"So, let me make sure I've heard right. You say Starscream saved Spike?" Optimus asks, and, this time, Bumblebee can just nod, the human sitting on the table between them looking from one to the other in curiosity. "I… I can't believe it. Are you sure that what you saw was… that?"

"Sir, he just swooped down from the sky for no apparent reason, got to Spike just as the cave collapsed, and when he got out he just dropped him and followed after the other Decepticons. He didn't even make it look like he was trying to kidnap him. If that isn't called rescuing, with all due respect, then I don't know what is." The Minibot explains, as exasperated and confused as his leader.

And then, two pairs of blue optics are on the teenager.

Still covered in dirt from the battlefield, the boy can just give them a sheepish smile, not sure what he can tell them.

If Prowl was in the meeting room with them, he could've been able to explain. Or even Jazz, but the saboteur is in the Repair Bay getting his arm reattached after a lucky shot almost blew it out of his shoulder socket.

So, Spike is alone against the Autobot leader's astonishment and the yellow scout's pleading expression.

Until, of course, the door opens and Ironhide, Red Alert, Ratchet, Jazz, Prowl, Wheeljack and Blaster walk in.

Officers Meeting.

Uh oh.

"So, what was that so important we had to discuss?" The Weapons Specialist asks once they've all taken their place around the table, giving the human on it smiles, respectful nods or searching looks, in the Security Officer's case.

"As I'm sure you all know, the Decepticons, Soundwave and Starscream specifically, have developed a… fondness for Spike." Optimus starts, tone firm despite the instant of doubt, and all visual arrays turn to the boy. "Up until now, it had been simple instances of explaining about our culture and biology, however… Bumblebee, please?"

"Yes, Prime. When Soundwave collapsed at the battlefield due to a Ghost's influence, Starscream purposefully took Spike away because he was 'protecting' him from Soundwave's sonic attack. And in our last battle, while Spike managed to escape the Decepticons' clutches, the cave collapsed on him. I knew I wouldn't be able to get to him in time, but Starscream suddenly swooped down to shield him from the rockslide, and, when he dug him out, he simply let Spike go free before flying away."

"Thank you, Bumblebee. You're dismissed." And, with a small smile to the teenager, the Minibot leaves the room.

"He could've wanted to avoid the attention." Wheeljack points out after a moment, and while both Prowl and Jazz nod, the rest don't look so sure.

"Or he could've simply flown away. If we knew he had Spike, we wouldn't have shot. And if we didn't know, we would've lost time trying to find him before we realized he'd been captured." Ironhide adds, scoffing and fiddling with a small gun. "The fragger is fast enough, even when damaged."

"And he could have simply left Spike to deactivate." Red Alert points out, and the mood turns from pensive to dark. "It would have certainly been the expected reaction. One less trouble for them, and a harsh blow for us. Megatron would have approved."

"But, apparently, Starscream wouldn't." Prowl muses out loud, turning his icy gaze to the uneasy human. "Anything you could tell us?"

And the rest of visual arrays fall on the boy.

"Huh… Well, I asked Soundwave why they were being so… Why they kept telling me things and looking after me." Spike starts, slowly, unsure about what to tell them… and settling for the truth. "He said that they did that because they thought of me as a… newspark."

Startled flashes of white all around, and the teenager finds himself blinking splotches of light out of his sight long after the Autobots have recovered from their surprise and started discussing among themselves in Cybertronian.

"Any specific reason, buddy?" Jazz's voice cuts through the clicking and whirring like a gunshot, and, silent as they wait for an answer, every mech turns to Spike once more.

Slightly worried under all the attention, the human finds himself doubting once more, remembering sitting on Soundwave's knee as they talked about their families and their lost ones, as they soothed each other…

And the simple thought of revealing certain details to the Autobots feels uncomfortable for a completely different reason than when he was uncomfortable with the topics.

Now, it feels like he's betraying Soundwave.

However, there are other things he can tell them without feeling bad for it later.

"He said it was his carrier-creator protocols, and that he had no idea why Starscream acted as he did."

Cue the silence and the uneasy looks exchanged between the Cybertronian.

"Soundwave's carrier-creator protocols consider Spike his newspark? That-That's a security risk!" Red Alert shrieks, throwing his arms up, something that makes the others turn to him but that startles the teenager into jumping out of his skin. "We can't have such a hazardous individual roaming the Ark without extra security!" He adds, slamming his servos on the table as he stands up, and the boy finds himself enveloped by black servos and pulled away from the Security Officer.

A look up reveals Jazz's calming smile and bright blue visor, and the human returns the gesture with enough gratitude to almost melt on his grip.

"Red, mech, calm down before you fry something." Blaster interjects as the Lamborghini starts working himself up into a nervous attack, blabbering about escorts and infrared and who knows what else. "It's not that bad if you think about it."

"Having a Cassette Carrier consider one of his enemies' allies one of his creations isn't not that bad?! You know how they get when it comes to their creations! You are one! Having Spike here will just be an incentive to storm the Ark! Not to begin with whatever Starscream may do too!"

"Red Alert, please, calm down." Optimus orders, voice soft but strict, and, despite his clear tension and almost hysteria, the white and red mech sits down once more. "Yes, this situation may not be ideal, but you have to consider something else."

"What? What?! I've considered all safety hazards and improved measures and—"

"You haven't taken into account what Spike wants." Prowl cuts, as calm as always, and, once more, all optics are back on the human. "If Spike doesn't specify he wants nothing to do with the Autobots, Soundwave will respect that. So far, his only concerns have been during battle situations, and that benefits us all. Not only are we assured that Spike will be looked after even in the event of capture, but also during the chaos of fighting."

"But… but…" Slowly, the pitiful whimpers stop, Red Alert bowing his helm. "I… Yes, I guess you're right… But! Sir, permission to upgrade our defenses? Please?" He asks, turning to Optimus.

"Very well. It won't do us any wrong, so you have my clearance, Red Alert. Just, please, let us know before-servo." The Autobot leader acquiesces, finally calming down the Security Officer with that allowance. "However, that does change things."

"You kidding, Prime? We have not only a slagging Con thinking our ally is their creation, but two." Ironhide growls, the servo around the gun tensing, though the dactyls are kept away from the trigger. "A processor-reading Cassette Carrier and the fastest fragging Seeker in the records."

"Ratchet, any ideas on how this… could be modified?"

"Usually, I'd say they need their sensors checked, because Spike's obviously human, meaning organic. That should've been more than enough for them not to make that mistake." The Medic answers with a grumble, glaring at the table under his servos. "However, knowing that it's Soundwave's carrier-creator programming isn't enough to know what triggered it. Though I'd say it's Spike's obvious lack of knowledge about Cybertronian."

"You sure it's not his cuteness and huggability?" The Head of Special Operations snickers, pulling the human close to his faceplates as if he was a puppy or a teddy bear.

"Jazz!" The teenager exclaims, mortified, as he tries to push away the cuddly saboteur, to the amusement of almost everyone else.

"'Huggability' isn't a word." Prowl deadpans, him and Red Alert being the only serious ones, the rest either smiling or obviously trying not to.

"It is now." The Third in Command answers with a big grin, and, squeaking at the movement, Spike finds himself on the Tactician's servos. "Try for yourself, you can't help but make up new words when it comes to such an adorable and huggable squishy. Ain't he like a photovoltaic pussycat?"

"A what?" The teenager exclaims as the rest of officers, minus Prowl and Red Alert, break down laughing or purring in mirth.

"They're a Cybertronian species of wildlife capable of converting starlight into electric pulses that ranged from painful to pleasant. They were a highly-coveted pet." The Second in Command explains calmly, letting the boy back on the table. "Were did you find a photovoltaic pussycat?"

"I have my methods." Jazz answers with a wink, leaning back on his seat.

"Right. Can we get back to the matter at hand?"

"Sure. I still say that 'huggability' should be an accepted word." Even Spike snickers at that, though Prowl's deadpanned glare soon makes the saboteur hold up his servos in defeat. "Alright, alright. I'll send the correct written forms later."

"Now, what were you saying, Ratchet?" Optimus asks, effectively bringing the topic back, but the damage is already done.

Well, the good deed, actually, for all the officers are far more relaxed than before, Ironhide having even put away his gun.

"Regardless of their motives, I have to agree with Prowl in that this situation is actually an asset. Even if they think Spike's a newspark, that doesn't mean they think of him as their creation, so, while they won't hesitate about protecting and teaching him, they'll let him stay with us and make his own decisions without trying to influence him, or not too much, at least. Nevertheless, you keep checking with us to make sure the data they give you isn't skewered, alright?" And the human nods, more than happy to see that things haven't taken a wrong turn.

"Any objections?" Prime asks, and while Red Alert grumbles under his breath, he seems satisfied with the permission to up the Ark's security. "Very well, then. You're dismissed."

Almost as one, the officers stand up, talking among themselves as they leave the room, though the Second and Third in Command stay back with Optimus and the human still on the table.

"Jazz—"

"Consider it done, Prime."

"Prowl?"

"I'll let you know as soon as I have an appropriate strategy."

"Very well. You can both go too."

"Hey, Spike, where to now?" Jazz asks, reaching for him, but a raised hand stops the saboteur before he can catch him.

"Actually, I have a question."

"For us, or for Prime?" Prowl asks, looking as curious as he usually gets.

"All of you, if you don't mind." And, nodding, the two black and white sit down again while the boy repositions himself to be sitting in the middle, so that he can see all three mechs at the same time.

"You Decepticons aren't as scary as you want yourselves to look like."

"Because that was never our intention."

"You decided to get rid of the corruption. Ratchet told me. How did things turn to… this?"

"By a lot of happenings none of us wanted nor were able to stop."

"Why are you at war with the Decepticons?"

Shocked silence, with Optimus tensing in his seat, Prowl's doorwings jerking up and Jazz's visor darkening.

In his head, Spike curses himself and his curiosity, all the while trying not to curl into himself, not to give into the uneasiness.

"What did they tell you?" Prime asks, voice rumbling as usual, but more like brewing thunder than a comforting purr.

"You guys told me the government of Cybertron was corrupt, and that the Decepticons rose against it, but… I asked Soundwave why did it turn into a war, and he said because of a lot of things they didn't want but couldn't control. That means they don't want a war, right? That they don't want to keep fighting, doesn't it?" The three Autobots look down, almost in unison.

"Yeah, that's what it means." Jazz answers in a whisper, attracting the teenager's despairing look. "But thing is, we can't stop fighting. Neither faction can. Because while no one wants war, not at spark, none of us wants what will come in its absence."

"What does that mean?"

"That while we agree in war, we don't agree in peace." Prowl supplies softly, doorwings still held stiffly though slightly lower than usual. "The war must stop, but we can't agree on the peace that will come. Autobot and Decepticon ideology don't mix, and no one wants to bend to the other. So, as long as we don't choose a peace we can all agree with, the only alternative is war, and to force the other side into submission so that the definition of peace from the winners can be implemented."

"You mean… You mean you guys are fighting because you can't choose to stop?" The boy asks, voice rising in disbelief towards the end, and Optimus finally looks up.

"No, Spike, what we mean—"

"I know what you mean!" He cuts with an angered shout, rising on the table to glare at the three mechs. "So what if both sides don't really agree? Call a ceasefire and meet somewhere to talk about what you want and don't, and the reasons, and work things out! How can you think killing each other may be better?! Ratchet said not all Autobots think the same, but you don't go around hurting each other because of a different opinion! That's why Prowl was sent to the brig!" And the Praxian twitches, his equivalent of a flinch, but Spike doesn't look away from glaring into Prime's optics. "Isn't it the same with the Decepticons? They have different opinions, so what?! Talk with them! Get to know them, see why they do what they do! How can you judge things when you don't really know them?! I have different opinions than yours, does this mean we have to fight because of that? No! We talk! That's why you're explaining things to me, so that I may understand, so that we can all understand each other and work to some kind of truce! That's why Soundwave and Starscream take care of me, because I'm trying! You don't want this war? Then do something!"

The only sounds in the room are the human's pants as he tries to regain his breathing.

And, for what may be the first time ever, Spike doesn't hesitate under Optimus' serious gaze, his blue optics not leaving his dark eyes, the boy standing tall and firm.

"You're a special human. Most of you never tried to understand us, least of all talk with us Decepticons. Just for that you deserve not getting squished."

He knows he's right.

"We understand, Spike, but things are more complicated than that. You have to take Megatron into account. Even if we decided to call a ceasefire to talk, what would assure us the Decepticons wouldn't take advantage of it and deactivate us all? They have used such tactics before, we can't afford—"

"Before when?"

"What?" Prime asks, startled at being interrupted once more.

"When have they used such tactics before? When have they deactivated people during a ceasefire? What where the conditions? Why?" He questions, still serious and unmovable in his beliefs.

"Before the war started, after the meeting with my predecessor, Sentinel Prime. There wasn't a ceasefire because there were no ongoing confrontations, but once negotiations between Megatron and Sentinel were over, and the Decepticons' petitions were refused, they destroyed Vos and Praxus." And Prowl tenses, doorwings vibrating and optics paling in growing rage. "And then, they infiltrated Iacon and destroyed the Senate, only to position themselves as the new government of Cybertron. The secondary and minor Senators and Emirates gathered a counterforce, and we've been at war ever since."

"And you? When you became Prime, didn't you try to talk to Megatron, to stop things?" Spike asks, softer, feeling despair gnaw at his resolve and strength.

"I did. He tried to deactivate me just after telling me that they would destroy all remnants of the government of Cybertron to start anew. Needless to say, trying such a thing nowadays would be futile. Megatron has grown power hungry, as have all Decepticons, and nothing short of complete and utter defeat will be able to stop them." Optimus explains, as calm and collected as always, but with a hint of darkness and sadness in his optics and voice.

He doesn't want the war any more than Soundwave wants.

But none of them has any choice.

"Are you sure you couldn't…"

A shake of his helm, and the teenager sits down again, defeated and as drained as the three Autobots.

"I wish we could find a way, that we could stop all this fighting and talk to get a solution, but you can't reason with warmechs in good orns, least of all during wartimes." Optimus answers with a tired sigh, before standing up. "If you will excuse me, I have work to tend to. Be careful, Spike. Soundwave and Starscream may look after you, but they could be trying to pull you to their side, and Decepticons only care about conquest now." And, with those last words, the Prime goes away, the door hissing shut after him almost too loudly.

"He's wrong." Startled, and slightly hopeful, the human looks up at Jazz, who has a tiny smile on his faceplate and his visor a calm blue. "You can always reason with warmechs, they're just mechs, after all. You just need to know how, and that, unfortunately, is not something many care to learn." He adds, turning to look at Prowl, who gives him an easily visible warm and thankful smile in return. "They don't know what they're missing."

"Most would say 'nothing'."

"Then, 'most' are idiots."

The three of them laugh at that, the mood warming up a bit.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Spike answers after some seconds of calm, getting back to his feet as the two Cybertronian stand up too. "After all, 'different' doesn't mean 'wrong'." Nods, and the teenager smiles again. "Thanks, guys."

"Anytime, little buddy. Though I'm afraid Prime got it right that reasoning with Cons is almost impossible at the moment." Jazz returns, shrugging a bit, as he helps the boy get to the floor.

"Regardless of how much we wish dialogue could be an option, he's right that having such an option open at all times would be calling for an attack." Prowl adds, clearly saddened, though he recomposes himself before they walk back into the corridor.

"I guess you're right. Doesn't mean I like it." Spike mutters, almost childishly, as he walks between the Second and Third in Command.

"Neither do we, my friend." The saboteur sighs, the gesture a bit exaggerated but the words sincere. "But hey, enough moping. How about a topic change."

"Are you guys going to tell me your frame type and models?"

"No."

"Then I have nothing."

Jazz laughs loudly at that, and while Prowl stays serious, the soft canting of his doorwings accentuate the almost unseen smile on his lips.

There may be a war, and there may be no end to it in sight, but as long as they're all together and there's a chance to laugh, there will be hope for a brighter future.

Spike can only wish that he'd be able to see it.

AN: Took me slagging long enough, but here, have a new chapter. I'm blaming Optimus for the delay. The mech doesn't like to talk about the war. Lucky me, Jazz and Prowl came to the rescue, so thanks guys!

Some more questions answered, and I must say I'm really happy with how this chapter turned out. Side note: Red Alert is a funny mech. I like Red.

Qwertzu: Thanks to you for the review! I'm happy you liked that, though, as you can see, not all Cybertronian think Spike registering as a newspark is a good thing XP

Giddy: Aw, thank you so much! But, please, there's no need to read all of it at once, the story won't be going anywhere O.o I'm flattered you enjoyed it so much, but I don't want any of my readers missing on sleep just because of it... I'm really happy to know you enjoy my writing (it can get messy at times :P), and character interactions are always a thing I worry about, so thanks a lot for letting me know your opinion about them. And how couldn't I share it with you all? I am, after all, another of those 'people who can't get enough of Transformers' XP