This is the last chapter in Part One of the sequel to Tale of Terror. Enjoy!

Chapter four More obstacles

Prowl and Jazz walked into the room in the warship that Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Skyshadow, and Bob were in.

"What's this?" asked the Praxian.

"This is Bob, the baby Insecticon," replied Sideswipe.

"Your new pet, I assume," said Prowl as he crossed his servos.

"Actually, he's Sunny's pet," the red and black frontliner corrected.

"I see. What did you find in Kaon?" the Autobot tactician asked.

"We found traces of what might be a crime syndicate," replied Skyshadow.

"Cybertronian?" asked Jazz.

"We think so. We saw a few guards surrounding a repaired building. On the building was what we assume to be the syndicate's insignia," the black and red femme explained.

"What did it look like," asked the saboteur as he handed Skyshadow a data-pad.

Skyshadow took the data-pad and immediately handed it to Sunstreaker, who drew what the insignia looked like, and handed it back to Jazz.

"I know this group. They controlled a large area of the lower levels during the war. They must have come up while we were away," said Jazz.

"We've been gone for about five vorns. Who knows how much has changed since then," said Prowl, "Whatever we do to resolve this problem, we need to proceed with great caution."

"I'll assemble a team to investigate deeper, and find out exactly what is going on," said the saboteur.

Prowl nodded, "Good, while you do that, I will see how the hunt for the escaped Decepticons is going."

/(Into music is: Intruder by Brand X Music.)

"Prowl, the Dinobots and I found Swindle in Iacon, near his shop," reported Springer.

"Good work. Bring him in for questioning," replied the Autobot tactician.

A few kliks later, Springer and Grimlock brought Swindle onto the bridge of the warship, where Prowl was waiting for them.

"Swindle, it's been some time," the Autobot tactician said.

"I would like to talk to the mech in charge here!" demanded the yellow and black weapons dealer.

"Unfortunately, due to the loss of our officers during the Lumen war, that leaves me in command. Now, on to why I had Springer and the Dinobots capture and bring you here. It would seem in our absence, during the war, crime has thrived tremendously…"

"Well, that's what happens when the black market supplies weapons and resources for use in war," said Swindle with a slight smirk on his faceplate.

"Yes, I know. But how much has it thrived? Because I have received word that crime syndicates have moved up from the lower levels to the surface," said Prowl.

"The criminal organizations have thrived greatly, and will probably be a tremendous annoyance for mecha like you," replied Swindle coolly.

"Thank you for your cooperation," said the Autobot tactician, "Springer, put him in the brig for now. I will likely have use for him later."

As Springer and Grimlock turned to leave the bridge, the weapons dealer said, "Putting me in prison is a bad move. I have powerful allies that would love to come after a former law enforcer, like yourself! You know you'll never get off easily when you deal this way with me, Prowl!"

"Take him away," replied Prowl.

"I promise you, you'll never get away with this!" yelled Swindle.

As Swindle was taken out of the room, Mirage appeared beside Prowl.

"He's probably right, you know," said the Autobot spy.

The tactician frowned. "I know, but the sooner we put away these black market dealers the better."

/(Intermission song is: Wolves by Sam Tinnesz.)

Jazz entered the room Prowl was in. "A team is assembled to investigate and bring down the crime bosses," he said.

"Good," replied Prowl, back to his friend, as he leaned against a table.

The saboteur frowned, "What's wrong Prowler?"

"Ever since I was terrorized Hun-Gurrr's terrorcon enigma has been in my helm. Every orn it tortures me, and keeps me up every off-cycle. I never told it where you were hiding, the terrorcons got nothing out of me, and I'm afraid that I paid for it dearly," explained the Autobot tactician as he turned to face his best friend.

"Why didn't it go away when it was destroyed?" Jazz asked.

"I don't know, but the memories of the nightmares it gave me are still alive in my mind," replied Prowl, a look of terror in his optics.

"You need a vacation, Prowl. Some time to recover would be good for ya. I'll look after things while you take some time off," said Jazz.

"No, the only way I can think clearly is when I am kept busy, but thank you for your concern, Jazz. You've always been a good friend," said Prowl, a slight smile on his faceplate.

Jazz nodded and smiled back.

/(Intermission song is: Monsters by Ruelle.)

The Autobots gathered in the closest park to the ruins of the Hall of Records in Iacon.

A pillar was constructed in the middle of the park, for a memorial, for the Cybertronians who had died and been buried on Lumen.

One by one the names were written on the pillar.

At the top, the words HEROES OF THE LUMEN WAR were written.

Beside the pillar, the Autobots placed a separate memorial stone for Ultra Magnus, who survived the Lumen war, but died fighting Megatronus when they reached Cybertron.

When they had finished, Prowl stepped forward to say, "These heroes will be remembered for all time. For their bravery and their sacrifice."

(Intermission music is: Personal Sacrifice by Mark Willard.)

Bumblebee and Bug had been sent out on patrol.

They turned around the corner of a building in Iacon when a smoke bomb went off at Bumblebee's pedes.

"Where'd that come from?!" said the yellow and black scout.

Bug started to sniff. "We don't know. The smoke blocks our vents, so we can't sniff a trace."

"In case it's an ambush, we should probably get out of here. Quietly," Bumblebee said as he started walking back to the warship.

Bug followed the scout.

/

Brunt entered Shockwave's lab.

The big purple Decepticon turned to face the purple Cybercon. "Did you complete your mission?" asked Shockwave.

"Yes, the scout triggered the smoke bomb. He should be covered in the virus," replied Brunt.

"Good work. Maybe we will finally be rid of the Autobots."

End of Part One.

(Credit music is: Piercer Brand X Music.)

Thanks for reading!