AN: *le gasp* AN UPDATE? Finally! It's been nearly a while month since I last updated this, and it's now 2012! I want at least FIVE reviews before the next chapter, but more would be appreciated! Getting feedback, even a simple "Love the story!" encourages me to do the next chapter quicker. And also, I'd love to see if anyone had any suggestions for me!

Reviews: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! (MissShelz, Sharta, DarkHunter643, writergurl616, shadow-dog18)

AN2: I've been working on my Imprinting story, the one where I actually have Barricade and Miles and Bumblebee and Sam. Then I also wrote a little piece centered on BarricadexBumblebee, and I plan to write a sort of prequel to that. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING PATIENT WITH ME AND WAITING UNTIL I GOT AROUND TO WRITING THIS!

Chapter 49
The trap part 1: negotiations denied

It wasn't until the base wide alert system was triggered that they had any idea something was wrong. Teletran I had been turned on, Ratchet having put Red Alert into forced recharge, and everyone else doing some other sort of business. Teletran I was an extensive back up program created by the Autobots long ago, and the program even had surveillance cameras that could propel themselves through the air for a short amount of time. Red Alert had updated Teletran, the original Cybertronian version, to Teletran I, having it use human speech and time systems.

The only downside to the updated version is that Perceptor had been the one to invent Teletran in the first place, and without the Scientist there, Red Alert could only do so much with Teletran I. If ever under attack, Teletran I would first alert them just before the attacking party of Decepticons crossed what would count as the outer perimeter. It was normally expected that they would know when they were being attacked, or be able to assume it, at least. This, however, shocked them all.

A computerized voice came through calmly, belittlingly the important information being told.

"Decepticon signatures crossing the outer perimeter line in less than two minutes. Five minutes before Wheeljack's lab, and 10 before Dinobot den is reached. Defensive maneuvers suggested to be taken. Notable spark signatures that have been placed on the exceedingly dangerous list: Megatron, Shockwave, Skywarp, and Starscream. One other detected besides that."

The alert was followed quickly by Red alert's panicked scream of "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! ALL SOLDIERS REPORT TO THE MAIN STRATEGY ROOM TO RECIEVE ORDERS FROM PROWL!"

Orion was grabbed by Ratchet before Teletran I had even finished "crossing the outer perimeter", and the Medbot had beaten the SIC to the makeshift strategy room. The room was the same exact one used for any meetings, as the 'bots had no other room that could fit most of them, minus Skyfire.

Red Alert followed Ratchet inside, and then Prowl came rushing up, carrying Fig and Graham. Jazz followed up with Will and Epps, and then came Groundhog, carrying Wheelie, Trent, and Mikaela, followed by Skyfire in his holoform. They waited for Barricade, Bumblebee, and the other two teens. Teletran I's computerized warning of "Three minutes before Wheeljack's lab," came on before Bumblebee entered the makeshift strategy room, frantically looking around.

"Where are Sam and Miles?" The young Autobot Scout asked, looking at Prowl with worry.

Prowl frowned, "We believed they were with the two of you. Who were they last seen with?"

Every organic and mech looked around the room, and Skyfire's holoform quickly raised a hand to indicate that he had been with them.

"They had been practicing with the shoes Wheeljack had made for them when Teletran I's alert came on. I was paying attention to the message, so I don't know exactly when they disappeared, but I assume it was about the time the Dinobot's den was mentioned. The two seem to have a strong attachment to the three Earth-made Cybertronians." Skyfire remarked, purposefully looking straight at Red Alert. The paranoid 'bot was the least likely to freak out about the two teens being gone. Everyone merely gaped for a moment.

"YOU JUST LET THEM GO?" Bumblebee yelled, dissolving into angry Cybertronian as he advanced on the Scientist's holoform. Prowl reached out and put a servo on the irate Scout's shoulder, forcefully stopping him.

"Enough." Prowl ordered, glaring between the two mechs. "Now is not the time. I understand your worry, Bumblebee, and I am worried too. However, there is no way to fix this, and just running blindly after them could end up doing more harm than good."

Bumblebee hesitated for just a moment, before nodding. He was never one to disobey a direct order, especially if the order was the more sensible than what his own processor was telling him to do. It helped that Skyfire's holoform's frown was laced with guilt.

Prowl dropped his servo, stepping back to look at everyone in the room. "Megatron, Shockwave, Starscream, and Skywarp. We can only assume the extra is Thundercracker, given that the head trine is almost always together. Outside of Megatron, Skywarp's ability to warp makes him the most dangerous. Jazz, you are to try and take him down and disable his warping abilities, that is your highest priority minus protecting one of the organics or managing a killing blow. Under no circumstances are you to go after Megatron, we do not wish him to receive two pieces of you again."

Jazz nodded, though the quip about his previous face to face with Megatron did make everyone wince a little. It was a needed reminder, however. Jazz could occasionally get too cocky, and take on more than he could chew in a battle. That hadn't been what drove him to face Megatron alone, though.

"Skyfire, I want you to take on Starscream. Given your past knowledge of each other, I want you to use any weaknesses of his that you know." A pause. "I do not care if you do believe he was reprogrammed, do you understand? Even if he was, he is here to kill. You, the organics. Orion. If the opportunity arises, do not hesitate. Red Alert, you will be aiding him."

Prowl had saved Orion for last, knowing how attached Skyfire had become to the Sparkling. He was attached to the organics and the other Cybertronians as well, but Orion would be an even greater blow to the Scientist. The Sparkling signified all that he hoped for; a return to innocence, and the knowledge that new life could still be made among them. Skyfire nodded numbly.

"Ratchet and I will be taking on Megatron. Bumblebee and Barricade, you are charged with retrieving Sam and Miles, if possible." Prowl made sure to stress the if, "There will be no going out of your way to do so. Until you find an appropriate opportunity, you will help the organic soldiers, or Groundhog. Groundhog, you will be going after Shockwave. Lennox, Fig, Epps, and Graham, you all will be going after Thundercracker. All of us will take a priority to check in on each of you ever minute to ensure your safety. Wheelie, you are to stay here and guard Trent, Mikaela, and Orion."

Wheelie nodded, straightening as much as he could with pride, given that he had just been charged with protecting two of the treasured organics, and the only Sparkling seen on either side for years. Bumblebee begrudgingly nodded, while Barricade simply stared impassively. Groundhog and the soldiers each nodded, standing straight at attention.

Prowl looked at all of them, optics glinting with what most could now recognize as resigned sadness.

"Roll out, soldiers. May Primus be with all of us."

Sam and Miles raced to the Dinobot den, Sam watching out carefully for any sign of the Decepticons on ground while Miles scanned the sky. Wheeljack had provided them with shoes that, when pressed right, put out wheels. They were kind of like wheelies, except they had more wheels like actual rollerblades to help with balance. On top of that, if pressed again, they could control speed. Nothing as fast as what any of the Cybertronians could go, but faster than what even the fastest recorded human speed could do.

Neither talked, both too nervous to do so. Sam was already terrified, remembering Megatron all too well from Mission City. For Miles it was Shockwave, having taken most of the Decepticon's attention while they were rescuing Orion. And now the two were racing towards the Dinobots, Earth-made Cybertronians that they saw almost as little brothers.

Sam was the first to get there, Miles using his own momentum to slingshot Sam forward even faster. He burst into the makeshift home given to the Dinobots, startling the three of them.

"Me Grimlock no afraid of Decepticons! This me Grimlock's home, me Grimlock destroy for them Decepticons intruding!" Grimlock shouted just as Miles came racing in. That meant that Teletran I's message had reached the three Dinobots. Swoop and Snarl roared in agreement.

"No!" Sam hissed, walking closer to all of them. "Please, try to understand. We need you to be quiet, and for all of us to go stand in this corner over here." Sam pointed to the corner, the one farthest away from where they assumed the Decepticons would be walking.

"Me Grimlock go attack him Megatron! Them Swoop and Snarl protect you Sam and Miles, us Dinobot family!" Grimlock slammed his tail on the ground, blue optics flaring to red with anger.

"Grimmy! Because we're family you need to do what we ask. It's dangerous, and Sam and I are really scared. We need to wait until they pass by. If you don't, Sam and I will be hurt." Miles said softly, pulling the guilt card.

Grimlock deflated almost instantly, "Me Grimlock and them Swoop and Snarl want fight them Decepticons."

"After they pass by, you can." Sam said, looking up at the large Dinobot. "We'll wait until we hear Teletran I alert that they've made it to the others, and then while they're fighting Swoop can fly Miles and me, while holding you, over them. Snarl can go the longer way around, and then surprise them with a charge. We'll wait for Snarl to come in before surprising them."

Grimlock turned to Swoop and Snarl, and the three communicated in their own language. It was Cybertronian, and it wasn't English. No one had been able to figure out anything Swoop and Snarl said besides Grimlock, which was why Grimlock was the leader. Grimlock turned back to his beloved Sam and Miles. Besides Grimlock, the two of them were the best at understand Swoop and Snarl.

"Me Grimlock and them Swoop and Snarl agree."

Sam couldn't help but sigh in relief. Grimlock reached down, picking Miles up in his mouth, while Swoop grabbed Sam with his wings. They then proceeded to carry the two surprised teens to the corner, placing them down where they wanted them. Miles and Sam went first, while Swoop stood in front of them, wings out stretched and hiding them from view completely. Then was Snarl, and finally Grimlock. The Dinobots had formed a protective barrier around the teens just in case.

Megatron stood watching the Autobots in front of him with a smirk, holding a servo up to hold his own soldiers. Starscream and Shockwave flanked him, while Skywarp and Thundercracker were transformed and in the air. He eyed each of the Autobots there, noting the three Decepticons, the four organics behind all of them, and that all were battle ready.

Prowl stood with Ratchet in the front, with Barricade, Jazz, and Bumblebee behind them. Jazz and Bumblebee stood close to Barricade on either side. Skyfire, Red Alert, and Groundhog stood behind them, in front of the organics. Everyone, even Groundhog, was waiting to see what Barricade would do. He had once been one of the most loyal mechs to Megatron, and this would be the first time he had ever seen his ex-leader since the 'con had died in Mission City. Prowl knew that if Barricade switched sides now it would be a huge blow to everyone, especially Miles, Bumblebee, and Optimus.

"What's this, Prowl?" Megatron asked, false sweetness dripping off of his voice. "All of you look ready for a fight. As SIC, shouldn't you be trying to avoid that? I suppose as you are no true leader, I should point out that to protect the limited mechs and disgusting organics under your command by trying to reach an agreement should be your first priority." The Decepticon leader's optics fell on Jazz and Bumblebee in turn, before returning back to Prowl.

Megatron's use of the word limited had two meanings. One was the few warriors they had on their side. Six experienced Cybertronian fighters, Ratchet and Red Alert not seeing battle that much, though even Megatron would have to admit Ratchet was a formidable opponent. Eight Cybertronians in total, with four experienced organic soldiers. The second meaning was an insult, claiming that every last one of them was pathetic mentally and physically. Both Jazz and Bumblebee bristled at the insult, Megatron having singled them out especially.

Jazz grumbled angrily, but Prowl held up a servo.

"You have a point, Megatron." Prowl acceded, tilting his helm in acknowledgement. Ratchet had sent an alert out to Optimus and the others, and they had confirmed it was a set up. Keeping the Decepticon leader talking would mean less fighting, and more opportunity for the others to get there.

Megatron smirked smugly, "Of course, Autobot. Now it is only proper for one leader to ask the other what negotiations might be made in order to stop the likelihood of a battle."

"Don't be stupid, oh great leader." Starscream sneered sarcastically, though his optics remained slowly on Skyfire. "The longer you talk, the more opportunity for your better, the Prime, to get here."

Megatron moved to hit the Seeker, but Shockwave stepped in front of the Air Commander, reminding Megatron that Starscream was at least right in one regard. The longer they spent talking, the sooner Prime could get back.

"I will deal with your insubordination later, Starscream." Megatron snarled, before calming himself and turning back to Prowl.

"As you said," Prowl stared back, expressive as a glacier, "it is only proper for me to ask what negotiations might be made. Under what terms would you consider turning around and leaving us alone, included with a designated time period for a cease fire on both sides?"

"I want Samuel James Witwicky, and the other organic." Megatron stated, optics glinting. "The boy, and his pathetic little friend. What was his name, again? Ah, yes, the Lancaster fellow that Shockwave seemed to take a liking to."

Asking was just another insult to all of them, saying that an organic they had taken in as their own was too far beneath Megatron for the Decepticon Leader to remember his name, even with the fact that he contained some of the power of the Allspark. Ratchet sent a warning glare to Barricade, but the ex-con had turned even less expressive than Prowl, and that was saying something.

"You request two of the members of our faction, and expect to receive them? Being such a great and experienced leader, I would assume you see how faulty this course of action is." Prowl shot back, finally getting an insult back at Megatron.

Megatron growled, glaring at the SIC. "Lancaster would be more of a present for Shockwave; he's wanted a socket for a while now. Witwicky would be mine to use as I see fit.

Bumblebee snarled, and was ready to leap at the Decepticon Leader, if it hadn't been for Barricade placing a hand on his shoulder. Megatron sneered when he show the touch.

"Getting cozy with the Autobots, traitor?" Megatron asked, glaring at a mech who had previously been one of the most loyal he had ever had.

"I'm right where I belong, Lord Megatron." Barricade spat the title out, glaring at his once leader.

"Spending time with that pathetic organic has messed with your processor, Barricade!" Megatron snapped angrily, "And being with the Autobots has made you even weaker! Your disgusting emotional ties with these pathetic mechs and organics! I have reports saying a tiny organic has you tamed! You can't tell me you honestly think you could ever be like any of them? You were great once. You could return to that, return to me."

Barricade looked at his old leader with nothing but contempt, "The fact that I am 'weak' and need emotional ties to make me content now means I fit in perfectly." Barricade was echoing something Bumblebee had said long ago, "And it seems you have replaced me with Shockwave, anyway. Tell me, Shockwave, how does it feel to know that you're Megatron's fallback when his organic and Autobot loving traitor turns on him?"

Shockwave's single optic flared with anger, though there was no other reaction.

"Your terms are regretfully turned down, Megatron." Prowl said, while everyone on his side got ready to battle once more. "And you're a dumbaft for asking in the first place."

"If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" Megatron growled, "Skywarp, find the organics and bring them to me!"

Skywarp went to follow the command, only to have Jazz jump on his back and try to steer him. The Saboteur had seen Sunstreaker and Sideswipe perform their jet-judo many times, and now used it against the flying Seeker. Shockwave slipped past the Autobot's, pulling out his cannon to shoot at Barricade. Bumblebee tackled the Scientist from the side, sending the both of them crashing to the ground.

Skywarp warped with Jazz still on his back, desperate to get the Autobot off. He appeared behind Ratchet, knocking into the surprised medic, before disappearing again and hitting Thundercracker next. Chaos ensued.