Terra felt like she was going to pass out while getting dressed back at the cabin. She held her black tank top with trembling fingers, trying her hardest not to burst into tears. She forced a heavy sigh, closing her eyes for a moment.
"That bastard," she grumbled before putting her shirt on.
Her family had been kidnapped by the Decepticons last night. They knew she was alive somehow and were using her family to lure her out. How exactly did they find out she was alive? She would certainly find out real soon.
While putting on her pants, she paused to look at herself in the mirror. The blue glow still emanated from her lower stomach. She brushed a hand over the warm skin, letting out another sigh. That time spent in the cave with Starscream felt like a dream now. She had to snap back to reality soon.
She got her pants on and proceeded to pack some essential items for her return to the Autobot base.
It wasn't all bad. Her baby sister, Alcina, managed to get away from the Decepticons and hid herself away in the shed before the house was blown up. Fowler and Optimus had found her when the firefighters couldn't and brought her back to the Autobot base where she was currently waiting for her eldest sister and the rest of her family. The thought of her baby sister all alone and watching her house be destroyed filled her with dread. No child should have to see something like that.
She was sure Alcina must have grown used to seeing giant alien robots now. Hopefully she wouldn't be too scared of Starscream and hopefully Starscream would take a liking to her little sister.
With another sigh, she zipped up her backpack and made her way outside. A ground bridge had already been activated before she went inside. Bumblebee had been called to join the group and looked angry to see Starscream despite Optimus calling the others to explain what was happening.
Terra froze when she saw Bumblebee putting shackles around Starscream's wrists and some kind of restraint around his wings. He looked absolutely miserable in the restraints, but upon seeing her, he smiled in delight. His wings twitched uncomfortably, making him wince in pain. Terra looked over to Optimus who was talking with Arcee about something.
She frowned and walked over to Starscream who knelt to be at her level. Bumblebee gave a warning buzz to Terra, his optics going wide with concern. He must have not heard all the news about her being with Starscream yet.
"It's okay, Bee. He won't hurt me," she said while approaching Starscream. Starscream gave Bumblebee a smug look before turning his attention back to Terra.
"I wouldn't dare harm my little sparkmate," he crowed, winking at Terra. Bumblebee buzzed in surprise, looking from Terra to Starscream in shock. Starscream chuckled darkly and proceeded to nuzzle Terra's cheek. Terra giggled softly and wrapped her arms around his face, glad that he could ease her in such a stressful time. An angry buzz filled the air, making her smile as she imagined the look on Bumblebee's face. She was almost certain Starscream was doing this to piss Bumblebee off.
"Are...Are the restraints really necessary?" Terra asked while reluctantly pulling away from Starscream. Starscream growled softly, his wings twitching a bit in their restraints.
"Optimus said this was a precaution to protect the others, especially those little brats," he grumbled, grinding his denta together angrily. This got the attention of Arcee and Optimus, who both walked over.
"If you so much as look at the kids the wrong way, I won't hold back in throwing you across the room," Arcee hissed. Optimus looked at her in concern before stepping forward.
"Once you have proven your trustworthiness, you will be relieved of your restraints, Starscream. The others should be ready at the base for your arrival," he said while carefully helping him up. Starscream grunted while getting his footing, refusing to look him in the eye.
"Hopefully that will be soon," Starscream replied. Terra nodded in agreement and looked over at the groundbridge. She could feel her heart racing as she imagined how the others would act when seeing Starscream walk into the Autobot base. Would it go well or would things go terribly? It filled her with dread just thinking of all the things that could go wrong.
"I hope this goes well," she murmured, looking up at Starscream who smiled back at her sadly.
"I'll be on my best behavior, my love," he crowed.
Terra took a deep breath and followed close behind Starscream as he and the others walked into the ground bridge. She glanced back at the cabin and wondered when she would ever come back to this peaceful little place.
She looked forward and tried to focus. Her parents and other sisters were in danger and the Autobots would do what they could to rescue them with Starscream's help.
Moments passed before she found herself back in the familiar Autobot base. She blinked and noticed the Ratchet and Bulkhead with their weapons ready, glaring daggers at Starscream who glanced around at his surroundings with a look of disapproval.
"What a lovely little place," he grumbled, rolling his optics.
Terra looked around and noticed Jack and Miko on one of the platforms with Fowler who looked beyond pissed off. Alcina and Raf were nowhere to be seen yet. Miko looked like she was about to lunge forward, but a firm hand on her shoulder from Fowler kept her in place.
Terra chuckled nervously, unsure of what to say or do next. She hoped she wasn't glowing as brightly now.
"Optimus informed us of what's been happening between you and Starscream. We don't need to hear all the details right now. That's a talk between you and our medics later. All that matters is knowing if Starscream is truly on our side or not," Fowler spoke up.
"He is," Terra replied, looking up at Starscream with a proud smile. He didn't look too sure as he looked in every direction as if scanning his surroundings with a worried look in his optics. He noticed her smile and straightened himself up, making sure not to look too threatening.
"Megatron wants Terra dead by any means necessary. I simply won't allow that and if it means aligning myself with you miserable Autobots, then so be it. This doesn't mean we're automatically friends. I'm only doing this for my sparkmate," he said, puffing out his now-glowing chest a bit. Terra felt her eye twitch a bit at what he said. That could have been done in a whole different way, but there was still a lot of bad blood between him and the others.
"Sparkmate? What does that mean? Is Terra, like, your girlfriend? I didn't catch everything Optimus told us before you guys showed up," Miko spoke up. The Autobots grew quiet as Miko looked from Terra to Starscream with widening eyes. Starscream glared daggers at the teenage girl, but didn't say anything else upon seeing Bulkhead's angry scowl.
"A sparkmate is a romantic partner for us cybertronians. It happens when-" Optimus spoke up before Fowler interrupted him with a loud cough.
"We really don't have time for that, Optimus. What we need to focus on is figuring out a way to rescue Terra's family without causing them any harm," Fowler said.
Terra nodded, trying to push back the growing dread building up inside her. She couldn't stop the nagging feeling that something bad had already happened. Hopefully it wasn't true.
Ratchet walked over to the largest computer and let out a tired sigh, getting Terra and everyone else's attention.
"I'm getting another incoming transmission from Megatron. He's been calling all afternoon asking for Terra," he said.
"Open it," Optimus replied.
Terra clenched her fists, bracing herself for what she was about to see next.
Starscream was already on edge, but the incoming transmission from his former master made him all the more nervous. He glanced down at Terra and saw how she clenched her fists. The poor thing was terrified. He was almost certain Megatron would do something diabolical. He had seen this scenario plenty of times. If a group had been captured, one or two members would be easily slaughtered to get the message across.
He wanted to hold her and comfort her through this, but the restraints around his wrists prevented him from doing so. Instead, he lowered himself to be by her side and offered a claw to her.
"We can get through this, Terra," he whispered. Terra gave him a sad smile and held on to his claw before turning her attention back to the screen which had gone dark before Megatron appeared. Starscream could already tell which room Megatron had Terra's family locked up in. It was the same room Terra was held in.
The sound of weeping came from behind him. Terra's grip on his claw tightened upon hearing the cries. This wasn't going to be good.
"Silence, you miserable wretches!" Megatron growled before turning his attention back to whoever was recording. Soundwave most likely. Megatron took a moment to take in the faces before him before his optics landed on Starscream. Starscream stayed put, glaring back at him which made Megatron let out a dark laugh.
"There you are, Starscream. I didn't quite expect you to actually join the Autobots. Did your little mate convince you to do that?" He growled, sounding absolutely disgusted at calling Terra his mate. Another squeeze from Terra.
"He...He made that decision on his own!" Terra spoke up, stepping forward to stand before the giant screen. Starscream ground his denta together when Megatron looked down at Terra with a look of pure hate and disgust. Terra shuddered but stayed put as another dark laugh filled the air.
"So you truly are alive, little one. It is...a delight to see you alive and well. I hate to admit that I missed you more than Starscream," Megatron crowed, his tone dripping with hate. Starscream balled his claws into fists. How dare he talk to Terra like that!
"Terra? Is that Terra? Where is she?" A voice called out. Terra became tense upon hearing that voice. It sounded like an older female. Her mother, most likely. Megatron growled, looking to the side at someone off screen. The angry look turned to a horrible smile as he looked back at the screen.
"You will see your child very soon, wretch. I must have a discussion with her first," Megatron said, smoking curling from his mouth.
"You will show her to us now, you bastard! I don't care if you hurt us more! Just let us see here!" The woman screeched.
Megatron looked beyond angry as he went off screen and a scream filled the air. Terra cried out in despair, getting ever so closer to the screen. The Autobots said nothing as they watched on solemnly.
"No! Leave her alone!" Another voice cried out.
"Mom!" Another wailed.
"Ma!" One screamed in agony.
Starscream couldn't tear his optics away from the screen as Megatron came back with a struggling woman in his clutches. She was in terrible condition as she writhed in Megatron's claws weakly. There was an expression of pure anger and terror on her face which quickly melted away when she saw Terra.
"Get a nice long look at your offspring, wretch. It won't be long before you'll join your mate," Megatron said.
"Terra? Oh honey, look...look at you. What's happened, love?" Terra's mother asked, not bothering to look at Megatron.
"I...I don't know, Ma. I really don't know," Terra replied, planting a shaky hand on the screen. Starscream heard a door open somewhere and looked back to see a very young child run into the room while being pursued by Raf.
"Mama! I heard Mama!" The little child exclaimed before freezing upon seeing the screen and then Starscream. Starscream gazed down at the child in surprise, unsure of what to say or do. The child looked terrified as she stepped back a bit before her gaze went to Terra who looked back at her with tear-filled eyes.
"Alcina!" Terra cried out.
"Terra!" The child named Alcina cried while rushing past Starscream to run into Terra's arms. It would have been a sweet sight if the rest of Terra's family weren't in danger of being brutally murdered at any second.
"Oh, thank God you two are safe-," the mother was stopped short by Megatron giving her a tight squeeze.
"Yes, they are safe for now. I think I'd love to meet that tiny one right there. Maybe I'll keep it as a pet once I'm done with Terra and the rest of you," Megatron crowed, stepping back to reveal some very familiar machines. There was a freshly skinned body attached to the one designed to skin humans alive.
Upon seeing the freshly skinned body, Terra let out an agonized cry, holding Alcina close to her chest so that she couldn't see. Starscream hated the sound. He looked back at Megatron who smiled back at him proudly before going over to the second machine with the giant saw.
"Megatron, you must stop this at once!" Optimus called out, walking over to a weeping Terra. He held out his hands and Terra looked at him briefly before placing Alcina in his hands. Alcina was about to look at the screen before he blocked her view with his hands, shaking his head at her while stepping away from the screen.
"If you want this to stop, then Terra and Starscream must come to me. You don't have much time before your entire family is gone, Terra," Megatron chortled while strapping the mother to the machine so that she dangled a few feet above the saw. Starscream saw three other human girls that looked a lot like Terra trapped in a cage not too far from the machine. All girls wailed and screamed for mercy. He thought he was used to this after seeing this scenario plenty of times, but he felt sickened to his core as he watched everything with wide optics.
"In two solar cycles, I will kill another one of Terra's kin," Megatron said while pressing a button on the machine. It came to life with an awful hiss. The saw began slowly inching up toward Terra's mother who tried to move her body away from the saw.
"I wanna see Ma!" Alcina cried out, trying to look over Optimus's hand.
"No, little one," Optimus murmured while turning his back on the screen.
Starscream saw how Terra trembled as she watched the horrible sight. The screams from her sisters became all the more intense as the saw got closer. She shouldn't have to watch this. Starscream looked down at the restraints around his wrists and quickly used the tips of his claws to try and release himself. He didn't care if this meant losing the trust of the Autobots, but Terra needed him right now.
The restraints came loose and he was by Terra's side in an instant. Terra briefly looked over at him with tear-filled eyes before turning her gaze back on the screen. The Autobots didn't object. They were too focused on the horrible sight before them.
"I..I can't look," Raf groaned, looking away while covering his eyes.
"Someone turn...turn it off!" Miko exclaimed, her voice shaky.
Starscream looked up at the screen and saw how Megatron watched on in glee as two mechanical arms how out and held the mother's legs in place over the saw. The woman cried out in agony, trying her hardest to fight back.
"Spare...Spare my...my girls! Hurt me, but...but leave my babies alone!" She pleaded. She was about to say something else before another mechanical arm shot out and covered her mouth, silencing her. The mother looked at the screen with a horrified expression in her eyes. Starscream felt like she was looking right at him.
"Mom...," Terra whimpered.
There was a moment where the mother's fear turned to a strange expression that Starscream couldn't quite describe. Her gaze was on Terra now. It didn't last long before the saw suddenly sped up and messily cut her in half. Starscream heard Terra's scream mixed with the screams of the others. He immediately scooped up Terra in his claws, blocking her view of the screen.
"I'm so sorry, Terra. So sorry," he murmured while doing what Optimus did with the smallest child and turning his back to the screen. Terra had burst into tears, covering her eyes. Starscream was silent as he held her close to the space above his spark, hoping the rumble emanating from within him drowned out those awful screams.
He looked up and saw how Arcee glared at him despite the shock in her optics. He noticed Ratchet who appeared disgusted at what was going on, but he couldn't hide the fear on his faceplates. Bumblebee was busy comforting a crying Raf while Bulkhead held a trembling Miko. Jack watched everything with wide eyes.
The screams from the mother had died down, but the screams from those other girls still filled the air. Starscream didn't dare look back at the screen. He had seen enough of this.
"She perished too quickly. I'll make sure to kill the others slowly if you don't turn yourselves over, Terra and Starscream," Megatron crowed.
"You'll pay for what you've done, Megatron," Starscream hissed back, his wings aching when he tried to flare them angrily. Megatron laughed in response.
"Hopefully you won't bring in a replacement like last time. Time is running out, you two-," Megatron's voice was cut off. Starscream looked back and saw a now-blank screen. He let out a sigh and turned his attention back to Terra who looked up at him in confusion. He was sure she heard the part about the replacement and would have questions.
"How...How soon will you guys go out to...to rescue my sisters?" Terra asked, turning her attention to the Autobots. Optimus placed a trembling Alcina next to Fowler on the raised platform before looking over at Starscream and Terra with a sad but determined look in his optics.
"As soon as possible, Terra. We won't let your remaining family endure such a horrible fate. We just need to figure out a plan that won't endanger your sisters," he said.
"I know where they're being held. I can easily help you guys," Starscream spoke up, eager to gain the trust of the Autobots. The others looked amongst themselves with worried looks.
"We can't possibly trust you yet, Starscream. I just know you'll probably stab us in the back once we're on the Nemesis together," Arcee spoke up, crossing her arms. Optimus let out a sigh, shaking his head.
"Arcee, he easily broke free from those chains. He could have attacked, but he went right to Terra to comfort her. I am sure you and the others would do the same for your human partners if they were this distressed. I believe his intentions to assist us are true. You don't have to join this mission if you feel that your past feelings will get in the way," Optimus replied.
"You are absolutely right, Optimus. I'm more concerned that Arcee will try to attack me if I turn my back on her," Starscream said, glaring back at Arcee before walking over to carefully place Terra next to her little sister. Terra immediately scooped up Alcina in her arms, weeping softly into the confused girl's hair.
"He'll...He'll help you guys. If I can trust him, then the...the rest of you can...trust him. Just get our sisters back," Terra murmured, her shoulders still trembling.
"Terra, you and your sister should go with Ms. Darby once she gets here. We'll figure something out," Optimus said.
Terra grew silent, looking downcast as she pet the top of her sister's head with a shaky hand. Starscream could tell she was thinking hard on something.
"I...I want to go," she declared.
Starscream looked at her in shock. She couldn't be serious about wanting to go back to the Nemesis after what she had been through.
"Terra, no. It's too dangerous. Megatron wants you more than me and if he so much as sees you, nothing can stop him from getting what he wants," Starscream said while crouching to be at her level. Alcina let out a whimper the closer he got, burying her face in Terra's chest.
"I agree, Starscream. It would be too dangerous to bring you along, Terra. It's better if you stay with Ms. Darby," Optimus said. The others simply nodded in agreement except for Miko who crossed her arms while listening.
"I can distract him! Once he's focused on me, then you guys can get my sisters and maybe attack him from the back," Terra said, giving Starscream a teary-eyed but determined look. She was being brave. A little too brave and daring. Those who were a little too brave usually ended up dead.
"That sounds like a good idea. I'd do the same," Miko spoke up. Starscream looked over at that girl, growling softly. She would do something as ridiculous as that. Those little brats were always putting themselves in danger and he didn't want Terra making the same mistakes. The kids were lucky, but Terra wouldn't be so lucky with Megatron's grudge against her.
"You need to keep that little girl on a leash, Optimus. That smart mouth of hers can get her in trouble," he grumbled before turning his attention back to Terra who was still trying her best to look determined. He heard a growl from Bulkhead, but he paid him no mind.
"Terra, you can't go. I won't let Megatron get his claws on you if you come along. If he so much as harms you, I don't know what I'd do with myself," he said. He could tell Terra was acting on emotion right now. Seeing someone so close die such a horrible death would affect anyone negatively and impact their decision making skills.
Terra looked away from him, more tears running down her cheeks. It pained him to see her in such a state. He would try his hardest to give Megatron the beating he deserved once he was back on the Nemesis.
"O...Okay. I'll...stay at the base and wait for you guys to...to return. Just please be safe," she murmured, still not looking at anyone in particular. Starscream smiled in relief, glad that she listened to him. It would be much safer to have her stay behind. He wouldn't have to worry too much about her and he could focus on his mission.
Starscream stood to his full height and looked around at the Autobots who had been watching on silently. He would gain their trust with this mission. He was sure of it.
"Let's get planning," he declared.
A Few Hours Later
Starscream smirked as he went over the plan in his head. He, Optimus, and Bumblebee would be bridged into one of the least monitored areas of the Nemesis and he would lead them into the room holding Terra's sisters. It felt like a perfect plan, but he was sure Megatron had something planned as well.
Jack's mother had come along to pick up Alcina an hour ago. Starscream couldn't help but chuckle at her horrified expression upon seeing him in the base. She was obviously the type to worry a lot and even after a quick explanation, she still appeared uneasy about him. He would win her over eventually.
Terra was in one of the few empty rooms, making herself at home. He had to see her before going off on his mission. It had been a long day and she needed some much-needed rest.
"Are you ready, Starscream?" Optimus asked, walking over to his side.
"Almost. I need to talk to Terra for a moment and then we can go," Starscream replied, looking over at the Autobot leader. He seemed to be the only one in this base who saw that he wanted to help. He was glad that he was willing to listen.
"What about Terra made you change your mind about humans, Starscream?" Optimus asked, surprising Starscream. He let out a grunt and tried to compose himself at the sudden question.
"Well, she's...the only human I like so far. She's absolutely wonderful and when I heard her sweet voice for the first time...I felt...drawn to her. I have to admit that it was quite confusing at first," he said, smiling when he felt his spark glow a bit brightly as he thought of hearing her sing for the first time.
"I had thought I was feeling what you Autobots felt for your little pe- I mean...friends, but it was so much more than just friendship. I didn't think it was possible for a sparkbond to form between me and a human, but here we are now," he continued, breathing a tiny heart-shaped cloud of smoke with a soft chuckle. Optimus was silent for a moment before a small smile adorned his features.
"Life can be unexpected at times, but I am glad Terra has made such a dramatic change within you. You should go check on her now. She's in the fifth chamber down the main hallway to your right," Optimus said before walking over to talk with an annoyed Ratchet.
Starscream nodded and went in that direction. He wanted to look in every room to see what secrets the Autobots were hiding, but he didn't have the time and his focus was on finding Terra at the moment. Plus, he was sure Arcee was keeping a close eye on him from somewhere.
He got to the fifth chamber and opened the door. Inside, Terra was sitting on a berth that was much too large for her. There was a small ladder propped against the berth for her. Her back was turned to him as she wept softly, hugging herself and slowly rocking back and forth. A sad sight.
"Terra," he said while slowly walking over to her. Terra stopped moving and looked back at him with a frown.
"H...Hey. Are you guys leaving soon?" She asked, trying her hardest to wipe away some tears.
"As soon as I'm done checking in on you, we'll head out to rescue your sisters," Starscream replied while sitting next to her on the berth.
"Starscream? What did Megatron mean about now bringing in a replacement?" She asked. Starscream froze, cursing silently. This was bound to happen sooner or later and he was very unprepared to tell her what he had done.
Before he could say anything, he noticed a figure standing at the edge of the doorway. It was her again. He turned his gaze back on Terra and let out a sigh. That thing wasn't real. Just a part of his imagination making him feel bad about what he had done.
"Well, Megatron had sent me out to find you when you first escaped. Obviously, I couldn't come back empty-handed...so...I...found a human who looked a bit like you...and...I killed her and brought her to Megatron," he explained.
Terra looked up at him in horror, her face going pale. That certainly wasn't good. She looked away from him, her hand going to her chest. Was she really going to be mad at him for trying to protect her as best he could?
"You...You killed an innocent person, Starscream," she murmured, pulling her knees up to her chest. Some hair framed her face, preventing her from looking at him.
"I did it to protect you, Terra! My plan had worked and Megatron lost interest with you until he somehow figured out that the girl wasn't you. It's a shame that she had to die, but it had to happen and now you're safe here with me," he said, reaching forward to gently push her hair away from her face. Terra didn't react. She gazed down at her feet, her lip quivering. Primus, why did humans have to react this way to the death of a person they never even met?
Starscream looked over at the doorway and noticed a change in that girl. She didn't look horribly twisted like the many times before. She was still bloody, but she actually looked like a human. The expression on her face was sorrowful, but there was still anger in her eyes.
"Did...Did she suffer?" Terra asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I...gave her a quick death, little bird," Starscream replied. Falling to one's death was a swift death for humans, right? He glanced over at the doorway and saw that the girl was gone. A pair of bloody footprints was all that remained. Hopefully that girl wouldn't come back to bother him.
"Is...Is there anything else you haven't told me?" Terra questioned.
"There's nothing else, my love. That was the only secret I've kept from you. I promise I won't keep something so serious from you," he replied, gently scooping her up and raising her to eye level. Terra still didn't look convinced before she sighed softly.
"Cross your heart?" She asked. Starscream cocked an eyebrow at the strange expression.
"I...am not familiar with that expression, little bird," he said. This gained a tiny giggle from her.
"It's how people make big promises, love. It looks like this," she said before using her finger to make an x-shape over her chest where her heart was located. Strange, but if it would please his little sparkmate, then he would do it for her.
"What a charming human custom. Well, I promise I'll be more honest with you, Terra," he said while making the x-shape over his spark chamber with his free hand.
"Thanks, love. I appreciate that," Terra said before standing up and pressing her forehead against his while trying her best to wrap her arms around his face. Starscream did the same, gazing into her emerald green eyes lovingly. Could he keep that promise? There was certainly a lot he couldn't tell her, but there was no way she could find out about the worst things he had done in the past. What she doesn't know won't hurt her.
"We'll get your sisters back, Terra. By tomorrow, they'll be here safe and sound and we can go back to the mountains and have some more much needed alone time after your time of mourning," he crowed while kissing her tenderly. She kissed him back, smiling as she did so. He really hoped what he said was true and that he'd bring back her sisters safely.
"That...sounds nice," Terra whispered after pulling away from the kiss. There was still such a sorrowful look in her eyes.
"I'll make sure to give Megatron a proper backstabbing, Terra. What he did to your parents was monstrous," he said, planting one more kiss on her forehead.
"Make him suffer, love," Terra said, a grim smile on her lips.
"I will do everything I can to do just that," he purred, wanting to kiss her again. He could hear footsteps approaching and let out a low groan. It was time for him to go. He put her back on the berth, pausing to caress her cheek with a single claw.
"I love you, Terra. More than anything on this miserable planet," he said.
"And I love you, Starscream. Please be safe out there," Terra replied, wiping away a stray tear.
"I'll be fine, my love. I'm one of the most careful bots out there. I've been through worse missions before and this one won't kill me," he said before standing to his full height. He turned around and saw a wide-eyed Bumblebee watching them. He let out a beep while gesturing to the hall. He didn't need some translator to know what he was talking about.
"We'll be back before you know it, Terra," he said, smiling back at her before walking out of the room.
"Good luck," Terra's voice whispered before the door shut.
"Don't fail her," another voice whispered, sending a shiver down his frame.
"I won't," he grumbled to himself, ignoring Bumblebee's questioning buzz as they walked back to the main chamber. The ground bridge was already activated with Optimus waiting for them.
"Ready? You will take the lead, Starscream," Optimus said. Ratchet looked absolutely shocked, but he said nothing else while standing by the controls. Jack and Raf, along with Fowler, watched on from one of the raised platforms. Where was that girl? Starscream didn't think much of it as he put his focus on rescuing Terra's sisters
"Ready as I'll ever be," Starscream said before rushing into the ground bridge.