Flashback: Four million years ago, Jetfire arrives for his first day of work for the Autobot security forces. Prowl expresses a little surprise that he actually showed up; Jetfire himself isn't even sure why he did, and the sight of the gun he used to kill a Decepticon (to save Orion Pax's life) on Prowl's desk causes him to worry about the path his life is taking. Jetfire accompanies Prowl as he takes the gun down the lab for study, and is introduced to another of the lab techs he will be working with, Nosecone. Nosecone is immediately hostile to Jetfire, perceiving his hiring a publicity stunt, and believing that a flier is too much of an impatient "hot shot" to have an aptitude for science.

Present: The president arrives at Autobot City for another meeting with Optimus Prime to discuss his recent decision to seek non-violent resolution to conflicts. This reminds the president of her late father, a social rights activist who also preached non-violent resistance, and how her job requires similar restraint, often at the expense of the most morally correct solution —a "worthwhile path," Optimus summarizes, versus an "unrealistic goal." As the pair's conversation continues, the subject of Jazz and his impending TV interview comes up. Jazz's past altercations with human law enforcement, including the justifiable homicide of police officer John Powell, make him a dangerous choice for the Autobot's "public face," but Optimus is unwilling to impinge of Jazz's freedoms by ordering him not to do the interview. The president cautions him with the lesson her father's life choices inadvertently taught her: choosing not to fight forces you to make harder decisions than fighting does.

Meanwhile, in the Autobot City medi-bay, Aileron offers her sympathies to Arcee over the worsening plight of Sideswipe, recalling the death of her own friend Sterling. Arcee is quick to correct Aileron—Sideswipe's not her friend. She doesn't have friends, because everyone thinks she's crazy. Aileron tenderly replies that she doesn't think Arcee is crazy.

At the site of the former EDC base on Bikini Atoll, construction of the new "Little Cybertron" refugee camp for the Junkions and Sharkticons continues, overseen by Soundwave, the Torchbearers, and Marissa Faireborn and Flint. Flint finds the whole thing distasteful, and does not support the plan, but Marissa believes the Junkions have much to offer Earth, and reminds her father that it was his idea for her to get involved in the Cybertronian situation in the fist place. Marissa leaves Flint to stew and heads down to get between Pyra Magna and Thundercracker; Pyra is annoyed to see the ex-Decepticon playing with Buster rather than helping with construction, but Marissa tells the Torchbearer leader to back off and leave him alone. Pyra invites Marissa to take a trip around the camp with her so they can talk.

Nearby, the Autobot colonist soldiers gather in front of Oiler's grave to offer their condolences to Slide. They discuss the different ways death is honored on their homeworlds, but Slide doesn't want to hear it; she is disgusted that Oiler has been buried in the camp populated by his killers, the Junkions, and is determined to hold onto her hate.

Flashback: While walking through the city streets, Jetfire bumps into his old acquaintance Deluge. Unfortunately, it's not a happy reunion—Deluge is running with the Decepticons now, and lures Jetfire into an ambush by Horri-Bull and Needlenose, who beat Jetfire for his betrayal of their cause. Before they can finish him off, though, bright lights shine on them, and thinking they have been found by the cops, the Decepticons beat a quick retreat. It's not the cops, however: it's a good samaritan named Bumblebee who has come to Jetfire's aid. The angry Jetfire does not take the time to be thankful, though, and swats 'Bee away before storming off.

Present: Marissa and Pyra drive around Bikini Atoll, observing the Junkions as they work. The junkpile robots have

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