(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Aquaformer was long gone, flying high over an area of the earth that no one seemed to visit very often. She was upset and understandably so. She was treated with contempt when all she wanted and needed was a little support and love. She felt used and even her spark bond felt achy. She had thought Optimus was better than this, that he wouldn't do something like this, but he had and now she felt she had no choice but to flee, to where she didn't know, but away from all the other bots. She knew if they didn't want to respect her and keep her safe, they wouldn't care about the little ones she carried. She was so distraught that she didn't realize that her taking off like this would lead her into bigger trouble.
Meanwhile, Starscream, having observed the Autobots leave the base, made his way back to Megatron. Something told the arrogant nosey seeker that the mechs were searching for one of their own and Starscream assumed it was the femme, as he had assumed that only the femme would bring out that many of the Autobots to search, as the cons were not active at the time. Starscream went to make his report to Megatron.
"Megatron, I bring news" Starscream called out loudly as he entered the con base.
"And what news is this, Starscream?" Megatron answered darkly, not liking how the brazen seeker had disturbed the con leader.
"The Autobots have left their base, without the femme in tow. I believe that they are searching for her once again" Starscream reported his assumed findings, hoping that Megatron would like the report.
"Are you sure, Starscream? How do we know that this is not another Autobot trick being played on us?" Megatron asked, not willing to follow a wild goose chase so to speak.
"I was flying in the area near the base on a scouting patrol, as you ordered. At first, I saw nothing much. Then I saw Aquaformer was outside. I wanted to grab her, but the two humans showing up would blow my cover, so I waited. Then, only a short time later, I thought I saw an aerial type bot blasting out of the base, heading over the horizon. I assumed, since most Autobots transformers are grounders, that it was most likely Aquaformer. And then, shortly afterward, I saw the rest of the Autobots emerge, including the aerial bots and Powerglide. I assumed then that they were seeking the bot who had left earlier" Starscream reported to Megatron.
The entire report made Megatron smile an evil, sadistic smile. "Well, then, I guess it is up to us to find the runaway femme before those accursed Autobots do" Megatron replied. "All Cons, search for the Autobot commander Aquaformer, she is most likely alone and in ger aerial mode. When you find her, bring her to me." All the con seekers and other con aerial bots headed out at the command, hoping that they would find the femme first.
Meanwhile, Optimus had a bad feeling. It wasn't just in his spark regarding the bond. It was as if he sensed danger. He wasn't completely sure, but he had a good idea what might be causing the feeling – somehow the cons had figured out Aquaformer was on her own and out in the open. Now Optimus knew he had to find his wayward mate or he and his whole family were as good as dead. He pushed on, hoping and praying that he would reach Aquaformer first. The race was on to find the sparked femme.