I've Done It Again

"We've all heard the rumors, but that's all they are. Rumors," Arcee had tried to be sympathetic at first, but when everyone insisted on investigating something so ridiculous, she just couldn't help. "We all watched Optimus fly down the Well of Allsparks. He's dead."

Bulkhead scratched his neck. "Yeah, but what if he didn't die?"

"We would have known. His signal went offline," Arcee looked at Ratchet. "Back me up."

"Admittedly, his signal could have been blocked by the core of the planet, but if he was back, it would online again," Ratchet said. "He's not alive."

Bumblebee looked at Ultra Magnus. "But you saw them, didn't you? And Knockout saw them too!"

"I saw slave traders," Ultra Magnus objected. "If it was really Optimus, I would have known."

"He's right," Verdant nodded. "That shrimp wasn't a Prime."

"Why is she even here?" Knockout demanded.

Smokescreen huffed. "Same reason you're here."

Bumblebee glared. "Knockout. Smokescreen. Please."

"Fine, fine," Knockout waved him off half-heartedly and slumped in his chair.

"We should still look for Optimus," Bulkhead cut in. "If it's true—"

"If it was true, Optimus would have come to us, not frolic about with Megatron," Arcee blew her breath. "I don't why this imposter thinks Optimus would do that, but we know Optimus. He knows us. The only reason he could have for staying away is because he's a fake."

"That makes the most sense," Verdant agreed.

"You didn't even know—" Knockout threw up his servos as Bumblebee shot him another look. "Ugh!"

Smokescreen crossed his arms at Ultra Magnus. "Well, if he really was Optimus, you arrested him! Why would he trust us to do the right thing after that?"

Ultra Magnus sighed. "We all want to believe Optimus is alive, but wanting to believe something doesn't make it true. It's not possible for Optimus to be alive."

"He's come back from worse," Smokescreen argued.

"Near deactivation is not the same as deactivation!" Ratchet exclaimed. "I watched his signal go out! He's dead! And if he was alive, he would have told me, not Knockout!"

Bumblebee frowned at Ratchet. "We don't know what he's doing, Ratchet. I'm sure he had a reason to tell Knockout instead of you. He's with Megatron."

"Right!" Smokescreen jumped up. "It could be a hostage situation!"

"It's not—!" Ratchet stood up angrily and his chair tipped over at the sudden movement. "I'm done here. Optimus told us not to lament his death, he told us to lead the planet, and that's what I will be doing. Call me back when you're done playing pretend."

Ratchet stomped out of the room, which had gone quiet.

Verdant stood up. She was much slower than Ratchet. "I should go."

"We appreciate your input," Ultra Magnus told her.

"Speak for yourself," Knockout muttered. Bumblebee kicked him. "OW! Watch the paint, you dumb bug!"

Verdant left the room and quickly found Ratchet throwing a tantrum as he stomped down the hallway.

"Ratchet," Verdant tapped his shoulder. "I'm very sorry about this, but maybe we could quell their beliefs with some evidence. Do you know where I could find Optimus Prime's medical records?"