Transformers: Survival of Defective Products

When the vector arrived at the Autobot base, Fuller was already waiting. She and Nine-Seven walked out of the land bridge.

A human-sized metal table was temporarily placed in the base's main hall.

Fuller sat to one side, with an encrypted terminal, recording equipment, and a stack of paper documents in front of him.

Human governments probably believe that, when faced with alien technology, paper will at least not be suddenly and remotely deleted.

Optimus Prime stood next to the conference area, the ambulance remained in front of the control panel, Jazz leaned against the wall, and Arcee, Bumblebee, the partition, and the smoke screen were also present.

The vector scanned the area: "So lively?"

Fuller stood up, first looking at the vector, then at 97 behind her: "Which one is the Chief Justice?"

"I."

Fuller's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer.

While the size of the Void Vector was far less imposing than Optimus Prime's, the attitudes of the Autobots around her clearly changed when she approached.

Optimus Prime waited quietly beside her. Even though Ratchet looked unwell, he didn't say a word. The other Autobots just watched her, waiting for her to decide where to sit and what to say.

Vector walked to sit down directly opposite Fuller, Nine-Seven prepared the recording system to the side and behind, while BICk0 listened remotely.

Optimus Prime remained between the two sides, not sitting on either side.

"William Fuller," Fuller said, "the designated contact person for the Bald Eagle government and the Autobots."

"Captivity, Chief Justice of Cybertron's Judicial Center."

Fuller looked at her: "Optimus Prime said you're in charge of overseeing dangerous materials on Cybertron on Earth, so who authorized that?"

"A judicial center, but without authorization from a human government."

Fuller paused slightly, his prepared next sentence caught in his throat.

The vector continued, "We have not arrested, tried, or detained any humans. All actions at this stage are solely aimed at Cybertronian remnants."

Fuller quickly regained his composure: "But those remnants are on Earth, and that's something that falls under the jurisdiction of human governments."

Without hesitation, the vector stated: "The judicial center recognizes your territorial sovereignty over Earth and also acknowledges that human governments have the right to intervene in actions that occur on their own territory."

Fuller stared at her: "Then why didn't you notify me in advance?"

"Because initially there were no stable channels of human communication."

"Now we have it."

"That's why I came."

Fuller was unable to continue applying pressure, since she neither denied nor shifted the blame.

She admitted to every premise he was prepared to ask, but at the same time, she did not relinquish her right to act.

"How much has the judicial central government recovered?"

"Ten items."

Several Autobots made a slight noise for a moment.

Smokescreen suddenly turned to look at Optimus Prime with a look of surprise. Optimus Prime's expression didn't change much; the expression on Ratchet's face showed that he didn't know the exact number.

Arcee opened her optical glasses in surprise, and Jazz almost slipped off the wall. The partition made a "Huh?" sound, which she then forcibly suppressed.

Bumblebee suddenly flapped its wings on the car door, and Smokescreen, who was trying to get forward, was stopped by Optimus Prime.

Fuller noticed this: "Even the Autobots don't know?"

"They don't have the complete list."

Why?

"Because the Autobots are on the war side, so are the Decepticons," Vector patiently explained. "If either side obtains all the coordinates, the other side will think that the other is monopolizing some new type of weapon. The judicial center at least remains neutral in law."

"Legally?" Fuller quizzed, seizing the opportunity.

"Our members come from different regions and have their own relationships and stances. No organization is completely unbiased, but we accept scrutiny and maintain independent records and accountability."

Fuller thought for a moment, then asked about the remaining items: "What are all ten items?"

"Only some of the names can be disclosed."

97 projected the abridged list onto the screen.

Energy Harvester, Magnetic Gloves, Locking Staff, Shield Generator, Phase Shifter, Supreme Armor, Sonic Gun.

The last item reads: "[Several high-risk ancient devices]"

Fuller watched from beginning to end, his expression gradually changing from unpleasant to very unpleasant.

"What is an energy harvester?"

"A device capable of stripping away energy."

Fuller clutched his head in exasperation, glancing at the Autobots behind him as if trying to distract himself. He subconsciously touched his chest armor, feeling the attention he was being stared at.

Fuller paused for a moment and then asked, "Supreme Divine Armor?" "The strongest defensive armor."

"A sonic gun?" "A high-energy weapon."

Fuller looked down at the list: "Why did you Cybertronians leave so many weapons on Earth?!"

"I'd like to know too." Yin Xiangzong's tone was very sincere.

Fuller looked up at her. Well, she did seem more eager than he was to find out who was in charge of managing these things back then, and then have a belated trial.

Why are the last few items unnamed?

"Cannot be disclosed at this time."

"What are the coordinates?"

"Cannot be provided."

Fuller placed the paper back on the table: "Chief Justice, you don't seem to understand the situation. This is Earth. You've been searching for and moving objects on Earth without permission, and now you're sitting here telling me that human governments can't know where they are?"

“I understand perfectly.” The vector’s gaze met his directly. “But you’ve mixed up ownership, custody, and emergency disposal rights.”

Fuller frowned, but continued listening.

"The fact that the Cybertronian device is on Earth does not automatically mean that humanity has mastered safe operating procedures. Similarly, the judicial authorities have not automatically acquired permanent ownership. What is happening now is merely an emergency risk management measure. Ownership, return, and compensation will be discussed separately after the danger is confirmed."

Fuller asked, "Who confirms that the danger has passed?"

"Both parties confirmed this."

"Before that, were all the things left with you?"

"High-risk devices are..."

"Then you're still in charge."

He shrugged, offering no rebuttal.

Optimus Prime stood beside her, glanced at her, and after a moment of silence, she sighed and continued, having received his gaze:

"Alright, I'll give you two options."

"The first option is for the Justice Center to suspend non-emergency retrieval. We will provide the confirmed danger level, but not technical support. The human government will be responsible for sealing off the coordinates, restricting personnel access, and assuming security responsibility during the monitoring period. If the Decepticons find the target first, or if a human activates the device unknowingly, the Justice Center and the Autobots will provide rescue."

Fuller's expression gradually darkened: "What's the second option?"

"The judicial center will continue its retrieval efforts, and you will be notified in advance of any non-emergency actions. Human governments will receive a redacted retrieval list, danger levels, and disposal results. Specific coordinates, activation methods, and internal technologies will remain sealed by us."

Fuller leaned back in his chair: "The first option is forcing us to take on risks we don't even understand."

"That's right," Vector acknowledged, "because that's the actual cost of stopping recycling."

"But the second option will give you freedom of movement."

"No, the judicial center needs to be registered, subject to review, and accountable for the outcome. It's just that human governments currently lack the complete technology and coordinates."

Fuller almost stood up abruptly, but then sat back down dejectedly halfway up: "You're very good at getting people to choose the answer you want them to choose."

"I have explained the costs of both options."

"That's the most troublesome part."

Fuller raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at her: "You're not threatening or lying, you're just using a price to guide me toward the path you're asking for."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds. Optimus Prime remained calm, after all, he had said something similar not long ago.

The vector, however, remained unperturbed: "You can propose a third option."

Fuller: "The human government will acquire all the coordinates and work with the judicial center to carry out the recovery."

"We won't accept it. Once the coordinates enter the government system, they will be part of the intelligence, military, and scientific research chain."

"You don't trust us?"

"I do not trust any large authority to permanently control the spread of information."

Fuller immediately asked, "And what about the judicial center?"

"Included." The vector did not evade the question. "Therefore, the complete coordinates are currently only in the sealed file, and under normal circumstances, no one can read them."

"Not even you?"

"I know the coordinates, but I can't modify the file records individually."

Fuller glanced at 97, who nodded: "All modifications will leave a trace."

"At least you know about supervision," Fuller muttered.

"I suggest you use a more friendly phrasing when submitting your official report to the human government," Vector reminded you.

Fuller glared at her: "We're not done talking yet."

"Then continue."

"Have you taken anything from the human facilities?"

The Autobot base was quieter.

Vector ignored Optimus Prime's accusing gaze and said, "Yes."

Fuller's eyes immediately sharpened: "Where?"

"A museum."

The ambulance gripped the wrench tightly, and Jazz straightened up from the wall.

"What did you steal from the museum?"

"Energy harvester, and I also left behind a replacement."

Fuller stared at her incredulously: "You made counterfeits? You not only stole, you made fakes!"

"From the perspective of current human laws, yes."

Fuller blocked the accusation he had prepared because Fuller admitted it too readily.

"The judicial authorities have preserved the complete record of the actions, and we will consider compensation measures in the future."

Fuller slammed his hand on the table and said, "Give it back."

"no."

"You just admitted that Earth has territorial sovereignty!"

"Sovereignty does not require the return of high-risk devices to crowded public places." Vector looked directly at Fuller and slowly asked, "Do you want me to put it back now?"

Fuller certainly didn't want to, but acknowledging this meant accepting that the emergency evacuation itself was necessary.

"We can't do this again," Fuller said, reluctantly backing down.

"It cannot be guaranteed."

Fuller's eyes twitched, and he was about to curse when he heard the vector continue, "If I discover a high-risk device that is about to be activated, I will prioritize stopping it and then accept the investigation afterwards."

"You acted first and informed us later!"

"Pretty much. You can refer to the concept of emergency avoidance in human law."

Fuller's expression changed slightly: "You're very familiar with human laws."

"I have read the basic materials."

"Just reading?"

The vector did not answer the question, and Fuller had no evidence to press further, but he was clearly more wary.

"The public has the right to know what's on their planet; we have the right to know." He changed his tune.

"Yes, but that doesn't prevent us from disclosing the specific coordinates and usage methods. After all, the right to know won't help limit the use of large-scale dangerous devices."

"Then you can tell the government, and the government can keep it a secret."

"Governments are made up of people."

Fuller raised an eyebrow: "That doesn't sound like a compliment."

"It's just a fact."

"Isn't the judicial center also composed of institutions?"

"That's why I didn't hand over all the data to a single department."

Fuller discovered that she was almost immune to any conceptual traps: sovereignty and technological control, public awareness and disclosure of dangerous information, emergency custody and perpetual ownership—she understood these better than he, a human, could.

Whenever he tried to pressure her with a broad term, she would analyze it clearly and then answer point by point. What made it more complicated was that she didn't just memorize; she knew why he asked the question and could even predict which direction he would take next in the negotiation.

"Who will be responsible if there's an accident?" Fuller made his last attempt to find the answer.

"The judicial center bears the responsibility for recovery and sealing, the Autobots and Decepticons each bear part of the responsibility for being informed, and the human government is also responsible for the disposal decisions it makes after obtaining risk information."

Fuller blurted out, "How can you distinguish between them so clearly?"

"Otherwise, after something goes wrong, you'll just see everyone busy blaming others and shirking responsibility."

"Are Cybertronian judges so familiar with the rhetoric of human governments?"

"Power generally does not differ between species, but this is especially evident at the negotiating table."

Fuller fell silent, and none of the Autobots behind him dared to utter a sound.

The eerie calmness with which the vector spoke gave Fuller an indescribable feeling; she was far too familiar with humans, and this went far beyond simply being able to speak human language or having read some materials.

She knows when to admit fault, when to break down concepts, and even understands that when people are in the wrong, they will raise their voices guiltily and rush to shirk responsibility, just like she has sat at a human negotiating table many times.

Fuller suppressed his unease and opened the draft agreement: "Alright, the human government can accept the judicial center continuing to recover dangerous devices."

The vector remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"But there are conditions: all items transferred from human facilities must be fully documented, and the human government must send people to inspect your quarantine facilities to confirm that the items actually exist."

"Our records are complete. You can inspect the perimeter and confirm items via remote video, but you cannot directly touch the actual objects."

"You still don't trust us."

"Then do you trust us?" Yin Vector calmly countered.

Fuller was speechless, and finally said, "The judicial center cannot permanently transfer devices from Earth back to Cybertron without the consent of human governments."

"That's acceptable." The vector also made a slight concession.

Fuller finally nodded: "Then let's leave it at that for now."

In 1997, the revised content was compiled into a temporary memorandum, which listed the points they had just agreed on. After Fuller read through each item, he and the vector signed their names.

-

After the meeting, Fuller sighed wearily and looked at the vector again: "I think I understand why you're in charge of these things."

The vector also relaxed somewhat from its negotiating stance: "Is that considered an agreement?"

"half."

"What about your other half?"

Fuller stood up and picked up his helicopter helmet: "I don't like a weird alien machine that knows more about human government than most human officials do."

"That's your internal problem."

Fuller was taken aback: "Is that how you always talk?"

"It depends on the person you're dating."

"I always feel like you know what I'm going to say next."

Vector glanced at another draft document he had never opened at this negotiating table: "You were just about to ask for the complete coordinates and propose that the military establish a joint storage area, but you didn't expect that after our conversation, you didn't dare to bring it up."

Fuller looked down at the title of the backup proposal: [Joint Control and Military Security Custody Plan]

He quickly put it away, and when he looked at her, his expression was complex, perhaps showing some admiration, but mostly wariness.

"This is the other half I was talking about."

Vector: "Thank you?"

Fuller put on his helmet, turned and left, but stopped after a few steps: "Your judicial liaison point is not in a government-approved facility. I will handle this at our next meeting."

"Later," the vector gesture pointed to the list on the table, "these aren't even in the priority list compared to the sudden explosion of dangerous devices."

Fuller took a deep breath, probably calculating whether his salary would be enough to support him, but in the end he said nothing and strode toward the exit.

-

After the helicopter left, the vectoring station stood up: "The talk is over, I'm going back."

Optimus Prime didn't immediately activate the land bridge, and instead looked at him: "What are you doing now?"

Arcee walked to the land bridge first; the ambulance, carrying a testing device, approached from the other side of the control panel with a sour face; Jazz also left the wall and stood not far away; Bumblebee hopped over to her and blocked her way; the partition silently blocked the base's exit; Smokescreen's doors flapped wildly, clearly eager to ask something.

The vector looked around and asked, "Another meeting?"

"No." Ambulance lane.

Arcee crossed her arms: "But we have other problems."

The jazz musician added, "And there's more than one."

Vector fell silent, finally realizing that these Autobots had never truly spoken to her after learning she was once human.

Base construction, contact with human governments, and the retrieval of hazardous devices were all crammed together, and all reactions were temporarily suppressed.

Now that Fuller has just left, they are clearly not prepared to wait any longer.

Originally, Yin Vector thought collecting relics would be very troublesome, but suddenly realized that at least the relics wouldn't block the door and ask for a heart-to-heart talk.