William Lennox POV

I saw Optimus come out of his office along with Prowl and the Soundwave bot. Hide's told me a lot of really bad things about that bot, which is why I don't see the reason for him to be trusted the way he is. Optimus is a good person, don't get me wrong, but sometimes it seems like he is far too trusting of others. He likes to see the best in people rather than their faults. Maybe that's why almost everyone seems to like him. I know Autumn is scared of him for some reason, but the other person that doesn't like him, doesn't appear to like anyone! Then again, Galloway is a jackass, and I don't really care if he likes me or not.

All three bots walked out of the hangar, and I followed them to see what was going on. The first thing that caught my attention was the VIP chopper setting down on the helipad. An unannounced arrival could only mean one thing… and it wasn't good at all!

Galloway got out of the chopper before the rotors finished shutting down, and even from about two hundred yards away, I could see a pissed off look on his face. I knew right away that he was going to ruin the entire day for a lot of people. Galloway had four aides following him as he stormed over to the group of Autobots.

"Well… it's clear that protocol and regulations are being conveniently ignored whenever you worthless machines feel like it! That stops now!" Galloway snapped angrily.

"That thing is going to be melted down, and I am going to watch! It will happen today or else the whole lot of you can leave this planet! Is that understood?" Galloway snarled while pointing up at Autumn who was being held by Kinetica.

"Actually I believe that some clarification is in order." Kinetica replied almost instantly.

I'd heard that tone of voice before. It sounded soft and sweet, but Sarah had been beyond pissed when she'd used it! I knew right then, that I was going to keep my mouth shut, and let her handle this. I don't ever want that level of anger directed at me again! Once was enough!

"Are you actually demanding the destruction of the only Cybertronian child in existence? With the exception of Autumn, the youngest Cybertronian is old enough to have watched your species crawl into the caves long before your race even discovered fire!" Kinetica replied in that same tone with a strange smile on her face.

I'm not an idiot like Galloway; I know something's up, and it won't be good!

"Yes, I am! You can either do it right now, or you can start packing! That thing gets melted down, or your amnesty is over!" Galloway shouted while going red in the face.

Kinetica held up her right hand in a clear signal to wait. That is when I saw that several bots were probably about to step on the man… or probably shoot him. I can say that both Soundwave and Optimus are pissed!

"Very well Director Galloway." Kinetica began in an actually calm tone. "You have made your position very clear. So I will make mine clear as well."

Kinetica rubbed her right hand down the back of Autumn's head as she smiled at her before looking back down at Galloway.

"Your insistence on the death and destruction of the only child to exist for the Cybertronian race is nothing less than an official declaration of a war for the extinction of our species! Because Autumn is a civilian in addition to being a child, your declaration is immoral and criminal as well! As of this instant, the Autobots will no longer prevent, intervene, or interfere with any Decepticon incursion or attack against the human race! We will leave this planet and allow the Decepticons to enslave or destroy all life on this planet at their choice. They will also be informed of this fact. Your superiors have twenty-four hours to confirm your declaration of absolute war, at the end of that twenty-four hours… all Autobot forces will vacate this planet completely and leave the human race to defend themselves against an orbital bombardment from the Decepticons." Kinetica answered in a firm tone.

"Just who in the hell do you think you are to make such a decision? Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots… not you! When did you get here anyway?" Galloway snapped.

"I have been on this planet since before your race developed civilization. I have been held captive by your government for years while watching as I was experimented on and saw thousands of infants created and killed while they could do nothing! I am she that was once called 'The Cube'! I am the Allspark, and because of that… I am the actual leader of all Cybertronians should I choose to become such. If I make a decision for the Autobots, Optimus will do what I say!" Kinetica shot back.

I have to say… it is a real pleasure to watch Galloway go that pale as the blood drains from his face. He's just put himself in a very nasty position! He does not have the authority to declare any type of war, because that has to be done by an act of Congress. Then there's the fact that the UN was involved in granting the Autobots asylum on Earth. For Galloway to declare a war of extinction means that every nation on Earth will have to be notified of his actions. All it will take is for one nation to disagree with his decision to render it void. What he just did, is very likely to get the US attacked by the rest of the entire world! The bad part is, a lot of other countries have nukes, and as serious as this mess is… I know they'll get used.

I have no choice but to report this to all of my commanding officers and the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well. Galloway stepped in it deep this time, and no one is going to be able to save him!

Optimus Prime POV

Director Galloway looked up at me as his face once again clouded with anger. "Are you going to support this?" He demanded of me.

"Yes, I am. Kinetica has not actually stipulated that she plans to take control of our race, but that fact does not negate or make what she has stated any less valid. I will take this opportunity to apologize for the end of your world." I answered gravely.

Somehow, I know that Kinetica does not intend for anything to happen to this planet. The short reassuring look she gave Mikaela while smiling at Autumn tells me that. It means that this is a bluff… and one that will not be called! I know some of the laws that the United States of America must follow and because of those laws Director Galloway's words are nothing more than a result of his anger. I will admit that Kinetica has construed his statements to mean something that is nothing like what was probably intended, but he has also not denied the meaning that Kinetica has placed upon them.

Kinetica said nothing more to Director Galloway as she turned and walked away. Several of the other bots did so as well, leaving me with Prowl and Captain Lennox as my companions.

"This time, you chunks of scrap-metal have gone too far!" Director Galloway seethed as he turned and headed back to his helicopter.

I noticed that Captain Lennox's face hardened in anger as he watched the human leave. I also noticed that he was trying not to laugh for some reason.

"Well… looks like it's time to ruin the day for a lot of my bosses, because they are not going to be happy to hear about this." Captain Lennox said sourly as he went back into the hangar.

"Having familiarized myself with American laws and procedures, I am able to state with certainty that Director Galloway has both exceeded and abused his authority in this matter. Any perceived authority that he believed himself to possess, has also been exceeded. The probability of Director Galloway not being criminally prosecuted for overstepping his bounds is much less than negligible." Prowl told me.

I simply nodded my head. I know that what Director Galloway has just done will mean the end of his career, and possibly even his life. There is nothing I can do to prevent his death if he is sentenced to be executed by law.

Mikaela POV

I felt it when all the blood drained out of my face because of what had been said. I know what hand held Cybertronian weapons can do, so I don't even want to imagine what an orbital weapon would do.

I was ready to start crying, begging, shouting… anything that I could think of as Mom carried Autumn and I back to the rec room. The reason I didn't? She had winked at me! Everything she said to that bastard was some kind of bluff… at least I prayed that it was!

"Both of you need to calm down and relax! None of what I said will happen. The humans will not allow Galloway to get away with what he said, and because of the extreme repercussions of that little grudge match, Galloway will likely end up in prison for the rest of his natural life. North Korea would oppose anything America declared on a matter of principle, and so would a dozen other nations, which means that nothing I said is going to happen." Mom told us as she sat down.

She's right. I know she's right, but still… hearing something like that doesn't cause a lot of warm fuzzy feelings.

"You don't like him very much… do you Mami?" Autumn asked softly.

"No Autumn, I don't. One of the first memories I acquired from you was you being terrified by Galloway as a human. I know first hand what he told Prowl, and how you were treated the day Ravage arrived. I know how frightened you are of him, so I've put a permanent stop to it. I am not going to allow him to terrify you anymore! You're with me now, and I am going to do whatever I feel is needed to take care of you. That includes saying things that really shouldn't have been said at all." Mom told Autumn.

Her voice was nice, soft, and gentle, but I still know that she means it. That tells me that she really didn't want to say those things to Galloway, but she did it for Autumn. The thing is… I know that what she said is going to get that jerk away from the Autobots too. Maybe she did it for both reasons, I don't know. I do know that she is proving that she actually cares about Autumn, and somehow, I know that she cares just as much about me.

Arcee POV

I'd heard everything that Galloway and Kinetica had said to each other. I hated that she'd delivered that kind of an ultimatum… it had such very dire consequences! Then I heard what she told Autumn and Mikaela in the rec room. Every word she had said to Galloway had been something that she had known would never happen! She had just made certain that particular human would never again trouble Autumn, or any of those on this island. That should help Autumn understand that Kinetica really does care about her… so do I and every other bot here, but she doesn't seem to recognize that.

I think I've figured out why Kinetica has the face that she does. It's something that she knows Autumn will be drawn to… both as a protector, and as a caretaker. Given what I know of Autumn's life before she arrived here, I know that Autumn actually needs that protection in a psychological way. I have no doubts that every bot on this island would not hesitate to protect Autumn physically. That's the entire problem though… I have no doubts! The problem is convincing Autumn of that fact, to make her see that she isn't a waste of metal, that she is someone important to us!

Kinetica hasn't wasted any time in showing Autumn that others care about her. I can't say that she had people who cared about her that as a human… but she certainly does now! Mikaela has told us in hushed tones how Autumn hadn't had any friends while she was still human… with no friends, no Carrier, and a Sire that isn't worth mentioning, it's no surprise that Autumn feels abandoned and alone. She isn't alone any longer; she now has three Autobot femmes, and nearly a dozen Autobot mechs who will stand with her. That's not counting Soundwave, Ravage, or even Kinetica. That's also not counting the humans who will gladly help out.

I know that many of the humans are ecstatic over what Kinetica said to Galloway. Those who are in the rec room with us are smiling widely. Some of them seem as if they are ready to start singing!

Author's Notes: I told you folks a while back that Galloway would get what he deserves… now didn't I? Yeah, this was all part of the plan way back then! Seriously… who saw THAT coming?