Knock Out was the last to arrive at the emergency meeting. Optimus, in his moment of panic and desperation, found that he couldn't think clearly enough to decide the next course of action on his own. He needed to consult Team Prime. Quickly, he had dialed all of them, plus Kickback and Knock Out. Both former Decepticons could possess background information on the mechs that had taken Ratchet, and it couldn't hurt to have them around.

The red medic tiredly sat down at the table in between Wheeljack and Bumblebee, rubbing his optics. Optimus felt a guilty pang; Knock Out hadn't had a moment of rest since the accident, and had been treating injuries and fixing 'bots up all this time.

"What's going on, Chief?" Wheeljack was watching him closely. Optimus hadn't explained the situation, only called an emergency meeting. Everyone was looking to him expectantly.

The Prime tried to keep his servo from shaking as he set the datapad on the table. Inhaling, he spoke carefully, "Ratchet. . . Ratchet's been taken by Decepticons." There was a stunned silence.

"What?!"

"How do you know?"

"He was taken from our home, this was left behind. They intend on holding him hostage. I need your help in finding him." Optimus activated the datapad. "I recognize Thundercracker and Skywarp, but I don't recognize the third mech. Knock Out, Kickback, can either of you identify him?" He let the video play for a few seconds, until the small mech's face was in view, before pausing it.

A scoff left Knock Out. "That little twerp is Rumble. Never met him, but I spent enough time with Soundwave to know all about him."

"You're certain?"

"That's him alright. Megatron kept records, I can get the file. He left Soundwave and Megatron on a little quest for independence before everyone fled Cybertron, if I remember correctly. The Big M never liked him much."

"Please, retrieve the file." Optimus nodded. "We need to know who we are dealing with."

When Knock Out returned with the datapad, Optimus played the video for them. As it went along, all of the Autobots visibly grew angry and restless. Bulkhead seemed to have a hard time watching the clip, averting his optics and clenching his jaw. There was a silence when the video ended. "So, Megatron's got to be behind this, right?" Wheeljack broke it, and crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his optics. There was a certain I told you so that was on his glossa, and Optimus was glad he chose to keep it to himself.

"Wouldn't we have seen him?" Bumblebee pointed out. "Megatron doesn't hide, and Knock Out said that he disliked Rumble."

"Perhaps he doesn't want us to know that he's involved?" Kickback offered.

"I don't believe Megatron would dismiss a chance to throw his victory in Optimus' face. The mech's petty and cruel, if he was involved, he'd be right there beside Ratchet, dangling him in front of Optimus to tease him." As Knock Out spoke, he cringed at the way he put it, flashing the Prime an apologetic look.

Optimus couldn't look at any of them, and instead looked at his servos. They were trembling. "If we know where he has been taken, we can start planning a rescue."

"How can we find that, based off of the video?"

"Perhaps not from the video," the Prime closed his optics thoughtfully. "We know that Rumble, Skywarp and Thundercracker are involved. To start, we should search for their signals. If we're lucky, the Nemesis would've picked up their signals when they arrived at Cybertron. It may tell us where they are hiding."

"I'll start scanning." Bumblebee rose to his pedes. "Knock Out, I might need your assistance. You know how to locate Decepticons on this ship better than anyone here." The pair disappeared through the door, and there was another silence.

"What other evidence could we gather?" Optimus looked around at all of them.

"Do you think they used a groundbridge?" Kickback asked.

"I don't believe so. They had to break into the unit, rather than bridging inside."

"I doubt they just walked. Their hideout would be too close, and I can't imagine Ratchet being easy to drag along, he'd be fighting every step of the way." Wheeljack piped up again. Optimus winced at the image of Ratchet struggling. "They must have a ship."

"A small one, that wouldn't have been seen." Kickback added to his point.

Optimus wrote everything they had thought of down, grateful for the activity for his servos. When they sat still, they shook like trees in a storm. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this anxious. "What happens next, Optimus?" Bulkhead asked him quietly.

"We wait for Bumblebee and Knock Out. Hopefully they will find something." The Prime replied solemnly.

"And if they don't?"

Optimus set his jaw, frowning. His spark was aching. He didn't want to answer. "We'll have to wait for them to send us their demands." He hated the thought of Ratchet spending the night there, and desperately hoped that they could find a way to rescue him quickly. The medic was most likely in a state of fear and helplessness, and he prayed that they wouldn't harm him.

More silence. Bulkhead hesitantly piped up. "Boss, I didn't want to trouble you with this tonight, but. . ." Optimus looked up at him. He inhaled and spoke carefully. "I couldn't sleep after the accident, it didn't seem right. Kickback and I built the foundation ourselves, and I've been reviewing all the plans and how they were executed. . . It couldn't have collapsed like it did on it's own. I think it was sabotaged. The severity of the collapse. . . The base had to have been intentionally bombed. A grenade would've done the trick."

Dread was growing in Optimus' chest. He didn't like that news at all. "Thank you, Bulkhead. We will investigate as soon as we can."

"Could they be linked?" Kickback looked stricken. "It seems that all of our achievements are being targeted, the reconstruction of Cybertron, the first sparkling in an era. . ."

The door opened, and Bumblebee and Knock Out returned. Optimus felt a spark of hope that was crushed almost instantly by Bumblebee's look of defeat. "It seems that they came in completely cloaked and scrambled. There's no sign of their signals in the ship's history, going back almost a year."

The silence that followed burnt. Optimus couldn't calm his pounding spark. Kickback's servo rested on his shoulder.

"I guess we wait then." Wheeljack muttered.

Optimus stayed on the Nemesis that night. He couldn't sleep. The berth was empty and cold, and he felt painfully alone. He knew that somewhere, Ratchet was feeling alone and frightened. He wished he could comfort his mate. Watching the clock, he waited for the hours to tick by, waiting for morning to come, wondering what exactly Rumble and the seekers wanted.

No rest came to him. All he could do was pace to and fro, drowning in his own fears. What if they were hurting Ratchet? What if something happened to the sparkling? How long would it be until he saw his mate again?

His frame ached miserably by the time morning came, and the datapad flickered on with a new transmission. He scooped it up and called another meeting, hurrying down the halls.

This time, Arcee joined them. Knock Out had informed her of the situation while he was checking on her early that morning, and she insisted on taking part. Optimus felt a wave of appreciation as she limped through the door and sat down. Everyone was anxious, silent and fidgety. Optimus wondered if they had been restless that night as well.

"I don't know what will happen." He warned them. "Ratchet may be. . . harmed. If you don't think-"

"We're all staying." Wheeljack cut him off. "For the Doc."

Optimus took that as confirmation to press play. He held his breath.

He thought it would start a video, but instead, a two way feed was activated, and he froze as Rumble spoke shrilly, "About time, Optimus. How long do you want to keep Mama-bot here waiting?"

His processor raced, and he signaled to Bumblebee discreetly. "Trace the call," Wheeljack whispered to him. The scout frantically disappeared through the door.

The datapad lit up with Rumble's end of the feed, and Optimus bristled. Ratchet was bound to a table, servos trapped above his helm, gagged. On either side of his helm were Skywarp and Thundercracker, laughing quietly as they both lightly dragged small blades over Ratchet's chestplating, careful enough to only peel the paint. Ratchet was staying as still as possible, fearing that any slight movement might provoke a deeper cut. Rumble sat to the side, servos on his hips. "Good morning. Doing well?" He grinned, visor glinting.

Optimus swallowed his frustration. "What do you want, Rumble?"

"Right to the chase! I was only being courteous, dear Prime. Don't you want to know how your pretty mate is faring?" He gestured to the bound mech. Skywarp gripped his chin and forced him to angle his helm towards the camera.

Before Optimus could answer, Arcee whispered to him, "Play along, it gives Bee more time." He vented.

"Yes, I do. Have you harmed him?"

Rumble chuckled dryly. "Oh, we've been gentle. That comes when you don't behave." He shifted his weight, casting a glance towards the seekers, who had begun teasing exposed wires and cables along Ratchet's neck with their daggers, threatening to slide them open. Ratchet was tense, optics squeezed shut. "How did you sleep last night, Prime? Were you worried? Were you scared we would mistreat your sweet medic?"

Optimus hated being taunted like this in front of his Team, to have his mate dangled in front of him. "I would like to know your demands. I do not want him to be in your custody for much longer." He said evenly.

"Be patient. You'll know shortly." Rumble waved a servo dismissively. He lifted a datapad, waving it around a bit. "You know what this is." He smirked at Ratchet, and the medic made a soft, sad sound. Optimus' spark ached. "Looks like Mama-bot was coming up with some names while you were away. He's got a good handful here. Want to hear them?"

That stung. The morning before, Ratchet had told him that he was going to brainstorm some sparkling names for them to discuss when he got home. They had been so excited. Optimus didn't want to hear Ratchet's ideas from the cruel mech who had kidnapped him. "That is not your information to give." The Prime warned.

Bumblebee came back into the room, visibly furious. He sat down and shook his helm. Optimus' servos clenched into fists.

"Untraceable." Wheeljack guessed, and the scout nodded.

Arcee leaned forward and murmured into Optimus' audial. "I think I know where they are."

"And what if you never get to see your mate again? Wouldn't you want to know what he came up with?"

Optimus tensed at the implication. He couldn't bring himself to answer.

"Let's see. . ." Rumble looked down at the screen, grinning. His free servo moved to stroke Ratchet's growing stomach, rubbing it slowly as he read. Ratchet squirmed with a whine.

"Don't touch him," Optimus blurted out before he could stop himself.

"You're in no position to tell me what to do, Prime. In case you haven't noticed, right now, Ratchet is ours, and we can do to him what we please. It would be unfortunate if he or the sparkling suffered because of your inability to control yourself, wouldn't it?"

Optimus sat back in his chair, taking in a shaky breath. He tried to keep his ventilations steady.

"Now, let's take a look at what Mama-bot came up with, shall we? Hmm. . ." Arcee and Knock Out were whispering, and writing things down. "Oooh, Palladium for a little mech, I like that one. First Aid. . . Farstride. . . Hm, are these Earth terms, Mama? Dahlia? Lavender?"

Optimus' spark broke. He had always told Ratchet how much he adored Earth's flowers, and many times insisted on keeping potted plants in the base. Rafael's allergies got in the way of that. It made his spark sing, the fact that Ratchet had remembered flower names, and was considering them for their sparkling. He wanted to beg Rumble to stop. This was supposed to be for them.

Rumble kept listing them off, and Optimus wasn't listening. He was watching Arcee communicate with the others. They looked hopeful. She and Knock Out were writing something down.

"Now, Optimus, your datapad should be downloading a list of demands. They are simple and straightforward. We are also providing a list of deadlines. Fail to meet the deadlines. . ." Rumble flashed a smile, and Thundercracker stroked Ratchet's face slowly. The medic turned his helm away, making a quiet noise of defiance.

"And then?" Optimus narrowed his optics. "You'll let him go?"

"Have patience. We'll see when we come to that." Rumble pet Ratchet's stomach, now looking down at the medic. "It's a shame we can't feel kicking yet. I look forward to it."

"Will you let me speak to him?" Optimus tried to ignore the way rage bubbled up inside him. "Please?"

"I don't think so." Disappointment flooded into Optimus' expression. "See to the demands, Prime. And be quick about it, we don't want to get bored and turn to your lovely pet for entertainment." Optimus wanted to hurl the datapad across the room. "We'll be waiting." Rumble waved pleasantly. The feed cut to black and ended.

A brief silence followed. Optimus closed his optics, sighing slowly. He hoped he was about to hear good news.

"We know where they are." Arcee announced. Everyone looked to her. "I've been there before, with Cliffjumper. I recognize the lab."

"They are in one of Shockwave's abandoned laboratories." Knock Out confirmed, nodding. "I've narrowed it down to two locations."

"When were you in Shockwave's lab?" Bumblebee asked.

She made a waving motion with her servo. "Way back, before we came to Earth. It was with his spacebridge that we made it there."

"You're certain?" Optimus was already rising from his seat. A nod answered him. "Then we leave immediately. Gather who you think will be of use." He turned to Wheeljack. "May we use your ship?"

"Anything for the Doc."

Kickback stood up and moved towards the door. "I'm going to call my buddies. They might have some additional firepower for us to borrow." He announced as he stepped into the hallway.

"Bulkhead, I want you to stay and watch over the city while I am gone. That means covering for my duties as well as yours. Can I trust you?" Optimus regarded the green mech hopefully. The wrecker nodded, smiling at him.

"Go get Ratch back."

"Arcee, you're staying here." Bumblebee was saying firmly to the two-wheeler. The femme huffily stood up and limped from the room, nodding and uttering good wishes to Optimus.

The Prime's battle mask slid over his face, and he was glad that it hid the way he chewed on his lip anxiously. "Autobots-," he stopped himself, glancing at Kickback. "And Insecticons," the buglike mech chuckled, "roll out."

On the way to the laboratory, Knock Out showed all of them a layout of the building, explaining everything he could. "There aren't any cells here, so it's likely Ratchet is still on that lab table, out in the open. We'll have to be careful." He warned.

"Are we going for stealth or are we storming the joint?" Wheeljack asked from the driver's seat.

"It would be best to sneak in, and catch them off guard. If we're lucky, they won't have any type of surveillance. Or guards. I doubt the laboratory is powered up, since it would risk us picking up the energy signal. Hopefully, they'll be relying on our inability to find them." Kickback was loading a blaster larger than his arm. "Optimus, what if they see us coming?"

"We will have to prevent that from happening. There is no room for mistakes." Optimus didn't meet the Insecticon's optics. He hadn't been able to look at any of them for the entirety of the trip. His personal life had been thrown onto the table before everyone, and it burnt to have them see him in this weak, helpless state.

"Boss?"

"Yes, Kickback?"

The Insecticon patted his arm. "He's going to be fine. We're going to bring him back."

Optimus smiled under his mask.

Wheeljack landed the Jackhammer in a secluded, hidden clearing, and they slowly trekked in the direction of the lab. There, Wheeljack, Bumblebee and Knock Out would enter through an air vent and would get eyes inside, and they would go from there. Optimus, Kickback, and the few other friends he and Ratchet had made that had come waited outside, hidden, anxiously sitting in silence.

"We're in." Bumblebee updated him. He tightened his servo around his cannon.

"There's step one." Kickback breathed.

Ten dreadful minutes passed, and the world was eerily silent. Optimus' spark was pounding so hard it hurt. He wondered what Ratchet was thinking about right now. He longed to hold him, take his servo and lead him back to the ship, sweep him off his pedes and carry him to the medbay. . . Optimus ground his denta. It wasn't often that his patience was tested like this.

"Optimus, we have a problem."

His spark sank. "What's wrong?"

"There's nobody here, but. . . Just come inside. Knock Out has the code, once you're at the door, he'll give it to you."

They entered the laboratory, hurrying down the black and yellow corridor and into the main chamber. There, Bumblebee was waiting beside a table- the table that Ratchet had been bound to. The restraints were still there, as was a fresh pool of energon. They were at the right place.

Optimus almost gagged in pure panic.

'Nice try' was written in energon across the table.

"They knew we were coming." Wheeljack said quietly.

A servo rested on Optimus' shoulder, an attempt to comfort him, but Optimus didn't react. "What do we do now?" Knock Out asked hesitantly.

"I. . ." Optimus swallowed dryly. "I review the demands."