The Citadel sat in the center of Iocon, and was constuscted shortly after Cybertron was reclaimed from the Decepticons. It was 106 levels high, with several below ground, and at the top level was the office of Rodimus Prime. Perceptor nearly screamed when Swoop flew in through the window, as he was almost knocked over.
"Can't you take the elevator like everyone else?" asked Perceptor, trying to regain his bearings.
"Sorry." was all Swoop had to say to him. He then looked to Rodimus, "What going on?"
Rodimus, who had been pacing up to this point said, "Swoop, good, you're the first one here. I'll tell you everything once the others get here. But in the future, would you mind using the door? Besides, we're meeting in the 'quiet' room on sub-level 4. Follow me." and he and Perceptor, who was checking his stress levels, followed him to the elevator.
Swoop shrugged his shoulders and went along, noting to Perceptor, "Look like we ride together."
Perceptor sighed and said, "I can't think of anything I would rather do." as the doors closed.
The purpose of the 'quiet' room was to make it impossible for spies to listen in on top level meetings. As a side effect, it was also one of the only spots on Cybertron with no background noise. Anywhere else on the planet, machine sounds were prevelent, and were nearly overwhelming to humans. In the quiet room, however, there was silence. Springer found this to be very unnerving. There was some noise. Blaster and Jazz discussed music; Bumblebee attempted to keep up in a conversation with Blurr; Kup was holding court with Grimlock, Slag, and Sludge, with a story about an Igyak or Shrikebats or somesuch. Ultra Magnus, as usual, brooded. But it's just so quiet, he thought to himself. Normally, he would be hitting on Arcee, but she was stationed on Earth. With about half the other Autobots. Galvatron had been focusing his attacks on Earth as of late, so the majority of Autobot forces were at Autobot City. Leaving us open.
The executive elevator opened, and Rodimus, Perceptor, and Swoop walked out. Swoop moved towards his fellow Dinobots, who welcomed him, until they started trading insults.
Springer said, "Prime, why'd you drag us all down here?"
"It's good to see that everyone made it," Rodimus announced. "I'll tell you why in just a moment. First, let's get a status report from Earth. Blaster, if you would?"
"Sure thing." Blaster moved over to the communications console. "Blaster to Autobot City, please resond. Blaster to Auto--"
"Blaster? What's going on?" It was Skids, the Autobot's theoretician. "Is it time for a report already?"
"Not quite." said Rodimus, moving next to Blaster.
"Oh, hey Hot Rod. I mean Rodimus, sorry, force of habit. What's up?" said Skids, trying to recover.
Rodimus smiled at Skids' delivery, and inquired, "Is there anything unusual going on down there? Anything at all?"
Skids looked deep in thought for a moment, "Well there was thing. An excavation crew came across an extremely old human settlement, one they think could be one of the first."
"And what's so unusual about that?" Blaster interjected.
"Well, at the center of the settlement, they found some sort of mechanical wasp, that they believe was worshipped as a kind of god." Skids said.
Springer smirked, "A mechanical wasp?"
Skids said, "Yes, a wasp. But the best part is, get this, we ran some scans, and it's of Cybertronian origin. Wild stuff, I'm telling you."
"Uh, well, look into that." Rodimus said. "But when I said unusual activity, I meant Decepticon activity."
"Oh, Decepticon activity? Let's see... it's been awhile. I can't remember, it's been so long. I'll go get Hound. Just a minute... Hound!!!!"
"No Skids, that's alright, no need to get... Hound! How's everything down there?" Rodimus said, trying to sound happy.
"Everything is just fine," Hound said curtly, "is this a social call, or do you want something?"
"Hound, how long have you gone without any Decepticon activity?"
"We're going on 3 months. Prime."
"Thanks, Hound." said Rodimus, trying to be polite. "Hound?"
"Hey, Rodimus." said Skids. "Sorry about that. I forgot how Hound felt about you. He and Optimus were tight. Give him some time, he'll open up."
"Time?" asked Springer. "It's been two years."
"No, he's right." said Rodimus. "I have some pretty big shoes to fill, and he still feels that I just fell into this role."
"Technically, you did." retortrd Springer.
"Anyway," said Rodimus, changing the subject. "Thanks Skids, and look into that bee thing for me, okay?"
"Wasp." said Skids "Sure thing, boss. Well, see you Blaster, Springer, Opti-- I mean Hot R-- Rodimus! Sorry, force of habit. Bye."
"See ya, Skids." said Blaster, cutting of the transmission.
Rodimus began pacing, and almost under his breath, "Everything's falling into place...everything points towards..."
It was Bumblebee who brought him back to attention, "Hey boss, would you mind letting us all in on what's going on?"
"Wha--? Oh yes. Perceptor?" Rodimus said as he pressed a button to dim the lights and cause a white screen to appear on the wall.
Perceptor began, "Thank you, Rodimus. Two hours ago, one of our long range probes picked up a disturbing image just outside the system. As you know, we have extreme difficulty scanning for Unicron related technology. As such, we cannot scan for Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge, the Sweeps or the Decepticon ship, the Nemesis II."
Magnus interupted, "Yes, this is all very interesting, but is there a point to all this?"
Perceptor, taken aback, said, "Yes, I was just getting to that." He transformed into his microscope mode, and aimed his lens towards the white screen and projected an image. "This came from one of our probes, and we stumbled upon this purely by chance."
The image showed a view of deep space, and all seemed normal, until what looked like a ship came into the frame, crossing the top of it. Perceptor continued, "This appears to be the left wing of the Nemesis II, viewed from the bottom."
Kup, almost stunned, or at least as close to stunned as he could get, said, "The Nemesis II? And this is just outsystem?"
"Correct." said Perceptor. "This next part is especially fascinating." A panel on the wing opened, and from the bottom of the screen a jet flew towards the opening. It transformed just before entering, and the panel closed, as the ship continued on it's way.
"Dirge," said Kup, "no doubt on a scouting mission."
Perceptor, returning to robot mode concurred, "Yes, but fortunately enough for us, all our new probes are small enough to have cloaking devices. They would require intensive scanning to locate."
"And fortunately enough for us, Dirge isn't terribly bright." Springer said, as several around him nodded in agreement.
Jazz said, "But Prime, what does all this mean?"
Blurr butted in, "It means the Decepcicons are going to attack if they don't attack here they attack Earth if they don't attack Earth they attack here if they don't attack either that means they're planning something big so big they stop attacking here and Earth to prepare so big they're just outsystem and are probably preparing to attack as we speak that's what it all means!"
"Thank you, Blurr, I don't think I could have said it better myself." said Rodimus, trying not to laugh.
"Sure thing Rodimus you know you can count on me."
"He's right," Rodimus said somberly, "the lull in attacks is a sure sign the Decepticons are planning something big. So I need everyone on high alert. They think they have the element of surprise, but when they arrive, we'll be ready for them."