Even though he received Baelheit's message loud and clear, Starscream still lingers in place for a moment, his horrible little mind churning with misgivings. His spark burned ferociously as he, for the umpteenth time, reflected on the ridiculous position he's found himself in. The notion of showing up in front of this human of all things in such a pathetic state was eating him up inside. He was Air Commander Starscream, dammit; his first introduction to any alien race should be conducted in his imposing true form, not as this meagerly powerful (though still strikingly handsome, he had to admit) earth vehicle. Of course, if you had access to your true form, you wouldn't be making this deal in the first place, he thought to himself grimly.

The real heart of the matter is something that he wouldn't ever admit to himself, even internally: he was completely terrified of being a laughingstock. Starscream demanded respect at all times, it was something that his status afforded him by right... but that was a difficult notion to uphold when he was in such a sorry state.

Suddenly resolved through his anger, he takes off at a break-neck pace, jets kicking in with immense force as the jet screeches off into the sky (startling the crap out of a group of base personel). He's at the hangar in a matter of minutes, landing inside with graceful precision.

He's actually rather proud of that move. At least his condition hasn't kept him from the skies.