Introduction: This happens some time between Revolution and Age of Smoke.

Cam couldn't see why he was the only one who was concerned about the situation.

Keepsake seemed to have forgotten that Blaster had run away and put all of their lives in jeopardy. She didn't seem to care that Blaster had disobeyed them and gone off to join the Autobots. She was no longer upset that their mechling had disregarded Cam and Keepsake's warnings, disregarded his own safety and the worry that his guardians would feel when he disappeared. She didn't even seem concerned that they were now Optimus Prime's prisoners.

"Would you stop pacing, dear?"

Cam sighed and surveyed the small room they had been given.

"You're putting everyone on edge," Keepsake continued out loud, and sent a questioning feeling over the bond as well. She could probably tell he was angry at her, not just at Blaster anymore.

"We need to get out of here somehow," Cam said. "But they're watching us." He glared at the little camera in the corner of the room.

"Well, you're going nowhere but round in circles at the moment, dear." Keepsake crossed her arms. "And you're frightening everyone."

Steeljaw had placed himself protectively in front of Blaster, and the others were all huddled around the youngling too, watching him warily.

"They should be frightened," Cam said.

"Cam!"

"They won't let us leave," Cam said. "You heard what that mech said when we tried." He started pacing again. "Nonsense about our own safety and—"

"You can stop muttering to yourself," Keepsake said. "Honestly, I'm glad to be here."

"What?" he rounded on her, not wanting to believe it was true, though he knew it was. Her emotions confirmed it.

"Cam, we were imposing on Breeze and putting her in danger. And remember when the Autobots had us move so we didn't get killed by the Decepticons who discovered our location. They're good—"

"You're as gullible as the mechling."

"He can read minds!" Keepsake said. "If anyone can tell us who to—"

"He himself said he couldn't read the Prime's mind. That mech could be keeping any kind of secrets."

"Oh, just listen to yourself," Keepsake said. "He has the Matrix of Leadership now, you think just anyone could—"

"He says he has the Matrix of Leadership. Was anyone with him when he got it? Besides, Primes in the past have been corrupt."

"You're coming up with any reason you can not to trust him, but I haven't seen any evidence that he's a bad mech."

"Then why is Soundwave fighting for Megatron? Why is Prime supporting the Council system? The system that… Why won't they let us leave?"

"Maybe we don't know Soundwave as well as we thought we did. He did try to kill that Autobot commander who Blaster saved. I'm sure Megatron won't be happy about that…" Keepsake trailed off, feeling worried.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just think we're safer here, under the protection of an army, just in case Megatron wants to hurt our mechling."

"No," Cam said. "You're just believing their lies like everyone else."

Keepsake seethed with sudden anger for a moment, but it was gone as soon as it had come. "No, dear," she said with calm finality. "You are the one stubbornly believing your own lies."

"We are prisoners—"

"It's not perfect, but we are safe here and we haven't been harmed or threatened," Keepsake said.

"But—"

"Go!" Keepsake pointed at the door. "Go cool your hot helm off and come back when you're ready to open your optics to the real predicament here."

Cam wanted to yell back, but one look at her faceplate told him that would be a bad idea. So he stormed out of the room instead.

They were allowed around the building. The Autobot security officer had wanted to lock them up somewhere, but he'd been overruled by the Prime. The Prime must know they could and would escape if he didn't stay on Blaster's good side. If he treated them like they were actual prisoners, then he couldn't keep them here.

That was the worst part—that they had Blaster so firmly under their spell—that he either didn't see what the outcome of their stay here would be, or didn't care.

More likely, he didn't care. He wanted to be a tool for the Autobots. He wanted to fight for them.

Cam didn't understand it.

Then again…

He thought about how fed up Keepsake was with him at the moment and started to calm down a little. She was right that no one had treated them badly, and that they were safe here, for now at least.

And he had to admit none of the Autobots actually seemed evil, except, perhaps that security mech. But even then, 'evil' wasn't exactly the right word.

The only mech who was really likely to be evil was their leader, the Prime himself, and the only thing that really bothered Cam was that he was trapped here, that he couldn't choose to leave.

Well, that and the horrible feeling that the safety was an illusion. The sense that as soon as the Prime needed Blaster for something, he would change his mind about how old the mechling needed to be in order to join the Autobots.

Maybe it was safe here for now, but they could be safe on their own too. They could find somewhere to hide from both sides.

Except that they couldn't because they were prisoners here and Blaster didn't want to leave, and somehow the Prime had everyone in this whole place wrapped around his fingers.

Cam turned a corner and walked down another hall. This place must have been some kind of conference building before. It was all offices and meeting rooms.

A door opened down the hall and Optimus Prime himself stepped out with some of his flunkies.

For a moment, just one moment, Cam was afraid. And that moment of fear made him so angry that before he knew it, he was bearing down on his jailer, fists clenched, ready for a fight.

Optimus was glad to see Blaster's guardian in the hall in front of him. He had never had time to speak with the mech or his sparkmate personally, though he had wanted to.

Perhaps, he thought as he watched the mech approach, he should have made time. Cam certainly seemed unhappy.

Ironhide must have sensed his hostility as well, because he stepped subtly forward as if preparing to defend Optimus.

Optimus put a hand on his arm in warning. He doubted Blaster's mech guardian was a serious threat.

There was something familiar about him, though Optimus wasn't sure why since he'd never met the mech before. He was of average height and build, which meant Optimus towered over him, but he didn't look remotely intimidated, even as he approached and had to tilt his helm back to meet Optimus's optics.

"You are Cam?" Optimus said. "I saw you when you came for Blaster. I am sorry I did not speak with you then."

"Really?" Cam said. "Are you, though?"

Optimus noticed Ironhide stiffen, probably in response to the aggression in the mech's voice.

Cam continued. "You might act noble, but you're just as much of a tyrant as the Council was… you are the Council now you've let your enemies slaughter them for you."

"How dare you!" Ironhide made to step forward, but Optimus shot him a stern look to stop him. It was a good thing Ultra Magnus wasn't here in this hallway.

"I don't know what virus has my youngling trusting you," Cam said. "When he can't even read your processor."

"I assure you, you are all safe here on our base."

"Oh yes, perfectly safe," Cam said. "Safe so you can use him in your war. Safe from your enemies' influence, safe and sound and locked away where no one but you can benefit from his abilities."

"We did not put him under our protection in order to exploit his abilities."

"That's absolute scrap," Cam said.

Optimus shot another warning look at Ironhide.

"Hundreds of mecha offline each decaorn," Cam said. "They're not 'under your protection' Admit it, you only care about Blaster for his abilities. You only care because you think he'll give you an edge against Soundwave. If he wasn't useful, you'd toss us aside. Don't try to play this like you care!"

Optimus considered his words. He might not be entirely wrong. If Blaster didn't have his abilities, but was still in danger for some reason, would Optimus take him in and protect him and his guardians? He couldn't take in everyone in trouble. He didn't have the resources to protect all mecha in danger. "You may be correct," he said.

"What!" Ironhide demanded.

"Ironhide."

Silence fell.

"You may be correct about some things," Optimus clarified. "And your concern for your youngling is understandable. But I do not have him under my protection so I can use him. I have him under my protection to prevent the Decepticons from using him. They would not give him a choice. If Blaster would like to join the Autobots, he must wait until he is of age. Before that, I give you my solemn promise that I will do all I can to prevent any harm from coming to him or you, and that we will not make use of his abilities."

Optimus met Cam's gaze. If the other mech was nervous, he didn't show it. That was somewhat refreshing. Mecha were almost always intimidated by him—especially since he'd received the Matrix.

"And what does your word mean?" Cam asked. "You're a Prime. You're supposed to protect the mecha of Cybertron. And how many sparks has your war snuffed already?"

Optimus continued to hold the mech's gaze, though Cam's words were a painful reminder.

"Optimus, you can't let mecha talk to you like this," Ironhide said.

"Ironhide," Elita stepped in front of him and crossed her arms, glaring at Cam. "He's all right."

She was ready to defend him too, he knew. She had certainly felt how much Cam's accusation had hurt him. But she also respected his decision to listen.

And that gave him the strength to be humble.

He bowed his helm. "What would you have me do, Cam?"

"I… excuse me?"

"In my position, what would you do?"

He waited, but the other mech seemed at a loss for words. He did eventually find his tongue. "I… let us leave. We can keep ourselves safe. We don't need your protection."

Optimus considered that. He didn't want to put Blaster within Megatron's grasp, but then again, the mechling was a telepath. That should help them to stay safe. "If you truly believe that you will be safer on your own, then I will allow you to leave."

"But…" Red Alert said.

"Really?" Cam met his gaze again.

Optimus nodded. "We have no desire to keep you here against your will. I… am worried that you do not seem to take the Decepticons seriously, but given the evidence you have, I cannot fault you for distrusting me."

Cam stared at him, expression wavering between suspicion, surprise, and grudging acceptance.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"You… aren't what I expected," Cam said.

Optimus smiled slightly. He'd heard that one before.

"I… you'll really let us leave?"

Optimus nodded again.

Cam sighed, and then was silent for several astroseconds before speaking again. "I will not allow my mechling to become one of your soldiers."

Optimus nodded. "And I will honor that decision. Please consider staying here under our protection. I am willing to keep you all safe, and supply you with energon and whatever else you might need. However, I will not keep you here against your will. You have done nothing wrong, and you are not prisoners."

Cam scowled, but then sighed. "I'll consider it."

"Thank you," Optimus said.

The mech walked away, leaving Optimus standing with his commanders.

Elita put a hand on his arm. "What he said…"

"Has some truth to it."

"I still don't think you should let anyone speak to you like that," Ironhide said.

"Ironhide." Optimus put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Let it go. If I had gotten offended, he would have no reason to change his opinion of me."

Ironhide frowned at him and Optimus saw the barest flicker of suspicion behind his friend's optics. Sometimes he wished the Matrix didn't make it so easy for him to read mecha. He knew his friends were still uncomfortable with the way he was now. In some ways he felt like his old self was still fading. There were so many things he couldn't remember. It concerned him, that his earliest memories were of this war.

"We can't just let them leave!" Red Alert said. "Who knows what secrets that mechling has picked up while he's been here."

"Who's he gonna tell?" Jazz said. "He's on our side even if his mech creator ain't. Besides, I don't think they'll go anywhere."

"Optimus, you can't!"

"I do not have a right to keep them here, and I do not wish to argue about this matter."

"We could always bring it up and discuss it at the next meeting," Prowl said dismissively. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

He left, and the others dispersed as well, leaving Optimus to his thoughts.

Notes:

1. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything. I've been working on other projects, and I haven't had many ideas for spare parts chapters anyway.

2. In fact, this is the last one I had floating around, so I might not post again until I start Age of Smoke, which is probably still another few months out.

3. Thanks for reading!