A/N: The newest installment is here! YAY! Thanks to angel1897 and FORD B for the reviews! Hope you like this chapter as much as the last!

Chapter 11

Phase Two: Galloway Eats Dirt and NEST Goes Live

Kat and Hot Rod's arrival in New York was quiet and swift, just the way the young woman wanted. However, after a few days of relaxation and catching up with Josh, things didn't stay silent as her phone went off. Kat checked the I.D. and frowned. "General what can I do for you?" she asked motioning for her brother to stay silent.

"The AllSpark shard in our possession has been stolen and the Autobots are out of contact," Morshower informed her. "Do you have any recommendations?"

Kat drummed her fingers on the leather upholstery of the chair she was sitting in as she thought everything over. "Keep an eye on the nets at the Abyss," she finally replied. "If they start screaming and you have no contact then we have a big, big problem. I also need the location of the Eastern US NEST base. Things are going to heat up soon. I'm also going to get some UAV's on the deck for emergencies and empty the USS Roosevelt, but keep it at its current position in 2 days. I don't care how you do it just do it. You just let me know where I need to have those UAV's fly."

"Understood," General Morshower sighed and they quickly disconnected.

Kat sighed and Josh leaned over to squeeze her hand. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

"I'll live," she informed him. "Hot Rod, Prowl, I need you to block your coms to Prime and the others. I don't care how often they try to contact you, you do not reply. Got it?"

The two bots nodded solemnly at her serious tone and quickly set up the blocks, only keeping the coms between the two of them open so they could best protect their charges. "What happens now?" Prowl asked once that was done.

Kat sat forward and touched her fingers together. "I need to see the President," she finally stated. "And I need to do it now before he tries to put Galloway as operational commander. I honestly forgot he might do that and I can't afford his stupidity."

"Wait," Josh held up his hands. "I thought you were going to wait?" he asked. "What changed?"

"Galloway," Kat informed him. "He's pushed to many of my buttons and I want him gone. He needs to go."

Josh sighed and passed Kat his cell. "Best make the call now," he informed her. "Thankfully the president is always willing to meet with O'Malley's."

"That's because we were the most vocal supporters," Kat muttered and dialed up the number. Putting a soft smile on her lips she waited patiently. "Hello there Barack," Kat greeted the man. "This is Kat O'Malley how are you doing?" she asked.

"Kat!" the other man greeted her pleased. "I am doing well! What can I do for you and your brother today?"

"I was hoping to meet with you tomorrow," she replied with a pleased nod. "I have some business to discuss with you and honestly wish to see an old family friend. Can we meet say for brunch tomorrow?"

"Of course," Barack responded happily. "I know this wonderful restaurant near the White House. And I must insist you come for dinner that evening. Would your brother be joining us?"

Kat shot a questioning look at Josh, but the black haired man shook his head. "No, Josh has things to attend to things in New York," she informed the other man. "But my secretary will be joining me. What time would be good?"

Kat heard the man flipping through paper, presumably a schedule. "How about ten?" he asked. "I can call and get reservations so they are expecting us. What work will we be discussing so I can grab that paperwork?"

"Project NEST," she informed him. "There are a few details that… need to be hammered out." Kat paused to hear him scratch down the project name and heard him hum as he thought the file over. "Now, as to dinner, I would love to join you and your family. Shall we make it a day then?"

"Sounds wonderful," Barack agreed. "I will see you tomorrow at ten. Till then!"

"Until then," Kat echoed and they quickly hung up. "Josh, I love you, but we need to get going."

"I've already called the jet for refueling and it's waiting on the tarmac for you," the man sighed and stood to look his little sister over. "I don't like it, but I will stay here to take care of the media fall out you seem to think is coming. Do I even get a little hint?" he begged.

Prowl's holo-form (a 30-ish man with black hair) nodded as well. Hot Rod was pale and quickly headed for the large windows that showed the impressive New York skyline. He already knew. Kat watched him walk off sadly then turned her sad eyes to the other two. "The Decepticons are going to use the media to go after Sam," she informed him. "And… Optimus is going to die for a small period of time."

Prowl never got to exclaim his shock as his processors glitched and the holo-form disappeared. "I'll got restart his processors," Hot Rod sighed and winked out. The two waited for a few minutes before both winked into existence.

"WHAT?" Prowl demanded jumping to his feet. "And ye're are just going to let it happen?"

"Because if I try to change it Sam will never understand his destiny and Optimus will never get the Matrix of Leadership," Kat snapped back, tears already starting to fall. "Do you think I like this? That I enjoy letting him go even for the smallest of time? I have the weight of the world in my shoulders Prowl! I can tell you what can happen and how many are going to die! I'm trying to save thousands on the USS Rossevelt! But if one person has to die and came come back while saving millions that's the choice I have to make!"

Josh cut Kat's rant off by pulling her into his arms and letting her sob. He knew the burden of having knowledge that could save or doom lives was an extremely powerful but maddening thing. With the power of three hanging over her head if she saved thousands then millions could die in their place. Three lives for the life of one. "It will be okay," he assured her glancing at the now pale bodyguard he had. "It will be okay."

Prowl, realizing the impact his word had on the girl, gulped and stepped forward to gently pat her on the shoulder. "Ah'm sorry," he whispered. "Ah, shouldn't have said those things and my processors aren't working all right after a glitch."

Kat gave him a watery smile and pulled away from her brother. "Hot Rod and I need to get going," she informed the two and Hot Rod, hearing his name, walked over. "Shall we?" she asked her new friend with a shaky smile.

"The jet's ready and waiting," Hot Rod informed her, having received the call a few minutes ago. "I've got a hotel booked for you if you want."

"Thanks Roddy," Kat sighed and hugged the holo-form. "Do you have a place for you to Transform and stretch out for a bit? I know being in your vehicle form can be cramping."

"No, but I can made do until we reach NEST," he assured her. "Shall we?"

Kat nodded and after hugging Josh and the embarrassed Prowl the two headed out. Once more flying Kat when over the paperwork she had drawn up to finish the transferring of NEST to her control. It helped that her company was loved across the world and she had good relations with the leaders of many global countries. That was going to help once she started the third phase of her grand plan. "This just might work," she finally stated aloud, getting Hot Rod to look at her. "I just might be able to pull this off." Hot Rod arched an eye brow and pulled the paper work she had been going over to him.

After reading it over he looked at her. "You are crazy right?" he asked to confirm and got a positive nod. "Just checking," he sighed.

Kat chuckled as her phone rang. Checking the number she recognized the presidential number and quickly picked up. "Yes Mr. President," she greeted.

"Please Kat," Barack laughed. "It's Barack."

"How can I help you Barack," Kat smiled relaxing slightly.

She heard him pick up papers and start flipping through them. "I've been looking over the file we discussed and there are several things in here I'm honestly not sure you have clearance for. I'm just seeing what level you have."

"Above code S," she replied honestly. "I was cleared about 3 years ago when we requested sabot round technology to work on improving it. I will be in D.C. in a few hours if you are honestly willing to meet now."

"That serious?" Barack asked puzzled.

"Yes sir," she sighed. "I would put it off if I thought it might help, but honestly the sooner we can meet the better."

Barack hummed worriedly and thought what the girl was telling him over. "Very well, I will have an escort meet you at the airport. We'll talk when you arrive."

Kat sighed, "Thank you Barack. I will see you shortly. I have my own car and we'll follow your men."

"See you soon dear," the president sighed as well and they quickly hung up. Kat sank back into her seat as they continued their flight; the silence that surrounded them seemed to say something about what might happen.

Finally they touched down in D.C. and as Kat stepped off she spotted the black cars waiting for them. "Pull out and around Hot Rod," Kat ordered quietly. "Our escort is here."

Hot Rod nodded and vanished from inside the plane, deactivating the holo-form only to have it re-appear in his vehicle form. Quickly driving himself out of the plane's carrier hold to stop in front of Kat. The girl nodded to the secret service men as she entered Hot Rod's from and the two quickly followed the black cars to the white house. "Are you sure about this?" Hot Rod asked from the radio. "Can we trust him to let go of NEST like you think he will?"

"He owes the family a few favors," Kat informed him, starring ahead sightlessly. "That, and to be honest it's not a good idea for one government to hold such a powerful organization. Even Barack knows that. So if a neutral organization, one that's liked globally and usually can be seen taking no sides, takes it then we run into less foreign affair problems. That, and now I get to make Galloway eat dirt if Barack still decides to give him temporary operational command."

Hot Rod fell silent as they finally arrived at the White House and a black man with a large, friendly grin greeted them. "Kat!" the man cried, arms wide to give the young woman a hug as she exited the car. "It's good to see you again!"

"You too Barack," Kat smiled back at him as she accepted the hug. "May I introduce my secretary Rodrick Hotshoch?"

Hot Rod's holo-form offered his hand with an easy smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. President."

The president shook hands with him and gave the man an easy grin. "And you Mr. Hotshock. Please follow me." Kat gave Hot Rod a pleased smile and quickly followed the man into the large White House. Once they were in the Oval office Barack offered them drinks and they sat down to start discussing business. "Now, what is it that you want with NEST Kat?" Barack asked, pulling out the NEST file. "You already practically own it with all the legal set up you put the government through."

Kat smiled gently at the man. "Barack, you and I both know that practically owning something isn't going to cut it," she informed him. "When, and it is just a question of when, NEST and the Autobots become public nations around the world are going to look for reasons to pull them away from US control. If they are under an organization that's known for being friends with all of the nations around the world then there is less of a chance of things going from bad to worse. That's where Starlight Inventions and my sub corporation, Global Autobot Relocation or GAR and NEST, come in. This is for you."

Hot Rod slid the new paperwork over to the man and let him read everything Kat had typed up. Barack sat back as what he read sank in. "Are you serious about this?" he asked, setting the papers down. "You would offer our military men and women the same pay and benefits, better actually, to work in NEST and spread that offer around the world? While offering the US government the ability to appoint operational command unless the individual does something that threatens the national security, the treaty with our new friends, or threatens our new friends?"

"Yes," Kat smiled. "They would still be attached to their individual country's military, but they would also work for me. However the screening process is very, very intense to make sure that they can work well with the Autobots. I will not have someone working with my men who will end up endangering them."

Barack looked the woman over. He noticed her blue eyes seemed wary and tired though her shoulder length blond hair and been recently brushed and pulled back with a clip. The red shirt and black pants showed her time on the airplane with wrinkles and the vest she wore underneath he knew could hold her guns and other weapons, though she only carried her sword in with her, thankfully having the license so she could have it in the President's presence. Her trench coat hid the sword and was recently cleaned. All in all, she looked tired but ready for battle at a second's notice. "You know a lot more than you are telling me," the man stated staring at her.

Kat couldn't hide the flash of sadness and worry that crossed her eyes. "Yes, I'm afraid so," she informed him. "And for safeties sake I can't say anything more."

Barack sighed and leaned forward to lace his fingers and rest his head on them. "Okay, I'll sign the paperwork. Just take care of our men. General Morshwore will maintain command unless things change."

"Done," Kat agreed and watched with happy satisfaction as the president signed NEST into her full control. "Thank you Barack. I can't tell you how much this means to me. Our people thank you."

"Just make sure things stay safe," the man requested with a worried look at her.

Kat nodded as she stood. Suddenly her phone went off. Kat frowned and flipped it open. "O'Malley," she snapped.

"We have a problem," General Morshower informed her. "The nets protecting NBE one are screaming and we have no DSRVs. The Autobots are also out of contact."

"I will be on my way to the Eastern NEST base later this evening," Kat informed him sharply. "Keep trying the Autobot channels. The second you have contact inform me."

"Understood," Morshower sighed and they disconnected. Kat snapped her phone shut with a weary sigh.

Barack sent her a worried look. "Are things alright?" he asked, standing with her.

"Things are starting to heat up," she informed him. "Be ready to be flown to a hidden bunker. I need to take off." Barack gave her one last hug and let the girl leave with her secretary.

"Where are we going?" Hot Rod asked as Kat rubbed her eyes.

"I need sleep," she informed him. "We have until afternoon in two days to get to the base. How fast can you drive that?"

"I could be there in an hour if I need too," Hot Rod informed her gently. "I'm taking you to the hotel to sleep. We'll start that way after the dinner with the president."

Kat nodded, too tired to argue. Hot Rod helped her into his vehicle form and quickly drove off. As they drove Kat fell into a gentle sleep, the events of the next few days running through her head. Her dreams were peppered with the sight of Sam, Mikaela, and Leo's terrified faces, Optimus's death, and the horrified looks on Lennox and Epp's faces when his body was returned to them. Because of these dreams she didn't sleep well. She only really woke when Hot Rod moved her from his vehicle form into the hotel room before drifting back into her uneasy dreams.

Kat woke long enough to have dinner with the president and his family, placing a fake smile on her face for the meal before they knew what was happening. Her sadness however, was still tangible throughout the meal and after the children were sent away Michelle confronted the younger woman about it. "Kat, you've had an air of sadness around you all evening," the woman stated giving the other girl a pointed look. "What's wrong?"

Kat blinked at the other woman and her husband. "It's nothing Michelle," she sighed. "Just my thoughts running around in circles."

"You're lying," Barack stated as he handed the young woman a strong drink. "What's really bothering you?"

Kat took the drink with a sigh as Hot Rod wrapped an arm around her. "It has to do with the business we talked about earlier," she informed them. "It's just weighing heavily on my mind."

"Is everything okay?" Michelle asked worriedly.

Kat took a long drink on the alcohol and grimaced when she realized it was scotch. Scotch was the one drink she didn't always handle well on it's own. "It will be," she finally answered and set the empty glass down. "But I'm afraid we must get going."

"Already?" Barack asked puzzled. "Are you sure you don't want anything to drink Mr. Hotshock?"

"I'm fine," Hot Rod informed the other man. "But she is right. We have a long journey a head of us."

Michelle stood with a sigh at that. "Very well then," she offered a gentle smile. "Be safe."

Kat hugged the two with her own small smile. "We will," she promised. After giving their goodbyes the two headed out. They had a long drive to make.

The two were nearly to the New Jersey base when the call came. Checking the number Kat paled then picked up. "Hello?" she greeted hesitantly.

"Kat?" Sam replied slightly choked. "It's… it's Sam."

"Sam," she breathed. Checking the time she realized that only in a few hours they would be flying Optimus's dead body to the small base and had to hurry. "Are you okay? Where are you? What happened?"

"I'm… I'm fine," Sam informed her. "I don't really know where I am at the moment but Bee and the twins are with me as is Mikeala and my roommate. Is… this phone taped?"

"No not now but I can't guarantee later," she informed him. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"It's Prime." Sam's breath hitched there. "He's… oh God, Kat Optimus is dead! He sacrificed himself for me! And now I have these symbols rattling around in my brain and Megatron is back and wants what's in my head. I don't know what to do!"

"Breath," Kat informed him, listening to the boy sob. "Where's Bee and Mikaela?" she asked.

There were sounds of the phone being passed around and a female voice came over the line. "Hello?"

"Mikaela are you near Bumblebee?" she demanded.

"Kat?" the girl inquired. "Yeah, we're driving right now, we just left the forest. Why?"

"Put me on speaker phone," she ordered and the girl quickly did. "Listen to me all of you," she snapped. "I need you to hide right now. Hide until you know more. I won't be able to contact you again, as I'm about to get called into some sticky business to try and keep you safe. I won't be able to do much right now but I will try everything. Okay? Bumblebee, keep them safe."

She waited to hear a radio answer from the 'bot before hanging up. She threw her head back against the seat and sighed. "Optimus is dead," she informed the Autobot she was riding in, causing him to splutter for a second before he regained control once more.

"We best get driving then," he sighed and sped up. "What do we do now?"

Before Kat could answer her phone went off again. "Hello?"

"Kat what in God's name happened?" Barack demanded, gaining another sigh from the young woman. "What hacked us? Why do they want that boy? I'm of half a mind to send Director Galloway to you just to make sure things don't get out of hand!"

"That's your opinion Mr. President," Kat informed him stiffly. "However, if you send him please remember that he will fall under my command should he fuck up."

"It is my experience that the man has impeccable judgment," Barack informed her. "I am sending him to NEST with operational command."

Kat's smile was damn near feral at that. "As long as you understand that if he screws up, his ass is mine," she warned the other man.

"I understand that completely," the president informed her and cut the line off but not before she heard Galloway's voice demanding to see the president.

Kat snorted and finally answered Hot Rod. "We rip the carpet out from under Galloway's feet and fuck them up."

"I like the sound of that," the bot responded and sped up.

They finally reached the gate to NEST and Kat watched as Galloway flew in along with Optimus's body. "Who are you?" one of the men demanded as Hot Rod rolled his window down.

Kat just handed him her credentials and copies of the paperwork that made her the head of NEST. "Does that answer your question airmen?" she demanded coyly with an evil smile.

"Ma'am yes ma'am!" he snapped to attention and waved for the gate to be opened. Kat sat back with an easy smile as Hot Rod drove them in. Kat however had him wait until after Galloway started his spiel and walked slowly up. "Your NEST team is deactivated, Major!" Galloway snapped. "You are to cease anti-Decpticon operations and return to Deigo Garcia pending further orders!"

"No, we take our orders directly from Chairman Morshower, sir," Lennox informed him angrily.

Galloway got a sick, happy grin at that. "Well, I'll see your Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and I will raise you a president of the United States." Galloway glared at the man and ripped his stars and stripes off of him. "You won't be needing that."

Kat, who had flashed her credentials to another team , ordered, "Airmen, arrest him." Her smirk never once left her lips as she watched in great satisfaction as the man had the paperwork ripped from his hands and forced behind his back. Hot Rod transformed behind her and offered a salute to Prime's fallen body before he took up his position as a guard once more.

"Who are you?" Galloway demanded as weapons were leveled to Kat's chest, gaining a warning growl from Hot Rod before the team she commandeered ordered a stand down.

Kat smiled and raised a hand, preventing her guardian from doing something stupid. "My name is Katherine O'Malley and I own NEST," she informed the man, pulling out her paperwork and handing it to Major Graham as he, a smirking Lennox, and a pleased Epps approached. "As you can read, the president signed full control of NEST over to me yesterday. I own you all, and all of your jobs."

Lennox took sadistic glee as he watched the protesting man be wrapped in cuffs. "How?" Galloway demanded. "How! I have operational command!"

Kat gave him a happy, seemingly innocent smile as she took his paperwork from the waiting airman and read it over. "I see," she drawled looking at the documentation. "According to this you do have operational command. However," Kat folded the paper up and handed it back to the airmen with a more evil grin, "I'm having you arrested on assault of one of my men. You will be detained for several hours to let you think what you have done over. However, if you wish to have them sent to Deigo Garcia I can understand that and will respect it in accordance with the contract I have with the president. Just realize that while you have operational command, I still own you. Airmen, take him away."

Galloway started spluttering as he was pulled away and Kat had to turn and face an angry Lennox and Epps. "Don't kill me?" she asked sheepishly and raised her hands slightly in surrender.

The two men traded looks then looked back at the worried woman. Kat fiddled as she bore their stares when suddenly both wrapped her in a tight hug. "We're so sorry Kat," Lennox murmured.

Kat knew what the man was apologizing for and snaked her arms around the two. "Don't ever apologize," she informed the two wetly. Tears fell down her face unchecked as she stood with two of the strongest men she knew who were offering their silent support as they two were suffering just as much. "Don't ever apologize for something beyond your control. Sadly… and stars above I hate saying this… but I knew Megatron was going to kill him."

"WHAT?" came the furious roar from the 'bots around her and the men pulled away from the girl as if physically burned.

Kat let them, hunching her shoulders and wrapping her arms around herself in her self torment. "I knew," she informed them, staring at his lifeless body. "I've watched him protect Sam from the Decepticons alone, tearing apart 'bots that attempted to take him down. He even called one of them a 'piece of tin' as he dropped the body and started looking for Sam. That's when Mega-bitch got a cheap shot in. He thrust his sword through Prime's spark chamber then shot it. Optimus was able to tell Sam to run before he was off-lined."

"How?" Ironhide spat as he leveled his cannons at the small venerable form. "Some Decipticon trick I have no doubt."

Hot Rod snarled and stepped in-between the weapon's specialist and the small human. "Don't you remember nothing she told us only a cycle ago?" the speedster demanded. "She knows our history! Because of that she has millions of lives weighing on her choices!"

"Ever live ye by rule of three," Kat piped up listlessly. "Do good and good shall return three fold to thee. But do ill and three times ill will fall thee. It also applies to the lives one can save or let die."

That caused the weapons specialist to pause as Ratchet connected the dots. "One life or three lives," he breathed. "If she saves one life, three could die in that one person's place."

"However if I kill, knowing what I know, three I am trying to save will die as well, as payment for the life I have taken."

"Wait," Jolt held up a hand. "Isn't that contradictory?"

Kat knew she was getting into some deeply troubling mental territory and refocused herself with a full body shake. "No time. Now, I can't keep Galloway locked up forever and while I do own NEST, one of the stipulations of me owning this operation is the president can appoint an operational commander… at least until that person screws up. Now, they are going to ship all of you back to Deigo Garcia however, Lennox is going to get a call from Sam. Well, to be specific, Simmons. They are going to tell you that they can bring Optimus back to life. And he can. Now, let's talk about inconspicuous air drop that makes everyone look good due to a malfunctioning plane while the… V.I.P. get's a little free flight."

Lennox and Epps gave her shocked looks as their military minds came up with what she was saying. "You are evil," the Major informed her. "Very evil. I love it."

Kat laughed and linked arms with the two men. "Also let me tell you what my brother is setting you up with," she informed the men with a wicked smile as Hot Rod started prepping the Autobots for their part in everything. "You are going to love this."

000000000000000000

As promised Kat let the furious Galloway out of the brig a day later and the man steered clear of the young woman. Especially since he was now technically working for two people and she was one of them. He also didn't want to get on the bad side of the VP of Starlight Inventions as they funded and provided the weapons to the military. Kat obliged him by starting her side of the paperwork mess she had to deal with. She also sent texts to find out what Josh was doing to cover them in this horrible storm. He was quietly creating the new campaign aids with Galloway's voice while trying to calm the world and saying nothing. Kat also sat in on the "information" sessions Galloway was holding, trying to come up with a solution to save the world.

Kat also soothed ruffled feathers with Lennox and Epps when she informed them she was staying back. "This battle is for you, Optimus, and Sam," she informed Lennox just after he got the call she predicted and regained most of their trust with that call. "I just want to hear about how you get rid of Galloway later. After that, I get to deal with him myself." After making sure the men were off and had jumped from the plane if her timelines were correct she sighed and trudged her way back to Hot Rod, who was enjoying the time in his normal form. "They're off and a big bad battle is going to take place," she informed him, leaning against a beam to look up at him. "You could have gone with them," she informed him softly.

Hot Rod stared out the sinking sun quietly. "Answer me this," he finally sighed. "Do you think my being there would make a difference?"

Kat stared at him just as silent for a long while, just staring up at him with sadness in her eyes. "I honestly can't answer that," she finally replied, refusing to look away. "I however can tell you that the battle will conclude with Optimus returning to life and gaining the Matrix of Leadership while Sam realizes his destiny."

"How many will die?" Hot Rod asked, still not looking at the woman standing so close to him.

"I know two of the Arcee units will be off-lined," Kat sighed, finally looking away sadly. "Thankfully, with the Matrix of Leadership and a Cube fragment Josh found we should be able to bring them back on-line. We can also use what's in Sam's head to hopefully begin saving the Autobot race and beating the Decepticons down and out. I'm just waiting for…" Kat was interrupted by her phone going off. Kat dug it out and flipped it open. "O'Malley."

"I need two UAV's to do a fly over of Gulf of Aqaba, the mountains of Petra to be exact," General Morshower snapped from the other side.

"I'll have them fly out now," Kat responded, stalking into the primary NEST building. "ETA 10 minutes." Morshower didn't respond, but cut the line. Kat snapped the phone shut and started barking orders, startling the men and women around her. They knew of the change in command but were completely unprepared for her to be giving the orders. "MOVE IT BOYS OR YOUR PAY IS CUT IN HALF!" she snapped when they didn't move. "I'VE BEEN PAYING YOU FOR SIX MONTHS NOW SO GET IT IN GEAR!" That got the men moving and the UAV's she requested flew out, sending the information to the General. "I want the eye in the sky to stay on their aft," she informed the tech. "Follow them and tell any military ships in the gulf that if they get a call from an Agent Seymour Simmons calls do exactly what he says. Also have me informed when they are safely on one of our military's ships."

"Yes ma'am," the tech saluted and started working. Kat patted the man on the shoulder and quickly headed back out to where Hot Rod was waiting.

"Everything okay?" the bot asked, kneeling down to help the young woman up into his hand. "And didn't finish what you were saying."

"Hum?" Kat hummed, thinking back to the conversation she had been having. "Oh, I'm just waiting for Morshower to call and tell me those boys on are a ship waiting for their new boss. And yes, everything will be okay."

Hot Rod hummed as he settled her on his shoulder. "I still can't believe you pulled this out from underneath the president and still have his support," he informed her. "You didn't even tell him everything and he still hands this operation over to you without too many questions."

"As I've said it helps that I know the man and his family," Kat laughed. "My father was known for telling the truth and keeping things close. When the first Bush was in office… my father hated the man but he never lied to him or his son when the other man was in office. When Barack was senator, the rest of my family was still alive and we supported him in his rise to senator and after my family died my brother and I supported his rise to presidency. Though we don't always agree with what he does and tell him as much. He at least appreciates our honesty."

"So when you told him the truth, and with your history, he saw no reason to say no," Hot Rod chortled, gently cradling the smaller feme. He could nearly feel her body shaking with her tension and fear and gently cradled her close to his spark. It might not do much but it was all he could offer.

Kat knew the gesture for what it was and slowly let herself melt into the embrace. The hum of his spark and the warmth it emitted helped her calm down and relax. Her phone hummed and she flipped it open to see something that helped her relax as well. "Josh and Prowl are on their way, they're driving in now."

Hot Rod just hummed and held the young woman, knowing she needed him for the moment. They could only wait and worry. When Josh and Prowl drove up the man came out, pulling out the girl's guitar with him, and allowed Prowl to transform and join them. Prowl helped lift Josh up to Kat's level and the man just handed the young woman the guitar. Kat gave him a small smile and lifted the black instrument from it's case. A quick tune up and she slowly started humming before singing.

"Do you know what's worth fighting for? When it's not worth dying for?

Does it take your breath away and you feel yourself suffocating?

Does the pain weigh out the pride? And you look for a place to hide?

Did someone break your heart inside, you're in ruins.

One, twenty one guns. Lay down your arms. Give up the fight.

One, twenty one guns. Throw your arms into the sky. You and I…

When you're at the end of the road and you lost all sense of control and your thought have taken their toll

When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul, when your mind breaks the spirit of your soul.

Your faith walks on broken glass and the hang over doesn't pass. Nothing's ever built to last, you're in ruins

One, twenty one guns. Lay down your arms. Give up the fight.

One, twenty one guns. Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I…

Did you try to live on your own? When you burned down the house and home? Did you stand too close to the fire? Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone!

When it's time to live and let die and you can't get another try. Something inside this heart has died, you're in ruins

One twenty one guns. Lay down your arms. Give up the fight

One, twenty one guns. Throw up your arms into the sky

One, twenty one guns. Lay down your arms. Give up the fight.

One, twenty one guns. Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I."

Josh put his hand over his sister's for a moment before Kat started sighed and started cleaning her guitar, as even music wasn't helping distract her from her worry and pain. Finally an airmen ran up. "Ma'am!" he called, not even faltering at the sight of the Autobots. Kat immediately decided she liked him and carefully put her guitar away and Hot Rod lowered her to the ground and let her step off. "I have a report from Egypt, and General Morshower is waiting at the conference board," the man informed her, casting a slightly curious glance at the two robots and one human behind her. His blue eyes lingered on the Autobot symbols and he relaxed more at that as he seemed to realize they were friends.

Kat could tell he wasn't sure of how to address her and smiled slightly. "Call me O'Malley," she requested knowing they wouldn't be comfortable with her first name. "I'm not officially military, only a brat. Lead on...?"

"Staff Sergeant James Leprous," the man saluted her, falling back on old habits to feel more comfortable.

Kat just nodded her head and motioned for him to lead her on. The Staff Sergeant quickly lead her back into the main building and showed Kat the communications room they had set up where General Morshower was calmly waiting on the visible screen. "Miss O'Malley," the man greeted her. "I have a very annoyed DNS trying to get me to have you brought in under treason. What did you do to the man?"

Kat blinked 'innocently' at him followed by a puzzled look. "General Morshower, I just had him arrested for 24 hours for assault of a military combatant and assault of one of my men! And while he was arrested we went over stagiest on what to do though it was agreed to ship NEST back to Deigo Garcia. Am I to assume that something went wrong in transport?" she asked politely of him, gaining a few grins around the com center.

Morshower looked at her long and hard before he too showed a small hint of a smile by the crinkling of his eyes. "I'm afraid your men had to do an emergency bailout while flying over Egypt. However, on the ground they encountered Decepticon forces and heavy losses were sustained by either side."

Kat straightened at that. "I would like a list of names and if possible transport to where those men are heading for myself, Josh and one undercover Autobot. I would also like to contact them before arrival."

General Morshower slowly nodded though his eyes showed confusion. "There's an Autobot I don't know about?"

"Two actually," Kat chirped and grinned as he groaned. "They were assigned as guards to Josh and me when we came aboard to the program six months ago. I'm shipping one of the 'bots to meet us at Deigo Garcia, but the other one won't be happy if I did the same to him and will insist on a guard before glitching. He was an Autobot security officer before and during the war. He's big on the safety thing."

Morshower just shook his head. "I can fly you out to their fuel up location in India before they arrive. You can contact them there."

Kat sent the man on the screen a big smile. "Thank you General. I will send you a report on what happens with Galloway as soon as I'm finished with him."

This time the General really did smirk. "I will look forward to it," he informed her and signaled for the line to be cut. Kat beamed and after making sure everything was in place for her flight and Prowl's flight to Deigo Garcia she raced for her brother and bots.

Several hours later, Major Lennox was looking at her over a screen in India. "Major," she greeted him, setting the paperwork she had been sent aside. "It's good to see you're alive."

"Thank you ma'am," Lennox greeted her back. "We lost several good men and Israelis as well."

"I'm reading the report," she sighed. "How are our bots handling Arcee's death?"

"Bumblebee is taking it especially hard," Lennox informed her sadly. Kat nodded and listened attentively to the report the man offered. That's when he got to the good stuff. "With the visual demand that the Fallen did, Optimus is worried about their stay here on Earth," Lennox informed her before glancing behind him as one of the communications officers spoke to him. "And I've just been informed that we need to cut communications soon as we'll be docking in India."

"I'm well aware of your location Major," Kat smirked. "I have a request before we cut comm. Please inform Optimus that I have a way to bring Arcee back and inform the commander I will be boarding with my brother and another Autobot when you arrive in India."

Lennox gapped but managed a nod before Kat cut the communication. Kat thanked the men who had set everything up and walked out to the docks where Josh and Hot Rod were waiting. "Everything set?" Hot rod asked from his radio.

Kat leaned against his door with a smirk. "Yes, they will be ready for us," she informed them, watching the approaching ships. "How are you boys doing?"

"Worried about the fallout from this," Josh answered honestly as he continued to go through the never ending stream of data on his tablet. He was seated comfortably in Hot Rod's alt form as the 'bot helped him doctor the new campaign Kat wanted to run. So far they had several audio clips that they started releasing to have Galloway praising the Autobots and hiding Sam so he could hopefully go back to school. Kat knew that once Galloway found out he would come after her, and she had a plan just for that. And he would regret every second of it too.

"It will be okay," Kat smiled. "I'll make sure of it."

The three remained silent as the boat carrying their friends and comrads finally docked and a ramp for Hot Rod was lowered. The disguised SSC Autobot finally got the chance to see his old friends when he was shown the large storage area the Autobots had been given for travel. After Josh had gotten out and joined Kat and Lennox, the prankster quickly transformed and stepped up next to Optimus. "Prime," the red and blue mech greated him.

"Hot Shot, it is good to see you again old friend," the big mech smiled. "And the same can be said to you Joshua." Kat froze as his large blue optics fell on her. The thoughts, fears, and pain she had shoved into the smallest part of her brain came flooding to the forefront. Josh frowned when his sister backed up, and turned to her just in time to see her do something he never though he would see.

She ran.

A/N: Now, I will be the first to admit, I suck at writing Southern accents. But let me know what you think! I will say that Lennox will have video of Galloway's flight…. And yes, Kat has more things in store for him. Revenge is sweet and best served cold. Please let me know what you think!