Transformers Prime: Road Trip

"And Optimus.  He says his com-link isn't working either," replayed Soundwave for his liege who smiled in a predatory at these news.  

Optimus Prime, his ancient enemy, stranded, incapable to reach out to his team, and vunerable due to three little pets... For the first time in eons, the Autobot leader was was prey.  It was too good of a chance to let slip pass.  

"Dreadwing!" The former gladiator called at his second-in-command, who quickly approached and bowed to him, "Assemble a team and fetch me Prime, and his three pets..."

"Why the humans, my Lord?" The jet couldn't help but wonder, not following.  

"I've witnessed to which lengths Optimus may go in order to protect the native lifeforms under his care," The silvery Cybertronian stated.  

He turned around as his processor evoked the day in which he harmed the little one, and how Prime had laid waste upon his ship in order to find him.  True, he was badly wounded during the fight that followed, and would've been terminated, wouldn't have been for Unicrons ironically fortunate interruption; But, he also learned something that day: The Prime had a soft spot.  

"Perhaps, with the right incentive, he may even surrender the war," Megatron finished the explanation, grinning darkly.  

If he were to play his cards just right and properly, there was no doubt in his mind that this would end with the Autobot leader kneeling at his feet...  

...

Jack finally came out of the mini-market, finding that Raf and Miko were already waiting for him, standing on Optimus' shadow while munching at the food they bought.  

They managed to buy a bag of sandwiches and a battle of water.  It wasn't much, but it was something; Plus they saved some money for later, so the oldest teen said nothing and accepted the sandwich offered to him by Miko.  

"Ratchet says he'll try to open a Ground Bridge at our coordinates, but that'll take a while cause the systems have also gotten fried during the accident too," Jack informed, swallowing a piece of his sandwich.  He hasn't noticed how hungry he was until now...

"And... How long would that be?" Miko wondered, finishing her first sandwich and reaching for the bottle of water.  

"He didn't tell me."

The 'Bot remained silent.  He should've guessed that the residual charge may have gotten to the bridge's systems, damaging them.  This represented a new setback, which, he had hoped, wouldn't end up in some sort of accident.  After all, he could understand why they needed to remain at their current location, in hopes for their friends to send transport for them; But, at the same time, it left them vulnerable...

Then again, he's been driving with the children for about a day now, and there haven't been any Decepticons in the proximity; So, maybe, they may actually make it back without incidents.  The Cybertronian couldn't find the words to express how much he would like that...

Unfortunately however, almost as soon as he was pondering over their chances to calmly return to base, the noise of distant jet engines reached his audios  His side mirrors immediately titled up, only to see the distant silhouettes of several airborne vessels coming rapidly at them; One of which had a familiar paint job.  Dreadwing, Recognized Optimus.  

"Children, inside, now!" The 'Bot ordered his charges, which needed a second to understand his change of demeanor.  However, as soon as they saw the 'Cons, the three ran into hiding as they were told; Meanwhile, the Autobot leader himself started to drive away, hoping to divert their attackers attention.