"...I know. I don't like admitting it myself, but it was."

Optimus smiled, expression wry. "Using Decimus' own wealth against him would have been an interesting blow, and the energon would have gone to a good use, but no. I'm not going to be bought."

He already knew all too well how that sort of existence would go.

"Good use of noble-funds or not, I won't play by their rules and make deals outside the law. I'm not here to serve them any more."

Optimus chuckled. "I have some standards, after all. Besides, the funds from that deal would run out long before any true wide-spread change could be felt. Loosing the goodwill I have gained by pushing this bill at all? Irreplaceable.

My bill is on it's way to being accepted and he knows it. He'll fight me on other things in the future, but this change will hurt him."