"Alice Conway, you are convicted of treason against the human race," Morshower said gravely. "For the safety of our world, Prime will make the decision that determines your life span."

Alice had a knowing smirk on her face.

"Do you have anything to say?" Morshower asked.

"Only that you are fools to think that the Autobots will win!" crowed the 'Con informant. Optimus noticed Jayla look paler when she spoke next. "And talking of world security…they have no idea of what a monster you really are, do they, Jayla?"

Jayla only stood taller, despite her pale features.

"Of course they wouldn't. Pathetic little child of Hephaestus. You a monster, and nothing will deny that!"

Jayla said nothing. Morshower turned to her and gave her a sharp nod.

Jayla lifted her chin. "I never denied the fact that I was a monster; it was others who told me I was. But, Alice dear," here her voice changed. The Autobots as a whole were fascinated by the ability humans had that made their voices too sweet; it was astounding that they didn't have voice modulators like the Autobots did. Jayla continued in a sickly sweet tone, "Someone like you who betrays their world is absolutely…disgusting."

Morshower cleared his throat. "Prime, how would you handle this?"

"Normally, we would put them in a secure vault with no way in," he said, "but that would not work, as you breathe."

The general sighed heavily.

"If I may," Jayla said suddenly, "may I take her to see…the rest of my family? They would be able to find an apt punishment."

Morshower stared at her, as though that was a foreign idea. "I'm not sure-"

"Sir," Lennox said, casting a glance at the Autobots with obvious hesitation, "there's a reason we have these beads, and it has to do with our family." He indicated a necklace. Optics got a close-up; it was inscribed with Ancient Greek, a language that was supposedly dead. "And since Alice knows of our…unique…heritage, I assure you that our family can deal with Alice."

Morshower heaved a breath. "If she reports to the Decepticons…" he warned them.

The two nodded, and grabbed Alice's arms harshly. Alice, who had long stopped smiling, had a complexion that looked like paint.

Optimus didn't know why the two didn't trust the Autobots. But, catching a few uneasy glances from several soldiers in the midst of other soldiers, most of the glances being cast to the other soldiers-he understood. It was a secret that NOBODY in the room wanted any others to know, unless they already knew.

Optimus glanced at his other Autobots. He all of them.

saw and heard it as well, did you not?.: he asked them.

,.: Ironhide responded. 're hiding something. And if others know it, it's a big secret. I have a feeling that Alice wasn't supposed to know, either, judging by the panic on the young femme's face..:

Optimus had indeed seen that panic. It had something to do with that necklace Lennox had showcased. Jayla had one, but it was longer and only the back of it was seen.

~"~

The first time Optimus overheard one of their conversations was after watching the neutrals for a few days. The ex-Con was watched by Ironhide (who actually had defected) Optimus watched the former Autobot while Ratchet watched the true 'neutral'. He hadn't fully powered down in the Autobot hangar that the base had for them.

Lennox and Jayla had been walking towards each other, bumping into each other with their papers flying. None of the Autobots dared to make a sound as the two bent down to hiss a few sentences.

"They're getting suspicious," Jayla whispered as her hand moved and picked up her papers at a slow rate. "They're going to accuse us of being traitors, and I don't want that brand on my head again."

"You were never a traitor, you were influenced by Lycaon," Lennox told her in a stern whisper. "And if worst comes to worst, you can used your fire and create a distraction, then run away when they're blinded by the smoke."

"I'd never leave any of my family behind, despite the fact that I still hate my father's guts. Thank gods your dad was the one to…you know," she said, standing with all her papers and helping Lennox up. "But someday they're going to find out and it's not going to be good."

"I know," Lennox whispered. "But nobody has asked us outright if we're hiding anything, so we don't have to lie. Just for a little bit longer, Jay," Lennox said, embracing her.

"Okay. Right now I got to get more coffee. Is it still decaf?" Jayla asked, removing herself from her friend. "Because I need caffeine if I'm going to finish this damn paperwork."

Lennox made a face that looked vaguely unpleasant. "I still have three more piles the size of Everest in my office."

"Poor baby," Jayla said in a sarcastic tone. Human inflections were so strange sometimes. "I have to go finish my stack by morning, else I'll be on gate patrol later." She waved to him and he waved to her, and the hangar became silent once more. She passed them twice more that night, but both times in a hurry. Optimus wanted to confront her to see what she was hiding, but he did not want to push too hard.

~"~

Not all the Autobots who had heard that agreed with Optimus.

"Optimus, they could be hiding something completely detrimental to the mission of protecting them," Ironhide growled, obviously wanting some action. It'd been terribly dull without 'Con attacks.

"Peace, old friend," the Autobot said, amused. "I highly doubt that any of them are traitors."

"How would you know?"

"You know," Jayla said, making all of the Autobots in the room turn to her. "You could always just ask."

"Are you a traitor?" Optimus asked.

Jayla smiled. "Nope."

"And yet, you continue to hide things," Ironhide pointed out.

Jayla pointed at him. "You hide things. Why?"

Optimus stiffened a little bit. "Our weaponry is too advanced for humans to use it properly."

Her smile widened. "Ah. So you protect the humans?"

Optimus shifted. "We shall do our best," he replied warily. Jayla nodded, apparently satisfied.

"Good, because that's the gist of what I do." Jayla made way to leave.

"You say that if you aren't human," stated Ratchet.

Jayla only turned her head. "Who says I'm fully human?" she said, and she left.

She was a puzzle. A puzzle that he wanted to solve.