*Chapter 6: A Strong Bond*

After it seemed like hours, Jack woke up and see that he is somewhere far away from home. Where did Orionna take them? Jack rubbed his tired eyes and stretch his arms a bit.

"Where are we?" Jack yawned. No response. Orionna could be resting or she could be in her holoform by the gas station Jack just noticed. He got out of the Ferrari to stretch some more. "What a night." He said to himself. "I hope Sam and Mikaela are okay."

"Good. You're awake." Orionna's voice spoke. Jack turned his head to see Orionna walking towards him with a bag. "Got you something." She hands him a bag. Jack looked inside to see snacks and bottles of water. How did she pay for this since she is in holoform? She didn't steal, did she? "Come on. We gotta go meet with my father at Sector 7." Orionna said.

"They found it?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Orionna leans against her car. "Just don't make a mess in the car, okay?" Jack walked over and put the bag in the front, but didn't climb in. Orionna faces him. She saw him got his phone out and notice he had missed calls from his mother. Jack sighed a bit, rubbing his forehead. Orionna walked towards him. "You will return home after the war. I promise."

"I believe you." Jack said. "It's just that...my mom has been through a lot since my dad left. She worries too much, and she will do anything to keep me happy. She didn't know she got a car that is an Autobot. She didn't know I was part of this...alien robot war thing. Wish I could tell her I'm okay and tell her about you guys, but...what will she think really?"

"You can tell her if you must, but she must keep it a secret from others." Orionna told him. "Sam's parents should know by then."

"Yeah." Jack said with a chuckle. Orionna laughed along. "Oh, I wanted to know something. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it."

"What is it?"

"Do you...have a mother?" Jack asked. Orionna look down at the ground.

"Yes, but...I do not know if she is alive back on Cybertron. Her name is Elita-1. She is the leader of the female Autobots." She said. Jack listened. "She and my father are very strong together and very close, and had me. But since we had war, things turn ugly, I lost my mother. Maybe when this is all over, my father might want to send the signal to our team to come here."

"Oh. Well, if she is alive, I would like to meet her." Jack said with a comforting smile. "She sounds like a nice bot." Orionna smiled a bit.

"She is. She taught me well and never leave anybody's side. She was always there." She said. "And I am sorry about your father. He should never leave you." Jack touches her hand, making her blink by the action.

"Don't be sorry. My dad has reasons, but...he just left. We just move on without him." He said. "Me and my mom do fine together. And I'm sure she will like you, Orionna." Orionna nodded. She pulled her hand away, going around the driver's side. Jack climbed in the passenger seat as Orionna sat in her driver's seat.

"We should be going. The Autobots are waiting." She said. "And Jack..."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for listening."

"Sure thing." Jack said with a grin. "Now, let's go." Orionna started to drive in her holoform while Jack started to snack.

Optimus stood by the road while the other Autobots wait by the building. He turned to see a Ferrari coming up. Before it transformed, Jack got out and look up at the leader of the Autobots.

"Hello, Jack." Optimus greeted. "I see you are unharmed."

"Yeah. Orionna kept me safe." Jack replied, crossing his arms. "Are we gonna rescue Bumblebee and the others from Sector 7?"

"We need to find the location of the All Spark." Optimus said as Orionna transformed. "The glasses will show us the location. I hope it will work." Orionna picked up Jack and place him on her shoulder.

Optimus stood by the towering building, holding the glasses. He started to scan the glasses, and the large blue Earth appearing, glowing faintly. The All Spark is 230 miles from where they are now. Ironhide knew that the Decepticons must know where it is by now.

"So, we will get it before they do. It shouldn't be hard, right?" Jack spoke.

"We must get the All Spark before they do." Optimus said.

"What about Bumblebee? We can't leave him to die!" Jazz told his leader.

"Bumblebee is a brave soldier. This is what he would want." Optimus said to his Autobots.

"Why are we fighting to save the humans?" Ironhide retorted. Jack turned to him with a look, offended by this. "They're a primitive and violent race."

"Ironhide, we're not all bad!" Jack said, standing up, balancing on Orionna's shoulder. "We get scared because you guys show up! If they see that you guys fight those Decepticons, they will know the difference between good and bad! You should do the same thing with us! Never judge." Ironhide stared at him in silent before scoffing.

"He is right." Orionna said. "Not all humans are bad."

"Were we so different?" Optimus asked them. "You know there is only one way to end this war. We must destroy the Cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest." Orionna looked at her father in fear. He can't mean that.

"No!" She said. "You can't!"

"Optimus, you don't have to do that!" Jack said, helping Orionna. "You're the leader! Everybody needs you! Orionna needs you! You all came here to get the All Spark and stop those Decepticons! And you would sacrifice yourself to-"

"Enough." Optimus silenced Jack from going any further. He faces Orionna. "We cannot let humans pay for our mistakes." He told her. "Orionna, you will be one with the Matrix, and become a leader."

"Father, I can't... I'm not worthy." Orionna said, shaking her head at him.

"Nor was I." Optimus said. He turned to the other Autobots. "It's been an honor serving with you all. Autobots, roll out!" They all jump off the building. But, Orionna and Jack stayed behind. Jack touches the side of Orionna's face.

"We will find another way." He told her. Orionna didn't say anything. She climbed down, holding Jack in her hand. She puts him down and transformed. Jack climbed in and Orionna drove off to follow the Autobots. "He can't mean that. He wouldn't just sacrifice himself." Jack said.

"If there is another way, I would tell him. But, there isn't. I can't be the leader of the Autobots. I'm no Prime." Orionna spoke.

"One day, you will be. You could be a great leader." Jack said. He heard her sigh a bit. Jack must think of a way to talk Optimus out of sacrificing himself. The Cube must be destroyed is all. And the Decepticons will lose the war. Optimus will remain the leader of the Autobots.