Consequence:

Chapter 10: Gather

Ironhide rolled Optimus over slowly and took the rag over the seeping vents. "I don't understand." Megatron muttered from above. "I ordered him not to kill it."

"And he hasn't." Ironhide said softly. "This is just nature Megatron." He shook his helm dipping the rag in solvent to bring it back up to rub at the choked vents. "He's got major fluid build up… that's all. It's normal for a mech carrying, especially one as big as Orion."

"It concerns me." Megatron said coming around to the other side.

"I know it does, but Triage did send a communication, he is on his way." Ironhide reminded the warlord. "Just try to keep busy and keep your mind off of the situation until he arrives."

Megatron nodded. "Preparations for tonight?"

"Ready…most of the drones have the main hall cleaned. Your berth has been blocked off at the top of the room." He stated. "The stairwell up will remain open, but no one can get inside the private chambers." He rubbed along Optimus' primary duct release on his back.

"Good." Megatron frowned as Optimus groaned. "Orion?" He questioned coming around.

Optimus' optics were lit low, and he pitched the glowing orbs to the warlord's face, the distain was evident; the tension palpable. "Orion talk to us." Ironhide coaxed quietly as he scrubbed. "Can I give you something for the discomfort until the medic arrives?" He looked at Megatron who nodded.

Optimus said nothing but nodded slowly. "Give him something, try to get some energon in him if possible." Megatron stood. "Our heir mustn't starve to death like this."

Heatwave looked at the tower with something akin to awe. "It's been so long since I have seen Iocon." He murmured.

"Well, I've never been here." Chase admitted softly as they strode up to the guard. "Could never afford the credits to travel this far."

"There's an event tonight." The first guard said.

"I am aware I was sent for by Lord Megatron. My name is Inferno."

"And this?" The guard gestured to Chase.

"This is my Consort Red Alert. He's carrying and I was granted permission by Lord Megatron to bring him with me." He stated. "There was word a medic would be available for our use named Triage."

The guard nodded and looked at his screen. "Come on in Lord Megatron is expecting you." He pointed to a near by mech. "Blackout take these two inside to the main hall."

The chopper stood and nodded. "This way." He said deeply motioning the two mechs forward. "I'll take you into the citadel." He stated. "Word around the tower is that the medic and his date are delayed."

Inferno nodded. "Thank you…"

Blackout turned to him and shrugged. His propeller blades lazily shifted as he walked, like an ominous black cape of stiffened blades.

"Are there any other Choppers such as yourself at the citadel?" Red Alert asked. Inferno looked at him sternly.

"A few…" He nodded. "One named Evac, one named Grindor." He stated evenly. "Grindor is my twin." He shrugged.

"That's very interesting, choppers are rare indeed, twins even more so." Red Alert was chipper despite his even tone.

"Yes it's true." Blackout said coming forward. "There's another, smallish one, new recruit I don't know his name."

Inferno chanced a glance at Red and shook his head with a smile. "Red's very curious." He stated. "One might think his head was in the sky." He muttered.

"Sometimes." Red agreed. "Only sometimes." He stated and lifted his hand to palm over his torso plate's right side.

"You are the one that carries?" Blackout asked of the interceptor.

"Yes I am." He smiled. "Two Joors now." He stated.

"Still have a ways to go than." Blackout said. "I know a few mechs here that are carrying…they say the Prime is carrying."

Inferno blinked. "Optimus Prime is carrying?"

"Is it Lord Megatron's?" Red Alert asked as he grasped onto Inferno's hand.

Blackout nodded. "They say it is." He shrugged. "Who knows, but that's my first guess." He moved to the main door. "Please this way." He offered for them to enter first. "You'll have to forgive all the servants, big party tonight, so there's a lot going on ground level."

A door opened and Ironhide exited the room. "Ironhide." Blackout said.

Ironhide turned meeting the chopper's gaze. "Yes?"

"These two rescue crew members are here to see Megatron." He stated evenly. "Inferno, and his consort Red Alert."

Ironhide looked the two of them up and down and nodded. "This way I will take you to Megatron."

Inferno and Red Alert exchanged worried glances and then nodded following the large black mech.

Starscream shifted infront of the mirror. "It looks fine?"

"You look perfect." Prowl smiled coming forward with a polishing cloth to rub against a few small spots on the seeker's chassis. "Just simply…consumable."

Starscream smirked. "You sure know how to stroke a mech's ego."

"I can stroke much more than that." Prowl stated and stepped in front of the mirror himself to check his armor. "But you know that." He stated.

The door behind them opened and Soundwave entered. "Good morning Soundwave." Prowl said calmly.

Soundwave nodded. "Morning." He said softly with a smile, as if it was a weight released.

Starscream blinked. "You and Jazz bonded didn't you?" He seemed a bit surprised.

Soundwave nodded. "Yes, we are." He nodded. "My helm has never been so quiet." He looked up and sealed his optics. "I feel such peace." He nodded.

"Can you still see into the minds of others?" Prowl asked.

Soundwave frowned and shook his helm. "Only Jazz and those my creations." He stated. "As it is supposed to be."

Jazz entered soon after and shifted Ravage over into his other arm. "Sorry I had a slight issue with the little ones."

Soundwave nodded and looked down at Ravage who was covered in silver paint. "As I can see." He stated.

"I'll be taking him to the Wash rack with me …I'll be back up in a few okay?" Jazz smiled at him.

Starscream and Prowl merely watched the casual exchange as the two discussed the little feline. There was a final chaste kiss before Jazz slipped back out of the room to take the feline to the wash racks. "We must hope Megatron does not find out you cannot read minds." Starscream shook his helm.

"It should not be a surprise to him Commander, he gave me Jazz to bond to. If anything he condoned the loss of the ability."

Prowl shook his helm. "I'm sorry it's so strange to hear you speak." He stepped forward. "That may be true but lets discuss a contingency plan should we need it."

Starscream nodded. "Agreed, we haven't long before we need to head to Iocon, the gathering is tonight, and I'll be slagged if we're late." He sighed.

Shockwave sat in the transport across from Roadbuster who had finally given the all clear to leave. The majority of the trip was set in silence.

Within a mega-cycle of their journey Shockwave broke their easy silence. "You have done well by me these past few days."

"I live to serve." Roadbuster said softly.

"And your little dalliance?" He asked.

Roadbuster appeared confused. "Please sir elaborate." He shifted back in his seat casually. "I have nothing to hide."

"I assume not." Shockwave turned a datapad. "You have been seen at this oil bar in Vos on multiple occasions, met by this mech."

Roadbuster smirked as if he was just infatuated. "Oh my lord…he is a wonderful play thing." He handed the pad back. "His name is Goldbug, and he knows how to shift my gears proper like. If you understand my meaning."

"Yes I understand, if you wish to see him again he will have to come to hydrax plateau palace, I will not allow you unauthorized trips to Vos. I don't trust the seekers there by themselves. You will also stay as far away from Crystal City as possible." He said calmly. "I do not trust Megatron's generals; Starscream first and foremost."

"You're one of those generals my Lord." Roadbuster said calmly.

"Yes but I serve Megatron and myself, not some misguided will to offline Megatron." He muttered. "Megatron should have killed that seeker long ago."

"Why is that?" Roadbuster crossed his leg over the other and leaned back more comfortably. "I mean no disrespect, just curious."

"Because he has spent every online moment trying to take power from Megatron. It could be argued that he hasn't made any plays for power since bonding to Prowl." He flitted through paperwork not looking up. He dropped the chain of thought. "I will come to power eventually. I am a patient mech. I have plenty of time." He stated calmly.

"Wait you said Starscream is bonded to Prowl? The Autobot?"

"You have been out of the war a long time haven't you?" Shockwave looked up once with his bright red optic. "Yes… it was an accidental bonding; that's what his report read." He stated. "The Autobot was dying and while Starscream tried a direct neural line breach to get his data he tried to bolster the Autobot's spark with his own, bonded him on the spot. Ridiculous risk if you ask me."

"I'd love to read that report sir." He nodded eager. "I'd like to get a feel for these other generals, in case, they are in our territory."

"I agree that may be a wise precaution. Starscream has wanted the spaceport, and has made verbal claims to it for a long time." He nodded. "I'll see that the proper files are downloaded to your infopad."

"Thank you my lord." Roadbuster looked out the window as the transport continued to move.

"Make sure you're polished for tonight." Shockwave said finally.

"Sir?" Roadbuster turned to view the larger mech.

"I am to have a companion tonight, and I will be taking you for my personal safety." He nodded. "It is nothing that you need worry over, you are coming as my security chief." He said softly. "Nothing more."

Roadbuster nodded. "As soon as we are in Iocon and escorted to quarters. Once the quarter sweep is done I will become more presentable." He stated.

"Excellent." Shockwave said calmly. "You're working out rather well Roadbuster, continue to please me and the spoils will be more bountiful than you can imagine." If the Cyclops could have smirked, Roadbuster feared he would be.

To be continued