"We aren't entirely sure what to do with you yet," Halogen said, leaning forward to stare over his podium at Ultra Magnus.

Ultra Magnus met the Grand Councilmech's optics. For some reason, standing here on the Council floor was a lot less frightening than he had expected it to be.

Halogen continued. "You allowed the Autobots to discover you. What was it that tipped them off? Did they tell you?"

Ultra Magnus didn't look away. "They planted a listening device on me, Sir."

"Hmm," Halogen said.

"I accept full responsibility for the fact that I didn't notice." Ultra Magnus watched the Grand Councilmech's faceplate carefully, searching for any hints about his fate.

After he had come to them and reported, they'd had him locked up and he had had joors to wonder whether he'd live out the orn or not. He was tired of wondering.

"You accept full responsibility," Halogen said. "But that is not the same as an apology. You are not regretful. You do not wish you could have prevented this?"

No. In his spark, Ultra Magnus was grateful for what Red Alert had done.

"Answer me, guardsmech."

"No, Sir," Ultra Magnus said. "I do not. However, you know that I serve you and would never disobey your orders."

"Never?" Halogen said. "There is nothing I could ask that you would refuse to do?"

Ultra Magnus hesitated.

"See," Halogen said. "You claim to be loyal, but I think you're slipping. How long will it be until you betray us? You are not loyal to us in your spark."

"Can you name one mech who is?" Ultra Magnus asked. "With all due respect, Sir, it is very difficult to be loyal to your corrupt conspiracy."

Halogen narrowed his optics. "By the Allspark," he said. "A conspiracy? Did you actually just insult us? I'm impressed, Ultra Magnus. I didn't think you had it in you."

Ultra Magnus looked down in shame, running his vents faster as his systems heated up.

"I don't think we need anything else from you," Halogen said. "Since you very willingly confessed your guilt just now. Guards, remove him."

"Wait!" Ultra Magnus said as he heard the guards approach from behind. "What are you going to do with me?"

Halogen smirked. "We haven't decided yet. Take him away."

"…But we shouldn't be—"

"We don't have a choice, Autoceptor," Clampdown said. "If they've offered their help…"

"Hey, keep it down," Deep Cover glanced over his shoulder at the open end of the alleyway.

It was the middle of the off-cycle, and Autoceptor didn't think anyone was going to overhear the four enforcers talking. "Look, you're the one who wanted to stay and fight."

"But this is a better option," Clampdown said. "Staying and fighting was about as good as trying to cross the wastes on pede. But we have an actual chance if the Autobots are going to help us."

"Can we keep it down, please?" Deep Cover repeated. "Maybe we should have this conversation some other time. The four of us are supposed to be on patrol in different quadrants right now anyway."

"Actually," Kaltor put in. "The old mech and I are supposed to report in for the off-cycle soon."

"And we have to make a decision about this," Autoceptor said. "That noblemech didn't give me very long to respond."

"Well then let's make a decision," Deep Cover said. "Autoceptor's against, Clampdown's for. Kaltor, what do you think?"

"He doesn't get to vote," Autoceptor said.

"Hey," Kaltor crossed his arms.

"He's a smart mechling," Clampdown said. "I vote that he gets a vote."

Deep Cover and Autoceptor both glared at him.

"Ok," Kaltor said. "I don't care if I get to vote. But… here's the question. If things go badly, which choice will we regret more?"

Autoceptor looked down.

He didn't want to trust the noblemech, and he especially didn't want to trust the Prime.

But their other option might include watching mechlings starve in the wastes.

"Either way," Clampdown said. "We're running out of time before the Decepticons attack. You say the Iaconian suggested it would be within a decaorn?"

Autoceptor nodded.

Deep Cover took in a deep vent, shuttering his optics. "All right. I'll break the tie. We're going to trust the Autobots. 'Ceptor?"

"All right," Autoceptor said. He had known, deep down, that they had to. All of their other options were even worse.

"Go meet with him again," Deep Cover said. "Clampdown and I will start getting the word out."

Autoceptor nodded.

Clampdown and Deep Cover transformed and drove away. Autoceptor watched the brothers exit the alleyway and drive in different directions.

"I'm interested to meet this noblemech," Kaltor said.

"Well, you aren't going to," Autoceptor growled. "Not this off-cycle, at least. I need you to go to the station and tell them I went home. Say I dislocated an axle or something and quit early."

The younger mech sighed. "All right."

"Don't be so disappointed, I bet you'll be seeing plenty of Autobots in the future." Autoceptor transformed and followed his old friends out of the alley. He commed Mirage, who answered immediately.

"Finally come to your senses?" Even his simulated voice sounded haughty.

"Something like that," Autoceptor replied. "Where do you want to meet?"

Silverbolt tried not to stare at the sorry-looking mech with the rusty leg, who was standing in front of him in line. Every step looked painful, and he was leaving behind little rust flakes wherever his bad pede touched the ground.

So even though being invited to a five-way comm. by Air Raid—who was standing right behind him and could have talked out loud—was mildly annoying, Silverbolt was glad for the distraction. He joined the comm. channel, bracing himself for another argument.

"What is it?" Slingshot asked.

"Do you mechs feel like we're out of place here?"

"Out of place?" Slingshot said. "Like we missed a memo that only half-dead groundpounders are supposed to sign up for this army? Yeah."

"I still don't think this is a really good idea, 'Bolt. It's not too late to back out."

"We already signed up," Silverbolt said. "We can't just desert."

"It looks like they're going to need all the help they can get," Skydive said. "I know you want to go home Air Raid, and no one's stopping you, but…"

"I want to go home too," Slingshot said. "I left more mecha behind than you did, 'Raid. But you remember what Megatron did in Kaon? We can't let that spread."

"I don't see why it's our responsibility to stop it," Air Raid said. "And it's different for you. Dawn is still angry at me for leaving."

"Hey," Skydive cut in. "Where did Fireflight go?"

Silverbolt turned to look over his shoulder. Sure enough, there were only three seekers in line behind him.

"Sorry!" Fireflight said. "The line was taking a long time, so I left and now I'm… somewhere."

"Well we're almost to the front of the line now," Silverbolt said. "Can you come back?"

"Yeah," Fireflight said. "Hang on, I have to fly up high enough to see if I can figure out where you are."

"The line's moving, 'Bolt," Slingshot said.

Silverbolt turned around again and stepped forward. The mech with the rusty leg was the only one in front of them now.

"Air Raid," Silverbolt said. "If you really want to leave, you can leave. Your responsibility to your sparkmate is more important than your responsibility to Slingshot and I."

"I am not letting you mechs join this army without me."

"Then stop complaining about it," Slingshot said. "It rusts, ok? Like that mech in front of us. The end."

The mech with the rusty leg hobbled away and Silverbolt stepped forward.

"Hi!" the Autobot standing by the table said. "I'm Dion. You're Silverbolt, right? They told me about you signing up."

"Yes," Silverbolt said.

"Aren't there supposed to be… five of you?"

"Yes," Silverbolt said. "One of my friends wandered off."

"Okay," Dion said. "Um... we've got to keep the line moving, so you'll just have to pass everything on to him. Here." He shuffled through key cards on the table. "We already have one seeker trine here. You'll be up on the top floor with them. The apartments are a little more spacious up there, so hopefully they'll be all right for you."

Of course they'd be up on the top floor.

"And," Dion said. "I've heard seekers don't really like elevators, so we've made sure the roof access door is unlocked. You can get in that way. Here are your key cards, you've got two apartments to share between the five of you for now, but if it gets more crowded, you might need to move to one." He handed Silverbolt five key cards. "There's a warehouse a block south of the apartment building where you can get energon if you need it. And… you mechs don't look like you need medical attention, so I guess we don't have to worry about that part. Um…"

Slingshot stepped forward. "When do we start training?"

"We'll keep you posted about that," Dion said. "It might be a couple more orns. We've got to get everything organized first."

"So do we have to stay here?" Air Raid said. "Or can we just come back when you're actually ready for us?"

"We would… like you to stay here?" Dion said. "You can ask for permission to leave, though. I think Commander Ironhide is in charge of that… I'll ask next time I see him."

By the time he asked, it would probably be too late for them to take a trip to Vos. But Silverbolt cut Air Raid off before he could say anything else. "Thank you. We won't hold up the line any longer."

"Ok. Let us know if you have any questions. There'll be datapads in your apartment with some more information. Have a good orn."

"Thank you," Silverbolt said. "You too." He turned and walked away, followed by his brothers and Skydive.

"If you can call Iacon's eternal dusk an orn," Slingshot said over the still-open comm. channel.

"Now who's complaining?" Air Raid muttered.

"Okay," Fireflight said. "I have no idea where you are."

"Where are you?" Silverbolt asked. "Send us your coordinates and someone will come find you."

"Or you could just send me your coordinates."

"So you can forget them?" Slingshot said.

"I'll go get him," Air Raid said. "The rest of you can check out the apartments. Fireflight, just send us your coordinates."

"Wait," Fireflight said. "I can see the apartment building. I'll meet you mechs on the roof there."

Silverbolt looked up at the dizzyingly tall building that was to be their new home.

"There he is," Skydive said, and Silverbolt followed his gaze. Sure enough, he could just barely make out the seeker against the dark blue sky.

"So..." Slingshot said. "We going to fly up there?"

"Go ahead," Silverbolt said, stopping to hand all but one of the key cards to Air Raid. "I'll take the stairs. I might be a while."

"See you up there." Air Raid said, and took off. Skydive followed him, but Slingshot stayed behind, arms crossed.

"What?" Silverbolt asked.

"You know they're going to expect you to fly,"

"And I will," Silverbolt said. "Whenever I have to."

"Okay," Slingshot shrugged. He transformed and took off after the others, leaving Silverbolt to walk toward the apartment building with the shuffling crowd of rust-afflicted factory mecha.

Prowl came online with a start.

Where was he? This wasn't his room…

This was his office. With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair to finish letting his systems boot up. He'd slipped into recharge while working hadn't he?

He checked his chronometer. Primus, the early meeting was in ten breems, and he needed to prepare for that. He and Mainspring had both been busy all the orn before and late into the off-cycle working on logistics for the Tarn evacuation. They'd been in contact with mecha from almost every single sector and Prowl had needed to plan routes for all of them. He was sick of staring at underground cave systems and sending messages back and forth through that arrogant noblemech.

It didn't help that Tarn was in the exact opposite time zone. That was utter nonsense because Iacon was on the north pole, and its on-cycle/off-cycle pattern was manufactured by the sun dome. Iacon's neighboring city-state, Nova Cronum, was on the same time as Tarn.

Prowl took in a deep vent and straightened a few datapads on his desk.

They only had six more orns.

Megatron would attack in six orns.

It was the off-cycle in Tarn now. They'd start evacuating as soon as curfew was over the next orn. Everything was in place. And if everything went according to plan, then they'd get more than a hundred thousand mecha out of the city-state.

But if anything went wrong, there wouldn't be time for a second try.

Across thirty-seven sectors, something was bound to go wrong.

Prowl shook his helm and checked his datapad for messages. There were more than twenty, so he skimmed through them as quickly as he could and headed to the meeting.

Mainspring looked almost as exhausted as Prowl felt, and Orion looked tired as well. He had been up for at least some of the off-cycle, talking to various mecha in Tarn.

This off-cycle would be busy too.

But then after that, things would hopefully calm down.

The meeting went long as usual, but at least things were going smoothly. Ratchet had made contact with some more medics, Elita and Chromia had gotten their entire army situated in an apartment building, and recruitment had picked up a little. But things were still moving too slowly. According to Mainspring's latest reports, Megatron's army was still growing rapidly.

When the meeting was over, Prowl returned to his office. He only had fifteen breems before he needed to leave. At least training with Master Yoketron never went long.

He checked his messages again. There were five new ones. One of them had been moved to the top by his message system and marked as important.

It was from Jazz.

Prowl forwarded it to Mainspring, and then opened it and read through.

It contained new statistics about Megatron's army—there were even more Decepticons than Mainspring's other sources had suggested. There was also another message about Megatron planning to attack Tarn in six orns. Then Jazz made note of some of the weaknesses in Megatron's army, which would be useful if Prowl were planning on attacking them.

Attacking them wasn't an option at this point.

Prowl got to the last paragraph.

[Finally, there's a favor I'd like to ask. This isn't important to the war effort, but can you contact a mech designated Yoketron and pass on a message to him? He's a circuit-su instructor, and last I heard he was working in Kalis. I want him to know that there's a prisoner of the Decepticons designated Kup who says they're friends. Apparently he thought Yoketron would be in Kaon, but he was wrong, and he's in trouble now. I figured Yoketron might want to know about that. Thanks! Good luck with the whole Tarn thing. I hope you've got that figured out.]

Prowl re-read the paragraph. Jazz knew Yoketron?

That was certainly unexpected.

Well, Prowl was supposed to report to Yoketron soon anyway. He might as well show up early for a change. He looked through his lists of things to do, just to make sure there was nothing urgent, and then got up and left his office.

On the way down in the elevator, he ran some quick calculations in his helm, and realized there was a better route for the evacuees in one of the city-states. He sent a quick message to Mainspring about it before he got to the bottom floor. Then, he realized ee'd need to be quick in order to get to Landquake's apartment before the transport left to pick him up, so he didn't waste any time in leaving the tower, transforming and driving through the city.

He knocked on the apartment door and Landquake opened it, carrying his enormous sparkling in his arms.

"Oh, hey," he said. "I was about to go get you."

"Well, I'm glad I arrived before you left," Prowl said. "I have something to discuss with Master Yoketron and I didn't want to waste any training time on it, so I decided to come early."

"Well, he's in the courtyard. Head on back there."

"Thank you," Prowl said, and slipped past the enormous mech.

"You don't have to go yet?" the sparkling asked cheerfully.

"That's right," Landquake said.

Prowl walked out through the back door and down the long hallway to the crystal garden courtyard.

Then he froze.

The atmosphere was filled with shards of crystal, arrayed in a spherical pattern that spun gently as the crystals shifted and wove around each other. Master Yoketron stood in the middle of the pattern, one hand raised. Prowls optic's widened. This was impossible—the pieces of crystal were floating. Was this some sort of complicated, beautiful hologram? Yoketron shifted, stepping forward and bringing his hand in. The pattern changed, spinning more quickly, then flattened into a shifting disc. Prowl watched as the disk spread vertically into a column, where it froze, making a tall cylinder around the circuit-su master.

Everything was perfectly still and somehow, that broke the spell on Prowl. He stepped into the courtyard, then slowly reached out to touch one of the crystals. It fell into his hand—solid, real. He stared at it as it lay in his palm for a moment, then rose into the atmosphere again and joined the rest of the crystals as they floated down and came to rest in the ground.

Only then did he realize they were pieces of the crystal tiles that made up the floor of the courtyard.

Primus…

Master Yoketron turned to face him.

"What… was that?" Prowl asked.

Master Yoketron smiled. "That, Prowl, was processor over matter. Of course, the name isn't necessarily accurate. It involves your spark at least as much as your processor."

"But…"

"So the name really ought to be spark and processor over matter, but that doesn't sound very good. Come to think of it, processor over matter is a bit of a mouthful too. So I suppose it doesn't really matter." He smirked.

"Could you… teach me that?"

Master Yoketron shot him an incredulous, almost shocked look. "Why would you want to learn something like that? It is not very practical."

"What do you mean?" Prowl's processor was already calculating the advantages that sort of skill would give you. "You… levitated those crystals. Can you imagine what you'd be able to do with that? How far can it reach? Can you make yourself float? Can you use it to pull something from someone else's—"

"Stop," Master Yoketron said mildly. "Before you get too excited, you should know that processor over matter cannot be used for violence, or even every-orn purposes. If it could, then don't you think more mecha would know about it? Yes, it is very powerful, but it is also dangerous, not to mention it usually takes something like seventy-five vorns to master."

Prowl looked down.

"Merging the capabilities of your spark and your processor takes a toll, and in order to do it you must be able to reach a heightened meditative state. If you are distracted, or if you use the power for the wrong purposes, you can be badly hurt."

Prowl realized the implications of that, and took a step back. "Was I putting you in danger by intruding?"

"No. Perhaps if you'd decided to attack me I would have dropped all of Petra's lovely crystal tiles on the ground and broken them. But I doubt you could have harmed me. Thank you for your concern, though. And as to your earlier question, I cannot waste precious time teaching you things that will not be practical."

Prowl looked down. "Very well."

"You are disappointed."

"No, Master."

"Don't lie to me."

"It's just…"

"Impressive?" Yoketron said. "Yes. It is beautiful. I use it primarily as a meditation technique, though that's not what it really is. In fact it is part of an initiation ceremony for the Simfur temple guard, and I often feel wrong using it where there are others around. You will understand if you do ever learn it. Perhaps I would teach you, if we had time. I rarely have the opportunity to teach the technique, and I think you would catch on quickly."

Prowl hesitated.

"What is it?"

"Are you planning on going anywhere?"

"In the near future?" Yoketron asked. "Yes, actually. Sometime in the next few quartexes I'm thinking about borrowing Optimus and taking a trip down to Simfur for a few orns. I'll have to warn you about that if and when those plans solidify. Why do you ask?"

Yoketron had implied that he wouldn't be teaching them for very long. Why? Or maybe he was just talking about needing to train them before the war broke out in earnest.

That was probably it. "No reason."

"Hmm," Master Yoketron said. "Also, you are here nearly ten breems early. That is quite the record, young mech. Was there something that prompted you to leave your other duties and come here before your scheduled time?"

Yes. The reason he'd come. "A message for you," Prowl said. "For security reasons I don't want to say who it's from, but do you know someone designated Kup?"

Yoketron blinked. "Well, yes, I do."

"Apparently," Prowl said, "He's being held captive by the Decepticons, in Kaon."

Yoketron raised an optic ridge. "Oh is he? I wonder what he thinks he's doing there."

Prowl shrugged.

"Who sent this message? Was there anything else?" Yoketron asked. "I know you said you wouldn't tell me. If it truly is a secret, I'll let you keep it. This place is secure, though, if you would like to talk. I'm very curious."

"So am I," Prowl said. "I didn't know he knew you."

"Who?"

Prowl was fairly sure he could trust Master Yoketron. But then again, he couldn't be certain.

"Soundwave?" Yoketron asked.

"No," Prowl said.

Yoketron sighed and looked away. "That's a pity."

"You know Soundwave too?"

"I trained him," Yoketron said. "Him, and Searchlight and Ratchet… also Jazz. Did you meet Jazz?"

Prowl nodded.

"I thought that mechling had so much potential," Yoketron frowned. "But he never used it for anything good… Sometimes I wonder whether I should have refused to train him…" He looked at Prowl. "Was it Jazz?"

Prowl didn't answer.

"I see," Yoketron said. "Are you certain you can trust him? I was disappointed, but not surprised, when he sided with Megatron."

"He did not," Prowl said. "He is in Kaon at great risk to his own spark, and has been sending us crucial information. I don't suppose we know we can trust him, but I would like to think that we can."

Yoketron looked troubled.

"Is there a reason you think we can't trust him?"

"I've seen him on the wrong side of too many conflicts." He shook his helm. "I like to keep track of what my students are doing with what I taught them. He has quite the record."

"I know," Prowl said.

"Yet you trust him. Why?"

Prowl stopped to think for a moment. It went as far back as when they'd been stuck together in that professor's house. Jazz could have abandoned him. Prowl had offered to sacrifice himself as a distraction so Jazz could rescue Perceptor. But Jazz had refused to leave him behind.

"I think I trust him because… I know I'm no good judge of character, but I've seen him put his own life in danger for other mecha. I'm an enforcer. I've observed numerous criminals, and maybe he was one once, but he doesn't act like one now. When he approached me about acting as a double agent for us, he seemed sincere. And it's a dangerous thing he's doing. After all, with Soundwave being a telepath…"

"What?" Yoketron snapped.

"Soundwave is a telepath," Prowl looked up. "You didn't know that?"

Master Yoketron shook his helm, looking even more troubled. "I suppose… it makes sense… now that I think about it… but then if he's a telepath…"

They stood in silence for a few astroseconds.

Then Yoketron sighed. "I see what you mean about Jazz's situation being precarious. This gives me a lot to think about. Can you start warming up by yourself? I need to make arrangements to go to Kaon and see if I can get my brother out of trouble."

"Your… brother?"

"Yes," Yoketron said. "I haven't seen Kup for vorns, but we still have a weak sibling bond—weak enough that apparently I can't tell when he gets himself in trouble..."

"When will you leave?"

"Probably after I'm finished working with the Prime this orn," Yoketron said. "And I don't know if I'll be back by next orn. If you don't hear from me, then assume I'm still busy."

"All right," Prowl said. "Thank you. But… won't going to Kaon be dangerous?"

"I will be fine," Yoketron said. "Now, begin meditating please. I'll be back in a breem."

Autoceptor stood in between the first group of refugees and the dark wall of the cave. Astroseconds ticked down. Twelve… eleven… ten…

Kaltor stood on one side of him, and the shiny-paint noblemech stood on the other side, arms crossed, looking bored.

"We won't have much time," Mirage said. "Just a few breems to get everyone through."

"I know that," Autoceptor growled.

Mirage raised on optic ridge at him. "Do you always have to speak to me with that tone? I am rescuing you after all."

Autoceptor snorted.

Three… two… one…

A groundbridge opened up against the cave wall. Autoceptor took in a deep vent. "All right," he turned to face the anxious crowd. "I'm going through, and I'll be back in less than a breem. Everyone get ready and line up. No pushing, they won't close it on top of us so there's no rush." He turned again and strode toward the bridge. Kaltor followed him, and he wanted to snap at the younger mech, but settled for glaring at the swirling portal in front of him before walking through it.

The other end of the bridge was another cave—this one much more spacious and lit from beneath by glowing channels in the metal floor.

Standing near the bridge were several mecha. Autoceptor recognized one of them from pictures in the news.

"Optimus Prime," Kaltor spoke first. "It's… an honor, sir."

Autoceptor huffed. "This isn't a groundbridge station."

"No," the Prime said. "We commissioned a two-way bridge. Your mecha must stay here for a few orns, until the Decepticons attack. Were we to openly house thousands of refugees from Tarn on the surface streets of Nova Cronum, the Decepticons would discover what we are doing. We cannot risk that."

Autoceptor met the mech's gaze. Optimus Prime had a young, honest faceplate and deep blue optics. He looked away after a moment, and Autoceptor frowned, surprised.

This mech was already not what he had expected.

This mech seemed younger than Kaltor.

The femme standing next to him stepped forward. "We have to get the line moving," she said. "We have to switch the groundbridge to a different destination in a few breems."

Autoceptor nodded. "Kaltor, go back and tell them it's safe to come through."

"But..." Kaltor said.

"Go," Autoceptor said, and approached the Prime and his friends. A large red mech with Iacon Elite Guard insignias on his shoulders took half a step forward, glaring at Autoceptor.

Autoceptor ignored him and faced the Prime.

"Thank you for being willing to trust us and work with us," Optimus said.

"I never trusted you," Autoceptor said. "But we don't really have a choice. You know, you sound older over a comm."

Optimus smiled slightly. "I've been told. It is good to meet you in person, though."

"Yeah," Autoceptor said.

This mech wasn't a politician. He was far, far too honest-looking. Why had the Council chosen him to be their figurehead?

Maybe there were things Autoceptor hadn't understood about the situation. Then again, most of what he'd heard about the Prime had come from Decepticon propaganda. He should have been more suspicious of that.

Mecha started coming through the groundbridge behind him, and the femme who'd spoken earlier went to give them instructions and direct traffic.

"If you remain here, we can speak for a few breems before I return to Iacon," Optimus said.

"I have to get back," Autoceptor replied. "But after all this is done, I wouldn't mind talking. I've… suddenly got a lot of questions about your army."

The Prime nodded once. "I am often busy, but if time permits, I would be happy to speak with you. We need leaders—"

"Prime."

The mech flinched. That was interesting.

"I didn't say I'd join your army," Autoceptor said. "Then again… if this goes well, I will owe you a debt."

And it wasn't as if he'd have anything else to do after this.

The Prime shook his helm vigorously. "No, you don't owe me anything. It is my sworn duty to assist the mecha of Cybertron in any way I can."

Autoceptor followed his gaze to the steady flow of mechs, femmes, and sparklings walking through the groundbridge.

"It'll work, I think." he muttered. "Switching between sectors. Bringing in handfuls at a time from all over the place. So long as you can keep everything organized and no one goes to the wrong authorities."

"My friends are more than capable of keeping things organized," Optimus said. "And I believe this will be easier to hide then evacuating systematically."

Autoceptor nodded. As soon as everyone was through, he'd slip back. These mecha were the first, but there were many more in the central sector of Tarn who would rather not live under Decepticon rule. And he had to stay there until he'd gotten them all out.

Primus, they had really found a way out.

It was too good to be true, and yet… he couldn't imagine this youngling was lying. For the first time since Megatron's intentions toward Tarn had become apparent, Autoceptor felt like the mecha of his city had a chance.

"Something occurs to me," Megatron said.

"There's a first," Jazz muttered.

Megatron glared at him.

Jazz grinned. Slag, I wish Searchlight and I had been friends in secondary school instead of enemies.

"What did you say?" Megatron growled.

"Jokin' around, mech. Ya need ta loosen up a little."

"You will speak respectfully to me." I need him, unfortunately. I can't offline him.

"Whatever you say," Jazz said, leaning back in his chair. "Go back to your monologue."

Megatron shot him another glare, then sighed. "We are missing an element. Pax somehow managed to convince most of the talent of Autobot to follow him. We have primarily gladiators and random mecha off the streets leading us. And you two, of course."

Should I point out that he excluded himself from the list of talent? Nah… as it should be, Right 'Wave?

I didn't react.

"What are you grinning about?" Megatron said.

"I thought of a new poster for putting up around the city. It'll say… "There is no 'us' in Megatron."

Megatron blinked.

"Ya know, cuz ya changed your name and it used ta have an 'us' at the end, but…"

"Would you take this seriously!"

"Okay, okay," Jazz said. "Sorry. You're right. Orion got all the good mecha, and ya're stuck with us."

"Of course, of everyone, I'd pick Soundwave," Megatron said. "And it's too bad we couldn't get Prowl on our side. He would have been very useful…" He frowned. "And then between you and him, Jazz, I'd be driven completely insane."

"Sorry," Jazz said. Sorry, not sorry. It's boring around here. I gotta have somemech ta talk to. Wave, ya're not much of a conversationalist. And it's hard to be friends with Straxus, and Demolishor's an idiot…

"But in any case, I want to start trying to find a way to get a little more talent in our ranks. Who do you know among the Autobots who might defect? Who hates the Council enough that they might be willing to join with us against them? Or who could we bribe somehow?"

Jazz had a name immediately. Wheeljack… pit, why did I… never mind, don't be angry, don't think about it... "How about Wheeljack?"

I looked in Jazz's direction, paying close attention to his thoughts. He was hiding something...

"Wheeljack?" Megatron asked.

"Yeah," Jazz said, feeling resigned, but trying to ignore it by thinking through a plan to find the engineer-turned-terrorist. "He hates the Council if anyone does. And if we promise to find the Institute and destroy it, he might be willing to listen, even work for you."

Megatron was thoughtful. That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea. "Is he currently associated with the Autobots? I was under the impression that he was in a hospital somewhere."

"I don't know," Jazz said. "But I shouldn't think so. I think he's in Praxus or Tagan Heights or somewhere. It shouldn't be too hard for me to find him." Breeze could help me with that, but I don't know if she'd even be willing to talk to me.

"Then find him." It'll get you out of Kaon and I won't have to put up with your insubordination anymore.

"Okay."

"Now."

"What?" Jazz stared at him. He wants me to leave right now?

"Go."

Jazz nodded and got up. "And 'Wave, ya might want ta start looking for the Institute." At least we'll be able ta get that nasty place out of the way. I doubt the Council actually did anything about it, and it needs ta be destroyed.

We watched him leave the room.

"The Institute," Megatron said. "One of the Council's most heinous crimes." I wonder if we can salvage anything or anyone from there. That might be good. Didn't they send members of the Council that they didn't like there? And scientists, obviously, and anymech else they wanted to turn to their own purposes. I wonder if the process could be reversed somehow. There could be some talent there. And even if there isn't, they might have some useful information.

He didn't want to completely destroy the Institute? Did he realize what he was thinking?

Well, he did want to try to reverse the process… save them somehow. At least he didn't want to use shadowplay himself.

"Start looking for it," Megatron said.

I nodded.