Annabelle

Quick Release

Optimus Prime had every available monitor up and running, searching for any sign of decepticons, anywhere. Every autobot was helping, even Jazz did when he arrived, refusing Ratchet’s attention to his injuries. They were searching not only on Earth, but her moon, and those planets accompanying her in the solar system. They looked in the skies, on land, in the water. They are searching everything, but couldn’t find a single thing. Optimus was trying to stay calm, but he was losing his grip on sanity. She trusted them, trusted him and he had let her down. What was he going to do now?

“Bumblebee, Wheeljack,” he called, concentrating on the monitor. “I want you two to go scout. I want a complete search of everything find. Look high, look low,” he returned his full attention back onto the screen in front of him. He didn’t even look to see them leave, he just assumed they would.

“Optimus,” Ratchet said calmly next to him. “It’ll be fine,”

“I don’t need it Ratchet,” Optimus almost growled. “I don’t want to think about it. I’m on the verge of losing it and we all know how that’s going to end.

“Optimus Prime. Bumblebee here.” the autobot radioed. “We got three decepticons.”

Before anyone could relax, the radio frequency was completely covered with static, making everyone in the room wince. The computers around them whizzed on, displaying the last face that Prime wanted to see on it.

“Megatron,” Optimus growled, stepping forward.

“Optimus,” Megatron almost smiled. “It’s so good to see you again, old friend.”

“What have you done with her?” Ironhide demanded, stepping up.

“Who? The girl? You can’t possibly all care for her that much!?”

“Where is she, Megatron!?” Optimus demanded, losing his temper.

Megatron only smiled, moving to the side a little, to display the girl hanging in the air, arms covered in chains, with circles burned into her clothes and red bruising everywhere. Optimus narrowed his eyes.

“We’ve been trying to get us to tell her where you have your base...but she’s a determined insect, I’ll give her that much. It wasn’t until your radio frequency was opened that we were able to lock onto it.” Megatron returned into view, smiling as if he had won the lottery. “Optimus Prime, I have some valuable information to give to you. You better listen.” Optimus narrowed his eyes, but gave the con his full attention. “I need you. For every minute you do not come, I will torture her for two. Do you understand me?” Prime only nodded. “Come to coordinates when this message is over, and come alone. I will send a squad to pick you up.” Megatron paused, clearly enjoying Prime’s willingness to bend at his command. “Time is of the essence, Optimus Prime.” and with that, he was gone.

“Ratchet, we have no time. Get the bridge locked onto those coordinates,” Optimus demanded, looking at Ironhide. He opened his chest place, producing the sacred Matrix of Leadership. He handed the thing to the scared autobot who was looking at Prime in disbelief. “You are acting Prime now, Ironhide,” Optimus said.

“Only until you return,” Ironhide replied, just as the ground bridge opened. Optimus Prime darted through it, not even hesitating.

“That is if he returns…”

!@#$%^&*()

“Megatron!” Optimus called, standing in the snow.

Megatron had sent him to the arctic. It was freezing his processors, which Optimus guessed was a part of his plan. Maybe to slow him down. In the distance, he saw a red light approaching. Three decepticons landed, two on either side of Optimus, immediately producing stasis cuffs on the Prime, and one landed right in front of him. His eyes narrowed.