As the President of the United States looked between the files in front of him and the news footage on the television screen, he regretted his decision to ever become President. Things had gone so wrong within a matter of a few small years and the worst was that he had to find out about it from the news. Yes, he had ordered that all ties between the military and the Autobots be severed to placate the public, but he had not expected this. Harold Attinger had gone behind everyone's back, using his team that was supposed to hunt down Decepticons to hunt down the Autobots as well. They had been hunting down the very people who had sworn to protect them. And now it was coming back to bite him. Hard.

The Decepticons that they had destroyed were back thanks to Attinger and his stupidity. Joshua Joyce was at least repentant. According to Cade Yaeger, Attinger hadn't even tried to before he was killed. Aiding the enemy in his own twisted chance for justice and patriotism, he had just about destroyed the true meaning of patriotism. Thankfully, this Cade Yaeger and Optimus Prime had painted a clear picture of what it meant to be a patriot. And to have honor.

Another reporter broadcasted the crowd in front of the White House, most calling for him to resign the Presidency immediately. God, he was screwed and he could only blame is own misplaced trust in Attinger.

There was one small relief. Elections were coming. He would be leaving the office soon. Word was that some kid that used to work with the Autobots was now slated to join the ticket. And the President was going to back him for all he was worth.

Senator Samuel James Witwicky stepped out of his apartment, trailed not far behind by his wife, Carly, who held their son, Spike. William Lennox, former Colonel of NEST, was right behind them, looking as serious as the day he'd thrust the Allspark into Sam's hands and told him to run. Reporters and news crews lined the sidewalk, leaning over the arms of the Secret Service agents clearing a path for the group, yelling out their questions and comments as they tried to thrust their mics closer to him.

The moment they all were safely in the Secret Service vehicle, Sam let out a sigh. Part of him was regretting his decision to run for President. The other was telling him he was doing the right thing and there was no turning back for his path. There never was. Not since the day his Grandfather found Megatron frozen beneath the Arctic Circle.

Lennox kept his eye on the reporters even as they pulled away from the apartment. "You sure picked a rodeo, Sam."

Sam just nodded in agreement and put an arm around Carly whose tense shoulder's relaxed at his touch. "Thanks for being a part of this, Lennox. I mean, you didn't have to do this."

Lennox shrugged. "No, but I needed to. Especially for the Autobots. It wasn't right what we did to them, before and after the stuff with Attinger."

Sam tensed at the name of the now dead CIA agent. Attinger and his Cemetery Wind had caused more trouble than Sector Seven, Galloway and the whole US Government combined. "We had to break ties with them. Be we never stopped trusting in them or supporting them. Hell, that's why I started getting into politics. To change people's minds and be ready to help the Autobots when the chance came. And it did. All that matters is that we're here to set things right again and they know that too."

Lennox smirked. "You're a lot more grown up than the kid I met at Hoover Dam. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," Sam smiled at the compliment, "But I'm going to have to draw back on that on my speech today. Remember what I first told Maggie and Glen?"

"You're kidding."

"You wish."

A meteor of unknown elements thundered through the Earth's atmosphere, landing in a corn field with an earthshaking thud. Then it transformed. Optimus had returned to Earth.