ratchet and Optimus are keeping themselves busy for the moment, I think we can spare a moment. That way you can be on your way and proceed to sort things out with your leaders to proceed regarding Mech."

Fowler was pleased with that, and Arcee proceeded to tell Fowler what they had endured while they were investigating the involvement Mech had in Breakdown's disappearance. That man was shocked to hear what Mech had done to Breakdown, even though Breakdown is a decepticon. The danger that Mech was also showing to the autobots and decepticons made the man quite mad, and he definitely was going to dig deeper to find any potential holes in the military. Though he could not promise if he would find anything.

While Arcee spoke with Fowler regarding what the autobots had witnessed regarding Mech, Optimus grabbed a couple cubes for himself. He caressed his abdomen gently, as he was worried about his daughter. She was kicking a lot more today than she has before, and it has him wondering what exactly she was seeing in her dream. And he really wanted to help her if he could, even if it meant giving her good advice.

And though he was completely okay with Ratchet taking his time in ensuring that Bulkhead was back in top shape, and his injuries could be repaired, Optimus still wanted to go through the procedure and see what Azura's dream is. And he wanted that to happen today, and he could not help but feel a bit impatient. However, Optimus kept that to himself, as he was not the one who had been shot at. And he did not engage the enemy on his own.

Caressing his abdomen gently, Optimus did wonder what Azura was seeing in her dream. He only knew that she was trying to call for him. He's heard her calling for help, and he hoped that he could. If he did not know the answer straight away, he would certainly help her find the answer if it was something she had to solve. After all, Azura was still an infant. She was smart, he could not deny that. But she was still so young, and needed guidance. And he hoped that he could give that to her since he was certain she really needed him.

Meanwhile…

Silas was frustrated that Mech had lost their grasp on one of the Cybertronians. He was glad that they were able to get substantial material from Breakdown that they could use in order to research and apply the technology to their own as they advance their knowledge. It was a genuine surprise that the autobots would even save a decepticon, based on what he knew of the two sides at war with each other. He did not care for their war though, as it was a good thing that they were distracted with each other.

For now, Silas ensured that his men returned to the location that they had set up to retrieve any material they had been forced to leave behind. He was actually surprised that the autobots and decepticons did not destroy their lab, as it would have prevented Mech from proceeding forward with their research. It would seem that it would be their downfall in the near future, and Mech would ensure they keep a close eye for autobot and decepticon activity in the future. At least they knew how easy it was to lure them.

Standing before a console, gazing up at the blueprint that Mech had managed to scan from their brief guest, with a smirk upon his expression as he stared at it. An image of Optimus Prime was on the left of the blueprint, an image that was taken during the brief conversation he had with the autobot before the planted bomb had gone off. "The test subject escaped, but we managed to sanitize the location and transfer most of the newly acquired data to another facility. Our diagnostic scans of the subject's vital components were thorough enough for us to initiate Project Chimera. The power of the living machines will someday soon belong to Mech."

"Sir…I might have more information for you…" Silas grimaced and turned his chair around to face the man approaching him with a tablet in his arm. "As you instructed me to keep watch of the surrounding base, even after you were forced to retreat, I was able to observe something different regarding the autobot, Optimus Prime." Silas raised an eyebrow at him. "When we first saw the bot…" The man turned the tablet around to bring up a screen of the original blueprint that they managed to scan of Optimus. "He looked like this. However…" He tapped the screen to change an image of a photo of Optimus, and an internal scan of his body. "Something has clearly changed about him."

Silas stared at the image as his eyebrows rose slightly in surprise and he leaned forward to see correctly. It was an image of Optimus with a swollen abdomen, and Silas smirked as he knew what that meant. "Well…reproduction…" The man nodded as Silas came to that conclusion. "It had not ever crossed my mind that these bots could even reproduce. But upon our first meeting, I knew that those bots were not robots. They are alien."

"Though, I must say, it is strange that Optimus would be the one who is pregnant, Silas," The man said with a shrug, gesturing to the picture. "I don't imagine he was pregnant when we first saw him…but we didn't really scan for that…until now…"

Silas looked at the internal scan and he saw the golden outline of a smaller being curled within Optimus's body. He chuckled a little and leaned back in his chair. "Maybe he was when we first met. And it would seem that they grow rather quickly. That might just change things…" Silas gestured for the man to upload the information into the system, and the man nodded before walking over to the console. Silas turned his chair to look at the console, looking at Optimus's image with a smirk. "Especially since if they can reproduce, we can find a way to produce our own army without building anything. We would only need to raise them as our own."

"But do we even know how long that would take?" The soldier asked curiously, and Silas rolled his eyes at him. "I mean…we don't even know how old those autobots and decepticons are…"

"That does not concern me." The upload of the new material was complete, and Silas changed the image on the screen to Optimus's picture and the internal scan of the autobot. He stared at the image curiously and rubbed his chin lightly. "However…it is strange that it seems this child of his is quite large…hmm…" He stared at the image for a moment before facing the soldier. "It would seem we are in need of a new facility."

"Sir?"

"We are not going to pass up the opportunity to ensure that Optimus is given a comfortable place to stay in. After all, how else will he be ready to give birth?" The soldier understood and bowed respectfully. "Start searching for a suitable location, and if any new location requires some building, fortification and such, inform me so I may approve. I do not believe we will have a lot of time before the offspring arrives."

"Understood."

The soldier walked away while Silas was left alone with his own thoughts. The man was feeling quite smug at the moment, thinking he has found a weakness. But he was well aware that the autobots and decepticons had a way to travel around. He has seen the ground bridge vortex, and he did not know how to detect it at this time. But that is something he intended on enforcing his men to upgrade their systems to do. Not only to scan for the autobots, but also their transportation system. There was no other way to capture Optimus if they could not locate him.

Silas did not know where the autobots had their base. He did have information that the autobots did have a secret base, but he has not been able to figure out the location. Even so, he doubted getting in would be easy. The only thing he could think of would be to ambush the autobots, and take their prize. But Silas did not know if they could wait on Optimus for their current project to be finished, so that will also need to be worked on. Nonetheless, Mech had another plan, and Silas intended on it going right this time.