Astrosecond~ .498 seconds, milli-cycle~1 sec, cycle~1 min, breem~ 8.3 minutes, mega-cycle~1 hour, meta-cycle~1\2 hours, solar cycle~1 day, day~ 20 hours, orbital cycle~ 1 month, gigacycle~ 1 year, deca-cycle~10 years, vorn~ 83 years, stellar cycle~400 year, mechanometer~ 1 meter, vun~ hectometer, hic~ 1 kilometer

Thoughts, 'binary code', (alien language), "talking"

Back on Cybertron, Soundwave returned to Megatron at the Decepticon city Kaon with the remaining drones. Megatron snarled, "Report!"

"Autobot drones: Twelve units out of twelve units destroyed. Autobots: Three units out of three units entered unstable spacebridge. Snapdragon, Apeface, and three drone units sent. Operation: Interception."

"Excellent Soundwave. Now give the spacebridge data to Shockwave for analysis so we may exploit our new rescores."

"Affirmative."

As Soundwave left Starscream approached Megatron from behind. "Megatron, do you see this as wise." Megatron gave Starscream a stare that could pierce the armor plating that covered his spark, "I mean-, what if we can never return or we find things stronger than us?"

"That is why Shockwave and the Constructicons are developing a way to create more portable and stable spacebridge to use. And as for your concern about enemies, we shall grind them into dust and steal from them giving us more of an advantage over the Autobot filth that infests Cybertron."

Starscream whispered to himself, "When I gain control, Megatron, you'll be the first to feel my wrath", clenching his fist.

On the planet's surface the three Autobots had separated to prevent collision with anything but the planet. The planet was arid with winds blowing all around. Vibes started returning to her robot form. After getting up she looked around her. Even after activating her visor's scanners, her normal optics were useless. Hoping the signal could hold in this weather Vibes tried contacting the others. "Clocker, are you alright? Please respond. Dropshot, can you hear me? Over."

For some time she was only hearing white noise until, "Ugh…This is Clocker…my head…is anyone still online…"

Vibes was overcome with joy. The feeling that someone died under her command always made her think that she was a failure. "Clocker, this is Vibes, have you heard anything from Dropshot."

Suddenly without warring screams of pain and agony filled the channels, it was Dropshot. "Aw, slag!"

"Dropshot, are you alright?"

"Not alright ma'am… I guess I didn't grab enough heavy metals…my legs are all over the place but my compensator's working enough that I might be able to aim a blaster. Frag it…I kind of wish Ratchet was here…hell, maybe even Wheeljack." jokingly telling himself.

Vibes scanned the area for Dropshot's and Clocker's energon signals. Clocker was about fifty mechanometers from where she landed. "I have you. Clocker, South-Southwest of your position, about 45 mechanometers. I'll meet you there. Dropshot, just hold on. I don't plan on losing anyone else on this mission."

Before Vibes could rendezvous with Clocker, Dropshot was acting as look out and he spotted Decepticon energy signatures fall into the planet. "Frag, Decepticons. They'll be on us in less than half a mega-cycle. Clocker, Vibes get out of here, I hold them off. Just get…"

Clocker cut him off, "No way, old timer. I ain't letting a few Deceptiscraps scare me."

"You don't get it kid. Most Autobots, including you, weren't built for combat, we just trained you to. Most Decepticons are and they'll show no remorse or mercy either. Now get yourself and the Commander out of here."

"Dropshot this Vibes, you forgot another reason why we're different from the Decepticreeps." Dropshot had a puzzled face on him wondering what it was then she continued, "We care about our comrades. Now just try to stay functional. We'll be there in about ten cycles."

Jokingly Dropshot said, "Make it half 'cause I thought you sharpshooters like to have time to setup."

As the M-44 was launched from the Normandy the VI on the Hammerhead alerted the team, "Warning: Strong planetary sandstorm. Visual capabilities less than five meters."

Legion just came to life with a suggestion, "Shepard-Commander, because visible capacity is down we can enhance audio levels. Canceling sandstorm noise to detect possible hostiles and enhance visual sensors to see energy signals. Increasing visual capabilities to a range of 95 meters. Warning: Augmentation does not help with physical vision."

Shepard considerately said, "Good idea, and see if you can find a way to get a hint as to what the terrain is like as well."

Legion turned to the quarian, "This platform will require Creator-Tali'Zorah's assistance."

Tali was a bit surprise, "Me? I thought you can do this better than me?" with a bit of sarcasm in her voice as she asked.

Legion cycled his head plates, "Correction: This platform is capable of performing said task. Addendum: With Creator-Tali'Zorah's assistance we can finish much sooner. Enabling us to continue with exploratory mission." After about a minute of tinkering the two go back to their seats.

Vibes finally arrived and Clocker had just started to look for Dropshot's leg components. Dropshot turned towards Vibes with joy in his voice, "Good to see you, ma'am." It was always hard to read Dropshot's emotions through his face because his mouthplate but his voice was enough for her.

"Just hold on. We'll patch you up soon. Then we'll deal with the Decepticons. Clocker, is the scavenger hunt going well?"

"As well as it could be in this weather but we need cover. I wouldn't like to just stand and shoot while the Decepticons are shooting back." Sifting through the sand Clocker was only taking the part that look like they have a chance to be reattached.

Mockingly Dropshot yelled at him, "Then you would have hated the trench battles we had. About three stellar cycles or so, give or take a few deca-cycles, Cybertron's layers were being used as trenches by both sides. The battles were messy to say the least. The Autobots bum rushing the Decepticons side and vice versa. Lost a lot of friends back then…"

Concerned and a little bit shock from his story she placed her hand on Dropshot's shoulder, "We aren't losing anyone here. Come on, we need to move you soon."

On Cybertron, Shockwave was projecting where the unknown coordinates led but Counterpunch walked in, "Shockwave, Lord Megatron has asked me check in on your progress."

"Are you sure he asked you?" Shockwave never really trusted any Decepticon, except for Soundwave the only other Con that was as truly loyal to Megatron and never let emotions dictate his actions, but Counterpunch never felt right to Shockwave. "If Megatron wanted a status report he could have called me on the communicators or any other channel."

Counterpunch always had countermeasure to most Decepticon questions, "This is one of the most delicate operations we have Shockwave. It could tip the scale of the war to the one who gets there first. How do we know if Blaster isn't monitoring our communications? This has to be handled just right."

The logic was sound but Shockwave still didn't trust him, "Fine. The computers are finishing calculations as we speak and I was just about to check on the Constructicons' progress with the prototype space bridge devises."

"I'll return to Lord Megatron with the good news." Counterpunch walked out the door and faked the sounds of him walking away. As soon as Shockwave left Counterpunch scrambled the room's cameras and reentered the room. Counterpunch changed to his Autobot alter ego Punch and looked over the coordinates. Punch made a copy for himself, after that he made alterations to the original data so it would lead to a nearby black hole. Punch reviewed Soundwave's report about chasing the Autobot exploration team. Counterpunch left to a secure unmonitored storage room to relay the data. "Punch to Autobot base, please come in."

"This is Blaster here, what's the matter over there?" Blaster was the Autobot's answer to Soundwave.

"This is Punch, and I'm sending valuable data that will lead to the exploration team. Only Vibes, Dropshot and Clocker made it through the unstable spacebridge with the Horrorcons and drones after them."

"Understood Punch, will send in team as soon as we're able. Keep up the good work and you might earn a medal."

Unbeknownst to Punch, Shockwave had created a number of secret backup runtimes to thwart any sabotage attempt.

The five Decepticons landed a few vuns from where Clocker was collecting parts. The first to 'awaken' was Apeface, as he shook the sand out of his head, "Report who still function?"

There was a series of beeps and bops from the three drones and Snapdragon complaining, "Grrrr…I joined to destroy Autobots, not find them!"

"Quit whining! We'll destroy something soon enough." In robot mode Apeface surveyed the area, "Flight mode can't work here, only beast and robot mode, Snapdragon. Everyone, scan for Autobot energy signals."

Clocker wasn't using his scans he was just using his normal optic vision to sift through the sand when he literally bumped his head into Apeface's leg. They had an awkward stare for about a milli-cycle or two before Apeface started firing. Snapdragon asked, "Where's the pest Apeface? I want to drink the motor oil from his shell!"

Dropshot weighed about twice as Vibes even without his legs but that didn't going to stop her from dragging him towards a rock formation not too far from his crash site. Sounds of blaster fire could be heard from where Clocker was collecting parts when a blue sports car drove by screaming, "DECEPTICONS!" Clocker transformed back to his robot form pulling a blaster rifle from his back and started firing. The Decepticons had the sandstorm on their side forcing the Autobots to fight against the wind as well as them. Clocker could only guess were the Decepticons were with the energon readings giving him a general direction.

Out of the storm the clanking of footsteps can be heard getting faster and faster until a drone was visible charging straight at Dropshot welding an axe. The drone was already in the air ready to drop the axe on Dropshot's spark. But suddenly a shot went directly through the drone's chassis causing it to fall face first into the ground. Vibes had down the drone without hesitation and precision with her off-hand. Vibes may be a femme but she could put the hurt on a Decepticon just like anyone else. Continuing to drag Dropshot Vibes shouted, "Come on, we're almost there! Clocker lay down more cover fire!"

Franticly firing at what his scanners said he could only respond with, "I'm trying to…" One of the shots from the Decepticons hits Vibes on her exposed right shoulder making the bot drop into the sand and Dropshot landing on her.

Running on instincts Dropshot soon rolled off Vibes, pulling out his rifle and propping himself up against a small rock sticking out of the sand. He began to open fire into the wind as it blew into his face yelling, "Get behind the cover I got you back ma'am!"

"But who has yours?" The attacks were starting to get more precise as the Decepticons got closer.

"No time to argue Vibes…Clocker move behind that rock, if I go offline, I'm going to defend my friends before that! Yahhhhh!" Dropshot was doing what he could to help but he might as well be blind the way he's blasting but it didn't matter to him, he had seen too many comrades die because he couldn't do anything to help. Aw, slag! Where was she hit? Was it her back, her leg, or her shoulder? I may be hurt but at least I'm doing something to help. At least he thought. Another drone was rushing at Dropshot with a sword but this one had a damaged arm. Dropshot was ready for them this time firing a well-placed shot into the unit's head. It fell on top of Dropshot with the blade landing into the sand. Dropshot used the pile of scrap as a shield while out in open.

Without thinking Clocker jumped out of cover shooting wildly in the Decepticon's direction. "Come on Decepticreeps, bring it!" Clocker's trying to lead the Decepticons away from the barely functioning Dropshot, "Commander, get Dropshot out of there!"

Trying to ignore the pain Dropshot angrily shouted, "Frag it kid forget about me, worry about your own skidplate and the mission!" But his words were in vain as Clocker continued his assault. Dropshot left his head expose so he could aim but one of the Cons got lucky and hit Dropshot in the face, "Ahhhh…my optics, my optics…" Unknown to Dropshot that shot to the head did more damage than he knew.

"Fall back Clocker, that's an order!" Vibes's orders were also ignored. Vibes could barely do anything with her damage and there was too much fire for her to do anything. Clocker lost his footing on one of the dunes as he was so focused on the enemy. Vibes tried to help but the Decepticons seemed to ignore her. This gave the Decepticons an opening and they took it, concentrating on Clocker. Several shot hit his chest but that wasn't enough for the Decepticons as they continued to fire at him. Vibes watched as she was unable to do anything but she saw his optics before one of the shots hit his head. Vibes screamed as he fell to the sand, "CLOCKER!"

EDI chimed in on the radio, "Shepard, two of the energy signals have disappeared and one looks like it's about to die out as well. Your suspicions of hostilities were correct."

"I kind of wish I was wrong. Legion watch the radar as well as shield and hull monitors, Tali you have the homing missile."

Without warning Legion shouted, "Shepard-Commander, we have detected weapon discharge coming from the North-Northeast at least a hundred meters away. We have also detected communication chatter. We'll patch it through." It was all unintelligible, spoken in a language none of them recognized that sounded machine-like in origin. Legion popped the right brow plate and tilts its head to the side like when it first saw Shepard on the dead Reaper. Everyone turned to look at Legion as it just said, "No data available."

An unknown hover tank soon arrived onto the battlefield. Vibes didn't detect any energon from it through; but it had a different type of energy about it. Who or what is that? Thinking to herself, Whoever they are, I hope they're friendly. She pulled her thoughts back to the battle, "Hey Dropshot, we got a new tank here that look like someone?"

"I sure hope its Warpath, 'cause all of the other tanks I can think of are all Decepticons or worse Megatron."

Through the main cannon on the Hammerhead Legion surveyed the area. "Shepard-Commander, we have determined at least two factions. Two active units to the Northwest. Three units further North. Unable to determine which faction is more hostile."

The Decepticons stopped firing to assess their new toy. Snapdragon transformed into a bipedal reptile like creature and sniffed in their direction. Apeface halted his assault and turned to his fellow Horrocon to ask, "Does it smell like Autobot? Should we destroy it?"

"Not Autobot. But doesn't mean we can't have fun! Drone, test our new playmate!" The drone opened fire at the unknown hover tank.

One of the shot made contact braking straight through the shields. "Shepard-Commander, energy based weaponry. Shield batteries drained. Hull plating at critical levels. Advise evasive maneuvers."

For a few second they saw a large robotic humanoid, "Keelah!" was all that Tali could say looking at the behemoth.

"I got it Legion! Now do you have an idea which side shot us," yelled Shepard as he tried to maneuver the Hammerhead.

"Target acquired. Enemy units' bears purple triangular based symbol. Creator-Tali'Zorah is advised to start firing."

"Hold on, other than a Colossus and a Reaper, I've never seen a machine that big." Tali was waiting for the tank to move back from it before launching the missiles. Tali's attack seemed to have had an effect as the unit looked as though it was in pain. "It looks like they don't have shields. Move the Hammerhead back further so I can continue fire more missiles." With it not moving Shepard moved the Hammerhead in reverse giving Tali a chance to unload the missiles against the thing. The missiles hit multiple areas on the unit. One of the last missiles blew up the head, falling the unit.

"Ballistic weaponry effective against hostile unit. Proceed to finding next target." Legion now knew what to target anyone with a purple symbol adorn on them. He found one but the energy signal showed it was no longer functioning and the other was laid on an active unit with a red symbol with a different design and energy signature. Determining the tactical view, Legion warned the others. "Estimate at least two more hostile units still active. Recommend immediate action."

Out of the sandstorm a metallic creature resembled an allosaurus in shape latched onto the Hammerhead, crushing the cannon with its claws. With little time to think, Shepard kicked the right hatch open and orders the team, "Everyone out now!" Legion hopped out but Tali stopped.

"I'm not losing you again Shepard I want to…"

Before she could continue, "I'll be right behind you I promise. Now please go."

She nodded to him, "You better keep your promise."

"I always do", as Shepard hugged her. He then helped Tali jump out. But before Shepard could leave, the machine lifted the tank and began to sinks its teeth into the tank, blocking his path.

Tali looked back at the Hammerhead, and when she saw the sight she like she was watching the first Normandy being destroyed, and learning Shepard didn't make it. Crying underneath her helmet, Tali screamed, "Shepard!"

Legion grabbed Tali by the arms, holding her back and attempting to reason with her, "Shepard-Commander would not approve of Creator-Tali'Zorah's plan of performing careless action."

"Shepard is still inside! I'm not just going to watch as he slowly dies! I have to do something!"

Legion looked at the giant mech as it continued to bite the Hammerhead's cockpit. It noticed the machine's movements suggest it was in pain. Legion turned towards Tali, "Does Creator-Tali'Zorah trust this platform?"

Confused she first said, "What?" Pausing for a second she continued, "I trust you only because Shepard does."

Legion process the data and produced a plan. Without much warning Legion tossed Tali into the sand and ran toward the giant mecha. With its Geth Pulse Rifle in hand Legion began climbing up the synthetic's back all the way to the head. The arms on the mech were too small for it to reach its own head. The mech began to violently shake and slam its head against both the Hammerhead and the sand as Legion hanged on pounding its rifle on the robot's head and shooting it. At first, Tali didn't get it but Legion shouted, "Primary Objectives: Find Shepard-Commander. Ensure survival of crew." Tali also started to climb the thing to get to the Hammerhead.

Once inside, Tali looked franticly for him, "Shepard? Are you here…" She didn't want to hear that he was dead, not again. She was a mess the first time it happened, she might not survive this time.

The click of a thermal clip could be heard in the back of the Hammerhead. "Tali? What are you doing back on the Hammerhead?"

Tali couldn't hold herself back and jumped onto Shepard, "I thought I lost you again…I thought that you had…Shepard…"

Hugging her, Shepard comforted Tali. "Sorry I couldn't keep that last promise but I'll never leave you like that again, I swear. Come on." She found her composure and helped Shepard up. "What happened to Legion and that thing?"

In her excitement, Tali had almost forgotten, "Legion's distracted that machine to help get me in here." Pulling out her Geth Plasma Shotgun, Tali summoned her drone, Chikktika vas Paus, while Shepard has his X-12e Locust and activates squad warp ammo. Reaching the former cockpit Tali yelled out, "Hang on Legion, we're going to kill that thing!" The weapons were having an effect against it but the damage was really superficial. They needed to inflict a lot of damage in one shot. Shepard and Tali moved away from the Hammerhead and the mech.

The reptilian-looking machine started to move differently. The arms retracted to the sides as the chest, from low part of its body hinged to the ground. When the new legs were in the sand two small purple segments folded down as if they were feet. The head was pulled to the original back where Legion was but geth was constantly calculating new 'safe zones' where component could not crush him. What were originally the machine's legs and feet started to spin into positions and shifted to become arms and hands. The tail had folded in on itself about half way and was now on what was originally the chest. A flattened cone was now visible from where once the tail was attached. Parts of the cone started to retract in to reveal a face with a mouthpiece. The change was very quick, taking no more than five seconds. There was a strange high pitched sound that coincided with the mech's change, even through the sandstorm Shepard was able to hear slightly. Now the purple and white humanoid robot was uttering noises that no one had any idea what they meant, but Shepard could guess it had something to do with a hanging problem. The automaton tried to rip Legion off what was now its chest but Legion was now located in a nook the large machine was unable to reach without damaging itself. Desperate, the machine shifted several more times it was to no avail, eventually it stayed in the beast form. During each change that noise was produced again reversing itself with each shift.

Shepard got an idea as he switched the Locust for his X-98e Widow sniper rifle. He called Legion over the comms, "Legion get off its head I'm putting a few round through it. Want to help?" Without a word Legion switched to its X-98e and started to slide its way down the backside and pushed off turning around, with the giant's head in its scope. Shepard activated squad warp ammo. "NOW!" Legion pulled the trigger milliseconds after Shepard to make the two rounds collide within the machine. The collision of the two bullets caused the projectiles to shatter within the machine's head, causing even more damage. After the collision of the two bullets, various explosions started to occur within the machine's head. Soon the explosions were visible, blowing out of its eyes as smoke exhumed from its mouth. The giant machine collapsed its right as it screamed it last roar before falling lifeless into the sand. "Nice job, Legion. There should only be one left, right?"

Before they could regroup an angry snarl rang out that even drowned out the roar out the sandstorm. A purple and black gorilla shaped machine was charging straight at the team, guns a blazing. They used the recently fallen mech as a shield. Legion regrouped with the team and stated, "Statistical probability of survival 4.681% and dropping. Orders, Shepard-Commander."