A/N: Sooo ... here is the next chapter. Once you read it you'll understand why it took me so long . . . that and I was working on Humiliation. I'm not sorry. ;)

Hound stood outside in the snow under one of the trees. Gazing up at the tree he marveled at the mathematical principles that governed its growth. Then there were the individual snowflakes. He could spend the rest of his life on this planet and not learn everything there was to know about it. And then there were the humans. Of all the races that they had come across since their exile from Cybertron he found them the most engaging, the most intriguing and the most similar to themselves.

"Hey, you okay?"

Hound looked down to see Jack peering up at him, Raf close behind. Miko was off to the side doing something with the snow.

"Yes, I am fine. Why do you ask?"

"Well you've been standing there staring at that tree for half an hour."

"It's quite fascinating."

"It's a tree." He could practically hear Miko roll her eyes.

"We do not have . . . Did not have trees on Cybertron. We had the Helix gardens where crystals grew, but nothing organic."

"That sounds beautiful." Raf pipped up.

"It was. There was nothing like it in the galaxy."

"Was?" Jack frowned.

"Yes, was. It's gone now. Along with everything else."

"Hound . . . You know we are very sorry for the loss of your planet, we never thought Megatron would do something so-so . . ."

"It is fine, Jack. It is not your fault. It is war. Things are lost, destroyed never to be reclaimed. Such is the way of change."

"You sound a lot like Wheeljack." Raf squatted down just in time to avoid a snowball Miko lobbed at his head. It splattered against Jack's back.

"Knock it off, Miko."

"Aww com'mon! You guys need to lighten up."

Jack turned to yell at her and got a face full of snow. "Miko!"

Raking snow of out his eyes he looked over just in time to see Miko disappear under a mountain of white.

Hound chuckled. "Oops, I forget how small you are."

"Now that was funny." Raf was grinning as he helped Jack dig her out from under the pile. Her eyes were wide, her lips turning blue as they pulled her free.

"That's not fair, Hound." She stuttered, her whole body shaking. "I'll get you back."

"Lets get you inside so you can warm up, Miko."

Hound transformed and opened a door. "Come on, its a bit of a walk for you guys."

The ride was quiet back to the base. Miko hunched in front of the vents which Hound was forcing warm air through.

"Hound, what did you do before?" Raf was looking out the window at the trees.

"Before the war? Nothing special. I joined the Autobots early in the war after Sentinel vanished the first time. I had been one of the guards assigned to him along with Starscream and others-"

"Wait, you knew Starscream before the war?" Jack leaned forward staring at the dash.

"Yes, I did. I knew a lot of people."

"Was he always so- . . ."

"Driven? Egotistical?" Hound sounded amused.

"Insane?" Miko offered.

"He always had an agenda. I will say that much."

"So who else did you know?" Raf asked as they drove through the hidden bay doors that lead down into the silo.

"Well, I met Optimus when he was still Orion Pax. I also met Prowl and Jazz. I was there when Bumblebee joined too."

"Who are Prowl and Jazz?"

"They are Optimus' second and third in command. They tend to work together more than not though. He left them in charge of the Arc so he and his team could come here in the hopes of finding energon and-" Hound paused. "I'll leave the rest for Optimus to tell you himself."

He rolled to a gentle stop in one of the larger rooms, corridors lead off in several directions to the various sections. "Go get warmed up. I'm going to see if any news has come in since we've been gone."

Ratchet and Wheeljack were deep in conversation when Hound walked up. "Found out anything about that Decepticon we saw yesterday?"

"Unfortunately yes. He's not alone. It seems that transport you saw has been sending out drop ships."

"So it's not a full scale invasion force yet?"

"Doesn't look like it, but Barricade is not the only one we've seen."

"It stands to reason that Megatron is building up his army in order to take the humans by surprise."

They all three turned to look at Optimus. He nodded to each of them. "We will be monitoring things round the clock. I don't want the Arc having to fight it's way passed the Nemesis."

"Yeah we all saw how well that worked on Velocitron."

"Optimus, would it help if I went back to the Arc, I could get a team and be back here in a few days."

"I appreciate the offer Hound, but I worry that you could be intercepted and we would have no way of knowing. We will have to wait for the Arc's arrival. June and I will be traveling to meet the President and discuss Megatron's current plans."

"When do you leave?" Ratchet looked around the small group.

"Tomorrow. Agent Fowler is coming with us. I do not expect this to go well. This government is very distrustful of any Cybertronian. In some ways it reminds me of trying to deal with the counsil before the war."

"Oh that's not very reassuring, Optimus."

"I know, but I don't want you having any illusions about my chance of success."

"So what exactly are you going to be discussing with them?"

"To begin with, how to tell the difference between Autobot and Decepticon."

"Wow, starting with the basics, huh?" Wheeljack shook his head. "You've got your work cut out for ya' big guy."

"I know. Other than that I hope to be able to convince them that the Arc will be bringing allies so that they do not attack when it comes into orbit. We will have enough to deal with trying to stay out of Megatron's sights."

"I do not envy you Optimus."

"I appreciate the concern Hound, but you forget, I wasn't always a soldier. None of us were. Now, I must go June has scheduled a conference with the local authorities that I need to be in attendance for."

"Are you sure you aren't working her too hard?" Ratchet frowned only to get nudged by Wheeljack who smiled at him.

"I think it's the other way around."

Optimus' smile was short but genuine. "I expect regular patrols to be kept while I am away, but I want everyone to take a partner."

"Understood. Anything unusual and we will let you know."

###

June sat in Optimus' cab fuming. She could feel his quiet reassurance and subtle attempts at calming her. While she didn't rebuff him it wasn't doing a lot to help.

"This is just . . . What are they thinking?!"

"They want to protect their planet, June and they think they are doing what is best."

"This is so ridiculous, I don't even know where to begin. They are treating you like some-some giant weapon to be wielded instead of a living breathing person!" That was the part that got her the most. The complete disregard for Optimus so evident in the way they'd talked to-or rather at him. She'd held her temper as best she could, not wanting William to regret helping her get her position.

"We meet with the President tomorrow, these were just lower ranking officials from what I gathered."

"Lower ranking and smaller minded. You aren't some robot to be pointed at a target."

Optimus' amusement colored her perception for a moment. "Well to them I look a lot like a robot. Bumblebee has shown me the animated shows your children enjoy so much and you must admit there is a striking resemblance."

"That is not the point." June sighed feeling the tension slowly leaving her. Leaning forward she buried her face in her hands. "Maybe it is, I don't know. I think too many of us always thought aliens would look more like us or like the little green men."

"Our forms are not so dissimilar. True our basic make-up is non-organic, but we are bi-pedal and vaguely humanoid in appearance. We just happen to be a lot bigger."

"I know. I just wish these idiots could understand that. Where is General Bryson when I need him? He could talk some sense into them."

"Someone approaches. I do not know their designation."

"Scrap." June smoothed back her hair and checked her make-up in Optimus' mirror. Opening his door, she stepped out. He shut the door behind her, and she instantly missed the warmth of his cab. They were at a military base on the east coast, winter clearly in full swing here as well. She turned back to him for a moment. "Do you want to go back to the hangar and keep warm?"

"I am fine, thank you June."

"Ms. Darby?"

"Yes?"

The man looked from her to Optimus. "I was asked to fetch you and your charge."

"His name is Optimus Prime."

"Ah,yes ma'am is he available?"

June smiled and turned to look at Optimus. "I don't know, are you available Optimus?"

He slowly transformed, something she never tired of watching. All the intricate parts that made up the whole shifting and recreating him into a different form. It was fascinating. Apparently the man thought so too, his mouth hanging open.

"I am available. What can I do for you?"

"S-sir, the general would like you to meet him in hangar C. I can show you where it is if you would like."

"Please, show the way." Optimus knelt for a moment to pick up June, cradling her in his hand before gesturing for the man to continue. He nodded and running over to the golf cart hopped in and took off.

"I have a really bad feeling about this, Optimus." June knew he echoed her unease. Ever since they'd gotten to the military base they'd been stymied, given the run around and pretty well blatantly ignored. It was not how a government should treat a foreign, never mind ALIEN, dignitary. Unbidden, a comment from one of the files William had given her sprang to mind.

These mechanical beings are comprised of technology that rivals anything we currently possess. The applications are near infinite. Of greatest interest is their weapons technology. The weapons systems seem to be integral to their make-up and while some seem to be additions, basic defensive and offensive systems in one mechanoid alone would put the US hundreds of years ahead in the arms race. Interstellar travel would be an added bonus.

That was when she'd been convinced that the government did not see them as sentient living beings, but as weapons to be dismantled and reverse engineered. And here she was at a government military base pretty much handing Optimus over to them.

"Optimus I think we should leave."

"It would be very undiplomatic, June. Your President is expecting me."

"I don't think he will show up. I just don't trust them."

"Nor do I, but I have to show some goodwill on our part."

June sighed. Damn Optimus and his penchant for always taking the high road. "Well, I'm not leaving your side."

"I would appreciate that."

She looked up at him sensing his unease and genuine need to have her close. He ducked to enter the hangar and immediately stopped. June narrowed her eyes and got to her feet, standing on his palm. The sight that met her eyes made her sick.

"What is the meaning of this? We are here on a peaceful diplomatic mission-"

Optimus curled his hand around her and turned to duck back under the door of the hangar. I am so sorry June. I am so sorry.

June was sent rolling as he tossed her out of the way. She looked up in time to see the first bolt hit him high in the shoulder, spinning him around. Somehow he kept his feet, only to be tackled by a disturbingly familiar grey mech. It looked almost exactly like Optimus except it had no color, the optics an unhealthy yellow. The ground shook under her as Optimus fell, the smell of ozone filling the air.

Gathering herself, June made it to her feet and ran back inside the hangar. She'd failed him once before, never again. She would deal with these humans herself. Grabbing the nearest man she slugged him as hard as she could.

"What are you doing?! Stop hurting him! You are no better than the Decepticons you ignorant bastards!"

Rough hands grabbed her, forcing her to the ground. "You think I'm scared of you! I was locked in a Decepticon brig! You can't scare me!"

"We don't want to hurt you Ms. Darby, please calm down."

"Stop hurting Optimus!" She spat as she was lifted to face the man.

"He's just a machine, he can't-ow!"

June glared at the man she'd just kicked. "Did you feel that? He feels pain you idiot! I will have your rank, I will have your career, your life, everything is over unless you stop hurting Optimus! He's not some toy robot for you to play with, he's a living, breathing, intelligent life form and you are torturing him!"

"Ms. Darby, please!"

"Just shoot me and get it over with! You've already lost any chance you had of them willingly cooperating with you. Even the Decepticons have more honor! You better shoot me or so help me I will see to it that this entire base is leveled."

"I hardly see how you can make good on that threat."

June turned her head to face the new voice. She didn't like this man with his square jaw, grim set mouth and cold eyes.

"It is not a threat. It is a promise. I spent several days as a captive along with Optimus and I can tell you right now you are about as intimidating as a monkey throwing crap."

His eyes narrowed even further. "You are making a grave mistake Ms. Darby. I am under orders to detain that robot and gather all intelligence possible from him."

"You mean capture and torture someone who moments ago willingly came to meet you."

"You brought him here."

"I am their human liaison, in case you didn't get the memo. Optimus asked me to accompany him. He came as a show of good faith and look at what you've done."

The man gestured to the two holding her. Her arms were released. She straightened, staring the man down. He had nothing on Soundwave, or even Knockout for that matter. A small shudder ran through her as a jolt of pain shot through her. On the heels of it she heard a cry of pain. Closing her eyes for a moment she forced herself to remain calm.

"What is your name?"

"Lieutenant Gregson."

"Well Gregson, congratulations. You've just lost your most important ally in this war. Me. I am leaving and Optimus is coming with me. You even try to stop me and I will have a whole squad of Autobots here to retrieve their commander. They just got him back from Decepticon custody and taking him back from you lot will be a cake walk. And you can be damn sure I won't be as forgiving as Optimus of this atrocity."

"I am under orders. Executive orders Ms Darby."

"What part of diplomat do you not understand? They aren't from around here. They don't answer to our President. He only came as show of good faith and out of willingness to cooperate. Believe me when I say he is much more valuable to you as your ally."

Another vicious stab of pain caught her off guard, she heard herself scream along with Optimus' roar of pain.

Optimus! Fight back!

I am. There are three of them and I fear I am outmatched at the moment.

Contact Ratchet, we need a ground bridge.

I do not wish to show them such technology, June. His words were strained, she felt his anger and frustration not just at the situation but that she was having to deal with it too.

"Ms Darby! What's wrong?" One of the younger men had knelt next to her.

"Every time you hurt him, you hurt me. Please, make them stop. He's only defending himself he won't hurt anyone."

"And this . . . Connection goes both ways?"

"What?" June looked up the look in the man's eyes closing off her throat. They were dead serious. She shook her head, not sure she could speak. His eyes narrowed, brows nearly meeting over his nose.

She yelped as he grabbed her ponytail and yanked her to her feet. The backhand brought tears to her eyes.

"You are aiding and abetting a terrorist organization and have threatened the United States with retaliation."

"Wh-what?" She cried out as he slapped her again. Outside the sounds the fight stilled.

"That's what I thought." He shook her hard and let her go. She slumped one hand on her bruised cheek. She could hear the men yelling at Optimus, threatening her if he didn't cooperate. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. They'd come here to help the government understand the differences between Autobot and Decepticon and discuss ways to fight the invasion together. Why was this happening?

Livid purple optics watched the Prime being led back into the hangar, the doors closing with the finality of a coffin lid. It was quite gratifying.

"Swindle to Lord Megatron."

"Go ahead Swindle."

"Operation Debunk is a success."

"Excellent, report back to me with updates."

"Yes sir, Swindle out."