"Nothing? Are you sure?" Prowl pressed.
"It was real quiet," Darksteel said. "And nice too. They had movies and games."
"Too suspicious," Prowl growled. "Decepticons don't enjoy such things. It's a cover, it is. And when more Decepticons return to Cybertron, I sense that place will be where all the dark exchanges occur. We need to put cameras in there, do more investigations…"
Altero was right about them overreacting… Predaking rolled his eyes.
"Won't that just increase hostilities?" Ripclaw countered. "It would be better to leave them alone."
"And leave them to their scheming?" Prowl scoffed.
"We'll leave 'em alone for now…" Ironhide decided. "If or when suspicious activity occurs, we'll see if we can sneak in a spy or some cameras."
Once the Predacons were sent back to Iacon, Predaking let out a heavy sigh. He and his brethren enjoyed a hot oil bath before heading home.
"Ah, I didn't get more blankets today…' Ripclaw groaned.
She transformed and curled up on her small nest. Skylynx pulled their library book off the shelf, tempting the Predacons to study more Cybertronian Sign Language before resting. By morning, Predaking looked forward to another day at school. However, they stepped outside to a waiting blue and white police officer.
"You were the one spying on Knockout," Predaking uttered.
"Hello! My name is Sideburn," he grinned. "I'm supposed to take you to the station today."
"We have other obligations…"
"But you haven't gotten added to our special police comm link yet!" Sideburn exclaimed. "Or gotten a tour of the department and any rundown of procedures…"
"We can miss another solar cycle of school." Ripclaw shrugged. "I'm interested."
"Could it not wait until later?" Skylynx grumbled.
"Come on, this is new!" Ripclaw protested. "Let's see what it's all about. Might as well while the Autobots are still treating us decently!"
"Great!" Sideburn transformed to his wheeled vehicle mode. "Follow me!"
The Predacons trailed him in beast mode to the Iacon Police Station. Shifting to bot mode, they lumbered inside behind Sideburn. The walls and floor around them were silver with stripes of blue. Passing an empty front desk, Sideburn unlocked a door behind it with a passcode.
The next room expanded with desks and computers scattered throughout it. At the moment, none were attended by Autobots. A swarm of police officers milled about by the door, digging into a crate and passing out long rifles.
"Ah good." Prowl spun with a rifle in his arms. "They actually followed Sideburn."
"And we're glad to have you," Ironhide announced, then elbowed Prowl. "Watch that tone now."
"What are these weapons?" Predaking asked.
"Well, we got a little inspired by Ripclaw yesterday," Ironhide laughed. "So we turned some ol' poison shooters into sedative shooters. To take down 'Cons in a non lethal way."
"How is Blackwall?" Ripclaw inquired.
"I hear he's moving again," Ironhide chuckled. "Don't you worry."
Ironhide passed her a rifle to look over.
"But of course, your tail works fine. And if any of ya can just pin down troublesome 'Cons…" Ironhide rubbed the top of his head. "And well… Ta be honest, we got more news last night about trouble comin' our way."
"Do tell," Predaking replied.
"So we had a crew head out to one of the war worlds where 'Bots and 'Cons were fightin' over energon," Ironhide explained. "And now, we know that the 'Cons won the first n' second worlds. They got a huge combined army sittin' on that one planet. Though our Decepticon ambassadors convinced the generals t' surrender, well, we're 'bout to get hundreds o' 'Cons comin' home. So expect chaos."
Ripclaw widened her eyes. "About as many Decepticons as there are Autobots?"
"Jus' 'bout…" Ironhide grabbed another rifle. "We got t' make sure we jus' don't start fightin' all over again. Now these two 'Con generals came back first to have a trial. If they're reasonable, great. They can tell their soldiers to calm down. Most may listen, and those who don't… we'll be ready for 'em."
Darksteel rubbed his hands together. Predaking exhaled, desiring no conflict. Destruction of nature would surely come with it.
Ironhide left his officers with the rifles to fetch the same comm link injector that Bumblebee had once used.
"Only a small pinch, then you'll be able t' communicate with any of us privately," Ironhide said. "Just say our name, and the chip'll hear ya and connect ya."
Each Predacon knelt to receive their new comm chips.
"If any of ya feel like a little tattoo, we got ya covered," Ironhide added. "Some of us really like showin' off."
He grinned at Prowl across the room.
"What?" Prowl growled, having not heard them.
"Let's meet who we got here…" Ironhide led the Predacons back to the officers admiring the rifles. "Prowl you know. This is Sideburn, X-Brawn, Greenlight, Sunstreaker, Javelin, Tracks, Nightbird, and Nightbeat. Nightbird also works as a spy and Nightbeat's a Neutral detective, investigates alone."
With their arms crossed, Nightbeat smiled and nodded. Prowl scowled.
"We worked with you before clearing the rubble," Skylynx remarked, nodding at Greenlight.
"I saw your CSL. It wasn't bad," she said. "Blastwave could teach you more. He's down in Kaon now though, and he only communicates in it."
"You were playing on stage at Maccadam's," Ripclaw pointed at the slender one-eyed Javelin.
"You Predacons are observant," she replied. "That's good. A cop needs to be that."
Predaking and his brethren could not resist puffing up in pride.
"With some training, these Predacons will be top-notch officers!" Ironhide beamed at them. "So, should we get started then? Give 'em their first lesson?"
END PART 3