Astrosecond~ .498 seconds, milli-cycle~1 sec, cycle~1 min, breem~ 8.3 minutes, mega-cycle~1 hour, meta-cycle~1\2 hours, solar cycle~1 day, day~ 20 hours, orbital cycle~ 1 month, gigacycle~ 1 year, deca-cycle~10 years, vorn~ 83 years, stellar cycle~400 year, mechanometer~ 1 meter, vun~ hectometer, hic~ 1 kilometer

Thoughts, 'binary code', (alien language), "talking"

The transmission ended. Unfortunately the Decepticons intercepted the entire message. Soundwave transformed from his speaker form to his robotic form, "Lord Megatron. Operation: Interception Failure."

Starscream started to mock Megatron after hearing the failed mission, "Did I not warn you O' Mighty Megatron? If the drones and Horrorcons had simply followed, they might have destroyed the Autofools and their new allies in a swift surprise attack."

In a flash Megatron grabbed Starscream's head and proceed to squeezing slowly, "You are the fool Starscream! From Soundwave's report the Autobots should have been no match for the Horrorcons. No, these new allies are indeed powerful, but that is not what concerns me." Megatron tossed Starscream to a nearby wall, "Shockwave, how is it that the Autobots were not only able to send a rather clear message to the remote scouts, but also have the ability to suggest sending more troops or supplies?"

Even without a face Shockwave was hesitant to anger the tyrant as he adjusted his two antennas on the side of his head. He knelt in front of Megatron's throne, "It appears my calculations were correct; we have a spy amongst our ranks Mighty Megatron. The primary runtime that was calculating the coordinates has been tampered with." He looked Megatron face to optic, "But do not fret my lord, for I had other runtimes operate simultaneously hidden behind several programs." He presented a data disc in his hand. "As soon as the Constructicons have finished testing the prototypes we can depart as soon as you command my liege."

Megatron immediately started barking orders, "Starscream, Soundwave; gather the Decepticons for our trip to this new galaxy. Shockwave you are to maintain Decepticon dominance on Cybertron and I want you to find this traitor!"

Shockwave asked, "Do you wish that I extinguish his spark, my lord?"

"No, torture him. Get as much from him as you can. Then, when I return I will personally handle that myself." Megatron balled his hand into a fist.

With his right arm across his chest, Shockwave replied, "As you command lord Megatron. Cybertron shall be as you left it and the traitor in the stockades awaiting your glorious and triumphant return."

"Prepare the Nemesis for departure!"

Counterpunch was in the throne room watching everything unfurl. He was in a jam now but he couldn't let this much intel go to waste. Punch had to get out of Kaon and return to the Autobots. Punch had to leave now if he wanted to keep his spark but if he wasn't leaving with Megatron he'd be leaving with the scrapheap.

While going towards his bunk someone called Counterpunch out, "Counterpunch, where are you going?" It was Dirge a blue second generation seeker with the jet cone covering his head. "Megatron has just ordered all available units to Shockwave's lab for some announcement."

Punch's lies could have been the truth how fast he thought of it, "I was just about to go there Dirge, but I needed to go grab something from my quarters first. I'll be right there."

"I'll join you Counterpunch. Personally I hate when 'all high and might' himself wants to rant 'bout something."

Punch couldn't stop as he let out a small laugh, "Yeah it's always, 'We have the Autobots on the run' or 'Soon Cybertron will be under our command' or something."

Dirge was laughing historically, "So true. Let just get this over with, but if it takes a while to get your things we'll have an excuse for missing a dull speech."

Punch had to ditch the tagalong, "No, I'll have an excuse, you might not. What I'm getting, I can easily carry on my own. So there really isn't any reason for a great seeker, such as yourself, should be needed to help me. Besides, I overheard Shockwave saying we might have a spy hiding amid our ranks. We wouldn't want anyone thinking it was you or I, now would we?"

Dirge thought about it, "Forget Shockwave. Hey like you said, a 'great seeker' like me should have no trouble defending both of us. Besides I have Ramjet and Thrust to back me up. Come on Counterpunch, let take our sweet time picking up that package."

Not good, that fool won't take a hint. I guess he's going to have to go offline now. How can I do it? It has to be fast without him seeing me and no evidence to connect me. What do I have that won't incriminate me; a laser pistol I pilfered from the Constructicons; no, one of the Con's know I like to use it. The electron gun I'm 'barrowing' from Brawl, no Swindle helped me steal it for some reason and he got a pair of power packs in return. This dagger, no too small to do the damage I need. He's too close for me to use an EMP… I know. Punch had walked into one of the surveillance system's blind spots he created. Suddenly Counterpunch turned around and shouted, "Hey look!" pointing behind Dirge. The fool turned around to look. Counterpunch pulled out a thermo-sword he took from a Predacon and stabbed it directly through Dirge's spark.

Counterpunch had prepared for the day he had to escape from Kaon. After Dirge fell lifeless on the ground and tossing the sword into a random room, Counterpunch hit a sequence of buttons on his arm to activate a pair of hidden drones that looked like both Punch and Counterpunch that he had stashed away in a storage room. They were in one of many blind spots that he created within the system. He spoke quietly into his arm commanding the drones, "Run protocol: Breakout." Both of the drones responded taking out their weapons, moving to where Dirge's chassis laid and started to cause a ruckus. That might not have caught the base's attention but the well timed explosions Punch detonated did the trick.

Megatron and the others quickly arrived to find Punch and Counterpunch locked in a fire fight that took up most of the hallway. Dirge's chassis could be seen on the ground. "What's going on Counterpunch? How did an Autobot get into the base without anyone knowing about it?" demanded Megatron.

The blue Decepticon barked back, "Back off Megatron, Punch is mine to take down. And if anyone interferes they're next to feel my wrath!" Even though most of these lines were prerecorded they sounded like it came from his mouthplate.

"Then tell me who killed Dirge!" Megatron ordered, as he pointed at the deceased seeker body.

Counterpunch shrugged as he continued to fire, "Probably me, if he got in my way; that's his own slagging fault. Besides wasn't Dirge on perimeter guard duty last?"

Starscream interjected, "He was coming back from a patrol just now." As cocky as ever, the Sky Commander took aim with one of his null rays attached to his arm. "Well you won't mind if I take one shot for our fallen seeker would you Counterpunch?"

But instead, Counterpunch trained his blaster onto Starscream's head, "Fire, and your attempts to throw Megatron off his throne will be for nothing." Everyone including Megatron knew about Starscream's desire at being leader of the Decepticons, Starscream had even executed a few of his plans without much success.

The yellow Autobot yelled out, "What's the matter, Counterpunch? Have to ask one of your Con buddies to help you take me down."

Counterpunch responded in anger, "I'm more than a match for you! And I will show you I'm from a superior mold."

While the two drones were distracting the Decepticons, the real Punch was traveling underground to get back to Iacon. The drones were programmed to put on a show for the Decepticons, eventually hitting each other in their laser cores to 'destroy' one another, ensuring Punch's escape. It went exactly as Punch had planned, after a few cycles of programmed tactics they eventually shot the others laser cores at the exact same time, felling both drones.

The explosions earlier weren't just used to lure the Decepticons but they also disabled most of the base's surveillance system so Punch could enter one of the old tram tunnels and drive back to Iacon as quickly as he could.

Once back on the Normandy, Dropshot was looking for a terminal, "Hey, Commander Shepard where is your navi-computer? I need to find the quadrants for the supply drop."

"Wouldn't it be safer to have the drop zone the same place where you first arrived?" Thinking it was most likely the planet.

"No, Perceptor has probably calculated a new set of coordinates for the supplies." Vibes didn't look at anyone. "Less likely the Decepticons will be there. That communication was pretty wide open; the Con's probably picked it up. Prime gave us new coordinates during our chat. He used Autobot Binary code # two." Vibes walked over the turbines and parked herself in a corner. Vibes just needed time to cool her processers.

Dropshot wanted to help her out so he decided to change the subject, "I assume you guys have cars and fighters of some types." When he said that, he was looking at the Kodiak Drop Shuttle and what was left of the Hammerhead. "We'd kind of stick out if our vehicle modes don't fit in with everything here, y'know."

"Geth have provided vehicular data. Data acquired from unprotected extranet data files." Legion started to walk over to where Vibes had parked herself.

Dropshot and Vibes haven't had time to look through all the data Legion provided other than the language data. Dropshot stepped outside looking through all the data. "Hmmm…I don't like the look of any of these things, but at least I won't look too out of place. Hey ma'am I think I might have found a new form if you want." She just stayed silent. "Alright," shrugging his shoulders Dropshot tested the repairs, transforming into his truck form. Dropshot drove around the dunes for a few circles before he drove back into the Normandy's hangar. "So Commander, can we get to the coordinates? We have half a mega-cycle or so before they send the supplies."

"Joker, do you think you can get us there?" Shepard yelled to the loud speakers.

"No problem, Commander. Hey do you want me to stop at the nearest gas station and ask for a pit crew for them too?"

"Ha ha...very funny pilot, but we can maintain ourselves just fine." Dropshot was quiet for about a cycle before asking, "So, am I talking to the ship or is the pilot one of you squishy...humans or something?" Dropshot didn't like the name of the pink fleshy organics had. He thought the some of the other species name's sounded cool though.

"Yeah I'm especially squishy because my bones are so brittle. If you want to...you know...'hook up' with EDI go for it. Talk about all your A.I. stuff, just don't screw up too many of the Normandy's systems will yea? I still need to fly her you know, unless you like hurdling through space randomly."

"Too bad 'bout your weak structure, but personally if I want to talk to her I'd talk to the 'head popup display', otherwise only Vibes has talked with that Legion fella like that. No other Cybertronian has ever communicated like that before in our known history, at least to my knowledge. Hey, someone get in here." Shepard walked over and the door opened. Inside a disc popped out of a slot, "Here's the coordinates, I still don't understand how to send data to any of your systems, yet."

Getting back out of the Dropshot, Shepard addressed the crew, "Alright crew dismissed. If you want to chat with our new guest then go ahead, but the hangar will need to be cleared for the pickup." Most of the crew returned to the elevator except for Legion, Tali, Kasumi and Mordin.

Dropshot parked himself near Vibes but not next to her. He wanted to comfort her until she got her self-esteem back. He also wanted to give her space to blow the steam out of her exhaust port.

Legion was also aware of Vibes distress but it didn't know her as well as Dropshot did. "Unit-Vibes, these actions will not bring back lost units. Why does Unit-Vibes blame herself for actions outside her control?"

"Because it was in my control...I just wasn't strong enough to change anything..."

"You were strong enough, ma'am..." Dropshot wasn't just going to let Legion perk her up on its own. "The first time I took command I freaked, almost got everyone slagged. That's why I just wanted to be just a frontline grunt, but you, huh...I've heard the story; after your commanding officer fell, you lead your fellow Autobots to victory in a two to five battle against the Deceptibolts and won, for a time. But that short lived victory inspired many bots to hold out just a bit longer. I've even heard talks of you possibly filling the Big Boss' shoes if he were to ever fall in battle."

"You can stop comforting me now...cause it's working." If she could she would have blushed right there.

"Intriguing can become emotionally distressed. Have yet to find any organic components or A.I. blue box." Mordin wanted to learn more about their new extraterrestrial guest, even if they were outside the doctor's area of expertise.

"I just want to know how they could be so nimble and fluid in movement while still being so big." Kasumi just looked at them.

"Yes, motor function very excellent despite size."

"They are unique but I think it would be best to leave the three of them alone for now, Mordin." Even though Tali hated A.I. like most quarians, she still understood the pain Vibes was going through. The mission on Haestrom, Freedom's Progress and so many others.

"Hmm...Yes. Actions will not be controllable while in distressed mind set. May cause hole in ship. Very bad. Still, curious about what makes them different from geth and other known A.I."

Before the three of them could enter the elevator Legion called them, "Creator-Tali'Zorah. Professor Solus. Miss Goto." Emotions, if any, were impossible to read from the light that represented a geth's head. "Did you three not stay to further inquire about Cybertronian technology? Unit-Vibes has been calmed. No need to worry about angering her."

Mordin walked over to them with a bit of a sprint behind each step. He activated his omni-tool, "May I scan your system, hardware, structural design?" The doctor would never violate a sentient's internals without asking for permission first, unless it was life and death.

"Sure, go ahead…Salarian." Dropshot was only learning about the species that have interacted with him. He thought he could spare a few milli-cycles to learn after beginning to talk to whatever. "Just curious, but what are you scanning for?"

"Unknown abnormalities. Unknown pathogens. Multiple reasons to study you. Mostly just out of simple curiosity for myself really." Mordin read the data as it streamed through his omni-tool, "Fascinating. No organic components amongst hardware. Structure designed to change is inherent, not added. Vehicle form limited by humanoid body being restricted to certain archetypes. Marvelous!"

"Glad you're happy."

While Mordin and Dropshot were busy, Kasumi was helping Tali, who nervously moved toward Legion and Vibes. Tali had seen how cold and calculative Legion could be when he killed two Collectors with a single sniper round and snapped the neck of another with its bare hands. Vibes' personality though reminded Tali a lot of Shepard's commitment to his crew and her own dedication to her people. Even with the mask, Tali's body language was clear; she didn't want to be in that situation, nor with all three of them together. Kasumi tried to help her friend, "Come on Tali, nothing ventured nothing gained, right? I'll be here too, so you don't have to be so nervous."

"Thanks Kasumi, I needed that."

"I guess you want to study me too, Tali'Zorah?" Vibes just wanted to get her mind off of losing Clocker. "Your friend Mordin seems to be a hyper fellow."

"No its ok and Mordin's always excited to discover or study something new. So..." Tali didn't want to ask anything related to the civil war they had. "Dropshot told us," looking at Legion when she said that, "that you have a passion for music."

Legion recalled, "Yes. When we first made contact with Unit-Vibes, she was playing music. It was similar to music once played by Creators."

Vibes knew the song Legion was talking about, "That was just the song I play for fallen allies. I have a better one that I've been composing. It's still a work in progress though." The moment she started her music Mordin and Dropshot became silent. The song echoed within the hangar spreading throughout the rest of the ship. It played for about a minute or two before it stopped. "Sorry but that's all I got. It's supposed to be about four cycles long."

Tali was crying and she didn't care if her mask was filtering it out or not. It was just like the music she listened to with her mother and Auntie Raan as a little girl. "Keelah, that was beautiful. It does sound like quarian music."

"Wow, I wish I could hear other music your people have." Kasumi doesn't always show her artistic side but she's the type of person who knows what she likes.

"Yes, glad to see your people are not culturally dead like Collectors." Mordin always had an appreciation for the arts as a means showing growth and exploration of possibilities. "Curious, does the music have an inspiration, cultural background, history?"

"It's a type of music that was created to soothe the spark in times of hate or sorrow. But I've been using it just to keep my spark up." She looked at their faces through her vehicle sensors, "I'm sorry. Did either of you want to change subject?"

"Yes do your people use spacecraft or can you fly on your own?" Mordin's scientific curiosity always got the better of him.

"We normally have ships for interstellar flight but it was our military division that formatted the first flying Cybertronian. But that was well over fifty stellar cycles ago and most of them joined the Decepticons."

Tali wasn't used to hearing about peoples that fought each other like this, "It seems odd that so many of your people would be willing to follow such a crazy tyrant Vibes."

"Like I told your Commander earlier, most follow out of fear and others want something; power, money, or just to enjoy killing…if we're lucky, others are just waiting for the right time to join us. If only we were that lucky."