Well, here it is, the next-to-last chapter. I had to get everything organized before I could get it written. It was kinda hard to get all the point of view peices written out, but I think it came out okay.

Prowl stepped back from reading his report, and nodded to Optimus, who stepped forward. He decided to start at the top of the list. The tall red and blue semi walked over to Sunstreaker, who kept his expression as neutral as possible, given how much trouble he was in. Prime and Prowl had allready discussed possible reprimands, and prime thought Prowl's suggestion for "Sunstreaker"
Those watching on Teletraan-1 shushed each other and quieted down, axious to see what fate was about to befall the yellow Lamborgini.

"I believe the washroom has gotten a bit muddy lately." Sunstreaker's face involuntarily darkened angrily. He wouldn't.

would he?

"Prowl will provide you with the appropriate cleaning supplies, and be overseeing your work"

he would.
And Prime was standing there, just daring him to say something back. But knowing he wouldn't. Sunstreaker hopefully had more sense than that.

"Yes, sir." Sunstreaker half-growled, carefull not to let his tone be too disrespectfull. He didn't want Prime adding more punishment onto the end of that.

The Autobot leader walked away, and headed towards the next person on his list. Red Alert and Prowl watched from beside the Arc's main entrance, slightly amused. hopefully this would teach those immature enough to challenge Prowl (He thought they would have learned by now).

It unnerved him slightly at seeing one of the officers involved in the mischief this time, though. Hopefully, it wouldn't happen again. Every year on April first. Although this year they had started early, to probably throw Prowl off. Weren't pranks supposed to be played on april Fools Day? maybe that was why they started the ruckus a week early. Because they had known Prowl would be expecting it. He thanked Primus they would all be busy on April first of this year, though. Whether it be scrubbing washracks, or helping Ratchet re-organize the repairbay.

"Scrub the washracks, he says" Sunstreaker growled under his breath. He glared at both Sideswipe and Bumblebee.

"I'll bet that yellow little coward told Prowl everything the instant he asked him about it, just to save his own hide!"

Sunstreaker reminded himself to give the little wimp a good beating for it next time they were alone in the commons room, too. Just thinking what all that soap and cleaning solutions to do to his poor lovely waxed exterior. It would take him several hours of re-waxing and polishing just to get it back in the condition it was now, if not longer. Not to mention his chassis wasn't as well-kept now as it should be, to begin with.

And Sideswipe... Sunstreaker glared hatefully at his twin brother. Sideswipe was going to regret even getting him involved in these pranks in the first place. First thing he was going to do when he got back to their quarters tonight was throw everything that belonged to the little red RAT out into the hallway. Then lock the door after him!

Even 'starting' to think about his ruined exterior made Sunstreaker shiver involuntarily. What had he done to piss the universe off? he sighed. Everyone knew how much pride he took in his good looks. And he wasn't given a gorgeous Italian racecar as an alt. form for no reason. And there was no sense in letting such a beautiful stylish chassis go to ruin with rust and dirt. The others just didn't understand things like he did!

And the scratches! oh, the scratches! he might as well have been given a Honda as an alt mode if he was going to be crawling around on his hands and knees in the muck washing floorpanels! he was a warrior, for Primus's sake! not a maintenance drone! and he had a beautiful chassis to take care of!

Sure, his comrades had made fun of him for it, but what would someone back in Iacon think if a mech who was dirty, scratched, and rusty walked up to them? they would think they were no better than riffraff! a lowlife! Given, Hound was allways dirty, smelly, and scratched, that was given.but he was a scout. It was his job, the Lamborgini guessed. But you still had to wonder about someone who didn't even care enough to make themself presentable in public!

If someone didn't have the pride to (or even care about) keeping themselves clean and well-polished, how would that reflect on how much they cared about anything else? People like that didn't care, he guessed. If they were enough of a slob to be dirty and scratched and barely-polished all the time, fine. But he had more pride in his appearance than that, I'm sorry. The yellow Lambo gave a sulking look at at the entrance to the Arc, and at Prowl and Red Alert standing there. He just hoped he could figure out a way to keep his carefully-maintained exterior from being completely ruined.

Prime waklked over to where Bumblebee stood. The poor minibot looked as miserable as could be. Except for the fact that he had come forward with information that had led to the the final breakthrough on the case, he knew he had been in on a lot of the pranks. He just stared at the ground, thoroughly sorry he had let it get as far as he had.

"And assisted with the concealment and usage of classified information"

he knew he was in for it now. He brought himself out of his thoughts just in time to hear Prowl finish his sentence

"And provided me with the evidence nessesary to solve this case."

He knew that wouldn't help. Why hadn't he said 'no'? He knew he had been weak-willed and naeive to accept help from the twins on anything. He had knew from the beginning they were going to use their knowledge of his plans to blackmail him into helping them.

"But Bluestreak deserved it!" he inwardly yelled. He wouldn't say that out loud. Oh no, not ever. Especally not to Prime or Prowl. He had way to much respect for them to do that. He had been trying to stay in good graces with them, not be seen as a troublemaker like Sideswipe or Sunstreaker! he wanted to be thought of as a nice guy. Someone you could talk to if you were having a bad day, and trust not to stab you in the back or tell your business to everyone in the Arc as soon as you turn around.

He didn't like the idea of being lumped into the same category as the two Lamborgini twins. Sure, they had respect, maybe even other bots feared them. He hoped hanging out with them would maybe make the other bots think less of him as a 'little bug' and more of a regular, respectable bot.

But then, it wasn't their kind of respect he had wanted.He had wantedrespect for being sensitive or caring, or a good listener. He was sorry enough he wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. He felt like he physically wilted under his leader's stare. He forced himself to look up, even though he really didn't want to. The yellow minibot's insides twisted into a knot at the thought of what Optimus was going to say to him. He had only wanted his leader's respect, and acknowledgement. Not his dissaproval. Just the thought of Prime being mad at him made him feel worse.

'Bumblebee"

Yessir." the minispy said in a small voice.

Prime paused, as though expecting him to say something more than that. an apology, maybe? But he just couldn't make the words come out. He was so ashamed.

"Your duty shifts will be doubled for the next two weeks, during which time you are to stay at least 100 feet from both Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. If you are seen or heard making contact with them, those two weeks will be doubled. Do you understand"

"yes." Bumblebee squeaked again. He made eye contact with Prime and realized Prime was a little less angry with him. Or maybe it was just his imagination. He felt horrible enough already. Maybe Prime figured that, or maybe we was that he'd helped Prowl find out who had done what. Either way, his own guilt felt worse than any punishment Prowl could ever dish out.

Prime nodded and moved on to the next person on his list .

Sideswipe.

"I believe Ratchet could use some help reorganizing the repairbay. I also believe he mentioned something about spring cleaning?" the leader had a slightly amused tone to his voice. Sideswipe was far from amused, though.

Sideswipe's face fell when he learned of his fate.

"You mean son of a recycling unit." he inwardly swore at the tactician, knowing he'd suggested it, and saw the smirk that flickered across Prowl's faceplate as the tactician knew he'd hit the mark.

"Tactician one, red twin zero." Prowl mentally noted.

"Just wait till next year." Sidewipe promised.

Although, from the glare his brother was giving him, he wasn't sure if he wanted to. "Sunny might be my twin, but sure can get pissed." Sidewipe then realized what assignment Prowl had just given his yellow twin.

Sideswipe inwardly winced. "I'm gonna hear about that one tonight." he noted, breaking his brother's glaring gaze to look at the ground. "Oh, I'm sure Ratchet is gonna love the hell out of this." Sideswipe gritted his dental plates at the thought. He remembered getting yelled at every time he entered the repairbay. And that was whether he needed repairs or not. He could just imagine what kind of objects would be pinging off his helmet every five minutes this time.

Although he hoped Ratchet wouldn't throw that paperweight he kept on his office desk at him again. That thing HURT! Sideswipe winced once again, and he could have SWORN he saw Prowl smirk back. He glared daggers in response. But his face didn't cooperate. It just came out as a balefully sorry puppy-dog look.

Great. Just great. Not only was his twin brother mad at him, but also Bumblebee (not that it really mattered, he was only a minispy, after all.) But he also felt really bad about getting Jazz in trouble over those blueprints. How did Prowl find out the saboteur had gotten them in the first place? He knew he should have said something, like Jazz didn't know he had them, or maybe lie and say he'd stolen the blueprints of the ductwork. But that would mean lying and taking extra blame for someone else. Nuh-uh. Not him. Not the Arc's best prankster. He didn't get that title by defending other people.

Besides, the first rule of pranking states it is every mech for hiself. And every action has it's consequence, whether it be gaining the advantage or information someone else has allready used; Or when making an alliance, only take the blame you have to. Or less if possible. If all else fails, deny everything, and blame your co-conspirator. Sure, it may result in them getting you back, but that's half of the fun! it's allways more of a challenge.

Sideswipe was busy imagining the tactician hangin by the feet over the ar'c main boosters, till he was jolted out of his thoughts. "Do you have anything to say for yourself, Sideswipe?" Optimus rumbled.

"Uh."

"think quick! think quick! stupid!" he thought. the red Lamborgini mentall slapped himself. He kept his head down, and looked sorrowfully up at the Autobot leader like a whipped puppy. "I'm sorry, sir." he whimpered. He knew it wouldn't get him out of his punishment, but he hoped maybe the puppy-dog look might get his sentence reduced.

Optimus didn't look impressed by it in the slightest. Instead, he turned back away from the red twin, to continue his way down the lineup. Sideswipe mental kicked himself for being so careless. He swore next year he'd be SO much more carefull!

And Prowl didn't have any sense of humor, either. so there.

Sideswipe pouted.

Life was so unfair...

Of course, that was almost the same as what a certain unfortunate jet was thinking at the moment.

Prime walked over to Where Jade was standing with a faroff look in her optics, deep in thought at the moment.

"Where did I go wrong? (sigh) I knew I shouldn't have trusted the twins." she thought.

"Not to metion I was allready in trouble for other things. I can't believe Jazz was the one who rigged the dispenser. Hahaha! no way! and here I thought he was too good-natured to 'come down to my level' (snicker) note to self: get him back but good.

Well, at least I confessed to a couple of my 'crimes' (or so Prowl would put them.) I hope that'll make him go easier on me. Oh. I didn't think he knew about the laptop. Great. note to self: return Bullet's laptop with haste. He'd kill me if he knew I'd gotten his new laptop confiscated, after having his last one blown up by teletraan"

Prime was standing there, an expectant look on his face. Despite her still-mischevious thoughts, the jet really was sorry for what she had done. She didn't like being in trouble at all. She had never made a lick of trouble in her life. Until she met the twins, and the april fools day pranks started.

"I knew I shouldn't have gotten caught. Where did I go wrong?

stupid, stupid, stupid!..

"Jade"

"yes sir." it was just louder than a whisper." She could FEEL those sapphire eyes boring right through her. He was mad! she knew he was mad!

she just hoped he wouldn't send her home. She had stayed here when her friends returned home because she wanted to- well, that was a lengthy explanation.

"Do you have anything you'd like to say in your defense"

"No" she squeaked. She felt about that small, too. She couldn't look up. Meet his gaze. She vowed silent revenge.. no. that was what had gotten her into this in the first place. But damn if she wasn't mad at several mechs.

"Very well." Prime's tone had lifted ever-so-slightly. "You will spend the next 48 hours in the brig."

oh that was COLD! everyone seemed a little suprised at his harshness, but Prime was done playing the softhearted leader role. He'd had it with the pranks and other shennanigans.

"You have had more than enough chances to prove your responsibility, but instead you have acted immature, disrespectful, and shown no repect for the rules or command structure here"

he paused, knowing the second part of his reprimand wouldn't be as bad as the first.

"However."

"During the next three days you will be continuing security monitor duty with Red Alert during the night shift." she glanced at the red and white security officer out of the corner of her optic. He seemed as suprised as she was.

"Do I make my self clear"

unable to find her voice without whimpering, she simply nodded. He walked away.

"Wheeljack"

"Yes,sir"

"You are banned from your workshop for one month. You shall not take part in any sort of technical projects or repairwork unless it is a Decepticon attack and Ratchet requires your assistance.

A cheer echoed from inside the Arc.

Prowl, Prime, and Red Alert all gave each other a look, and Red Alert bolted into the Arc. Muffled snickers echoed down the lined up mechs, but were soon cut off by a stern look from Prowl.

meanwhile inside the Arc...

"Quick, someone's coming"

"Turn it off! turn it off"

click

"What in the heavens is going on in here!" Red Alert demanded.

"Uh, nothing." Brawn looked at some of the surrounding 'bots for help.
In one corner, Ratchet threw a handfull of cards on the table.

"Just playing a little poker, Red; Thats all.

"Lost again, Ratch."Ironhide grinned. The CMO pegged him with a look.

" Just wait till the next round"

Red Alert harumphed. I'm watching you guys. He made a finger-eye motion and walked away.

"uh-huh.Okay Red." Ironhide called after him.

He waited a minute, to make sure the Security director had exited the Arc, and everyone scrambled back to their places in front of Teletraan's screen.

Meanwhile, the drama continued.

"One month without being allowed in my workshop?" Wheeljack thought. "What if I have an idea? what if the Autobots need an invention for some reason or another? I've got so may ideas I want to try out. I came up with three new ones today. I can understand Prowl was mad about the paint thing and all, (I guess I owe him an apology, at the least), but it was an honest mistake.

If I had known it wasn't Bluestreak's quarters, I would have painted up the twins for giving us the false directions! I should've known something wasn't right. Damn me for not following my gut feeling. Well, at least it wasn't as bad as what some of the others got. Poor Sideswipe. I feel sorry for him. heh.

I'm suprised Prime ordered Wylkat and I to repaint the hallway. I thought he'd never let us anywhere near any paint ever again after what happened. Oh well. I guess Prowl's gonna make sure he stays on the other side of the base as us. heh.

Wonder how Prowl even got the idea to make us repaint? I mean, the Autobots have never been concerned about what the inside of the arc looks like. There's allways too many repairs and other things that need to be done. Maybe I'll suggest it. Oh, duh. No wonder I didn't get assigned repair duty. It's too much like what I've been doing in my workshop all this time. They probably think I'd enjoy that too much. Heh, oh well.

Although I am sorry I dissapointed Prime so badly. I didn't mean any harm by it. I thought it was all in good fun. Pranks are never supposed to harm anyone. Or to interfere with the detection or prevention of decepticon attacks. That's a rule. Everyone here knows it. Even Sideswipe.

I guess I should stop making excuses and face reality. What we - What I did was wrong. Not to mention lying to Prowl AND Prime. I was kinda hoping Prowl would find out who else was doing the pranks, but I didn't mean to waste his time or anything. And concern Prime needlessly. He probably had more important things to worry about. Like how we're going to stop Mega-jerk and the Decepticons.

Wyldkat was standing silently, looking up at the camera over the Arc's main entrance, and had a sneaking suspicion they were being watched.

"I wonder if I should tell Red Alert. Nah, he probably allready knows. The cheer from inside when Wheeljack got banned from his workshop was a dead giveaway"

She saw Prime heading in her direction, and her frame of thinking quickly changed.

"What do I say here? I'm sorry would be a start. Yeah. I owe Prowl the first one. Okay, that's a start. I owe Prime one, too. For making him waste his time trying to figure out who stole Wheeljack's paint"

"Wyldkat." she was face to face with the red and blue leader. She made herself meet his gaze, like a respectfull soldier.

"I'm sorry"

She wasn't sure he was expecting that, but he just stood there.

"Go on."

"I'm sorry for wasting both your and Prowl's time with such immaturity. And I apologize to Prowl for the paint thing. It was an honest mistake, and I know I never should have been involved in such a sophmoric plan." She flicked a gaze at the tactician. She saw the look on Sunstreaker's face out of the corner of her optic. "Suckup" he said under his breath. The blue Reliant's hearing picked up on it, but she decided to ignore it.

He knew better than to say it loud enough to be heard. With all the posessing-classified-info and all. She mentally noted to apologize to Jazz, too. If she and Wheeljack hadn't agreed to help Bumblebee get revenge on Bluestreak, or even decided to ask the twins for help, he might not have been pulled into this. And maybe those blueprints might have stayed out of sight. She knew he was in big trouble. What Prime was going to do about it, though, she wasn't sure yet.

Prime nodded. "You can help Wheeljack repaint the hallway." She suddenly realised it was paint that had gotten them into trouble in the first place. "Is that it?" she thought as Prime started to walk away. "And you are confined to quarters for the next 3 days, with the exception of regular patrols, and helping Wheeljack repaint"

The Reliant only nodded. "Oh, and Wyldkat"

"Sir."

"I am not to hear one musical note coming from anywhere in even your vicintiy. Do you understand"

"Yes sir."

drat. there goed the 'ol whistle while you work routine. she thought as Optimus walked towards the other end of the line.

Prime obviously knew how Wyldkat and Jazz shared a love for the same type of music.

She suddenly had a pang of jealousy fo the Porshe. At least he could listen to music through internal sensors, (which were kind of like having headphones) and nobody else could hear it.

Speaking of the Porsche, she semi-glanced at him, standing beside her, his head bowed in silence. He knew he was big in trouble. He was mature enough to know the difference between foolish pranks and good-natured jokes. And that as an officer he was supposed to be a role model for those of the lesser ranks...

Wyldkat elbowed him lightly to get his attention, and have him a reassuring grin and wink. He replied with a question mark look, but Wyldkat returned her attention to the two leaders and angry security officer. Red Alert had calmed down a little. At least he didn't look like he was going to explode from the tension anymore. Earlier she could have sworn she saw smoke coming from those little receptor-horn-things on his head...

Cliffjumper wasn't happy. He'd played the game and gotten caught. He hadn't really been part of it, more less just an accomplice. "Bluestreak was the mastermind." he thought.

"Cliffjumper." Prime stared down at the red minispy sternly.

"Oh, so now he's gonna peg part of this bull on me, too? Well, boy do I have news for him. That underhanded little she-bot had it coming to her! anyway, everyone allways underestimates us minibots. Now who's laughing now, kitty cat?" he thought.

Cliffjumper kept his scowl in place, but remembered how good it had felt to finally deliver the much-awaited kick in the skidplate to the blue-colored Wyldkat. Oh yes, he and Bluestreak had gotten into her quarters that night, and used instant bonding glut adhere the "cat ears and tail" to Wyldkat's armor.

"So, she thinks she's something special, does she? well just because she hangs out with Jazz and kisses up to the brass doesn't make her anything special. Cliffjumper huffed silently and rolled his eyes at her.

"Look at her standing all pretty at attention when Prime comes close to her. She thinks she's such a model soldier. I'll bet she can't do even half of what I can. And not to mention she's female, too." he thought.

"Cliffjumper." Prime was using that commanding voice again.

"Your duty shifts will also be doubled for the next two weeks"

"that was too easy." the minispy thought.

"And I want you to give Wyldkat a sincere apology." Snickering could be heard in the background.

Cliffjumper narrowed his eyes. Why should he have to apologize to that little femme-kissup? he looked at her.

"I'm sorry." he said flatly. Prime gave him a scrutinizing look.

He stepped out from the line, turned towards the blue car, cleared his throat, and said loudly enough to be heard down the line: "I'm sorry, Wyldkat"

Inside, the control room exploded in a cacaphony of laughter. "Did you see the look on his face?" Hound laughed from one side of the room. "Yeah, I'll bet he'll be sorry for that one for weeks." Brawn laughed back.

Meanwhile, back outside...

Bluestreak was going nuts inside. His thoughts were running twice as fast as his vocaliser usually did, going in circles over how much trouble he was in and what kind of punishment he was going to get for it.

"Oh.. I knew it!" he thought. "I knew something was gonna go wrong! we never sould have played that prank on Wyldkat! we never should have played that prank on Bumblebee last year! What have I gotten myself into! Prowl is gonna have my rear axle! damn you Cliffjumper. Dang it stupid me for getting myself into it. Why did I even start this? it was my fault, I was the one who came up with the idea to paint those cute little five-petalled 'hippie flowers' all over Bumblebee. Poor guy..."

His thoughts trailed off when he realized Prime was staring down at him. The Charcoal and white gunner lifted his head to meet his leader's gaze directly.

"I'm sorry. It was irresponsible of me. And it was my idea to paint hippie flowers all over Bumblebee last year, and to play the prank on Wyldkat this year." he said in a barely-even voice.

"So it was you two!" Wyldkat exclaimed.

Apologizing, he thought,was the hardest thing he had to do. But he made himself face the blue femme, forcing the image of cat's ears and whiskers out of his mind.

(It was pretty funny)

"Yes. I'm sorry, Wyldkat." Prime also glanced at the Reliant. She looked stunned momentartily the caught herself and shrugged it off. "It's okay."

"Bluestreak, I think it would be appropriate if you were assigned to help Sideswipe and Ratchet clean and reorganize the repairbay.

At the other end of the line, Sideswipes' eyes went round. Bluestreak looked back at him with the same expression.

Sideswipe's first thought was: "Oh no. He talks enough as it is! now he's gonna be jabbering in my audios the whole time we're cleaning the repairbay!" then he added "I hope Ratchet knocks him out first."

Bluestreak was thinking "Well, at least I'll have someone to talk to. Unless Ratchet knocks him silly again. He never did like Sideswipe. I wonder why?...

Optimus knew that the last person on his list was going to be the hardest. Why Jazz had decided to joing in the pranks was the first question. He was an officer, for matrix sake. Honestly, he should have been mature enough to know better. Not to mention the blueprints, the rigging the dispenser, the general mayhem that had been caused. It gave Prime a headache just to think of it. And this had been going on since last year. (?)

This was the hardest part of his job as a leader. Optimus really didn't want to have to deal with this. It was bad enough Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were doing pranks, but they had gained the participation of several other mechs in the recent times, and now this?

The Autobot leader strode over to the last person on his list. The black and white saw him coming and straightened his posture to stand at attention.

"I'm dissapointed in you, Jazz." The Porsche didn't move or say a word. He knew it wouldn't help. Prime shook his head.

"Why?"

"well," Jazz looked over at Jade as though to answer Prime's question. It didn't help.

"uh"

he looked up at Prime, at a loss for words. Prime patiently waited. the saboteur finally spoke.

"It was all in fun. I didn't intend to hurt no one. If I'd know those blueprints were that important I wouldn't 'ave gotten em" he finally said.

"I see." Prime mused. He turned his back to his special operations officer.

"Since you have acted with the same maturity level as the other soldiers, instead of an officer." Prime took a breath. He hated to do this.

"For the next thirty days your rank will be reclassified as a soldier, until you can prove you can uphold the rights and responsibilites of a ranking officer"

he could hear the jaws practically hitting the ground. The Arc's control room went deathly silent.

"During which time, you are to carry out the duties of any other soldier, and shall not listen to or give evidence of listening to any form of terran music,and/or dancing."

Prime turned back to face the black and white, using a less commanding tone now. He chose his words carefully before continuing.

"Next time you decide to do something immature and mischevious, think carefully before acting." Jazz looked up and caught his meaning. After all, that was the black-and-white's job description being sneaky and all. Had Prime known about last year's prank? He couldn't tell for sure, but he was pretty sure he caught a glint of something, perhaps humor? in the leader's eyes.

Was what he had meant when he said "Think carefully" was "don't get caught", perhaps? Prime nodded and went back to beside Prowl and Red Alert.

"You all have your orders. they Start as of right now. Dismissed." Everyone glanced at each other, as though not sure what to do. Bumblebee let out a small sigh of relief and headed into the Arc, Cliffjumper trailing after him.

Inside, everyone scrambled and scattered to somewhere else, trying to look like they were anywhere but watching the proceedings. Ratchet just leaned back in his chair and tossed his cards on the table.

"Care for another round?" he asked.

"Nah. I've got stuff I've got 'ta get back 'ta doin." Ironhide replied, getting up.

"Just tah not ta go too hard on em, kay Ratch?" the southern accented mech added. The red and whte Ratchet just grinned. "You know me." he said cheerily.

"ah know. That's why ah said that." Ironhide mumbled as he lumbered out of the room.

Ratchet took another long swig of high-grade. "It's gonna be a long day." he muttered, feeling his good mood dissipating allready.

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Yes, I know. Not much for chapter notes here. I ran out of things to say. Although, if you want to see the profile for my fanchar, just in case my profile link doesn't work, the address is (just take out the spaces after the slashes and dots in the address)

http/ www. freewebs. com/ tfrebellion/ fancharprofiles1 .htm

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