Smokescreen sat and watched as Prowl evaluated the story he had just heard. When the tactician spoke, he was a mix of annoyed and humored.

"So you deliberately ignored chain of command and you went around accusing your fellow Autobots?"

"Yes, Prowl," the psychologist grumbled. He didn't want to be chewed for something that he felt was not his fault. Inside he knew he was incorrect, but for now he was too tired to listen.

"I've analyzed the case. Due to your behavior this morning, you are to be on communications duty with Seaspray this week and the next. You'll be operating in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, near the equator." Prowl paused as his fellow Datsun groaned, then continued, "However, knowing your personality, I am giving you a slight reprieve. I have Streetwise and Red Alert working on your case righ-" Just then, one of the bots in question burst in.

"Yo, Prowler, we've got your info here," Streetwise grinned. "And you'll never believe whodunnit."

0o0o0o0o0o

Smokescreen smirked as he stared at Hoist standing helplessly behind the brig bars. "So why'd you do it?" the race car queried.

Hoist's visor turned downwards, hinting a frown behind his faceplate. "Grapple, Huffer, and I needed Energon to complete our latest project. With the recent string of battles, most of the Autobots' Energon was going to the medbay, so there was none for our project, which would've assisted the medics. I was going to melt down your chips for Energon."

"Did Grapple know?" the car asked.

"No. Neither did Huffer," the green and orange robot replied. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to help Ratchet and the others. I'm sorry." Hoist lowered his head despondently.

Smokescreen thought about this for several minutes. Hoist's spark was in the right place… Glancing at Slingshot, who was supposed to be guarding Hoist. The small jet had nodded off, his head resting on his shoulder. Without a second thought, the Datsun unlocked Hoist's cell. The tow truck could only stare in shock.

"He'll be out for another hour. Come on, let's go for a drive. If you beat me up to the crater, you get all the Energon I won. If not, you get half. Deal?" the racer grinned. Hoist nodded, and together they rolled out of the Ark.

THE END