Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers or Mass Effect
Transform Effect 1: Rise a Prime
Chapter 32: The Pretender Conspiracy
Everyone on the Normandy and the Junkion ship was exhausted. Ironhide was reuniting with Liara and Tali and recovering in the Junkion's med bay. It didn't take long for Nemesis to come in, bowing his head to Ironhide.
"You fought well Ironhide, thank you for buying us time," Nemesis said.
"We all need to thank you Optimus, anyone else and ah think someone would have ended up left behind," Ironhide smiled.
The door opened behind them and what was left of the original team Prime entered. Bumblebee immediately bounded over to Ironhide, hugging him on the chair as he struggled.
"All right you overcharged battery pack, enough of the PDA, we all made it," the veteran patted his shoulder and rolled his eyes when Jazz shook his hand.
"The miracle at Virmire, only you Prime, only you, but you Ironhide, you kept everyone safe until we got here, by the matrix you would have gone out like a boss against the Fallen," Jazz explained.
"It was an incredible fight, your new team isn't bad either, congratulations on getting a command back," Arcee said.
"I wish more people were here to see it though," Ironhide said.
A moment of silence passed between everyone in the room, remembering Cliff Jumper. It wasn't the only thing that soared the victory. When they left the med bay, they were witness to an uneasy silence and tension that had spread to Ironhide's team, each of them stared down the Decepticons and the old prisoners. Rattrap whistled as Roulette glared at him, Cheetor tilted his head in confusion when Shadow Striker did the same to him.
"Intercepted incoming communication," Soundwave said, walking close to Nemesis.
"That's the Normandy," Blaster growled, pushing the buttons on his chest.
He projected a hologram of the Normandy briefing room. Shepard was standing by the comm. Station with a smile across her face.
"Well done today team, I've given my condolences and thanks to Captain Kirahe's team, I hope you guys weren't offended by them making their own way back," she said.
"Not at all Shepard, I'm glad your team is intact, I'll organise for Liara and Tali to rejoin you soon enough. But first we'll need to discuss our next move, the Mu relay or Thessia?" Nemesis asked.
"But where would the Mu relay lead us too, or more accurately where would Saren be going?" Wrex asked.
"The Mu relay links to dozens of systems, unless we know for sure where Saren is going then we'd be wasting our time going there," Garrus said.
"Ironhide was able to download information from the labs on Virmire, he also recovered pictograms excavated by Saren's scientists," Nemesis stated.
He projected the holographic images to the crew and his team. They seemed like nothing but patterns to the humans, but the Cybertronians recognised them as coordinates.
"Whatever the Conduit is, collecting the information from the Prothean beacons was just one way to get to it, so is the location of the Mu relay. It seems that the Protheans separated the coordinates and access codes for this conduit into several locations. Eden Prime, Feros and Virmire were Prothean held locations, but they also used Cybertronian worlds," Convoy explained.
"Cybertronian, could they have allied with Cybertronians when it became clear the threat the Reapers represented?" Prowl asked.
"Illogical: Protheans could not accept synthetic existence, nor even the concept of synthetic victory or cooperation, Protheans inferior: rewrote own history to reflect a near victory against synthetics," Soundwave explained.
"It's not really any different from organic history, countries pretending they were winning their wars when they were losing," Ashley said.
"This was more than just propaganda and maintenance of morale Williams, the Protheans were cult like in their belief that they were superior, so much so that they rewrote other species genetics. I think I recognise these areas, one is an old Cybertronian colony planet, translated in your planet as Beast, another is further away…what information do the Decepticons have?" Jazz asked Soundwave.
"Coordinating: Two hundred Earth years ago, base found in the Andromeda cluster, space bridge formed on abandoned world, alliance made with robotic founder race, atmospheric altering technology researched by Alpha Trion, project abandoned following Headmaster uprising, last reports of possible Prothean architecture combined with Cybertronian technology!"
"So it is possible that even if the Protheans didn't fully join in an alliance with our people, they did at least use our technology, could they have been trying to escape the range of the Reaper cycles?" Arcee asked.
"Could the Reapers even have a range, regardless how would we get to Andromeda to verify this information?" Liara asked.
"Well, technically speaking we Cybertronians could do it if we fly at full speed, but I think only Wrex would have a couple of thousand years to spare," Blaster grinned as Wrex huffed.
"We'll all be dead by then either way," he said.
"A space bridge could get us there, but it takes more Energon than we have to activate one for two trips considering the distance, we also actually have to get hold of the technology," Warpath explained.
"And I doubt Magnus would be willing to part with his," Shepard muttered.
"That's if we can trust Magnus, or anyone in the Citadel for that matter, sorry just bringing up what everyone's thinking," Jetfire said as the others looked at him with mixed glares and frightened expressions.
"Pretenders, we really don't need this head ache," Shepard shook her head and sat down. "We need to consider our next move carefully, so why don't we fly somewhere to recover?"
"Where did you have in mind?" Convoy asked.
"Set course for Argos Rho, the Phoenix System, there's a station there not far from the debris belt near Vebinok," Shepard said.
"Commander, the council has been on hold, do you want me to patch them through?" Joker asked over the intercom.
"Give me a moment Joker, Convoy, everyone you'd better disconnect," she said.
"How much did you give away?" Nemesis asked.
"Not that much, you rest Optimus, I'll take care of the council, the rest of you are dismissed," Shepard said, nodding to Ashley and Kaidan.
The feed to the Junkion ship faded and the rest of the ground team left the briefing room. Shepard turned to the holographic emitters, standing at ease as one by one the members of the council appeared. Then her eyes narrowed as a fourth hologram towered over them, Ultra Magnus, his fingers gripping the shaft of some kind of hammer weapon.
"Commander," he seethed.
Whatever he had to say though was put on hold as Tevos spoke first.
"Commander Shepard, I'm pleased to see that your mission on Virmire was a success," she said.
"Saren is formidable enough without an army of Krogan serving under him," added Sparatus.
"Sovereign is the real problem here, the Reapers wiped out the Protheans, we're next," Shepard said.
"Yes, we saw mention of this on your report, Sovereign, a sentient machine, a true artificial intelligence, this news is quite alarming, if it turns out to be accurate," Valern explained.
"Sovereign is real, the Reapers are real, Saren even admitted it," Shepard partly raised her voice, unable to conceal her annoyance with the council's insistent scepticism.
"He's playing you Shepard, Saren still has contacts on the Citadel, he probably saw your earlier reports, the ones talking about the information you gained about the Reapers," Sparatus explained.
"It is entirely possible that Saren is using false information to throw you off balance. Our own intelligence has never turned up any corroborating information," Valern said.
"I tried to warn you about Saren, you didn't believe me then and look how that turned out," Shepard retorted.
"Indeed, Shepard has already proven that information she finds on the field is more reliable than what you three read in your reports," Ultra Magnus spoke for the first time and an eerie silence fell over the council.
Shepard read their expressions, seeing the uneasiness and tension between the three councillors. Ultra Magnus seemed to be the picture of boiling anger and frustration, whilst the council's silence was enough for Shepard to know what was going on in the Citadel. Still, she would confirm her theories later.
"Such a specific piece of information to be used to fool you, it seems too elaborate and farfetched an idea to actually work as an intelligence tactic. The mere design of Sovereign, from what photos show too, is proof enough that it is not Geth in design, the movement, the joints, they all speak of a techorganic influence, then there is eye witnesses testimony to the sounds people here in their heads. Again, this hints that your reports on Indoctrination could be correct, I sincerely doubt that Matriarch Benezia had lived such a sad life to give such loyalty, such worship to Saren," Magnus explained.
"Sad life," Shepard repeated with a scoff. "Is that how you see the lives of the people who follow Megatron with such loyalty, the people who followed Optimus Prime?" Shepard asked.
"His name is Nemesis Convoy!" Magnus snapped, the sound of him slamming the handle of his hammer down echoed through the speakers.
Shepard could have sworn she saw Valern's shoulders tremble slightly. She and Magnus locked eyes with one another in an intense glaring match. A moment passed and what seemed to be disappointment swept over Magnus's face.
"Then I read of your information regarding the Chaos bringer, Unicron, a figment of Cybertronian mythology," he said.
"What is Unicron?" Tevos asked.
"Throughout organic history there have been figures used to embody good and evil, the former was Primus, the creator god and supposedly he whom transformed into planet Cybertron itself. Then the latter is Unicron, brother of Primus, he whom destroys. Perhaps the human saying is correct Shepard, 'even a broken clock is right twice a day,'" Ultra Magnus stated and Shepard tightened her fists.
"Here's another saying, go to hell," she said.
"Perhaps humans are too emotional to become Spectres, perhaps they cannot be trusted after all, you have failed to tell the truth completely Shepard," Magnus said.
"What are you talking about?" she demanded.
"A guard returned to the Citadel informing us of the Decepticons breaking Nemesis and several other prisoners out of their custody, Decepticons likely working in conjunction with a second group that wiped out the Lightning Strike Coalition escorting Ratchet," Magnus explained.
"Grimlock's unit, they've been destroyed?" Shepard asked.
"Lost to us, along with Ratchet," Magnus said. "And it seems your report omitted the fact that these escapees from Depthcharge's escort team arrived to assist you on Virmire, I know that being a Spectre allows you to work against certain laws, but that's only if you don't get caught," he explained.
"Oh no Joker, it seems we've lost the signal," she said.
"Got it Shepard, communications cut," Joker half chuckled. "So it looks like we have a snitch with us," he said, his voice indicating he was a bit more serious and worried.
"Yeah, but you know what they say about snitches," Shepard said as she contacted Ironhide and Convoy.
Deep space
Ratchet sat in his new cell; it was bigger but significantly darker than what the Autobots had to offer. His bars consisted of lines of energy that rather than repel a prisoner, would disintegrate them if they dared to touch them. His guards the Constructicons were less talkative too, only interacting with one another as they gambled energon packs or weapons over a numbers game. They quickly stood to attention as the door opened and Megatron stepped inside, Skywarp at his back.
"Leave us," he said, flexing his repaired hand.
Skywarp nodded, going with the rest of the guards outside. Once the door was closed, Ratchet stood up and walked towards the energy surges, glaring at Megatron.
"Are you prepared to pay for your crimes Ratchet?" Megatron asked.
"No I am not," Ratchet said, Megatron's eyes widening for a moment in surprise. "Not until you pay for the countless lives you have taken in your grasp for power," he added, stomping forward, his head inches from the energy bars.
"You'll find yourself waiting for a long time Ratchet, those in authority rarely pay for their crimes, they're the ones in authority after all. Regardless of what you have done, I think you can still be made use of," Megatron explained.
"How sad," Ratchet shook his head. "What would those who were with you from the start think if they saw you now, considering using programs that enslave others consciousnesses?"
"I made harsh and sometimes outright evil decisions, all for the sake of securing the future of our people, of turning the tide and bringing justice to those whom led us to ruin in the first place. That is what being a leader is, making those decisions no matter how cruel they made seem, and being able to live with the consequences and blood of that decision. No matter how many suffer, or how many codes of conduct or honour I break, if it leads to a golden age of peace then no one will really care will they?" Megatron asked.
"Unfortunately Grimlock's team can't answer that question, nor can the crew members who got in yours and Longarm Prime's way," Ratchet said.
"We can stand and debate morality for cycles Ratchet, it won't change the evil I've committed nor what you have done," Megatron said.
"I made those decisions accepting that no matter what future they created, it was one that had no place for me in it, can you say the same?" Ratchet asked.
"Such sentiments are not realistic or practical, to give in to my despair and accept punishment or nonexistence is not an option, not when there are still things I am capable of doing for our people," Megatron explained.
"How long do you intend to use 'for our people' as an excuse for your violence and anger?"
"As long as it takes, I will accept nothing less than absolute victory for our people."
"What of what your friend said, that freedom is the right of all sentient beings?"
"It is, so long as they use that freedom to stay out of my way!"
"We're done here," Ratchet huffed, turning away.
"We are not finished," Megatron snarled.
"I will not build anything for you, I will not create an army, I will not help you enslave others, I will offer nothing but my defiance," Ratchet said.
Megatron roared, opening the cell. He grabbed Ratchet's arms and slammed him into the wall. Then he swung Ratchet onto his head and threw him to the ground. Megatron's fusion cannon hummed as he aimed it at Ratchet's head, but defiance remained on the medic's face.
"Do it, go on DO IT!" he yelled. "I altered your best friend's mind, I served the very people who tried to preserve the system you despised, the system that abused so many of our people and then disregarded them when they weren't needed anymore. I will not become party to some self righteous and hypocritical campaign to replace one dictatorship with another, so kill me Megatron like you've killed so many others who got in your way."
Megatro gritted his teeth together, his hand shaking with fury. Ratchet continued glaring with no ounce of fear in his eyes. Finally Megatron yelled again and turned away, punching the console and turning the energy bars on again. He walked out of the holding area and made his way to his quarters. Removing his fusion cannon from his wrist, he placed it on the wall and brought up a holographic galaxy map. He considered his options and allies, Sixshot and Dreadwing, the possible targets, Palaven, Thessia, Sur'Kesh, even Earth were all enablers of corruption, he could wipe out the Batarians and their disgusting culture of slavery, a direct attack on Khar'shan would be enough. Then there was the Citadel, where Ultra Magnus's forces resided. But that all depended on whether he could depose the Fallen, or whoever was now leading the Decepticon forces.
'I can take them back,' he thought.
But then his mind wandered to another time, to hundreds of thousands of years ago, his days as a warrior in the arena. His armour was ragged, yet still he had the poise of pride as he stood with the only one he considered his equal. Nemesis Convoy was unreadable considering his mouth plate. Yet Megatron knew that whenever he looked up at the sky, he was in deep thought of the future.
"What do you see?" Convoy once asked him.
"I see an open world, a world where threats could come from any corner, which is why we must improve our world, strengthen it, transform it into something greater than anything those fools could turn it into," Megatron explained.
"I see an open world too brother, a world of such possibilities, true there could be threats but there could be friends too, so many planets to colonise, so many species to uplift, why should we limit improvement to ourselves, if we can make another species greater then shouldn't we?" Convoy asked.
"Does such a thing not contradict your belief in freedom Nemesis?" Megatron asked.
"What is freedom if not the opportunity and the knowledge to make informed decisions, up is up, worlds are round, planets orbit suns, and no great voice will answer your calls for help, these are universal truths, and if by offering our technology, our wisdom to those chained by superstition and tradition helps them to ascend to something better then why should we not guide them?"
"Some would consider the demand to abandon tradition a breach of freedom."
"But if a species is so devoted to tradition, so devoted to its own view of the universe, then can it truly grow and if it cannot grow can it really be called free?"
"So do you believe we should abandon our world?"
"If it chains us, if it keeps us from changing for the better, then why not?"
"Perhaps we should simply agree to disagree," Megatron chuckled and Convoy joined him in laughing.
Despite their hardship it seemed a better time, Megatron opened his observation window, looking at the stars. But then he saw reflecting back at him, Galvatron.
"You too one day Megatron will fall and be chained again, you will answer to the will of the chaos bringer," he heard Galvatron's words to him and shook his head.
He punched the glass, cracking where his reflection was.
"What will you become Nemesis?" he asked before turning away from the glass.
Nihlus sat in his apartment, a Carnifex Hand Cannon close by as he moved his legs with his hands. He'd been attended some off the record physiotherapy with Dr Michel in the wards, and researching the possibility of cybernetics or a harness, the former idea appealing less to him with the arrival of the Cybertronians. Avitus returned to Palaven, awaiting a military reassignment and leaving Nihlus with a guilty expression and a good luck. Nihlus didn't begrudge Avitus though, he'd been a good guard and with Cybertronians now on the Citadel, Nihlus knew his investigation would become a lot more complicated. There was a ping on his Omni-tool and he accessed his mail. It was from the false account Shepard had created for their correspondence.
"Earthborn Survivor201107: Are you there?"
He wrote back a confirmation, lowering his leg and taking hold of his pistol.
"Need a secure line!"
"Now!"
Nihlus typed on his computer, accessing the communication software, he established a private link with Shepard's own secure account. Apparently the Autobot communications officer Blaster had played a part in designing some security for their communications, the rest being filled by Shepard, no slouch herself when it came to tech. It took a few minutes for Shepard's face to appear on the screen, the bags on her eyes being the evidence that she was getting tired.
"What is it Shepard?" Nihlus asked.
"What have you been able to access about my missions?" she asked instead.
"Nothing, the council cut me off from any involvement, a result of advice from the new Cybertronian representative," Nihlus said.
"Ultra Magnus, has he established some sort of martial law on the Citadel?" she asked.
"Depends on where you live," Nihlus chuckled. "The Wards love our Cybertronian guests, a lot of people are entertained by the personalities of these Autobots, not all of them are strict military officers. They seem to have an automatic dislike for politicians, probably why we like them so much, the Presidium is where they focus many of their security enforcements. Since their general acceptance into maintaining Citadel security we've had curfews put into effect, the Asari consort has been put under a type of house arrest, her staff haven't been allowed to return to their homes as they've been deemed 'a security threat' due to the personal information of some of Sha'ira's clients becoming public. Staffing has been reduced at the embassies and replaced with Autobot guards, then there's the tower, air patrols around it, more guards inside it," he explained.
"Are the councillors under house arrest too?" Shepard asked.
"Officially they are choosing to remain until the Geth crisis has been resolved, unofficially Ultra Magnus is using them as political hostages and possibly scapegoats if things go wrong," Nihlus said.
"Kind of appropriate scapegoats," Shepard muttered.
"Perhaps, regardless of personal feelings, the Turian fleet protecting our borders has been replaced with a few Autobot Titan class ships, I read the specs on them, they're capable of transforming into fleet and army destroyers," Nihlus stated.
"Have they restricted Udina and Anderson?"
"The last I was able to get from the human embassy was that Anderson was being reassigned, but awaiting a ship to command appropriate to his level of experience and achievements. I believe Ultra Magnus said, and I'm quoting 'Having Anderson serve as a mere assistant to an Ambassador is a moronic waste of his abilities as a commander,'" Nihlus explained.
"I can agree with that, but it's a pain in my ass considering he's one of the few people I can trust on the Citadel at the moment," Shepard said.
"What's wrong?" Nihlus asked.
"Something I left of my report, but something I don't think Magnus has told the council is a discovery I made on Virmire concerning Saren's Cybertronian allies…" and Shepard told Nihlus all she had seen on Virmire, of the false Fallen, the reveal of Unicron and Sovereign being a Reaper, the Pretenders and even Saren's reasoning for his betrayal.
Nihlus tightened the grip on his pistol, wishing his old friend was in front of him so he could return the favour for Eden Prime. He rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
"Well, this complicates things, a mistake on your part too Shepard, considering I could be a Pretender too. Pretenders, Indoctrination, people could be replaced or affected and not even know it, a frightening and frustrating thought," he stated.
"I know that, paranoia is safe, but it can also keep you from taking necessary action," Shepard said.
"A reason why we chose you to be a Spectre, you're a good judge of character Shepard, better than me," Nihlus said.
"All of my instincts tell me that my crew is safe, they had plenty of chances to sabotage my mission against Saren, same thing for the Autobots, save for probably the new ones on Ironhide's team," Shepard stated.
"What happened?"
"Something for Ironhide to deal with, in the mean time my team needs to replenish and revive before we throw ourselves into another mission. I've recommend you leave the Citadel if you can," Shepard said.
"Not if there's more I can learn about the Asari and a possible Pretender connection, with what you've revealed someone on our side needs to be vigilant in case the Citadel has been infiltrated. Sorry Shepard but whatever the risk I'm staying, you focus on what's out there," Nihlus explained.
"Fine Nihlus, but be careful, for all you know just being exposed to Sovereign's presence has Indoctrinated me, and I'm leading everyone into a trap," Shepard chuckled.
"Shepard…please don't ever joke again!"
"Everyone's a critic," she muttered before cutting communications.
Slowly, Nihlus changed and left his apartment. He went along the Presidium, finding a lack of activity on it. People still walked to work, but he recalled Autobot security agents angrily escorting a Hanar off of their protest site. Of course the Hanar had been preaching of Prothean wisdom and divinity, the Hanar embassy had lodged a complaint and there were rumours of the Prothean worshippers being attacked by Cybertronians. There was nothing that C-Sec could prove of course, and people didn't care enough to speak out about it. Barla Von was no longer operating in the Presidium, his store was converted into a typed of embassy for the Cybertronians. Then there was the added security, curiously there seemed to be a focus on the mass relay ornament, though in their idle chatter the guards revealed they had no idea why they'd been put there. Nihlus kept going until he reached the embassies.
"Please state the nature of your visit," one the guards blocking his way said.
"A review of Asari records, I'm hoping to add a Huntress or two to the ranks of the Spectres," Nihlus said.
The guards let him pass and Nihlus made his way to the Asari embassy archives. There were two Asari already there, and Nihlus worked a short distance away from them. If he went to the corner he could be boxed in, and that would cast even more suspicion on him. He was looking at possible candidates, that was the story, so he came already with an idea of who he researched if he was questioned about it. He brought up the files of the Huntresses and then delved into the deeper archives. Using the hacking software Blaster provided him with; he skimmed through firewalls and accessed a few files on Tevos, Irissa and Tela Vasir, reading their connections. There was hundreds of years worth of achievements to go through, Irissa's sponsorship of Asari exploration projects, Tevos's work in the trade sector before moving onto politics, being the ambassador before becoming the councillor.
'Wait, who was Tevos's predecessor, it isn't just them,' Nihlus thought, shifting to alternatives.
He found one, Matriarch Aerachnia, Asari councillor but formerly of the Asari military. A huntress with an almost miraculous ability to survive devastating battles, having taken advantage of a long life span to put half her life into military service. Then there was her final tour of duty, head of security of a research base near Thessia, supposedly analysing new minerals and artefacts from exploration teams. A base that would late be led by Irissa, whom went onto sponsor the procurement projects with Tela inheriting her security head position. Two connected to the base, one connected to a person, all of them recently leaving their digital banking imprints on projects in that system.
"Oh, Nihlus," he raised his head, quickly closing the files and opening his original files.
Vasir stood at the doorway, one of the other researchers leaving as she entered.
"How are you feeling?" she asked with a concern Nihlus knew was a long practiced tactic for getting past a target's defences.
"Considering a shift to sports, apparently the humans invented such a thing for paraplegics before they were even a united government," Nihlus quipped.
"Oh yes I heard of these games, strange to regulate worldwide peace to one time a year, and for competition of all things," she muttered.
"According to history these games weren't exactly peaceful, humans play hard, what brings you here?" Nihlus asked.
"I've been looking for you actually, Jodam Bau has been acting strangely, recent security reports suggested he was conducting surveillance on Asari personnel when he had orders to work with Autobot teams," she explained.
"I see, that is troubling, do we know what the basis of his suspicions is?" Nihlus asked, playing along with what was either her game, or her genuine Intel.
More suspicion laid on Jodam was less suspicion put on him.
"None so far, what about you? Why have you come to the archives?" she asked.
"Possible recruitment for the Spectres, in fact I was wondering if I could have your opinion, come and see," Nihlus gestured for her to come over.
She did, Nihlus risking the closeness to make her less suspicious of him. Keeping his guard up was smart, but leaving himself just a little vulnerable would offer him the possibility of an advantage. Vasir looked over his shoulder at the photos and files he had brought up.
"Matriarch Ishara and Sarissa Theris, good choices, their feats as Huntresses are legend. Sarissa may preach of Asari honour but she's capable of making harsh decisions for the good of the mission," Vasir explained.
"My feelings exactly, Ishara has a wealth of experience but I believe she adheres a little too strictly to military codes of conduct, her abilities are without question but her service record is spotless, a little too spotless if you catch my meaning," Nihlus explained.
"Of course, sometimes being a Spectre requires ruthless decisions, like shooting a friend in the back," Vasir said, her friendly demeanour fading for just a moment.
"Yes," Nihlus said, not giving her any reaction that might satisfy either her attempts to annoy or intimidate him.
"But this information is a little out of date, they've both committed to the private sector, some kind of lofty exploration project," Vasir said.
"Thank you for the update, do you need any help on the Jodam Bau front?" he asked.
"It would be appreciated, I need to interview the Asari consort, the allegations of her selling information need to be answered and she has been one of the people Bau monitored," Vasir explained.
A potential trap, Nihlus cursed, but not if he could time his grenades and tech just right. Vasir took hold of his chair and smiled.
"Allow me to guide you," she said, putting on a condescending smile.
Pinnacle Station
It was a marvel of Turian engineering, but it was commanded by a human. Admiral Ahern was a first contact veteran, and an expert on Turian tactics and military doctrine, so it made sense for him to be brought in to train both humans and Turians. Wrex smirked as he walked into the command centre, no doubt enjoying the fact that a Krogan was walking free in an outpost originally used against his kind during the rebellion. Shepard shook Ahern's hand as the rest of her team, Liara and Tali included walked to the recreational and simulation areas.
"Welcome to Pinnacle station Shepard, congratulations on the Spectre promotion too, it's about time the council recognised our worth," Ahern said.
"Thank you sir, my crew and I won't be bothering you for long, we're just here to recharge, maybe restock on a few things before we head out again," Shepard said.
"No problem Shepard, enjoy the simulator whilst you're at it, we have a score board and some scenarios, I find a little challenge and competition helps with the training," Ahern explained.
"My crew might take you up on that, me, I prefer a little quiet," Shepard said.
"Fair enough, I imagine a little peace is a relief after the missions you've been having, we hear some things," Ahern said.
"Like what?" Shepard asked.
"Like you working with alien robots, we don't get many Cybertronians coming this way," Ahern pointed out of the command centre window, indicating the Junkion ship in the debris field.
"They won't fit in here, I mean in the literal sense that they won't fit inside the station," Shepard said.
"Eden Prime, Therum, Feros, Noveria and now Virmire, you'd have to let us access the redacted data Shepard, they'd make for great training scenarios," Ahern said.
"There's no training for this, still as a gesture of good will the captain of the Cybertronian vessel wanted to offer this, simulation data involving the different types of Decepticons that would be encountered on the field and tactics that might work for species our size," Shepard explained, giving Ahern a data disc.
"Why is it labelled 'awesome mix-tape volume 3'?" Ahern asked.
"He didn't have anything else to record over," Shepard said. "If you excuse me sir," she saluted the Admiral, who dismissed her.
Shepard walked into the recreational area, seeing Liara, Kaidan and Garrus standing in a group. A trio of Asari were sitting in the corner, and a Krogan was looking up at the score board. Two Turians as well looked at a view screen that showed a volcanic environment. They watched as Wrex landed on top of a Geth Prime, repeatedly firing his rifle into it. Tali was kicking a Geth trooper and Ashley held down her trigger until it overheated.
"They're just blowing off some steam commander," Kaidan said.
"At ease Kaidan, we could all use the rest, I'm sorry this isn't the ideal place for it," Shepard said.
"We have no idea what C-Sec, the council or the Autobots would do if we go back to the Citadel," Garrus muttered.
"And with us reaching such a critical junction in the battle against Saren, we cannot afford the delay the politics of the council would bring, or to involve ourselves in whatever internal conflict might be going on at the Citadel," Liara explained.
"First the Decepticons are our enemies, but what are they now? They certainly feel more like an ally than the council have been so far, I thought with the main Autobot forces here we could finally start really opposing Saren, but there's still just politics and infighting," Kaidan rubbed the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as he seethed.
"Is that another head ache Kaidan?" Shepard asked.
"It'll pass Commander, I mean Shepard," he said.
"Still, you should have an actual rest, maybe sleep for a little bit," Shepard said.
"The same could be said for you Commander," Liara said.
"What do you mean?"
"You haven't stopped, between talking to us, coordinating with Nihlus and the other day to day tasks of Captaining the Normandy you haven't taken a moment to yourself," Liara explained.
"Me talking to my crew is taking time to myself, this might surprise you, but learning you all have your baggage is a bit of a relief for me, I prefer being a plank of wood over being interesting," Shepard chuckled.
"I'm not sure about the saying, but I think I understand your point, and come on Shepard by comparison I'm the block of wood…minus being a bad Turian my childhood and career has been pretty normal," Garrus explained.
"As has mine," Liara added.
"All a hundred and six years of it," Shepard pointed out and Kaidan laughed.
"After what we've been through I wouldn't call you a plank of wood Shepard, in fact I'd say there's more to you than meets the eye," he said.
"That's a sweet sentiment Kaidan, but really it applies to all of us, there's so much more going on than what people can see," Shepard said.
"Are you all right Shepard?" Kaidan asked.
"Honestly? I don't think so, it frustrates me that all I say to the council just falls on deaf ears, I'm not sure what to make of Magnus, is he with the Reapers or is he just an asshole? We've been fine but other people haven't, the people at the facility in Noveria, the colonists of Eden Prime and Feros, Liara's mother, Tali's friend, and out Autobot team mates. Now we have more added on, questions of who we can trust, but I've got my team, I've got a clear goal and I know what I have to do regardless of the help I have," Shepard explained.
"Do you trust us Shepard?" Garrus asked.
"None of you have given me a reason not to, I hope I haven't too, if we carry on like that then we'll be unstoppable, but for now let's enjoy ourselves before we get back into the fight," Shepard said, her three team mates agreeing with her.
It was on the Junkion ship that a much more complicated conversation took place. Ironhide limped into the cargo area his new team was using. Hunks of metal had been placed over his broken limbs, acting as temporary replacements before better ones could be fitted. But he couldn't wait for his full repairs, and he was still confident that he could get anyone to talk. Bounding into the cargo area, he cocked the blaster he held to get the attention of Trailbreaker and the sisters.
"Who has been in contact with Ultra Magnus?" he demanded.
"Sir?" Trailbreaker looked at him in confusion.
"I don't file reports, I leave that to the commanding officers," Shadow Striker said.
"Still should we not talk to Ultra Magnus?" Roulette asked.
"Sis," Shadow Striker aimed a warning stare at her sister.
"No Shadow, we shouldn't have anything to apologise for if we did contact Ultra Magnus, we're not the ones working with traitors," Roulette said.
"Is that how you feel? Because I think these bots are awesome," Trailbreaker said, making Shadow Striker smack her palm into her face.
"One of you told Ultra Magnus specific details about the missions, details Ah wanted to conceal, now think of Optimus and…"
"Except he isn't this 'Optimus' isn't he?" Roulette asked, standing up and glaring at Ironhide. "He's Nemesis Convoy, the bot who started the Decepticon movement, everything that went wrong after the war with the Protheans is his fault. Now we have this 'Pretenders' chaos to add to all of it, how can we trust you Commander Ironhide, when you seem so nonchalant about working with Decepticons, how many of our people have Thunder Cracker and Soundwave killed? How can you be okay with this?" she demanded.
"Ah am not okay with this, Ah have never been okay with it, but Ah trust Optimus, no matter what he's calling himself now Ah believe he's who we need right now," Ironhide explained.
"Maybe they're right Ironhide," Convoy said, shocking the team as he walked into the room.
"Maybe I can't be trusted, maybe I am what they say I am, maybe it is all my fault," he stated, looking at the three Autobots. "I want to trust all of you, but if none of you are comfortable with working with us, then take a shuttle back to the Citadel, because right now we can't afford distrust," he explained.
"You can trust them Convoy," Sideswipe came into the room, an apologetic expression on his face. "I did it, I'm the one who contacted Ultra Magnus, and I'm the one who you can't trust," he said.
"Swipe, what did you tell Ultra Magnus?" Ironhide asked.
"Everything, I told him everything!"
"Lord Nemesis, Soundwave reporting: Warp activity detected in system, multiple heat sources incoming!"
Nemesis transformed to his truck form, driving through the corridors of the ship until he reached the bridge. As he transformed to his robot form, Wreck-Garr had the crew go to their battle stations.
"Scanning: No known signatures detected, heat sources unknown, silhouettes unknown, enemy type unknown," Soundwave said.
"Not as superior as you like to think huh Wave? Isn't it obvious what those things are?" Blaster pointed out of the window.
They zoomed in with the view screen, seeing an Autobot shuttle flanked by several smaller bots. One was a blue jet with yellow under armour, a red cockpit canopy and red wings. Then there was a metallic hawk with a blue head, purple wings and talons and a blaster on its back. Flying beside that came a white grey and blue jet, its blaster cannons resembling Cybertronian pistols. There was also a black aircraft that resembled a submarine, and a figure that looked like a space suit armed with a sword and blaster. Across from the small figures was an aircraft that had inside of it a small red armoured bot with a blue visor, a blue and red bot and a red armoured bot with a gold V fin on his helmet.
"Target is in sight, Metalhawk, Rad, you will handle the human station," a voice spoke over the Autobot radio.
"Yes commander," the smaller bots said before flying for Pinnacle Station.
"Action Masters and Target Masters to attack the organics, which just leaves us for the traitors," the commander, an Autobot with a brown chest plate pulled a blaster off of the wall.
He had a green helmet, green limbs and tires on his shoulders, a shrunken version of a helicopter blade though was on his back. The commander turned to face the other bots under his command.
"What's our motto?" he asked them.
"Wreckers don't call for backup," the bots shouted, activating their weapons.
"They call for clean up!"
Next Chapter 33: Getting wrecked
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, next time Nihlus gets some allies, and battle erupts at Pinnacle Station.