000

The Autobot conversance room was full as it usually was during one of these cessions. Their leader was setting at the head of the table. Prowl sat at his right with Rodimus beside him. Ironhide sat to the leaders left.

The war conversance room was considerably quiet but some were talking among themselves keeping their voice at a low volume about the new development regarding the Decepticons. Optimus Prime sat quietly thinking to himself, the Autobot's future, and the like.

"So it's true Megatron is dead?" Spook up Springer the resident Wrecker and triple changer "Can are luck be that good?" asked Springer who was seating beside his long time friend, Rodimus, humor in his voice

"The idiot should have never trusted them jet brothers, but I'm not complaining about that bastards choice of friends." commented Rodimus with a laugh in his voice the others chuckled in agreement there

"It don't matt'a, Rodimus." stated Ironhide who was listening in on their conversation with a slight detest.

"What do you mean by it 'doesn't' matter?" the triple changer asked a little disbelief in his tone "Of course it does! We got Megatron off our backs and now we only have those lousy fraggers, Shockwave and Screamer to worry about."

"Ironhide is right." Butted in the security chief, Red Alert, from Ironhide's direct left "We can't be sure Megatron is in fact dead! Our spy said they found radiation on the door from his cannon. He wasn't found. And its highly likely he's is still out there some where" he finished

The others knew he was right but they didn't want to admit it. Who would? If there was in fact no body that meant it gave Megatron a 50, 50 chance of still being alive. They all knew how the tyrant loved to make 'dramatic' comebacks from the dead.

"Yeah, well but it does decrease his chances, landing in a neutral zone for instance. One of the badest to if I might add" added Springer

"Yes that is true." Nodded Prowl his voice low, contemplating "What about Chromna(1 sir?" he asked looking over at their leader

Optimus had been listening to the whole exchange taking in everything and all of their attitudes toward the situation. Sighing, Prime sat back in his seat to think for a moment, looking up at the ceiling as if it would provide him with what to say.

"If Megatron is still functional then he'll have to go through Chromna to get to Darkmount." Bowing his head back down to look at his soldiers after a few moments "We'll have to contact them." leaning forward putting his elbows on the table top and lacing his fingers in front of his mask

"Chromna!" exclaimed Rodimus "That rebellious city? We can't trust them!"

"It doesn't matter" shaking his head "An Autobot city is an Autobot city" stated Optimus calmly.

"Optimus for all we known that they could be hording him there!"

"Unlikely" all optics turned toward the Autobot second "They hate Megatron just as much as we do. If he had been caught. He has been dead."

Rodimus sighed looking over at Springer who looked back "Yeah, good point." Springer stated sparing a look over at Prowl

Blair who was seating on Jazz's shoulder the whole time listening to everything, taking it all in. Inclining her head slightly in thought, she was curious and it played all over her face. That and it didn't go un-noticed by Jazz.

"What is it Blair?"

Snapping her head up "huh? Oh! What's the deal with this Chromna place?"

"'S one of those cities 'at, even though 't holds'a fraction but just does so, so if their attacked they can ask for help an' receive it. The problem is their rebellious an' untrustworthy ta Iacon an' fellow 'Bot's like us."

She listened to Jazz's every word. Springer who had also been listening decided to add him two scents.

"If you live in that city you stay in it. If your born in it the only way out is by some kind hearted soul who's just so happens to passing through." He stated

Blair expressions changed from that 'I'm listening intently' to 'I can't believe it' look in a matter of klicks. She didn't know that a city, an Autobot city, could be despised by their own fraction that bad.

A thought suddenly popped into her "Was Chromna always like that?"

Cocking his head one side in a shrug "Amazingly no." Jazz began "It originally was a prosperous trading city, but when the war started the business ended. Ca-plop!" making a downward movement with his black hand

"Now the city holds black market trading and just about anything else that is illegal," added Springer

Blair looked down past her feet thinking over what the two had said. How could a prosperous city become corrupted just because of a war and in such a short amount of time?

"I'll contact Ultra Magnus admittedly," announced Optimus Prime.

Blair snapped her head up not have realized that the meeting was still going on and that she'd missed what all had been said. The room was now silent; some were nodding giving their leader their full attention.

"You're all dismissed" finishing with a respectful nod of his helm

Some of the 'bot's said their good byes 'yes sirs' then left. As always Optimus was the last one to depart. He left hoping, praying that lady luck would be good to them this time around, as the old saying went.

000

Chromna- my own creation

A/N:

The story takes place sometime before Autobot city is built. I've still have a few kinks to work out, so bare with me.

Special thanks to Prizm and Abominable Angle; they'll understand why

Transformers and all related char(s) belong to Has/Tak and co.

Except Blair Livington, and the plot, belong to me

Names and characters are entirely coincidental