"State your name and occupation for the record, please."

"Designation: Soundwave. Current occupation: communications administrator for new Cybertronian council. Previous occupation: Decepticon Chief Communications Officer and Megatron's third-in-command."

Rachel smiles up at him. "Thank you. And how do you plead?"

"Soundwave: not guilty."

He's masked and visored, as usual, all stoic and aloof. It's not doing him many favors, but even Thundercracker couldn't convince him to unmask today. Hopefully he'll do okay even so.

The preliminary questions echo what was asked of Starscream. What happened during the war. The validity of Megatron's orders. Starscream's actions, and the relationship between him and Megatron.

"Megatron: particularly violent toward Starscream," Soundwave says. "Convenient scapegoat for any error, regardless of actual guilt. Starscream: also often took the blame for other fliers' errors." The light of that visor turns to where Starscream is sitting. "Spent a lot of time in medbay. Damage: undeserved."

"And what about your own relationship with Megatron?" Rachel is calm, professional, but I can tell that she's hit a nerve. Soundwave clearly doesn't want to answer that question.

It's almost weird. For all that Starscream seems more damaged than Soundwave, he was actually much calmer about testifying. Maybe it's that inherent confidence, or how he craves attention. Goodness knows Soundwave would probably prefer to not have to testify in front of everyone at all.

"Soundwave: initially trusted. Maybe most trusted. Megatron: kept Soundwave close, asked Soundwave's opinion." He hesitates, barely. "Soundwave: still careful to only offer opinions Megatron would agree with. Megatron: volatile. Soundwave: had too much to lose."

Rachel nods. "Will you tell the court what you had to lose, Soundwave?"

"Soundwave: can do one better. Soundwave: can show."

Oh. Oh, wow.

Soundwave's chest compartment opens, and Ratbat flies out.

"Designation: Ratbat." Soundwave holds up an arm for the small cassette to perch on. "Understood: humans not familiar with the concept of cassettes. Cassettes: full Cybertronian miniature frames. Not pets. Not drones. My children."

"I'm a mech, same as anyone else," Ratbat agrees. "I just look different because my function is different. I'm not a car or a plane or a microscope. I specialize in detecting minute energon traces and have fine-tuned sensors that can trace minerals underground." He grins, which looks a bit strange on that tiny face. "Don't need wheels to do that."

"Ratbat: very young during war. Only recently reached majority. Youngest of six." He glances to the witness stands, where Rumble and Frenzy are sitting. "Elder siblings: all young during war. Youngling twins Rumble and Frenzy. Youngling twins Laserbeak and Buzzsaw. Near-adult Ravage. All sent out on missions for Megatron." His mask shifts aside, and though I can see him trembling from here his voice is steady. "Tell me, councilor, what would you do for your children?"

"You were raising a family in the middle of a war," Rachel repeats, as if she's clarifying. "You had the equivalent of a very young child dependent on you. A pair of teenagers. Another pair of pre-teens. And one young adult. Correct?"

Soundwave inclines his head. His mask is still off. "Affirmative."

"Did Megatron ever threaten their lives?"

The mask snicks closed again. I'd bet that's a defensive reaction. "Affirmative. Megatron: saw cassettes as useful. Personally fond of Laserbeak. Megatron: also frequently withheld fuel. Threatened brig-time. Kicked – " his voice statics over, and he audibly reboots it. "Kicked Rumble into the bulkhead, once. Had Frenzy electrocuted as punishment. Wrenched Buzzsaw's wing." Soundwave shakes his head. "Soundwave: obedient. Took blame for cassettes. Also: made sure to always be competent. Megatron: never given cause to be dissatisfied." He looks down at Ratbat, mask sliding open again. "In the end, it didn't matter. Megatron's insanity had gone too far. He didn't care about reason, about doubt, about guilt. He punished indiscriminately."

"Was he violent toward you as well?" Rachel's voice is soft, gentle. Much more so than when she questioned Starscream.

"…yes. In the end." Every word comes out as if dragged. "Megatron… punished every imagined slight. Every transgression. Every perceived flaw. He had always taken his fury out on Starscream, but now… Now no one was safe. Including me."

"Punished how?"

Starscream never talked of this in his testimony. Of exactly what kind of abuse he suffered at Megatron's hands. I can tell Soundwave doesn't want to either, but he finds the strength somehow. Maybe from the way Ratbat is cuddling into his neck cables.

"Beatings. Often severe enough to warrant serious repair. With the seekers, he tended to crumple wing plating, crush thrusters and sensitive vents. I have fewer such weaknesses, and he was too dependent on my skills to put me out of commission for more than a few hours. So for me…" He hesitates, turns to look at the audience. I bet he's looking at Thundercracker. This has to be so incredibly hard for Soundwave.

"He raped me," he said finally. "Repeatedly. Violently. Sometimes it was all I could manage to stay upright on my post. I… had heavy internal damage. Ratchet has been kind enough to help with repairs after the war ended."

Rachel looks up at the judges. "Detailed medical files of the injuries Soundwave sustained can be made available at your leisure if you so desire, your honors. Due to their graphic and sensitive nature, they have not been made part of the documentation beyond a notice that such injuries existed and have subsequently been repaired."

I can't imagine anyone would want to read that kind of thing. I read some of it in preparing for this. Gruesome doesn't even begin to cover it. The humans should be able to see that, even without knowing how Cybertronian intimacy works.

"What of the cassettes?" Rachel focuses on Soundwave again. "Did Megatron abuse them as well?"

"Not as badly. And not intimately." Soundwave is clearly drawing on Ratbat's presence to ground himself again. "I did my best to shield them. But yes, the abuse escalated even there." He looks at Rachel, at the judges. "It is… very difficult for me to talk about what that mech did to my offspring."

Rachel nods. "Rumble and Frenzy are on the witness list for later today. They will be able to give further testimony on this." She offers him a small smile. "Thank you, Soundwave. No further questions."

Of course, his testimony's not over yet. And the prosecutor is far from kind.

"If Megatron trusted your counsel, why didn't you convince him he was on the wrong path?"

Soundwave's mask slides shut again. I don't blame him. If I could have an extra barrier between my face and that piece of filth, I would be doing exactly the same thing. "Megatron: could not be convinced. Soundwave: attempted subtle direction. Megatron: ignored advice. Later: punished gainsayers." The light in his visor sharpens as he looks at the prosecutor. "Arguing against Megatron: very unwise."

It doesn't sound like the prosecutor really cares what he asks anymore. He uses variants of the same questions he asked Optimus and Starscream, keeps bouncing from angle to angle. When Soundwave is finally allowed to sit down and Rumble is called to testify, it doesn't feel like either Soundwave or the prosecutor accomplished much at all.

I'm wondering what his angle is. He's all erratic in his questioning, doesn't follow through with anything, frequently skirts the edges of what is appropriate or allowed. There has to be an angle he's working, but I can't see it. Based on Rachel's increasingly frustrated look, she doesn't either.

When the day finally ends, after Rumble and Frenzy and Thundercracker have all been questioned, she's not the only one who's clearly frustrated.

"This is fragging ridiculous." Sideswipe is snarling, one pede kicking a fallen trashcan hard enough to send it flying. "A farce. What's he even getting out of it?"

Optimus gives him a tired look. "It's a trial, Sideswipe. I'd think they're after justice. And I understand your frustration, but destroying the humans' sanitation systems won't do anyone any good."

"Yeah, yeah. Can't blame me for being annoyed, Prime. That human is an insect." But he lopes off to find the wayward trashcan.

I move up to Optimus' side, linking my arm with his. In front of us, Soundwave is leaning heavily on Thundercracker. I have a feeling they'll be hiding themselves away for the rest of the night. "Can you see what he's getting at, Optimus? Because I sure can't."

Optimus is silent for a few steps before shaking his head. "I can't. I could at first, but now it seems he's merely after causing as much grief and dissent as he can. It doesn't make much sense."

"It makes no sense at all," Streetwise agrees, coming up on my other side. "It's not rational questioning. He doesn't try to establish blame, doesn't pursue the most likely lines of questioning." His optics are sharp as he looks up at the Prime. "Optimus, can you think of any reason why they would be playing for time now? Why would it be more advantageous for them to drag things out now than when we were back on Cybertron? Or even on our way here?"

"I don't know," Optimus admits. "Much as it bothers me to admit. But you're probably right that there is an agenda here we're not seeing." He chuckles and reaches past me to pat Streetwise's shoulder. "I haven't known you to miss much, my friend."

"I try." Streetwise's grin is an easy, infectious thing. "And something about this bothers me. I'm going to keep chipping at it until I figure it out."

I'm sure he will. He's never met a mystery he didn't like. I just hope he figures it out before it's too late to stop whatever it is.


Groove wakes me up in the best way possible. There are hands on my hips, hot breath ghosting over my stomach. It would tickle, if it wasn't for the way my lines are already burning. Every touch feels electric.

Which is of course when my comms go off. Groove's too, by the look of it.

I'd curse Ratchet if I thought it would do any good.

::Everyone, please report to the main room. Rachel wants a word with all of us.::

I sigh. "Back to the grind, huh?"

Groove kisses my hip. "It could be good news."

"Let's hope so." I sit up, kiss his helm. "Come on. Let's not keep anyone waiting."

The main room is pretty crowded when we get there. Groove snags the corner of one shipping container, next to Scattershot and Lightspeed, and pulls me down on his lap. Subtle he's not, but I ignore the way Frenzy and Rumble are giggling at us and just settle in. I can feel Groove's spark humming against my back. I know I can't feel the sparkling, not really, but it doesn't take a lot of effort to pretend I can.

Rachel walks into the cleared center of the space and smiles. "Morning. Sorry if I interrupted anything." Her smile turns wicked. "I know you're normally not up this early."

Oh, if she only knew. Though judging by that grin, I think she does.

"I got a call from the judges earlier," she continues. "They spent last night reviewing all the evidence we've submitted in writing. And based on all that…" She smiles again, looking genuinely happy this time. "They've decided to move to closing statements. No further testimonies needed."

Soundwave drops down onto a shipping container like a puppet with cut strings. He's not the only one looking relieved, either. I know how he's feeling. I'm so damn ready to end this and go home, it's not even funny.

Huh. Earth really isn't home to me anymore.

"So what does that mean?" Sideswipe asks. "Are we almost done here?"

Apparently I'm not the only one ready to leave this planet.

"We'll be giving closing statements today," Rachel replies. "And then the judges will need some time to come to a verdict. The normal is anywhere between a few hours and a couple of days, though I've known deliberations that have taken over a week. I don't think this will take that long."

"Good," someone mutters. It takes me a moment to realize it's Blitzwing, leaning against the wall in the back of the room. "We can't stay here much longer."

That's a weird way to phrase it. I wonder if he knows something we don't. Streetwise obviously wonders the same, bloodhound that he is, because he looks up at Blitzwing curiously. "We can't? Why not?"

Blitzwing blinks. It almost looks like he wasn't aware he was speaking out loud. And now everyone's staring at him.

He sighs, drag a palm across his face. "Aw, frag."

"Because we're at risk of losing one of our transports if we stay here too long," Optimus says, clearly taking pity on the big mech. "We have three carriers on this trip. Unless there are others I don't know about." He winks at Skywarp and Bluestreak. "If there aren't any more, I'm going to ask you to not make any more sparklings right now. Cybertron is better suited for that."

Rachel laughs. "Oh, when you people procreate, you really go all out, don't you?"

"Blitz?" That's Astrotrain, looking curious and a little disturbed. "Was it..?

"Doesn't matter." Blitzwing looks away. "I want the bitlet. I'll be raising him by myself. That's all there is to it."

I suddenly feel like I'm eavesdropping onto an intensely private conversation. So do some of the others, by the way they turn back to Rachel and studiously ignore the two big triple-changers, who're now standing with their heads together and discussing in low whispers. I'm sure I could pick up what they're talking about if I dialed my audial gain up, but it really isn't any of my business.

Guess I know which Decepticon sparkling Optimus was talking about now. Then it's just the Autobot sparkling to figure out.

We're going to be very busy in a vorn's time!

Rachel speaks up again. "You're all welcome to sit in on the closing statements, but most of you don't have to. Starscream, Optimus, Soundwave, as defendants you will have to. Ratchet, Cynosura, I'd like you there as well. I'm also assuming Thundercracker, Skywarp, Bluestreak and Cliffjumper will be there."

"Damn right," Cliffjumper mutters. He's hovering near Starscream, who's leaning heavily on Skywarp.

Rachel shoots him a smile. "The rest of you are of course welcome to sit in, if you want to. If not, I recommend you remain here. Dominic will stay here as well. Jack will be waiting for us there." She glances up at Optimus. "We're starting in thirty minutes, so I'm heading over there now."

Optimus nods, understanding the hint. "Then I suggest anyone who's coming fuel up now."

There's already a line at the energon dispenser. I guess the court room will be as full today as always.

I stand up, ready to join the line, but Streetwise moves in front of me and hands me a cube. "I'm not going to be in the room," he says quietly and hands another cube to Groove. "I'm going to be looking around a bit with Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ravage. Let me know if anything gets weird in there."

Huh. Streetwise is really suspicious. It's enough to make me nervous.

"Be careful." Groove takes his brother's hand for a moment. "Don't let them see you."

"Are you kidding?" Streetwise grins. "I'll be sneaking around with three of the best spies on either side of the war. I'll be fine."

Hopefully he will. But somehow, those aliens caught a recording of a private conversation without any of us seeing them near us. We don't know what kind of abilities they possess.

It's no point dwelling on it, though. Hopefully, in a few more days, we'll be off Earth and on our way home.


I sit between Ratchet and Groove, as usual. The twins are right behind me, as usual.

The prosecutor's being a dick, as usual.

"Your honors." He's already up and pacing, the image of every courtroom drama ever shown on the small screen. "You've heard the evidence. You've read the documentation provided. And at this point, I want to remind you of what happened to Earth when the Cybertronians brought their war here."

I sit there, getting angrier and angrier as he talks about the part of the war I can actually remember in the most unfavorable way possible. He makes it sound like every human death could be laid directly at Optimus' or Starscream's feet, like Megatron was guilty only of lacking proper guidance and that's why everything went so damn wrong. Like Optimus was the aggressor, and Megatron had to defend himself.

"I am asking you for justice, not just for the men, women and children who lost their lives in a war they had no part of and no means to fight. But for the millions, billions of others out there in the universe who did the same."

Oh, he's eloquent, the bastard. Ratchet is so tense next to me there should be sparks coming out of his seams.

At least he's closing first. That means Rachel can address a lot of the crap he's spewing. Because he's almost ranting now, about how the Cybertronians have run themselves to the ground as a species, how a race that can weaponize their own bodies are made for waging war, how we can't expect a truce to hold without preventive measures.

I hate the slimy piece of filth.

When he finally winds down and takes a seat, I'm not the only one looking furious. Rachel takes a deep breath before standing up. Her hands are trembling, and I don't think it's nerves.

"Your honors." She takes another deep breath. "In 2187, this court concluded that Bricriu mac Gearailt was innocent of all war crimes, despite perpetuating one of the bloodiest terrorist attacks the human race has ever seen. It was ruled that mac Gearailt was acting defensively, on behalf of the near overrun Rialtas na hÉireann, and all blame for the conflict was put on the New Unionists. In 2065, when self-styled freedom fighter Magna Shaka was tried, he was held responsible for the escalation of the Gulf of Guinea conflict. The local governments were ruled to be acting in self-defense only. And, maybe even more relevant to this trial, in the years after World War II this court acquitted both Hans Fritzsche and Franz von Papen." She glances up at the Cybertronians. "The Soundwave and Starscream of Hitler's dominion, if you will forgive my drawing the parallel."

She turns back to the judges. "I challenge this court now to rule on whether Optimus Prime, as commander of a defending, initially government-created army, can be held responsible for how a freedom fighter chose to escalate a conflict. Whether or not it can be laid at his feet that Megatron chose to strip-mine the galaxy, while the Autobots traded for their resources and tried to defend against the Decepticons every time their paths crossed. Even here on Earth, where Megatron had plans to break the planet apart for its resources and enslave the entire human race. I ask you to rule on whether blame really can be placed at the feet of those who were trying to reign in a tyrant, and to make sure as many of their troops survived his madness as possible."

Oh, I like this woman. She's really good.

"You are not here to exact judgment on the Cybertronians as a species. You are not here to determine whether their war was right, or just. You are here to determine whether these three individuals can be held accountable for all the atrocities the Cybertronian war visited on the galaxy as a whole." She slows, suddenly sounding quiet and pensive. "Atrocities will always happen in war. The Alliance wants us to place the blame for these atrocities squarely at Optimus Prime's feet. As far as I recall, no one blamed the Allies for the Second World War, despite their bombing of Dresden and other cities.

"I also want to point out that as the war was being fought, no one stepped up to intervene in what is now perceived as illegal acts of war. And I use the word 'perceived' intentionally, your honors." Rachel's eyes are sharp. "At the time, the Autobots were alone. The Alliance had abandoned them. Optimus Prime and his forces were the only ones standing against Megatron. Can we blame them for not stopping him sooner, when even Megatron's own soldiers were afraid to oppose him, fearing for their lives and the lives of their families daily?" She looks up at the judges again. "I ask you, your honors. Can we hold a person accountable if he acts under duress? Can we in good conscience say that Starscream is accountable for his leader's actions? Is Soundwave to blame for standing at Megatron's side, remaining loyal because of the threat to his children's lives? At what point is a soldier to blame for the commands he is ordered at gunpoint to carry out?

"The Cybertronians are at peace. The Galaxy is healing. I ask you to make the right call, that these mecha can move on in peace and heal as well. They are no less victims of Megatron's than the thousands left dead in his wake."


Waiting is agony. We're all just sitting around, staring. Time seems to have slowed down. Even Hot Rod's almost legendary exuberance has calmed down.

I hope they don't take too long to decide. We can't take too much of this.

No one seems to have the mental energy for anything. Not even interfacing, which has been a prime pastime since we got here. I don't blame them. Just the thought of somehow being preoccupied and not catching when they tell us they've made a decision and we can come back… No. I'm staying right here.

Starscream and Soundwave are the center of a cuddle-pile along one of the walls in the main room. The shipping crates have been pushed aside to make room for all three seekers, Soundwave and the cassettes, Bluestreak, and Skyfire. Cliffjumper is standing between them and the front door, almost as if he's standing watch.

I waste a few minutes pondering his relationship with Starscream. I really can't figure them out. When this is over, maybe I should just ask.

Streetwise isn't here. He spends a lot of his time roaming the base, with Nosecone or the cassettes in tow. So far he hasn't found anything, at least not anything he's shared with us, but he doesn't stop. I guess, just like the rest of us, he's waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"How long has it been?" Astrotrain mutters. I almost forgot he's here, he's been still for so long.

"Forty-one hours and eleven minutes," Runabout replies. He's seated on the floor, playing some form of slow card game with his brother. They're the only ones who seem to have the mental energy to do anything.

"You should go recharge," Kup says, to no one in particular and for the sixteenth time. "We ain't no good all exhausted."

"I am recharging," Sunstreaker mumbles, his face buried in Sideswipe's neck. "Shut up."

"It's morning," Reflector says softly. They're standing in the doorway, looking out, all three facing the coming dawn. "Maybe we'll hear something today."

"Maybe." Blitzwing sighs. "Don't get your hopes up."

I lean back against Groove's chest and dim my optics. Not much to see right now anyway.


It's three days before Rachel comes back to the hangar. She's smiling, but she looks as apprehensive as the rest of us. "Are you ready for one last day in the courtroom?"

Ratchet straightens. "They've made a decision?"

"They have." She nods. "We're wanted there in half an hour. So fuel up and – what is it you say, Optimus? Roll out?"

There's a faint smile on Optimus' face. "I think that should cover it, yes."

No one dawdles. We're all too ready to have this part over with. I see Streetwise sneaking off again, with Ravage this time, disappearing around the corner without saying a word. I guess he's going to be sniffing around while everyone else is busy.

"I'll be glad to see the end of this building," Sideswipe grumbles behind me as we enter the courtroom. "It's starting to get on my nerves."

"Mine too." Groove is frowning, which isn't a look he wears all that often. He's generally too laid-back. "At least it's the last day."

"And then we find out if we get to bring everyone back home," Sunstreaker murmurs, and my spark drops all the way down to the bottom of my pedes.

I don't know what we're going to do if we don't get to bring everyone back home. I refuse to think about it.

Rachel walks to her seat, and silence falls. I can see how tense Optimus is from here. Ratchet is trembling.

"All rise."

We do.

The judges file in, looking very serious as they take their seats. The prosecutor almost looks like he's gloating already.

"Be seated," the judge in the middle says. "Will the defendants please rise."

They all stand up together. It looks like Optimus is holding both Decepticons up. I don't blame them.

"We have reached a verdict." The judge looks at them sternly, and I know I'm not the only one tensing up. It feels like I'm not even venting. "First. On the case of the Intergalactic Alliance versus Communications Officer Soundwave, we find the defendant not guilty."

Soundwave collapses onto his seat. Optimus practically has to pick him back up.

"This court finds that Soundwave was acting in good faith at first, and was then forced to stay loyal on threat to his family. He cannot be held responsible for Megatron's actions. The court has also taken into consideration that Soundwave sustained extensive injuries at his commander's hand, and was thus threatened into submission."

My hands are so tight on Sunstreaker's and Groove's that I'm probably leaving dents. They don't seem to even notice.

"Second. On the case of the Intergalactic Alliance versus Winglord Starscream, we find the defendant," he pauses, the slagger, making sure he has Starscream's attention before continuing. "Not criminally responsible."

Oh, thank Primus.

"The court has determined that Starscream was mistreated and conditioned to stay at Megatron's side through violence and threats. We have seen evidence of this both in submitted written materials and surveillance images, and in Starscream's own testimony. We therefore conclude that he cannot found guilty. However, this verdict conditions on Starscream continuing treatment for his mental health issues. The court is satisfied to leave the execution of said treatment to Cynosura of Cybertron, but regular reports will be required. We have also taken into consideration that Starscream's actions at the end of the war actually saved the Earth and the human race, however unintended that may have been."

So, basically, keep treating Starscream, and let Earth know how it's going. That's doable.

Two out of three. I'd collapse in relief, but this isn't over yet.

"Lastly, on the case of the Intergalactic Alliance versus Optimus Prime." The judge's sharp eyes turn to Optimus. "We find the defendant guilty."

I'm not the only one surging to my feet. Sideswipe is shouting something, and Sunstreaker is snarling, and Ratchet is frozen, staring. It's chaos.

The judge raises a hand. "Order. I'm not finished yet."

Slowly, he gets what he wants. But I'm crying, and I know I'm not the only one. Optimus looks devastated.

We can't go home without Optimus Prime. We just can't.

"Let me remind you of the charges here. The Autobots and Decepticons were both charged with multiple counts of mass murder on civilians, use of prohibited weaponry, slavery, mass destruction, attacks on unevolved planets and non-sentient species, eradication and destruction of unevolved planets and non-sentient species, genocide, and numerous counts of excessive violence." The judge looks at Optimus again. "The charges against Megatron were dropped, but this is, in essence, a dual case. The Autobots and Decepticons are charged equally. And there can be no doubt that together, both factions were responsible for the atrocities the Cybertronian civil war wrought upon the universe in general. Thus, Optimus Prime is guilty, as the leader of one part of the war. But." He holds up his hands again, probably to stave off the likely storm of protests. "This court finds Optimus Prime guilty. But it also recognizes that a large part of the blame is Megatron's, and that Optimus' actions wouldn't have been necessary without Megatron's instigations. The court has therefore decided to not pass sentence on Optimus Prime."

What?

Wait, what?

The judge seems to sense our confusion. Or maybe it's the way Optimus is gaping at him. "Instead, Cybertron as a whole has been sentenced. Your government will attempt reparations to any species or system that was damaged by your war. That includes Earth. The Cybertronian government will also accept a permanent Earth ambassador, who will be ensuring that this reparation is handled correctly. Cybertron must also seek membership in the Intergalactic Alliance, to prevent anything like this happening again."

We're all just staring at him at this point. I have a hard time wrapping my head around what's just happened.

Optimus is raising a hand. Rather brave of him, really. "May I ask a question, your honor?"

The judge nods. "You may."

"We're still rebuilding Cybertron. How soon would these reparations be expected?"

"That can be discussed. But a functioning civilization will be able to do more good than one barely scraping by. So for now, we encourage you to seek diplomatic contact with as many others as possible. When Cybertron is back on its feet, we can revisit this question." There's a hint of a smile on his face. "Though I do believe that may be a few human lifetimes from now."

Optimus looks relieved at that answer. Pit, I think we all are.

I can barely believe it.

We get to go home. All of us. We can continue as we were, rebuilding. The sparklings can grow up in peace.

It's such a relief that I can't even vent properly.

The judge smiles. "And with that, this court is adjourned. Have a safe trip home, Cybertronians."

"Oh, like hell," someone snarls, and then several things happens at once. Groove stiffens beside me, optics wide and bright. Soundwave is suddenly standing straight and tense, staring intently towards the front door. There's a loud boom from outside, shaking the building.

And the prosecutor suddenly has a giant rifle aimed at Optimus Prime.


A/N: I know, I'm sorry! *runs and hides behind the couch*

But this chapter was threatening to become either too short or too long, I had to cut it somewhere. If it helps, I'm posting the next one on Tuesday, so you won't have to wait a whole week! And now there's just two chapters left of the story :)