"No, I have not." But it's the second question that gives him pause - if they can tell that he's lying, then it's likely they can tell when he's not giving them the full truth as well. "I am a Senator of the Grand Imperium of Cybertron, and wrongfully accused of creating an army. It was a school."

Shockwave isn't an idiot - he knows the Outliers were only a convenient excuse to send him to the Institute and for Proteus to make him manageable. His anger returns for a second or two, and he doesn't reply until he's able to shove it aside.

"No, certainly not." He can't even imagine doing so. "Yes - and I can expect the full story there, correct?"