Orion would freely admit that he'd done some extraordinarily stupid things in his life - pranks both major and minor, stunts executed with varying degrees of success, schemes to escape homework assignments or punishments that inevitably ended up backfiring in spectacular fashion. Sometimes these had been solo endeavors, while other times he'd managed to drag a reluctant Caliber or a far-more-enthusiastic Zinc or Paddles into his mischief. Chasing after his brother's kidnappers and getting himself captured and nearly killed by Tarn and Shockwave might have been the most thickheaded of his escapades so far, but it was far from an isolated incident.

Plotting with Paddles, Zinc, Rhapsody, and Glory to break one of the most notorious war criminals in history out of prison would probably leave all those stunts far behind, though.

"Remember, we aren't telling Caliber about this," Orion told the others - Paddles in person, the other three femmes via video chat. "Don't say a word around him."

"You want this to be a surprise for him?" Paddles asked from her perch on Orion's berth, fangs bared in an eager grin.

"More like we don't want him implicated at all once everyone catches on that Megatron's escaped," Zinc replied. "You know he's going to be their biggest suspect. We can't leave ANY clues that point to him."

"Oh, right." Paddles nodded. "Still wish Soar had agreed to this. He's smart, he could come up with an airtight plan in astroseconds."

"I thought he WAS helping," Orion pointed out as he flipped his computer chair around and sat down in it the wrong way, arms folded on the backrest. "Keeping Caliber distracted while we plan."

"He agreed to do THAT much," Paddles growled, rolling her optics. "But he refused to get involved any more than that. He thinks this is all gonna fall apart before we even get through the gates."

"You guys act like it's hard to get inside the correctional facility," Glory noted. "I've been in dozens of times."

"Yeah, as a visitor," Zinc reminded her. "And with the guards searching you every time you go in and out and cameras watching your every move. It's gonna be a little harder for us to get in prepared to smuggle a prisoner out."

Glory's optics brightened. "Wait… cameras?"

"Duh, it's a prison," Rhapsody reminded her. "There are cameras in every corner. They wanna make sure the inmates aren't up to anything shifty."

Glory covered her mouth with both hands, optics bleaching to white. "Oh Primus…"

Orion couldn't suppress a burst of laughter. "Oh my Primus, what have you and Blitzwing been up to during your visits?! I bet the camera footage is smokin'!"

"Shut up," Glory muttered, hands covering her entire face now.

"We're getting off-topic," Zinc informed them, though she elbowed Glory in the side and gave her a knowing look. "Let's hash out a plan of action. We can tease Glory about her boyfriend later."

"How about never?" Glory huffed.

"First of all, how are five of us supposed to get inside?" Zinc went on, ignoring the Seeker. "I can understand them letting one of us in - especially Glory, she's a regular by now - but all five of us are going to look suspicious."

"Not if we stagger our visits," Orion pointed out. "Who says we all have to go in at the same time, after all?"

"Where are you guys getting this 'five' number?" Rhapsody demanded, frowning. "Who said I was goin' in with you nutjobs?"

"I thought you wanted in on this!" Paddles snarled.

"I didn't," Rhapsody replied, folding her arms across her chest. "I only agreed to sit in on this 'cause I hoped I could talk you out of this bonkers plan. Seriously, guys, don't do this. It's not gonna work and it's just gonna get all of us in trouble."

"And just let Caliber's dad die?" Glory retorted. "I thought you were his friend!"

Rhapsody set her jaw, scarlet optics glinting. "I care about Caliber, okay? He's my friend, and I hate seeing the trial eat him up like this. But his sire's still Megatron, and Megatron's still a war criminal. Like it or not… he deserves some kinda punishment."

Paddles snarled, optics flaring in return. "You Rhapsody can't claim to care about him Caliber when you want to see him Caliber's dad suffer!"

Orion gulped and scooted away from Paddles. The Dinobot only slipped into the speech patterns typical of her father and uncles when she was good and furious. If her grammar started fracturing, it was generally a sign that fists would be flying soon.

"Paddles… Megatron is responsible for the deaths of our spark-parents," Rhapsody reminded her. "I love Dad to bits, but I still miss my spark-parents… and I know you and Soar still have memories of your own parents. And so many mechs have lost loved ones thanks to the war and the Spiralis Disaster - and Orion, Zinc, you can't tell me your parents weren't hurt by him during the war. I care about Caliber… but I think his father needs to see some consequences to his actions."

"Even if it means his execution?" Orion asked.

Rhapsody's stubborn expression broke, pain flooding through, but she nodded anyhow. "Yes. 'Cause Caliber's father or not, he's a criminal. We can't let him off the hook just 'cause we all like Caliber."

Paddles clenched her fists, knuckles popping. Orion scooted farther back, sure that she was about to start punching the viewscreen, but Zinc cut in at that moment.

"Maybe that's what YOU want, Rhap, but we're not doing this to help Megatron. We're doing this for Caliber, our friend. If you want to be a slaggy friend and bow out, then fine. We can do this without your help. But if we find you've blown our cover-"

"You don't have to threaten me," Rhapsody retorted. "I ain't gonna tell anyone. But leave me outta this. I can still care about Caliber without committing a felony." And her square of the viewscreen went dark.

Paddles snorted. "Whatever. We didn't need her anyhow."

"We're getting a bit off topic here," Glory pointed out. "We know how to get in - and I can get you three signed up for the inmate penpal program so you have a legitimate reason to get in. The trick is going to be getting into the high-security wing, and with the appropriate tools to break into a cell."

"Not to mention how to get Megatron OUT," Zinc added. "Even if we somehow disguise him, the guards are gonna notice if we're leaving with an extra mech in our company."

"Remember that holofilm we saw last lunar cycle?" asked Orion. "Instruments of Destruction? And how they snuck Mainframe out of prison by disassembling him and smuggling him out piece by piece with the trash? Maybe we could try that."

Glory raised an optic ridge. "Even if we go on the assumption that most of the guards haven't seen that movie, do any of us know how to take a mech apart without killing him?"

"Hook knows, if my dad's stories are accurate at all," Zinc replied. "And he was one of the Decepticons released in exchange for testifying. Maybe he can help us?"

"I doubt it," Glory countered. "If he turned on Megatron to get his freedom, is he really going to risk getting thrown back in prison?"

"Grandpa Ratchet could do it," Paddles noted. "Though he probably won't help. He likes Caliber, but not THAT much."

"Okay, so that idea's out," Orion admitted. "Anyone else have a better one?"

Zinc opened her mouth to say something, but she froze and stared at something just behind Orion, mouth hanging open. Glory gasped, and her screen immediately went dark.

"What's going on?" Orion asked, dread churning in his tanks. "Guys, are you okay?"

A hand rested on his shoulder. "They're fine, Orion, though I'll be contacting their parents before the evening is through. Yours as well, Paddles. I suggest you head home now. Soar will follow you when he and Caliber are done with their game."

Paddles growled and stood, pushing past Optimus Prime and stomping down the hall. Prime watched her go with an amused glint to his optics, then squeezed Orion's shoulder.

"Um… I can explain, Dad," Orion said, though his voice sounded weak to his own audials.

"I heard enough," he replied, his voice stern but not angry… more disappointed, which was almost worse. "The doors to you boys' bedrooms aren't soundproof. Walk with me."

Orion rose and trailed after his father, dread seething in his spark. He knew he should have picked a better place to plan this out, but his parents had always been really good about giving him privacy. And he'd managed to plot any number of pranks and stunts without getting found out in the comfort of his own bedroom. Why couldn't his father have walked in on him planning the release of the optic-fiber snakes in the teacher's lounge instead of something as huge as this?

Prime led him out to the balcony and gestured to one of the chairs. Orion sat down, watching as his father poured a glass of low-grade and offered it to him. He struggled to still his shaking hands as he took the cup, but even then some slopped over the rim and onto the balcony floor. Prime didn't even seem to notice - he simply sat back and gazed at the cityscape, his optics calm and his expression unreadable.

Just read me the riot act and get it over with, he thought, clenching his jaw. Or turn me over to the Elite Guard or whatever. Isn't planning the jailbreak of a government prisoner some kind of felony? Or do I get off lightly because I'm young and stupid? Just get it over with, please, don't drag this out…

"I know you love your brother," Prime said at last, his voice shockingly soft considering the circumstances. "And I know you want to help him. But this isn't the way to do it."

Orion shuttered his optics briefly. "You're not going to turn us in?"

Prime chuckled. "From what I overheard, you hadn't gotten terribly far in your plans. I don't see a need to involve the authorities in what can be taken as mere gossip between young mechs and femmes who have more bravado and empathy than common sense."

Relief swamped him… relief immediately replaced by a prickling irritation. "Dad, Caliber's father is on trial. The Council isn't going to rest until they've got him strapped to an execution table. We can't just sit back and let it happen!"

"We can… and unfortunately, we have little choice," Prime replied. "I doubt your attempts to help Megatron escape would have gotten very far, but had they succeeded they would have done far more harm than good."

"At least we're doing something!" Orion insisted. "And how is it doing Caliber any good to just sit back and let his father die?! He's already lost one parent, and even though Shockwave was a huge jerk-"

"Understatement," Prime murmured.

"-it still hurts Caliber knowing he's dead! If Megatron dies too, it'll crush him! I refuse to let anyone hurt my brother!" He slammed his cup onto the arm of his chair with enough force to crack it, spattering fuel everywhere. "You could have stopped all this, Dad! You could step in and call a halt to the trial, free Megatron, do something other than just stand back and watch! Don't you care about Cal?!"

Prime stared into his own cup, silent a moment after Orion's angry words finished ringing through the air. Orion had rarely seen his father unmasked, but he'd gotten adept at reading his moods in his optics… and with a shock he saw a deep sorrow written in them now. He immediately wanted to snatch his words back, but it was too late for that.

"Orion… I love Caliber," he said, his words soft and heavy as he traced a thumb around the rim of his glass. "As much as if Elita and I had sparked him ourselves. And it has always gratified me to see you love him like a brother. I'm so proud of you for looking after him, and wanting to help him." His optics shuttered, and for a moment Orion swore he saw them shimmering with built-up cleanser. "But just because we love Caliber doesn't mean we can excuse his father's crimes. He is responsible for a brutal war and for the Spiralis Disaster, both of which nearly destroyed Cybertron, and for the deaths of millions of mechs and organics. He needs to face justice for his crimes… and if he's asking his own troops to testify against him, then I believe he agrees and accepts that fate."

"It's not fair, though!" Orion insisted.

"Orion… you're too young to remember the war," Prime reminded him. "But your carrier and I lived through it. It was a horrible time. And Megatron and I didn't always get along as well as we do now. We were commanders of opposing armies, and spent much of the war trying to kill each other."

"So you hate him?"

"I never said that. And I have never hated Megatron, even if I hated what he did to Cybertron and its people. But I'm not going to absolve him of his crimes either. He made his choices… and he has to live with the consequences."

"But Caliber doesn't deserve to suffer!"

Prime gave him a long look, then pulled his mask down and drained his glass. "Orion… there are many difficult lessons that every mech needs to learn at some point, though some never do. And one of the hardest of those is that actions have consequences… but not always for yourself. There will be times when you yourself aren't affected by the fallout of your actions, but someone else is hurt, even devastated, by them. Sometimes that someone else is a stranger, or someone you're only remotely connected to… but sometimes it can be someone very close and dear to you."

"Like Caliber right now, having to watch his father stand trial."

Prime nodded. "It's one reason to think carefully before you act - because even if an action doesn't negatively impact you, it could have devastating consequences for someone else. Megatron's crimes had consequences for himself - the loss of those most loyal to him, his exile and eventual capture, and his trial. But I believe what he regrets most of all is that his actions tore Cybertron apart… and have hurt and will continue to hurt his son."

Orion looked down at the broken glass in his hand. "There's still got to be something we can do for Caliber, though. He doesn't deserve this, no matter what his father did."

"No, he doesn't… but think of the consequences of your actions as well, Orion. If you release Megatron from prison, what do you think will happen next? There's nowhere for him to go, at least not in the known galaxy. Given the effects of the Spiralis Disaster and the war at large, no colony is going to be willing to offer him shelter. He'll only be recaptured or killed… and Caliber is going to face the brunt of the fallout."

"He won't," Orion insisted. "We planned on leaving no clues that could be traced-"

"Whether or not you left any evidence, all suspicion would fall on him," Prime interrupted. "He already faces enough prejudice simply because of his sire. If nothing else, the Council would make a scapegoat of him - they would need someone to blame for their failure to contain Megatron, and he would be an all-too-handy target."

Orion flinched. "I… I knew that, to some extent… I didn't realize they'd go after him even without evidence, though."

"I want to think they wouldn't… but I know them better." He sighed, swirling the dregs of his fuel in the glass. "I hope you've rethought your escape plans?"

"Yeah," Orion admitted. "But… how are we supposed to help Caliber, then? I can't just sit back and watch him suffer!"

"You be there for him," Prime replied. "You offer an audial to listen if he needs to vent, or company if he needs a friend, or privacy if he just wants to be alone. He needs your support right now… he needs a brother."

Orion sighed deeply. "That doesn't feel like enough, though."

"It's enough for me."

Orion turned to see Caliber standing in the doorway. The violet mech made his way onto the balcony, sidestepping the fuel spill, and allowed Prime to pull him in for a one-armed hug.

"Hi, Cal," Orion greeted. "I dunno how much of that you overheard."

"Ravage popped in and told me enough," he admitted. "Soar added his two bits too. Were… were you guys really planning to break my father out of prison?"

"Yeah… we didn't have a very good plan, though," Orion admitted. "And Dad kinda pulled the plug on it before we could do more than talk about it."

Caliber stepped towards the flier and wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I'm glad you didn't go through with it… I don't want you in trouble. But… but at the same time… knowing you care that much means a lot to me."

Orion patted his shoulder. "Why wouldn't I? You're my brother." He pulled away, holding Caliber at arm's length. "Can… can I do anything for you now, though?"

Caliber shook his head. "I think I'm going to go rest for the night. It's been a long day. Maybe… maybe tomorrow, we can do something? Even if it's just watch the trial updates?"

Orion nodded. "I promise not to make stupid jokes while we watch."

Caliber gave a slight smile. "Well… one or two stupid jokes might be okay."

"Just know that we're all here for you, Caliber," Prime told him. "And we'll do whatever we can to help you. Did Soar leave already?"

Caliber nodded.

"Then why don't you go take a rest? Orion, I'd like you to clean up your mess before you go inside. And think about what I said."

Orion nodded, though privately he decided he was going to talk to Paddles and Zinc and the others and tell them the plan was off for the time being. Or at least off until he could figure out a way it could be pulled off without any suspicion whatsoever falling on Caliber. He wasn't going to let his brother be hurt if he could help it… though the question was which would hurt worse, seeing his father punished for his crimes or coming under fire himself for his escape.

The living room was packed with young mechs and femmes, all gathered around the viewscreen and watching it with rapt attention. This wasn't so unusual - Prime's apartment was a popular hangout for Orion and Caliber's friends, and more than once they'd gathered to watch a lightball match or play video games or enjoy (or make fun of) a human movie together. What was unusual was the eerie silence that hung over the gathering, a complete lack of the usual whoops, laughter, and snarky conversation that usually marked such gatherings.

Elita-1 stayed in the doorway, not wanting to intrude but still wanting to be nearby for support. No, these youngsters weren't here to celebrate anything. They were here on behalf of their friend, to ensure he wouldn't have to witness one of the worst moments of his life alone.

Today was the final day of Megatron's trial… and barring some sort of delay, they would soon make their judgment and decide the fate of the former Decepticon commander once and for all.

At one time, Elita had looked forward to this day with great anticipation. Megatron couldn't terrorize the galaxy forever, she knew, and sooner or later he would have to face the consequences of his actions… consequences he richly deserved. Now that the day was finally upon them, however, her feelings were hopelessly muddled. Part of her, a vindictive part she did her best not to show her sons, felt only relief that Megatron would pay the price for his crimes. But she also ached for Caliber, and wished she could stop what was going on… or at least shield him from it somehow.

Orion and Caliber sat side by side on the couch, wings and rotors high and twitching with anxious energy. Zinc sat on Orion's other side, cracking her knuckle joints as if hoping to dive through the viewscreen and punch the mech preparing to deliver the verdict. Rhapsody sat on Caliber's other side, holding his hand in hers. Paddles loomed behind the couch like a bodyguard, rumbling low in her vocalizer, while Soar sat on the floor directly in front of the couch and held his knees to his chest as he rocked nervously. Glory and her cousins - both Seekers, Zephyr black and deep blue and Mistral an iridescent white - huddled together and whispered softly to one another, while Alpine, a bulky but handsome teal-and-white mech, watched the screen with a baleful expression.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Elita indulged in a moment to take in the sight of these young Cybertronians. They came from so many different backgrounds, with parents of either faction or no faction… yet all had overlooked those backgrounds and saw each other not as Autobots or Decepticons, but as friends and even family. They didn't judge by optic color, or by alt mode save the occasional light teasing… or by parentage, something older mechs judged both Orion and Calibery by constantly.

Most tellingly of all, Elita thought, was the lack of a sigil on any of these mechs. True, Alpine and Mistral were too young to consider marking with a brand, but Orion, Caliber, Zinc, and especially Glory were all well past the age when they would have taken up a sigil during the days of the war. The fact that none of them had chosen a crest had stirred up no small amount of controversy, especially in Caliber's case… but Elita chose to see it as a sign of hope. Hope that their generation would focus less on perpetuating the conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons, and more on rebuilding Cybertron.

They will all go on to do great things, she thought. They just need to get through this trial first - literally AND figuratively.

Someone sucked in a sharp intake of air, and Elita snapped her gaze to the screen. A stately green-and-silver mech had risen to deliver the verdict. A hush fell over the room, and Caliber went rock-still save a faint tremor of his headfins.

Prime stepped up beside Elita, and though his gaze remained fixed on the screen as well, his hand gripped Elita's. She found her gaze darting between the footage of the trial and her sons, more concerned for their reaction to the final verdict than for the verdict itself.

"Megatron of Kaon," the spokesmech announced, "this tribunal hereby finds you guilty on all charges, including but not limited to-"

Paddles threw her head back and let out a splitting roar, drowning out his words before the others shouted her into silence. Elita wondered just how the young Dinobot could have thought there was any chance Megatron could escape that verdict. The evidence against him was overwhelming, including testimony from his own High Command, and Megatron himself hadn't denied a single charge. Though she supposed she had no right to deny her some sliver of hope.

"...and the negligent homicide of the untold millions of lives lost in the Spiralis Disaster," the mech finished. "In addition, this tribunal has conferred and determined your sentence."

The camera shifted to Megatron, cuffed and under heavy guard as he sat before the tribunal. He gazed calmly back at the spokesmech, hands folded on the table before him, betraying no emotion at the verdict. Despite how far he had fallen, he refused to give up some measure of his pride, even when confronted with the consequences of his actions.

"It is the decision of this tribunal, Megatron of Kaon, that you be terminated for your crimes, at a date to be determined-"

Paddles let out another howl, and the room erupted into stunned and angry shouting. Zinc shot to her feet, cursing, and Soar keened and clapped his hands to the sides of his helm as if trying to shut out everyone else's reactions. Glory burst into tears, Zephyr and Mistral rushing to console her.

Caliber remained staring at the screen for a long moment… then buried his face in his hands.

Elita didn't stop to think - she rushed into the room and wrapped her arms around Caliber, holding him as he began to sob. His adult upgrade had left him taller and broader than her, but he didn't seem to care and just clung to her.

"Caliber," she murmured. "I'm so sorry."

Prime nudged past Zinc and Orion to stand at Caliber's side, a hand on his shoulder as he wept. "Take all the time you need, Caliber," he told him, his voice heavy with sorrow. "We're here for you."

Caliber shuddered, and Elita continued to murmur soothingly to him as he vented his emotions. She never noticed the long look Orion and Zinc exchanged behind Caliber's back, or the mutual nods they shared as if coming to a decision.