Title: Defection Rating: K Continuity: Any Characters: Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, ? Disclaimer: Don't own Prompt: 1. The good man is the friend of all living things. ~Mahatma Gandhi
The mech was slammed down in front of the Prime, his knee armor denting with the force of his impact. Hissing, his vents cycled another stuttering draft of air as he looked up at the Leader of the Autobots. One optic cycled repeatedly as it tried to focus through the shattered lens. A thin trickle of energon ran from the corner of his dented lips. In front of the massive Prime, his small frame looked miniscule.
"What is the meaning of this?" Optimus Prime demanded as he rose from his seat in the Rec Room.
"Decepticon," Sideswipe snarled, tightening his grip on the mech's arm.
"Found him snooping around outside the front gate," Sunstreaker added, resettling his gun in his grip.
"I wasn't-"
A loud clang silenced the mech as Sunstreaker backhanded him. "Mute it, 'Con scum."
The Prime raised his hand, waving the Twins back. They went, reluctantly. "Did he fight, Sunstreaker?" he asked.
"No, but-"
"Did he resist capture?"
"No, but-"
"Is there any reason at all for you to treat him as such?"
Sunstreaker glared defiantly back. "He's a 'Con."
"And that gives you the right to hit him? He is an unarmed prisoner who surrendered willingly."
"But-"
"Sunstreaker."
The yellow mech stopped protesting and looked down.
Optimus turned to the Decepticon and regarded him for a long moment. The mech stared back, face impassive, vents stuttering only slightly as a broken fan hitched against something.
"You surrendered," the Prime said, somehow making it a statement and a question at the same time.
"Yes," the mech said without pause.
Raising an optic ridge, the Leader of the Autobots regarded the mech for another long moment. "I am curious as to why."
"Why don't you just ask?" the mech replied, face finally revealing some emotion as the barest traces of a smirk spread over his lips.
"Very well. Why did you surrender?"
Shrugging, the mech tilted his helm to the side and let his smirk fade. "The Decepticons have changed. Megatron has changed. What he once fought for, he now fights against. Better to be captured and... well, I thought it'd be better to get what information I have to you, whatever way possible, and if that means my deactivation, then so be it. I have always been fighting for freedom. For equality. I won't stop now, even if my leader... former leader... has turned against everything he once stood for."
"Quite a speech."
"I've had a long time to think about it."
There was a breem of silence before someone dared to break it.
"You aren't seriously thinking about accepting him into the Autobots, are you Prime?" Sideswipe asked, incredulous.
"I am."
"Why? He's a 'Con! We have no reason to trust him!"
"A good mech is the friend of all living things," the Prime murmured quietly, then turned to the Twins, who were still standing guard over the Decepticon. "All mechs deserve a chance. And what he says is true. Megatron did once fight for freedom. He does no longer."
The two frontliners stared for a long moment, then exchanged a glance. "Fine, Prime," Sideswipe grumbled. "But we'll be watching him."
"I would expect no less," he said before turning back to the small mech in front of him. "You have expressed an interest in joining the Autobots."
"More than an interest, Prime."
"Very well. Go to the Med Bay and have Ratchet give you an Autobot symbol."
"Thank you, Prime."
"What is your name, Autobot?"
Slowly, the mech stood and cycled his vents. "I am Bumblebee."