Spiritimus Prime: (blinks in surprise) Wow, 46 reviews?! You guys are the best! (hugs everyone) You must really love this story so much, and since you do, I thought I would be kind enough to upload the next chapter to this story. I'm still working on the title, and the plot to the AU version of this story when the Autobots were too late to save Hot Shot. Hehe. So I hope enjoy this!

Chapter 10:

Before It's Too Late

Optimus continued to stare at Starscream, waiting for his answer to come through to him. Whatever the answer was going to be, Optimus was sure that it was the right one. He could feel his systems beginning to churn as he waited, but the more he waited, the more anxious his Spark became. The fear for Hot Shot's safety was something that only a parent would feel and Optimus felt that at the back of his mind, growing stronger with each passing minute that ticked by.

Starscream sighed before he lifted his head, his orange optics looking into Optimus's golden ones. "I've decided that I'll help you get Hot Shot back," he said.

Optimus pretended to be surprised. He was glad that his plan had worked, and he was pretty sure that he heard Jetfire whooping in the background. "Thank you, Starscream," he said, nodding towards the Decepticon, but Starscream raised a hand, halting Optimus.

"But that doesn't mean I'm doing it from the goodness of my Spark, Prime. I need to get revenge on Megatron for leaving me behind to get captured by your hands."

Optimus nodded his understanding. "Alright, Starscream," he said. "But, can I ask you a favour?"

Starscream lifted an optic ridge. "Like I have a choice?" he huffed.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to, Starscream. You just need to hear me ask it before you judge it," Optimus said calmly, not affected by Starscream's gruff tone of voice. "Since Red Alert is doing everything he can to repair the machine that turned Hot Shot into a sparkling, I was hoping that maybe you could help him finish it off. He's doing his best, but he reckons that he won't be finished for another month. He's exhausted, Starscream, and I'm worried that he may collapse at any microsecond."

Starscream glared at Optimus like as if he was crazy. Finally, he growled and rolled his optics before answering, "Fine, I'll help, but first I'll give you the coordinates to the Decepticons' base. For all I know, Megatron could be preparing to get that machine up and running to turn Hot Shot into a loyal Decepticon. You know how vulnerable a sparkling's mind is, so I'm betting that Megatron would not waste a second to get it over and done with before you guys storm the base."

Optimus smiled from beneath his silver mask, glad that the gamble he had taken had worked. "Alright, let's go to the Control Room and get the coordinates set in. While you're at it, I'll call every single Autobot to come there immediately and we'll head off at once. Time is running out fast, and I don't want to lose Hot Shot to some Decepticon programming that Megatron will plant into his mind," he said, lifting his head, his golden optics flashing with anger and determination.

"You really care for that kid, don't you?" Starscream asked, shocked by Optimus's parental feelings towards the young Autobot who had beaten him on numerous occasions with the Star Saber.

"He was my responsibility the moment you tried to hit me with that machine," Optimus answered quietly, feeling guilty for letting Hot Shot take the hit of the blast that had been meant for the Autobot Commander. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts before motioning to Starscream to follow him.

Without a hesitation, or a moment to spare, the two rushed off to the Control Room. Optimus just prayed that they weren't too late.

Wheeljack sighed as he stared at Hot Shot. He wasn't 'really' enjoying this with the whole babysitting thing, but he had little choice in the matter. Heck, he never got a choice for anything ever since he joined the Decepticons. Was he starting to regret his choice already? Oh no, he wasn't. He still couldn't forgive Hot Shot for leaving him all alone after the fire, and he doubted he ever would.

The young ex-bot looked down at the sleeping Hot Shot, who was recharging peacefully. It was obvious that he was exhausted from all that drinking. Of course, Wheeljack found the sleeping kind of… cute. Wait! What was he thinking! He shook his head to clear the thoughts. He growled angrily and his hands clenched into fists.

There was a knock at the door.

Wheeljack breathed a sigh of relief, mentally thanking Primus for getting someone. He opened the door and saw Demolisher standing there. "Yeah, what do you want, Demolisher?" he asked a little gruffly.

"Megatron orders you to bring the sparkling to the room," Demolisher replied. "He also says to not waste any time as well."

Wheeljack rolled his optics. "Fine," he said. "I'll be down there in a nanoklik." He closed the door and turned back to the sleeping Hot Shot. He felt guilt swimming in his CPU, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. Gently, he poked Hot Shot, and the sparkling stirred a little, but did not rise. Is he always like this? Wheeljack wondered.

The young mech tried again, but still Hot Shot did not move.

I guess this calls for drastic measures, Wheeljack thought and he took out a small cube of Energon. "This ought to work," he said quietly and he placed the cube underneath Hot Shot's nose.

What's that lovely smell? Hot Shot thought as sleep began to leave him. It can't be time to get up already, can it? Slowly, he turned his optics online and saw Wheeljack with the cube of Energon placed in front of him. Good old Wheeljack sure knows what I want…His thoughts were stopped when Wheeljack gently picked him and placed him over his right shoulder. Wait! Where's he taking me?

Wheeljack then turned and walked out the room with a confused sparkling kicking and whining as he left. Poor Wheeljack had to deal with high-pitched sound until he stopped in the middle of the corridor and glared Hot Shot in the optics. "Orders are orders, Hot Shot. Megatron can't wait any longer for us." He then continued walking while Hot Shot continued his screams of protest and fear.

Only a single thought echoed through Wheeljack's mind: Forgive me, Hot Shot, but it's for the best.

Optimus Prime and Starscream entered the Control Room where Jetfire and Sideswipe were busy at the controls. Jetfire turned, and, when he saw the two, he let a smile creep onto his lips beneath his golden mask, but he said nothing. He was glad that the risk that Optimus had taken had worked.

"Sideswipe," said Optimus, getting the youngling's attention.

"Yes, sir?" Sideswipe asked, turning to face Optimus.

"Could you let Starscream set in the coordinates to the Decepticon base? He has finally decided to help us get Hot Shot back," Optimus explained.

Sideswipe lifted an optic ridge and he turned to look at Starscream. He then shrugged and stood up allowing Starscream to take his seat and the red mech went to work at once.

While Starscream was at it, Optimus turned on his com-link to get everyone's attention. "Attention all Autobots, please proceed to the Control Room. We're setting in the coordinates to the Decepticon base and we'll prepare for a full-scale rescue mission to get Hot Shot back. That is all." He then switched off his com-link and waited for the other Autobots to come to the Control Room.

Within minutes, Blurr, Scavenger, the kids, and Red Alert came into the room (Hoist was still offline). Optimus glanced over at them and a smile crossed his lips behind his mask before his optics settled onto the children. He sighed and said, "I'm sorry, children, but not this time. From where we're going, I cannot promise you safety."

"But Optimus, you might need us!" Rad cried.

Optimus shook his head before he bent down in front of the children. "It's not that I don't want your help, Rad. It's just that the whole area could be overrun by Decepticons and they may harm you like Megatron tried to capture you the last time. Your safety is my top priority next to Hot Shot's rescue. You can monitor us using Laserbeak."

Rad, Carlos, and Alexis, sighed in defeat and nodded. "Okay, Optimus," said Rad. "Just be careful and kick Megatron's tin can backside for us and Hot Shot. He's gonna regret for ever capturing him!"

Optimus chuckled. "I'll do that, Rad." He looked up as Laserbeak flew in and landed on his shoulder. His optics then settled onto the kids once more. "We'll be back with Hot Shot safely in our arms in no time."

"Optimus," Starscream's voice said, getting the Autobot Commander's attention. "The coordinates have been locked into your Space Bridge. You can go whenever you're ready."

Optimus nodded his appreciation and turned back to the other Autobots. "Alright men, let's roll out!" He then turned and ran out the room with the other Autobots and Starscream following, no doubt wanting to get his revenge on Megatron.

As Wheeljack walked into the room, he did his best to conceal the look of shock that had crossed his face at the sight of the gigantic machine that stood before him. He'd never seen anything like it before, but it was definitely the one that would turn Hot Shot into a loyal Decepticon. Wheeljack felt worry clinging to his mind, but he made no intention of showing it at all.

Megatron turned when he heard the door closing. A grin formed on his lips, revealing his usual sharp fangs. Yes, just a few more minutes and Hot Shot would be a Decepticon in no time. He then pointed to a table that was attached to many different coloured wirings and thick cords that sparked with electricity.

"Go ahead and place him on that table over there."

Wheeljack obeyed and approached the table, Hot Shot screams echoing through his audio receptors and the young ex-bot winced from it but kept on going and placed the mech-turned-sparkling onto the table, strapping his arms and legs to the table by binds that kept him immobilised. Hot Shot's wails continued to slip into Wheeljack's mind, but he paid no heed to them and he turned his back on Hot Shot, walking back until he was a safe distance away from this whole thing.

Megatron's smirk grew bigger, pleased with the success of keeping the sparkling under control, but the way how Hot Shot was carrying on and screaming out 'Oppy', it was beginning to drive him up the wall. They had to get this over and done with before the Autobots figured a way how to get into their base. "It's time to turn up the heat," the Decepticon Tyrant growled just low enough for Demolisher to hear, who had been busy checking out the machine's systems to see if it was in proper working order.

"Yes, sir!" Demolisher replied as he saluted and approached the bar shaped switch that would put the machine's power to 100% and be useful enough to continue with the procedure.

From the Decepticon Space Bridge, Optimus Prime, Starscream, Scavenger, Blurr, Sideswipe, and Jetfire appeared. The Autobot Commander glanced left and right and frowned at the sight of the room that lay before him. The place was cracked, worn out, and did not give the Autobots a fine welcome. This was no place for a sparkling to be and Hot Shot was that example.

Standing up, Optimus glanced at the Autobots that were walking down the platform, he was quite surprised to see Starscream standing on his left, but not surprised when Jetfire approached his right. Sighing, he turned to Starscream. "We don't have much time, Starscream," he said, his golden optics squinting. "Show us where this room is where Megatron keeps this machine you spoke of. If we can destroy it before Megatron uses it, then we won't have to worry about anything."

Starscream reluctantly nodded and motioned Optimus to follow. The Autobot Commander did so, but as they moved out of the room, the alarms flared into life, warning the Decepticons that there were intruders in their base.

Starscream whirled towards Optimus and Jetfire. "We don't have enough time to fight them off, some of you may have to stay put to hold them off!" he cried.

"Alright," said Optimus as he opened his palm, releasing Laserbeak. "Jetfire and I will go with you." He turned to the rest of the Autobots. "The rest of you will hold off the Decepticons until we get back. Don't let anyone through or we may blow our chance of rescuing Hot Shot from Megatron's clutches."

"Yes, sir!" the other Autobots responded.

"Let's go!" Optimus ordered and Starscream took off at a run down the corridors with Jetfire and Optimus following in suit. They had to rescue Hot Shot, they just had too. There was to be no mistakes, and no failure, or else they'll lose him forever to the brink of darkness.

"What's going on?" Megatron demanded as Demolisher rushed towards a control panel, typing in commands while Wheeljack looked around in confusion at the alarms ringing across the entire base. "Well?" the Decepticon General bellowed, causing everyone in the room to wince.

"It appears we're under attack, Megatron, sir," Demolisher reported. "Somehow the Autobots have invaded the base."

Optimus, are you coming for me? Hot Shot thought to himself, a small smile touching his lips and he mentally breathed a sigh of relief. I knew you would.

"Well do something, Demolisher!" Megatron hissed. "Get that machine up and running right now!"

"Uh… yes, sir," Demolisher replied and he returned to the bar switch to turn the machine on to full power.

"Wheeljack!"

Wheeljack looked from his deep thoughts at the sound of Megatron's voice. "Sir?" he asked. He could feel his body shaking under the pressure of Megatron's fury. He knew that Megatron would do anything to make sure that this operation would work, and if the Autobots were going to try and interfere, then they had to be stopped at any cost.

"Go out there and stop those miserable Autobots. I do not want to see you again until they are destroyed! Do I make myself clear on that?" Megatron snarled, his fangs gnashing against each other and flashing in the dim light, his blood red optics flaring with rage and fury.

Wheeljack briefly nodded. "Yes, sir!" he cried and ran out the room to stop the Autobots dead in their tracks, but he had little idea on who would be heading this way.

"Demolisher, continue with the procedure!" Megatron cried.

Starscream, Optimus Prime, and Jetfire raced as fast as they could to the room at the back of the Decepticons' base. Their breathing was becoming shallow from all the running, but Optimus's determination kept them going. They could not afford to fail, not when they were so close to rescuing Hot Shot.

"Stop right there!"

The trio came to an abrupt halt when they spotted Wheeljack standing right between them and their destination. Optimus could see the that the young ex-bot was tense and ready to do battle against them, but he was in no mood for a fight at all, his one goal was to get Hot Shot out of this place as quickly as possible before it was too late.

Wheeljack's blue optics flared in anger when he saw Starscream with the Autobots. "Starscream, you traitor!" he cried. "I'll kill you for going up against Megatron's wrath!"

Starscream smirked. "Sorry, Wheeljack," he said coldly. "But my target's not you." He shook his head. "No, my purpose right now is to go after Megatron for betraying me and leaving me to the Autobots. No get out of our way before I'll make you!" He took a step forward but was stopped by Jetfire. "What are you doing?" he demanded.

"I'll take care of Wheeljack. My business is not with Megatron," said Jetfire coolly, his golden optics flashing brightly. He turned to Optimus, who had a surprised look on his face, and said, "Go and rescue Hot Shot. His life is more important than anything else. You're the only one capable of bringing Megatron down."

Then, as quick as lightning, Jetfire lunged towards Wheeljack and pinned him to the wall. He looked over his shoulder, his optics flaring brighter than ever before. "Go!" he cried.

Optimus nodded as Starscream took out his wing sword, its blade flashing bright red. "Come on!" he snarled. "Let's just get this thing over and done with." He then took off at a run and Optimus continued after him.

"Demolisher, what's taking you so long to get a slaggin' machine to work?" Megatron snarled, his tongue licking one of his fangs as he glared dangerously at Demolisher. The poor green and red mech winced a little as he tried to get the machine to work, but, somehow, the machine wouldn't respond to his command.

"Maybe I can help?" a voice asked and a red energy blast came out of nowhere and blasted the bar switch clean off, also hitting Demolisher's hand in the process of its burning wake.

Megatron whirled towards the voice and his blood red optics flared with his anger and hatred directed right at the one bot responsible for always ruining everything in his chances of conquest.

Hot Shot's wails calmed down when he saw the one that he believed in the most. "Oppy!" he cried happily, tears of joy leaking from his optics.

There, standing in the doorway and with the dim light glowing on his royal red armour, stood none other than the great Optimus Prime himself. Standing beside him with his wingblade flashing bright red was Starscream, and the looks that both of them were giving Megatron were something that should always be avoided at any cost.

"Megatron," Optimus growled, his tone of voice dangerously low and his golden optics glowing as bright as the sun itself, "you'll pay for kidnapping Hot Shot and I'll make sure that it will never happen again!"

Spiritimus Prime: Booya for Optimus Prime making a grand entrance when you need him to! Oh yeah, the next chapter's gonna have a major fight between Optimus Prime and Megatron, but it won't be a fight to the death, nah, it will just be a fight and run battle. Okay, I've given you enough spoilers for the next chapter. XD So please remember to R&R and stay tunned! I love you all 'Little Shotty' fans!