Yes! I'm still alive… though sometimes It's hard to tell. :) No, it isn't all that bad. But this past month one of the nurses at the clinic I work at has been off for maternity leave… and guess who got to cover for him (yes, I said him… his wife was the one who actually had the baby… don't ask.) Yep. I have not been so freaking tired since I worked nights. Good news is, I start a regular 8-4:30 job July 1st. *Jumps up and down clapping*

So… I know it's been long in coming, but - believe it or not - I've only been able to write on this chapter the last week and after the first 4,000 words were written I decided it was all absolute trash and deleted it and started all over again. *sigh* I hope it is worth the wait. :)

Thanks to DarkShell for pointing out Prowl was headed for another crash and that I needed to give him a chance to recoup...

Oh, I think I've mentioned this before, but I've decided that when I get to 1,500 reviews I'll do another side story for whoever writes the 1,500th review. Still got a way to go, of course, but I wanted to remind everyone of the prize!

Please be kind with the reviews. :)


Prowl managed to find a joor to meditate in a quiet corner of the Senior Priest's office while the other Autobots took care of their own tasks. No one dared to disturb him, a consideration Prowl appreciated, even if he said nothing. The peaceful interlude served to help the tactician settle his frazzled processor and emotional core. However, he was a mere fifteen breems into his second joor of meditation when they were all interrupted.

It was the Lead Guardian.

He was escorting none other than Ultra Magnus.

Among the surprised mutters of the other Autobots, Prowl unfolded from his meditative position and stood. The Praxian was just joining the group congregating around the Autobot Second in Command as the Prime dismissed the Guardian with a murmur of appreciation.

"Ultra Magnus, what has happened?" Optimus demanded urgently as soon as they were alone, clearly worried that something had befallen either Iacon or the Autobots as a whole.

Ultra Magnus' gaze snagged briefly on Groove before he answered his leader with a dip of his helm. "I am here to help ensure you get safely back to Iacon."

Optimus blinked. "Oh? You could have sent others. Why did you take the risk of coming yourself? You are almost as much of a target here as I am."

Dutifully, Prowl stepped forward, smoothly inserting himself into the discussion. "I requested the Commander's presence, Prime."

"For what purpose?" Optimus asked with a frown. "Adding another mech to our party seems counterproductive. Would it not cause problems for our departure to be such a spectacle now that the population is aware of our presence?"

"Our departure will be a spectacle, Prime." Prowl acknowledged with a crisp bob of his helm "Yours will not be. The Commander has arrived in a cloak-equipped stealth transport so that you…"

The Prime's engine gave a sudden, deep rev as his optics hardened dangerously. Those flashing pinpoints of blazing cobalt were fixed on Prowl as his low, growled order cut the tactician off. "Leave us."

Clipped and hard, those words had even Jazz and Ironhide hurrying for the exit.

Prowl, however seemed to freeze, pinned in place by the weight of the Prime's glare. Knowing the Prime seldom seriously rebuked in public, Prowl realized he had truly misjudged. He had finally overstepped whatever limits the Prime had on his patience and true anger boiled in the space between them. For the first time since Prowl had initially met Optimus in the hanger after he had first arrived in Iacon, Prowl felt a flicker of fear.

Without looking away from a now almost trembling Praxian, Optimus growled his Second in Command's designation, "Ultra Magnus."

Ultra Magnus took a step forward rather than leave the room as the Prime had demanded. "Sir. Whatever reproof you have for Prowl should also be given to me."

Prowl blinked in surprise, realizing that Ultra Magnus was taking responsibility for a subordinate's actions. He was shocked that the Commander would make such a social statement for him.

"Was this your idea?" The Prime rumbled, though the answer was already known.

Ultra Magnus hesitated, glancing at Prowl who was now standing very stiffly. "No sir," He said after a long moment. "But I did agree to it."

Optimus looked sharply at his Second, reading the other large mech, then abruptly turned away, back toward Prowl. All three of them knew that without Prowl suggesting such a plan, the idea would never have occurred to Ultra Magnus.

Without really moving anything outwardly, the Prime managed to all but loom over the smaller mech, his anger a palpable thing in the suddenly small office. Prowl, to his credit, stood motionless under the intense inspection, neither cowering nor bristling with an answering challenge. His doorwings however, which were flared and dipped respectfully, trembled almost imperceptibly.

Ultra Magnus had never personally experienced the full weight of the Prime's wrath and was grateful it was not directed at him now. Even he had not anticipated this level of antipathy for the tactician's strategy. He watched, feeling helpless, as Optimus glared down at Prowl.

"Have I given you cause to think me a coward, Prowl?" The Prime demanded, dangerously quiet.

"No sir!" Prowl's nearly emotionless mask could not hide the shocked disbelief at the very idea.

"Do you think so little of me to presume I would approve of – or even consent – to endangering another as nothing more than a decoy?" The air itself seemed to quaver with the depth of the Prime's emotions.

Ultra Magnus almost winced, even as Prowl gave a quick, desperate shake of his helm. "No, it is not that. Prime, I…"

"Listen well, Prowl. And heed my words!" Optimus snapped in a rare loss of outward serenity, his rich bass voice growling in its intensity and even Ultra Magnus – who was only catching the periphery of it – felt like he should drop to his knees before the righteous fury of Primus himself. "I may be the Prime, but in no way does that make my life more valuable than any other. The moment I can ask another mech to put his life on the line for no other reason than to protect me, I have started down a path that will make me no better than Megatron. You have no right to presume to do so for me. You may be the best tactician to have walked the streets of Cybertron, but you are not above the principle that all life is sacred."

Ultra Magnus was impressed that though Prowl had bowed his helm, his doorwings drooping as low as his frame design allowed, he otherwise stood unflinchingly under the verbal torrent.

Optimus paused for a half second then squared his shoulder plating. "Do you understand this Prowl?"

Without lifting his helm Prowl had the gears to try protesting with a tiny, restrained shake of his helm. "Prime, please listen…"

"Answer the question, Prowl." The command was clipped and curt.

Prowl's doorwings flicked faintly, but Ultra Magnus was unsure what that movement meant. The Praxian's answer was appropriately meek. "I understand, Prime."

"At no point, now or in the future, do you have my permission to jeopardize another's life just for my sake." Optimus was growling now. "Is that clear, Prowl."

"Yes, Prime." Prowl's gaze was plastered downward.

Optimus did not say anything else for a long moment. He just stood there, staring down at the black and white mech, his fists clenching and unclenching. Looking from the tactician to his commanding officer, Ultra Magnus could not identify the storm of conflicting emotions he saw raging behind Optimus' control.

Finally the Prime broke the strained silence, his voice almost pained beneath the anger and irritation. "I am disappointed we even needed to have this discussion. You will now devise another method of getting us back to Iacon."

Abruptly, Optimus turned and stalked out of the office. Ultra Magnus stepped aside as the Prime slipped past him and out the door. He watched the simple metal porthole close again and looked back at Prowl. The black and white tactician did not move for a long handful of seconds – almost half a breem. Then Prowl shuttered his optics, releasing a vent of air but did not otherwise budge.

Ultra Magnus was struck with the impression that Prowl had taken that dressing down far harder than it had appeared – perhaps even more so than had been intended. The Commander found himself hurting a little on Prowl's behalf, because he knew he did deserve some of that dressing down himself. He could have spared Prowl had he simply refused to go along with that plan…

With a start, Ultra Magnus realized that being made a witness to Prowl's dressing down had been his own punishment over the matter. His own sense of justice did not like the idea of a subordinate taking the blame for something that was even partially the responsibility of a higher-ranking mech. Especially when he did carry a portion of the responsibility. That thought froze Ultra Magnus' vents.

He had all but ordered Prowl to do whatever it took to get the Prime safely back to Iacon. While there was no way Optimus could know that detail, Prowl had walked into the Prime's wrath because he – a superior officer – had given him an order.

"I'm sorry, Prowl." Ultra Magnus heard himself whispering.

Prowl looked up then, questioningly but still standing stiffly submissive. He said nothing.

Ultra Magnus walked further into the room. "I could have spared you that. I should have."

Prowl released another vent. "It was my plan, sir. Not yours."

"I knew the Prime would be displeased." Ultra Magnus countered. "I should have vetoed the plan from the start."

Prowl actually cocked an optic ridge as the tactician considered him. "It was worth the effort. I do have other strategies to cover this scenario, but I was not lying when I stated that this plan had the highest probability of all of us returning to Iacon unharmed."

Ultra Magnus frowned, slightly miffed at having his apology rejected. "Still, there was no cause for me to put you in a position to face…"

"Please, Commander," Prowl looked down, his frame heating in a hint of embarrassment. "While unpleasant, I am unharmed."

Ultra Magnus blinked. Unharmed? Prowl's standard of judging a dressing down was whether or not he incurred physical damage? It had been a vorn since Prowl had left the Decepticons. Perhaps the experience had truly been traumatic, more traumatic than Ultra Magnus had previously considered.

Ultra Magnus then realized that, embarrassment aside, there was one emotion that was noticeably missing in Prowl's demeanor. He cocked an optic ridge. "But not repentant."

Prowl looked up at him sharply and Ultra Magnus wondered how Prowl would react to the accusation. There was a brief shake of a red-chevroned helm. "No sir. The Prime firmly believes that his life is no more valuable than any other. While that may be true idealistically, he is not entirely correct. There are many mechs in the Autobot ranks who would willingly put themselves in danger to help protect him."

Engine revving, Ultra Magnus took a threatening step toward Prowl. "You plan to disobey the Prime's order?"

Prowl hesitated a moment, glancing up to meet Ultra Magnus' optics, then his frame relaxed submissively even if he did not lower his optics again. "No, sir. He is the Prime and I am bound to follow orders. That does not change the fact that he is mistaken in this instance."

Ultra Magnus' silence was almost scandalized and Prowl looked away. "I know you agree with me about this, Commander."

The larger mech bristled immediately. "Excuse me?"

"You would not have agreed to my original plan if you did not value the Prime's life, perhaps even more than your own." Prowl explained, his voice soft.

Ultra Magnus just stared at him for a long moment. Then he spoke lowly. "So, if you have a contingency plan covering the Prime's refusal to agree to your primary strategy, what are we going to do?"

Prowl looked at him for a long moment before answering the question, an odd lilt to his words. "Hypothetically, if you were to file an official flight plan to Iacon with Simfur traffic control, and if you were to at least make your departure without any of the transport's stealth functions engaged, and if the announcement of your ships's departure was widely enough known without any real confirmation of who is actually on board… there is an 88.26% chance our enemies will make assumptions that should keep their focus on tracking and finding your ship rather than six mechs wearing dampeners leaving the city secretly."

It was several long seconds before Ultra Magnus could do anything but stare. In many ways, Prowl was simply re-packaging his original plan. Only this way it done in such a way that Ultra Magnus could appropriate it as his own or not. The Commander was not sure whether he should be troubled that a mech with Prowl's history could be so devious in finding a way around such clear-cut orders.

Prowl never looked away, clearly not even the least amount ashamed of his suggestion. Nor was he challenging. The Praxian was presenting a suggestion to a superior officer, not pushing to get his way.

Just when Ultra Magnus was about to speak, Prowl continued, "I was serious when I stated the original strategy was more conducive to every one's survival. If you should do this, there will be no backup except your skills as a pilot should you be targeted."

Releasing a vent of air, Ultra Magnus became more thoughtful. For all that Prowl seemed to truly believe this was the best option now that the Prime had vetoed his first choice, Prowl was not trying to mislead him about the risks.

After the silence stretched, Prowl's armor clamped tighter to his frame, though he continued to meet Ultra Magnus' optics. "Alternatively, we can program the ship to return on its own while you join our cadre for the return drive to Iacon. While successfully getting two mechs of your size and mass past the seismic sensors around Simfur will be tricky, I am relatively confident it can be done."

"And your analysis of both options?" Ultra Magnus demanded, surprising himself to realize he was willing to trust Prowl's words.

"The first has a higher probability that the Prime's passage will be unmolested, but it is only higher by 14.71%. Conversely, should we find ourselves in a fight, the second plan has a higher probability of our victory with the addition of your firepower, but only by 12.53%. Ultimately they balance out in regards to the Prime's safety, though the first option is favored slightly."

Ultra Magnus frowned, crossing his arms over his chassis. "And how do they favor my survival?"

Prowl looked down. "Able only to calculate based on your public records, the second option is safer by 12.10% over the first."

"Yet you were hesitant to mention that fact." Ultra Magnus let his engine growl threateningly.

Prowl might not have winced, but he did clear his vents. "Before you make your decision, you need to weigh the greater ramifications. If the Prime, you as his Second in Command, Ironhide and Jazz were to be lost or seriously incapacitated at the same time…" He trailed off, having made his point.

Ultra Magnus rocked back, optics wide as he realized with sudden clarity that there truly was no good choice. He grimaced as the full weight of Prowl's last comment sank home and his own rigid stance relaxed fractionally. "And maintaining physical separation is the best way to guard against that."

Prowl nodded sharply but said nothing as Ultra Magnus thought silently, considering his options.

Then Prowl spoke again, quietly. "Of course, that separation can be accomplished if you simply return to Iacon as secretly as you arrived here. The threat to the Prime will be no greater or less than it was before and the risk to you will be relatively negligible."

Engine revving, Ultra Magnus looked away. "If only I had thought to bring a ship large enough to carry all of us rather than a single-mech shuttle." He looked back at Prowl directly. "You know, if we do the first option you will be in violation of the Prime's order."

Prowl nodded solemnly. "I am aware."

Fist clenching as Ultra Magnus suddenly felt a surge of anger shudder through his chassis, though he had no good reason, nor legitimate target, for that anger. He sought for and then pinned Prowl's optics with his own. "If the Prime should suspect and ask me directly, I will not lie to protect you."

Prowl was considering him closely, though his body language was still that of respect. "I would not expect you to."

Releasing a vent and letting his engine rev again, Ultra Magnus felt his armor settle heavily over his frame as he made his decision. "Very well. Make whatever arrangements you need to so that my departure can help cover the Prime's"

Giving him a crisp nod to acknowledge the order, Prowl said, "Yes, sir."

… … …

Using his previous claim as the Prime's envoy, Prowl had filed an appropriate flight plan for Ultra Magnus' transport with Simfur's controllers, listing the flight as having an 'official' purpose. He then followed proper social convention and posted an official announcement of the departure time on Simfur's government bulletins. He did everything without ever actually saying that the Prime would be on the ship, but Prowl made sure it would seem to be the case to a casual observation.

Then to Ultra Magnus he forwarded the official flight plan and departure information he had filed as well as a flight plan that differed from the official one and a recommendation to use it or another one, so long as he did not actually follow the official one.

Prowl was standing stiffly near one wall of the Senior Priest's office when the other Autobots and Groove finally filtered back in. They might have wanted to speak to him, but his field was held so tightly to his frame, his expression and posture carefully controlled into the same perfectly expressionless mask he had affected as a POW. That made them hesitate. Additionally, his attention was so focused on the datapad in his hand, everyone was even more loath to interrupt.

Jazz, Ironhide, First Aid and Groove shifted uneasily and to various degrees as the Prime entered last. If any of them saw the barest flick of Prowl's doorwings as the tactician registered the Prime's arrival, no one said anything about it.

Prowl finally looked up, his gaze carefully neutral and professionally polite; an exact mirror to the façade he had used to protect himself as a prisoner. No one but the Prime knew exactly what had happened between them, but Prowl's behavior gave them some idea about how serious it had been. The tactician did nothing but to dip his helm and wait for his Prime to speak.

The Prime was a moment in doing so, reading the other mech's demeanor and understanding clearly the reason for the change. Finally he released a vent of air. "Prowl, report."

"Sir." Prowl acknowledged the order with absolutely no clue as to his own feelings. "Commander Ultra Magnus is returning to Iacon via the transport he arrived in. We will need to leave via the tunnel system within the joor. Timing is critical; the longer we remain, the more time the Decepticons have to discover our location and/or barricade the way to Iacon. I have procured a dampener for Groove as well."

Prowl held the deceptively simple looking device toward the younger mech who edged forward, warily eyeing the two mechs, to take the offered dampener. Jazz silently helped him figure out how to operate it as Optimus continued to eye Prowl closely for a moment.

The Praxian never flinched and finally the Prime nodded acceptance of that report. "And the AllSpark?"

"The plans for the AllSpark's evacuation from Simfur are underway. By the end of the decaorn it will be in a more secure location."

The Prime nodded slowly. "Then our business in Simfur is concluded. Let us depart."

Prowl ducked his helm again, stiffly formal. Optimus continued to look at him for a long handful of seconds and then turned away, leading them out of the office.

No one noticed how Prowl's armor relaxed fractionally.

Once outside the city they traveled in a loose formation, doing their best to avoid known seismic sensors and roving Decepticon patrols. Prowl did not speak except to offer input on their journey and warnings about approaching mechs. Sensing his tension despite his impassive façade, no one really tried to engage him in conversation.

Until the Prime broke the silence surrounding the tactician. /Prowl…/

When Optimus did not continue on his own, Prowl kept his transmission appropriately formal and polite. /Yes, Prime?/

When the Prime continued, his tone was grave and serious but the transmission was almost hesitant. /I believe I was overly harsh with you earlier./

Prowl's frame heated uncomfortably, but his leader continued before he could respond to the unexpected statement. /I know you acted with the best intentions and yet did not give you credit for that. A mistake made in good faith did not deserve the harsh reprimand I gave you. I am sorry./

Prowl was unable to reply for a few long seconds. Never before had a senior officer apologized so completely for anything, especially not a mech as high ranking as the Prime. No, he realized suddenly, that was not entirely true. Ultra Magnus had gone a step further, but that had been for a true injustice. Prowl did not see the Prime's dressing down as any more of an injustice than he had Ultra Magnus' dressing down about being informal. Less so, even.

It was almost painful to force the words out as guilt threatened to upset his tanks because Prowl knew he had intentionally worked against the Prime's stated preference this time. /There is no need for you to apologize sir./

Optimus considered those words for a quarter breem, considering the mech driving stiffly in the formation next to him.

/Accept my words or not, Prowl, I am aware I jumped to conclusions and that I was harsher than was necessary, especially for a first offense when you legitimately had no way of knowing my own spark on the matter. I apologize for that as well./

Prowl wanted nothing else at that moment but to beg the Prime not to apologize. But such an apology – full, complete and without excuses – from the Prime, had only one response he could give without delivering a grave insult. Distinctly uncomfortable, Prowl's transmission was very strained. /Thank you, sir./

… … …

When the Decepticons descended on them nearly halfway through their journey, it came as a surprise to all the Autobots, including Prowl. Belatedly, the tactician realized not even a sensor echo off their spark signatures had registered on his scanners – even though nearly a dozen seekers had all but materialized around them.

As he and the others transformed, Prowl sent a quick transmission to the entire party of Autobots, /Do not act surprised to see them./

/Exactly how did they surprise us, Prowl?/ Ironhide's transmission all but growled in harmony with his engine as powerful arm cannons powered up.

/Some sort of cloaking device I have never encountered before. Even now I am not registering their spark signatures on my scanners./ Prowl replied calmly, arming his own weapon.

Ironhide merely grunted as they closed ranks defensively around their Prime and Medic. Jazz offered a rather morose, /That ain't good./

Anything else that might have been said was preempted as, with a flourish, Megatron landed in front of them. Starscream and Thundercracker flanked their leader.

Prowl noted that the leading Decepticon trine was one seeker short when Megatron sneered, growling out the word 'Prime' as if it was something distasteful.

"Megatron." Optimus answered with growl of his own engine.

Megatron's sneer grew more contemptuous, "I'd tell you to stop hiding behind the pathetic scraps of metal you call warriors, but I know it wouldn't do any good. At least, not without the right motivation."

Starscream and Thundercracker snickered unpleasantly as the Autobot's engines revved angrily.

"What do you want, Megatron." Optimus demanded coolly, not rising to the taunt.

"Now, isn't that an interesting question?" All the seekers cackled this time as Megatron's gravely base tones mocked the Autobots. Then he grew more intense. "Especially since you still have in your possession something that belongs to me."

Prowl had a moment of sudden concern as he feared he might have misjudged again to not think that the Decepticons would still be more interested in him than the Prime. If that one basic premise was off, he might have just…

"Prowl is not an item to be bartered!" Optimus snapped back, outrage under the surface of those words.

"Oh?" Megatron was mocking again, but the malicious glint his optics was almost amused. "Then how about this?"

Skywarp materialized in front of Megatron with a displacement of air that swept almost violently past the small knot of Autobots. But it was the sight of Ultra Magnus – bound and with obvious damage in the form of mostly scorched and dented plating – that chilled the energon lines of all the Autobots.

Megatron's devious chuckle only highlighted the seriousness of the situation. "One life for another, Optimus?"

Prowl felt his spark clench at Megatron's words, followed instantly by a cold, sick dread. He could not see Optimus going along with such a trade and yet he could not see how the Prime could not agree to it. They were badly outnumbered and out gunned. Prowl knew that if such a trade was the only way to get the Prime and the others out safely he would volunteer for it himself. But at that exact moment there wee too many unknowns.

/Prowl…?/ Optimus' strained transmission almost made him wince.

Prowl took a moment to regain control over his emotional center and forced his processor to perform its function. A second later he responded to the question his Prime could not quite force himself to ask, careful to remain neutral. /There are too many of them for us to fight. We would loose – badly. You may be able to use this trade to negotiate safe passage for the rest of you./

Standing as close as they were, Prowl could hear the soft whine of the Prime's engine. /Prowl! That is not something I can ask./

/You are not asking, I am volunteering. Six lives for one. It is the best option we have at the moment, but only if you can negotiate equitable and enforceable terms./ Prowl kept his mental tone firm and steady even though his internals were tight with tension.

Prowl kept his attention on their enemies, every ounce of his processing power that was not dedicated to his conversation with the Prime focused on analyzing the situation. Because of that, he had failed to notice that the Prime's initial transmission – and therefore his reply – had been on an open frequency all the other Autobots had been privy to. Nor was he aware that they were each glancing at him periodically and that Ultra Magnus was staring at him as if he had been slapped.

After a long, painful moment Optimus turned his attention back to the former Lord Protector.

Smirking at the silent exchange, Megatron sneered before Optimus could speak. "What? To soft-sparked to make a hard decision?"

Engine almost choking, Optimus was another tellingly painful moment in responding. He sounded as if the words were being pried from his vocalizer. "What guarantee do I have that you won't just slaughter them both?"

Megatron's smirk turned into a vicious leer and he barked a harsh laugh. "The same guarantee I won't just slaughter all of you where you stand, of course."

"No! Prime, you can't…"

"Be silent, Autoscum!" Megatron slugged Ultra Magnus hard enough the sound of denting metal was audible even over the sound of multiple engines as the large mech crashed to his knees under the assault. The Commander's vocalizer hissed static.

Prowl's hands tensed on his rifle. He remembered being on the receiving end of the Decepticon warlord's physical discipline and knew exactly how hard he could strike. The other Autobots likewise shifted at the assault on their SIC.

Megatron looked up from the now kneeling Ultra Magnus to eye the other Autobots, an optic ridge cocked in mocking challenge. It was confirmation that the assault on Ultra Magnus had been as much to silence the Commander as it was an attempt to provoke them. Then he grinned, the expression sending a fresh wave of anxiety through Prowl's internals.

"Luckily for you, I'm feeling generous right now. So I won't just kill all of you." Megatron turned back toward the Prime. "I must admit, I was a little disappointed to find an official flight plan had been filed for your return to Iacon. I did not want to believe even you were so naively gullible. Imagine my surprise when we finally found that pathetic little ship and discovered him instead."

Megatron snapped his hand out and delivered another, almost negligent blow to Ultra Magnus' chassis by way of illustration. Then he laughed, the sound akin to that of water hitting super heated metal. "Oh, you make it so easy Optimus! You Autobots and your vaunted morality!"

The seekers surrounding them echoed their leader's derisive laugh and it was a very chilling experience to be at the center of such a display.

Then, just as quickly, Megatron was serious again as he very deliberately looked at Prowl. "Even I underestimated you, Prowl; your level of cunning and deceitfulness. If you hadn't already betrayed me, I would consider reinstating you to your position. I still might if you prostrate yourself before me and beg for clemency. This will be your only chance…"

"What game are you playing, Megatron?" Optimus demanded, anger edging further into his voice and the tense set of his armor.

Optics glinting maliciously, Megatron focused back on him. "I'm not the one playing games this time Prime." The title came out like a curse, "But you see, it is very clear your precious SIC was really nothing but a decoy. However, I know he is not clever enough to think of such a scheme, let alone actually attempt it. Your pet walking cannon has never been this subtle. And you… well, you would never do it out of principle would you Optimus? That leaves Prowl."

Megatron's sneer came back full-force as he stepped forward threateningly, his volume increasing along with the mocking flare of his EM field. "How does it feel Prime to know that your little defector – upon home you've obviously placed a good deal of trust – is still a Decepticon at spark? How does it feel to know you will never be able to trust him to follow your precious ideals?"

The gathered seekers cackled freely while Megatron reached back and grabbed Ultra Magnus, jerking him forward, his hand crushing more dents into thick armor plating. "I could kill all of you, but even that would not be as satisfying as knowing you must now deal with a pest who has been a splinter in my side for too long. Nor would ending your miserable existence be as enjoyable as making you realize you will never be able to trust him and that now you will have to deal with Prowl yourself."

"But… master… they are all right here!" Starscream whined, his optics wide as he gestured with both hands at the cluster of Autobots. "It would be so easy to…"

"Silence!" Megatron barked, swatting his Air Commander and then he shoved Ultra Magnus toward his comrades but the large mech collapsed under the force of the violent push. The light blue and silver mech grunted as a savage kick was delivered to his chassis.

"Here. For all the good it will do you." Megatron laughed darkly. "I have done you a favor, Optimus. You should thank me. I have warned you that even when he is yours, Prowl still belongs to me. He is no Autobot because he still thinks like one of us! Recharge tonight knowing you are trapped by your own moral code and naïve idealism!"

In a flurry of moving parts, Megatron sprang into the air and transformed. He took off with the roar of afterburners, the gathered seekers quickly following suit.

All of the Autobots stood like frozen statues for a long handful of seconds, not quite believing what had happened. Then First Aid rushed to Ultra Magnus, quickly assessing his damages and starting repairs. The medic's movements served to break the others out of their shocked trances.

Ironhide spoke first, staring the direction Megatron had gone. "That was…"

"Strange." Jazz supplied when Ironhide failed to come up with an appropriate word. Then the saboteur looked at Prowl. "Why didn't they kill us?"

Prowl answered, speaking very quietly as he looked at Ultra Magnus – anywhere but at the Prime who was now looking down with clenched fists and clearly having an internal argument. "Megatron is hoping to sow division. He would not have left us unharmed unless he was convinced doing so would ultimately cause more damage than outright attacking us."

"That doesn't make sense." Ironhide shook his helm, gesturing to indicate all of them. "He could have decimated the Autobot forces to the point we never would have been able to recover. He could have won the war!"

"Unless he's finally, truly gone mad…" Jazz suggested doubtfully.

Prowl shook his helm, still quiet, increasingly nervous the longer the Prime stayed silent. "Unless the process of destruction is more important to him than the goal. The destruction of Praxus was hardly necessary to win the war; something I had projected he would accomplish in less than five more vorns. Yet he claimed my strategies were too pacifistic and the result of that attack has actually resulted in more opposition and thus will actually prolong the war."

Jazz was staring at him with slack faceplate. "That's why he wanted ya dead!" Then hushed. "Because ya were too efficient, too good at what ya did. By killing ya off, he hoped ta ensure the war would last longer."

"And when I defected…" Prowl began, but Jazz cut him off, increasingly agitated.

"When ya defected ya were again in a place to help end the war more quickly. So why not just kill ya this time? Why not just continue the… um trade and then kill ya for good?"

Prowl finally glanced at the Prime, who had still not moved. He cleared his vents, dreading the storm he saw brewing within the noble leader. "Doubtless he believes his chosen actions will be more productive than merely ending my existence."

Ironhide harrumphed. "Like his propaganda transmissions into Autobot and Neutral territory. Intended to cause division and hopelessness."

"He doesn't want us ta trust ya." Jazz nodded in understanding and agreement then looked at the Prime as well. "Probably wanted ta force Optimus into doing something to punish you. He thinks he can manipulate the Prime into doing his dirty-work for 'im. That fits."

"Megatron was correct about one thing." Optimus' deep voice was rough with emotion but filled with steel. He pointed to Ultra Magnus. "This was not a plan I would have come up with nor would I have approved of it."

Hurt and betrayal tinged the edges of the Prime's voice. Prowl stared at his leader, having never truly seen him this close to loosing control, aware – with a growing sense of dread – that Megatron had indeed known how to manipulate the Prime.

Hearing the accusation in the Prime's words, sensing the danger in his tone, Prowl winced, straightening. "Prime."

Optimus turned to face Prowl fully, like a building acidstorm. Prowl froze, his systems stalling as he felt the full force of the Prime's simmering emotional tempest. While his reawakened Enforcer coding allowed him some autonomy, his ethical coding would not let him avoid discipline. He saw raw anger in the Prime's glinting optics and felt a renewed flicker of fear. Prowl knew he had violated a direct order and had done so in a time of war. He was well aware of what Megatron had manipulated the Prime into doing.

"You. Lied. To me!"

Prowl's internals trembled at the subtext of pain in that curt accusation. Optimus' fists clenched and his massive engine revved. While Prowl had not outright lied, he had not gone out of his way to make the truth abundantly clear, so he did not contest the allegation. Instead, Prowl looked down, transmitting his obedient submission. He would not contest his punishment. His plan might have been strategically correct, but it had violated his leader's trust.

Optimus took a step toward Prowl when Ultra Magnus called weakly, "No! Prime…"

Optimus stopped his advance on Prowl and looked at his Second in Command. However, Ultra Magnus was looking at Prowl with a mix of hard to read emotions flitting across his faceplate. "I ordered Prowl to find a way for my departure from Simfur to cover yours."

Prowl's optics widened as Ultra Magnus took full responsibility, despite his earlier declaration that he would not run interference for Prowl if the Prime found out. First Aid finished the major repairs and helped Ultra Magnus struggle back to his pedes.

"Prowl may have been wrong to ask me to come to Simfur in the first place. But this was not entirely his doing." Ultra Magnus looked down penitently. "I was only interested in helping ensure your safety, Optimus. But instead I gave Megatron ammunition to use against you. I'm sorry."

Optimus sucked in a deep vent of air and turned back to Prowl. "Is this true? Tell me."

Prowl did not lift his gaze from his Prime's pedes, feeling his ethical programming kick in again, responding to the blunt order combined with his own promise – what seemed so long ago – to always speak the truth, no matter the consequences.

Compelled to speak, even had he wanted to remain silent, Prowl's voice sounded strained to his own audios. "The plans I presented to the Commander were among those I had calculated initially based upon the contingency that he would come to Simfur to assist but that my primary plan would be overruled. But… I would not have presented them for consideration had the Commander not asked."

Optimus' optics narrowed dangerously. "No apology from you?"

Jazz, Ironhide, First Aid and even Groove shifted uneasily as they watched the tension play between the two mechs. It was not a challenge for dominance, but it was still a challenge.

When he answered, Prowl did so very stiffly. "I was performing my function, sir, which is to provide all possible solutions to a problem and to recommend the one with the highest chance for success. Even if that plan is not approved of by my superiors. I will apologize for disappointing you if you wish, but not for fulfilling my duty and function."

None of the others could completely contain their surprise at Prowl's stubbornness, not when he had always been so quick to acquiesce before and Optimus just stared him down with hard optics.

After a long, uncomfortable silence, Prowl finally yielded, his doorwings tucking. "Clearly I have disappointed you, Prime. I am sorry." He lifted his gaze up to Optimus' with great effort. "That does not change the fact that you grossly underestimate your value, both to the Autobot cause and in the sparks of those who follow your leadership. I freely admit I may have misjudged how I handled the situation, but I do not regret having done my function to the best of my ability."

Jazz cleared his vents, lifting a hand tentatively. "Um, Prime… The original parameters Prowl was given for this mission were ta get ya safely ta Simfur and then back home. That's why he was originally part of tha team."

Optimus' engine revved again. "But the Allspark…"

Prowl, unable to keep his gaze from dropping again answered the unfinished protest. "Keeping you alive is vital to keeping the AllSpark out of the Decepticon's control."

"You're valuable, Prime." Ironhide piped up, his engine growling, denying any argument "Whether you like it or not. It's why I'm your bodyguard and why Chromia and Arcee are Elita's."

"Any one of us woulda done what Ultra Magnus did." Jazz added firmly.

"I do not like it." Optimus said flatly, his optics flashing though no longer strictly with anger.

Taking courage in the support of the other Autobots, Prowl dared to step toward the still smoldering Prime, "You do not have to like it, Prime. And the fact that you are so reluctant to approve such tactics is part of the reason our loyalty is so strong. But it is the truth, regardless."

Prowl could see in the Prime's optics that he was not ready to give up the argument. He softened his own tone and volume and spoke before he could think better of his choice of words. "I say this as your Circuit Su master."

That brought Optimus up short, almost rocking him back on his heel struts, and a shocked silence descended on them. Then, slowly, the heat left the Prime's gaze, replaced by sober thoughtfulness. Neither mech looked away from the other. Because of that, Prowl had no way of knowing that everyone else were staring at him. Though they were three of the highest ranking mechs in the Autobot forces, neither Jazz, Ironhide or even Ultra Magnus would have ever considered talking to their Prime in such a manner: in a way that bordered the presumption of pulling rank.

Ultra Magnus engine rumbled unhappily and Prowl had a moment to reconsider his own hubris. Insubordination. The accusation was not said but rang in his audios regardless. And that on the heels of having violated orders. Not the most logical thing to do.

But they had been words the Prime needed to hear; advice he felt he owed his student even if his leader took him to task for his boldness.

"I see." The Prime said at last, his tone carefully controlled and, for some reason, that made Prowl dread what was coming even more. "I see the wisdom in your words Prowl," he offered a short nod, "But that does not excuse your deceptive behavior toward me."

Prowl's vents hitched, he had not considered his actions through that lens before. He had merely thought to do what was necessary and to spare the Prime from making a decision he knew would have been difficult. Never had it crossed his processor that he was actively deceiving his Prime.

Ethical programming battering his processor, Prowl quickly lowered his gaze as was appropriate for whatever rebuke was coming.

Optimus glanced at the others and switched to their internal comms. /While I understand your reasoning, it does not change my stance on the matter. I also understand the concept of 'do now and ask forgiveness later' but that is not acceptable behavior, not from a mech of your rank and standing. I know a situation like this may arise again in the future. I give you my word to carefully consider the necessity of such tactics in the future, as well as your reasoning for recommending them. You will bring the matter to me rather than act behind my back again. Period./

The intensity of the Prime's authority bore down on Prowl through those words, making his doorwings tuck automatically. Even as his ethical programming took the clear-cut order and worked to incorporate it into his command cortex, Prowl could only think of how obeying such an order might handicap him from doing his function in the future.

/Am I clear, Prowl?/ The Prime demanded acknowledgement of his order.

Prowl strained against the automatic response his programming sought to offer. His engine whined quietly with the effort, "Prime…"

Optimus' gaze hardened with conviction but also filled with compassion. Even though Prowl had spoken out loud, the Prime kept the conversation in the private realm of their silent communication signals. /I may be idealistic in many ways, but I am not an ignorant youngling. I am well aware that in war, unpleasant things must sometimes be done. If your reasoning for doing something is not sufficient to convince me, it should probably not be done at all./

Prowl just stared at his leader and the Prime continued, his tone softer now that he realized Prowl was fully processing what he was trying to communicate. /I do this to act as a second conscience on the actions my subordinates but also so that none of you need to bear the moral burden of making such decisions on your own. How am I to be responsible for the actions of the mechs under my command if I do not know what they are doing?/

Prowl's vents hitched as he recalled how the Prime had claimed responsibility when Smokescreen had sent him intentionally into the clutches of the Deceptcions even though it had been done completely behind his back. Shame at some of the unconscious assumptions he had made about the Prime – assumptions he was only now realizing were just that – heated the tactician's frame. Even after a vorn of serving under him, even after that long as his Circuit Su master, that he would fail to understand such a fundamental part of his leader's psyche was a difficult chip to integrate.

For as brilliant and as quick processored as he was, as skilled as Prowl knew himself to be, it was a humbling thing to face. Pit, as a former Decepticon, it spoke volumes that he hadn't been slapped into stasis cuffs and striped of his rank – yet – as Megatron had no doubt intended. It also reassured him that perhaps Megatron was not able to manipulate the Prime as much as he had assumed he would be.

Regardless, that reminder alone was enough to force Prowl's gaze downward. He spoke out loud, before witnesses, to reinforce his acceptance of the rebuke. "I understand, Prime, and I apologize for not acting in as forthright a manner as is expected of me." He paused, pain lancing momentarily through his processor but he pushed it away. "Furthermore, with my personal history, I realize just how serious an infraction I have committed."

None of the others dared even cycle air as the Prime closed the distance between himself and the tactician. Optimus was relaxed this time, a tiny, barely there smile touching his optics as he put a hand on the Praxian's shoulder. "This is not about your factional history, but rather it is about my expectations of the senior ranking mechs under my command. You have not been with us long enough to learn such details. This is a hard way to learn those expectations and I wish it could have been done more gently."

Prowl lifted his optics back to his leaders and felt a tiny smirk work its way onto his lip plates. "Lessons on the battlefield are seldom easy, Prime. But they are also impossible to forget." He bowed his helm formally. "I appreciate your wisdom and will do my best to live up to your expectations."

The hand on his shoulder squeezed lightly as a collective, relieved gust of air escaped the warily watching Autobots and armor started to settle across various frames. With a little sigh through his vents, First Aid returned to getting Ultra Magnus ready to travel.

They still had a long drive to Iacon.