Far above the hustle and bustle of Tuesday morning Detroit traffic a news-blimp soared quietly through the clear morning air, flashing a series of headlines on its display screens. Most of them were about the recent Decepticon attacks and the ongoing repair work.

Ironically, perched on top of the blimp were three Decepticons. Slipstream, Thundercracker and Skywarp surveyed the city below.

"It's such a long way down", Skywarp whimpered, "Can't we just return back to base already?"

"No. General Strika wants the Autobots closely monitored", answered Slipstream, "And now, thanks to Soundwave, we know where their base is. So we keep it under watch at all times".

"Oh. So where is their base?" Skywarp asked.

"Right over there", Slipstream pointed to a shabby-looking, run-down old factory.

"Such a dismal dwelling seems fitting for inferior mechanoids", sneered Thundercracker.

"Inferior my afterburner", Slipstream snorted, "Remember, those bots took down Megatron. Not to mention your new friends, the precious 'Team Chaar'".

"Please don't be like that", Skywarp begged, "Us clones gotta stick together, right? Right?"

Neither Slipstream nor Thundercracker answered. They both watched, hawk-like, as a white sports car emerged from the Autobot base and made its way towards Sumdac Tower.

"That's the Autobot Jazz. The one who joined Optimus Prime's team recently", Slipstream said.

"So let's slag the little glitch already!" Thundercracker stepped forward.

"No. Our orders are to observe, not attack. We wait until General Strika gives us the order".

"Gaargh! The glorious Thundercracker waits for no-one!"

Skywarp simpered, "Be reasonable, General Strika will have our solenoids if we disobey!" he wailed as Thundercracker glared at him, "Not that I'm telling you what to do. Please don't hurt me…"

Slipstream shook her head as Skywarp and Thundercracker descended into a very one-sided argument. She was grateful for the fact that while she too had inherited a component of Starscream's personality, she was more capable of independent thought than her brothers.

Although, she had to note, that while Thundercracker and Skywarp were still enslaved to their respective personality quirks, different aspects of their character occasionally surfaced. She had noticed over the past three days that Thundercracker was actually fiercely protective of Skywarp, in his own, roundabout way. And he seemed proud of his newfound place in the Decepticon army.

Skywarp might have appeared to be merely a strutless coward, but Slipstream could see glimpses of something else forcing its way out. When he was convinced he could get away with something without punishment, then he had a wicked, warped sense of humour. But it was clear that he was slavishly loyal to Thundercracker as well.

Loyalty was a sentiment Slipstream was beginning to understand a little better now. She'd had no real loyalty to Starscream upon her creation, and she'd only sworn allegiance to Megatron for a few cycles before he disappeared again. For months then she'd been mostly alone.

But with increasing momentum she'd gathered a team to her. Soundwave and his servants, and the three Constructicons. She felt oddly attached to them in a way she couldn't quite put her finger on, but she suspected it was so-called 'loyalty'.

And now that true Decepticons had returned to Earth and taken command, she was surprised to feel very little resentment at being usurped. General Strika seemed to like her, perhaps even see her as a protégé. After all, they were both strong-willed femmebots who dominated their male counterparts through a combination of keen intellect and brutal authority.

Slipstream was as anxious for action as Thundercracker, but unlike her fellow clone she knew that it wasn't worth interfering needlessly. Not if Megatron had something planned. Which, if half the stories she'd heard about Megatron were true, he almost certainly did.


"These are the final statistics, sir", Cliffjumper said, standing in Ultra Magnus' office and examining the latest feed on his datapad.

Ultra Magnus, Sentinel Prime and Alpha Trion waited anxiously.

"All 238 Decepticons escaped from the stockades", Cliffjumper announced, "We recaptured 134. Another 87 were destroyed. 17 remain unaccounted for".

"Seventeen", Alpha Trion repeated quietly.

"Sixteen of which are irrelevant", Ultra Magnus noted darkly, "What matters is that Megatron escaped".

"How did he manage it?" asked Alpha Trion.

"During the battle an Autobot shuttle made an unauthorised flight", explained Cliffjumper, "Cybertron Command let them go. I think we have to assume that Megatron and his lieutenants were onboard".

"Still got no clue as to how Megatron managed to sneak his way through to the hangar", Sentinel added, "But Shockwave knows Iacon like the back of his servo".

"That's something else we're going to have to worry about", Cliffjumper said glumly, "We'll have to conduct a massive security overhaul. Change every code, password and procedure, down to the tiniest byte of info. We should have done it sooner".

Ultra Magnus paced at the far end of his office, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked up at Cliffjumper.

"Any info on Autobot casualties?"

Cliffjumper consulted his datapad, "Um…26 military personnel offlined, 63 injured. 8 civilians offlined, 39 injured. Total of 34 destroyed, 102 injured".

Alpha Trion was wringing his hands, "I would never have guessed a mere jailbreak could cause so much damage to so many innocents".

"This wasn't a 'mere jailbreak'", Sentinel snapped, "This was Megatron's jailbreak. We were lucky he just wanted to escape. If he wanted to he could have used Shockwave to gain entry to the Cybertronian Defence Cannons and turned them on all of Iacon".

"I think I would almost have rather him do that", said Ultra Magnus, "At least then we would have been able to capture him".

Unsure of himself in the presence of his venerated superiors, Cliffjumper fidgeted awkwardly as he said, "Megatron hadn't troubled us for over a million stellar cycles until recently. Why is it such a catastrophe for him to escape now?"

"Because, according to Optimus Prime's report, he thinks he has found a way to create sparks without access to the AllSpark", Ultra Magnus crossed over to the window and looked out over the tarnished, smouldering Iacon horizon.

"We assumed that, when the Decepticons were driven off Cybertron in the Great War, they would eventually become extinct", said Alpha Trion, "The Autobots have always been far more numerous than the Decepticons anyway, and we assumed they would decline and fade away once starved of the AllSpark".

Cliffjumper said nothing, but Sentinel noticed the look of disquiet on his tough features.

"But now Megatron may have the resources to raise a new army", declared Ultra Magnus solemnly, "One that he can use to start a second Great War for Cybertron".

The reality of the words sunk in for them all, even for Ultra Magnus. A second war…more carnage, more slaughter, more double-dealing, more propaganda, more generations of lives cut savagely short…

He would have given his spark in an instant to hold off the tide of war just for one solar cycle.

"This is Optimus' fault", Sentinel muttered, "And that technorganic's. Megatron's escape had something to do with them. I just know it".

Ultra Magnus nodded, "Very probably".

"You're not accusing Optimus Prime of…treachery, are you?" queried Alpha Trion, aghast at the thought of Cybertron's new rising star turning out to be a collaborator.

Sentinel would have gladly made that allegation, but Ultra Magnus spoke first.

"No. But I don't know for certain if the technorganic and her Autobot companion are to be trusted. Perhaps Megatron took advantage of them and tricked them into freeing him".

Sentinel quickly stood to attention, "Sir, I volunteer to lead a mission to Earth to arrest Optimus Prime and his crew and bring them back to Cybertron! They are dangers to themselves and our home planet".

Ultra Magnus did not turn away from his view of the window, but he noted with distaste Sentinel Prime's eagerness to turn in his former fellow cadet. But Sentinel was right.

"Mission approved, Sentinel Prime. Take an Elite Guard escort to Earth and detain Optimus Prime, the technorganic, and the Autobot youngster".

"Bumblebee", offered Cliffjumper.

Sentinel saluted again, "Yessir!"

With that he marched out of the room, trying not to grin as he considered the task ahead of him.

This solar cycle might turn out to be fruitful after all.


"But…can you be certain, Optimus Prime?" asked Isaac Sumdac, running his hands through his hair in despair as he sat slumped over at his desk.

"It's the only logical course of action for Cybertron Command", Optimus confirmed.

"And those Command squares are big on the whole 'logic' deal", Jazz said.

"Eh, logic'll only get ya so far in law enforcement", Captain Fanzone scowled, "Sooner or later yer gotta learn to trust your gut. Or your…gas tank, or whatever".

The six Autobots were assembled on the top floor of Sumdac Tower after Optimus had decided they needed to discuss the situation with Sari's father. On request from Optimus Captain Fanzone had taken time out of his busy schedule to come and offer them some legal advice as well.

"But…but…to arrest her?" Professor Sumdac was, understandably, horrified, "My poor, poor Sari…she's never been in any trouble in her life! Please, you have to help her".

"We will, Prof", Bulkhead boomed, "We won't let 'em take her".

He hesitated and looked at Optimus, "Uhm…will we?"

Optimus shook his head, "No. I'm going to offer myself up for capture in exchange".

"I kinda figured they'd be planning to arrest you anyway, Prime", Ratchet observed.

"Yeah. 'Specially if Sentinel's gonna be the one calling the shots", Bumblebee pointed out.

"I know. But I think we can stop them from taking Sari if they take me instead".

Arcee spoke up, "Doesn't Earth have any interplanetary diplomatic immunity regulations?"

"'Fraid not. We ain't too hot on laws for letting E.T phone home", Fanzone rubbed his bristly chin thoughtfully, "But Sari's technically a citizen of Detroit, ever since we had those adoption papers made up for her".

"Adoption papers?" Sumdac blinked, "What adoption papers?"

"We ain't gone none", the moustached man grinned, "But I can get some printed off within the hour. As long as we got proof of Sari's citizenship, we got ourselves leverage. I'll have a word with the Mayor and his aides and see what we can come up with. Could say arresting her would cause planet-wide outrage or something".

"That'll stop S.P. cold", Jazz said, "He'd never cook up an intergalactic incident without the word of the bigwigs. The Council'd tell him to drop dead twice".

"It still might not stop the Elite Guard from trying to detain Sari if they located her though", Optimus argued, "We need to keep her out of their way and preferably hidden, just in case".

"Shouldn't be too hard", Ratchet cocked his head to one side, "There's a few places in the city that can hide energy signatures. Just look at how well the Decepticons have managed to hide from us".

"Please don't mention the Decepticons", Bulkhead winced, "One problem at a time, okay?"

Optimus continued, "One of us needs to pick her up after school and take her someplace safe".

"I'll do it", Bumblebee piped up.

The other Autobots looked at him. They said nothing, not wishing to add to Professor Sumdac's distress by mentioning Bumblebee's argument with his daughter.

"Well, I gotta hide too, right?" Bumblebee gave an exaggerated shrug, "Or am I gonna do the whole heroic self-sacrifice thing like you, boss-bot?"

"I don't think it'll be necessary. You take care of Sari and keep her safe", Optimus replied, "And Arcee, I'm going to need your help with something as well".

Arcee sighed and smiled at Ratchet, "Looks like we're going to have to take a rain-check on that date, eh?"

Fanzone cleared his throat loudly, "Well, if that's all then, I gotta get back to work. I got the Angry Archer waitin' for interrogation back at the station. I'll find out how that guy keeps escaping if it kills me".

As he walked away his phone rang. He answered it.

"Fanzone here. What? What?! Whaddya mean, escaped?!" he bellowed as he stormed into the elevator.

The Autobots watched, amused, as he ranted furiously down his phone as the doors closed on his tie. The elevator descended anyway. There was a ripping noise and the tie was left behind.

"This is why I hate machines!" they heard Fanzone cry from below.

Returning to the matter at hand, Bulkhead asked, "So…how long before Sari finishes school?"

"Just over four hours", Sumdac answered.

"The Elite Guard might get here before that", Arcee said.

"Maybe", said Optimus, "Just in case they do, I want you on hand to get her out of there if you have to, Bumblebee".

"But school's kinda important to her", Bulkhead warned.

"So is not getting arrested", snorted Ratchet.

"If you have to, contact her and tell her to get out and take her to the designated safe-place", Optimus told Bumblebee.

"Right. Um…what is the designated safe-place?"

"I'll let you know as soon as I think of one", Optimus smiled wearily, "Might as well return to base for now and monitor the Cybertronian feed channels. I'll catch up with you".

Ratchet noticed his subtle gestures. He wanted to talk to Sumdac alone. The medi-bot nodded and led the other four Autobots to the cargo elevator.

When they were gone Optimus went down on one knee in front of Sumdac's desk, "Are you alright, Professor?"

Sumdac was fiddling with his gloves, his hands trembling visibly, "I…yes. That is to say…no, not really".

"I understand you must be worried about Sari. But I want to promise you that we'll do everything we can to protect her".

"But your Elite Guard are not the real problem, are they?" Sumdac looked up at him, and Optimus saw the fear in his eyes, "Megatron will come for her, won't he?"

"I…" Optimus faltered, not sure what to say. Nothing came to his mind that sounded comforting. So he told the truth.

"Yes, he will. If he has escaped. We still don't know for sure that he has".

Sumdac blinked, "I know Megatron too. If Sari is of any use to him, then he'll stop at nothing to get his claws on her. And I don't know if anything can stop him".

"We can stop him", Optimus said, sounding a lot more confident than he felt, "We've done it before. And we'll do it again".

Sumdac didn't look convinced. He fidgeted and looked away.

"I am beginning to wonder, Optimus Prime, if perhaps your Autobot Guards should take her to Cybertron. Wouldn't Megatron have more difficulty reaching her there?"

That hadn't occurred to Optimus. He considered it for a moment.

"What exactly would be the penalty the Elite Guard has in mind for Sari?" Sumdac went on, "The benefit of having her out of Megatron's grasp might outweigh the punishment".

Reluctantly, Optimus shook his head, "I don't think so. Autobot jail times tend to be very long. After all, we're far more long-lived than organics. You probably wouldn't see Sari again for at least another one hundred stellar cycles, even if she's only found guilty of accidentally helping Megatron escape. If she's found guilty of doing it willingly, you could be talking millennia".

Sumdac gasped, "Oh, no they couldn't do that to her!"

"They could, and they would", Optimus said grimly, "We need to keep her out of their servos".

"But…but…if you are going in her place, then aren't you going to spend centuries in a prison cell yourself?"

"No".

Sumdac waited for an explanation. When none came he asked exactly how Optimus would avoid serving in the stockades.

"Plan A involves me getting the Council to listen to reason and dropping the charges against Sari, Bumblebee and me".

"And what is Plan B?"

"Let's hope it doesn't come to Plan B", Optimus bowed his head slightly, "Plan B involves Ratchet, Omega Supreme and a lot of damage to Cybertronian civic property".

Sumdac stared.

"Just kidding. It won't come to that", silently Optimus added, I hope.

Nodding slowly, Sumdac stood up, "Thank you for help, Optimus Prime. I know you have my daughter's best interests in mind and I am sorry she disobeyed your Cybertronian laws and broke into the Stockades. She has always been strong-minded".

"Don't I know it", Optimus answered, "Just leave everything in our servos, Professor. We'll keep her safe. I'll return later to meet with the Elite Guard when they come through the space bridge".

Sumdac heard his footsteps walking away, followed by the whirr of the massive elevator taking him down to the ground level. When he was gone the Professor opened a drawer in his desk and took out a framed photograph of a young, red-haired girl with red pigtails.

"Oh, my dear Sari", he said softly, "I fear you will never have the normal life I know you wanted".


It had been another uneventful day in school for Sari. Boring, even. The initial excitement of attending a public school had been washed away quite swiftly and replaced with relative indifference, bordering on irritation. She was beginning to understand why all the kids on TV whined about having to go to school.

As she walked through the crowd of students to the parking lot, she noticed that there was no sign of Jazz. That was odd. Double-checking to be sure, she reached into her pack and got out her mobile phone to call him.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around quickly, startled.

Standing in front of her was Koji, the boy in her class that her new friends had tried to persuade her to 'ask out'. He smiled at her.

"Hi", he said cheerfully.

"Um, hi".

"Sari, right?"

"Uh, yeah".

There was something odd about the way he talking to her. Sari had spoken to him briefly on a few occasions over the past few days, but she didn't really know him, and she couldn't understand why he had just wandered over to talk to her.

But that was no reason to be unfriendly. She smiled back at him.

"You're Koji, yeah?"

"Yeah", he grinned again, encouraged, "So…you like this school so far?"

"Um, yeah I guess".

"Cool, cool", he hesitated, then appeared to make his mind up about something, "So, I was wondering if I could, like, have your number?"

Sari blinked, "My number?"

"Yeah. You know, your phone number", he pointed at the mobile phone in her hand.

"Um…okay", Sari paused, "Why?"

He looked surprised, "Um…you know…"

"Not really".

"Oh. Well, you know, so I can call you sometime. Maybe we can catch a movie or go to Burger-Bot or something".

It suddenly dawned on Sari that he was 'asking her out'. For one brief second that seemed like an eternity a rush of conflicting thoughts flooded her mind. She wondered why he liked her, whether she could like him, what 'dating' would be like, whether or not she was considered 'attractive', could she really forget all about protoforms and Cybertron and Megatron and live a normal life…

She was shaken from her stupor by the screech of tyres and the loud, insistent honking of a horn. She looked and saw Bumblebee in his car mode, waiting for her with the engine running. Thankfully his tinted windows prevented anyone from seeing the lack of a driver.

Suddenly grateful for the distraction, Sari said to Koji, "Sorry, gotta go, I'll talk to you tomorrow!"

She hastened towards the Autobot, leaving the dumbfounded Koji staring after her. As she grasped the door handle she remembered that she hadn't spoken to Bumblebee for over three days. She discreetly hopped inside.

"Hi", she said simply.

"Hi", came the quiet reply over the radio as he accelerated out of the parking lot and down the road.

Sari noticed Bumblebee was driving unusually quickly and aggressively, even by his standards. She supposed it was because he was still angry with her. She wondered why he had decided to come and pick her up.

Silence fell between the two of them. Painful, guilt-ridden silence. It didn't last long.

"I'm sorry", they both said in unison.

Sari stared. Bumblebee didn't say anything. Then they both started laughing. For some reason the whole affair seemed incredibly silly to both of them all of a sudden.

Once Bumblebee had stopped laughing he said, "Listen, I just wanted to say that…"

"No, let me go first", Sari interrupted him, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like scrap after everything you've done for me. And I shouldn't let my new life in school get in the way of my friendship with old pals".

"Hey, don't worry about it kiddo…"

"I mean it, Bumblebee. You're the best friend a girl could have and I shouldn't have been so selfish".

"Well, now that it's my turn", Bumblebee said, "I'm sorry I was a big jerk and lost my temper. Best friends again?"

"You know it", Sari beamed happily. Her argument with Bumblebee had been weighing heavily on her mind for days and it felt good to clear the air.

She looked out the window and noticed that they were taking a different route to the one they usually took, and that Bumblebee hadn't slowed down, "So…now that we're best buds again, are you trying to kidnap me?"

"Right, right. You still don't know, do you? I got bad news. You better get comfy. It's a long story".


Optimus and Bulkhead sat near the space bridge on the peak of Sumdac Tower. Sumdac himself paced back and forth, looking anxious. Captain Fanzone was shuffling through some papers he had brought with him.

Optimus was looking at a media player in his hand. It was displaying a recording that had been broadcast across the Cybertronian feeds as a follow-up to the news of the Decepticon riot.

"Of the 238 Decepticons we had in custody on Cybertron", the small image of Ultra Magnus was saying, "221 have been accounted for. 17, however, have managed to evade Cybertron Command's efforts to recapture them".

"You've played that recording six times now", Bulkhead said, "It ain't gonna change if you just keep on watching it".

Optimus half-smiled.

"…I have to tell you now that one of 17 Decepticons who escaped was their leader, Megatron", the recording droned on, "At this critical time, I urge you all not to panic…"

Optimus switched the media player off. The announcement that Megatron had escaped hadn't surprised him. He'd have been more surprised if Megatron hadn't escaped.

The elevator whirred and groaned, signalling the arrival of Jazz. He walked over towards Optimus and Bulkhead.

"Arcee and the doc-bot have met up with Bumblebee and Sari. They're escorting them to the hide-out", he reported.

"Eh, how much longer do you think this is gonna take?" Fanzone grumbled, "I got other stuff I could be getting' on with, ya know".

The energy vortex of the space bridge began to flare out and shimmer. Optimus and Bulkhead got to their feet and faced it.

"Well, speak of the devil", Fanzone exclaimed.

"I'd take five and lay low if I were you cats", Jazz whisked Fanzone and Sumdac to a hiding place behind a large locker, and then joined Optimus and Bulkhead.

Jetfire and Jetstorm leapt through the space bridge. Rather than landing they hovered over to either side of the three Autobots, assuming battle-ready stances. However Bulkhead noticed they didn't look very happy with their situation.

A moment later Sentinel Prime dropped through, landed in a crouch, performed a combat-roll and came up with his lance activated, the tip of it pointed at Optimus' chest plate. Blurr came up behind him, holding a collection of stasis cuffs.

"Optimus Prime, you are under arrest for conspiracy and treason!" Sentinel declared, his lip curled back in an unpleasant sneer, "I suggest you come quietly, or we will be forced to…"

"Alright", Optimus said.

Sentinel's jaw dropped, "Wh…what?"

"I'll come quietly".

Sentinel glared at him, then stood up and lowered his lance, "Well, that was pretty easy", he looked disappointed as he turned to Blurr, "Get some stasis cuffs on him, soldier".

Blurr looked doubtfully at Optimus, "Are you sure that's necessary sir? He has surrendered, and according to Section 312 of Law Enforcement Codes and Practices stasis cuffs should not be used on a fellow Autobot unless the suspect in question has refused to co-operate, which since the Autobot in question clearly…"

He trailed off, cowed by a glower from Sentinel. However he made no move towards Optimus.

Sentinel sighed and decided to proceed with his arrests, "We've come for the technorganic fugitive you're harbouring. And the Autobot…err…"

"Bumblebee", Blurr said.

"They're not here", answered Bulkhead.

"What do you mean 'they're not here'?" Sentinel advanced menacingly towards Bulkhead.

Jazz smirked, "Want us to write it on the wall for you, chief?"

Sentinel looked at him. He noticed the Elite Guard symbol on the cyber-ninja's chest had been removed and replaced with an ordinary Autobot logo. The Prime bristled with anger.

"Listen, grease-grunt", he spat, "I will not tolerate insubordination! You and your new friends can…"

"Actually, it's not insubordination", a voice said.

Sentinel looked down. Captain Fanzone glared back up at him.

"Since when does an organic think he has the right to lecture a Captain of the Autobot Elite Guard on Cybertronian rank discipline?" Sentinel snapped.

"Well, technically you don't outrank any of these here robots", Fanzone smiled at the stunned outrage that appeared on Sentinel's face at these words, "'Cos they're no longer citizens of Cybertron".

Sentinel, Jetfire, Jetstorm and Blurr all stared.

"You...you...what?" gawped Sentinel.

"They're officially citizens of Detroit now", the police chief waved a thick wad of forms in front of him, all of them signed in both the English alphabet and Cybertronix, "And they come under our protection now. And we don't take kindly to hostile aliens arresting our citizens".

Optimus barely managed to suppress the urge to smile as Sentinel looked back and forth, amazed and furious, spluttering as he tried to speak.

"You…you renounced your citizenship of Cybertron?" he eventually managed to stammer to Optimus.

Optimus nodded, "Yes. We all did".

"But…but…why? You'd forsake everything we stand for, everything you've fought for…for these slimy organic pond creatures?"

"The vibe on Cybertron's been shifting and sliding all over the place lately", said Jazz, "We all felt it was time to split".

"You can't do this!" howled Sentinel, "You won't escape justice just by deserting, Optimus!"

"I don't intend to. I'm willing to hand myself over", Optimus answered.

"Then the rest of your team won't escape either! I'm only authorised to bring back the technorganic and…the other one, but AllSpark help me I'm gonna do it".

"I wouldn't", Fanzone said calmly, "Taking a hostage is basically a declaration of war. Yer'd be declaring war on Earth".

It didn't seem possible for Sentinel to be any more shocked and horrified than he already was, but somehow he managed it.

"I…I can't do that! Ultra Magnus would have my hide!"

"Then if I were you, I'd take your one willing prisoner", Fanzone grinned, "And get the hell off my planet".

For a moment Optimus thought Sentinel was going to reach out and crush Fanzone, but Sentinel knew he was beaten. Grudgingly he appeared to back down.

Suddenly he extended an arm and pointed out over the city, "Blurr, get out there and find the technorganic and the fugitive! Jetfire, stay here and guard the prisoner! Jetstorm, head back to Cybertron and fetch Alpha Trion".

Sentinel tore a pair of stasis cuffs from Blurr's hands and forced them into Jetfire's hands. Then before anyone could stop him he transformed into his monster truck mode and barrelled forward, rocketing off the edge of Sumdac Tower and landing on the roof of a nearby office below. Reluctantly Blurr followed suit.

Jetstorm disappeared back into the space bridge. Jetfire looked glumly at the stasis cuffs in his hands, and back up at Optimus.

"Sorry", he sighed, "I am not agreeing with Sentinel on matters this time".

He dropped the stasis cuffs.

"Relax, we're not taking it personally", Bulkhead said.

Sumdac appeared from his hiding place, "He has gone after Sari, hasn't he?"

"Yes", answered Optimus, "But don't worry. We figured he might. We've got a few surprises in store for him. Plus, the city's a rough neighbourhood at the moment".


Roaring down the streets like a mech possessed, Sentinel fumed silently as he contemplated the situation. Terrified motorists swerved frantically to get out of his way as he bulldozed his way through Detroit.

As it stood, he could only arrest Optimus. But he could change that. Alpha Trion would come and advise him on their legal standpoint and help warrant the arrest of the other two fugitives. Civil law was his speciality.

Meanwhile he and Blurr would comb every inch of the city until they found the fugitives and detain them while Alpha Trion straightened out the situation. Sentinel wasn't about to let himself be humiliated by Optimus and his friends again.

He activated his commlink, "Blurr, we are not going home until we find that technorganic! You were stationed on this planet for a few deca cycles. If you know anywhere where they might be hiding, get your skidplate over there!"

"Yes sir", came the dejected reply.

Sentinel wasn't concerned with how his followers felt about their assignment. They would ultimately obey their orders. They knew their place. Not like upstart 'hu-mans' who thought they could stroll across Cybertron at will, commit a major felony and get away with it…

"I'll take that technorganic creep in piece by piece if I have to!" he snarled at no-one in particular.

He got an answer.

"Not while my spark still pulses!" a hideous voice screeched at him.

He transformed and looked up. Cyclonus descended on him like a meteorite.