The next few days are quiet. No activity from the Decepticons. They brought me back to base every night and most nights I would lie in my rack and stare at the ceiling. Sleep became scarce. I waited every day for a text or something from Dreadwing, but it never came. To say I'm hurt would be too easy. I wish I could go find him. I understand he wants to save me, but he needs to be saved, too.

This morning, I get a call from Optimus saying he wants me to stay at base today. They will be doing a mission. Part of me wants to go with, but after what happened last time, I better not. The captain already reamed me for that one. I'm sure there is something I can do here. I get dressed and head to my office. There isn't much for me to do besides sign some leave papers. I'm surprised the captain hasn't put a halt on personal going on leave.

"Good morning, Ma'am." Ssgt sticks his nose into my office.

"Good morning, Ssgt. How have things been while I've been gone?" I put my pen down and look up at him.

"On edge. Patrol has been upped and everyone seems to be more tense lately. I know it's none of my business, but where have you been?" He walks in and takes a seat. Looking at me with curious eyes.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I laugh and lean back in my seat.

"Oh, come on. Try me."

"I don't even know if I'm allowed to tell you."

"If it's about the Autobots, I already know. The captain briefed all of us staff NCO's on what was going on. But nothing about you. Just that we need to be prepared for anything."

"Well, I've been with them. They are protecting me." I don't think there is nothing else I need to tell him.

"Why are they protecting you? Is this about the attack a few weeks ago?"

I look away, ashamed that it was caused by me. I'm the reason for the attack after all. This whole thing is my fault. If I hadn't let Dreadwing get to me. If I would have just ignored him. Or even flew away when he wanted me to land. None of us would be in this mess. How could I have been so selfish?

"It's all my fault." I whisper.

"I'm sorry?" He leans in, hoping I will repeat myself.

"Nothing. Thinking out loud." That I admit.

"Lieutenant, this isn't your fault. Shit happens. We will adapt and overcome. Those Deceptacreeps won't be getting us anytime soon."

I laugh at his statement. I know the autoboots will protect us. We wouldn't be able to take them on without them. There is no way we could. Just watching that one battle, there is no way we would survive.

"No, but we better be ready when they do." I say looking anywhere but at him.

He nods his head before getting up and leaving to check on the platoon. I go back to my paperwork. Not that there is a lot to do. Most of it has been done for me. I wish there was more. I need something to keep me distracted. I'd go out and check on my plane, but I've been banned from going on the flight deck. This is the worst punishment I've ever had to endure.

-------------------------

The next day I wait for Optimus to show up. I'm not needed at base and Optimus wants to keep a closer eye on me. He seems suspicious and wouldn't tell me why. It has me concerned, but I'm not going to let it get to me. I have come to terms that I may never see Dreadwing again or hear from him. Why keep my hopes up anymore? If I see him, it could only lead to more danger for me and my unit. I can't keep being selfish. I sling my backpack over my shoulder as Optimus rolls in.

"Be good." I hear Drake yell over to me.

I do all I can not to flick him off. Instead, I roll my eye and wave goodbye. Optimus opens his passenger side door opens and I climb up. Silence fills the cab as the door slams shut.

"Bad day yesterday?" I ask, leaning my head against the window.

"Yes, it would seem." I wait a moment expecting him to continue.

"What happened?"

"Megatron has been causing to many problems. He needs to be eliminated." Optimus growls, rumbling throughout the semi.

"I've never heard you speak so dark, Optimus. Things must have gotten bad. How do you plan to do that?" I look over at his holoform. Or where it was. Now it's only a moving steering wheel and an empty seat.

"I do not have an answer."

The cab goes silent again and I don't ask anymore questions. It isn't long before we are pulling up into base. I count the bots standing around as we roll up. I also see the kids standing up top. They all seem to be standing around the computer screen. I wonder what's up. Optimus stops at the edge of the tunnel, and I hop out.

"What's going on?" I question as I walk up.

"Beep beep beep" Bumblebee started going off.

"Whoa whoa Bumblebee. I can't understand you." I wave my hands in front of me.

"He said there were some explosions happening close to some big cities yesterday and there is more this morning." Raf translated.

"Explosions? Was that your mission yesterday?" I turned and looked up at Optimus who transformed behind me.

"Yes. It seems Dreadwing is being sent by Megatron to look for Energon mines close to some major cities." He explained.

"But what about the people there?"

"We were doing damage control. Making sure no one got hurt." Arcee joins in.

I didn't think Dreadwing would do such a thing. I can understand Megtron not giving a crap, but I've never seen Dreadwing hurt anyone before, beside the Autobots. This doesn't make sense. He is only going to put them and the autobots at risk of being seen. Agent Fowler is probably having a hay day with this one.

"How do we stop them?" I wonder as I climb up the steps to join the children.

"At this point. I don't know." Optimus said defeated.

I come to a realization. The Autobots may be these strong, large autonomous beings, but they are not emotionless. They can do so much, but they can't do everything. They need help and if I'm going to be here, I need to find a way to help them.

"Let me talk to Dreadwing." Everyone stares at me.

"No." Optimus doesn't hesitate.

"Let me reason with him. I can get him to stop." I try to explain.

"He will squish you." Ratchet doesn't bother being polite.

"No, he won't. I know he won't." I argue.

"He didn't have a problem shooting at you before." Ratchet reminded me.

"How dare you? He didn't do it because he wanted too." I scorned.

Ratchet takes two large steps towards me. Eyeing me down, ready to rip into me and I could feel the heat coming. But before it could even start to lay into me, Optimus puts a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back.

"This is no time to fight among each other." His voice rings out over us. "We have one enemy, and they are out there. Not in here. I will not have it."

"Yes, Optimus." We say together, our shoulders both falling.

Optimus turns away, clearly thinking about something. He looks up at the screen where there are few blinking red dots. I'm assuming are where explosions have been happening. There are so many, and they are all over the place. There doesn't seem to be a pattern. It doesn't make sense.

"How are they all over the place so fast? I mean they are west coast and east coast and everywhere in between." I wonder out loud.

"They are split up, but Dreadwing has been ground bridging between them." Ratchet explains.

I should have known. A part of me wishes I didn't. Megatron is the mastermind, but Dreadwing is carrying out his orders. Who knows how many innocent people he has hurt. I need to know why he is doing this. I know I shouldn't, but I pull out my phone. Quickly finding his name, I send him a simple "What's going on?" text. I can only hope he doesn't lie to me or even texts me back at all. But I m surprised.

'Do not leave the Autobots base.' Is all he wrote.