"Stop!" Optimus Prime shouted.

Megatron loosened his grip on the terrified child in his hand. "What is your decision, Optimus?"

"We...will consider your offer."

"Very well," Megatron paused to hand Raf back to Soundwave. "Meet me at these coordinates in one hour."

"Coordinates received," Ratchet informed Optimus, doing the best he could to suppress his anger.

"Don't be late."

"Don't do it, Optimus!" Miko could be heard yelling before the transmission ended.

It didn't take long for the Autobot base to become loud from the chaos that ensued. Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee all wanted to get the children back, But Ratchet was heavily against the idea of surrender. June Darby silently cried while everyone spouted out ideas in the most disorderly fashion possible. Optimus finally motioned them to be quiet.

"It is agreed that we must rescue the children," Prime said. "However, surrendering to Megatron means placing the rest of the planet in danger."

"I say we find their ship, bridge ourselves on and take the kids ourselves," Bulkhead suggested, pounding his fists together.

"Megatron will most likely be prepared for such an attack."

Bumblebee hummed in a questioning manner.

"We will formulate a plan..."

After a few Eradicons took the children to their cell, Knockout spoke.

"Consider our offer? Would Optimus really leave his human friends for scrap?" the red medic wondered aloud.

"Of course not," Megatron replied. "It is more likely that he is stalling for time in order to plan a rescue. We must be prepared for any and all forms of Autobot attack."

~Nearly one hour later~

Starscream roamed inside the Nemesis. The ex-second-in-command cautiously peeked around each corner as he navigated the halls. He was hoping to steal some energon, as his own supply was running low.

"Now, where is that storage chamber?" Starscream uttered to himself. "These blasted hallways all look alike..."

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps could be heard close behind the seeker. He started to panic and made the mistake of turning the corner without looking. In doing so, he accidentally bumped into some Vehicons. Vehicons who just so happened to be on their way to deliver the human children to Megatron.

The unfortunate Eradicon Starscream impacted with received a swift stab from the seeker's claw-like hand. The fatal blow caused him to fall to his knees and release Jack from his hold. Feeling threatened, the other two Vehicons quickly but carefully dropped the children in their hands as well and prepared to fire. Starscream beat them to it.

Only after his enemies lay lifeless on the ground did Starscream notice the three humans.

"You!" the Decepticon traitor snarled before grabbing Jack.

"Hey!" the teen boy exclaimed.

"Let him go!" Raf and Miko ordered at once.

Starscream ignored them. "Don't think I forgot about that energon drill you rammed into me..."

"What's going on down there?" Megatron's voice boomed before he appeared at the other end of the corridor. His eyes narrowed. "Starscream!" he yelled.

The former air commander yelped and foolishly attempted to hide his face behind Jack, who also braced himself.

...Nothing.

"Put down the human, Starscream."

Starscream lifted his head and blinked "I beg your pardon?"

Raf and Miko hurried behind the slender mech upon deciding that it was currently the safest place to be.

"I said put the human down!" Megatron shouted, aiming his cannon for emphasis.

"Go ahead, shoot!" Starscream shouted back, almost certain he wouldn't live to regret it. Or, at least, wouldn't live.

But Megatron didn't shoot.

"...Ha! You must need these humans for something reeaaally important."

The Decepticon leader growled and lowered his weapon.

"Now if you don't mind, I-"

"Hellooo!" Miko chided.

Starscream grumbled. "We'll be taking our leave," he cautiously took a few steps back, waiting to see how Megatron would respond. When he saw no movement, he turned and quickened his pace.

"Don't you want to negotiate, Starscream?" Megatron asked in a calmed tone.

"No, he doesn't!" Jack answered, hoping to encourage his new captor's current mindset. After all, he was their ticket out of there. As to how they'd get away from their ticket when they were finally out though...

When Starscream and the children were no longer in sight, Megatron barked an order throughout the ship, "Decepticons, Starscream is on board. He must not be allowed to leave, but do not harm the humans!"

After dodging several corridors full of Eradicons, Starscream and his human "companions" made it to the groundbridge control room. Upon entering, two Vehicons pointed their blasters at the rogue.

"Release the humans to us or we'll shoot," one bravely commanded.

Starscream responded by pointing his own blaster at Jack. "Shoot me and I'll shoot him!"

"What?!" Jack exclaimed.

"Yeah! And if you shoot him anyway, Screamer here will fall on us!" Miko threatened with a smile on her face. Raf and Jack weren't as enthusiastic.

The Vehicons hesitated before lowering their weapons. Starscream rushed to the groundbridge, not bothering to put in new coordinates. When the portal opened, he rushed through with Raf and Miko following.

After safely landing on the other side, Starscream lifted Jack to eye-level and spoke, "Now, what shall I do with you?"

All of a sudden, a particularly unfriendly sound was heard. It was the last thing Starscream wanted to hear at this point. He looked up to see three Autobot guns in his face.

"You will give him to me," Optimus coldly answered the seeker's question.

Starscream let out a nervous chuckle before plopping Jack into Optimus Prime's open hand. As frightening as Megatron was, Autobots could be even more frightening. Especially when they were protecting humans.

"Bulk!" Miko ran and hugged her guardian's leg.

Bumblebee cheerfully chirped and scooped up Rafael.

Ratchet contacted Optimus over the comm, "Optimus, are we ready to send in Arcee?"

"That will no longer be necessary," Optimus replied.

Starscream saw a small window of opportunity and seized it. He transformed and took off, putting as much distance as he could between him and the Autobots. And Megatron, whom he was sure would be showing up soon. "I didn't even get what I came to that ship for! The next time I decide to steal energon, I'll plan better..."

"...What just happened?" Bulkhead wondered. "Megatron didn't say anything about Screamer makin' the drop off."

Optimus watched the jet disappear in the sky before looking back at the boy in his hand. "I do not believe Starscream was a part of Megatron's intended plan."

"You bet he wasn't," Miko confirmed. "Starscream saved us!"

Bumblebee buzzed in shock.

"I don't think he did it on purpose, Bee," Raf stated. "I think he just got caught and needed a way out..."

"We will discuss this further at base," Optimus said. "Megatron will no doubt be arriving here at any moment. Ratchet! We have the children, bridge us back."

"Optimus, if it's alright with you, I think I've been carried enough for one day..." Jack sighed.

The leader nodded and gently set him down before the groundbridge opened and the group walked through.

~End