-Personal Log: Entry #002-

It didn't take long to recharge my field dampers. Rhinox just hooked me into a machine that he called a "CR Chamber". (See Attached) No more than twenty cycles later, I was as strong as ever and ready to be imprisoned.

Okay, I'm exaggerating. I was only confined to quarters for the night. But I'd never been so bored in my life. They didn't even give me a book. I suppose they might have if I'd expressed a desire for one, but I wasn't really in a position to be asking for more favors.

The next morning, Optimus introduced me to the rest of the team, with the exception of a scout unit called Tigatron, who apparently prefers to live in the wilderness.

Optimus then gave me a guided (or supervised; take your pick) tour of the ship, which I learned was an exploration vessel called the Axalon. The layout of the ship was quite straightforward. (See Attached)

Optimus was kind enough to remain in beast mode for the tour, rather than battle mode, but I could tell by the way he looked at me--ever alert, always cautious--that he was ready to contain me if I started something. The tour ended with me being put back in my quarters again.

"You'll have to wait here until we decide what to do with you," Optimus said.

Permission to speak frankly, sir," Nightshade replied in smart military fashion.

"Granted."

"Until I'm reformatted for this planet, I really don't care where you put me, as long as it's not back out there." Nightshade entered the room. "But this is a nice place you got here."

"I remember the hotels back on Cybertron were better."

"They were nice too, but once you learn to look past commercials, you realize that nothing is better than what you have. People just paid other people to make it look flashier. This room has everything I need as a Maximal soldier, and nothing I don't need. So apart from the lack of decor, it's perfect."

"Well, that's good to know. And as far as reformatting goes, I understand. Rest assured that whatever else happens, you will be granted some manner of protection against contamination."

"Thank you, sir."

"And there's no need to call me 'sir', Nightshade. Feel free to call me Optimus--or, if you prefer, it seems I've earned a few nicknames from the rest of the team. You could use those, too."

"I respect chain of command."

"And I appreciate it. But everyone here is equal, with his or her own ideas and opinions. If circumstance permits, I listen to all of them."

"Then listen to this: As a newcomer, I feel I am everyone's subordinate. And until I earn the trust of my new comrades, I am no one's equal. You are the exception."

"Why is that?"

"Regardless of how much I am trusted, I will never truly be your equal, because you lead the team. And since it seems to be all the same to you, I think I'll stick with 'sir' for now."

"Well, that's your choice." Optimus stepped away, and the door closed and locked.

Nightshade scoffed inwardly. Locked. What a joke. He could've just punched through the door, no problem. The metal was so thin, he could hear all the way to the bridge, where Optimus was starting the discussion about him.

"You're all free to speak you mind on this matter, so don't hesitate," Optimus said. He, Rattrap and Dinobot were in beast mode, while Rhinox and Cheetor were in robot mode.

"And, uh, where are Stripes and Feathers?" Rattrap asked. "This is big, and they should be part of it."

"Airazor is trying to bring Tigatron in, even as we speak. But we shouldn't waste any time." Optimus turned toward Rhinox. "You checked Nightshade's CPU ID?"

"For all the good it did. I was able to confirm RVG version three point one as a registered Autobot soldier by that name, from the time of Rodimus Prime. As an infiltration unit, he was an invaluable informant for raiding parties, playing a moderately large part in quelling several Decepticon uprisings at the source. Like all Autobots, he had access to his choice of available weaponry. But very few other details are given, so it wouldn't be difficult for anyone with his skill set to pass as him, in order to spy on us."

"Which could easily become a problem, if we let him stay," Dinobot cut in.

"Well, you know I hate to agree with Pred-head," Rattrap added, ignoring Dinobot's annoyed hiss. "But he has got a point. We can't afford to take chances here. I say we cut this guy loose and be done with him. Otherwise, we're all gonna die."

"Hang on though," Cheetor objected. "To send him off would be a risk by itself. There's no telling how much info Megatron could pump him for, even this early. And suppose he is who he says he is. Rhinox, you said he had his choice of weapons. Think about it. If we could get some of those weapons on our side..."

"You make a good point, Cheetor," Optimus said. "Rhinox, you said 'version three point one'. What became of RVG numbers one through three?"

"I'm not sure," Rhinox replied. "Judging from what I've read, RVG went through a series of upgrades. RVG three point one might or might not be the same unit as the original RVG. Either way, he's more powerful than the original."

"And can you tell us how powerful he is now?" Dinobot asked.

"I collected his system scan from the CR Chamber, and I've got an estimate," Rhinox said. "But I don't think you're going to like it. His basic superstructure mirrors that of a ninja-bot, but he has a lot more kick in him. His firepower rivals yours, Optimus. And while his armor isn't as tough, he more than compensates with his speed. He's small for an Autobot, but he's no less dangerous than a full-sized one."

"Then, if this 'Autobot' decides to turn on us," Dinobot surmised, "it could take several solar cycles for us to salvage each other. Assuming Megatron would give us the chance."

"I knew it," Rattrap said. "We're all gonna--Hold on a cycle. 'Autobot'? That's impossible. Autobots ain't been around for almost three stellar megacycles. At the very least, he'd have to be seriously ancient."

"Not necessarily," Rhinox said. "Remember, the transwarp drive can go through space and time. If we're in the past, it could be his present."

"So, what? We check the history banks, find out if he was the same guy when he started out?"

"I already did."

"And?"

"Well, that's where we hit a bit of a glitch. According to the history files, Nightshade became version three point one the day he defected, discarding his old name." Rhinox paused to let that sink in. "It didn't say who he was or what he did before he became Nightshade, but I do know one thing. For all his upgrades, version three point one was the only Autobot. Up until then, Nightshade, whoever he was, was a Decepticon."

"Quiet! Quiet!! QUIET!! QUIET!! QUIET!!"

It had taken a full fifteen cycles for Optimus to restore a semblance of order to the group, but that finally did it. Although, if they remained in the room, it probably wasn't going to last for very long.

"Why'd you have to tell us somethin' like that for?" Rattrap asked.

"You asked the question, and I answered it," Rhinox replied.

"And you reacted the same way to that as you do to me," Dinobot added. "If you didn't want to know, you shouldn't have asked."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Rattrap said dismissively. "Fine. So since we can't radio home about this, what do we do about it?"

"I'll take it to the source," Optimus replied. "I'll ask Nightshade to make his case, and we'll see what we can do about it. Clear?"

Everyone nodded.

"Prime."

-End Chapter Two-