Megatron was on a transmission screen of the main Autobot base.

"What do you want, Megatron?" Optimus Prime asked. Ratchet, Ironhide, Jazz, Prowl, Chromia, and Elita-1 were with him. They'd been trying to find two of their scouts, Hot Rod and Bumblebee after they had not returned from their latest mission, and had feared the Decepticons had captured them.

"I request a simple trade." Megatron smugly replied as he stepped to the side. The Autobots gasped in shock as their fears were confirmed. Bumblebee and Hot Rod, their youngest members, and their best scouts were hanging from chains. Hot Rod was badly beaten with many wounds. Bumblebee was even worse. He was unconscious and had energon dripping down his helm, along with many other wounds.