Hello everybody! Here is the long awaited Hardwire-centric chapter! Just a warning, it ends on a slightly tense/sad note but things will work out just fine, I promise.

Review Response: Dear SunnySides, hello! I am so, so sorry about not answering your last question in your previous review! I don't know how I that happened, I could have sworn I wrote the answer ... but it didn't show up in the document. Anyways, the answer to your last question on your Sep 24 review is, no, the fact that they are human will not be revealed within the next ten chapters. Sorry. I plan on making everybody very settled and used to working as a team with each other before I drop that bombshell. In regards to your second review from Oct 1, let me stop your assumptions right there. This story is not, I repeat not a reincarnation story in any way. Primus is not responsible for their dimensional jump or their transformation into Cybertronians, nor did any of the main characters die prior to coming to Cybertron. Although I can understand your assumption, I just feel the need to clear that up. I also agree wholeheartedly with you on the matter of Sideswipe's intelligence, or the distinct lack thereof. (snickers) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Dear TFAN Override, hello and pardon me? I'm not sure where that misunderstanding came from about chapter nine... I apologize if anything I wrote in the review responses or author's notes caused the misunderstanding but here is the actually Hardwire-centric chapter. Hope this makes up for the previous disappointment.

Dear denis.d2505, hi for the first time! I am flattered that you like my story! As for your concern about the twins and their romantic pairings ... well let's just say you may be in for a pleasant surprise. Maybe. I make no promises. I will note however, that your review has got me thinking about First Aid in a new way (runs off to check massive archive of possible femme OCs for a perfect romantic match, comes back panting) I'll see what I can do. I agree with you about Starwish's potential to be an apprentice of Ratchet. That is, in fact, what I originally designed her prosthetics for as she was going to be Ratchet's ward instead of Ultra Magnus's. Things came up however, so that possible subplot will have to be addressed in a much later chapter. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Dear KHGiggle, hello again! I am glad you liked the chapter and yes, Sideswipe would definitely use the twinlings (I like that word by the way) as an excuse to hang around Starwish, who most certainly would not enjoy said hanging around. The situation is simply too outlandish for her. He is the Cybertronian version of a teenager/young adult sports jock remember and I doubt guys have ever really taken note of her before. The intercom is the inner communication between bots, with each bot having a private channel that their close companions or fellow soldiers are able to contact them through. It is very commonly known and used to the point where it could be considered mundane. So not knowing how to use it would be like not knowing how to flip a light switch here in 2014. Jazz? Humming? Yes, yes he is. Dancing too.

Dear jd009, we meet again! Yay! I completely understand, life happens, school cannot be ignored, it's fine. I'm just pleased you have enjoyed the story so far. I am glad I made you laugh, though are you sure you mean chapter seven and not chapter eight? Oh well, as long as you are pleased. As for Ironhide, don't let that gruff exterior fool you, he can be very crafty when he wants to be, especially when karma and the twins are involved. I never understood why Sunstreaker is portrayed as such a jerk by some of the stories here on FanFiction, anti-social I get, but really? That level of nasty just would not be able to survive in the Autobot ranks. I am glad you agree with me on that. Love in the air, huh? Do you mean between Starwish and Sunstreaker? If so, I am sorely tempted ... but I already have my pairing picked out and I hate giving major spoilers so I cannot tell you if you are correct. Here is another chapter as promised. You can now discover what happens to Hardwire directly after being released from the medbay!

Author's note: Let's see, Bulkhead from TF Prime is formally introduced, Arcee, Wheeljack, and Jack Darby are referenced and a new OC of mine makes a brief appearance. The new OC's name is Flash Fire, I apologize ahead of time if that name already belongs to a canon character. Also, the movie Hook was fairly popular among my friends and I and is still quoted heavily years after we last watched it. It had so many good one-liners. One of these days I will get around to properly describing Buffer, but for now, (shrugs) I have more important stuff to do I suppose. Also, I made up Algol City and Algol Central, just in case you start wondering where I got that. The city they are in was originally going to be Iacon, but that didn't match up with my plans so I had to make a new city from scratch. I'll still be on the lookout for ways to include Smokescreen and Alpha Trion in later chapters though, Alpha Trion really should have gotten more screen time in my personal opinion. Hope you enjoy!

Copyright Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, Cybertronian terms, or any references made in this story (including the movie Hook). The only things I own are my OCs, Starwish, Hardwire, Zipline, Fast Track, Buffer, and Flash Fire.

Chapter Ten: Roommates

Hardwire took another careful step forward, probing the ground slightly with his foot, testing to see if his right leg would continue to support his weight. A faint ache was the only repercussion of his tentative step. He looked up hopefully at Ratchet, who was watching his walk around the room with a practiced optic, "Well?"

Ratchet hummed thoughtfully, "Your leg strut appears to be fully recuperated, all that it needs now is to be reconditioned to bearing your full weight."

Hardwire gave him a tiny smile, "So...?"

Ratchet rolled his optics and offered Hardwire a datapad, "You can be safely released from the med-bay. Sign here." Hardwire signed on the line indicated by Ratchet, trying his best not to look too eager to leave the medic's care. After all, Ratchet and First Aid had treated him with compassion that he hadn't expected because of his red optics and the Decepticon symbol that Ratchet had kindly buffed out of existence his fifth day in the bay.

Ratchet took the datapad back from Hardwire with a faint smile at the younger mech's enthusiasm, "You will need to return here at the end of every metacycle for a checkup to make sure there are no new cracks forming in the strut. And take it easy on that leg! I don't want it breaking again because you got overcharged and decided to do something stupid."

Hardwire nodded, "All right..." He hesitated, wondering what to do with himself now. Up until that point, he'd been focusing on healing his leg and not dying from the boredom of not being allowed to move. Luckily, Cybertronian's recovered from broken or shot limbs far faster than humans did and now, after the Cybertronian equivalent of four weeks, he was finally free to go were he wanted within reason and he had no idea where to go.

Ratchet gave him a sympathetic look, "I have contacted the mech who is to be your new roommate. He should be here any breem and I'm sure he will be more than happy to show you around the base."

Hardwire dipped his head, "Thank you Ratchet. For everything." Ratchet gave a dismissing huff and a shrug as if it didn't matter, but Hardwire suspected that the gruff medic was touched by his thanks.

The door to the med-bay slid open at that moment, drawing the human-turned-Cybertronian's attention to the large, green mech ambling through the entrance to the bay. No way... The mech spotted Hardwire and looked startled. He surprise was quickly replaced by a cautious greeting, "Uh, hi there, name's Bulkhead."

Hardwire stepped forward, aware of his slight limp, and held out a hand in greeting, "Hardwire. So ... am I going to be your new roommate?"

Ratchet looked up briefly from the tool he was fiddling with, "Yes, you are and yes, he is. Now why don't you two get to know each other over a cube of energon in the pub?"

Hardwire grinned, "If I didn't know any better Ratchet, I'd say you were trying to get rid of me."

Ratchet retorted, "Well, you don't know better, now out. I have equipment to check."

First Aid waved a silent goodbye as Hardwire and Bulkhead left the med-bay and set off down the hall. Bulkhead made a slight rumbling noise that Hardwire had learned was a sign of nervousness among Transformers, "So, uh, want to take the doctor's suggestion? I'll have Buffer make somethin' up for you."

Hardwire decided that if a famous character like Bulkhead was willing to try and make friends with him, he would try his utmost to return the favor, "Sounds great, lead the way." They set off down the hall, Hardwire receiving many, many looks from the mechs passing them on various business. Quite a few of the looks were hard and suspicious, but Hardwire made a point to just nod politely no matter what the expression on the passing mech.

A random thought popped into Hardwire's head, "Not that I'm complaining but ... why hasn't anyone shot at me yet?"

Bulkhead glanced from Hardwire to the busy activity around them, "Oh, Optimus Prime made an announcement a few cycles ago, telling everyone about you and the other refugees. We're all under the strictest orders not to harm you unless you attack us first." Nice, I'm on probation then. Better than being locked up in a prison or shot because of a misunderstanding though.

Hardwire gave an uneasy smile, "Well, that was thoughtful of him."

Bulkhead nodded enthusiastically, "Prime is the real deal. A real leader, a real mech."

Briefly thinking on all of the things Hardwire had seen Optimus Prime do on the various TV shows and movies, he thought, You have no idea. "How did you end up under his command?"

Bulkhead said, "I transferred. Used to be a Wrecker, but once I saw Prime in action, I knew I wanted to be on his team." The green wrecker seemed to be contemplating something for a moment before asking, "I was builder before the war. What was your function?"

Hardwire thought quickly. The truth was better than lying, naturally, but he had to be careful he didn't say something that wouldn't add up, "I wasn't online before the war. I mostly jumped from job to job when I got old enough … I recently served as a night guard at a factory though. Boring as watching paint dry, let me tell you."

Bulkhead laughed, a deep booming sound, "Nothing worth stealing?"

Hardwire eyed Bulkhead dryly, "Not unless someone decided to conquer the world with cans of paint. I was serious about my job being more boring than paint drying, found out from experience."

Bulkhead laughed again and slapped Hardwire on the shoulder heartily, "Well, you're in one of the most exciting parts of Cybertron now, Wire." Wire?

"Did you just give me a nickname?" Hardwire asked curiously.

Bulkhead looked suddenly taken aback, "Uh, yeah, why? Don't you like it?"

Hardwire was quick to assure his new roommate, "No, no, the nickname is great. I was just surprised is all." Bulkhead smiled, pleased that he was getting along with his red opticed roommate already.

Hardwire followed Bulkhead through a door and paused nervously when Bulkhead declared for the entire room to hear, "This the pub. Hey Buffer! A cube for Hardwire here!" Way to draw everyone's attention to me, Bulkhead. Hardwire started to hunch his shoulders shyly when a delighted squeal rang out across the room and he was tackled by a flying blur of white color.

Hardwire staggered back a step with a 'Woof!' noise as the white blur turned into a hugging Starwish, "Hardwire! You got released! Ratchet didn't tell me you were going to be released today!"

Hardwire laughed and couldn't resist hugging her back, ignoring the surprised looks he and his sister were getting from everyone else in the room, "Hello to you too, Star! Ah, I missed you when you weren't visiting!" He set her down and grinned at her beaming face, "Don't blame Ratchet for the surprise, he wasn't planning on releasing me until next cycle, but I managed to coax him into freeing me early."

Starwish was smiling angelically, "Come have lunch with me and Jazz! Did you know there are over thirty-two types of Cybertronian music? Jazz has data sticks from every single genre! One of them sounds like-" She suddenly noticed Bulkhead standing there looking baffled and slightly shy and she froze. With a tiny squeak, she hid behind Hardwire, her face turning blue with embarrassment at chattering so glibly in front of a famous Autobot she hadn't been introduced to yet. "Um, hi." She whispered softly at Bulkhead.

Hardwire carefully nudged Starwish into view and said formally, "Starwish, this is my new roommate Bulkhead. Bulkhead, meet my little sister Starwish, best dancer and singer in the known galaxy."

Hearing him add praise to his introduction, Starwish huddled behind him again with a hiss of, "Hardwire, don't!"

Hardwire just rolled his eyes, "Don't do what? Brag about you? Have a little bit more confidence, Star."

Bulkhead carefully interrupted before an argument could form between the two, "Hi, it's, uh, nice to meet you, Starwish."

Starwish eyed him timidly, a healthy dose of respect showing in her eyes, "Hello."

Hardwire resisted the urge to sigh, he knew the best way for her to warm up to someone would be to just act normal around Bulkhead and wait for her to join the conversation, "So, Bulkhead, what energon would you suggest?"

Bulkhead glanced at Hardwire for a second before remembering why they had come and leading him over to the bar, taking a random seat and motioning for Hardwire to sit next to him, "I'd go with a cube of high-grade … but seeing as you just got out of the med-bay, that probably isn't the best idea."

Hardwire gave Bulkhead a long humorless look, "Ya think? Ratchet would have my helm on a silver tray if I got drunk my first cycle out of his sight. He strictly said no high-grade for a few metacycles anyway. Something about my systems still needing to fully adjust to mid-grade." He missed the surprised look Bulkhead threw his way as the mech behind the counter, Buffer he assumed, ambled over with two cubes of energon for them.

Buffer set a cube down in front of Hardwire and smiled in a friendly manner, "Hey, you're one of the refugees Jazz brought in aren't you?" Hardwire nodded as he sipped on the proffered cube. Buffer seemed to study him for a moment, his smile still in place, "Well, let me be one of the first to welcome you to Algol Central."

Hardwire's head jerk up in surprise, "Where?"

Bulkhead repeated what Buffer had just said, "Algol Central, that's what we call the base. Cause it's the center of all Autobot operations in the western half of the planet." Hardwire mulled over this for a minute. It made sense, though he hadn't been expecting to be in some 'major' base.

A question popped into his head, "So, where were Starwish and I found?"

A new voice answered his question, "Out by tha ruins of a neutral settlement called Nebuli Vix." Hardwire turned in his seat and found himself looking down into the visor of Jazz. The small silver mech hopped onto a bar stool next to Hardwire and made a small beckoning motion to Buffer with one claw like finger, "So Ratch let yah out early, eh? Must a been a real pain in his after-plating for thah ta happen."

Hardwire half-smiled ruefully as he sipped on his energon, mentally praising the heavenly taste of his lunch, "I tried not to be. But I never was one for lying around quietly when there was other things I could be doing."

Buffer slid a cube across the counter to Jazz, who caught it easily as he asked, "Yea? Like what?"

Hardwire shrugged, "No idea. But almost anything is better than lying on a berth for four metacycles straight with nothing to do but read."

Bulkhead chortled, "I hear yah there. Can't stand it when I have nothing do. Say, how about a game of Lob after lunch? Exercise that leg of yours?" Hardwire didn't really know what kind of game 'Lob' was, but figured if it became too rough on his leg, he could always back out.

He cocked his head to one side contemplatively, "Sure, why not? You'll have to teach me the rules though."

Bulkhead half-laughed incredulously, "You don't know the rules to Lob? Everyone knows that game!"

Hardwire searched his memory, he dimly remembered an episode in which Bulkhead and Wheeljack, or had that been his impostor? Had taken turns throwing a metal ball at each other as hard as they could while Arcee told Jack something about it being a warrior-class game. "A little sister and two twin mechling brothers are not exactly conducive to those kinds of games, Bulkhead."

Starwish piped up curiously, "Isn't that the one where you throw a ball at someone's helm as if you intend to knock it off?" Jazz started to laugh in the middle of drinking his energon and choked a little bit as some energon got in his intakes.

Buffer grinned from where he was polishing an energon glass, "I guess it would look that way from a femme's perspective wouldn't it? Nice call Starwish."

She dipped her head, "Thank you, Buffer. Jazz, are you all right?" Jazz finished coughing and waved a hand to signal that he was fine. Starwish's mouth twitched and Hardwire knew she was fighting a smile, "I need to remember not to say things like that when others are drinking."

Hardwire raised his cube in a salute and intentionally quoted one of her favorite movies from earth, "I believe you've just had an apostrophe."

Starwish grinned, recognizing the quote and retorted with the traditional reply, "I think you mean an epiphany." They both chuckled, remembering the fun times they had had with that movie, completely oblivious to the strange looks they were getting from Jazz and Bulkhead.

The four talked for a while, slowly growing more friendly and comfortable in each other's presence. Just as Bulkhead was regaling them with a story about his Wrecker adventures, Starwish's eyes flicked up and left suddenly and she squeaked, "Oh! Sorry to cut and run but I need to go or I'll be late! Bye Hardwire, bye Jazz, it was nice meeting you Bulkhead. Bye!" She darted out the door before anyone could say a word.

Hardwire blinked a few times, "Any idea what that was all about?"

Jazz nodded, "She's got lessons with Ironhide on self defense and weapons. He was already teachin' anotha' younglin' on base so he figured he'd make it a class. He'll probably let yah join in if yah need it."

Hardwire wrestled within himself briefly, his logical side immediately wanted to go attend the training session, but he had just agreed to go play 'Lob' after lunch with Bulkhead. The last thing he wanted was to brush off the ex-Wrecker's attempt to be friendly, but on the other hand he was a human turned into a robot who's race was currently embroiled in a civil war. It was also worth noting that he while he had excelled in gym training at school, if he got into a fight he knew that he would have about as much chance of surviving as a soap bubble in a hurricane of needles.

He glared at his energon cube, trying to figure out how to tactfully bale out of playing with Bulkhead in a way that wouldn't make him look unreliable or selfish. To his surprise, Bulkhead suddenly patted him on the shoulder, "Ah, stop glaring at the cube and finish it already. I'll take you down to the training rooms."

Hardwire looked at Bulkhead searchingly, "Are you sure? I mean, I did agree to play Lob with you…"

Bulkhead gave him a very serious look, "If you think you need more training, then more training it is. What kind of roommate would I be if I would rather have a game with you than ensure your survival? Now go on and finish."

Hardwire flashed him a grateful grin before tilting the energon cube back and gulping it's contents down. Sliding off of the stool, he followed Bulkhead out of the pub. Jazz followed them lazily out into the hall before bidding them goodbye, "Got some new music sticks Ah just been waitin' ta listen to. Good luck with yah trainin' 'Wire."

"Thank's Jazz, have fun with you music." I somehow doubt I will have the same chances of enjoyment. The walk to the training rooms wasn't incredibly long and Bulkhead filled it with happy chatter, Hardwire found himself smiling quietly at they headed down various corridors to a different section of the base. As they entered a new hall, Hardwire ground to a stop in awe. A long window stretched along one side of the corridor wall, revealing the outside world to his astounded eyes.

Many TV shows, comic books, video games, and movies had tried at one point of other to portray what the Cybertron landscape would look like. None of them compared to the real thing. Silver skyscrapers of many shapes and sizes towered to the sky, glowing blue and chrome lines weaving back and forth between the many buildings, interconnecting them to each other like a million metallic spider web strands. The buildings seemed to glow under the light of the afternoon sun, their polished surfaces gleaming in a manner that he was sure would have blinded human eyes.

As he continued to stare, dumbfounded, Hardwire realized that the 'lines' were really roads and highways. "It's … wow."

Bulkhead cocked his head slightly, looking from Hardwire to the landscape outside in confusion, "Uh, I guess," he paused, "Algol is pretty impressive. Iacon's even bigger though. Is this your first time here?" Hardwire nodded mutely, unable to formulate any coherent words about the alien landscape he saw. New York has nothing on this place… and Iacon's even bigger? Bulkhead patted a heavy hand on his shoulder, successfully breaking him out of his revere, "Come on, I'll show you around Algol later if you like, but for now we need to get to the training rooms."

Hardwire shook his head and followed Bulkhead, trying not to give in to the urge to stop and stare out the window again, "Right. Sorry about that." Now I really feel like I'm on a Sci-fi movie set.

Bulkhead glanced over his shoulder, "You know, if you wanted to, I could teach you some combat moves. Unless you'd prefer Specialist Ironhide of course. Which is totally okay! He is said to be one of the best fighters in all of the Autobot army after all. But, uh…"

Hardwire considered Bulkhead's offer, it sounded appealing, Bulkhead was a former Wrecker, so naturally he would have all kinds of experience and advice to pass on to a utter rookie like himself. Ironhide would have the same amount of experience true, but Ironhide was also known for having a 'thing' about blowing up bots with red optics. He didn't know if his eyes would garner some kind of subconscious prejudice from the mech.

Also, Ironhide was Chromia's sparkmate and Hardwire didn't really fancy running into the woman who'd blasted his leg just yet. Hardwire looked up from his musings and grinned, "Sound's great Bulkhead, I'd love it if you taught me. Uh, you do know that you'd have to start from scratch, right?"

Bulkhead laughed, "Aw come on! You can't be that bad!"

Several breems later, as Bulkhead stared at his new roommate, the bulky Wrecker couldn't help but think back on those words. "Uh…" Hardwire slowly rolled back onto his pedes from where Bulkhead had easily, and accidentally, punched him to the floor.

The younger mech groaned slightly and rubbed his jaw ruefully, his red optics twinkling in a self deprecating way as he said weakly, "Told you. My guardians didn't believe in violence." Oh, mech.

Feeling more than a little bit flummoxed, Bulkhead asked non comprehendingly, "You really don't have any training. Do you?"

Hardwire raised an optic ridge dryly, his ruby optics boring hard into his blue, "What clued you in? My own confession to it, or the fact that you floored me without even trying afterwards?" Bulkhead chuckled sheepishly, Hardwire had a point. The mech had confessed to not knowing the first thing about close quarters combat, but Bulkhead hadn't believed him.

Perhaps it was the tiny, constantly suspicious part of his processor that he'd been trying to ignore all cycle, but some part of him just hadn't been able to believe that the tall, clearly warrior-caste mech hadn't received any training whatsoever. A nasty little voice in his helm had insisted that Hardwire was faking his lack of knowledge, so, Bulkhead had tried to catch his new roommate off guard with a sudden mock punch. He hadn't expected the punch to actually land.

Rubbing the back of his helm in embarrassment, Bulkhead grunted, "Uh, sorry about that. Just trying to test your reflexes."

Hardwire laughed hollowly, "My reflexes are fine, it's how to use them where I have trouble. So, do you still want to teach me? I've been told that I'm a quick learner."

Bulkhead tried not to show just how distressed he was about Hardwire's lack of survival skills. When, not if, the cycle came that the mech would be forced into combat with the Decepticons, the savage backstabbers would no doubt rip him limb from limb. As Hardwire's new friend, roommate, and fellow Autobot, it was his duty to make sure that the green mech in front of him would be able to survive a Decepticon onslaught.

Seeing Hardwire's doubtful look Bulkhead hastily reassured him, "Of course I'll train you! We just need to start from the basics."

Hardwire offered him a lopsided grin as he carefully applied pressure to his lip component to stop it from leaking energon, "Fun."

Bulkhead trained Hardwire steadily for two joors, starting from correct stance, basic blocks and punches, and slowly working up. Hardwire did indeed turn out to be a fast learner, Bulkhead almost felt silly that he, the slowest of the Autobots was the one teaching Hardwire. However, he pushed that thought aside, he was a Wrecker, if anyone could teach Hardwire the skills needed to survive behind enemy lines, it was him. As the second joor of training drew to a close, Bulkhead called a halt. He could tell that Hardwire's leg was beginning to bother him, "All right, let's take a break for the day. Doc Ratchet will have both our helms if we overstrain that leg of yours."

Hardwire huffed through his intakes in relief as he slid to the floor, back braced against the wall, "And to think … 'bots do this … for a hobby. Oof."

Bulkhead chuckled at his friend's exaggerated show of exhaustion as he heavily sat down next to him, "Yeah well, once we build up some stamina in your cables, you just might become one of those 'bots. You've got the frame for it."

Hardwire eyed him curiously, "Really?"

Bulkhead nodded confidently, "Really. You've got a frame that would make you a perfect heavy weapons specialist. Speaking of, you're going to need a weapon in case the 'cons ever show. We can drop by the armory and pick one out for you on the way to our quarters if you like."

Despite his reputation as being a slow witted bot, Bulkhead couldn't help but notice the suddenly guilty look that flashed over Hardwire's faceplates. His battle computer began booting up under the influence of his sudden suspicion. The Decepticons had once tried to plant one of their own in the ranks of the Wreckers and his instincts were suddenly screaming that such a setup might be happening again.

Cocking his head to one side and trying not to act suspicious, Bulkhead asked bluntly, "Why the long face?"

Hardwire started staring at his servo as if it was the most interesting thing on Cybertron. The silence dragged on for several kliks and Bulkhead found himself beginning to tense up, "Hardwire…"

There was the sudden sound of transformation and Hardwire's right servo morphed into an impressive looking sniper rifle. Bulkhead was on his pedes in a nano-klik, his own blasters out and fully charged. Hardwire looked up at him in surprise, "Whoa! Take it easy Bulkhead! I was just … showing you this." He twitched the sniper rifle slightly to indicate his meaning.

Bulkhead didn't lower his blasters, he recognized the make and model of the sniper rifle, "That's a Kaonian Sniper Cannon MX-115, only twenty-five were ever made and those models are practically exclusive to the Decepticons. How did you get one?" His vocalizer growled out the last sentence aggressively as he inwardly decided that if Hardwire couldn't come up with a good excuse, he was calling for backup.

Bulkhead could have sworn that Hardwire suddenly looked sad, "I don't know. At least, I don't remember. The cycle Jazz found me and the others, I discovered this in my subspace. I didn't think to tell anyone, it just never came up. When you said I'd need a weapon, I thought I should show you this."

Hardwire stared at the rifle for several kliks before returning it to his subspace with a chime, "Figures it would be a 'con weapon." The words were muttered in a lonely and bitter tone that almost made Bulkhead lower his guard. Almost.

Keeping his optics and blaster trained on Hardwire, Bulkhead accessed his intercom, ::Bulkhead to Base Security. I have a situation in training room 4C.::

The response was immediate, ::Base Security, this is Flash Fire. What is the situation?::

Hardwire didn't move, he just watched Bulkhead with veiled red optics. ::I have uncovered a possible Decepticon plant. Requesting backup and explanations right slaggin' now.::

Flash Fire's voice sounded excited, ::Acknowledged, Bulkhead, backup is on the way. Is the suspect violent?::

Bulkhead studied Hardwire, feeling a slight twinge of confusion in his spark as he realized that the latter hadn't moved a micro-meter, ::Uh, negative. I've got him covered and he hasn't made so much as a twitch.::

A new voice entered the conversation, ::This is Commander Prowl, is the suspect designated Hardwire?::

Bulkhead stiffened slightly at the knowledge that he was now talking to the head of all Autobot Security, ::Yes sir, he is. He pulled a Kaonian Sniper Cannon MX-115 on me but put it away once I pulled my blaster out, sir. Uh, orders?::

There was a short pause, ::Escort him to my office, I will personally see to the problem.::

::Yes, sir, on my way.:: Inwardly wondering at why Commander Prowl would say to take Hardwire to the office and not the brig, Bulkhead motioned for Hardwire to stand, "Come on, we're headed to Commander Prowl's office." Hardwire stood stiffly, his faceplates betraying no emotion as Bulkhead escorted him to where Commander Prowl was waiting.

The entire journey was painfully silent, Hardwire made no sudden moves and said nothing. Bulkhead found it unnerving. Probably the way he really acts. When he isn't playing refugee. Despite what Bulkhead told himself, a quiet nagging voice in his processor was telling him that the Hardwire he had first seen was the real one. He shoved that thought aside, he had seen too many of his friends offline at Decepticon servos to simply trust Hardwire, not after seeing that rifle. But then again … why would a 'con plant show a weapon that would make him stand out like a crushed optic?

But how could someone not know how an item like that got into their subspace? Wasn't that impossible? The questions bounced endlessly through Bulkhead's processor even as they arrived at Commander Prowl's office and were let in by a glaring guard. Prowl was standing in front of his desk, his faceplates devoid of any emotion, his door-wings fixed in a neutral position.

Prowl stared at the two of them for several kliks before speaking, "Weapons down, Bulkhead."

Bulkhead jerked in surprise, "What? Sir, are you sure?"

Prowl flicked his door-wings ever so faintly and asked very quietly, "Are you questioning my orders, soldier?"

Bulkhead knew a warning tone when he heard it, he subspaced his weapons, "No, sir."

Prowl turned to Hardwire, "Show me the weapon stated in Bulkhead's intercom." The red opticed mech paused and stared at his right servo, just as he had the first time he showed the cannon to Bulkhead. With a whir of gears the Kaonian Sniper Cannon reappeared and was held out slightly for inspection. Bulkhead subconsciously tensed, but Prowl appeared to be unperturbed. Finally, he asked, "Is this the only weapon you have?"

There was a long pause, Hardwire was staring stubbornly at the wall just over Prowl's shoulder, "No."

Prowl raised an optic ridge ever so slightly, "What other weapons do you have then? A complete list."

Hardwire shrugged slightly, barely contained emotion adding a hard edge to his voice, "I don't know for sure. I have trouble accessing subspace."

Prowl folded his hands behind his back calmly, "Are there any other pieces of weaponry that you know of?" Bulkhead couldn't believe his audios, the commander was actually accepting the 'I have trouble accessing subspace' line? He ground his jaw workings to keep from protesting. He was beginning to get the distinct impression that there was more to the situation than what he knew.

Hardwire's optics darted to the floor, he didn't reply. Commander Prowl repeated the question, "Are there any other pieces of weaponry that you know of in your subspace?"

Finally, the taller mech ground out, "Sir, with all do respect, I am already under suspicion for being a Decepticon. I have answered your questions to the best of my ability. If you are going to shoot me or brig me or whatever, just fragging do it already."

Prowl stared Hardwire down silently, his expression painfully unreadable. Finally he turned to Bulkhead, "You are dismissed. Wait outside until I send for you."

Bulkhead sputtered, "Sir?" What the slag is going on here?

Commander Prowl's voice remained quiet, but it took an icy edge, "I said, dismissed. Remain outside this office until I summon you again." Bulkhead hesitated for a klik, he didn't want to leave the office until the matter was resolved, but he knew that he had to obey orders. Reluctantly, he saluted and left the office to stand nervously in front of the door.

He was half tempted to try and listen through the door, but quickly dismissed that idea, the Commander had sent him out of the room for a reason. Also, the infamously logical Security officer was known for being able to find out about infractions of rules that anyone else would miss. Better to just suck it up and wait until he was summoned.

It was almost twenty breems later when Prowl and Hardwire stepped out of the office and into the hall. Hardwire nodded his head submissively to Prowl and began to walk off without so much as a glance in Bulkhead's direction. Bulkhead started after him, his battle computer whirring to life once more before Prowl cut it off with the cold command of, "Halt. Hardwire has been cleared of all charges and is free to go."

Bulkhead blinked in shock and tried to fight off the sudden sinking feeling in his spark, "What? How?"

Prowl fixed the taller mech with a stare that could only be described as cold, "That is the matter we will be discussing in my office in three breems. Inside."

Bulkhead followed the Commander inside the painfully neat office again, his processor feeling more and more achy as his confusion mounted. Now what?

Cybertronian Time Terms:

Nano-klik: Cybertronian equivalent of a mili-second or half-second.

Klik: Cybertronian equivalent of a second.

Breem: Cybertronian equivalent of a minute.

Joor: Cybertronian equivalent of an hour.

Cycle/lunar cycle: Cybertronian equivalent of day or night.

Metacycle: Cybertronian equivalent of a week.

Orn: Cybertronian equivalent of a month.

Vorn: Cybertronian equivalent of a year.

Megacycle: Cybertronian equivalent of a century or eon.