Yes, I know it has been an inordinately long period of time since I last updated. Unfortunately, pestering me doesn't change real life and the demands it places on me. Good news is the next two chapters (47 & 48) should be out much quicker than a month. The bad news is… this chapter was originally over 19,000 words. So, it got cut in half.
Hopefully, these two chapters will be worth the wait. :)
The orn of the review board hearing came shy of a decaorn after the battle. The delay was necessary for Prowl to complete his investigation and analysis of the battle itself. Though Prowl worked steadily, the delay was it's own form of torture for him. When it was finally time, Prowl was more nervous than he let on as he followed Smokescreen to the briefing room that would be used for that purpose.
While his investigation had initially been met with suspicion and reluctance, his persistence eventually won out. He had started by reading every single mission report and then, for the sake of clarifying important facts, he had carefully questioned every surviving member of the assault force; from the lowest-ranking front-line grunt to Ultra Magnus himself.
It had been Prowl's calm and impartial approach to the questions, the way he stayed non-defensive and would dig for every little detail of their testimony – regardless of whether that detail would look bad on himself – that gradually won most of the mechs' cooperation. In fact, his clear determination to uncover the truth, regardless of where it led, went far to gain him the respect of most of those who had not otherwise had much personal interaction with him… Not that Prowl was cognizant of that subtle development.
Even had he been aware of it, such knowledge would have done little to ease his anxiety as they stepped into the briefing room.
The mechs making up the review board were already present when they arrived. That Board consisted of the Prime, Elita One, Ultra Magnus and Drivetrain. Ultra Magnus was there both as the Prime's Second in Command and as the mission commander. Drivetrain was there as his immediate superior on the mission. He alone had maintained an antagonistic attitude toward Prowl during his investigation. Ultra Magnus had not been antagonistic per se, but he had remained suspicions.
Even though Prowl had known they would be present, seeing them sent a shot of apprehension through his wires and it was all Prowl could do to keep his doorwings from telegraphing that nervousness.
The four individuals on the review board were seated close to each other with the Prime and Ultra Magnus positioned next to each other and Elita One to the right of the Prime and Drivetrain to the left of Ultra Magnus. They took up only part of the round table at the room's center. Smokescreen was waved to a seat only a few meters away from Elita One – the only other chair at the table. Prowl was wordlessly directed to the spot that was directly across from the Prime and his Second in Command. The absence of a chair was indication he was expected to stand.
Drawing himself up to attention, Prowl managed to maintain admirable steadiness in his voice as he spoke. "Reporting as ordered, Prime."
"Thank you for coming, Prowl." The Prime spoke gravely "You know why you are here?"
"Yes, Prime." There was no mistaking the solemnity in Prowl's voice and demeanor.
The Prime nodded. "While this is not a punitive court or tribunal, I am obliged to point out that it could lead to such. Because of that, and keeping in mind that you are still on probation, you have a right to remain silent with the knowledge that anything you do say may be used against you."
"Understood Prime." Prowl answered steadily. He knew he would not be availing himself of that 'right'; his own investigation would provide the bulk of evidence in this hearing; it would be foolish to think silence would help him any.
"Do you have any questions at this time, Prowl?" Optimus asked quietly.
Prowl considered that for less than an astrosecond, then shook his helm. "No, sir."
"Then let us begin." The Prime's words were heavy as he looked at his Sparkmate. "Elita?"
Elita One cleared her vents and consulted a datapad as she spoke, clearly reading a prepared text. "The mission to take and hold the Decepticon mining facility designated Two-Epsilon-Beta in the badlands resulted instead in the complete destruction of said target. Subsequent evaluation of the blast site has shown that most of the energon vein is now tainted and that the processes necessary to make it usable is not practical at this time. Furthermore, fully a third of the mechs sent on this mission were lost with an additional third suffering substantial injuries."
She let that sink in for a moment, then continued. "In addition to that, there is evidence to suggest that the destruction of the target was a decision made independent of the proper chain of command."
Though she looked up at him then, it was obvious she was still reciting an official document. "Now. For the record, Prowl, did you make the decision to destroy the Decepticon base on your own and without consultation with higher commanders?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Her optics narrowed fractionally at his firm but inflectionless answer. "Did you have the authority to make such a decision?"
The answer was just as obvious as the previous one, but Prowl hesitated. Then he dared offer more of an explanation than just a 'no.' "No, ma'am. But at the time, communication and the command structure of the assault team had broken down. A decision had to be made or even more lives would have been lost, so, as the field tactician, I made it."
Her armor shifted so minutely, Prowl was not sure it had actually happened. Ultra Magnus' fingers pressed harder into the table and Drivetrain's engine gave a low growl. The Prime gave absolutely no indication as to what he was thinking and for some reason, that bothered Prowl more than the other two mechs' blatant hostility.
"Do you believe you made the right decision?" Elita One asked after a moment.
Prowl frowned at the question. "It was the strategically correct decision at the time, ma'am. Whether or not it was the right decision is for this hearing to decide."
She frowned back at him, one finger tapping on the pad irritably and Prowl realized his deferential answer had not been the correct one.
She confirmed that with clipped tones. "Surely you have an opinion, Prowl?"
What did his opinion matter here? Prowl's vents flared and he lowered his gaze to the table. "I am still on probation, Elita One, and am guilty of making a command decision I was not authorized to make. My opinion on the ethical correctness of such an action is irrelevant in…"
"Your evaluation of whether or not your behavior is ethical is always relevant." She snapped. "It would be in any case, but especially now, because you are still on probation."
Prowl's gaze had come up to hers at the heat in her tone and he stared briefly at the intensity of her optics. He quickly reevaluated the situation and her question and realized that of course they would be interested in whether he judged his own behavior ethical. If he did, and they found that judgment wrong, it would indicate his ethical programming was corrupted. Instantly, he knew that was something he needed to know himself.
"I stand corrected, ma'am." Prowl dipped his helm briefly as he composed his answer. "At the time I believed the decision to be morally justified because the calculated number of lives that would be lost in a second attempt at the base – as well as estimated damage and lives that would be lost if the mine remained in Decepticon hands – outweighed the casualties we might sustain in destroying it on this mission."
The set of Elita One's armor relaxed. "And now?"
Prowl could not meet her gaze so he lowered it to the table, all the turmoil he had felt the orn of the mission rushing back over him. "Now… I do not trust my evaluation, ma'am."
He was scared, Prowl realized with shock, scared that his ethical subroutines were corrupted and that he would be deemed in need of reprogramming… or otherwise neutralized.
"Explain." Ultra Magnus demanded coldly.
Prowl barely managed not to flinch. "At the time that the decision was made, all evidence indicated that the mission commander and his escort were off-lined. However, when it became clear the Commander was not killed but that he and his escort were simply rendered out of communication, I… I realized how close I came to causing his death and… I… I am no longer sure of my initial assessment."
"Don't you have any confidence in your own assessments?" Drivetrain sneered. "And we are supposed to trust your analysis when you don't?"
Prowl did flinch his doorwings at that, missing the Prime's disapproving look at Drivetrain. A completely honest and open answer here would expose part of his spark to two mechs he knew detested him. Nevertheless, for the sake of full disclosure, which his ethical programming demanded of him, he answered without inflection. "I have never doubted any of my tactical analysis. I still do not. However… since realizing how I betrayed what I claimed to believe in as an Enforcer when I joined the Decepticons… I am no longer confident in that regard."
The silence that descended over them after that was tense. If Prowl had been looking anywhere but at the table in front of himself, he would have seen Smokescreen's pained expression and a hint of the same pain in Elita One and the Prime. All three of those individuals had an idea of how hard it was for Prowl to be so open about his fears.
It was the Prime who finally broke the silence. "Speaking of evaluations: Smokescreen, as commander of the Tactical Division, what is your official analysis of the battle?"
It might have been intended to temporarily relieve Prowl of being the immediate subject of everyone's attention, but that goal was thwarted as Smokescreen directed the request back to the black and white tactician.
"Prowl?" Smokescreen's voice was strained.
Taking in a deep vent of air, Prowl pushed down his internal agony and nodded, straightening his shoulders. He had prepared the report, so he was able to recite the highlights without having to consult a copy of the actual document. Taking a moment he forwarded a copy to each member of the review board and his department commander.
Once that was done, he reached forward and activated the holographic display in the table. "Yes, sir…"
"Wait!" Drivetrain hissed, looking around Ultra Magnus at the Prime. "We are really trusting his analysis?"
Smokescreen straightened, his armor flaring. "As Prowl said, his tactical analysis have never been in question." He looked back at Prowl and nodded. "Go on."
Prowl hesitated a moment to see if there would be any additional objections, but as there were none, he proceeded with his report.
When he spoke, Prowl's voice was perfectly neutral, sounding for all intents and purposes like an impartial third-party. "Initially, the mission was proceeding as expected. Our forces were making admirable progress, even though enemy defenses were substantial. Then, roughly one joor into the battle, Commander Ultra Magnus and his escort were caught in an ambush…"
Prowl glanced at the mech in question as he spoke, remembering how his interview with Ultra Magnus and those in his escort had gone…
… … …
Prowl had found Ultra Magnus in the med bay. After Ratchet had approved of the visit – with a strict warning that if he caused Ultra Magnus to stress his systems, Prowl would find himself minus a doorwing – Prowl had approached the reclining mech with hesitant steps.
Ultra Magnus looked much better, but an energon drip had been inserted into his frame in three different areas. Light cobalt optics watched him as he approached.
Sensitive to the Second in Command's dedication to strict adherence to protocol and courtesy, Prowl stood at attention once he was next to the berth and waited to be acknowledged.
Ultra Magnus studied him silently for the length of a painful breem and then nodded. "I'm surprised to see you here, visiting me after so nearly killing me."
Once he had been addressed, Prowl was free to respond. His voice was strained as he did so. "That is why I am here, sir. I am here to find out…"
"You know," Ultra Magnus interrupted darkly. "This could be seen as an attempt to influence the outcome of the hearing."
That was an act punishable by a prison sentence at best. Prowl cleared his vents, lowering his voice and tucking his doorwings. "This is about the hearing sir. Under orders from my department commander, I am investigating what happened and…"
"You?" It came out as almost an incredulous hiss. "You are investigating yourself?"
Prowl shifted a doorwing. "Not necessarily, Commander. I am investigating the events of the battle and trying to piece together everything that happened. The actions of the on-scene tactician are only part of the hologram."
"And you expect the review board to seriously consider such an investigation done by you?" Ultra Magnus had demanded before grimacing in discomfort and easing back against the wall behind the berth.
Prowl's answer had been stiff but still formal and polite. He had expected resistance. "My report will be comprehensive, regardless of the results." His voice dropped in volume but not in intensity. "You have my word."
Ultra Magnus blinked and it was evidence that he knew of Prowl's ethical programming and how such a promise would bind him. "We will see. Proceed then."
Prowl finally allowed himself to relax faintly, looking at Ultra Magnus though he still did not dare meet his gaze. "Please recount for me what happened as you remember."
"I remember stepping into an ambush that you failed to warn us about. Two members of my escort were killed instantly." His engine was growling as he finished that sentence.
Prowl refused to react to the accusation. Field tacticians tended to take the blame for everything that went wrong on a mission, regardless of whether the fault was actually theirs. He had seen that numerous times in the Enforcer Corps and during his time with the Decepticons and had learned to let it roll off his armor.
Instead, he handed Ultra Magnus a datapad. "Can you please recall the formation you were traveling in and which two mechs were taken out first?"
Ultra Magnus stared at him for a moment and then took the pad. Silently he did as asked before handing it back.
Prowl considered it for a second and then asked. "Do you know where the enemy emplacements were?"
After a handful of astroseconds, Ultra Magnus reached for the datapad again. "From what I could see before I was hit, they were here, here and here… as well as here."
It had not been a congenial conversation, but together they had pieced together as much as possible and Prowl had begun to suspect what had happened, though it was too early in the investigation to know for certain.
Once that was done he hesitated before asking his next question. "Would you feel comfortable giving me your sensory recordings of the ambush location?"
Ultra Magnus' optic ridges had shot up at what he had taken to be an accusation. Then he took his cord out and plugged it into the datapad. "You do not trust my oral report?"
Prowl refused to wince. Ultra Magnus still did not care much for him. But he had known that. He explained calmly. "Of course I do, sir. Often times a mech may miss subtle sensor readings that would indicate a potential problem, especially when the processor is occupied with other activities. I wish to examine actual sensor recordings to see if I can determine what might be learned so as to help avoid such ambushes in the future."
They had concluded soon after that and, after thanking Ultra Magnus for his help and cooperation, Prowl turned to go.
"Prowl…" Ultra Magnus waited until Prowl turned back to him with a polite dip of his helm. "You almost got me killed."
Prowl stiffened. There was no good answer to that. "Sir."
A low, dangerous growl came from the Commander's engine. "As Mission Commander, I will be on the review board."
Prowl nodded. "You are the Prime's Second in Command as well. I know that, sir."
Ultra Magnus nodded once and shuttered his optics. It was a dismissal.
Prowl's next stop had been to question Ironhide. Surprisingly, the large black mech had cooperated readily. The weapons specialist had even been able to provide a number of keen insights that had helped clarify the situation. Interestingly, Ironhide had not even batted an optic shutter when Prowl had asked for his sensory data.
Perhaps it was only because Ironhide had provided a live feed for him on several previous occasions. It never really occurred to him that it might have simply been because Ironhide trusted him and thus believed his report would be honest and unbiased.
Then Ironhide stopped him as he turned to leave. "You know, Prowl… Smokescreen must have a lot of faith in you to assign you to this investigation."
Prowl let himself smile faintly. "That thought had occurred to me, sir."
"I hope you don't disappoint him." I hope you don't disappoint me, seemed to be what Ironhide was really saying.
Prowl's doorwing flinched before he could catch it. "I do not intend to."
Ironhide looked at him for a moment and then nodded. "I would like a copy of your report when you finish it, please. Before the review board is convened."
Prowl nodded. "Of course, sir."
With the exception of Drivetrain, Ironhide and Ultra Magnus had proved to be the extremes of the reactions he received among the rest of the assault team members. Most cooperated willingly but still maintained obvious suspicions, even if they did not voice them as Ultra Magnus had done.
Drivetrain… he had never given up his hostility. In fact, Prowl had ended that interview after only a couple of breems as it became apparent that his attempts to glean information from the other mech were only making matters worse.
Thus, after putting his datapad back into subspace, Prowl had inclined his helm politely to Drivetrain. "May I ask what I have done that has made you so antagonistic, sir?"
It must have been the wrong question. Drivetrain's fists clenched and he stepped forward. Prowl had a moment to fear what was about to happen. His ethical programming would not let him defend himself from a senior ranking officer. The last time Drivetrain had been this angry with him had been when he had escorted Prowl to Iacon with Ironhide after Praxus. Of course, Prowl had not known his designation then.
Thankfully, Drivetrain stopped just within striking distance. "You should never have been allowed to defect. The targeting of Autobot medics alone should have forfeited that right. Livewire…" He shook his helm, stopping himself and Prowl remembered that it was Drivetrain who had taken the shot for the young femme during the battle for Stanix. "You should at best be in forced stasis in some dark holding cell but instead you are standing there asking questions as if you are one of us…"
Instinctively, Prowl had lowered his optics, standing silent as the bulky mech continued to berate him. He did not bother to contest Drivetrain's assessment because he knew it would do no good and because there was a tiny part of his processor – a part that had grown in size within the past handful of orns – that agreed.
Of all mechs, he knew the opportunity the Prime had given him was not one he deserved.
When he was done, Drivetrain just stood there, fuming silently, then he had given an almost violent huff of laughter and shook his helm. It was a dismissal, but instead of leaving Prowl asked a question that had been bothering him with increasing intensity. "If you don't mind the question, sir; if you dislike and distrust me so much, why did you agree to let me be on your team?"
"Because I thought I'd give you a chance." Drivetrain sneered. "But instead you were just as rude and arrogant as the rest of your kind. Perhaps if I had punched you in the faceplate at the beginning of the mission you would have respected me enough to follow my orders."
Prowl blinked, trying to figure out what the mech was basing that statement on. He wanted to contest the unfair accusation but knew doing so would only make matters worse.
Instead he dipped his helm, swallowing his pride. "I did not mean to behave rudely or arrogantly. If that was, in fact, how you perceived my behavior however, then Field Disciplinary Protocol 251 point 34 subsection B, would permit such physical corrective actions as you saw fit."
Drivetrain just stared at him. One of his hands clenched into a fist and he closed the distance between them threateningly. When Prowl merely lifted his helm a fraction to present a better target, the other mech backed off.
"Beh. I've already gone to far." His optics were snapping with anger, though whether at himself or at Prowl the tactician did not know.
Prowl blinked and realized that the other mech was right. He could protest that Drivetrain would not give him a fair hearing. But for some reason – even though logic dictated that would be the wisest thing – he was loath to do so.
"I would have had no basis for contesting legitimate discipline, sir." He said softly. "And the regulations stipulate that immediate supervisors are to be on the review boards of their subordinates except in rare cases." He looked up to meet Drivetrain's optics. " Thank you for your time, sir."
Hardstrike had been his next interview. Initially, Prowl had expected it to go much like his encounter with Drivetrain.
After Prowl had explained the purpose of the interview, Hardstrike had glared at him. "As one of the team commanders, I'm going to insist that they specifically review your culpability in Muffler, Autocad and Shift's deaths."
Prowl stiffened, then he nodded. "That is your prerogative, sir."
Hardstrike had blinked. "And what if this 'investigation' demonstrates that you are responsible?"
Prowl's optics narrowed and his engine revved lightly before he could stop it. "They were following my strategy and my orders. I am responsible. That is not in question, sir. Whether or not it was justified is the issue now."
"And if your 'investigation' shows it wasn't justified?" He demanded.
"Then that is what my report will say." Prowl was absolutely calm, meeting Hardsrike's glare.
Hardstrike studied him and then nodded shortly. After that, the interview had gone as smoothly as it probably could have, as if Hardsrike had just needed the reassurance.
After those three encounters, the rest could have been classified as 'easy.' With each successive interview it became more and more clear. The ambush that had caught Ultra Magnus and his escort unawares was not the only one that had been triggered. Evidence pointed to the fact that, while the activation mechanism had been complex, the weapons had not been finely targeted. Ultra Magnus and the rest of his escort just happened to present a large, unified target, whereas the other front line teams had been comprised of smaller mechs who had been spread out in their line of travel.
The fact that such attacks had been independent ambushes had not been recognized at the time because in the intensity of the fighting itself, they had been perceived as nothing more than unassociated enemy targets. Each had been neutralized independently.
On the Secondary review, it had become clear the ambushes had probably been designed specifically to catch mechs like Ultra Magnus and his escort; larger builds and those traveling in a tight formation. Unfortunately, the Commander and his team fit both parameters…
… … …
… Prowl mentally shook himself free of the memories as he rapped up his report. As he fell silent, the three mechs and lone femme silently considered his words. Prowl waited for the questions he knew were coming, keeping a tight lid on his personal feelings.
Finally, Elita One leaned forward to look more closely at the holographic reproduction of the ambush floating in the air before them. Prowl had highlighted the gun placements and the cross-fire patterns in the set up that had gotten Ultra Magnus in a side by side comparison with the other known attempted ambushes encountered by the other teams. Superimposed on those images were the icons that indicated the formation Ultra Magnus and his escort had utilized verses the standard formations of the other teams.
She looked up at him. "So you are saying that failure to recognize and warn Ultra Magnus of this ambush was not your failure as the field tactician, but strictly an accident?"
Prowl answered stiffly, but still neutrally. "Failure to recognize the ambush was attributable to not having previous experience with that particular ambush structure. Considering the existence of the prototype-jamming device used by the Decepticon assassin who attacked Ratchet, it is highly likely that these ambushes were also prototypes in their own right. In researching the Autobot databases I found that they have not been encountered by any of our soldiers before this battle"
Prowl paused, then continued, speaking quietly. "It is possible that if I had had a sensory uplink with the Commander's escort, I might have been able to detect the ambush in time to warn them."
Elita frowned. "So you are saying that you are not at fault for failing to alert them?"
Prowl hesitated, trying to read her intent. Then he decided it did not matter. He released a vent. "I failed to alert them and lives were lost because of that. That is a fact; one I am not contesting. I do not believe I would have been able to do differently at the time."
"Do you believe you would recognize such an ambush in the future?" The Prime asked calmly, glancing at his sparkmate.
Prowl nodded. "One such as those employed in this case? Yes, I believe so. But we can not afford to make the assumption there will not be additional innovations made by our enemies."
Drivetrain frowned, "Explain."
"Our enemies are not stupid." Prowl said bluntly. "And they know that victory will be harder now that we have a trained offensive tactician. It is only logical that they would seek ways to circumvent that advantage."
Ultra Magnus' engine revved angrily. "Logical? As in; you should have been expecting something like this?"
Prowl's doorwings flicked and, though the motion was abortive, it was almost violent. He started to answer, but Smokescreen cut him off.
"None of us were, Commander." The white and gray Praxian looked hard at Ultra Magnus. "It is hardly fair to pin sole responsibility on one mech when absolutely no one else considered the possibility either."
Prime acknowledged Smokescreen with a dip of his helm. "A good point, Smokescreen. Any more questions on this topic?" There was no response so he looked back at Prowl. "Continue with your analysis."
Prowl cleared his vents and did as asked, adjusting the display to illustrate what he said. "Shortly after Commander Ultra Magnus went down, communications was lost with the rest of his escort, as well as roughly a third of the mechs on the assault force."
He pulled up a topographical map of the Decepticon base and surrounding area, indicating all known Autobot and Decepticon locations. He highlighted a group of Autobots, all clustered around where Ultra Magnus and his team had been.
"These are the mechs who indicated being out of communication with the rest of the Autobot forces, as well as the field tactician. The communication blackout lasted roughly three quarters of a joor. We know from Ratchet, Ironhide and a couple of other surviving members of the Commander's escort that the Decepticon assassin had a prototype jamming device none of our scientists had seen before."
Prowl grimaced. "According to Wheeljack, it was able to block command and short wave comm. signals. In short, only spark-linked communication would not have been affected. However, not all possible transmission avenues were blocked, only the typical communications routes. Wheeljack is currently looking for a way to counteract the effects of the device."
Helms nodded around the table and Prowl sucked in a deep vent of air before continuing. "Unfortunately, the breakdown in communication only added to the confusion on the ground, as orders were no longer making it to the necessary individuals. Interestingly, the transmission technology used for the sensory uplinks used by two team leaders and the field tactician were not completely disabled by the jamming device. Therefore, it appeared to the field tactician that segments of the assault force had simply ceased to listen to his orders and he was otherwise ignorant of the fact a significant portion of the assault team was not receiving his orders."
It might have been unusual that he was referring to himself in third person, but Prowl found it easier to maintain a neutral perspective if he kept his distance from the report and that was the easiest way to accomplish that.
He continued. "Regardless, the end result was that the assets available to the field tactician were dramatically reduced. Furthermore, many of those individuals who did receive orders from the field tactician did not receive confirming orders from their team leader because of the jamming device. A significant portion of said mechs chose not to follow the field tactician…"
"You are blaming the mission failure on mechs not trusting you?" Drivetrain cut him off with a growl.
Prowl stiffened, but continued in the third-person. "After communications was disrupted, only a quarter of the mechs were actually out of contact with the field tactician, yet only a third were responding to orders. When interviewed, 98.32% of those who did receive orders but did not respond to them stated that since the field tactician's orders were not confirmed by their team leader, they did not trust those orders."
Prowl looked back at the rest of the review board. "Based on the available resources, the field tactician acted in the only way available that would prevent the Decepticons from retaining possession of the target."
"And that action nearly killed the Mission Commander and his escort." Ultra Magnus said coolly.
Prowl's doorwings twitched at the icy glare that was pinned on him, but he still answered in neutrally clipped tones. "Yes sir, it did."
Drivetrain drummed his fingers on the table and then looked at the Prime. "Prowl also repeatedly ignored the fact that I was his commanding officer and would abandon his place in the formation. He also went so far as to question my orders."
The Prime considered that for a moment and then looked at Prowl. "Is this true?"
"There were times when having to manage the entire battle required that I reroute processing power to my tactical and battle computers." Prowl admitted softly. "At such times, my ability to maintain my place in formation was compromised."
"He endangered my entire team!" Drivetrain exclaimed, pointing at Prowl.
Smokescreen snarled, his engine growling irritably. "The entire point of a protection detail is so that if he needed to focus more on the overall battle, they could defend him; just like the medics. He was never intended to be part of a front-line combat formation."
Drivetrain leaned forward to glare at Smokescreen around the Prime and Ultra Magnus. "He was assigned to my unit, under my command. No one ever told me he would be a liability!"
Prowl could not stop a minute flinch at that, but did not respond as the statement had not been directed at him.
Smokescreen leaned forward as well, glaring right back. "He was assigned to your unit for his protection. He was placed under your command to protect him, not to be made into a grunt soldier."
"But he was still under my command." Drivetrain insisted, optics narrowing.
"His primary function in that battle was as lead tactician." Smokescreen shook his helm and then turned his attention to the Prime and Ultra Magnus. "If he had to make a choice between fulfilling that function or maintaining his place in Drivetrain's formation, he chose right to fulfill his function, Prime."
"I do remember that Prowl protested the command structure of the mission when it was first decided upon." Optimus said softly. "But this was the structure the field commanders were most comfortable with."
Drivetrain growled again. "So, he was covering his own aft. He never intended to follow my orders."
Prowl blinked, realizing Drivetrain had a paranoia subroutine that could give Red Alert a run for his credits.
Optimus looked calmly at Prowl. "Is that true?"
Prowl looked at the Prime, initially feeling a stab of hurt that the Prime would even feel the need to ask such a question. Then he realized the Prime was actually giving him a chance to refute the accusation.
"No Prime, it is not." Prowl replied firmly. "I gave the warning because I predicted a high probability it would lead to confusion."
There was a strained silence as Optimus continued to study him and Elita One and Ultra Magnus exchanged looks.
Finally Drivetrain spoke again, his voice calmer as he regained control, his voice dangerously intense. "One third of the mechs sent on this mission died. I do not trust his testimony. He was a former Decepticon and is still on probation. He has a vested interest in not being found culpable. I believe the authenticity of his statements as well as his intentions and motivations should be confirmed."
Prowl stiffened, but said nothing as the silence grew even more strained. Finally, with clear reluctance, Optimus broke it. "We have one member of the Board requesting a processor scan."
Ultra Magnus was studying Prowl, the tactician could feel the intensity of his regard even if he did not see it as he had dropped his gaze to the table. The Commander spoke next. "The entire assault team knows he is standing before a review board. I cannot help but think their concerns would be allayed with a processor scan because of his status as a former Deceptcion. If he is validated, then it will also help them gain confidence."
Optimus blinked at his Second in Command, but was hiding his own feelings expertly. He looked at Elita One, inviting her comment next.
The Femme Commander did not speak for a long moment, then she glanced down at the table before looking back at her sparkmate. "As much as I don't want to, I understand where my fellow commanders are coming from."
She looked at Prowl. "Were you not a former Decepticon or still on probation, I would not agree that such a step is necessary. I am sorry, Prowl."
Prowl ducked his helm in silent acknowledgement and appreciation and then looked up at the Prime, feeling his leader's optics on him again.
Optimus met his gaze for a long moment and then looked down, venting heavily. Then he met Prowl's gaze again. "Prowl, you have heard the wishes of the majority of the review board. While as Prime, I have the authority to overrule their request in this matter, you understand why I am hesitant to do so?"
"I do, prime."
Optimus hesitated a moment. "I am willing to consider any objections you may have. Please keep in mind anything found in such a scan could lead to official charges if indicting evidence is discovered and you have the right not to incriminate yourself."
Prowl considered the Prime, understanding what he was attempting to do. Then he shook his helm minutely before ducking it respectfully. "I appreciate that, Prime. While I do not enjoy the personal violation of such a scan, I know I am still on probation and as such I agreed to submit to any scan deemed necessary. Any objections I might have are nullified by that fact alone."
Optimus considered him a moment and then nodded, gesturing to his temple plating to indicate he was using his comm..
Several moments later, Jazz walked into the briefing room. The silver mech paused just inside the door, surveying the room. Then he walked to stand next to Prowl.
"Ya asked ta see me, Prime?" He asked with what Prowl recognized as forced nonchalance.
"You know the reason this review board is convened?" Optimus asked calmly.
Jazz nodded once, sharply, "Yes, I do."
Optimus hesitated another moment and Prowl saw the regret flash in the Prime's optics then it was hidden from view. He spoke with intentional formality. "The majority of the review board has decided that a scan is necessary to confirm Prowl's intentions and motivations during the mission, as well as the authenticity of his conduct during the subsequent investigation and his statements during this interview."
Jazz just stared at the Prime, not missing the fact that he had said 'the majority' not 'we'. The silver mech's stony gaze was borderline accusatory, even through his visor. His armor flared at the parameters he was being given to search for. It was not a mere confirmation of facts, but an investigation of personal motivations and feelings… a much more invasive procedure just by the nature of the subject matter.
Jazz knew just how such a scan could lay bare a mech's spark, how much trust was required to let another have access like that. It was not fair to Prowl, as it would make the disparity between them even greater than it had been before. He did not want to do it to Prowl, not again.
But the Prime continued to meet his gaze without flinching, just as firm and stubborn as the saboteur. But Optimus had the power of his authority as Prime and Jazz felt that authority now. It did not occur to him at that moment that his insistence that Jazz be the one to perform the scan was as much for Prowl as anything else, in that a stranger would have been worse.
At length, Jazz deflated, looking aside.
He knew the pressure the Prime was under. Even he had to admit the benefit it would be for Prowl in the future for such a scan to confirm his actions. Slowly, he nodded, "Understood, Prime."
Reluctantly, Jazz turned to Prowl. It took every ball bearing he had to lift his gaze to the tactician's. "Prowl?"
Prowl looked down at him and their gazes locked. In that moment each understood the other in a way that transcended the need for verbal communication.
Prowl nodded. It was acknowledgement and permission, and then returned his gaze to the front, meeting Ultra Magnus' optics briefly. Simultaneously, he slid aside the cover protecting his dataport. This time there was no positioning himself meekly or submissively. Jazz knew he would not fight the scan; there was no need for otherwise useless displays of body language.
Prowl continued to stand straight and tall as Jazz slid his cord into place. While Prowl managed not to wince as the connection was made and Jazz synched with his processor, he did see Ultra Magnus glance uneasily at where Jazz's cable was now plugged into Prowl's port.
Aware that everything he said would be part of the official record of the proceedings, Jazz spoke softly, "I'm sorry 'bout this, Prowl… but… you heard what they are looking for."
"I heard." Prowl answered equally soft; calm resignation. Then the tactician highlighted the appropriate pathways and lowered his firewalls.
With another resigned ex-vent, Jazz started the scan. /I'm sorry this keeps happening… every time we start ta be friends…/
/There is no reason for this to interfere with our friendship, Jazz./ Prowl replied in kind, though he continued to stand rigidly proud… even if he did feel Jazz's momentary surprise that Prowl would still claim him as a friend after this.
As if in answer to his amazement, or perhaps simply to explain his earlier statement, Prowl continued, /You are doing your job, I understand that.../ Prowl hesitated and then continued, an unexpected hint of shyness filtering through the hardline connecting them. /Since it had to be done, I would prefer it be you who did it./
Jazz blinked at him and then transmitted his silent appreciation before focusing entirely on his scan of the files Prowl highlighted for him. He proceeded as gently and as carefully as he could and yet, knowing Prowl's aversion to such procedures, maintained as fast a pace as possible.
As the scan continued and Prowl's demeanor and posture never waivered – his increasing discomfort only displayed in the progressive droop of his doorwings and the tightness around his optics – and the others began to take notice. Ultra Magnus shifted in his seat while Drivetrain became noticeably uncomfortable. Elita One first stared in disbelief and then slowly grew more thoughtful. Smokescreen was both worried and slightly smug while Optimus kept his reaction carefully hidden.
/Way to keep the pressure on, Prowler./ Jazz smirked in the purely mental realm of his transmission.
Prowl snorted air through his vents, /You misunderstand my intentions/
Jazz transmitted the equivalent of a mischievous grin. /Whatever. Keep it up./
Prowl glanced down at Jazz then, one optic ridge quirked in a subdued smirk of amusement. That expression, at least within the context of the situation, nearly creeped out Ultra Magnus and Drivetrain.
"Prime," Drivetrain finally spoke, one hand trembling faintly before he pressed it to the table's surface. "Considering the circumstances, perhaps back up is appropriate…"
Before Optimus could answer, Prowl had pinned Drivetrain with an icily neutral and yet somehow appropriately respectful gaze. "There is no need to stop or delay the scan now; Jazz is almost finished."
Jazz smirked, snorting air through his vents in a short laugh, but he did not stop his scan. "He's right. Less than a breem now."
Looking between them, Elita One suddenly seemed to realize something. She nearly snorted air through her vents as well, though her face remained serious. Her optics, however, danced with sudden mirth. Ultra Magnus merely appeared unnerved.
"You are handling this well, Prowl." Elita One noted, her optics dancing with untold calculations.
Prowl dipped his helm smartly in acknowledgement and he spoke with absolutely no inflection. "I have had enough of these scans done since coming to Iacon that the sensation is no longer as… disruptive as it might otherwise be."
Drivetrain shifted uncomfortably at that reminder while Ultra Magnus looked down at the table. Even Elita One grew somber at the reminder of how many times Prowl had had his privacy violated in such a manner.
Prowl studied her, suppressing a grimace as the pressure in his processor continued to build. "My apologies, ma'am. I did not mean to cause you discomfort."
"Why the pit not?" She snapped, her optics blazing. "Most defectors aren't subjected to as many scans as you have been."
Prowl allowed a tight smile, aware that his ability to communicate at all was irrefutable proof that Jazz was not fragmenting him in the slightest, which in turn was proof he was not resisting Jazz at all.
The tactician dipped his helm, though this time some of his internal stress made it into the edges of his voice. "However, it is also true that most defectors are never trusted with as much influence and authority as I already have been."
When Ultra Magnus, Drivetrain and Elita One just stared at him, Prowl continued, focusing on Optimus' sparkmate. "The Prime warned me at the beginning that I would be subject to more stringent suspicion and supervision."
Prowl felt Jazz's mix of irritation and grim amusement across the connection and glanced down at him, cocking an optic ridge.
Jazz shook his helm. "Sometimes, I wish ya weren't so fragging logical."
Prowl cocked both optic ridges and Jazz realized he had spoken out loud. He wanted to slam his helm into the armor on Prowl's arm but Prowl let the corner of his lip plate twitch upward. "If I were not as 'fragging logical' I would probably be far more perturbed by this whole situation."
Suddenly, not caring about their audience, Jazz felt a rush of relief that Prowl was still relaxed enough with him to let his dry sense of humor peek out of the subspace drawer he kept it hidden in most of the time in public… ever since Ultra Magnus had dressed him down in that staff briefing. "I'm in your head, remember? Ya are already quite perturbed."
Prowl grimaced, ducking his helm a fraction. "True."
Jazz laughed outright as he finally withdrew and pulled his cord out. He took a moment to organize his report and then transmitted it to all the members of the review board. He glanced at Prowl one final time and then looked at Ultra Magnus and the Prime.
"Prowl's decisions – all of 'em – were made in good faith. As was his investigation and his testimony here. He truly believed tha Commander had been killed when communications was lost and was horrified ta learn the Commander was alive and that his own actions mighta resulted in his death. His intentions were ta do tha best he could with horrible and deteriorating conditions. And, my personal opinion…" Jazz glared at Ultra Magnus, "… is that he did a pit of a lot better than any of tha rest of us woulda done in his place."
Tension laced the condemning silence that followed.
Finally, Optimus broke it, nodding dismissal to the saboteur. "Thank you, Jazz."
Jazz returned the gesture and turned to leave, putting a hand briefly on Prowl's arm before stepping away. The silence that descended in the wake of Jazz's departure was heavy.
With a weary sigh of air Optimus looked around the table. "Are there any more questions?" When no one volunteered any, he looked back at Prowl. "Then it is time to deliberate. Prowl, Please excuse us for a few breems."
"Yes, Prime." Prowl turned and slipped out of the briefing room. Smokescreen stood and followed.
Prowl stepped into the corridor and stopped so suddenly that Smokescreen ran into his shoulder guard with a quiet 'oof.' Lightly jolted out of his shock by the impact, Prowl looked back at his department commander an murmured an apolgy.
"Don't worry about it." Smokescreen rubbed at the spot on his chassis Prowl's shoulder guard had dented. "You got a lot on your processor."
Prowl looked fully at Smokescreen and the two shared a moment of silent communication. Then Smokescreen offered a weak, encouraging smile. "Things'll be okay. You'll see."
Then Smokescreen left. Prowl watched him go then turned cautiously to face Ironhide, who's unexpected presence was the cause of his earlier shock.
The large black mech was standing against the far wall in a relaxed parade rest. Prowl had been so focused on his testimony before the review board he had neglected to maintain awareness of what was going on outside the briefing room. Was Ironhide here to act as security in case the review board ruled against him?
Hesitating mid-step only an astrosecond, Prowl joined the bulkier warrior, standing next to him.
Ironhide nodded to him. "Prowl."
Prowl returned the gesture. "Ironhide."
Prowl waited for Ironhide to do something: slap him into stasis cuffs, put a retraining hand on his shoulder… something. But the big black mech just stood there, looking back at the door Prowl had just come through.
As the silence stretched, Prowl decided to ask. "Why are you here, Ironhide?"
Ironhide glanced at him and smiled ruefully. "I'm scheduled for my own review board after they are finished with you."
Prowl blinked, his expectations toppled. Why had he not considered that a possibility? He knew the regulations. Everyone with a senior leadership role in that mission would face a review board unless the hearings of higher ranking mechs made it unnecessary.
Interpreting his incredulous expression, Ironhide nodded toward the closed door of the briefing room. "Technically, when Ultra Magnus went down, I was in command of the mission." He grimaced. "A function I failed to perform."
Prowl stared, shocked that he had been so self-absorbed as to have forgotten that fact. For a commanding officer to not be in command carried potentially devastating personal consequences. But, remembering the communication blackout that had caused him so much processor ache, he grimaced.
"There were extenuating circumstances…" The tactician began.
"Regardless. You know the regulations." Ironhide cut him off.
Prowl took an astrosecond to review the appropriate regulations again and realized Ironhide was correct. The review board itself was required, even if that review board ruled that no fault was found. If the review board chose to not accept those extenuating circumstances… No wonder Ironhide had requested Prowl's more detailed evaluation of the battle. He knew commanding officers were held to a high standard in Autobot ranks and that dereliction of duty was a serious charge.
Briefly Prowl wondered if he had unintentionally made matters worse for Ironhide. He looked away, feeling immeasurably akward. "I am sorry…"
Ironhide waved negligently. "Eh. Not your fault. Regulations are regulations. I was leading our forces during the safe-house fiaco, and it happened then too."
Prowl grimaced, ducking his helm. He had been deemed at fault for that as having generated the plan, even though he had been no where near the command center during the assault itself. He remembered Jazz' fragmentation of his processor because of the false accusation. And yet… Jazz had scanned him again this time – and with an admittance of responsibility – and the saboteur had gone out of his way to be as gentle as possible. Just as he had promised what seemed so long ago when Jazz had first apologized for fragmenting him.
And, Prowl realized with a start, he had never doubted Jazz would keep that promise this time.
For a moment, Prowl marveled how things had changed in his relationship to Jazz and, by extension, the rest of the Autobots in general. Well, most of them
It was clear he was not one of them yet, not entirely, but the progress he had made was undeniable.
Pit, the fact he was standing there under his own power rather than locked in a prison cell was proof enough.
At his prolonged silence, Ironhide looked at him closely. "Frag. You got the dirty end of the exhaust port that time. Sorry to remind you of that."
Prowl glanced sidelong at the bulkier mech standing next to him. Ironhide had been one of the most antagonistic against him that orn. If the black mech had been commanding the troops during that botched mission, that suddenly made more sense.
"I survived." Prowl tried to sound unaffected, but it came out stressed.
Ironhide grimaced, looked startled. "You did not expect to?"
Prowl looked away. "Considering what I was accused of… if the Prime had not accepted what Jazz took from my processor… I knew my chances were slim."
"But…" Ironhide turned to face him more fully. "But you accepted responsibility…"
"I was given very little choice." Prowl's doorwing shifted the tiniest amount. He wanted to change the subject.
It was Ironhide's turn to look away. He cleared his vents. "Yeah. It's amazing you ever came to trust us to be fair after that." His gaze sharpened, snapping back to Prowl. "Unless you haven't…?"
Prowl's doorwings flinched.
Thankfully, the door slid open in silent demand and invitation; one Prowl knew he could not ignore. He looked quickly at Ironhide, speaking quietly. "I am aware of my status. Keeping that in mind, I have been treated with equitable fairness."
The tactician started to step forward, but Ironhide stopped him with a hand to his arm, looking very serious. "No, Prowl, I don't think you are aware of your true status."
Prowl cocked his helm fractionally, puzzled, but Ironhide withdrew his hand. Confused, but knowing he was expected, Prowl forced his pedes to take him back to the review board.
… … …
A quick survey of the faces that greeted Prowl when he resumed his place before the review board told him almost nothing. Each member was hard to read and no one seemed particularly pleased.
Noting that with a growing sense of dread, Prowl came to a stop and straightened to attention.
Optimus Prime addressed him after a few seconds. "Thank you for your patience, Prowl. Before we continue, let me say that your analysis of the battle was extremely thorough and insightful. It did not escape our notice that you in no way tried to shield yourself. We applaud such impartiality, honesty and attention to detail."
The Prime dipped his helm, followed closely by Elita One and Ultra Magnus. Drivetrain likewise followed suit, even if a touch more reluctantly. Prowl returned the gesture with a formal, stiff half-bow and dropped his gaze to the Prime's chassis. He said nothing, knowing such a compliment was only a forerunner to something far less pleasant.
As if knowing he could not delay the unpleasantness further, Optimus released a vent and looked at his sparkmate, "Elita?"
The femme somehow managed to straighten further. Just as before, she read with the cadence of one reciting a legal document. "It is clear that you did, in fact, make a command decision outside of your authority."
There was a pause as she watched him shrewdly. "However, it is also evident that the chain of command was broken at the time. Based on that, while recognizing the necessity of decisions needing to be made, the Board has ruled that you did not go far enough in seeking the legitimate senior ranking officer before making unilateral command decisions."
She paused again, studying him. Prowl kept his gaze on her respectfully, outwardly calm and steady, though it felt like the floor was tipping under his pedes. Resolutely, he clamped down on his emotional core, refusing to let himself glitch.
Prowl forced himself to nod.
After a moment, she continued. "We see no reason to assign blame to the successful ambush of Ultra Magnus' escort anywhere but on the Decepticons who staged it and are pleased steps are being taken to reduce the likelihood such ambushes will succeed again."
Faintly relieved, Prowl's tension wires eased. He nodded his understanding again.
"We also recognize that, at times, your primary function as field tactician conflicted with that of combat soldier. The majority of us believe you chose correctly to assure the greater good and that you did the best you were able, under the circumstances, to honor both roles." A faint smile touched her optics.
Now almost light-headed with relief, Prowl nodded a third time.
Elita One grew more somber. "Finally, while the high number of casualties might have been unavoidable given the events that transpired, and inasmuch as that is the case you cannot be held liable. Nevertheless, we do find that for three mechs in particular – Autocad, Shift and Muffler, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility that they died primarily because you did not work hard enough to establish a proper line of authority."
All of the fledgling hope which had sparked started to flicker and die. They considered him personally responsible for three deaths. The three who had been caught within the blast radius when Prowl had refused to send them assistance.
Elita One was watching him carefully. "That said, we also acknowledge that more lives would have been lost had you sent them help as Hardstrike demanded and that your made the correct call in that instance."
He understood. His failure in their optics was not that the situation deteriorated, but that he did not follow the chain of command to the best of his abilities. That was why he considered responsible for those three deaths. Not because he did not send them assistance, but because the sacrifice of their lives might not have been necessary had he managed to work through the proper chain of command.
In the heavy silence that settled around them, Prowl worked hard to keep his outward appearance calm as he waited to learn if their findings would lead to an actual court-martial – a court-martial he knew he would not survive as a former POW who was still on probation.
The tactician remembered repeated threats that if he did anything to break their trust, he would end up right back where he started. Would that still be the case?
As if sensing his thoughts, Elita One continued. "The Board does not believe that this situation merits a legal tribunal as all actions were taken in good faith. However, some corrective action is necessary…" Her face contorted faintly with distaste but smoothed back into a professional mask as she continued. "…to firmly impress upon you the importance of following the chain of command in any circumstance as well as the importance of preserving life and that such is the underlying reason for all rules of engagement."
Prowl blinked, sure he heard Ultra Magnus' influence on the way that last bit was worded.
The Femme Commander was still studying him closely. "If you are willing to accept administrative punishment, the matter will be dropped once the sentence is complete and no black mark will remain on your record. Your other option is to appeal to a full tribunal."
Prowl considered that in silence, suddenly understanding the tension in the members of the review board. The case against him proving true legal responsibility for those three deaths was almost non-existent. The same went for the claim that he did not follow a chain of command because, with the communications black out, there had been no chain of command. It was not a legal judgment they wished to make, but an ethical one.
It hardly seemed fair to be punished for such a seemingly trivial thing, but Prowl was honest enough with himself to admit he had only put a token amount of effort into trying to find who had legitimate command before he had jumped in. And a 'lack of respect' for those in authority over him was one of Ultra Magnus' pet peves.
Demanding a tribunal would hardly show he had learned that lesson.
Elita One gave him a few astroseconds to make his decision and then asked him, "What say you, Prowl?"
Prowl cleared his vents, letting his frame adopt a subtly more submissive posture. "I accept the ruling of the Board."
An aura of nearly palpable tension in the room evaporated in the wake of Prowl's murmured statement. Armor plates shifted and settled and Prowl knew he had not only made the right decision, it had not been the one they expected him to make.
Elita One looked at Optimus and received a small nod. She looked back at Prowl. "Administrative punishment will be as follows: barring emergency or injury you will spend one night in the brig and, starting now, you will be on reduced energon rations for one quartex. Adherence to the reduction in energon rations will be on the honor system, subject to random system scans by Ratchet if requested by any member of this Board."
Prowl only stared. That was little more than a light tap on the wrist gears.
Belatedly, he realized they were waiting for him and Prowl dipped his helm "Understood."
"Smokescreen will be notified and arrangements will be made for Bluestreak." The Prime lifted a datapad and handed it to him. "Take this to Inferno and he will take it from there."
There was a silent apology and plea for understanding deep in the Prime's optics; a clear distaste for the role he was having to play. It fit what he had already learned to expect from the Prime; a mech that did not like to cause hardship for others. But he also knew there was something more going on here; the unspoken apology was the Circuit Su student speaking to his master.
Prowl bowed his helm, answering both spoken instructions and unspoken plea as he accepted the datapad. "Understood, Prime."
The Prime's armor relaxed over his shoulder. "Dismissed."
Prowl straightened to attention again and spun on his heel struts with a clipped, "yes sir."
Ironhide was still waiting in the hallway. The big black mech smirked at him. "See, you survived." Then he grew serious. "Now, lets see if I do."
The door opened again and Drivetrain joined them. Ironhide was senior to Drivetrain, so the cobalt mech would not be sitting on his review board.
Drivetrain glared briefly at Prowl and then nodded respectfully to Ironhide. "They are ready for you, sir."
Ironhide nodded and walked past him into the briefing room. A second later, the door swished closed behind him.
Drivetrain turned to pin another glare onto Prowl. "Why are you just standing there?"
Prowl stiffened. "Excuse me, sir."
The blue mech stepped aside, nodding once. Without waiting any longer, Prowl walked past him. Once he was half way to the lift, he pinged Inferno to find out the security mech was two corridors over.
It did not take him long to find the bright red mech. When he did it was to see Inferno and Wheeljack bent over a security monitor that had been pulled out of the wall and was in a state of disassembly… or reassembly. He was not entirely sure.
Inferno looked up at him and smiled, nodding to the piece of equipment. "Wheeljack found a way to upgrade our internal sensors to pick up a cloaked spark signature. We are rigging a few test stations."
Wheeljack nodded, looking up with a bright grin. "Been working on it since Ravage got the Twins."
Prowl stepped closer to look at it more carefully, though more out of politeness than true understanding of the technology. "Impressive."
Wheeljack cocked his helm, a hopeful look crossing his optics. "Maybe you'd like to help. Maybe?"
Reluctantly, Prowl shook his helm. "I would like to. Unfortunately, I am here on other business." He looked at Inferno. "I was instructed to deliver this to you."
Prowl held out the datapad and Inferno blinked curiously and then took it. He straightened as he read it, glancing from it to Prowl and back. His demeanor changed, becoming more subdued and hesitant. "Right. I'll be back shortly, 'Jack. Prowl, come with me please."
Prowl followed him silently to the lift, infinitely grateful Inferno had not made a big show of this in the crowded hallway. Of course, the roster of brig occupants was public record… as were the reasons they were there.
Neither mech said anything as the lift descended to the detention area. It was not until they stepped off, the overwhelmingly barren nature of the stark halls stretching before them, that Inferno broke the strained silence.
"Um… well, this is going to be a standard lockdown for exactly one orn."
They walked past the hallway that led to the interrogation cells and proceeded to a different set of cell blocks finally stopping at a terminal manned by a smallish yellow and blue mech. Inferno connected the datapad Prowl had given him to the terminal and typed a few things into it then presented it to Prowl again.
"Please confirm your identity." Inferno asked quietly.
Prowl placed his palm on the screen and let his EM field flare briefly, imprinting the energy signature on the pad. Then he was following Inferno into the cellblock to a cell about midway down the corridor.
Once there, the security mech started to reach for the controls at the base of his neck, but he hesitated. Prowl slid aside the armor panel without needing to be asked. Inferno gave a low, grateful ex-vent and made quick work of disconnecting Prowl's communication systems. Then he stepped back, giving Prowl room and gestured the tactician into the cell.
Prowl stepped into the open doorway and turned to face Inferno.
Inferno took another half-step back, looking uncomfortable. "Um… it says you are on restricted rations so… you won't be receiving any tonight. That is… assuming you had energon this morning. If not…"
"I have." Prowl assured him.
"Right." Inferno shifted his weight. "So… You'll be out in an orn. Unless you cause a problem."
"Understood." Prowl told him.
Once he was left alone, Prowl examined the cell. While barren, it was a vast improvement over his last stint in the detention area.
It was only large enough to fit one mech his size comfortably. There was a lone berth taking up the back wall and just enough floor space that he could transform into his alt mode if he chose. The back wall, with the berth butting up against it, was the only solid wall in the cell. The other two walls and the entrance to the cell were force fields. It was a low security block, the former Enforcer realized; designed to hold the occasional troublemaker, not hardened criminals.
Were he not alone in the entire cell block, he would be able to see and speak to his immediate neighbors even if he could not use his comm.. That said, he still had access to his subspace and his weapons.
Definitely an improvement… luxurious even… compared to his last experience.
The steady ache in the back of his processor – one that had been growing since the beginning of his hearing but which he had ignored – suddenly spiked as all the emotions he had fought to keep subdued during his review board suddenly threatened to rush over him again.
With a huff of air through his vents and a shake of his helm, Prowl pulled a datapad out of subspace and sat on the berth. There was still work he could do; he would not waste time.
But just as he sat on the edge of the berth, the pressure became too much and, with a faint clicking sound Prowl's abused emotion core and command center had enough and blackness enveloped him.
Alright. Part of the delay in getting this chapter out was because I was also finishing up the promised one-shot for the 1,000th review. It is going to be called "Field Trip" and will be posted soon and takes place during the events of the next chapter (chapter 47). I also promised a surprise in honor of this story reaching its 1 year anniversary and I was working on that too. That 'surprise' will be called "Redemption." So, keep an eye out for those two. :D
