This story is inspired by "Deception Analysis" written by PrinceBbu on ArchiveOfOurOwn, where the Autobots discover that the cons had started writing theses. I'd link the original, but I do not know if those are allowed, so you'll have to search for it.

I will keep the romance that was started there, and I have no intention to change it as I have no right to.

All rights belong to Hasbro, and I own none of these characters.

"So what are we going to do about this?" Jack asked. He was still shocked that the Cons had written theses at all. The fact they would even take the time to, or even consider, writing theses for humans to read was almost impossible to imagine.

"Why, we should inform Agent Fowler and have these taken down post haste!" Exclaimed Ratchet. A reaction that seemed to surprise none of those present.

"I agree with Ratchet, whatever the cons are planning with these. It can't be anything good." Arcee chimed in, agreeing with the Doc. Bumblebee paused a bit, unsure if he should speak before doing so.

"I- Is there any reason to do that though?" Ratchet and Arcee whipped their heads at the young scout, shocked by what he had said. Their reaction confused Jack and Miko, the humans who couldn't understand him.

"You know, I kinda agree with Bee. They don't seem to be doing anything harmful. Why not just let them be." Jack and Miko immediately understood what Bumblebee had said and looked at each other, unsure what to think. Arcee, meanwhile, was in a heated discussion with Bulkhead about not trusting cons and how many times they had fallen for their traps before. Optimus, in deep thought, continued to stare at the screen. Smokescreen, who had been silent till then, spoke up. Interrupting the argument, or rather one-sided yelling, between Arcee and Bumblebee.

"What do you think Optimus?" The others, hearing him, quickly turned their attention to their leader. Feeling the attention on him, Optimus took a deep breath, a habit he had picked up from their charges, before responding. He hadn't yet made a decision. He was torn between two sides of him that conflicted. A younger part of him that used to be Orion Pac was ecstatic, but the older part was skeptical. It was no secret that he believed and wished for the Decepticons to change and leave their cause. And for a moment, he wondered if this was proof of his conviction. Optimus turned to look at each of his team members, noticing that Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack were on patrol before speaking.

"Until we have more information regarding their motives. All we can do is ask Agent Fowler to monitor them." He spoke softly, pausing for a moment before continuing. "But if the Decepticons are changing under the influence of mankind, then we should perhaps stand by and let them be." Everyone paused at the last statement. They all knew that Optimus hoped the Decepticons would abandon their cause. But for the other members of Team Prime, the very idea of forgiving the Decepticons after everything they had done was difficult to process.

"Woah, so we're just gonna let the Cons keep writing?" Miko jumped in and asked. Optimus paused for a moment before nodding.

"Indeed, Miko, we can't deny the Decepticons the right to speak. Like your first amendment, it is not our place to silence them." Miko fell into deep thought, a rare sight for the excitable human girl. Raf took the chance and asked a question.

"What if they're going for a cultural victory?" The others turned towards Raf, expecting their young companion to clarify further. "You know, like how in Civilization games you can achieve Cultural Victory by spreading your ideas and thoughts to other empires. It's making other empires like your own and conquering them without force." The explanation only served to confuse Arcee, Bulkhead, and Ratchet further. But the question sent Optimus further into thought. He couldn't allow mankind to be controlled by the Decepticons.

"I don't think that's what Megatron's doing Raf. It would take too long and would have no guarantee of success." Jack spoke up.

"Yeah! Not to mention! Not enough explosions, and they destroyed our town!" Miko exclaimed, bringing up a point that even Optimus had to agree on. A slow, silent, calculated move with no promise of success was not something that Megatron would have ever chosen. It was something he'd expect from Soundwave but not Megatron.

"If they aren't trying to take over Earth, what are they doing?" The hangar fell silent as everyone began to think about Arcee's question when Jack broke the silence with a suggestion.

"We could just ask them like last time with the Nemesis and Dark Energon." Everyone stared at Jack, shocked by his suggestion. Arcee, recovering first, broke the silence.

"WHAT!?" Arcee shouted, anger and shock visible on her faceplate. "You can't possibly expect them to talk to us, Jack!" Jack, flustered at her outburst, responded.

"I- I never said they had to know who they were talking to. You could pretend to be human!" Before Arcee could respond, Miko jumped in and cut her off.

"So we're gonna con, the cons? Suh-weet! I knew you had it in you Jack-Rabbit!" Miko exclaimed before punching him in the arm, causing the boy to grunt in pain. The others, meanwhile, fell silent, pondering over Jack's suggestion. Smokescreen, however, was confused by what Jack had meant by 'last time' and gave him a questioning look. To which Jack told him that he'd 'tell him later' and brushed it off.

"I suppose posing as human academics would be a good cover to gain intel on their intentions. But there is no guarantee they would spill the-" Ratchet paused, searching for the right word. "-beans. As you would say."

"Indeed, Ratchet, while there's no guarantee of success. I believe Jackson's suggestion would be our best course of action." The Prime smiled softly as he spoke. He had been impressed and proud of the young human's growth and maturity. However, the events with Smokescreen worried the Prime that perhaps he had matured too fast, something he'd have to discuss with Nurse Darby.

"Optimus, there is still the issue that none of us are experts on these topics. I could perhaps deal with Knockout and Shockwave with Nurse Darby's help, but the others are beyond my and the other's area of expertise. Not to mention none of us are familiar with human culture and etiquette." Optimus smiled at his old friend.

"Then, old friend, we'll have to rely on our human allies." Optimus said as he turned to the three kids, to which Ratchet sputtered, miffed at the thought, before accepting it quickly.

"Very well, I'll call Agent Fowler and Nurse Darby." The bitterness was still present in his tone, but he trusted his old friend, and the humans had proven reliable on many occasions, though he was reluctant to trust the adults. Optimus smiled as he watched his old friend get to work. He had been worried about his roughness when the kids had first joined them, but he was glad to see him soften due to the presence of the kids. Turning to the others, he began to assign duties.

"We can leave Shockwave and Knockout to Rachet and Nurse Darby, but they'll need assistance. Smokescreen, see if you can help them with Knockout. I'll also need you and Agent Fowler's help with Starscream." Hearing that his idol needed his help, the young cadet immediately stiffened and let out a stuttered yes to the other's amusement. Optimus turned towards Ratchet briefly.

"Ratchet, when Wheeljack returns from patrol, he'll help you and June with Shockwave. And inform him that he'll be dealing with Airachnid." To which Ratchet nodded, not bothering to respond, too busy with the call. Optimus turned towards Arcee and Jack. He was hesitant to assign any extra responsibilities to the young boy. But with the town damaged and the KO Burgers closed, perhaps it would be fine.

"Arcee, Jack, I leave Predaking and Dreadwing to you." Optimus turned to the small boy at the computer and decided to remember the boy's intelligence. "Raf will help you with Predaking. While Ultra Magnus can help you with Dreadwing." The duo nodded at his request, but Optimus could tell they were confused that he had chosen this task for them. But it seemed Jack realized why as his face lit up a bit.

"Bulkhead, can you interact with Breakdown over construction?" The giant green robot grinned and accepted the role.

"Miko, can you help me with Soundwave? While I am confident in dealing with political science, I need a music expert to assist me." Miko, hearing his words, immediately jumped at the chance. Proud beyond all doubt that Optimus had called her a music expert. Much to Ratchet's chagrin, who muttered something about scraping metal, which Miko didn't hear over her excitement.

"Except for Miko and Smokescreen, who will interact with them using their interests, all messages will be vetted by Ratchet, Nurse Darby, Wheeljack, and Raf to ensure we do not reveal who we are." The others nodded at the appointment, and with their roles assigned, they split up and began to read through the theses of their assigned Decepticons.

Soundwave (Political Science and Music) - Optimus/Miko

Starscream (Military Tactics and Personal Gain) - Optimus/Fowler/Smokescreen

Airachnid (Chemistry) - Wheeljack

Shockwave (Biology (only Bio mentioned in one-shot) ) - Ratchet/Nurse Darby/Wheeljack

Knockout (Medical Anthropology, Medicine, and Cars) - Ratchet/Nurse Darby/ Smokescreen

Predaking (Anthropology/Archeology) - Arcee/Jack/Raf

Dreadwing (Poetry) - Arcee/Jack/Ultra Magnus

Breakdown (Construction) - Bulkhead

Megatron (Leadership/Inequality/War) - ?

So this is how I plan to assign them to their roles and what I imagine Megatron's thesis might be about. Yes, Megatron discovered the group's secret and submitted his own thesis. (Yes, it's out of character, but it is hilarious, and I'm going for it.)