Transformers Until one

Chapter Two - Part Four

[Murder Trial of Sentinel Prime – Day Two]

Three loud strikes of the gavel echoed. Starscream stood to announce the opening of the trial.
"Today marks the second day of proceedings. The prosecution may begin the cross-examination."

The prosecutor, Saber, rose with confidence.
"Yesterday, it was alleged that the dark energon incident is connected to Sentinel Prime... I ask the defense, what is this connection? Please clarify it to the court."

Megatron nodded slightly at his attorney, Shockwave, who then stood and replied with calm certainty.
"Of course, Your Honor. We are prepared to demonstrate that connection to the court."

Shockwave activated a holoscreen, projecting a slide while he spoke in his usual sharp and level tone.
"Dark energon is not a naturally occurring resource of Cybertron. It is, in fact, not native to Cybertron at all... It was artificially created by the Quintessons."

The word Quintessons sent a ripple of chaos through the courtroom.

Starscream slammed his gavel onto the bench.
"Order in the court!"

Saber immediately countered, "If it was a creation of the Quintessons, how did it end up on Cybertron?"

Shockwave responded without hesitation.
"That is a simple question to answer... Sentinel Prime has been secretly trading with the Quintessons."

Saber shot back, "And the evidence?"

Shockwave turned to the judge.
"Permission to call a witness, Your Honor."

Starscream gave a curt nod.
"Permission granted. Call your witness."

The summoned witness was Swindle, a member of the Combaticons.

Shockwave continued, "Swindle, please present to the court the evidence of trade between Sentinel Prime and the Quintessons."

Swindle nodded confidently, then projected a series of slides containing trade data — product codes, transaction records, and unmistakable insignias of the Quintessons.

He then played an audio recording in the courtroom.

Voice of a Quintesson: "Hope you're satisfied with the latest batch of dark energon, Sentinel. I've refined the formula — it should be more effective this time."

Voice of Sentinel Prime: "It better be. That last batch increased dissidence among my ranks by 26%. You know how difficult it was for me to imprison them on charges of treason against Cybertron?"

Quintesson: "Don't worry. Just a few drops of this substance will make them obey you like Sharkticons. Then you'll become the center of Cybertron, just as you wished."

As the audio ended, silence fell over the courtroom.

The jury looked at one another in disbelief. The Prime they had long revered now stood accused of betraying his own kind.

Optimus Prime's defense attorney quickly stood.
"And how can we be sure this audio is genuine? It could be fabricated."

Shockwave responded steadily,
"Audio alone may not be enough... but we have more. I submitted blood samples to a trusted medical professional — Knock Out. Here are the results."

Knock Out displayed the lab results on the screen. Names included Shockwave, Megatron, Knock Out, and Soundwave — all showing contamination by dark energon in their bloodstream.

Knock Out explained with calm precision,
"It's not just our blood. I've secretly sampled highborn individuals as well — and the results show they have more dark energon in their systems than the common workers or slaves."

He paused before continuing.

"The reason is simple: the elite consume far more energon, and that's how the substance entered their systems — unknowingly... or perhaps knowingly."

Saber pressed further, his tone intensifying,
"I concede that the evidence appears valid... But why has such a critical issue never been revealed until now?"

Knock Out answered firmly,
"Typically, patients come to me for physical injuries. None ever undergo deep blood analysis."

He added,
"No one ever questioned what was in the energon we consumed — until Megatron brought me a sample. That was the first time the truth began to surface."

Both Saber and Optimus's defense fell silent. The defense had presented overwhelming evidence, leaving the opposition unable to respond.

Seeing the opportunity, Shockwave spoke again.
"Speaking of class divisions — do you know that such a system didn't even exist in the beginning?"

The audio ended, and the courtroom erupted in chaos.
Voices overlapped, people shouted and protested from every corner. Some stood, some pointed fingers, disbelieving what they had just heard.

"Impossible!"
"A Prime would never do this!"
"It's fake!"

The atmosphere was thick with confusion, rage, and dread.

Even Starscream was momentarily frozen. His expression betrayed his shock — clearly, he hadn't expected this revelation either.

But as the presiding judge, he had to regain control.
He pounded his gavel.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Silence! Everyone... remain calm!"

Starscream's voice was harsh and commanding, eyes full of the pressure he bore.

"This trial is not yet concluded! If chaos continues, no one will receive justice!"

The noise gradually subsided, but the tension remained. It was clear — this was only the beginning of something much larger.

Starscream stood, his expression grave, surveying the still-fractured courtroom.

"The court has heard testimony, witnesses, and damning evidence that has dramatically shifted the direction of this trial... I am fully aware that what was revealed today shakes the very foundation of our faith in our highest leader."

He paused, then continued in a resolute tone.

"To ensure fairness and bring the full truth to light, this court is adjourned for today... Proceedings will resume tomorrow."

With a final, firm slam of the gavel:

"Court adjourned!"

The sound echoed through the chamber as participants began slowly rising from their seats. There were no words, only the heavy weight of revelation.
And slowly, a painful truth began to emerge.