The highly unexpected revelation resulted in a wave of urgency crashing into everyone who was present to hear it. Before long, the conference room is overtaken for the day. Security cameras, off. Guards, outside the room. Entrance, limited. Currently, only 6 individuals are inside: Bumblebee, Steeljaw, Ben, Rook, Max, and Khyber.

Bumblebee stood beside Steeljaw, who was lying down, once again not feeling well. They kept a short distance away from the other four occupants. Max, Ben, and Rook stood in a semi-circle in front of Khyber, who lounged back rather nonchalantly in a chair with one leg resting atop the other. His hands, bound by shock manacles, lay flat in his lap.

BEN: "Okay, Khyber, spill. How do you know about their home planet?"

The teenager pointed over to Bumblebee and Steeljaw, but Khyber didn't need to look. He knew who Ben was talking about. He tapped a digit and hummed, either annoying his interrogators on purpose, or is genuinely trying to think of the best way to answer.

After an infuriating few minutes of nothing…

KHYBER: "Well, I would say it starts with that Lockdown fella."

MAX: "How did you two meet?"

KHYBER: "If you're asking me which of us ended up in which dimension, it would be the same as what these ones went through…"

The hunter trailed off as he eyed the Cybertronians.

KHYBER: "Except for the obvious."

BB: "You're saying that Lockdown retained his actual form?"

Khyber didn't need to say anything. His silence and intense gaze were more than enough. Bumblebee sighed and shook his head.

KHYBER: "Anyway, I was intrigued. I never saw a ship like his before, so I thought I would have a little fun. We engaged in a fight, but after realizing we had a lot in common, decided to let bygones be bygones. We had a drink and showed off our trophies, holding conversation mostly the entire time."

BEN: "Are you going to get to the point anytime soon?"

ROOK: "Ben."

BEN: "What? He's taking too long!"

KHYBER: "Not very patient, are we?"

Ben grumbled something under his breath and crossed his arms. Rook placed a reassuring hand on his partner's shoulder, while Max glared at Khyber. The hunter took a breath and returned to position.

KHYBER: "We eventually did get onto the topic of how Lockdown ended up in this universe. He said it might have had something to do with a new device he received from a business acquaintance of his."

BB: "What kind of device?"

KHYBER: "Don't know."

BB: "What about its function?"

BEN: "Dude, if he doesn't even remember what it's called…"

KHYBER: "Hyper-galactic teleportation, if I'm remembering that correctly."

The others were startled by the interruption. Khyber closed his eyes and chuckled.

KHYBER: "And since Lockdown's a fellow hunter, I don't believe I need to tell you why he wished to acquire such a device."

BB: "I am fully aware of such actions, which I would much rather not think about, thank you very much."

Much to Bumblebee's relief, Khyber didn't make a comment, but his seemingly ever-present grin did leave him unsettled. Looking for comfort or reassurance or just something familiar, he reached out to the one closest to him. He felt Steeljaw tense under his touch, then immediately settled down.

BB: "So, did he succeed in getting home? Back to his own universe?"

Khyber pondered over the question for a minute.

KHYBER: "Honestly, I don't know. He got his device working and teleported away, but whether he actually made it back is something that I couldn't possibly tell you."

The answer wasn't exactly what they were hoping for…

But the possibility is there!

ROOK: "What I am wondering is how Lockdown managed to get his device working again. Surely any missing or damaged component for an item from a different dimension is next to impossible, if not completely so, to find here."

"You find the next closest thing and work with what you have."

Everyone turned to see Kevin, Gwen, Moonracer, Knockout, and Starscream standing in the open doorway.

KEVIN: "So, care to tell us what's going on?"

GWEN: "Kevin."

KEVIN: "And why is he out?"

The young man points at Khyber, eyes narrowed and body tense. The newcomers weren't sure what's going on, but it was clear as day that Kevin holds a grudge towards the hunter. The latter, however, couldn't possibly care less. His calm, collected demeanor remained the same.

KHYBER: "Simply offering some insight to your guests' predicament is all."

All late arrivals looked at Max or Bumblebee questioningly. Max sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, while Bumblebee motioned for his team-mates to join him and Steeljaw off to the side, and out of the way of the drama unfolding before them.

MAX: "We just learned, not that long ago, that Khyber knows about Cybertron, has even met an inhabitant of the planet."

Silence fell.

It took a few minutes for someone to restart the discussion.

KHYBER: "Well, now that that little tiff is over and done with, shall I continue from where the young osmosian correctly left off?"

The teenagers had to do a double take.

BEN: "Did Khyber just agree with Kevin?"

KHYBER: "He made a valid assumption, and he happened to assume correctly. Now, may I continue?"

Ben and Kevin were about to retort…

ROOK: "Yes, please. Apologies for the constant interruptions."

Rook glanced over his shoulder.

ROOK: "We are still in the middle of an interrogation. Your personal problems with Khyber will have to wait until afterward."

Thus, the arguing ceased, and all attention returned to Khyber. Some hostile, but all quiet.

KHYBER: "Continuing on, then. As has been made relatively clear, Lockdown needed a new part for the device to work. While I enjoyed his company, neither of us wanted to share hunting rights. Besides, this is my dimension, and he had personal matters to attend to back in his dimension."

BEN: "Let me guess, you made a deal with him?"

Khyber chuckled, taking great amusement out of bothering the hero.

KHYBER: "I get the part, he gives me anything of my choosing from his collection."

Ignoring shudders from the Cybertronians, the Plumbers kept pressing on with their questions.

ROOK: "Where and how did you acquire the part?"

Khyber huffed, sounding both amused and irritated, as if he was recalling a difficult time that presently makes him laugh and think What the hell was I thinking?

KHYBER: "It wasn't easy, I can assure you of that. The required item isn't something you'd see on the open market, in any galaxy. Trust me, I looked just about everywhere I could think of."

Ben's team looked uncertain, exchanging glances with each other, brainstorming what Khyber could possibly mean. Still, the Cybertronians remained silent and unmoving.

KHYBER: "Ah, wait, I nearly forgot."

All attention was immediately back on the hunter.

KHYBER: "After acquiring the item, I suggested that Lockdown add a few precautions. You know, to make sure he didn't completely obliterate himself or his ship on the way out. He argued that his ship could manage, but then again, he was no fool. He told me which parts he needed for an upgrade, so I went to the autoshow and bought everything on the list."

The blank stares he received from the Plumbers told him that they didn't believe him.

BEN: "When you say bought, you mean you actually used money and paid? No thievery?"

Khyber's smirk fell, and instantly snapped out a reply.

KHYBER: "Believe it or not, hunting wasn't just for personal pleasure. While I can take care of myself, sometimes I would need things that I could only get from others. Unfortunately, most of what I did need on the rare occasion, was in the possession of someone who wanted money, not services rendered. I had 3 choices, only one of which applies to my way of doing things. I carried out a few contracts, received what I was owed, paid for what I needed, then went on my way."

Everyone was a little taken aback by the outburst, specifically the Plumbers. Khyber has never had such a reaction before, they didn't understand why he was taking the subject so personally all of a sudden.

Khyber exhaled out of frustration, then leaned back in his chair, attempting to act as if nothing happened.

KEVIN: "Good, he's quiet. I believe that means we're done."

MAX: "Not yet."

The man's voice stopped Kevin from leaving, and caught the attention of everyone else. They all looked at Max, who was staring at Khyber. The hunter didn't move an inch, waiting anxiously to hear what's to be spoken next.

GWEN: "Grandpa, what is it?"

Max hummed, expression turning grim. He looked around the room, mind split between his family's feelings, and the emotions that are undoubtedly causing turmoil within the Cybertronians.

As much as Max hated it, he knew he had to make the right choice. He faced Khyber and said…

MAX: "Khyber, in exchange for helping us build a machine that will send the Cybertronians home, I will personally see to it that your prison sentence is shortened and grant you early parole."

The immediate backlash from Max's family was expected. Khyber and the others could only sit where they were, also shocked by the answer, but not to a point where they felt like joining the argument. Not that any of them had a say in the matter.

The commotion eventually died down, and everyone more or less reversed to civility.

MAX: "Okay then, now that that's over with…"

He once again faces Khyber.

MAX: "What do you say, Khyber? We have a deal?"

The hunter's gaze never shifted from Max, thinking the whole thing over. Determining his situation, weighing the pros and cons of his options. Planning ahead, theorizing what the future may hold depending on what choice he makes.

Just as Khyber is about to make his decision, something else comes to mind. He averts his gaze and allows a small smile to form. He relaxes his posture, as if a great weight has just been lifted.

KHYBER: "Your offer is one I would be a fool not to accept…"

BEN: "I sense a 'but' coming."

Khyber chuckled.

KHYBER: "However, if I am to take this deal, I have one request of my own."

Kevin was about to protest, but Gwen stopped him before he could do anything.

MAX: "And that would be what, exactly?"

KHYBER: "My ship…"

He never got to finish, let alone give an explanation.

BEN: "I knew it! I called it! Didn't I call it or what?"

ROOK: "You did not call it. You never even made a bet in the first place."

BEN: "Sometimes I hate it when you pay attention."

Rook shrugs, wearing a sheepish smile.

KEVIN: "No way! He's gonna want to go on his ship and see it one last time, but of course he'll find a way to escape! We'd just be giving him a way out!"

KHYBER: "Maybe if you let me finish…"

MAX: "Everyone, calm down!"

GWEN: "Seriously, guys, quit it!"

The Plumbers continued to argue among themselves.

Khyber gave up trying to get a word in edgewise, instead opting to wait it out.

As for the Cybertronians…

MR: "You guys might want to cover your ears."

The males need no further context and promptly do as directed. Once assured that she won't destroy her team-mates' eardrums, Moonracer musters up her 'mom' voice and snaps.

MR: "STOP ACTING LIKE IMMATURE YOUNGSTERS AND SHUT UP BEFORE YOU MAKE ME DO SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE ALL GOING TO REGRET MUCH SOONER RATHER THAN LATER!"

That diffused the conflict quickly and efficiently. While Khyber isn't pleased about being on the receiving end, he is grateful that the female Cybertronian was able to stop the arguing.

KHYBER: "Alright, before the unnecessary bickering restarts, I want my ship here, in this building, under lock and key, far away from anyone or anything else. The last thing I want is for someone to take my ship and use it."

There it is again; Khyber acting out of a personal need to defend himself.

BEN: "What, afraid you'll lose your trophies?"

KEVIN: "Or that your ship will be sold for scrap?"

ROOK: "Sounds like something you two would have in common."

KEVIN: "Don't go there, Rook."

GWEN: "Guys."

Her warning tone silenced them. She, like Max and the Cybertronians, noticed something off about Khyber. He seemed tense, his aura radiating mostly aggression, as well as the tiniest bit of depression, or at least something close to it.

KHYBER: "That ship is my home, has been for most of my life, and the Null Void be damned if you think I'm going to let some ingrate anywhere near it, let alone set foot in it, because let me make this perfectly clear right here right now that that is never going to happen."

The Plumbers took a wary step back from the deadly threat. Khyber wasn't toying with them. He will kill anyone who dares try to take his ship and all of its belongings away from him. Yes, he is in prison, but that ship rightfully belongs to him. If anyone tries to lay claim to it, then they will find themselves brutally murdered.

Khyber is already in enough trouble. He doesn't need to add homicidal maniac to the list.

MAX: "Alright, alright, you win. I'll send out a team to retrieve it and bring it back here. We'll start working tomorrow, so I suggest you make a list of what we need."

KHYBER: "How can I trust you to actually bring in my ship?"

MAX: "Do you want to see it up close and personal the second it arrives?"

KHYBER: "And go inside. Have to make sure everything is in order."

MAX: "Very well, then."

Khyber smirked, his mood lightening. He leaned back and exhaled.

KHYBER: "Pleasure doing business with you."