A/N: This story was written in an attempt to move out of my comfort zone, as while I've written Prowl, I haven't written a full story with him before. He's usually a support character whenever he appears in my stories. However, I'm not sure how well I succeeded in presenting him as the main character for once, and will let my readers be the judge.

My idea was inspired by a bunny I found at this link: tf-bunny-farm. livejournal.

1. AU. Prowl and Ultra Magnus apparently have the same rank (Sub-Commander) and the same job (second-in-command), and both seem to have been police officers of some sort before or during the war. (IDW explicitly states Ultra Magnus is a space cop an agent of the Tyrest Accord which is, you know, a space cop.) So what if Optimus Prime had decided to assign his old friend Ultra Magnus to the Ark and leave Prowl on Cybertron to lead the Autobot forces there?

Not feeling confident enough to try the sub-ideas, I gave it my own twist. Regrettably, I can't inform the bunny poster as he/she is no longer at LJ. But I do hope you all enjoy!

Story title comes from one of my favorite poems, and is partially quoted here.

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

48,000 vorns (4 million Earth years) ago - Iacon

"Are you sure you want to do this, Prowl?"

A firm nod came from the mech standing in front of Optimus Prime's desk. "I am, sir."

The Autobot leader leaned back in his chair and rubbed at his optics. He would admit it, when he'd put out the list of those who'd been chosen for the mission aboard the Ark, he had expected trouble from certain members of his army. Specifically a few of the frontliners. And he hadn't been disappointed in that respect. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker both, along with Tracks and Huffer, had firmly objected to the idea of going off-planet when there would still be Decepticons here to fight. But when he'd informed them of the energon situation on Cybertron, plus the fact that it had been discovered that the Decepticons were also planning their own excursion off-world, that had silenced their objections.

Ultra Magnus had expressed concern over his own assignment, but when Optimus had pointed out that he needed someone to keep the Wreckers in some semblance of order, the large blue and red mech had conceded the point.

Prowl, on the other hand...Well, Prime would admit he'd never seen this coming.

"I won't say I'm not surprised," he admitted, refocusing on the mech in front of him. "But might I ask why? I could use your help dealing with whatever sentient races we come across. Jazz does a good job with the public face, but when it comes to dealing with the customs and figureheads, I need someone who can handle those matters without causing offense."

Prowl nodded. "I am aware."

"Then why?"

"I believe I stated my reasons at the previous Officers' meeting, where it was announced the Ark was near completion," his Tactical Officer said calmly.

The Autobot leader sighed. "Prowl..."

"Hear me out, Prime," the Praxian black and white cut in, raising a hand. "You are requesting nearly every single member of the Command team accompany you in a search for energon. A search that, while necessary and I do not object to per se, leaves Iacon at risk. Especially since you are sending the Wreckers off-world as well to safeguard Autobot interests in the universe."

He leaned forward and placed his hands on his Commander's desk, looking him straight in the optics. "While Jazz's information does suggest that Megatron is going as well, I find it highly unlikely that he will be taking all his lieutenants with him. Chances are he will leave at least one behind to continue the fight against us. I have spoken further with Jazz and Mirage and they both agree that such a scenario is highly probable. Someone needs to be here to ensure the defenses and see to it that the Decepticons don't gain a foothold while the Ark is off-world.

"There is also the matter of if the Ark should by some chance lose contact with Cybertron. It is imperative a member of the Command Team be here to make sure that the situation here remains as stabilized as possible. Having both Sub-Commanders off-world, as well as the majority of the Command team, leaves the chain of command in doubt."

Optimus Prime frowned as Prowl finished speaking, looking at his Tactician's arguments in a new light. "You seem certain of this," he replied finally.

Prowl nodded. "I have run all possible battle scenarios through my computer. Every result indicates that having all members of the Command Team away from here would end in disaster for Cybertron and the Autobots."

Once more, Optimus Prime rubbed at his optics. "You make compelling arguments," he admitted. "But I will still need someone to deal with the customs side of dealing with sentient races on whatever worlds we find."

Prowl nodded again. "Understandable. I would suggest Ultra Magnus, due to his skills in negotiation. I am aware he has been given command of the Wreckers," Prowl said, raising a hand to cut off any protest the Prime was about to make, "but I truly cannot see them falling into line under him. They are too headstrong to be willing to follow his rules. I would suggest putting Kup in Magnus' place. He has shown excellent ability in handling that team in the past."

Optimus rubbed at his chin in thought. Again, he found he couldn't argue with his Sub-Commander's arguments. "Very well. I will inform Magnus of the change in plans, and Kup of his command. Have you a team in mind to remain here with you?"

"I am going through a list of possibles," Prowl stated. "I will have my final choices on your desk within the next half-orn."

Optimus nodded, and rose from his chair. "In that case, I will not keep you from that task."

The Tactician removed his hands from the desk, standing up straight now. "Thank you, sir," he said firmly. Then without another word, he turned and left the room.

Optimus just shook his head a little ruefully. He would admit it, he'd miss having his best tactician along. Smokescreen was doing a good job under Prowl's tutelage, from what he'd been told, but even the black and white Praxian admitted he hadn't quite reached his level, in great part due to the gray-blue mech's issues with focusing. Prime only hoped that Smokescreen would be able to rise to the task. If not, then perhaps one of the other junior tacticians going along could assist with aiding him.

But that was for the future to determine. For now, Optimus needed to inform Ultra Magnus and Kup of the change in plans.

::Prime to Ultra Magnus...::

In the end, both Kup and Ultra Magnus had accepted the changes with no arguments. Optimus suspected that Magnus was actually secretly relieved that it was Kup who now had to deal with the rowdy unit, judging from the tone of his voice when Optimus had relayed to him the change in plans.

As promised, Prowl did turn in his list of mechs to join him on Cybertron out of those who were not going to be put into stasis: Brawn, Perceptor, Hoist, Red Alert and Inferno, along with a handful of non-Elite frontliners. The femmes also were to remain in Iacon, and their unit commander, Elita-One, would work in tandem with the Sub-Commander.

The cycle that the Ark took off, Prime couldn't help but feel relieved in spite of his earlier misgivings. No matter what happened next, he knew that he was leaving Cybertron in good hands...

As the Ark disappeared from view, Prowl smiled in satisfaction. It had been a gamble, asking to stay behind as he had. But as he saw it, it had also been a necessary one. Especially considering what he'd been told by Jazz just before receiving his orders from Prime...

"Got word from Punch. He says that Megatron's going to be leaving Shockwave behind to hold Darkmount while he's gone."

Once Prowl had learned this, he'd known it was imperative he stay behind. Knowing Optimus would be more likely to be swayed if his other advisors weren't around, he'd requested the private meeting as soon as he'd received his orders.

There had been a twenty-five percent chance his arguments would fail, but the risk needed to be taken. He could not leave the planet as long as Shockwave was here as well. The mech was the most dangerous of any of Megatron's other lieutenants. Starscream, while a fierce fighter and good tactician in his own right, had an ego that could easily be manipulated. Soundwave's weakness were his cassettes, something Prowl had utilized more than once.

Shockwave, though...Prowl frowned. Shockwave had no emotions that could be used against him. No attachments. His loyalty to Megatron was absolute, and he relied only on logic, believing emotions were a weakness to be exploited. He'd also earned the fear of his own troops long ago for some of the experiments he'd done. Some had said to have been done on those who'd displeased Megatron. For all his skill, Jazz had never been able to find out how much truth there was to those rumors, but he'd been able to glean enough to convince Prowl that Shockwave was the greatest threat within the Decepticons.

A threat that needed to be neutralized before the Ark returned to Cybertron.

Which would have the added bonus of regaining the planet for the Autobots.

Of course, this would also be dependent on Megatron's failure to return before Optimus did, but with Jazz and Mirage having joined their Commander on this expedition, Prowl didn't foresee this as being a problem. Even if they failed to end his life, the Praxian had no doubt they would do all in their power to delay the Warlord, should they meet him at some point.

Prowl chuckled coldly and turned away to walk back into the base.

It's time to begin.