Author's note: Okay, from here on in... blender is in overdrive! Just my personal take on things to fit in with my story line and well... just because... Just go with it - Please? :-) Thanks to anyone who has stuck around this long, you're champions! :-)

Chapter 148 – Trouble's Coming

Prime P.O.V

I stood in the training hanger alone – waiting.

A very important conversation was about to take place and I began to nervously pace back and forth to expel excess tension. My processor was racing, sifting through what had been said and what it could possibly mean. That heavy, cold feeling in the pit of my tanks was clamouring for attention and the Matrix whispered to me in foreboding tones. One thing was certain – trouble was coming!

The sound of the heavy metal doors sliding open caught my attention and my helm snapped in their direction. A lone figure entered nodding their helm in greeting, a serious expression on their faceplates. ''Prime.'' Their gravelly voice echoed in the cavernous space as they strode towards me in the centre of the room. They looked about, their optic ridge creasing in confusion. ''Where are the others? They should have been here by now.''

I turned to face them and nodded my helm in greeting too, bringing my servos to rest on my hips. ''Ironhide.'' I sent my weapon's specialist a smile. ''Easy Ironhide, they will be here shortly.''

As if on que several other figures filed in through the door, the last closing it behind them in a metallic clank. ''Sorry I'm late. I was jus' tryin' ta remind Sunny that as a rule, we don't refer ta tha' humans as ''sacks a meat', ''flesh bags'' or ''disgusting squishy organic lifeforms'' as they tend ta get a bit sensitive and pissed off!'' Jazz shook his helm in mild irritation, though a smile lurked on his dermas.

Rachet gave a loud, derisive snort, ''And how did that go down with the yellow devil?''

Jazz threw him a quick glance and laughed, ''He said he had ta agree ta disagree with me on that one and that he'd call 'em what he slagging well liked.''

Elita sent me a knowing smile as she came to stand beside me. ''Well Prime, sounds like you're going to have your servos full now Sunstreaker has arrived.''

I nodded as the most senior and trusted members of my team gathered around for our meeting. ''Indeed Elita, though one problem at a time. At present there are far more important things to concern ourselves with than Sunstreaker's,'' I paused for a moment considering how I should word what I was about to say. ''personality.''

Ironhide grunted, ''or lack thereof.''

The room erupted into peels of laughter and I raised a servo to quiet them. ''While Sunstreaker may be outspoken in his opinions, he is a fine warrior, like his brother Sideswipe, and a welcome addition of strength and firepower to our team.'' I cast a stern look about the group. ''Rest assured I will speak with him when I get a chance about his interesting choice of terminology for our human friends.''

I shifted on my pedes and all optics focused on me. ''Now, onto more pressing and concerning matters.'' I cast Ironhide and Rachet a look. ''Can you both disseminate to Jazz and Elita what Galvatron warned Phoenix about in their brief interaction?'' I fought to ignore the spike of anger that stabbed through me at that image.

Ironhide nodded and Rachet looked puzzled for a moment. ''Of course Prime but, why isn't Phoenix here? Surely, she should be involved in this meeting not only because she was the one Galvatron spoke to, but she is a Prime too and, as such, shouldn't she be privy to this discussion?''

All sets of optics turned to scrutinise my response. I shook my helm and folded my arms across my chest. ''Negative Rachet. While I acknowledge Phoenix's title and importance in this scenario, she is still recovering from her injury and I do not want to cause her any undue stress or worry over something we do not quite understand ourselves.''

''But Optimus, Phoenix is far from a delicate femme that needs…'' Elita began to speak up and I turned on her.

''Elita, with all due respect, I think I know better than you what Phoenix is capable of,'' though I tried to keep a level tone in my voice, some irritation leeched through and Elita's optics narrowed in annoyance as she bristled at the rebuke. I paused a moment before I continued. I did not want to upset Elita nor derail the purpose of our meeting. ''Please Elita, I meant no disrespect to you and I appreciate the concern you show for Phoenix. I assure you I will discuss with Phoenix what our concerns are in due course, but for now – my decision is final.'' Once again, I sent a look around the group assembled before that brooked no disagreement. ''Ironhide, Rachet – report.''

''Very well Prime,'' Ironhide spoke up and turned to face Elita and Jazz. ''Essentially, according to Phoenix, after she was injured, Galvatron approached her and began to try and convince her that we Autobots were the evil ones and that he and the Decepticons were the good guys.'' Ironhide paused a moment as he clenched his servo in anger at the thought.

Rachet spoke up then. ''He tried to manipulate and trick Phoenix in her injured state,'' the medic smiled, ''but what was most concerning to us when she recalled their interaction was the following; 'a war was coming, one that will make this one look like sparkling's play and that an enemy more powerful than we could imagine was on their way – the signs are upon us.''

Elita and Jazz stood quietly for a moment, processing what had been told to them. After a moment, Elita spoke up, ''Signs? What signs?''

I ex-vented softly and turned to face both her and Jazz. ''Following my meetings with Lennox, Morshower and the JCS following the battle in Beijing, I have been informed of the appearance of some very concerning structures.'' I raised my servo to my helm and activated my holo projector, an image of the massive horn like structures around the globe flashed to life before us.

''What in Cybertron!'' Jazz exclaimed, clearly shocked.

Elita gasped and Ironhide and Rachet's faces looked grim. ''These are the signs Galvatron was referring to. Morshower and the JCS have determined that we Autobots might be able to assist the various human organisations working to uncover the purpose of these horns.'' I deactivated the hologram and shifted on my pedes. ''Morshower, Lennox along with the testimonies of Cade, Tessa and Shane, have all proved invaluable in helping to exonerate us for our involvement in the Beijing battle and storming of the KSI facility in Chicago. And as you now know, we have been officially pardoned and granted permission to remain here on Diego Garcia – for now.''

''As well we should be Prime. We have never sought to start a fight but by Primus we'll end one!'' Ironhide clenched his fist and a scowl formed on his face.

''Easy Ironhide! Ya might wanna save it for whateva belongs ta those massive horns,'' Jazz chuckled and tapped his servo on Ironhide's shoulder.

''Prime,'' Elita spoke up, a look of thoughtful consideration on her face. ''You said we have been granted permission to remain here for now. Am I correct in assuming there may have been some – conditions attached to our remaining here?''

A low growl erupted from Ironhide, ''Just like these human Politicians, give with one servo and stab you in the back with the other!''

Rachet laughed, ''And that is different to the old Cybertronian Senate how?'' Ironhide glowered at Rachet.

I ex-vented deeply and raised my servos, ''Enough! Ironhide, Rachet we are losing sight of the real issue at hand.'' Both Ironhide and Rachet stilled, though Ironhide folded his arms across his chest and a dark look crossed his features.

I shuttered my optics and turned to give Elita a small smile before I glanced about the group, ''Well-reasoned Elita. Though it is not so much a condition as perhaps a request, that in turn for continued asylum and resources, we Autobots help our human allies in ascertaining the origin of these horns and if they pose a threat to humans and Transformers alike.''

''Well!'' Jazz clapped his servos together. ''I'm gonna go with a big ol' yes on that one Prime. These five..''

''Six, there were six horns Jazz,'' Ironhide corrected.

''Right man,'' Jazz flashed Ironhide a smile. ''These six horns, that have mysteriously popped up out of the earth like… like…'' Jazz's arms were waving about wildly as he tried to find an apt description, ''some evil lookin' mechanical daisies, can possibly be anything BUT a precursor to death and destruction.''

I cast my 2IC a fleeting smile at his interesting description of the ominous horns. ''While that is more than likely the case Jazz, we need to be thorough in our research and investigations. We must deduce, and with great haste, what are they a sign of? If these horns are, as Galvatron says, a sign of a great enemy approaching, we need to uncover what great enemy is preparing to bring a war to this planet. One that could, in essence, mean its destruction and the destruction of all upon it?'' My voice was grave indeed.

Rachet placed a servo under his chin as he recalled the image. ''They are scattered all over the globe, not concentrated in one specific location. Almost like…''

''Towers, pillars,'' Ironhide continued.

''But what for? What purpose could they be serving?'' Elita countered.

Rachet nodded, ''If you all recall Sentinel Prime and his pillars, they too were scattered all over the Earth to help serve as a Space Bridge.''

''There were hundreds of them Rachet and only six of these and a control pillar,'' Ironhide retorted.

Jazz snorted, ''Didn't ya see tha size of these pillars 'Hide? In this case, size does matter!''

''And which one would be the control pillar or tower if any?'' Elita began to pace quietly about, ignoring Jazz's comment. ''Besides, the pillars were brought here at any rate by Sentinel and his Decepticon cronies. They needed Sentinel to activate them.'' She stopped pacing and placed her servos on her hips and tilted her helm to the side. I smiled to myself. ''How did these things get here then?'' She looked about the group, her optics landing on mine. '''Cause from what you have told me Optimus, those horns have simply grown out of the ground as if they were metallic seeds that have laid dormant for years – possibly millennia.''

''Oh, I see we're continuin' the flower theme. I like it!'' Jazz laughed.

Rachet cast Jazz a baleful look before he nodded his helm and murmured an agreeance with Elita. ''And why now? Why have they started to appear now? Is it something to do with the Seed and Galvatron? Or something else entirely?''

Elita spoke once more, ''And if these horn structures are pillars designed to activate some sort of immense space bridge, who or what would be capable of doing that?''

I sighed out loud. ''It would seem we have raised more questions than found answers at this point.'' I felt weary. Despite the fact I had finally been reunited with my beloved Phoenix barely a fortnight ago and we were growing closer each day, my spark felt heavy. It was as though with each new question to this riddle, my spark felt weighed down with the responsibility that came with finding the answers. /Are you ready for what might be uncovered? Are you ready for what Primus foretold to Phoenix?/.

I wanted to scream ''NO!'' but instead, I silently quelled the negative thoughts. /A Prime must always be ready, and willing, to do what is required for the greater good of their race. For the greater good of all/. Again, the Matrix pulsed within me, a cold wave of warning washed over me, and I froze as I acknowledged it. It whispered to me through tendrils of dread. /Coming. Beware. Chaos. HE is coming! For us./. My spark skipped a beat, and I subconsciously raised my servo towards my chest.

''Prime? Are you okay?'' Elita gently placed a servo in my arm, her optics filled with concern.

I shook my helm to ward off the feelings of dread and gave Elita's servo a quick squeeze of reassurance before I removed it. ''I'm fine Elita, thank you for your concern.''

Elita crooked an optic ridge towards me, and a small smirk played on her dermas. She didn't buy it, but nor would she pursue it. A fact I was grateful for.

A new determination swept over me. ''Ironhide, Jazz I want you to work with Lennox to scour every shred of evidence the humans have found and analyse it in accordance with Cybertronian history. If necessary, go to the horns themselves to determine if there are any markings, any signs or clues the humans have missed.''

''Affirmative Prime, consider it done,'' Ironhide replied.

''You got it Boss bot,'' Jazz nodded his helm.

''Elita you and I will scour the zetabytes of information we still hold from what we retained of the Allspark. Look for any connection to an ancient being of power.'' She nodded her helm.

I turned to face my medic. ''Rachet, if those things are a space bridge, I want you to investigate how they may work and what they can transport here. Consult via Lennox with human scientists if necessary.''

''As you wish Prime.'' Rachet went to say something else but stopped himself.

''Now we all have our roles, I suggest we get to work. Something tells me that, despite evidence to the contrary, time is our greatest enemy.'' I gave each of my trusted soldiers and friends a solemn nod. ''Dismissed.''

As Rachet, Ironhide, Jazz and Elita all filed towards the door I remained where I was for a moment. Alone with my thoughts.

I raised my servo to my chest above the Matrix and my spark. The cold tendril of dread had slowly abated, though the warning remained etched into my processor. /Chaos. He is coming/. The words tore through my database, through all the ancient Cybertronian texts and tombs I had read and accessed over the countless vorns. Piecing it together with current information. /Horns. Greatest enemy we could imagine/.

I closed my optics tightly, fearing for a moment they might shatter. I clutched my chest and felt my knees begin to buckle beneath me as the weight of who we might be facing came crashing down upon me. /Please, Primus. It can not be! Please – no/. I sank to the floor, kneeling. My servos stretched out before me, all that stopped me from collapsing to the floor entirely. I ex-vented deeply several times, forcing myself to find my centre. /You do not know for sure yet. Have hope/.

I sighed out loud and pushed myself back up into a kneeling position. Without warning Primus' words came flooding back through my processor

/Where there was one, there shall now be two.

Two Primes joined by fate, to see their people through.

You must stand together, despite the trial that awaits.

For if you break ties, the impending darkness will seal all fates/.

I cycled air through my intakes and silently bowed my helm in acceptance. /A Prime must always be ready, and willing, to do what is required for the greater good of their race. For the greater good of all/.

All at once an image of my Phoenix flashed through my processor and my spark. Her beautiful smile, her laugh, her optics alight with love and joy as she looked at me and I gave a muffled sobbed. /Please. Just don't ask me to sacrifice something I cannot/.