While Shepard, Garrus, Vibes, Roadbuster, Thomas, Vera and Dusk focused on their next move, Dr. D was having a look at the Zoids with the Autobots. "Quite fascinating repairs, though I'd have to guess only a fellow mechanical lifeform could think like this…"

Nautica was proudly spinning her wrench between her fingers, "Well we only had what parts we could spare…and the Zoids who didn't make it…" looking away now.

"I'm just amazed you were able to use those parts after their cores expired. Most observed Zoids whose cores die normally turn to stone."

Firestar didn't seem proud of it but, "We learned fairly early about the stone thing and their limited self regen. When it seemed like we couldn't save them, we'd ask the Zoid what they want us to do with them. Often they would volunteer their parts to help save the others, if possible. Funny, thinking about it now, it reminded me of the graying effect that happens to some Cybertronians when we die… I hope not to see that again any time soon," looking to Vibes and Roadbuster.

"Interesting…" Dr. D though looked around, "However, what do you plan to do with all of these wild Zoids? The battles to come won't be easy and you won't be able to keep all of them alive, especially if we are to come up against weapons like the Charged Particle Cannon."

Nautica turned to their numbers, knowing full well they couldn't defend them all, especially after the losses suffered against DJD when they first appeared. "We should ask them." Tali called out as she looked to the Rev Raptors. "They are just as sentient as any of us. They deserve to choose whether they want to continue the fight this new threat or to find their own place again. We only asked them to follow because we weren't certain what we'd encounter and because you were joining us. Now…"

Dr. D seemed to agree with her, "Zoids are fighting machines. Though as you said, they are also living beings. Not to mention the governments who once owned them have since classified them as decommissioned," he started laughing now.

Grunt huffed, "Well if we're gonna fight, some of us are gonna need better Zoids."

Dr. D smiled, "You my big friend need a Zoid that's just as big. I've been working on designing a few improved versions of Zoids currently in service."

Ashley was a bit concerned with this, "Are you sure about this? I mean, you are a government scientist and you're basically giving away military tech?"

"Truth is I'm a retired Republican scientist brought back into service by extraordinary means. But, my primary goals have always been the advancement in learning and understanding more about Zoids and the ancient Zoidians. Though a Zoid's true potential can't be brought out by just anyone. A Zoid and the pilot have to develop a bond, the strength of trusting each other and moving as one. I've only met a few pilots who could truly bring out the very best in their Zoids. But I have confidence you all might be different from the rest."

Zaeed wasn't sure he liked where this was going, "Because…?"

"Because…" Dr. D pointed to Legion and EDI, "You have those two and your Autobot friends who can communicate with the Zoids directly. They can express their innate feelings and emotions, just as they can understand yours."

Mordin has been recording everything Dr. D has been saying, scanning the Zoids and examining their Zoid cores. "Respond to neurological and physiological signals…change, adapt to circumstance."

Dragonblade was sitting next to the Zaber Fangs, "You know, the more we learn about these Zoids, the more Cybertronian they sound."

Firestar looked at a Molga, "Well then, it doesn't help the fact that we've saved quite a few Zoids using Cybertronian medical techniques. I might be willing to say Zoids are a lost Cybertronian colony, though without a transformation cog or robotic base form I find that to be hard to believe."

"Speaking of colonies," Miranda poked in, "we still haven't made sense of how your colony got here or how long your people have been calling this world home."

Dr. D thought about it for a moment, "Well, from surviving historical records, our original homeworld had fallen into such a distressful state that we could no longer live on it. So colony ships set off to find a new planet to call home."

Dropshot stopped, kicking up quite a bit of sand. "Sorry about that folks, but now I'm confused. I was on Earth at least a month ago in your terms, and other than what the Reapers did to it, I thought it was adequately livable, once fixed up."

"Yeah, that's not the Earth I remember," James continued to remove the sand from his hair and armor.

Kasumi reappeared, sitting on Dropshot's head, "My, oh my, their Earth and our Earth are different? Crazy, but you guys came from a different Cybertron that hasn't been destroyed," knocking on Dropshot before disappearing again.

Mordin was already running that scenario, "Tear in dimensional veil…however humans not technologically advanced enough… No, no, temporal distortion perhaps? But none detected prior to arrival…misreading, or scan not wide enough? Not enough data…yet more contradictions that are also facts. Perplexing paradox."

"Unfortunately my fast talking friend, that will have to be uncovered another day. For now we should focus on your plans for the wild Zoids and getting everyone else set for the battles to come."

Zaeed looked to his Houndsoldier, "Unless you can outfit them with better or newer weapons and armor I'm not sure we need most of it."

"There are some lighter and stronger armor that can be outfitted to some the older Zoids, and it wouldn't hurt to replace any outdated weapons with more efficient ones, though nothing that would encumber their mobility."

Tali seemed rather skeptical about all of these talks, "And you have all of the equipment and hardware for at least ten Zoids?"

Dr. D couldn't help but laugh, "Well my dear, I've been given a lot of supplies to develop these new Zoids, though it also helps that I have connections in high places with both the Empire and the Republic."

Garrus didn't seem as convinced of the threat, "I still think if we could attach the Normandy's Thanix Cannons onto a Zoid that can handle the kickback and have the maneuverability and survivability to fight against these super-Zoids."

Thomas still had doubts about this 'plan'. "Do you even know how powerful a Charged Particle Cannon is, or how quickly they charge? Next to the Gravity Cannon, the Charged Particle Cannon is the most powerful weapon on Zi."

Roadbuster was hesitant to side with either, "I don't know. I've seen a Thanix Cannon tear through a Reaper like aluminum. But these Zoids aren't pushovers either. They can take and give a pounding."

Dusk was looking out to the dunes, "I think you're all underestimating what we're up against. We won't be up against just the Death Stinger or the Death Saurer. There is a good chance we will be up against both forces simultaneously and these other powers. Even if your cannons are as strong as you claim, can they be used quickly in rapidly succession without overheating or destroying the Zoid it will be mounted on? Are we to simply rely on the Blade Liger in the hands of the son of Van to perform as he did against these opponents whom were fought on separate occasions with others supporting him? Have any of you considered any of this?" Their silence was answer enough for her. "Not only do we have to deal with them, there is also those strange Zoids accompanying the Decepticons."

Thomas was pulling up data on some now, "The Guysak and Heldigunner who fought against the Three Guard were anything but normal."

The others had their fair run in with these Zoids. "If I wasn't jamming communications, they probably would have been far more difficult to defeat."

"Not just that." Dusk finally looked to them. "Something is strange about their cores. Changed, altered… It's difficult to explain without…"

A roar grabbed everyone's attention as Zeke suddenly blasted off on his own. "ZEKE!"

Vibes turned to one of her Autobots outside of the tent, "Whirl!"

"Do I have to?"

Roadbuster had this, "You don't. But then again, you probably couldn't keep up with the little guy anyway."

"Yeah? Who says I couldn't?" Whirl jumped, quickly transforming into a helicopter with his canopy open for Dan. "Come on, you want to follow your pet or not?"

Dan got in, "He's not a pet. He's my friend."

"Sure didn't seem like it to me. Now strap in." Whirl got a few more feet up into the air before his blades stopped spinning, folded back and his thrusters kicked in and blasted them after Zeke.

Vibes turned back down to Vera, transforming herself and opening a door for the Major. "I might not be fast enough to keep up on the sand, but I can keep track of Whirl."

Vera got in, "Just don't make me regret not bringing my Zoid." Vibes closed the door and drove after them.

Luna smiled as she watched Vibes drive off, "About time she let her feelings take control for once. And here I was thinking all of that flirting and teasing was for nothin'."

Dusk was watching as the two Autobots eventually fell out of sight, "At least one problem has been resolved. Now we can focus back on the real threat instead of dividing our forces on a pointless suicidal rescue…"

Thundercracker relinquished his last weapon to Swindle as promised now that he had his feet on the sands of this planet. Swindle couldn't help himself as the energy leech tried to get everything he could from the desperate Con, "Now, how about a pair of Null-Ray blasters? Or perhaps the ever reliable Neutron assault rifle. Perhaps an upgrade to an ion blaster, or my personal favorite, the scatter blaster."

"How do you propose I pay you for these weapons? I'm not exactly getting paid and it's pointless to create energon here."

Thundercracker was about to leave, but Swindle just wouldn't give up. "Now hold on, I said we can establish a down payment plan, and you promised to consider at least one of these weapons I'm offering you. You know I can always just go to Slipstream about recent events. I'm sure she might be willing to pay me…"

"Fine…show me the weapons and maybe I'll take one…"

Before any negotiations could be started a strange white reptilian mini-Zoid the size of a human came flying toward them. The strange little Zoid landed near Thundercracker before starting to growl at him.

Swindle seemed rather intrigued, "Well now what do we have here?"

Thundercracker really didn't need this, especially not without any weapons to 'encourage' Swindle to leave sooner. "This thing probably isn't worth the effort to destroy."

"No, no, I think I heard something about this little guy from Flamewar. She mentioned these things called Organoids." Swindle started to poke the little Zoid with his finger, "They're supposed to be these small Zoids that can bond with other normal size Zoids to make them stronger. Apparently the cores of these things weren't attainable when they were around and something major happened long ago that wiped out most of these things. I'm sure Flamewar and Deluge would be willing to pay a good sized finder's fee for even one Organoid to clone."

"Zeke!"

Swindle looked around, "Who said that?"

Thundercracker suspected it had to come from one of his passengers. "Said what? Although, I'm really starting to think about wanting two of those Neutron assault rifles."

"Consider them paid for, if you can get me that Organoid…"

However before Swindle's greed caught up to him blaster fire stopped him from grabbing the Organoid. "I was hoping to blow off some steam!" The unidentified assailant was a blue Autobot helicopter. The Autobot quickly transformed, ejecting an organic passenger and nearly bisecting him with his rotor blades. The Autobot Shockwave-lookalike pulled out the blades and using them like a pair of swords, "Slice and dice time, Decepticons!"

A second Autobot came driving toward them, transforming and catching the tossed organic as she stood up with another on her shoulder. "Freeze, Decepticons!" raising a rifle and aiming it past Swindle and toward the space bridge terminal.

The Organoid however placed itself between the Autobots and Thundercracker, roaring at the Autobot. "Vibes, tell the small fry to move before I step on him to get to the Con behind 'em."

The Organoid started to roar again, though it was more toward Vibes than the other one, and she seemed to understand him. "Whirl, forget the Seeker. If you want to fight anyone, fight the Combaticon."

Swindle slowly started to back away now, "I see you all have some catching up to do. So I'll just excuse myself and pretend we never saw each other…"

Whirl quickly moved in, putting a blade next to Swindle's neck and scatter blaster, "Now, now where's the fun in just leaving?"

The Organoid roared again. "Whirl!" Vibes hesitated, but she lowered her weapon just the same, "Let him go… We have enough to deal with as is." She was looking at Thundercracker, though he suspected she knew about his two 'carry-ons' by now.

Whirl kicked Swindle onto the ground, "The next time I see you and you aren't selling me parts, I'll probably have to slice your head off."

Swindle quickly transformed and drove away to leave Thundercracker to the Autobots. "About time he left." Thundercracker's canopy opened as he held out his hand for Van and Fiona to climb out onto.

"Mom! Dad!" the organic Vibes saved called out to them as the Organoid jumped up to Fiona and Van.

Thundercracker put his hand onto the ground to allow them off. Fiona turned back to wave to him, "Thank you for what you've done for us."

Thundercracker turned away, ready to fly. "If you say so… Autobots, I'll be leaving now…"

"Wait!" Vibes called out, "Why? Why did you help the humans?"

Thundercracker stopped. "I'll say what I said to the other Autobots on Earth and what I did for the raloi. The organics should never have been part of our war, even if they want to join either side. I'm no traitor to the Decepticons, but I will not continue this battle. Organics were never worthy adversaries, even with these Zoids. The Decepticons are forged through combat, not slaughter."

"Through combat?" Vibes seemed insulted, "What do you call the destruction of Crystal City? Altihex? The bombing of the Six Lasers over Cybertron park? Praxus? None of them were armed when the Decepticons attacked… Those weren't slaughters? And they weren't ordered by Megatron?"

"I won't defend what others have done. Only what I've done." Thundercracker transformed, flying away.

Vibes looked tempted to shot him down; she even raised her rifle half way to her visor before stopping herself. Instead she transformed back into a car and opened her doors. "Hope in…"

Vera got into the driver's seat, "Are you…going to be alright?"

"I'm…fine. Just…our war has been going on for too long. It's been going on for millions of years, and I was activated in the middle of it. I'm just getting tired of it. All of the death…everything…" her rearview mirror adjusted itself to find the others already in, "But I need to keep going, for my team, and for you all now."

Van smiled, "Whoever you are, thank you for your aid."

"Not at all, sir. Whirl, lets motor out of here before the Cons decide they want their prisoners back."

Nightshade returned to Slipstream on the Defiant, "Headcount complete. Besides Thundercracker, we're missing three other Seekers, Thrust, Ramjet and Dirge. Also among the unaccounted are Quake, and Combaticon Swindle."

Onslaught figured Swindle would be missing during all of this chaos and suspected he may even partly be responsible for their two organic prisoners escaping. "Slipstream, do you want us to track down that greedy idiot?"

"For now, no. He's needed if we want to utilize Bruticus to his limited capabilities. Even if he's involved I'll just give him to Brawl to pound a few dents into, but we haven't really lost anything. The Zoidian served her purpose and awakened the big guns. The other Zoids are getting stronger using the human's simulation combat data." She turned to the other Slipstream, "Wouldn't you say this ended up better for us?"

"We no longer have to worry about a coward gumming up our operations, but they will learn of our super Zoid weapons before they're deployed."

"That might not be the case," Sixshot quietly stepped out of the shadows. "I've found data showing our Zoidian prisoner isn't the last of her kind on the planet as we were lead to believe. They are rare now, but there are others. The Zoidians are sensitive to Zoid activity. With how powerful and how many sleeping giants we have…"

"The other Zoidians should have sensed their activation…" Slipstream however quickly turned back, "What do you mean, found data?"

Nightbird soon appeared holding out a diskette, "Flamewar has been recording data from the planet longer than they claimed, as well as more recently." Slipstream took the diskette and inserted it into the Defiant's computer to read herself. "The Death Stinger was a Zoid created from two ancient Zoid cores being fused together. The first one was created just under three deca-cycles ago. The one we have is only the second one ever built."

"Something is wrong here…"

Slipstream smirked to Onslaught, "You mean besides the obvious, why leave such information laying around?" Slipstream turned to her older self, "And since we're both betting bots, I'm wagering the two of them and their Zoid army is ready to turn on us once we move on the planet in full force."

Sixshot looked out to the hangar, "Including this room, Blackout, Demolisher, Conduit, those two bolts for brains, most of the Decepticons remain loyal. Not so certain about the remaining DJD after recent events. If they turn on you there will be plenty who will follow their lead out of fear, and the hope of joining them as the new Tarn and Tesarus."

Both Slipstreams didn't seem too worried about that prospect, "Without the late Tarn's leadership, the DJD are a poisonless razor snake. There are no Decepticons outside of our little circle that could possibly replace him in leadership or firepower. Few still speak Primal Vernacular though I doubt Vos would even care, Kaon goes nuts when he executes bots, and Helex doesn't have the presence or the knack to lead anything."

"Alone, those three are impressive warriors, but now they lack direction, drive and purpose that once made their team deadly and focused."

Flamewar and Deluge were standing before the almighty Death Saurer and its fellow monstrosities. The bodies of Dirge, Thrust, Ramjet and Quake were left on the floor already turned grey as their sparks were fed into special ports that went into the tubes of the four deadly Zoids as each spark was 'consumed' by the Zoids.

"Yes, feed, grow, become the ultimate weapons you all were meant to be."

Flamewar started the process of disposing the bodies, "We're nearly ready for the finally. Do you suspect those imbeciles realize what is about to happen?"

"I doubt either Slipstream could with the rumors of a power struggle that Swindle has managed to spread for us." Deluge started to rub his hand against the glass of the Death Saurer. "Soon, you and your new brethren will show them all your true destiny."

A/N: Grunt and a few others are going to get some new Zoids that better fit their battling style. The incubation pods the Death Saurer and the others are in are pretty durable and big to prevent them from using their thrashing to break free. Those two Cons are waiting for another project to finish developing and the perfect opportunity.