Starscream shook as Megatron wrapped his robust arms around him, wishing him farewell in the rear of the transportation vehicle. The engine died down as Thundercracker tapped on an aquamarine button, and he turned in his seat to look at the mourning couple. Skywarp remained facing forward in the passenger seat, appalled by Megatron's plan.

"Do we have to do this?" Starscream murmured, his voice crackling with anguish. He strengthened his hug on Megatron, begging him not to let him go.

"It's the only option I can see," Megatron softly replied, placing his palm on the back of Starscream's head, forcing it further into his chest.

Megatron had explained the situation and the solution to Starscream a couple times now, making sure his lover fully grasped the importance of his role. Starscream was to be an imposter, and Megatron was aware that Starscream was capable of incredible acting if he had incentive to do so. Throwing the Seeker into jail was the first step in this process to lure out potential anarchists and traitors. If Shatter was telling the truth about being in contact with Cybertronians that wanted a chaotic leader, then they would reveal themselves, protesting Starscream's capture.

Starscream, with Megatron's careful explanation, finally comprehended that Shatter wanted to use him and possibly dispose of him later. Starscream was incredible at steamrolling anyone that dared to oppose him, and after he had cleared out his competition, Shatter would unleash whatever she had planned.

Megatron tenderly picked Starscream up, tucking one arm under his knees and the other supporting his back. Starscream slipped his arms around Megatron's neck, pulling himself up to slowly kiss him.

Thundercracker turned back around, giving them some privacy before they left.

Starscream prodded Megatron's teeth with his tongue, enjoying the sweet and alkaline taste of his mouth. Megatron rubbed his back as he slowly crouched, allowing himself to sit on the floor. Starscream straddled his lap, his kisses becoming more desperate and loud as tears began streaming down his face. Megatron tried to pull back so he could utter something to Starscream, but Starscream wrapped his arms tighter around his head, locking their lips together.

"I know," Starscream gasped before resuming the smooch. "we have to go. But, I love you, my Conjunx Endura."

"I," Megatron began, but Starscream began sucking on his neck, a line of drool dripping from his lips.

Thundercracker slowly twisted in his chair, curious to learn what was taking them so long. When he saw Starscream smothering Megatron with affection, he stalked to the back of the ship and gently pried him off.

"Come on, we got to go," he gingerly whispered, but his interruption was met with Starscream's raucous, disgusting sobs.

Starscream rubbed his optics, trying to cease the flow of lubricant, but his misery could not be ended. Megatron slid his legs out from underneath him and patted his lover on the shoulders, trying to comfort him.

"I love you too, my sparkmate," Megatron muttered and lightly kissed the bridge of Starscream's pointy nose. "I'm so sorry, but we need you to calm down."

Starscream fretfully looked up at Megatron, wheezing as he slowed his weeping. "I'm okay, I'm okay," Starscream sputtered, and he stood up, holding out his hands. "I'm ready to go in."

Megatron rose and placed cuffs around his wrists before guiding him to the door of the transportation vehicle and departing to the outside world.

Skywarp exited the cockpit and placed himself at Thundercracker's side. "This is crazy. Them being together and all of us sacrificing Starscream."

"Megatron said this is our only choice." Thundercracker locked his gaze on Skywarp, fixated on the light reflecting off of his black, metal flesh. "And he has been right many times in the past. He is a fantastic leader but not always for the best thing."

"I just don't know how to feel about this."

"Don't worry. I feel somewhat the same."

Thundercracker quickly pecked Skywarp on the cheek, and Skywarp hastily reacted, smacking Thundercracker across the mouth.

"Hey!" Thundercracker grinned mischievously while pressing parts of his lips with his fingers. "That could have broken a tooth."

Skywarp was obviously flustered, so he only shook his head and spat, "Idiot!" before dashing out the door, desperately looking for the other two.

Thundercracker put his fists on his hips, proud of his accomplishment. "A kiss for Thunder, too."

. . .

Megatron led Starscream down the brightly lit hallway, periodically pushing him forward, making a show for the cameras that were recording above. No one was present at the camera station, watching over the footage, but the recording would remain intact.

Megatron passed the captive to Thundercracker and Skywarp before entering a security room, snatching a lavender keycard off the wall. He rejoined the others, taking Starscream back into his care. Megatron tossed Starscream down the hall, making him stumble. Megatron unlocked a cell and dragged Starscream into it, and Starscream kicked him around the ankles.

Megatron reignited the cell's doorway, and it zipped up between him and his sweetheart. Starscream shuffled up to the door, baring his teeth at the gladiator.

"Wait until they hear about this!" Starscream shouted, angrily stomping his foot against the ground. "You deranged fool! You have abandoned your kind, giving the Autobots victory and control of Cybertron! I will destroy what you have done, fixing it all."

Megatron shook his head, pretending to be disgusted by Starscream's promise. "You are the traitor to us, Starscream. No one is coming for you."

. . .

Optimus covered his optics with his hands, nodding while he listened to what had happened regarding Starscream.

"There is a lot of anger among us, brother." Megatron gently rubbed the aged warrior's shoulder, trying to convince him that his course of action was justified. "People hate what I have done, and they want to reverse it using Starscream."

Optimus placed his hands on the table, gazing around. Thundercracker and Skywarp were settled in the corner of the darkened room, cleaning their blasters. Ratchet sat across from Megatron.

"So," Optimus said. "Starscream still wants to rule us all? But you are using him to draw out those who want to follow him."

"But he understands now that those who want to follow him are not noble and that chasing the position of a dictator is not acceptable either.

"How do you know?"

"Know that he understands? I could see it in his optics. Also, I trust him."

"They love each other, now," Thundercracker added.

Optimus's eyes filled with confusion and concern.

"Megatron, your judgement of Starscream is biased because of your relationship with him." Skywarp joined the others at the table, pulling out a chair and settling down beside Ratchet.

"Relationship?" Ratchet's optics glowed heavily in the gloom, the light showering across the table, turning it blue.

"Yeah, they are Conjunx -"

"Shut it!" Megatron snapped, his shoulders squaring. This was something he didn't just want to spew out to the world, letting everyone poke their noses into his and Starscream's relation. He adored the Seeker, but his affection for him was still controversial. He used to abuse the poor thing before the Accident.

"Shut it? You two were making out in front of us!" Thundercracker joined Skywarp's side, staring down Megatron.

Megatron screwed his eyes shut, trying to block out the pit of embarrassment in his chest. He felt a strong hand gently lay itself on his armored shoulder, and he looked at Optimus.

"It's okay," Optimus murmured, his voice a warm purr. "I agree with Skywarp. Anyone's judgement of someone's personality can be skewed when they have close ties. But endearment can also make someone more willing to protect them.

"Starscream has a volatile nature, as all of us have seen in the past. He has tried on countless occasions, at least this is what I have gathered, to eradicate Megatron so he could become the leader of the Decepticons. He is dangerous when he wants to achieve something. We must exercise caution when handling Starscream, but I do also believe that he could be used to find who wants to destroy the peace we have created.

"Locking him, or anyone, away is never the best option. Council with others would have been more beneficial, but I understand the shock factor you are trying to establish amongst his potential followers. Cybertronians are claiming their former lives and careers, so we must ensure that they are safe to return to their homes. We can try to carry out your plan. When are we going to announce Starscream's capture?"

"Tomorrow."