Arcee has never Smokescreen this quiet before.

Since the moment they met, she's always viewed him as many things. Cheerful, laid back, optimistic, annoying, cocky, friendly, extrovert, confident, the list goes on.

But quiet was never a part of it.

Yet, here he was, sitting on the medical cot in the med bay, optics dull and staring blankly ahead at nothing as Ratchet patched him up and replaced his tires and the splint on his right servo with a brace this time.

She gazed over at Bumblebee and saw the young scout lingering nearby gazing at Smokescreen in just as much worry. The rookie barely even winced when Ratchet had to pop one of the pipes in his pedes back in place.

Smokescreen barely even registered the pain, if anything he probably would've welcomed it. The same thought ran over and over again in his processor as though mocking him.

'You failed her. You failed Eve. You failed her. You're her guardian. You're supposed to protect her and you failed. You couldn't even do such a simple task. You failed. You failed. You failed. You let Eve and Miko down. You let Bulkhead down. You let everyone down. You failed you failed you failed you failed YoU FAilEd......' he thought.

Ratchet patched up the last wound and looked at Smokescreen in worry. This wasn't new to him. As a war medic, he's seen dozens of Autobots, even the toughest soldiers, go into shock like this. But that didn't make him like it.

He couldn't blame the kid. Ratchet didn't have a human charge like Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead or Smokescreen so there wasn't much he could say about this. But he saw how close Smokescreen was with Evelyn and how they became fast friends the moment they met. If anything, a small part of his processor can't help but wonder if the young Autobot sees her as more than just a friend.

They heard pede steps and saw Optimus enter the med bay. He walked over and stopped beside Smokescreen.

"Smokescreen." His voice managed to snap Smokescreen out of his stupor.

"Optimus...." Smokescreen said. He briefly lifted his helm up to look at him before looking down. He couldn't even bring himself to look at his leader in the eye and tell him about his mistake. 'How much worse of an Autobot could you get?' he asked himself bitterly.

He felt a servo laid on his shoulder and looked up to see Optimus looking at him, optics filled with....concern? Why was he looking at him like that? Shouldn't he be looking at him in shame?

"We all make mistakes. But that doesn't mean those mistakes are our fault." Optimus told him.

"But it is. I failed." Smokescreen croaked out. "I was her guardian, I was supposed to protect her and I failed. It is my fault." Smokescreen said and he furiously blinked to chase away the tears coming. He quickly wiped them away before they could fall. "I'm so sorry." was the only thing he could think of saying out.

He hated it. He's always hated crying in front of others. It made him look weak, as though he was just a kid. He wasn't a kid he was a member of the Elite Guard and the Team Prime for Primus sake!

"Soldier, all of us have been there." Optimus said as the others gathered around him.

"I lost Tailgate and Cliffjumper." Arcee said.

:Megatron almost killed Raf once when he was with me.: Bumblebee admitted.

"And Miko almost got squashed by Breakdown." Bulkhead added.

"And I can't count the number of times I've failed to save a patient." Ratchet said.

"Nor can I even begin to tell you the thousands of mistakes I have made myself." Optimus said.

"......you guys...aren't mad at me? Disappointed? Ashamed?" Smokescreen asked.

They all shook their helms. "No one's perfect. Mistakes are forgivable if one has the courage to admit their mistakes and grow from them." Optimus said. "Tell me, Smokescreen, were you the one who told MECH Eve and Miko's location?"

"....no." Smokescreen said.

"Did you simply hand them over to MECH?" Optimus continued.

"....no, never." Smokescreen said.

"Are they dead yet?" Optimus asked. "Do you know if they're dead yet?"

"No." Smokescreen said with more confidence.

"Are they still alive?" Optimus asked.

"Yes." Smokescreen said with renewed conviction. "They are."

"Then you haven't failed. None of us have. Not when there's still a chance. We can still save Miko and Eve. None of us have failed yet." Optimus said.

"And we don't plan on ever failing." Bulkhead said with determination.

"Now quit mopping and get your aft up, we've got Eve and Miko to save." Arcee said.

:Yeah, plus they're tough, No way they'll go down without a fight.: Bumblebee added.

Smokescreen smiled. "Thank you, guys." He said.

"As touching as this is, we have a visitor." Ratchet said. "It's Agent Fowler."

Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Smokescreen and even Arcee groaned.

"Now of all times?!" Smokescreen asked.

:What did we do this time?: Bumblebee asked.

Soon Agent Fowler arrived as grumpy as ever with an even bigger scowl this time.

"What in the name of Lincoln's beard just happened?!" he asked.

"I'm afraid we do not follow." Optimus said.

"Don't play dumb with me Prime. Four wrecks, a four hour traffic jam, property damaged, cars flipped over, it's a disaster! Anything any of you have to say about this?" he asked.

"Actually yeah, I do." Smokescreen said. "MECH." He said simply.

That one word snapped Fowler to attention and his mood took on a more serious turn. "So those cars were MECH cars. Mind telling me why those guys are finally making a move after all this time?" he asked.

Smokescreen didn't waste time in telling him about his first encounter with them at the cat cafe and the second more unpleasant one where Evelyn and Miko were kidnapped.

They could see how Smokescreen was practically straining to keep it together as he explained the kidnapping. It was a wonder he managed to even mention it. Then he mentioned how it could be because MECH has made a partnership with the Decepticon, Airachnid again.

"Einstein's hair this is even worse than I thought." Fowler said. "Not only was there property damage but two civilians got kidnapped." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Any idea where Evelyn and Miko are?"

"Wait, what about the MECH agents who got left behind?" Arcee asked.

"There were gone. None left. Disappeared without a trace. Nothing. No hair nor hide of them was found at the scene." Fowler said.

"I'm afraid we still do not know at the moment." Optimus replied. "Rest assured we are doing everything we can to save them."

"This isn't that simple Prime. This isn't Miss Darby we're talking about. She knows but Miko and Evelyn's family don't and we can't risk dragging more civilians into this. But we can't just keep quiet about this matter and I'm goanna have to inform them of this." Fowler said.

"I won't mention any of you but I can't just leave them in the dark just like that. I'll try to cover up for you all as long as I can but you better hurry cuz I don't know how long I can stall." He continued.

"You're help is greatly appreciated." Optimus said.

"Don't worry, Fowler. We'll get them back." Smokescreen said.

"We'll get them both back." Bulkhead added.

Agent Fowler nodded. "Good luck, Team Prime." He said before leaving.

**************************************************

Edward sat at the dining table alone, a plate of half-finished mac and cheese and a cup of water in front of him.

On his opposite was an empty seat with another plate of mac and cheese that was growing colder as the seconds passed.

Edward chewed his thumbnail nervously as he looked at the time.

8:07 p.m.

Edward turned his phone on and checked his messages for the umpteenth time.

Still nothing.

Where the he!l was Evelyn?

Edward scrolled through the messages. They weren't read, they weren't even received!

He snapped his phone shut and paced around the living room in frustration which soon grew to become agitation.

Edward pressed his sister's number and held the phone to his ear.

{{Hi, I'm busy at the moment, sorry. But leave a message after the beep, kay? Beep. *snicker*.}}

Voicemail again. He left a message anyways.

"Eve, it's me, Ed. Where are you? Please, let me know where you are and how are you the moment you receive this. And I swear to god Eve if this is some sick joke I'm not amused. I'm worried. Please contact me soon." He said before ending it. He sighed. That was his third voicemail.

And he didn't need to be a genius to know that isn't exactly a good thing.

Edward's p.o.v

I've always told myself that whenever a problem arises, step one and foremost the most important step is to keep calm.

A level-head helps you think better than a panicking one.

Now, as I paced the living room, biting my thumbnail and gripping my phone, anxiously waiting for some form of reply, I'm struggling to do step one.

Where the he!l was Eve? I know she likes to go against me sometimes to simply annoy me but she has her limits and never once has she stayed pass curfew like this without telling me anything.

Since young, it's become habit for both of us to at least leave a short note if we're going to be out late. It's been drilled into our minds since we were toddlers for goodness sake!

I stopped pacing and stopped biting my thumbnail. I wasn't helping. All this would do is leave a hole in the floor and break my nail.

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

'Calm down.' I told myself. 'You're just being paranoid.'

For all I knew, I was just overreacting. Evelyn might just be taking nap or her phone's dead or on silent again. Maybe she's just somewhere without any bars. Or she left her phone somewhere else or it isn't with her.

There are a thousand and one possibilities.

But they didn't exactly comfort me. Sadly, among those possibilities are not so pleasant ones either.

"Okay, so Eve isn't answering her phone. Think, Ed. Who else can you call?" I muttered to myself. Then I remembered that she was going out with Miko, maybe she knew.

But........I checked my messages and groaned again. Even Miko wasn't answering to my texts and I've called her three times but got no answer!

Normally by now my phone would be spammed by her with cat memes and annoying jokes but so far, I've received nothing and that's honestly even more disturbing.

After contemplating for a while longer, I decided to finally call Aunt Selina. I hadn't called her because I didn't want to bother her but I couldn't just keep this from her.

However, I didn't have to as I heard a knock on the door. I peered through the peephole on the door and it was Aunt Selina herself!

I opened the door to greet her. "Welcome back. You're home early." I said. She was still in her police uniform and even had her cap on.

"I'm as surprised as you." She said as I ushered her inside. "One moment I was doing paperwork at my station the next thing I know one of my higher ups receive a call for me and tells me to come back."

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm as lost as you are." Aunt Selina said.

Then I shook my head. The reason behind Aunt Selina's early leave can wait, we've got bigger problems. "Aunt Selina, I think we've got a problem. It's Eve."

"What's wrong? What did she do?" she asked.

"I don't know. Look, I could just be paranoid and all but Eve isn't answering any of my texts, she isn't even receiving them and she won't pick up. I've called at least ten times. She went out with Miko earlier to a cat cafe. I told her to be back before dinner but she still isn't back!" I explained.

"Are you sure? Did you call her cell? Her backup number?" Aunt Selina asked.

"I tried both and both went to voicemail." I said.

"Um....have you tried calling her friends? Maybe she's with them. Have you tried calling Miko?" she asked.

"Already did, three times. Same results." I said.

Aunt Selina took a deep breath and she thought about it seriously. "Okay, we'll try to call her again. I'll try using my cell too. If she doesn't pick up or leave any note whatsoever in the next half an hour, you and I will go over to the cat cafe and Miko's house to search, that sound good to you?" she asked.

"Yeah, okay." I said. My mouth felt dry and a tight knot formed in my gut. There was something wrong, I can just feel it.

My 'sixth sense' is going off and my gut's telling me something bad is goanna happen.

And sometimes it hurts to be right.

Just as Aunt Selina and I were goanna dial Eve's number one more time, there was another knock on the door.

I peered through it and saw someone I haven't seen before.

It was a tanned skin man in, what I estimate his 40s with curly black hair. He wore a blue grey dress jacket over a white button up and a tie, making him look like the professional type. But...something about him separated him from the average bloke.

I remember how when I was a child, Grandpa would introduce me to some of his old war buddies. The one thing they all had in common was the look in their eyes and the certain way they carry themselves.

I wasn't sure if it was the mac and cheese but something told me that this man was here for a reason. And not a trivial one.

I opened up the door a bit and crossed my arms over my chest. "Can I help you, sir?" a random lad popping up in front of your doorstep at this time isn't exactly normal, even in Jasper, Nevada. I heard shuffling and saw my aunt standing beside me.

"Are you Edward Chris Nakadai and Selina Rose Nakadai?" he asked. His tone sounded like the kind of tone Father uses when he's in a serious meeting. I was also surprised he knew my full name, including my middle name.

"Yes, it is. And you are?" Aunt Selina asked.

The man took out a badge and I saw the government's logo on it much to my surprise and Aunt Selina's judging by her raised eyebrows.

"My name is William Fowler. I'm a special agent of the military. I need to speak with the two of you." He said.

"How do we know you're the real deal? Do you have proof?" Aunt Selina asked suspiciously. I can't blame her, I was suspicious myself. A special agent of the military to show up at out doorstep just like that? If that doesn't spell fishy then I'm a fish myself.

"It's about your sister slash niece, Evelyn Lila Nakadai and your cousin, Miko Nakadai." He said.

At that, he had our full attention. "We should discuss this inside." Aunt Selina said and ushered him in. "Would you like a drink, sir?" she asked.

"No thanks. And just Agent Fowler will do." He said as he took a seat on one of the couches in the living room. "I think the two of you should sit down for this."

Aunt Selina sat down on the couch opposite him and I sat beside her.

"What do you know about my sister? What does she have to do with this?" I blurted out.

He took a deep breath. "What I'm about to say is going to be a shock to both of you. But rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to fix it." He said, carefully choosing his words.

I didn't like his tone. It was the same tine my parents used on me when they were going to tell me about....about Grandpa's........let's not go there.

"Just spit it out already!" I said. Normally I was patient but I couldn't keep it together anymore. Some news was better than no news.

"I'm afraid Evelyn and Miko have been kidnapped."

I was wrong. No news would've been bucket loads better than having to hear that.

"What?!" Aunt Selina and I blurted out. I stood up so suddenly, I was surprised the couch didn't fall over but I heard the couch's legs scrape against the floor.

"Kidnapped?!" I repeated. "Is this some sick joke?" I hissed.

This has to be some sick joke or a prank like those you see on TV. Any moment, I half-expected a camera crew to pop out with microphones and hidden cameras with annoying big smiles on their faces and reveal that this is all an act.

"I wish it were son." He said. His tone had zero trace of humor and his body language was dead serious. Looking at him now, I realized that while at first glance he looks like someone who should have a desk job, the way he carried himself, the way he spoke, the way he looked us all in the eye, this man was a soldier.

I shook my head and slumped back down as I tried to wrap my head around this.

Eve, my little sister, Evelyn Lila Nakadai, a teenager got kidnapped. And Miko, my annoying cousin, Miko Nakadai got kidnapped as well.

Oh god what kind of mess have they gotten themselves into to warrant this?!

"Who? Who kidnapped her?" Aunt Selina asked. She honestly seemed more calm and controlled compared to me at the moment. Her years as a policewoman must've paid off.

"I'm afraid I cannot disclose all the details." He said and I couldn't help but cut him off.

"Seriously?! You just dropped a bomb on us by telling us that two family members has been kidnapped and you say 'I cannot disclose all the details'?!" I said almost shouting.

Then I paused and took a deep breath to compose myself. Losing my temper and lashing out won't get us anywhere.

"Look, son. I know you're both scared and confused but you have to trust me." He said. Then he steepled his fingers and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Earlier this evening, while Miko and Evelyn were at a cat cafe, someone was seen to have been seen spying on them. They managed to lose him but he disappeared without a trace. They were no solid witnesses other than this." He took his phone out and showed us grainy video footage from a CCTV at the cafe.

I squinted and could make out Eve and Miko's bright hair in the cafe. But if I looked harder, I could see a man of sort sitting just far enough to not look suspicious but close enough to keep the two girls within view. He wore a cap so I couldn't see his face.

"Because of this, the man couldn't be called in for questioning. However, as they were coming back home, they were ambushed. A black van pulled over and someone, we're not sure how many exactly, pulled them into the van before they could call for help. The van zoomed off and we lost track of it.

"And I'm afraid that's all I can say. You two can probably guess the rest." He said.

I slumped back against the couch and felt myself slide down a bit, making me look like I'm slouching.

I know that when people talk with you, you shouldn't slouch since it's rude and that you should respect others. But my mind barely even cares about that right now.

I was already picturing the scene. I couldn't imagine what Eve and Miko must've felt like to suddenly be put through such as ordeal.

Then a thought struck me. Why was the government involved in this? How did they get involved in this? Unless....

"Terrorists." I said. "They got kidnapped by terrorists, didn't they?"

I know it sounds cheesy and like something straight out of a movie but it made sense. Now that I think about it, while kidnapping is no joking matter, the government doesn't get involved unless the victim of said kidnap is of importance to them or a nation like politicians or celebrities.

What's more, this is in all honesty something the police can handle. As big a company my Father owned and although he admits that some people do in fact target us, my sister and I aren't that important to warrant the government or the military's help.

I also highly doubt my parents could've known about this before Aunt Selina and me, otherwise they would've let either of us known ASAP.

Agent Fowler looked surprised, he probably hadn't expected me to deduce the answer just like that. I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes.

I get that I'm young but I'm not stupid thank you very much. It's just deduction, logic and common sense.

"Yes." He said. Well at least he's honest.

"So, what now?" Aunt Selina asked.

"We're going to have to put the two of you under federal custody for the time being to ensure you guys don't get targeted next." He said.

Looks like 'Personal Space' and 'Privacy' has left the group chat.

"We won't prod and we won't stay by your side 24/7. You'll still be able to go to school and work and go on with your lives. But should you spot anyone or anything suspicious, call me by this number." He said and passed us a number card.

"Are...are the two girls ali-alright?" Aunt Selina asked.

But I noticed her slip up. She was going to ask if they were alive.

I sure as heck hope they are as much as her.

"......Yes. I doubt they would've gone through all that trouble just to kill them." Agent Fowler reassured us. I wasn't that assured.

There was still something fishy going on here.

"Please, let us know if you hear anything." Aunt Selina said as she guided him towards the door.

"I will. Goodnight, Miss Nakadai, goodnight, Edward. Stay safe." He said.

"Will you promise me you'll do everything you can to find my sister?" I said instead. "I mean it, do you swear you'll do everything you can to get her back?"

He paused and seemed to think about it.

"I'm not goanna sugarcoat it son, I honestly don't know. And I don't make promises I can't keep. But I don't carry this badge around for show. I promise you my subordinates and I will do everything we can to get your sister and cousin back." Agent Fowler said.

Okay, so maybe I was acting a tad bit cold and selfish since I was worried about Eve more than Miko but Eve's my sister and as much as I love Miko, she comes first.

I was calm and looked tired on the outside but inside I'm a wreck. I was being stabbed, gutted and rolled over by a monster truck on the inside. Needless to say, i was an even bigger wreck than some of my failed inventions/prototypes and that's saying something.

Aunt Selina hugged me. "We'll get them back." She whispered. "Eve's a tough girl, she can handle herself. Miko's with her too. We'll get them back." I wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure me or herself.

I felt so many things.

I felt angry, sad, worried, devastated, frustrated, confused, terrified, the list goes on and on.

I wanted to punch something really badly. I wanted to scream and curse like a sailor then just punch and kick and break something and at the same time, I wanted to cry my eyes out and wrap myself in blankets, close my eyes and never wake up until this nightmare was over.

I pinched myself....nope this wasn't a dream though I wished it were.

I went to sleep that night, or at least tried to.

I tossed and turned in my bed. I tried to sleep, to get some shut eye and rest because I suddenly felt exhausted like I'd just run a marathon and done a kickboxing match without any breaks.

But everytime I close my eyes, I picture my little sister and cousin tied up and gagged in some dim room straight out of a horror movie trembling in fear with someone looming over them taunting them, mocking them, torturing them for their own sick amusement.

I finally managed to fall into a dreamless sleep at 3 a.m. in the morning and when I woke up, it felt like I'd just closed my eyes for a second.