Ironhide and Optimus watched in horror as the missile headed toward the direction of the young human female. They weren't fast enough as the ground exploded into bits of pieces of fire and debris. Optimus was the first to look up and saw the devastation that had been left behind by the blast. Thundercracker was now laughing at his handy work. It was a noise that sent a chill down every spinal strut there. Ironhide was the next to look up and saw the fiery remains of what was lush greenery. His whole body shook with anger as his cannons powered on. He sent a blast toward Thundercracker hitting him in the hip joint. Thundercracker screamed as his whole body convulsed and started to drop from the sky. Optimus subspaced the cannon from his back and began firing at the falling form of the insane decepticon.

Thundercracker watched as the earth got closer and closer, he though quickly and tried to online his thruster so he could stabilize himself. Unfortunately that only managed to make him start spinning out of control like a corkscrew. One of the thrusters had been badly damaged by one of the Autobots. He checked the status of the secondary engines realizing they were functional. At the last moment he powered them on. Taking a sharp turn and shooting into the sky. He was too badly injured to take on five Autobots he would need to rest and then try again later. He aimed his missile at the young Autobot scout and fired. It would give him enough of a distraction so he could get away.

When Elita realized where Thundercrackers missile was headed she yelled out. "Bumblebee, Run!"

Bumblebee quickly transformed into his alt mode pulled a U-turn and began racing out of the vicinity. The missile met the earth with a powerful explosion. Throwing bumblebee up into the air he landed not far from sandy road in the middle of Diego Garcia.

(Optimus POV)

I wasn't happy that the decepticon got away but I knew that my mate and my adopted son were ok.

"Ironhide Report." I Called to my Weapon Specialist

"Elita and Chromia both have shrapnel wounds, they're not so bad but ratchet will need to take a look at them when they get back. Bumblebee seems to have a few gashes in his armor and will need immediate attention. "

"And you old friend?"

"I'm fine, will be better when we get back to base."

I nodded when all of a sudden the ground started to shake. The trees that were burnt started to part and the form of a cybertronian to form and it stood to his full height.

The optics were off until he looked directly at us and his optics online turning a bright Red. I automatically recognized him as Barricade.

I wasn't sure what he wanted as he walked forward holding his hand out in front of himself. I charged up my ion cannon and Ironhide charged his cannons pointed at Barricade.

"What do you want Decepticon?" asked Ironhide

"I am not here to cause harm." He said holding his arm up in surrender.

"Then what do you want?" I asked

"I left the Decepticons not long after Chicago, roaming the earth looking for somewhere to belong. As much as it pains me I must admit that I am nothing without the Decepticons. Without a leader, I know I wasn't like this when I first started out on Cybertron. You know I was a dectective, a protector. I want to be that again. I want to join you, I still have issues with humans but I will try."

Barricade Got on one knee and held out his hand.

"To show I don't mean any harm."

He slowly opened up his hand and there in the middle laid Anai. She was bloody up on one side of her arm and were those …wires?

At that moment my chest lurched in pain and then a bond I had thought that I had lost was opened.

"Blizzardstorm?" I whispered looking at the young human.

"We must get her to Ratchet, Immediately." I yelled toward the others. I Transformed and opened up my passenger side door. Ironhide when up to the Con one cannon still online held out his other hand. Barricade gently moved and slid the young women into Ironhide's awaiting Servo. Ironhide turned while Chromia and Elita took his place guarding the Con. Ironhide gently placed Anai into my Cab. I shut the door and activated my holoform.

The seat adjusted to make a bed and I gently moved her. I took at look at her. She was reaching out for strength. For Love. I was only happy to oblige. I sent everything that I could muster. I had to gently give it at first. To her is was a little strange. She was tentative to accept it. But once she did, I felt love and acceptance and a bit of confusion. At that moment Nothing else mattered accept getting her to Ratchet as soon as possible.