Author's Note: Sorry about the delay, but I was unable to get near a computer since my last update. It wasn't my fault.

Disclaimer: You know the drill; don't own CSI or the Transformers.

Metal and Neon

Chapter 11: Suspicions

"I'm done!" Spike Witwicky yelled, climbing out of Ultra Rodimus's eye socket. First Aid helped him off of Ultra Rodimus's heavy armor, then began the repairs that could only be done by an Autobot. Finally, he cut a piece of the crystalline material used for optics, colored green, and slid it into place. The color didn't exactly match Ultra Rodimus undamaged eye, but it was close enough to serve until they returned to Iacon.

Ultra Rodimus stirred, coming out of the repair coma he'd been in and lifting his head to blink at the medic.

"We're finished," First Aid told him.

"Thanks." The word was slightly slurred by the rows of sharp teeth lining Ultra Rodimus's jaws. The Autobot leader used the relatively short arms of his dino-mode to push himself up until he could get his feet on the floor and climb off the crates he'd used as a makeshift repair table. First Aid scooted back to avoid being swatted by his leader's strong tail.

Ultra Rodimus waited long enough to run a system check, then transformed to robot and looked at Magnus. First Aid muttered something to the city commander, who nodded and led his mate out of the room, toward the small side chamber serving as quarters and office.

"I do have to meet with Grissom again," Ultra Rodimus reminded Magnus as he was pushed down onto the Cybertronian-style couch and his mate stretched out beside him.

"I know, I know, but I never said I'd call them right away."

A day later, Grissom and Nick walked through the Autobot ship to the room Ultra Rodimus was using as his office. The door hissed open as they approached, admitting them into the small chamber.

Ultra Rodimus was on the couch, lying on his side in a loose coil, working his way through the datapads scattered across the surface of the low table in front of him. His armor had recently been polished, and the overhead lights sent darts of brilliance across its surface. A gold ribbon was wound around his left arm, part of what Spike called a ribbon device. According to Spike, only Ultra Rodimus could use the thing because he was the only Transformer with naquadah (whatever that was) in his system. The young Prime looked up at the two as the door slid closed.

"Hello again." Ultra Rodimus leaned back. "What can I do for you two?"

"We're here to get your opinion on something," Grissom answered.

The Autobot leader glanced up briefly as Magnus entered the room, leaning against the wall. "About what?"

"Threat assessment," Nick told him. "Is it safe for us to start letting the people back into the city?"

Magnus folded his arms across his massive chest. "It should be once we..."

"No," Ultra Rodimus interrupted.

His mate looked at him in surprise.

Ultra Rodimus steepled his fingers, pressing his fingertips against the bridge of his nose. His emerald eyes were serious. "Not yet."

"Why not?" Magnus asked, confused. "The Decepticons are gone."

"It was too easy," was the response.

"Too easy?" Magnus repeated. "You call that too easy?"

"Galvatron usually fights a lot harder than that. Nor does he usually give up so quickly. I think his departure was less of a retreat and more of a strategic withdrawal. He's up to something. I can feel it."

Grissom looked up at him. "So can I. Something terrible is coming."

The city commander looked from his mate to the human and back. Then he shrugged, trusting his lover's instincts. When Ultra Rodimus had a bad feeling about something, he was usually right.

"What do you want us to do?" he asked.

"Make sure everyone stays on their toes. Keep the breach under constant guard, and tell the watchbots to contact us if they detect anything strange. Get Crosshairs to begin recharging all expended powerpacks, and make sure everyone else cleans and preps their weapons. I'm not sure exactly what is coming, but I can safely say that it will be the fight of our lives." He thought for a moment. "I think it's time to call in the big guns."

"Omega Supreme is already here."

"I'm not talking about Omega Supreme."

Magnus's eyes widened as he felt what Ultra Rodimus meant through their lifebond. "The city-bots?"

"We may need them."

The red and blue bot nodded. "I'll call them in."

"Thank you."

Nick and Grissom watched Magnus leave, then glanced at each other. Finally, they looked back at Ultra Rodimus. "What do we do?"

"I think it's time to empty the city completely. Even those who don't want to leave must go. If my suspicions are correct, if they stay they will not survive the coming conflict."

"We'll see what we can do."

"You will have help," Ultra Rodimus promised.

"Then we'd better get started."

"We cannot go back!"

Cyclonus's protest fell on deaf audios. Galvatron was far beyond listening to anyone. He was burning with rage at having been defeated yet again by the Autobots. The need for energy and his hatred of the Autobot Prime had driven him into a state that nothing could penetrate. He wanted revenge.

"Give it up," Scourge advised. "He's not listening to you."

Cyclonus shot the Sweep leader a glare, then resumed his attempt to get Galvatron to refrain from throwing their depleted, severely mauled forces back into battle. As before, Galvatron didn't listen to a single word.

"My lord, please!" Cyclonus almost begged. "We were badly damaged by the Autobots; we do not have enough able-bodied warriors to take them on so soon! Please do not go through with these insane plans!"

Galvatron whipped around on one heel, his blazing ruby optics locking onto his second-in-command like targeting lasers. The look in his optics froze Cyclonus in his tracks.

"I will not stop!" Galvatron screamed at him. "We will return and we will crush the Autobots like insects! Now shut your mouth and rally my troops!"

Defeated, Cyclonus slunk out.

The Decepticon forces were not ready for another battle. But they had to obey or their leader would tear them apart with his own two hands. Reluctantly, they flowed out of the city and onto their ships.

The insane purple Decepticon turned to face the city. "Transform!"

For a moment, there was silence. Then the city itself stirred and began to move. Parts shifted and vanished, new parts appeared, and the city took on a new shape while Galvatron laughed insanely.

Huge optics glowed crimson in the darkness. The gargantuan shape threw back its head and let out a roar so loud the other Decepticons had to cover their audios to keep from being deafened.

Galvatron's optics burned with a feverish light as he gazed up at the gigantic silhouette. "Now, Decepticons, to battle!"

To be continued...

Now it's getting interesting again. I know I said I hoped to have this up within a week of my last update, but circumstances were against me and I was unable to keep my promise. But I finally managed to get it done. I hope you like it.

Chiomon: That is a good idea, but unfortunately I don't think it's one I'll be able to pull off. I'll see what I can do, but there are no guarantees.

Gromia: Yeah, there are lots of fics like that. And yes, Ultra Roddy shifts into each form differently. It involves shunting the majority of his robot form to subspace, keeping only his important systems and support structure, then replacing the rest with whatever alternate mode he's transforming into.

Fenestrae: Thank you for the compliments. No, I'm not dead. I was just stuck away from keyboard for too long. Sometimes summer break isn't what it's supposed to be. You're hooked on CSI? It's a good show. I watch it whenever it's on. And I can't wait for the new season to start.

Hope to hear from you all again soon!