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

Admiral Tali'Zorah, something she never believed she'd be called and yet here she was, an admiral of her people standing alongside a geth and an Autobot. "Admiral Xen, will you continue your attempts to reprogram the geth or harm our Autobot allies?"

"Allies? These Autobots won't remain once they find a way home! And the geth, don't make me laugh. We built them for remedial labor and military cannon fodder. They will never be our equals!"

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Admiral."

"Were you not like myself not long ago, Tali'Zorah? You despised the geth for what they did to our ancestors, what they did to your father." Xen could see she hit a sensitive spot, "You know, if it wasn't for Rael's research, I wouldn't have gotten the steps I needed for this."

Tali wanted to hit her, she wanted to pull her visor off and physically pound her for what she was saying, but Tali restrained herself, looking up to Vibes. "Admiral Xen, I am charging you with treason against the quarian people and the murder of one of our own."

"You don't have the authority or the audacity to try and bring this up with the other Admirals! And what evidence is there of these treasonous acts you speak of? I've only been speaking my mind as a geth holds my life in its hands. Without any type of proof you have nothing!"

"That's where you're wrong Admiral." Vibes released her 'hostage' and pointed to her visor, "I've been recording everything the moment I confronted you and it's being broadcasted to the quarian fleet, of which I'm still transmitting. So, have anything else you want to say to the other admirals?"

"Only if I can stop with this farce now that you have what you wanted." Suddenly Perceptor picked himself back up.

"No, that can't be! We overloaded your systems! You should be unable to move!"

Perceptor continued with getting back up to his feet, "Well after being captured by the Decepticons, I decided to install emergency backup systems that would be unaffected by such overloads and bring me be back online in a timely manner. I'd say I was reactive around the time your team was requesting restraints be used and you disregarded it, believing the restrains to be a waste of time. Now if you'll excuse me, I still have work to finish here."

"Go ahead, sir. I believe we have things wrapped up now."

Ravage's damage wasn't severe, although it did not prevent the Decepticon from continuing with Shepard's team to find the other Councilors. Unfortunately with the chaos they were forced to jump elevators, as Williams directed the Council to a shuttle that was already destroyed by Cerberus. Before they were able to return Shepard and his team, minus Laserbeak, as Ashley was uncertain what to do, "Shepard?"

Udina quickly tried to use this momentary confusion to his advantage, "Shepard's blocking our escape! And he has a Decepticon! They're obviously with Cerberus!"

Williams moved between the two sides, "Everybody hang on! Shepard, what's happening?"

Shepard tried to reason with her, "You know me better than this, Ash."

"I knew the old Shepard—before Cerberus. Right now, I'm not sure who I'm dealing with."

"We don't have time to negotiate. You've been fooled, all of you. Udina's behind this attack. The Councilor Valern confirmed it."

Udina was quick to dismiss him, "Please. You don't have proof. You never do."

Decibel eased his stance, "If it is proof you seek," Decibel's entire visor lite up brighter than usual before he started displaying a hologram from his perspective.

James looked to Decibel, "You recorded it?"

"I was repurposed for reconnaissance. My policy has always been to record everything as a precaution."

Decibel started back to when he first spotted the Cerberus assassin, "Commander. Unidentified human male detected."

"Don't even think about it!"

"Shepard. He's going to kill us all."

"That remains to be seen."

"I mean Udina. He's staging a coup. He's got the other councilors to hand over to Cerberus."

Decibel ended the recording to find the others a bit uncertain about Udina now. "It could be a fabrication!"

"Decepticons lie, Autobots don't."

Udina quickly rushed to the console to try and open the door, though the asari councilor stepped up to stop him. Udina pushed her off, and drew a concealed pistol on her. Before he could fire a thin purple laser streaked across the air and slicked the pistol in two as the one who fired it flew in front of Udina, Laserbeak.

That startle and confusion was enough time Decibel needed, or rather Noise. Noise jumped off Graphy, jumping over Williams and the asari councilor and landing above Udina. Noise used his hands to pin Udina as one of his foot's hook claw sliced through his cloths on his chest, tempted to rip into his flesh as he roared in his face to exhibit his metal fangs.

Graphy started flapping his wings as he looked to the door behind them. Someone was trying to cut their way through. Ravage was the first to get ready for a fight, however Graphy was blocking the way, preventing a clear view. As the doors opened it was difficult to see who it was behind Graphy, though the legs looked familiar. "Bailey?"

"Shepard? What is this thing?"

"One of ours, don't worry. But what are you doing here."

Graphy was back on the ground now as everyone holstered their weapons. "We made it as fast as we could, Shepard. Looks like you, uh…took care of things."

Ravage limped over to take Noise's place, placing a paw to Udina's neck and allowing the two Autobots to become one again. "Yes. The situation has been contained. The traitor Udina is in custody and Decepticon forces are finishing the elimination of Cerberus occupants." Decibel turned back as Laserbeak returned, perching himself on the railing. "And it would seem that they have someone that they wish for you to meet, Commander Shepard."

"Wait, something's not right." Tevos looked around, "You said Cerberus was targeting us—where did their soldiers go?"

"I believe I can answer that, ma'am." From behind Bailey an armored individual with a digitigrade legs and helmet appeared. He saluted, "High Commander Rago'Za of the Raloi military. My men are moving the bodies as we speak."

"Raloi?" Garrus sized him up, "I thought your people retreated back to your home system and destroyed all satellites? Something about not wanting to be involved in a war with those who have yet to harm you and not having the means to do so."

"We did. However Reaper forces seemed to have been aware of our space flight capabilities. If Megatron didn't arrive when he did, our planet would probably be a cinder by now."

"The Decepticons saved your species?"

Rago'Za nodded to Decibel, "Yes, but I believe such a discussion should be saved for another time. At least, once the situation isn't as high strung as it is now."

With reinforcements arriving from Tuchanka, the Autobots and turian forces were receiving much needed relief from the endless battles. "Warpath! Ha! Good to see that cannon again!"

Warpath and Dropshot bashed arms together, "I can't imagine how you two have been holding out without me!"

Bulkhead slammed his hands together, "Like this," his hand then turned into a wrecking ball as he threw it out and smashed a small patrol of Marauders.

"Nice. But it's lacking in the," Warpath transformed into a tank and fired on another group of Marauders, "BAM!"

Dropshot wrapped his arms around the two, "I love it, the three of us together. Nothin's gonna stop us now! Well…maybe one of those bigger Reapers…"

With Zen in custody, Vibes decided to stay and watch over Perceptor until he completed his task with the geth. A bit boring but at least she knew he was safe and the geth would attain their sentiency. With everything now truly at ease, Vibes, Perceptor, Legion and Tali went to the Citadel to find Shepard. "So Legion, how does it feel to have your people freely thinking, like you?"

"It is hard to describe. I feel great, yet I also feel worried. Is there something wrong with that?"

Vibes set the Mirror-Manifold on autopilot for now as she turned to him, "I can't imagine there is. You're people are now on a path previously unknown to them and you all are still getting use to everything. I'm sure there'll be a few obstacles you'll have to overcome in the short-term and long-term, but I have confidence in your people. Isn't that right, sir?"

Perceptor nodded, "As expected. A machine race who has allowed logic and data to dictate many of their actions before now being given a new perspective, one that organics and Cybertronians still have yet to master themselves. It's only natural for uncertainty about your people's future to arise."

Tali walked up next to him, "And you'll have my support to help however possible."

Legion looked to her, "Thank you Tali. I feel better knowing that."

With the Citadel completely purged of Cerberus' presence, the Decepticons were preparing to return to their fleet except for High Commander Rago'Za. He has informed Shepard that he has been assigned a new mission, the official Decepticon liaison during this time of galactic war. Decibel was suspicious, "This doesn't make sense. Why are the Decepticons even sending a liaison in the first place? An organic to be precise."

Rago'Za looked away, "That is because this isn't as it seems. My soldiers are currently being held hostage. If I did not agree to this, Commander Slipstream threatened to allow the yahg to kill them. She claimed that she might not be able to control their bloodlust in battle."

"That is more like what I was expecting. So they sent you here as a means to control you by threatening the lives of your men."

Shepard looked to Decibel, "Isn't there anything we can do?"

"I'm afraid not, Commander," Decibel looked out to the nebula surrounding the Citadel, "It will require a major multipoint offensive against the Decepticons without having to fear of defending ourselves against the Reapers. Currently we cannot hope retake or rescue any of High Commander Rago'Za's people. However we could…" Decibel trailed off as he turned his full attention to the nebula. "Detecting approaching Autobot signatures."

"Scrap! Cons! And they're massed near the docks!"

Perceptor took a look now, "Odd. There are only seven of them. And from the energy readings I believe they are all Recordicons. Far too few for a full scale assault, and I don't detect any indications that the organics are attempting to remove them."

Vibes didn't like it. "What in the Allspark is going on?" Vibes activated the ship's comm, "Citadel Control. This is Mirror-Manifold. Requesting permission to dock."

"Permission granted. Please dock at bay E37."

"Roger that. Following designated flight path." Vibes really didn't like this. "Well at least they aren't in control like the last time when I visited this place."

Legion looked off, "I am picking up EDI's signal. She is requesting communication."

"Patch it through the ship's systems."

Legion did, "Legion. I wasn't expecting to see you so soon."

"It is good to hear your voice as well EDI."

"I assume Vibes is with you as well."

"I hear you too, EDI. We're docking at bay E37. Looks like a cargo load off area."

"I will inform Shepard of where you'll be docking. It'll be good to see you two again."

As the Autobot ship entered the docking area, Shepard and Decibel were waiting for the occupants to join them. "I'm still sorry that they had to transfer them here."

"It was anticipated. Due to the significant size difference between the average organic and average Cybertronian, this is one of the few locations that would adequately provide mobility for both parties."

"So what kind of ship is that?"

"The Mirror-Manifold is a scouting vessel designed for a full crew of six or a minimum crew of two. It also serves as a mobile research station for limited fields of science."

The port hatch opened as the ramp extended and Vibes walked out of it. She looked combat ready, though she quickly eased up upon seeing Shepard and Decibel. "Shepard, I'm glad to see a friendly face again. You too Minicon."

Decibel saluted, "It will be an honor serving alongside you ma'am."

Vibes though stopped him, "Slow those pistons there. I haven't been transferred to do that, and I'm sure I'd be more useful fighting the Reapers." She looked around, "So what's the situation with the Cons?"

Shepard turned to Decibel, hoping he might have the best way of explaining the situation. And it appeared that he did. "Decepticon forces came to the Citadel in pursuit of Cerberus forces. We made a temporary cease fire until Cerberus no longer controlled the Citadel or threatened its inhabitants. In accordance to our arrangement, it also provided them with secured passage back to their main forces."

"I see." Vibes seemed a bit concerned over the news, though she didn't seem like she wanted to dwell too long on the subject. "It's good that we can at least avoid another Caleston, as I'm here to drop off some mutual friends of ours," Vibes then stepped aside to reveal Legion and Tali standing at the opening.

Shepard was completely surprised by this, "EDI didn't mention this."

"I believe this to be one of her humor attempts. I still do not understand it entirely."

"Legion…you're not referring to yourself as 'we'."

"Yes. Thanks due to Perceptor's software upgrades. My programming has become a true intelligence. All geth have achieved this state because of Perceptor."

"Please, I shouldn't be taking all of the credit." The red Autobot now at the opening, waiting for Legion and Tali to clear the ramp, "Truthfully all I really did was advance what your programming had already started deca-cycles ago, speeding the process to the point that individual platforms were completely self-sentient without needing the consensus for the necessary processing power. I'm confident that a few gigacycles in that massive station you had planned to upload all of your programs into would have done a similar rapid evolutionary response."

Vibes couldn't help but smile, seeing her friends together again, though she did notice a rather unusual individual. "So who's the organic in the mask?"

Shepard turned back to find Rago'Za. "So these are Autobots? They seem to be far different from the Decepticons than I imagined, except for the height."

"Commander Rago'Za? What are you doing here?"

Rago'Za walked over to Vibes, "I thought that since I was going to be working with you, I should acquaint myself with what an Autobot truly was like, beyond this one."

Vibes was concerned again, "I don't recognize his species."

Shepard then made the proper introductions, "Right, Vibes, this is High Commander Rago'Za of the raloi. He's our 'Decepticon liaison', or at least until the Reapers are destroyed."

"Liaison? Since when do the Cons use organics for anything? Uh…no offense."

Rago'Za nodded, "No need to be concerned. In truth this position is nothing more than another kind of imprisonment."

Decibel interrupted before he when into details, "Vibes, I believe we can discuss that matter on a later note."

"Right." She then bowed to Rago'Za, "It is my honor to be one of your first interactions with the Autobots. But unfortunately this is also a limited interaction. I've got to get Perceptor over to the project you humans are creating to defeat the Reapers before getting to the battlefields."

"Actually, I was told by Optimus to tell you that he would like you to work with Shepard. I'm more than capable of flying myself to these coordinates. And as you said yourself, there's no need for a fighter like yourself to be left doing nothing but menial labor of a construction drone. I doubt we'll have a repeat of Rannoch there."

Shepard quickly turned to Vibes, "What happened on Rannoch?"

Vibes looked to Tali as she replied, "J-just a bit of technical difficulty. Everything has been resolved so no need to concern yourself about it any further. So, I'm kind of curious as to the changes the Alliance has made to the Normandy. Mind giving a girl a private tour?"

The Recordicons returned from the Citadel, a few lifesigns were missing, but it was to be expected in war. Slipstream watched from a distance as her soldiers returned, obviously victorious over the pathetic Cerberus attempt to capture the Citadel. She waited for Ravage and Laserbeak to disembark before approaching them. "So how was the mission?" Ravage continued to limp, though he happily reported that he was able to leave the one she wanted behind. Slipstream nodded, not saying another word as she walked away. Now for the real fun to begin soon. All I have to do is avoid the new girls, put the boot to a few Cons and keep up this fake smile for the organics.

Thundercracker was continuing to isolate himself from his fellow Decepticons, feeling the use of these organics was only worsening the Decepticon cause more than it is helping. "Look, there goes Thundercracker."

"Don't you mean, Protocraker." The two started laughing openly at him, but he didn't even care.

However waiting in the hallway was another flyer, Divebomb. "Seems like the other Cons have lost all respect for you my friend." Thundercracker tried to walk past but Divebomb wouldn't allow him, slaming his new talons into the wall, "Listen, I respect you as a fellow flyer, but like Slipstream said, your concern for these organics is only making us look weak. And with these new upgrades from Shockwave," Divebomb's talons easily tore into the metal wall, "I don't tolerate weakness like I used to. You know the organics have a thing they call the law of the jungle; the strong survive, the weak perish. So join the Autobot if you feel this sympathetic for the organics again, otherwise stow it or I'll make you. Are we clear?"

Thundercracker pushed Divebomb out of his way, "I know where I stand between Autobots and Decepticons, but I still don't know what to think about involving organics. So don't ever question my loyalty to the Decepticon cause."

As Thundercracker left, Divebomb looked to the shadows, "He's a tough bolt, I'll give him that. I see now why you keep pushing him like this."

A/N: Why couldn't we do something like that? Udina pull up a poorly edited security feed to make it look like Shepard killed the salarian(if we fail to save the councilor) and we couldn't use real footage to prove otherwise? Guess it was suppose to be the whole 'trust issue' thing with the VS.