Chapter 4: The Decepticon

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"OUT OF ALL THE IRRESPONSIBLE AND FOOLISH ACTS YOU COULD HAVE PERFORMED THIS IS A FEW SPACES BELOW LETTING MEGATRON IN TO SHOOT US ALL!" Red Alert screams out loud.

Optimus is currently in the command center with Red Alert, Prowl, and Ironhide, with Elita 1 and Ultra Magnus on the video monitor.

"Red Alert! I understand and agree with you, but you are speaking to not only our superior officer, but also a Prime. Control your emotions or I will remove you from this meeting" Prowl replied, glaring at Red Alert looking exhausted.

Red Alert takes a deep exhaust "I apologize commander, I let my emotions take over, but I must ask, why?"

Optimus leans back in his chair, annoyed and stressed. After Terminus arrived he was instantly detained and put into a holding cell. Optimus just wanted to leave this meeting and let him out but he understands everyone's frustrations, he just doesnt want someone to suffer more.

"Understand something, I was not trying to hide this and I apologized that I did. I did not expect him to show up. That was never what we agreed on."

"Nonetheless Prime, you did hide it." Ironhide stated. He has his arms crossed with an attitude of annoyance and anger. "If it was anyone else Prime we would lock them up with the con down there!"

Prime looks at Ironhide pained before relaxing and responding. "I know how it looks, Ironhide but you must understand. Terminus, no matter what you all believe, is NOT a decepticon. Ultra magnus, you were right beside me during the battle of the well. You saw just as well as I did what Terminus did for us."

Ultra Magnus's sigh can be heard through the com link. "Optimus is right, if it wasn't for what Terminus did. Prime, Bumblebee, and myself wouldn't be here today. Terminus is not a decepticon any more." Optimus smiles under his faceplate as his old friend, while Red Alert looks annoyed and taps his ped.

"But!" Ultra Magnus says "He is still responsible for crimes, some of them might include murder for all we are aware. Contacting him is at least suspicious."

Optimus hesitates and nods "You are right, but I contact him privately for his own safety and ours". Prowl and Red Alert raise an optic at that.

Optimus looks over at Red Alert "I knew when I found his comlink code you would want to launch a hunting party for him. Terminus is a resourceful and clever mech. There's a high chance of casualties if you did so. I didn't want to add any risks so I contacted him personally when I found it."

Red alert takes a second to process that "That sounds more like an excuse ...but I probably…would have done that so I understand but that's not fair reason Optimus. How would you feel if I called Roller!"

"...Thats…fair Red Alert…" Optimus sighs, understanding just how hypocritical he was. Roller is very similar to Terminus as he also betrayed Megatron but if someone knew where he was… .

"I understand, I apologize for my behavior and will submit myself for a trial, but that will have to wait until after we settle on a new colony."

Red Alert relaxes and smiles, Prowl then gives a nod while everyone else in the meeting nods

"Thank you Optimus, I agree to wait as well" Red alert admitted "Now that we dealt with that, what do we DO with the con?"

Everyone looks unsure, before Optimus begins " I understand everyone's reservations but I will stand firm in my belief we NEED Terminus for the mission. We don't have any experience with mining in our ranks and the best person to be incharge of the project has to be someone who has been down in mines and knows the limits of a mech."

Everyone looks at each other. Red alert and Prowl look conflicted before finally Elita-1 speaks up.

"I stand with Optimus's decision and choose, it may have been the wrong way to do it but he's right".

Magnus then speaks up next "I trust Optimus's judgment in this as well".

Everyone around the table nods, Red Alert does look reluctant but eventually he backs down.

"Alright, I'll let the co- Terminus out of his cell. But he will be under guard and in status cuffs around others in the base and on the mining site unless his hands are needed, agree?"

Everyone else nods, Optimus relaxes and leans back a bit, he's not happy at the cuffs but he won't fight it, he knows Red is just trying to do his job.

"And" Red Alert continues "I'll ... .drop the charges against you Prime, as long as you agree to one thing."

Optimus looks at Red Alert confused but signals him to go ahead.

"I want your permission to personally teach and help the new sparks when we awaken them. I want to make sure they are up to any task we request of them" Red alert finishes

Optimus is taken back by this request and his first reaction is to deny him but he considers the offer and replies. "...I accept your terms under the stipulation that Hound joins you".

"Hound?! Why him?" Red Alert looks taken back and confused.

"I eventually want these sparks to have a normal life and Hound is the best mech to teach them about life."

Red alert hesitates but nods. "I accept your terms, Optimus."

Optimus nods, Red Alert and Ironhide then leave the room, leaving Prowl and Optimus with Ultra Magnus and Elita on the view screen.

"Well, this is quite the mess you pulled Optimus!" Elita says, giggling a bit

Optimus lets out a chuckle before getting a glare from Prowl. "Indeed it was, but I stand by my choice, this way was less messy and got better results."

Elita nods her head, then Ultra Magnus speaks up." Now that that's out of the way, what did you want to discuss with us, Optimus?"

Optimus braces himself, he knows this will be another difficult conversation.

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Sorry this chapter seemed to end suddenly, I decided to cut to make it on schedule and to stop it from dragging on but I promise the next chapter won't be too short!