CHAPTER 41
The Start of the Plan

Bumblebee felt a pang of frustration when they found the bug. It had been bothering them all to find out how Barricade had found the base in the first place, especially since they were discussing the exchange with Starscream. And as a result, before any planning took place, Optimus had used the bond to beckon him into a room, and stealthily, they found the bug. He'd crushed it the second Optimus had, equally stealthily, disrupted the signal, before returning to the room in which they were meeting. This whole situation just seemed to get worse and worse, a fact which made him want to purge again.

No one else was very happy to hear the news either, given it meant that Barricade knew a lot of their discussions. Bumblebee for a minute wondered if Barricade would be angered by the discovery of his bug, but wrote it off after an hour passed and he was not commed. Barricade was not a subtle mech, if he had been angered by it, he'd have commed him by now. No, the bug had likely served its purpose to him, and now that it was done that was that. After all, he'd already made it clear if he suspected any funny business Trevor was dead, and the mech knew he would have at least called to gloat about that.

"I don't like it," Ironhide grunted. "He definitely didn't care about the fact we found that bug, which means he's cocky," He added, echoing Bumblebee's own thoughts. "And yer telling me he threatened Trevor's life if he gets even an inkling we're going to double-cross him?" Bumblebee nodded his head slowly. "Primus, this is not good, I really don't like it, especially when Barricade appears to be so unstable."

Bumblebee took a deep breath, but this time did everything he could to keep calm. He played with some of his wiring, and though things through before stepping up. "At the end of the day, I'm going to have to do it," He explained. "I'm going to have to hand myself over to Barricade if I have any chance at getting him back," He then explained. "If I don't he'll just take Trevor again."

Optimus immediately tensed again, he hated the idea of anyone in his family in the hands of Barricade. But he also knew that Bumblebee was right, Barricade would do this again. He'd attack them, take Trevor, and start this whole fiasco as many times as he wanted until he was satisfied. "I hate saying this, but Bumblebee is correct," Optimus explained. "We must at least allow Barricade to believe that he has won. It will give us the element of surprise we desperately need in this situation."

"That's INSANE!" Ironhide replied. "We can't put both of our youngest in his hands! He'll kill them both!"

"We won't if he agrees to my terms," Bumblebee explained. "If he does, Trevor won't even be near the fighting when it goes down. We just have to time the strike for exactly when Trevor is out of the line of fire," He explained. "If I get hurt, that's one thing. But I don't want Trevor there when it happens, one stray blast and he's gone anyway."

That was one argument that no one disagreed with. Even if by the looks on everyone's faces, they were without a doubt still not liking the idea of putting him into Barricade's hands. But Bumblebee was convinced that this was the only way to go about doing it. Even if he died protecting Trevor, he would rather die doing so than lose the most precious thing in his life. "Bumblebee," Elita made her way beside her adopted creation at the meeting table. "Are you sure this is a good idea? What if Barricade manages-."

"Carrier," Bumblebee surprised Elita by the title, which he rarely used these days. "It's my son out there. And you and I both know either one of you would do the same thing for me," He paused. "You both have taught me one important thing throughout my life-cycle. Never put yourself above the ones you love," He explained. "And I slagging well won't do it this time."

Elita looked at Bumblebee, surprise in her optics, but now convinced there was no way of talking him out of it. She took a deep breath, nodding her head a little and letting Bumblebee turn to Optimus. "Prime!" Jazz's voice rang out before he even opened his mouth. "We got a lock on the location! We got it!" He and Ratchet came to a swift halt in the room. "The Rocky Mountains, the portion near Colorado!" He explained. "They found a secluded area in that area where they could easily hide enough 'Cons to pull this off."

"Given what we heard through the feed on Trevor's watch there are at least twenty of them," Ratchet explained further. "Including Sunspot, who seems to have joined him as well," He explained. "Trevor is guarded around the clock by four vehicons, and chances are we cannot get to him without him being handed over to us." He explained.

"We've already established that the latter is the plan," Ironhide grunted.

Optimus straightened a bit, looking over at Bumblebee as if expecting him to back out. Or perhaps, more than anything, he was hoping so. He didn't want to put his son and grandson at risk like this, but when Bumblebee didn't flinch, he knew he had no choice. "When Barricade answers Bumblebee's demand of bringing Trevor to us, Jazz will accompany Bumblebee to the Rocky Mountains. Given he is Trevor's appointed guardian, it will be his duty to get Trevor as far away from the chaos as possible. At which point you will get in touch and tell us he is out of danger," He looked to Jazz for approval.

Jazz simply saluted the Prime, nodding his head. "Ye got it sir, ah'll get shorty somewhere safe and sound," Jazz nodded, smiling cockily.

"Excellent," Optimus nodded. "As for the rest of us, this is what we will do.."

...

Trevor groaned, he was finally allowed to be taken off the drugs, but only because the time had nearly come. Barricade was humming like a kid before Christmastime, which made him nervous as all hell. What would happen if Barricade actually succeeded in hurting his dad? He grunted, checking his prosthetic leg which had been given back to him, quietly. "You're lucky I'm a generous mech, if Starscream hadn't been so stupid, you'd not be going home today," Barricade sneered. "You may be losing yet another "father" as you call it to me. But at least you'll get to live a few more years before we lay waste to your pathetic planet."

Trevor's eyes looked back up at him, his glare narrowing at him. Barricade seemed to relish in his anger now that Trevor was awake, even more than he'd enjoyed when he was out cold. "You really think you're going to win? Dude, have you ever watched a TV show here on Earth? You're a villain, a really stupid one at that," He explained. "My family is going to send you running out of here with your tail between your legs."

"There goes your stupid human phrasing," Barricade snarled, unamused. "I have no tail appendage. Now shut up, I'm already tired of listening to you," He noted. "I look forward to getting rid of you so much," He muttered.

Trevor looked out onto the horizon, hoping to see the familiar sight of a yellow and black Camaro. Unfortunately for him, there was no sign of him, or any of the Autobots for that matter. Maybe they weren't coming; no, Trevor shook that thought off right away, he knew that his father was coming for him. From a distance, he watched as the seeker, Sunspot, approached. "They're taking forever," The seeker snarled. "At this rate they're testing Lord Starscream's patience. Maybe we should take a limb off the insect, let them feel him bleed out. I bet they'll come faster then."

Trevor backed up a bit, terror in his eyes. "If you kill it, Bumblebee will not come," Barricade snapped. "And then my plan to capture Optimus Prime will be done."

"And that's another thing!" Sunspot snapped. "How the pit do you expect to do that if we hand the kid over to them?" Trevor grinned, figuring that Barricade was screwed now if this mech was catching on. "It sounds more like you've gone rogue and stupid to me," All four of Barricade's optics narrowed in anger. "I'm right, aren't I? Did Lord Starscream even sanction this mission?"

BOOM!

Trevor stifled a scream of surprise as Barricade blasted a large chunk of Sunspot's head off. His spark was next, and the seeker barely had time to let out a strangled death rattle before he collapsed, his optics offlining. Around Trevor, several of the vehicons themselves backed away, quickly realizing the same thing Trevor had known: Barricade was off his rocker, and mentally unstable. "Does anybody else wish to question me? I'll gladly handle this mission on my own and end each one of your pathetic drone lives," All of the vehicons shook their heads rapidly. "Now I will say he was right about ONE thing, and that's that your sire is taking far too long," He then added. "I won't take off a limb," Trevor watched his holoform appear and grab his hair violently. "But maybe if I make you scream a little he'll get the message."

"If you make another move to hurt him the deal's OFF!"

Trevor felt relief hit him in a wave as the familiar voice of Bumblebee sounded out. Barricade whipped around as the Camaro came up the incline and towards their came, keeping his grip on Trevor tight and painful. "You're two hours late, I really should just lop off his head for that," Trevor watched, whimpering quietly as Bumblebee transformed. "What do you think Bumbleblunder? You satisfied with me sending a headless corpse up ahead?"

"I'm here," Bumblebee stated, throwing his hands up. "Killing Trevor won't get you what you want. If anything, the second he's dead I'll call off the fight and get the whole fragging armada down here," Barricade growled, knowing that was probably not a bluff. "Now keep your end of the bargain and let Trevor go." He noted.

A long, unnerving moment fell over the group, but finally, Barricade shoved Trevor to the ground. Trevor rushed towards Bumblebee, who was quickly flanked by two vehicons. "Dad!" Trevor shouted. "Dad, you shouldn't have done this! He's completely out of his mind," He stated. "He's going to kill you!" He added in frustration.

Bumblebee stared over at his son, trying his best to hide his certainty. He knew he wouldn't die there today, not unless it was absolutely necessary, but he would not let Optimus's plan be compromised. "No matter what happens today, Trev," Bumblebee told him stiffly. "I love you," He added, his voice quiet, and his tone sincere, he then turned to Barricade. "Jazz is just three miles down the mountain. Once Trevor has been taken to him, and I get a comm link saying he's in good hands, I'm all yours."

Trevor watched as Barricade snarled, and nodded towards a vehicon. This one was at his side in a second, and had his gun carefully trained on him, in case Trevor tried anything. Trevor didn't have time to say anything to Bumblebee before the vehicon ordered him to move, and they were quickly making their way down the mountain. Instead, he could only shoot Bumblebee a look of terror over his shoulder, hoping that things would be okay, even if the odds were very much against them.

They made it about two miles down before he was stopped by a foot. Trevor stared up, the Vehicon had clearly stopped, and now was, looking at him with malice. It was a sight that Trevor didn't like, and something which seemed to show that the mech was preparing for something dark. "On your knees," Trevor's eyes widened. "Does it surprise you? I was told through comm link to execute you, and then force Jazz to send a false report back before doing the same to him."

Trevor's eyes bugged further, staring around in terror. How had none of them thought of this? He felt stupid, maybe even frustrated, but there was nothing he could do. If he screamed, what use would it bring? They would still be a full mile away from Jazz, and help. And so, he got on his knees, cursing to himself as he stared back at the vehicon. In his fear, he said a small prayer, his eyes closing as he prepared for what was most certainly the end. Or at the very least, so he had thought.

The vehicon hit the ground so hard that Trevor's eyes shot open in response to the trembling ground. To his surprise, it was not Jazz who created a wall between the vehicon and him, rather it was Optimus. Who had his blade out, and narrowed, furious optics. "Grandpa!" Trevor shouted with relief.

"Are you alright, Trevor?" Optimus asked, turning his head as the boy nodded. "Good," He then turned, and as the vehicon charged, violently stabbed him through the bottom of his jaw, ripping the head off. "Should have gone along with the deal," He muttered, then turned to Trevor fully. "You look far better than I thought you would. It makes me relieved to see you are in-tact."

Optimus was not surprised when the relieved boy ran to hug his foot. No doubt the boy had been terrified, and the sight of a friendly face was a great relief. "I knew you wouldn't let dad do that," Trevor replied with relief. "But when he showed up alone, and said Jazz was here, I-." He shook his head. "I really wish I could have used my bond and all of that."

"We will remove the inhibitors imbedded in your skin once we are home," Optimus turned as Ironhide, Jazz, Elita, and the Twins approached. "Jazz, retrieve the comm link from the vehicon and report back using their vocal pattern with your voice changing capabilities. No doubt just like Bumblebee is expecting your message, Barricade will be expecting his," He explained. "Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, get into positions for phase two."

Both Corvettes drove off ahead as both Ironhide and Elita transformed and made their way over. There was great relief in both of their optics at the sight of Trevor, even if the boy was hurt and exhausted. "Thank Primus you're alright!" Elita carefully scooped up her grandson, holding him close. "We've been worried sick. Thankfully Barricade never was a mech with a big processor," She explained.

Ironhide nodded his head, agreeing on all levels. It was a great relief to know that Barricade had, at the very least, actually let Trevor go, even with the intent being to kill him. "It's good to see you're still functioning, bitlet," Ironhide echoed, resting a finger on the boy's head. "If anything happened to you, Bumblebee would have to save a piece of Barricade for me."

Trevor was surprised that the group seemed so concerned with him. Weren't they more worried about Bumblebee? He thought about it a moment, and realized that he was yet again not thinking with the right mindset. They were his family, of course they had been worried about him beyond belief, who wouldn't be? "I'm okay, guys, really," Trevor replied, sighing in relief. "I just... You need to help dad."

Optimus retracted his blade and nodded at him calmly. "We will, but first we must get you started down the mountain and out of danger," Optimus explained. "You may not have been terribly hurt, but you still need medical attention. Do not worry, Trevor, we will handle helping Bumblebee from here," Trevor opened his mouth, wanting to argue, and help. "No arguments, Trevor. You're hurt, and a sparkling, this battle is nowhere that you need to be."

Trevor couldn't argue there, he definitely needed someone to look over his burns at least. While they weren't bad, they still hurt, and he had definitely been bruised and perhaps had a few ribs broken from the few beatings he had taken. "Alright," Trevor muttered. "Alright, grandpa I get it. Just promise me dad's coming home with you," Optimus stared at Trevor, optics softening. "Promise me."

It was not an unusual request, after all, Trevor had already been orphaned once. But Optimus had no intention of losing his son, or making Trevor an orphan twice on that day. "You have my word, Trevor," Optimus began. "He, the twins, Ironhide, and I will be right behind you, your grandcarrier, and Jazz," He then added. "But for now, you must go with them."

Elita carefully set Trevor back on the ground, transforming into a motorcycle. Jazz turned, making his way back over, and nodding. "It's done, Prime. Barricade bought it, or is just too wrapped in the moment ta care," Jazz explained, then turned to Trevor. "We'll get shorty outta here, safe and sound. Deliver them double the pain for me."

Trevor didn't argue any further as Jazz transformed down, and threw open the door. His eyes looked over at Optimus, his stomach continuing to twist in knots as the Autobot leader only nodded. Trevor knew however that he had to put his faith, and trust, in them. And furthermore, in the fact that the Autobots would get out okay. The two watched them leave, after which Ironhide turned his head. "Alright, the kid's safe. Now let's hurry up. If I know Barricade we don't have much time," He explained.

"Indeed," Optimus nodded. "Let's roll out."

Inside, he could only hope that things would run smoothly.

...

A/N: Yep, I'm leaving you hanging before Bee and 'Cade finally face off. But rest assured, with Trevor rescued, Bumblebee and Barricade's all-out final battle is here! :D Anyways, I'm hoping everyone has had a very happy holiday (or Christmas if that's what you celebrate)! :D