Disclaimer: I only own my OCs. Vox belongs to a friend.

Pandimala: *raises optic ridge* I thought this was supposed to start regular length chapters?

Authoress: *pouts* I tried! But the information kept coming as I kept typing, and the story kept pulling more words out of me!

Starscream: I don't care how many words it takes, just as long as things turn out well for us.

Wheeljack: *nods* Yes, I'm ready for the fighting to be over, and that means that we need peace. And that means that things need to run smoothly.

Authoress: *surprised* Wheeljack? What the hell are you doing here?

Wheeljack: *shrugs* Kinda liked talking to these bots and wanted to visit. And since you haven't banished me, that means I get to be on both sides of this talk.

Authoress: *slams head down on the desk* What did I do to deserve this?

Pandimala: *without missing a beat* I can make you a list if you want?

Authoress: *glares at Pandimala*

Chapter 56: MECH

Pandimala's 1st P.O.V.

When I had arrived at that battle, I had not expected our Lord to not be there. Starscream putting the alert on the network had seemed a little strange, but I had put that off with Soundwave being busy with another assignment from our leader. When I landed, after kicking Sentinel across the beach, I had looked to see who was all present. While I expected to not see Optimus, given the messages that Talon was sending me about the information the twins were giving her, not seeing Lord Megatron had thrown me.

But, we needed to get away from the battle. So, after I helped the mech I was sure was Dunce up, I informed the Autobots in no uncertain terms that we didn't have Optimus...though I hadn't been one hundred percent sure of that at the time. Highly certain, but not completely sure. If the Decepticons did have him, though, I was going to give them Pit for it unless it was Lord Megatron's plan.

Thankfully, once we returned to the Nemesis, and the twins were still attached to my cannons, Vox had confirmed for me that we didn't have Optimus. But, now as I waited for the others to answer me about the location of Lord Megatron, I was trying to think about who could have taken the Prime. There weren't many who could capture the Prime. Honestly, I already had a suspicion about it but I would hold off on that until I figured out what happened up here after the failed patch on me.

Starscream, thankfully, didn't keep me waiting. "We don't know. Before we found out about your supposed fate, the Prime contacted us, wishing to talk to Lord Megatron alone. Our leader left his comm connected to the console in here so we could hear what was happening. We heard the Prime say that you were offline because of what we did to you."

Fragging Prime. I told them time and time again that it wasn't the Decepticons' fault that I ended up like this. Yeah, Airachnid may or may not have helped the process; we don't know. But, what we did know was that I wouldn't have been that vulnerable if the bot who fired at me had never done so. And since we knew it was none of the Decepticons that shot me, it had to be one of the Autobots. "I swear Autobots only have one train of thought. 'Blame the Decepticons.'"

"We're all starting to learn that one," Dreadwing agreed with a shake of his helm.

"As I was saying," Starscream continued with a slight huff at the interruption. "This angered Lord Megatron and we heard the two of them start fighting. Prime refused to disclose where they had put your chassis and that just drove the fight on longer. But, Lord Megatron's transmitter was damaged during the fight. We waited for a solar, as you know is standard for no contact." I nodded. Sometimes Decepticons needed time to cool off and a solar was the minimum time we were given without contact unless Lord Megatron ordered otherwise, or they were scheduled to check-in or return at a certain time. "And then I went to investigate their last known coordinates. I was able to rule out Autobot involvement in his disappearance. However, I found evidence of human involvement. This leaves me to believe that those that took him were,"

"MECH," I finished for him with a growl. How dare those humans take my leader? I would grind them under my pedes for this. And with the thought of MECH having taken Lord Megatron, I realized something else. "And they most likely took Optimus as well." Frag this could have been avoided if the Autobots had studied the scene.

We needed to get their leader back to them. They needed him there to get settled again.

"Right. But, we haven't been able to confirm that. When I returned from the scene, Lockdown and Thunderblast arrived, and then the Autobots attacked us immediately after. That was when the captured Rumble and Frenzy so we focused on the two missing bots who we knew the location of." And that was a smart move. While I didn't like to think of my leader in the clutches of those monsters, I knew he would have survived this long.

"Then we need to confirm our suspicions," I then got on my comm. "Berg, I need you on the bridge with any recent information you have on MECH and their movements,"

"Pandimala, you're back?" Berg stated in surprise before he continued. "I'm on my way with the information," It was five clicks later that the door to the bridge opened and Berg ran in, moving between the officers. Once he stopped in front of me, he smiled. "It's good to have you back Pandimala."

"And it is good to be back," I responded. "Now, the information."

Berg nodded. "We haven't had much. They've been silent for several solars. However, something slipped through about thirty clicks ago. They made mention of looking for another specimen to study at their Theta location, which we have already determined is in Nevada."

So, that was where they had Lord Megatron and Optimus. Also, it seemed like MECH was being greedy and looking for another bot to compare to the two of them. This was going to work out. "Berg, send all of the officers here the coordinates to that base. Then, you can go back to your work."

"Yes, Pandimala," Berg nodded.

In no time at all, the coordinates came through and the mech left the room. Once he was gone, Soundwave spoke up. "This is near the location of the battle between Lord Megatron and the Prime."

"So, we have their location. I say we go teach them a lesson," Breakdown stated while punching his servo, getting ready for a fight.

But, that wouldn't be a good idea. We had to assume that MECH has had both mechs for several solars now. If we just charged into battle without knowing exactly where they were storing Lord Megatron and Optimus, then we may get them hurt, or worse offline. I would not allow my Lord to be even more injured than he may be. I doubt MECH repaired him from his battle with Optimus, and who knew what they may have done to him in the time they had him. I swear I would make blood flow for what they had done. To dare take our leader was an offense that I wouldn't forgive.

However, back to Breakdown's suggestion. "We can't. We may risk Lord Megatron and the Prime and I will not allow our leader to be hurt. Plus, with how the Autobots are acting, getting their Prime injured rushing helm first won't help them calm down any. They may get desperate enough to attempt to attack us again if they can't find their leader."

"Then what do you suggest?" That was one of the new bots...though by the looks of him he looked like this universe's version of Lockdown from the Animated universe. "Oh, and we haven't been introduced. The designation's Lockdown."

So, I was right. "Pandimala. Nice to meet you."

But, then I delved into my processor for a plan that would work. We couldn't just storm into their base and look for their leader. Sneaking in seemed like a good idea, and from the look of the bots in here, some of them seemed to be able to pull off a stealth mission. However, no matter how much stealth they used, getting into a human warehouse for bots in general and stealth usually didn't go servo-and-servo.

"We could have one of us get captured," The other new mech, Swindle I was almost positive since he also looked like his Animated universe version, spoke up. "That report from the drone, Berg, said that they were wanting another subject to study. Most likely to compare to Lord Megatron and Prime if our information is correct." He then smirked at me. "Oh, and the designation is Swindle. We'll have to get together later for a chat."

Interesting. I wasn't getting a bad vibe from the mech, but that smirk was throwing me off. He was after something, but it might not be a bad thing. "Can't wait for it," I answered his introduction before I considered his idea. That would get us in the building. But, they would have to be interested in taking the bot. They had already taken Breakdown and Vox, so any bot that had a chassis like theirs would be out. MECH would want as much new information as possible.

The Predacons would be tempting, but they wouldn't be known to Lord Megatron and might make our Leader hesitate. Plus, they definitely wouldn't be able to convince Optimus to leave where they were being held so we could take care of MECH and he could get his faction in check. I could hear the others debating in the background as my processor moved the information around. The other femme in the room, who I was sure was Thunderblast since she looked like the femme's iteration from the Cybertron universe, would interest MECH given her probable ability to travel on the water. But, given the cuffs that were on her wrists and that Shockwave was holding, something must have happened during the fight. She might not be trustworthy and, again, we had to get Optimus to listen to her to leave.

No, as the others had narrowed their choices down to either Soundwave, who wouldn't be a good idea given all of the stress he had been through lately, and Blitzwing, though I knew he wouldn't be able to convince Optimus to fall back, I realized with annoyance that I was probably the best fragging choice in the room.

"So, it is either going to be Soundwave or Blitzwing?" Starscream asked everybot else.

They all nodded, but at that point, I shook my helm and spoke up. "No. It can't be either of them. It's going to have to be me."

And cue the uproar. There were a lot of arguments being yelled at me for that. Finally, though, the others got quiet and Starscream spoke up and he did not sound happy. "Femme, you just got back from the offline. You shouldn't be going out and getting taken by MECH."

Time to argue for something that I wasn't excited to do...again. "Starscream, I am the most logical choice and you know it. Soundwave has just gone through the Pit and back with the situation with the twins. Yes, MECH would be interested in Soundwave due to his structure and his facemask...and his symbiote ability if their scientists get that far. And yes, MECH would be interesting in Blitzwing because of his triple-changer status and his multiple personalities, I get that. And those are good points to have them go. However, they both also have one glaring problem. Both of them share the same problem in that neither of them will be able to convince Optimus to leave us alone at MECH's base to go back and get his Autobots in line as soon as possible." I then motioned to myself. "As much as I hate to admit it, I am the only one who will be able to get Prime to listen."

Thankfully, Scavenger spoke back before any of the bots that had known me. I had gotten a designation and description of the mech from the others when I had been at the bar and he had been brought up. "The femme makes good points. Out of all of us, she would be the only one able to convince the Prime to fall back and let us take our revenge on this MECH while he makes sure the Autobots don't try anything else like they just did." He then smirked. "Oh, and since we haven't officially met before, the designation is Scavenger."

I nodded toward the mech who looked like his Armada universe iteration in both greeting and thanks. "And I am Pandimala. Nice to finally officially meet you."

Starscream looked ready to blow a gasket at this click. I could tell that he didn't want to send me, and over half of the bots in here had the same fragging look, but he also probably saw the logic in my argument. Plus, with Scavenger already on my side, then that probably took some of the debate out of his wings. So, it was just a matter of time before Starscream folded.

After about another two clicks of Starscream looking ready to blow up, he finally let out a vent. "I don't like it, but it is the best option we have. However, how are you going to make sure you wake up from their electrical attack in time to rescue Lord Megatron and the Prime before they may separate you?"

"I'm not sure," I started.

Thankfully, it seemed like the new bots that I hadn't met in the bot until this solar were coming to my aid. "I have something that can help," Swindle started before he pulled a strange device out of his subspace. "A Denkic Switch. Picked it up on Monacus a couple of visits back. Only activates when electricity hits it. When it does, it starts a timer for two cycles. After two cycles, it jolts the bot it's attached to online. Used it to get out of a few deals gone bad in the past. Just make sure to bring it back in one piece and we'll call it even."

Taking the flat device that was the size of a box fan from the mech, I studied it before asking what might be a stupid question. "Um...how do I attach this?"

He looked me over. "I'd put it inside your cockpit. Just attach it to a flat surface and it will do the rest. A bit of a warning though, it's going to sting a little when it wakes you up."

Well, at least I got a warning. Thank the Allspark for the Decepticons. They had the forethought to warn you if something was going to hurt. I was getting more hopeful that this talk I was going to have with Swindle later was going to go better than I thought. But, I was going to stay on guard, just in case. Until I got a chance to meet all of the new bots on the base personally, I was going to be on guard. Between Astrotrain, Airachnid, and most recently Thrust, I was done with being the target of my fellow Decepticons.

Once I attached the device and closed my cockpit, I looked at Soundwave. "Soundwave, I need a bridge." The twins then climbed off of my chassis as Soundwave did so.

"You're leaving right away?" Starscream asked me in surprise, though I wasn't sure why.

Nodding, I made my way to the now open bridge. "I've kept our Lord waiting long enough. Waiting any longer would be an insult to our leader, and I will not do that." I then turned to face the bridge. "I will bring our leader home, and make those humans pay for taking him from us." I then walked through.

Lord Megatron's 1st P.O.V.

I wasn't sure who I wished to offline more at this nano; the Prime or the human scum that had taken us. From what I had seen in the Prime's optics before their interference, I had been close to overpowering him. Then, I could have taken him back to the Nemesis and found Pandimala's location. Once we had her chassis returned, and were able to perform a burial that she deserved, I was going to take out the Autobot base. Since we would have their leader, those Autobots would not be prepared for the onslaught that the Nemesis could bring down upon them. We had allowed them to take care of one of our own, Pandimala, and they had repaid that kindness by offlining her! The Prime blamed us, yet I knew we were not the ones who attacked her human form all those solars ago. No, even if the dark energon that Airachnid placed inside of our strategist assisted in the transformation, Pandimala would not have been in such a vulnerable position without the attack done against her.

I was not one to just blame another faction unless I had a reason. Yes, it could have been a neutral or solo Decepticon who was living on this planet who didn't like organics, outside of the fact that either one wouldn't have just attacked one human like that. They would attack any lone human-like being that they came across them, and given what we were learning of humans from the drone programs, they did not hesitate to venture out on their own.

So, I had assigned Vox to keep an optic on different unknown cases that might cross human medical paths. So far, there has been none. This evidence led me to conclude that the attack against Pandimala back then had been an isolated incident. And an isolated incident meant Autobot since I had checked all of my Decepticons.

"Megatron, how are you holding up?" The Prime asked from the similar platform he was strapped to.

While I was angry at Optimus still, right now he was the only semblance of an ally that could help us escape this predicament. "I am just fine. Nothing these organics can do will injure me." However, that was just bluff and I knew it. From the reports that I had received from DIGS, MECH was more than capable of inflicting damage against us. I had seen the proof of that first servo when they had captured Breakdown and Vox.

MECH. According to what DIGS had uncovered their name stood for Machines Evolving Central Humanity. And with their discovery of our existence, their goals were being moved even further. I wasn't sure exactly how long we had been here, however, I knew that it had at least been two solars, though I suspected more. The leader, Silas, had made a point in saying that the extra electricity they had to use to take me out had caused me to stay in stasis for even longer. However, two solars had passed since I had been out of stasis.

"MECH is not an enemy that should be underestimated Megatron. They have access to our technology, and have made use of it in the past." Optimus thought he was informing me.

However, I knew what this organization had been up to since the Autobots had interacted with them during the transport of that nuclear device. We had a dedicated group who kept tabs on the organization. While we didn't know their every move, we had an educated idea of how far their technology had come.

Since this was not the time to be taunting Optimus, I decided to voice my true thoughts on the subject. "I never underestimate my enemy, Prime, and I know that this group could do damage to even us. However, with knowledge comes power, and I have the knowledge I need on this enemy."

That caused my foe's optics to widen in shock. Served the Prime right. "The Decepticons have been watching MECH?"

I let out a scoff at that. "Of course we have. The Decepticons monitor all threats that could hinder our goals for the future. With our first encounter with the human group, we deemed it necessary to keep an optic on them. And that knowledge has served us well."

While Optimus looked like he wanted to respond to that, he didn't get the chance to as one of the doors on the human walkway opened, and in walked their leader, alone. It had only been ten clicks since their researchers had been in here peeling back our platings. I had noticed that they had stopped being invasive after the first solar I was out of stasis. That told me that they seemed to be waiting on something, though they didn't want to stop their advances in researching us.

"So, you two are both awake. Perfect." Silas spoke. "Now that we have acquired a third specimen to compare to you two, we will see the intricate differences between such magnificent beings such as yourselves."

"You will not succeed in your plans, Silas. The Autobots will come and stop you," Optimus insisted, as he did the other solar when Silas talked to us like this.

However, I was curious about the third subject that he was speaking on. There weren't many bots on either side that the human hadn't already studied the frame type of. He had information on basic grounders and more battle-oriented grounders from his study of Vox and Breakdown. From the information DIGS had kept us officers updated on, he had information on two-wheelers due to their brief study of the Autobots Arcee and Chromia as well as hunters due to the partnership they made with Airachnid at the time. Finally, given the shape that their project Chimera had come out in, it was obvious that they even had information on Optimus.

I suspected that they took Optimus to get a more in-depth look at his functionality. Myself, I still held my original Cybertronian alt mode and was a propulsion-based alt mode at that. Something that they had not studied yet. Whoever this third bot was, had to catch their attention as something that they didn't have much information on.

It could be a two-wheeler which would include the Autobots Flamewar, Arcee, Chromia, Elita-One, and from my Decepticons included just Ransack. Shockwave would interest them in his tank alt mode. Soundwave and the Autobot Blaster would interest them if they knew of the symbiot bonds both mechs held. Skywarp and Thundercracker would interest MECH if the organization knew of their abilities. However, the most likely group of bots to interest MECH would be the triple changers which included Springer from the Autobots as well as Blitzwing and Pan...No, she was no longer online. Given what the Prime had said during our fight, they had only given her a solar at most before her spark went out. That time had passed. So, it was just the two mechs who would have caught MECH'S attention.

"Oh, I am sure that MECH's plans will be expedited when we finally get into the roots of what causes the three of you to tick and what your differences are. This is an evolutionary checkpoint for MECH's goals and I will enjoy the beginnings of the examinations when I return." When he returned? That meant that their leader would be away from the base if either side was to launch a rescue mission, this would be the time.

Before Silas could continue, another of his subordinates came in and spoke. "Sir, the third subject is ready to be brought in. However, we were short on restraints. It will take another hour for us to have them ready." This bot wouldn't be fully restrained? That was a risk for them.

Or so I thought until Silas spoke. "We should have nothing to worry about. Optimus here was out for five hours before he awoke, and, given the similar size of the two, there should not be a problem." He then turned toward our direction, though from how his eyes were focused he would not be speaking to the Prime nor myself. "You are all to vacate this area once the new specimen is brought in. I want no work to be done on the three of them until I return from this meeting."

The sound of the doors to this warehouse opening caused me to face them. I could see that the bot they were bringing in was our size, and seemed to have wings. So, they were able to capture Blitzwing. What was he doing…

My optics widened when the bot on the platform was brought into the warehouse on the stretcher. It...it was Pandimala. These humans had found where Prime had placed her and brought her here. However, something was off. Her chassis wasn't gray. That meant that unless her transformation caused something that would prevent her chassis from graying at her offlining, that her spark was still beating. Prime's bots had been wrong in their estimation.

"Impossible," I heard said Prime whisper as he caught sight of the femme.

While he seemed stuck in disbelief, I couldn't keep my optics off of her. My spark was pulsing faster than it should and was sending me that strange feeling that I felt at times when she was around. Here she was. Right in front of me. Well, at least when the rescue came, I wouldn't have to take Prime for Pandimala's location. We could continue her goal of peace. After all that had happened, it would take time, but peace would continue to be our goal. That way, this would not happen to anybot else.

"Excellent," Silas spoke as her platform was stopped. It was at that point that I noticed that, indeed, Pandimala was less restrained than we were. Only the areas near her pedes, servos, and waist were restrained. If it wasn't so unlikely for the femme to awaken, then she would easily be able to get out of the restraints. I had witnessed her power first servo and those restraints would not hold against her. "Now, I take my leave of you all. I have a very important business meeting with a possible supplier that I cannot miss. We shall resume getting to know you better on my return."

That human put me on edge, and I knew that meant that he needed to be eliminated as soon as I was able to. However, after I escaped from here unless I took him out during the escape, he would not be the top priority. Not in the slightest. Getting Pandimala's chassis back to the Nemesis was the first concern I needed to take care of. And then, we would work on peace. When the Prime returned to the Autobots, I did not doubt that he would move the location of their base given that I revealed our knowledge of it during the fight Prime and I had.

"How...how did they transport it so far?" I turned to Prime, as he still seemed to be stuck on the fact that MECH was able to find her.

Well, if the Prime was being so informative, then maybe now he would inform me of where he had hidden her chassis at first since that no longer mattered. "So Prime, it seems like you weren't as clever at hiding Pandimala as you believed. Where exactly did you have her? Hidden in some local cave? Perhaps in a local lake?"

"She was in Antarctica. They should not have found her or brought her here so quickly." My optics widened at the Prime's admission, though from the sound of it he gave it out of shock more than wanting to tell me.

Antarctica? The Prime had been right. Finding her would not and should not have been a simple task for any living being, let alone this human organization. One of the problems our operations faced when searching that area of land was the natural amounts of carbon that could be found in the ice. It would block signals and make searching for anything in the area nearly impossible. Placing her there, we would have been searching the planet for stellars before even getting to that location, let alone locating her chassis. And that was only if Prime didn't move her after getting away.

But now, she was here. Somehow, the human organization had happened upon her and quickly given how fast their transportation was. However, even as I thought that something seemed wrong. The other solar, MECH had not indicated that they had found their third specimen. However, if that was the case, then how did Pandimala's chassis end up so close so quickly?

"It seems that humans are more resourceful than you give them credit for Prime," I taunted my foe at his surprise. Either way, the humans were able to bring Pandimala here when the Prime thought that impossible. It was entertaining watching him squirm in confusion.

"You will not take her with you Megatron." Optimus reiterated his statement from our fight.

Instead of being angered, since she was here next to us currently, I simply smirked. "Unless my Decepticons locate us first. And, given how 'cooperative' your Autobots seem to be with each other as of late, then the odds favor my Decepticons coming for me first. Given the state your Autobots seem to be in at the click, I would wager that they even believe that my Decepticons have you at this nano."

"And you don't believe that the Decepticons may suspect my Autobots of holding you?" He shot back at me.

However, I wasn't worried. "While that may be a possibility, Prime, my Decepticons are in enough of a unified state to investigate the entire location where we had our...disagreement, and will likely discover the involvement of humans. Now tell me, will your Autobots be focused and rational enough to do the same?"

The silence that met my audios was more precious than any relic we had obtained. Optimus knew the state of disarray his Autobots were currently in, and I didn't mind him knowing that I knew it. His Autobots were struggling, and wouldn't analyze the situation fully if they found a suspect that could be the likely culprit. Honestly, it may explain the tardiness that my Decepticons were showing in retrieving me. If the Autobots had focused the anger they felt over their missing leader on my Decepticons, then that might have brought up an emergency that my Decepticons would have had to focus on.

The crackling of electricity suddenly sounding in the air caused both Prime and myself to turn to the femme on the ground. I was able to just see the electricity fade from the femme before, to my shock, the femme sat up with a gasp, her optics online and wide. Her sudden jolt forward had caused the restraints near her servos to snap. She...Pandimala was online?

"Frag it! That hurt worse than I thought." Pandimala grumbled as she rubbed the area I assumed the electricity came from. "But that Denkic Switch certainly worked. I'll have to thank him when we get back."

"But...that's not possible," I heard the Prime whisper with shock in his vocals as Pandimala continued to orient herself.

Once she was oriented, she turned to me. "Lord Megatron, my apologies for how late your retrieval is."

And there she goes again, apologizing for something that she does not need to apologize for. Of course, her apology towards me caused that feeling in my spark to act up. However, I ignored that for now. "Pandimala, I had heard you had been offlined," I spoke to her as she started to remove the last of her restraints.

Once she was free, she stood and moved to me. "It was certainly close, my Lord. I will explain the full report once we are finished here." I noticed a glint in her optics that caused me to smirk. She knew that we were to exact revenge on the humans here for this infraction against us. It was a relief to see that, whatever it was that the Autobots did to her, she was still the same femme afterwords.

"Pandimala, how are you online?" Optimus finally asked the femme as she started to remove my restraints, starting with the one restraining my helm.

Once she finished releasing me, she turned to Optimus and immediately started to remove his restraints as well. While I was curious as to why she didn't wait for my order to do so, though I would have given it, I had a feeling that would be answered when she answered the Prime. "I'm not sure Optimus, but you need to return to your Autobots. They are close to anarchy as well as breaking the Autobot code. I just got back from a battlefield where they would have offlined their hostages if it wasn't for the intervention of some new allies I made."

So, that was why. It also explained why my Decepticons had not launched a retrieval mission sooner. Once Prime was standing, he turned and faced her. "Pandimala, are you ready to go back?"

Did the Prime think that she would return with him? "I'm not returning to the Autobot base Prime. I almost offlined there once. I don't fancy risking it again. And yes, it was your Autobots that caused what happened. I won't say who, since I can't give you proof and I am sure that the ones who did attack me have settled their alibis. No, my place has always been with the Decepticons." She then looked at him in the optics. "We want peace Prime, and we are willing to start talks. However, we will not start talks until you get your Autobots here in line. There have been too many close calls in recent solars for us to consciously want to move forward with our peace plans."

Whatever happened must have been extreme for Panidmala to reveal to the Prime her plans of peace that we were undertaking. When Optimus looked at me, I had a feeling about what he was going to ask. "Megatron, are the Decepticons truly moving toward peace?"

Well, since Pandimala had already revealed it, and it was her plan, I would confirm it. "Yes, Prime. Otherwise, do you think you would have gotten that first Omega Key so easily? We realized that you would need something to bring to the negotiating table that would have significance. So, we made sure it went into your possession."

His optics widened at my revelation and he stared between the two of us before Pandimala spoke. "Now, go Prime. Lord Megatron and I will make sure to draw MECH's focus on us."

Now Optimus hesitated as he looked between us. "You should escape as well. I cannot allow the needless loss of human life." He had an idea of what we were planning.

"Optimus," Pandimala started, her vocals soft as she spoke to him. "The most important thing you need to focus on is getting your Autobots in check. My appearance on the battlefield caused them to slow down. However, I fear the longer you are gone and they can't find you, the more likely it is that they will try something even more radical than they already have. And since they might have figured out that it was humans that took you and not us, well...I think you can see where it would end." Smart femme. We had trained her well. She reminded Optimus of how fractured his faction here on Earth was when she last saw them, which was highly concerning information in itself before she allowed him to draw his conclusions on what they might do to the humans given what they were ready to do to their species. Usually, your opponent's imagination could create even worse implications than you could suggest.

While Prime looked reluctant, he finally nodded. "Very well. I will leave. And, Pandimala," I noticed the hurt look in his optics as he looked at her. "I am sorry for everything that has happened." Pandimala nodded toward him, causing the Prime to smile softly before he transformed and barreled through the warehouse doors.

"My Lord," I turned to Pandimala as she spoke to me, a smirk on her faceplate. "Shall we?" She then motioned in front of her.

I knew what she was referring to and smirked back at her. "We shall," I agreed with her before I opened fire, causing the building wall in front of me to break.

The destruction that we caused was massive and very few, if any, of the humans that had been on this base were left alive. We made them pay for their audacity in capturing me. In capturing her. Though I had a feeling that her capture had been on purpose to find me, it was still angering that they dared laid their organic servos on her. Fires burned around us a cycle later, as we looked around at the destruction that we had caused. Nothing was left standing or operational. Most of the buildings were gone, save for a select few that had bits of their walls still left. We had left nothing.

Since this was now done, I turned to Pandimala. "While there is much I need to be brought up to speed on, our first task should be returning to the Nemesis. Since my transmitter was damaged during my fight with Optimus, I will defer this task to you."

She smiled at me and nodded once. "Of course my Lord," She then got on her comm. "Soundwave, I need a bridge back to the Nemesis for two."

Instantly, a bridge opened up next to us and I motioned for the femme to move forward first. I did not want her out of my sight until we were safely back on the Nemesis. We had already lost her once when we could see her, and I wouldn't let that happen again if I could help it. She hesitated only briefly before she walked through. I took one more glance back at the Destruction we had wrought, saving the memory, before I turned and returned to the Nemesis.

On the other side, I watched as Pandimala walked up to Swindle, who I was surprised was here, before opening her cockpit and taking out the Denkic Switch that she had used to retrieve me. "Thanks for this. Worked like a charm." She then paused and he took the device from her. "Oh, and thanks for the warning about the jolt to wake me up. Still hurt like a fragger, but at least I was ready for it."

He smirked at that. "No problem femme. Anything to help our leader." He then looked at her pointedly, "And don't forget, we need to talk in private later."

I resisted the urge to shake my helm at that. I knew what he was doing. He didn't know her and so he was going to see how truly loyal she was. Hopefully, for him, he didn't push her too far. Thrust, while not trying to see how loyal she was, ended up pushing her too far and had paid the price for it. I had no doubt in my processor that Pandimala would pass his test, and possibly even make the mech rethink how loyal he was. If he thought his questioning of Dreadwing and Skyquake had been an awakening, he was in for quite the shock when he talked with Pandimala.

"I won't forget," She said back before Pandimala turned and stood next to him, facing me.

The rest of the Decepticons turned to face me before I spoke. "I have returned. New faceplates that were not here on my departure are obvious to me. Soundwave,"

To my surprise, before I could continue, Shockwave stepped forward with Thunderblast, his sister, in tow. I was even more surprised to see that he was guiding her forward by a pair of cuffs on her wrists. Something must have happened during the confrontation with the Autobots that Pandimala mentioned if Shockwave hadn't already taken care of this...unless he was waiting for my return. "Lord Megatron, please forgive my interruption. However, I must request a patch be done on Thunderblast here. During our confrontation with the Autobots, I had cornered an Autobot to possibly use as leverage to return the twins to us when Thunderblast attacked me from behind. This put me in temporary stasis and allowed the Autobot to escape."

I glanced at the femme after Shockwave finished his claim. So far, the only femmes that had been able to stay with the command here were Laserbeak, who was one of Soundwave's symbiots and had been loyal for millions of stellars, and Pandimala, who was steadfast in her loyalty. The only other femme we had in our ranks, Airachnid, had not been able to last long before she was ejected from the Decepticons. Would Thunderblast end up as Airachnid and the other traitors had? We would see. Attacking a fellow Decepticon was cause for questioning alone. Attacking one on the battlefield meant that the femme had to have a very strong defense for doing so.

However, it was her turn to speak and she didn't look as worried as most bots in her position would. "Everything that my defense needs can be proved with the patch. I will not fight it." So, she wanted us to see her defense. Possibly, her defense was also easier to explain with the patch. A glance at Pandimala reminded me that she had been in a similar situation. There was just some evidence that had to be seen with the optic, instead of heard.

"Very well," I spoke. "Soundwave, Hook; accompany me to med bay with Shockwave and Thunderblast. Shockwave will be entering Thunderblast's processor and seeing just what the femme has to justify her actions." Normally, I would be the one to go into the accused's processor. However, after the past solars, I was not sure I would be able to complete the patch safely. I wasn't sure what MECH had all done to my chassis and I was not going to risk my processor without having a full medical exam done. Speaking of an exam, I turned to Pandimala. "Pandimala, you are to go with Knockout and he is to perform a full medical scan on you. We do not know the damage that you received due to the past solars and I want to make sure you are not injured."

Pandimala nodded. "My Lord, before you leave, I wish to quickly introduce you to the two bots who saved me in Antarctica." I glanced at the two unknown bots in the room. I could see that both the femme and the mech were intimidating. However, if Pandimala was vouching for them, then I would trust them until they gave me a reason to distrust them. She had not been wrong in her evaluation of bots yet, and she had helped weed out three Decepticons who were against our cause here on Earth. At my nod, she motioned to the femme first. "This is Arctic Talon and the mech next to her is her bondmate, Predaking." So, they were bonded. Interesting. "They are the only two surviving members of the Predacon project that Shockwave launched to protect the energon here on this planet."

My optics widened at that. I had thought that they may be travelers from Jungle Planet. However, this revelation was not expected. However, it was also exciting. Having these two joining my troops, and being vouched for by Pandimala as well, I knew we had just gained an advantage over the Autobots. If this drive toward peace did not pan out as we hoped, I would have them in my corner. From the glance I stole at Swindle, I had no doubt he would be talking to these two alone as well. With his confirmation on what Pandimala seemed to see in the two, then I would be even more at ease with their joining of our troops.

"It is a pleasure to have you two returned to our ranks." I acknowledged the two of them.

"It is our honor to be able to serve under you, my Lord," Predaking spoke first.

Arctic Talon nodded with a smile on her faceplate. "Yes my Lord, and I am glad you have returned safely."

Yes, as long as they passed Swindle's test, then they would both be a great use to the Decepticons. "And I am glad to have returned," I responded to the femme before turning. "Now, everybot find something to do. This ship is far from optimal running condition." Before I left though, I realized that I would need a report on what happened. "Starscream, stay on the bridge until my return. I expect a report on all I have missed since my fight with Optimus." Then, I turned to Pandimala. "Go and relax for now. I will contact you once I finish talking to Starscream so you may give us your full report on your time with the Autobots."

"Yes, Lord Megatron," A warm feeling filled my circuits following that strange feeling from my spark that seemed to be increasing in frequency.

I then walked out of the bridge with the group for this trial. While this was a serious matter, Thunderblast's calm demeanor was throwing me off. Most bots who were accused of attacking another Decepticon on the field would look nervous at the very least. Not her though. She was smiling and was acting like we were just walking to go and get some cubes of energon. Was she truly that confident in the results of this patch? As we neared the med bay, I let my confusion go. We were about to find out, one way or the other.

Zarron's 1st P.O.V.

The base was in chaos.

After Pandimala's surprise, though relieving, arrival at the battlefield, we had all been shocked. She was supposed to be offline. How was she still online? Once we had returned to the base, properly lectured by said femme, I had spoken to Balm about it. While she seemed shaken from the fight, she was able to talk to me still. She told me that the only thing she could think of off the top of her helm was that her spark beat, in response to the cold, had fluctuated and sent enough of a jolt to her processor that it restarted it.

That fight had gone wrong from the click Sentinel thought it was a brilliant idea to fire at Starscream. Just because the Decepticons were insistent that they did not have our leader, which they had been since our first accusation. Wheeljack had been lucky to be fighting with Starscream. I would have to hook up with the mech later to see what he found out from the seeker.

While he was fighting the seeker, I was fighting Vox. And like before, the mech refused to answer any of my questions. If he would just tell me, then I could finally give Remcy some closure. It had been tempting to name drop Remcy in my questions, so the Decepticon might be caught up enough to answer me about why he betrayed the Decepticons. If he betrayed us. While it was obvious he was a Decepticon now, there was something that was bothering me. I think it was the fact that Flamewar was involved with Vox's supposed betrayal. With how the femme had acted since I met her here, then there was room to doubt her report and wonder if it had been him that had betrayed her or her that had betrayed him.

Off of that, when we had finally gotten back to base, after Pandimala's lecture, everybot was immediately at each other's neck cables. It was obvious at that point who had voted for which plan. And even those who had voted to use the twins had been verbally sparring with the bots who had set up the device demanding to know why there had been real explosives on the device. They tried to blame Wheeljack but he had been smart. The Wrecker had Ultra Magnus and Prowl both examine the duds he provided to ensure that they were, indeed duds.

That of course, wasn't taken well by the bots who had set up the device for varying reasons that we all heard. Some were mad that one of the bots they were working with had activated the duds, while the others were upset at Wheeljack and were insisting that the mech had to have switched them. I think Wheeljack threw the first punch when Pitch suggested that the mech had reason to switch them after what the Decepticons did to Pandimala and his unstable processor state. After that, about eight of the Autobots had become involved with the brawl that had ensued. I had almost gotten involved. However, by the time I was about to jump in, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Jazz, Jetfire, and Springer were already breaking it up. It took both Ultra Magnus and Springer to pull Wheeljack off of Pitch.

So currently, Wheeljack, Smokescreen, Landmine, Ironhide, Arcee, Pitch, Flamewar, and Sentinel were in the cells to cool their engines. But, their fight hadn't been the only stress in the base. About five clicks after that fight had happened, Blaster woke up. The others, since they didn't want him interfering with their bluff, had decided that the best way to keep Blaster away was to put him and his symbiots in forced stasis. Well, now that they were awake, they weren't happy. He had glared at the bots we knew had voted for the twins to be used before he moved to stand by Elita, who had been vocal at the time from what Balm told me about not using the twins.

The tension in the base had been on edge for the two cycles ever since. Even as Prowl, Jazz, Ratchet, and Ultra Magnus had started to look at other options as to where Optimus could be. But, while they were looking, I knew that at least a few of them still thought that the Decepticons were holding him somewhere. None of the bots looking right now, from what I could tell, but there were bots here at the base who thought along those lines.

A sudden movement from Elita caused me to pay attention. There were twelve of us in the hub currently, including Ultra Magnus, and I knew I needed to pay attention. This might just mean a mission and the odds were in favor of me being sent out on it. "I just received a private message from Optimus with his coordinates." That caused everybot in the room, and the human children, who had arrived not too long ago, to turn to the femme as she activated the bridge.

Optimus was finally messaging us! I hoped he had a good explanation for where he had been for these solars. With everything that had happened, then he needed an excellent reason for being radio silent for so long. I was still going to have to send a bad report to those who hired me, but what he said might ease the sting that it was going to deliver. Speaking of the bots who hired me, I had missed the past six check-ins. They were probably getting worried about me. However, given everything that had been going on here at the base between Pandimala's arrival and now, I had been up to my helm in chaos. I had another one scheduled for tomorrow night-cycle. It was going to be a very long report.

Heavy pedesteps coming from the bridge caused me to turn and I felt relief when Optimus walked through. He looked a little banged up, and his plating looked peeled in some places. However, the rest of him looked whole. "Where have you been Prime?" I asked him before anybot could say anything else.

Everybot, including Optimus, turned to me as I asked that of our leader. However, I didn't care. These past solars had been chaotic. And that chaos could have at least been lessened if he hadn't gone against regular protocol and met with Megatron alone. He should have at least had us with him.

Optimus' optics didn't waver, however, as he answered me. "Megatron and I were surprised during our battle by MECH." So, the Decepticons hadn't had Optimus. Even more telling, was the fact that their leader was missing. Yet, they never blamed us. They probably did more than take a glance, like Jetfire had admitted to doing after the battle, and found evidence of MECH. "I am only here right now because the Decepticons sent in Pandimala to rescue Megatron. They probably picked her so she could convince me to return." Optimus' optics then hardened and I had a feeling that the femme had informed the mech that not everything was going well here since his disappearance. "I want a report about what happened while I was a captive of MECH."

At this point, the others who weren't in the cells had come to the hub and were paying attention to Optimus as he spoke. Prowl, ever the direct mech, then filled in Optimus about events that had happened. The mech, to my surprise, did not hold back and explained everything that happened with Rumble and Frenzy, and then what happened during the 'negotiations' at the lake. I could see how upset Optimus learned at the steps the majority had voted on taking when it came to the situation.

And all it would have taken to avoid this is if we had studied the area that Optimus' fight had taken place. I was just as much to blame as Jetfire in that aspect. Once the mech said that Optimus wasn't there, and there were signs of a fight, I should have tossed protocol out of the way and gone to investigate the site myself. Instead, I let a mech who wasn't a scout dictate the results of a battle that needed to be studied. I failed there, and I would make sure to never make that sort of mistake again.

"Currently, they are in the holding cells to cool off from their fight," Prowl finished his report to Optimus with the brawl that had been broken up.

Optimus looked to age a million more stellars once the report was finished. "We Autobots need to focus on unifying as a faction. Pandimala hinted that peace was one of the main goals that the Decepticons were working toward when she saved me, and Megatron confirmed that. If we are going to be ready to talk about peace with the Decepticons, then we as a faction need to unify as one front. From now on, there will be punishments for those who go against the Autobot code and what we stand for. The punishments with the brawl are exactly what all Autobots should expect if they decide to go against the Autobot code. With peace just in reach, I will do all in my power to make sure that the Autobots are ready to be at that table."

The mech seemed to sway slightly and it was at this point that I remembered that the Prime had just escaped from being held by MECH for four solars. "Come on Optimus, you need to get some rest," Elita spoke to her bondmate.

Our leader nodded. "Very well." He then turned to Ultra Magnus. "Make sure those in the brig stay there until next solar. They will need their end of solar energon when the time comes, so make sure that some bots take it to them. And inform them of my return when you do, if you all haven't informed them already." He then seemed to hesitate. "Ratchet, get a hold of Agent Fowler. The Autobots need a new base. Megatron made it certain during our confrontation that he knows the location of this base. While I do not expect retaliation at this time, given all both sides have gone through, we should still move as soon as we are able."

Oh, I had already told Wheeljack, and I was sure that he had said something. But, I wasn't going to admit that right now. As Elita and Optimus made their way to their room. It was surprising to hear that the Decepticons knew our location. Why didn't they act on it when we took Rumble and Frenzy? Were they worried about us retaliating against the twins if they did? Knowing certain bots at the base, that would be the fear to have.

Since Prime was returned, and I doubted anything else interesting was going to be happening, I made my way down the hall to the training room. Going through the motions of a few of my exercises would help me focus after the Pit these past few solars had been.

When I got about halfway there, however, heavy pedesteps from behind me told me that I was not going to be alone. Well, better stop for who it was. Given that I knew Springer's pedesteps, then this could only be one bot given the weight that the pedesteps were carrying. It confused me though. Why was this mech trying to approach me? I had never worked with him before, surprisingly, and I couldn't think of any bots who I was close to that worked with him. Was it because he seemed as upset about the vote as I was and he recognized a possible ally in me?

Stopping in my walk, I allowed Ultra Magnus to catch up to me. When he came into view, I could see that he looked determined. That solidified that he was looking for me specifically, and not just wanting to train. Once he arrived in front of me, he spoke. "You know, you haven't been the easiest bot to get alone, Zarron."

This was getting even stranger. Why was this mech acting so familiar with me? I knew I had never met him before. Just what was his angle? "Why have you been trying to get me alone?" I asked him cautiously. I didn't like this. I was in a situation where the bot talking to me seemed to have all the information. Those situations almost always turned out bad for me in the end.

I think his smile at that threw me more than anything else the mech had done. "He said that you would be defensive if I approached you in this way. However, given the circumstances, this was the only way I could talk to you alone."

Now I was even more on edge. Somebot had sent Ultra Magnus specifically to find me, and to get me alone. I could feel my instincts telling me to bolt before he could do anything. However, my curiosity was winning against my instincts. There weren't many bots who knew that I was investigating on Earth right now, or that I was even in this galaxy. Outside of the fighting here on Earth, no other conflicts were happening in this galaxy. Usually, I was sent to high combat zones with multiple planets and multiple local galaxies involved. In comparison, Earth's fight was insignificant. However, with so many important bots here from both sides of the conflict, then this was where I was needed.

"How did you know you could find me here?" I asked him. "And who sent you?"

Instead of looking nervous, Ultra Magnus looked calm as he answered me. "I can answer both of your questions for you at once. The bot that sent me is also the one that told me how to find you." I tensed as he moved closer to me. But, the logical side of my processor told me he was probably just doing this to make sure that we weren't overheard. "Hinge and his group grew worried when you missed one of your check-ins without letting him know in advance. I've been a close friend of Hinge's since we were younglings in Iacon together. He asked me to come here as a favor to check up on your condition." He then moved back, as my faceplate stayed in shock at what he said, "When you check in tomorrow, make sure you tell them that I arrived safely."

My jaw plate wouldn't close, otherwise, I would answer the mech. Here I had been suspicious of the mech, and he was an old friend of Hinge's. And of course, they were worried when I missed those reports. So, Hinge had to find a bot he trusted to come and make sure I was alright. What better mech than one of his closest friends that he grew up with. Thank Primus I had one less bot to watch now. "You could have started with knowing them," I grumbled as the two of us started to walk toward the training area.

"I was advised against that by the silver femme of the group. She felt sure that you would have put me in stasis if I tried to immediately get close enough to say that to you. Suggested that I get you to at least question my motives before I revealed myself." Ultra Magnus immediately answered.

A vent escaped me. Of course, that femme did that. She wasn't wrong, but there were other ways to get me to listen to a whisper and she knew that. Femme probably wanted me to feel how everybot else did when they didn't have the information. I would get her back the next time I saw her. However, I needed to address Ultra Magnus. "I am grateful that you are here given the recent circumstances."

As we entered the training arena, he nodded. "Now that I am here, I understand why you missed the ones you did. I suggested the vote when I did because I thought that the Autobots would vote to make sure that sparks were not needlessly extinguished. That they would value Rumble and Frenzy's sparks as any Autobot should. However, when the vote said otherwise, I also realized the trouble you have been having. Are there any bots that you have cleared?"

"Well, I thought I had cleared Cliffjumper. However, his actions lately have caused me to re-evaluate him. Thankfully, he didn't know my purpose here. Ratchet, Balm, and Wheeljack are the only confirmed bots that I have cleared." I answered him since we were still alone.

"And bots that might be cleared?" He must have heard the hesitation in my vocals.

Since he was asking, I had better tell him so he could help me keep an optic on those bots. "Blaster and his symbiots after everything lately and Smokescreen. The mech hasn't been here long, but he seems steadfast in following what it truly means to be an Autobots."

The two of us then started to lightly spar so we could keep talking. "You haven't cleared Optimus yet?"

Unfortunately, I shook my helm at that. "No, and that has bothered me. Optimus keeps making decisions that make me question his trust in the Autobot code. Like his recent decision to meet with Megatron alone. We had no idea where he was going, and no idea of his location in case he needed backup. If he hadn't gone dark, we could have gone to retrieve him when his transmitter was taken out. But, he kept us all in the unknown. And this isn't the first time he has made a questionable decision."

"When else?" Ultra Magnus asked as we continued to spar.

I dodged a right hook from the mech before I answered him. "There have been a few choices that I have questioned that we can talk about later. However, the most recent one after his choice to go speak to Megatron alone was his choice to not immediately open an investigation into why Pandimala's processor went out. Instead of making sure his troops hadn't been responsible, he went off to talk to Megatron in the first place, and he hid Pandimala's chassis away. While that makes sense now that we know that the Decepticons know our location, he didn't know that at the time. He should have started an investigation before worrying about the Decepticons and the information they had. She suffered her attack in our base, and he should have made sure that none of us were responsible before going off."

The two of us stayed quiet for a few clicks as we continued to spar before Ultra Magnus spoke up again. "From the femme's words when she arrived at the lake, we almost offlined her. Whether that was from where Optimus left the femme's chassis, or from what happened to cause her processor to short, I'm not sure. But, you are right. Optimus should have investigated. I'll make sure to work with him to make sure he makes informed decisions in the future, and not just ones he emotionally makes."

That was a good thing about Ultra Magnus being here. Well, another good thing. Since he was higher in command than every other bot here, he could help guide Optimus and point out when he was possibly stepping out of line. Perhaps things were starting to look up for the Autobots. Optimus had returned, he seemed to be serious about fixing our problems now that he knew the Decepticons were officially trying for peace, and I had another ally in Ultra Magnus. I would have to let Wheeljack and the others know about him being sent to check up on me, and now help me. That was going to be a load off our backplates. We now had a bot in higher command that I trusted to help us get an assessment of what was happening here and help us fix it a little.

Yes, after all of the chaos of the past few solars, there was hope for the future.

Zarron: *surprised* You mean that you have known Hinge since you were younglings?

Ultra Magnus: Actually, I was introduced to him as a sparkling. However, we didn't become friends until we were younglings.

Zarron: *senses information* So, what can you tell me about the mech when he was growing up?

Authoress: *smiles* Oh, this will be juicy.

AN: And here is the next chapter. Thank you again to everyone who reviewed this story so far! I do appreciate receiving those. And this chapter does add a lot to the story. Pandimala rescues Lord Megatron and Optimus and, since she can tell Autobots can't take a hint, flatly tells Optimus that they are hoping for peace but he needs to get his faction whipped into shape before talks can happen. Oh, and I made up something that MECH could stand for. It was the best I could come up with at the time. Oh, and just in case you all wanted to know, Silas was not at the base for that meeting so he escaped the carnage.

The next chapters are going to slow down for the most part, though chapter 58 has a little bit of action though not in the way people might be thinking. But, besides that, the next group of chapters is going to be relaxed. Maybe getting our Decepticon leader and a certain femme closer together? Who knows? But, I guess you all will see eventually (and I will once I write the chapters).

Until then though, here are the next chapters!

Chapter 57: Reprieve

Chapter 58: Spirit of Chaos

Chapter 59:...(find out next time, though, for those who read this, this chapter will show another of the side projects the Decepticons have been working on)

And that's all for now. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Please leave a review, or one just to say hi. I do appreciate them! Hope everyone stays healthy as they can. I'll be starting in on the next chapter right away so hopefully, you all will get to have as much fun as I am about to have. Until the next time we meet, TTYL! *craving jello for some reason*