So I started this chapter like two weeks after the last one, then I got lazier and lazier. At least one didn't take me a year.

I don't own Transformers Prime, but this story is all mine!

The ground bridge activated as Optimus charged into Autobot base, carrying the unconscious Arcee. Parts of her chestplate was scarred with char and torn metal. Bumblebee and Bulkhead came soon afterwards, worried looks on their faceplates.

Ratchet didn't skip a beat, pointing at a berth, "Place her there, gently."

Optimus complied as he set down. Ratchet immediately went to work stabilizing Arcee. She was losing energon fast and he needed to clean her wound before he he could do anything. He cleaned it as best he could, applying pressure to stop the bleeding. He closed up all the energon veins he could spot in her chest. The bleeding stopped, for now. He activated his soldering gun and went to work on closing the wound.

During the process the rest of the Autobots didn't know what to do with themselves. They were all worried for the two-wheeler. Not only did she take severe physical damage, but mental ones as well. Bumblebee was pacing monotonously back and forth. Bulkhead was trying to will himself against breaking something. Optimus stood still and merely observed. His faceplate looked grim, but otherwise unreadable.

The kids watched over the railing from their usual spot. They listened in on the comm when everything started going downhill. When the Autobots returned the kids opted to stay out of the way. Miko stood silently, shifting her gaze to all of the bots, trying to figure out something to say that could make things better. Nothing came to mind. Raf's gaze was fixed on Ratchet working. He would occasionally look back at Jack worried. When Jack saw what state Miko was in he sat back onto the couch they used for gaming and TV. His face was in his hands and he was completely still.

Ratchet sighed as he deactivated his welding torch. It wasn't pretty, but the wound was successfully closed. He hooked her up to an IV. Her energon levels were still dangerously low. Most of it covered Ratchet's person. The good doctor grabbed a rag and began wiping the energon off of him. Flashes of the war plagued his mind as he cleaned his blood stained visage.

As Ratchet finished up he was approached by Optimus, "What is Arcee's status?"

"Yeah, i-is she gonna be alright." Bulkhead asked with hint of hesitation.

Ratchet sighed again, "The missile nearly missed her spark chamber. I managed to stop the bleeding and close the wound, but she's lost a lot of energon. She'll pull through, but she's going to need a lot of rest. We're going to need to check on her periodically. If she wakes she needs to remain in her berth. Too much stress could reopen her wounds. And she's been through enough stress"

The bots in the room nodded in compliance. Ratchet sighed again as he went over to his work station, fiddling with his tools. Now that Arcee was safe, for now, no one really knew what to do. Bulkhead and Bumblebee discussed who should keep watch first. Bulkhead insisted on doing it first and leaned against a wall near Arcee.

Optimus walked towards the medic. He stood behind him silently contemplating what to say. Ratchet was well aware he had company due to the Prime's massive shadow overtaking him. The medic pretended not to notice.

"Ratchet, before we left to respond to the distress signal you said you has something important to tell me." Optimus said. Ratchet stopped tinkering, but didn't respond. He wasn't even doing anything really, just trying to make himself look busy. "You were going to tell me what you discovered from Mindwipe's notes, weren't you?" Ratchet bowed his head, but still didn't respond. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, old friend."

Ratchet turned around finally, "It wasn't your fault Optimus. Even if I told you what I found it wouldn't have made the difference. Starscream would have still fell victim to Megatron's machinations, and Arcee would still-" Ratchet shuddered.

Optimus placed a comforting servo on the medic's shoulder, "I know you haven't faced so much bloodshed since before we set foot on this planet, but I need to know what you found."

Ratchet inhaled then exhaled slowly, "Nothing helpful. The fully completed Processor Destabilizer places a control chip in the processor of whoever it's used on. Megatron must have put it in Starscream when he regained his memories." Optimus merely nodded as he remembered that fiasco. "All Megatron had to do was be in range of Starscream to activated the chip with the Destabilizer remotely. Megatron has complete control over his mind. He can make Starscream do or say anything he wants. I'm not even sure Starscream can think on his own anymore."

"Is there anything we can do to free him?" Optimus inquired.

"Unless we have the destabilizer in our possession there is nothing we can do. Pleading with Starscream to remember is not going to work. We can't save him with any fairy tale sap or however the kids say it." Ratchet grumbled.

"Could you recreate the Destabilizer using the notes?"

Ratchet grabbed the notepad from his work station and began flipping through it, "Mindwipe did not place a scan of his blueprints in his notepad. But there is a section on frequencies that the processor can respond to. I could build something that can emit soundwaves at this frequency. If we're lucky it could dispel Megatron's hold on Starscream's mind."

"What if we aren't?"

"Than either nothing could happen and we'd be back at square one, or," Ratchet hesitated for a second as he double checked the notes, "We could fry Starscream's processor leaving him in a catatonic state."

"You're gonna turn Screamer into a vegetable?" Miko exclaimed from underneath Ratchet's station. The little japanese girl at some point snuck over to spy on the leader and medic. "Please tell me you guys came up with a better plan than that!"

Ratchet grumbled in irritation as he began gently pushing her back to the recreation area, "Miko this does not concern you. Please, remain with Jack and Raf."

Miko pushed against Ratchet massive hands in vain, "Oh come on!" Miko whined. "Let us help! We wanna stick it to bucket head for hurting Arcee. We want to free Starscream! No man or mech behind!" Miko stumbled as Ratchet gave her one more push away.

Optimus stepped forward, "Miko, facing the Decepticons will be more dangerous than ever. Not only do they have one of our own held captive, but now all Autobots are risk. If even one of us befalls to the same fate as Starscream than I can only hope that none of you kids are near."

Miko pouted and folded her arms in annoyance. She wanted to argue, but when he said 'one of our own' she steeled herself. She went back to the recreation area and sat down on the couch next to a still quiet Jack.

Once Miko was no longer in ear shot Optimus returned his gaze to the medic, "How long will the device be operational?"

Ratchet looked shocked, "Optimus you can't be serious! Such a device is merely hypothetical. I wouldn't even know where to begin designing such a contraption!"

"I'm sorry to put you in such a position, old friend, but we won't have long." Optimus said with a grim expression.

"W-what do you mean?" Ratchet stuttered. Ratchet feigned ignorance, but he had a suspicion as to what Optimus is talking about.

"You know as well as I that the location of our base may be compromised. Now that Starscream's mind is under Megatron's complete control it is only a matter of time before we will have to face the Decepticons knocking at our doors."

Ratchet sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose, "I know Optimus, but what are we going to do?"

"I have made contact with Agent Fowler. If it comes to it he has prepared a military bunker far from here to act as our new temporary base. All we will have to do is move our belongings their through the groundbridge." Optimus explained.

Ratchet sighed and attempted to work off a migraine. Then he chuckled, "To think, I finally got the decor just the way I like it."

Despite the rather dour situation, Optimus smiled. He placed a comforting servo on the medic's shoulder. "I know how you feel, old friend."

Ratchet sighed again. He's been doing that a lot lately. Perhaps it's his old age? He turned back to his work station. "I'll start working on your project, Optimus. Don't know what I'll be able to give you with such limited time."

"Thank you." Optimus said simply. Ratchet waved him off in reply. With that over and done with, Optimus headed to his quarters.

Bulkhead was sitting on a metal crate and watched Arcee's prone body forlornly. He clutched his helm and nearly dented it in frustration. He stood up, knocking the crate aside. He gently walked towards Arcee, more gently than he's ever been. He reached his servo out to her, but hesitated. He lightly grazed her cheek. No response. Just the constant rhythmic motion of Arcee's breathing. Bulkhead's breath hitched as he shakily sat back down.

"I'm sorry." Bulkhead whispered, more to himself. "I'm so sorry. I should have done something. I should have been there." He looked back up, but was saddened further when he noticed Arcee still hadn't moved an inch. "Ever since Starscream became part of our team I felt… useless. I felt like I was always stuck in the background. No longer needed. I was supposed to be the one who always got your back. Look how well that turned out." Bulkhead didn't know what he was doing, but he was glad Arcee couldn't hear him.

Miko watched him sadly. She hated seeing Bulk so down, but she knew there was nothing she could say that would cheer him up. She sat and watched as her partner in crime aired his grievances.

Bumblebee reemerged in order to give Bulkhead a needed break, but the big bruiser wouldn't have it. "If it's all the same to you Bee, I want to stay a little while longer."

Before Bee could interrupt, Ratchet interrupted, "Bumblebee, if you wouldn't mind, the children need to be taken back to their homes. You know as well as I we're a bit understaffed right now, so it would be best if you took all three of them home."

Bee replied with acknowledgement. He hesitantly turned toward Bulkhead who was busy staring sadly at Arcee's unconscious form. Bumblebee transformed and opened his doors for the kids. Raf took shotgun, while Miko and Jack took the back.

The drive was long and silent. No one wanted to speak first. Jack didn't want to speak at all. The last couple of weeks have been a rollercoaster. He's emotionally exhausted at this point and he just wants everything to go back to normal.

Jack was going over everything that's happened in his head, and he's was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the beeping coming from the vehicle he was currently in.

"Hunh wha?" Jack jumped, something was telling him the beeping was addressed to him.

Raf poked his out of his position in shotgun, "Bee said don't worry. Arcee's been through much worse, and Ratchet will make her as good as new."

"Oh uh thanks Bee." Jack said halfheartedly. He really did appreciate the scout condolences, but it wasn't enough and Miko could tell.

As the car became silent again, Miko inched her hand closer to Jack's. Jack nearly jumped again until he looked down and spotted Miko's hand squeezing his own. Miko was ridged and looked out her side window.

Jack looked at her curiously, "Miko? Wha-?"

"J-just shut up," Miko whispered through her teeth. She relaxed her grip a little, but it remained strong over Jack's. "Everything'll be fine. Quit moping. It doesn't fit you, fearless leader." Miko smiled.

Jack continued to look at her confused, but shrugged and leaned back into his seat. He let loose a faint hint of a smile as his hand remained in Miko's for the rest of the ride.