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"

Punch was racing through the abandoned tunnels as fast as his engine would let him, hitting anything in his way. He made it to the same manhole Vibes Overhaul and Tracks used to enter Iacon. Punch jumped transforming into robot mode. He flipped and skid his feet against the floor trying to stop. He over shot the ladder and ran to back towards it. He launched the cover off climbing out with dings and scraps all over his chassis. He was overheated, his engine was steaming and he was exhausted but he still needed to get to Optimus. Everything right now, to Punch, was just noises and colors as he forced himself to find his true leader. Gasping the Autobot tried to speak, "Op…Optimus…Optimus Prime…I…I have…I have vital news to tell…to tell you…"

"Easy now Punch." Optimus held Punch by the arms to let him relax. "Now take all the time you need."

"NO…No time to wait…Have to tell now…The…The Decepticons know…they…they'll be going through soon."

Optimus put his hand on Punch's head and burned himself on contact. Prime started to yell out orders, "Ratchet, we need to cool this bot off now! As soon as he's stable I want him debriefed."

The medical team carried him over to the medical wards when Jazz, one of the Autobot lieutenants, moved towards the big bot. "Odd that Punch would leave his post at the Decepticon base… unless it was really dire Prime." The white armored Autobot looked up towards his taller Commander.

"I know Jazz, but I won't risk his spark just so he can tell us something. I don't care how big it is, unless it is an attack that'll happen soon, we can wait for Punch to recover first."

Several cycles passed before Punch was stable. Ratchet looked through his charts, "Alright Optimus, we patched up the damage; most of it came from reckless driving mind you. We cooled him off too so he should be fit enough to answer your questions. He should be awake right now."

When Optimus walked into his room Punch was waiting for him. Punch was sitting up on the bed saluting, "Sir."

"At ease, Punch. Now what was it that you had to leave the Decepticons to tell us?" Optimus was concerned; Punch had developed a system to communicate with the Autobots without alerting Soundwave, but if Punch had to tell them in person then it must be dire.

"Sir, the Constructicons have developed a prototype space bridge device that is more mobile and Megatron is leading the Decepticons to the new location Vibes and Dropshot are at. He plans to take an army on the Nemesis. Prime we have to follow them!"

Optimus knew how the Decepticon leader thought, "What about Cybertron. Megatron wouldn't leave it unguarded."

"No sir, Shockwave will be commanding the others until Megatron returns."

The Autobot leader took about a cycle to think about it. He had gathered his most trusted lieutenants and advisors to a special meeting in the planning room to decide what course should be taken.

The old red warhorse Ironhide, an old friend of Optimus' and the one of the best Decepticon killers spoke out first after hearing what Punch had told the Autobot leader, "I say we follow the Decepticons through and show them no mercy. If Vibes and Dropshot can get a strong alliance, then we'll have more than enough fire power to finish the Decepticons once and for all."

Ratchet, the chief medical officer stepped in, "Now hold on, we don't know what kind resources are there and if at all compatible with our own system. Besides, weren't Vibes and Dropshot sent there looking for energon?" The two may share the same body-type but the two often were at ends with one another.

Prowl interjected this little squabble, "True, but if we don't take this opportunity to strike while the tironium is hot then when will we? I say we've been on the defensive for too long, we need to get aggressive here."

Wheeljack agreed with Prowl's assessment, "If necessary Ratchet we can always find a way to make either our tech or the new stuff to be compatible, the only question is how."

"Now cool your engines bots," Jazz said, "The Decepticons have always outnumbered us, and if Megatron is taking an army, like Punch reported, then that means there will be fewer Cons defending Cybertron."

The little yellow scout Bumblebee continued with his own idea, "And with fewer Cons to bash it'll be a whole lot easier to kick what's left off of Cybertron."

Huffer spoke him mind, "Even if we could beat back the Decepticons, let's not forget that Kaon is an impenetrable fortress. We'd lose more Autobots in that one campaign than all of the casualties so far from this war."

Bumblebee corrected Huffer's assumption, "I never said to storm Kaon. We beat them back to Kaon where an elite team, like the Dynobots, the Technobots, the Triggerbots or even the Wreakers, will use the old underground tunnels to get passed the walls to open the gate from inside and shut down any traps before we get there."

Elita-One rebuttaled the scout, "Shockwave is cold and calculative. He will be prepared to defend against any possibilities his processors can think of. Even the Dynobots would only last about five cycles before they were turned into scrap. Shockwave doesn't care how many drones or Decepticons get destroyed in the process as long as it was efficient or got the job done."

Before anyone else could argue any further Optimus spoke up. "I have made my decision. Prowl, Ironhide, Bumblebee gather the troops. Ratchet, Wheeljack, Huffer prep the Ark for launch."

Ultra Magnus, leader of the Wreakers finally spoke up, "Optimus, we cannot leave Iacon undefended. I volunteer myself and the Wreakers to protect Iacon while you and the others are gone."

Optimus placed a hand on Ultra Magnus' shoulder, "Are you sure? I cannot order you or the Wreakers to do this?"

"Sentinel Prime used to tell me, 'No sacrifice, no victory.' Iacon must be protected from the Decepticons, no matter the cost."

"Thank you Ultra Magnus. Your efforts, and that of the Wreckers, will not be forgotten." Optimus turned his attention back to the others, "Autobots, roll out!"

Everyone in the room saluted and shouted "Yes, sir!"

Everyone was scurrying off to do what Prime asked them but Jazz and Elita approached their leader after everyone else left. Jazz looked at Elita then turned to Optimus. "Prime, we need to talk."

"Jazz, Elita what's the matter?"

"We're just concerned, Optimus." Elita couldn't look him in the optics. "Following the Decepticons into this unknown territory? What's wrong Prime? This isn't like you." Elita had always cared for Optimus' wellbeing even if he was willing to throw it away so easily.

"We have to go. If the Decepticons reach that galaxy, who knows what kind of havoc will befall the organic races there? From Vibes' report it sounds like there's at least three sentient species with space-faring capabilities." It was true, Prime wanted to protect them but also because he knew that Cybertron itself was slowly dying because of their war. He was hoping to get everyone to go to possibly let the planet 'heal' from the scars suffered from all the battles.

"Understood Prime. We'll follow you to the very end." Jazz wasn't too fussy about things and he understood why Optimus felt that in a way it was the Autobots' fault for leading the Decepticons over there, more so on a personal level for helping Megatron before the war.

With the Normandy long gone from that desert planet, a temporal wake developed and the Nemesis emerged. Not even three cycles out in this new galaxy Soundwave detected a faint signal, "Lord Megatron. Weak signal detected from the edge of this galaxy. Boosting signal strength. Displaying now…"

On the main monitor was a shadowed figure whose form resembled that of a Cybertronian but something about it felt wrong. Its voice was weak and cracked up, "Greetings, Lord Megatron…"

Before the unknown entity could continue Megatron demanded, "I have not given my name! I do not know you worm! Speak so I may know whose spark I'll be ending soon!"

"Without you almighty Megatron, we would not exist, without you glorious Megatron, we would have no leadership, and without me…" The voice had gained some of its strength back, "I would not be ruling my magnificent armada!" The form had reviled itself to be Megatron himself. But his frame was cracked everywhere and tubes were shooting out behind him.

"What trickery is this?" Megatron was not convinced.

"No tricks. You have traveled through a time-space portal. I do not know when you come from but I can tell that Cybertron still exists for you."

"What are you babbling about you hideous monster?"

"We infected Cybertron's core with Dark Energon. The Dark Energon gave the Decepticons and I more power than any Cybertronian had ever possessed. But not even a vorn after the destruction of the last Autobot, Cybertron itself died. We wandered the galaxy for centuries before we encountered these… wondrous machines. They are the pinnacle of all evolution, the closest thing to godhood itself."

As the communication continued, Soundwave was detecting numerous anomalies coming from the apparent 'Megatron'. Logic and orders dictated he should report to his Megatron but something in his circuits told him to wait until the fake was gone.

Coordinates then appeared on the screen. Megatron demanded from the freak, "What is this?"

The 'other' Megatron responded, "These are coordinates to a planet rich in an energy source commonly used in this galaxy. I am also sending data on how to properly convert this energy into pure energon. There is a mining operation on the planet so it would be in your best interest to disable communications and remove any organic nuisances you encounter." Before Megatron could respond the transmission ended.

With the communication channel cut, Soundwave reported to Megatron, "Megatron, I detected many anomalies from the other you. Several levels of audio augmentations and visual distortions."

Megatron was not a fool as he had suspected that much, despite how similar their histories may apparently be. "It seems our new 'friend' want to see if we are worth using. This is a test for us, or we are bait for a prey they want. It matters not. We will take over this refinery and create energon to full use!" With that most of the Decepticons on board cheered furiously to their leader's word. "Decepticons, set a course to this location! Starscream, prepare the seekers for the ground assault!"

At the edge of the Balor System, the Nemesis appeared ready to destroy. "Lord Megatron, all communication to the planet will be jammed in three cycles. We will reach the planet in five."

"Excellent, Soundwave. Prepare the dropships."

On Caleston the miners continued their work unaware of an emanate assault. "Spike! Spike where are you?"

A young man was working on an antenna as he shouted back to the larger man, "Over here dad! Near the comm. antenna."

"What are you doing up there? I told you to help out with the 214 refinery. She's been acting up lately and you know her best."

"Sorry pops, but some of the guys have been complaining about this transceiver not working half the time. I almost have it worked out…" Out of the corner of his eye, Spike spots something in the night sky. It looked like a shooting star. Spike grabbed his binoculars to get a better look. "Hey pop, are we expecting company?"

Spike's father looked through a datapad in his hand, "The next transport isn't supposed to be here for another week, why?"

"Cause it looks like a ship is heading our way…"

The Normandy was waiting in the Talava System when EDI suddenly detected an unusual anomaly. "Shepard, contact to the mining facility on Caleston has stopped transmitting."

"What's so unusual about that? They lose a transceiver or two so what's wrong?"

EDI continued, "Shepard, all contact to the mining facility has stopped. Similar to when the Collectors were abducting colonies."

Dropshot asked her, "Can you give a sample of the white noise." After listening for five seconds Dropshot knew, "This is definitely Soundwave's works. Too thorough to be anyone else." Dropshot quickly transformed to his robot mode, "Hey Shepard, do you have a probe or a buoy?"

EDI replied, "We have a full stock of exploration probes on board."

Dropshot said, "Good. Send one down here so I can write a message to the Autobots. So what are the coordinates to this mining facility?"

Joker then came on over the intercom, "What about your supplies?"

Dropshot hated to think about it but Vibes knew and answered immediately, "Spacebridges are one way and those traveling through can't always see the other side. A team has to stay here to pick up the supplies and hope they can reach rendezvous at the planet before the Decepticons can cause any damage."

Dropshot then said, "Ma'am, I volunteer to head to the planet first. I take down any Cons I find and save as many sentients as I can."

Vibes disagreed, "No, this is still my mission. I'll go to the planet with Shepard. I need you to stay here and wait for the supplies. You're the only one qualified to handle any explosives that might be among the supplies. Besides, you're still not attuned to your repairs yet. And I'm not taking no for an answer, this is an order."

Dropshot couldn't argue as he begrudgingly complied, "Yes, ma'am…"

Vibes then asked Shepard, "If possible Shepard, can you leave some of your people here with Dropshot to help him pick up the supplies?"

Shepard asked, "Won't we need everyone if these Decepticons are attacking the mining facility?"

Vibes was quite for a moment before she answered, "I'm hoping it's just a small scouting party lead by Soundwave. Very few Autobots have faced Soundwave and lived to tell about it, and even fewer have actually harmed him. If there are more Decepticons, then Primus help us all."

Shepard didn't like the sound of it but he was willing to send a few people. "Garrus, I want you to take Legion, Jacob and Kasumi to help Dropshot. You guys take the shuttle."

Garrus asked Shepard, "Wait, how are you going to get down to the planet then?"

Vibes answered the turian, "We still have our jetpacks so I can land on the planet with a team inside me."

On Caleston the unsettling news of an unknown vessel on approach to the mining facility and before they could do anything, all communication was cut. Fearing the facility will be the next to disappear like the colonies, the foreman had ordered everyone to the shelter. The company, under the 'suggestion' by the Alliance had constructed a number of defense towers around the facility. As the workers entered the shelter, one of the workers ran to the foreman, "Sparkplug! We have a problem. You know that turret by the 304th station, well the repair guys never got around to fixing her targeting because of the repairs needed down by rig 32."

Sparkplug turned to the man, "So that means we have a 'dead' turret?"

The worker responded, "Not exactly, see the techs made a manual control until they could get around to repairing it fully it."

Sparkplug knew where this was going, "Alright I'll go, watch over my son for me…"

The worker had punched Sparkplug in the gut, "I'm sorry Sparkplug but you have too much to lose, I've got nothing. Hey guys, get Sparkplug inside now! Just close the door when you get inside I got to go tend to something. "

One of the workers shouted back, "You better not do anything stupid, Brown."

"I'd never dream of it. Just get the foreman inside and lock those doors." Brown then ran off hurrying to the defunct turret.

Soundwave detected large power fluctuations and reported to Megatron, "Lord Megatron, power levels around the facility are spiking. Detect multiple automated defense towers online."

Megatron held no regard towards the organics and their defenses, "It seems these insects somehow detected our approach. No matter, it only alters our plan slightly. We only need a small dispatchment to deal with the pest. The seekers will create a hole in their defenses so the dropships can land."

Starscream answered from one of the hangar, "As you command, Lord Megatron." Starscream turned off the monitor and turned to his seekers, "My fellow seekers, this is yet another opportunity for us to show why we are the most feared of all Decepticons!"

Most of the seekers cheered Starscream. Only one did not. One of the newer seekers, Slipstream one of the few femme seekers. The purple and teal femme whispered, "If you ever overthrow Megatron, you better be careful not to let you 'victory' inflate that already fat head of yours Starscream, less someone else decides you are not worthy as well."

Shepard was gathering more information about what to expect as the Normandy traveled to the Balor System. "Do you have any idea what we might encounter, Vibes?"

Vibes was checking her weapons as she answered, "Well, we know Soundwave is here, so that means his Recordicons are as well."

Tali was finishing with one of Vibes' tune-ups. "Recordicons? What are they?"

Vibes answered her, "Recordicons. They may be a fourth of my size, but as a team, they are just as powerful as any Cybertronian. Soundwave and the Recordicons may have different personalities but they fight as one, unlike some of the teams the Decepticons have. There are ten know reported Recordicons. Though Soundwave might have more we haven't seen or heard reports about. But if Soundwave is jamming the planet's communication, then that probably means he's in a ship. And if he's on a ship then we can expect more Decepticons."

Shepard asked, "Do you have any suggestions about who should go?"

Vibes stopped to look at Shepard, "I'd probably be able to fit four max, maybe five, but that would be pushing it. I've also done more research about your galaxy's weapons and abilities, I have to say if we Autobots had some of your 'tech' or Biotic abilities we might have been able to stop this war before it started…or our war might have caused more devastating to Cybertron…But your weapons will have an affect against us, little but an effect."

Shepard was thinking about the team that was going with him and Vibes. "Samara, Tali, Miranda, we're going planet side with Vibes."

Brown had finally worked his way into the controls for the turret. "Come on, you sons of a bitch. You want to get us, come get some!"

Megatron looked at the facility from a magnified view from the Nemesis' bridge, "Soundwave, I want to test our weaponry against these lowly insects before the seekers are launched."

Soundwave started targeting one of the towers, "Affirmative, Lord Megatron. Target locked."

"FIRE!" One of the underside cannons fired a single plasma round at one on the defense towers. When the plasma round hit the tower, it decimated the entire structure to a point where even salvaging for basic materials would be a challenge. "Soundwave, what was the damage our cannon did?"

"Scan Complete. Cannon output at 45%. Total destruction to defense tower and structure. Calculating Seekers probabilities. Calculated: Seeker destruction to facility defenses, 100%. Seeker casualties will be minimal under Starscream's leadership."

With that the hangars on the Nemesis opened and the other cannons started to target more towers. Megatron then shouted on the intercoms, "Decepticons, attack!"

With that all of the seekers, in jet mode, launched. The seekers easily passed through the enemy defense grid, with the new holes the Nemesis had created for them. One of the advance teams soon reported to their Sky Commander, "Starscream, we found a tower that isn't automated. We're going to try and ahhhhh…"

"Fool." Starscream started giving orders, "Slipstream, take Thundercraker and deal with this nuisance. I'll lead the others and finish the rest of these towers."

Slipstream whispered, "Coward." Even though Starscream didn't order them, Slipstream then called on other seekers, "Thrust, Ramjet, Skywarp, distract the tower while Thundercraker and I take it out."

Skywarp actually preferred Slipstream as a commander over Starscream, due to the fact that she didn't yell at anyone unless they deserve it. As Thrust and Ramjet continued to evade the controlled tower and Skywarp was messing with the controller. "I bet you can't hit me!" Using his teleportation Skywarp easily evaded and confused the tower. With the distraction, Thundercraker and Slipstream fired their missiles and destroyed the tower.

Starscream soon after gave a status report to the Nemesis, "Lord Megatron, the facility's defenses have been destroyed, thanks to my brilliant strategies."

Skywarp never did have any respect for Starscream, "You're such a little…"

Slipstream stopped the black seeker, "Not now, Skywarp. Starscream will get his due…in time."

Megatron radioed having heard most of the Seeker chatter, "Excellent, Slipstream. Now my Decepticons prepare to land and find this new energon source."

While Starscream and the rest of the seekers were patrolling the sky, Soundwave led a team to search for this new energy source their new 'ally' had informed them about. One of the Constructicons, Bonecrusher, reported to Megatron. "Lord Megatron, we have found the organics. They are hiding in a bunker about half a hic away. Can we crush them now, Lord Megatron?"

Megatron stopped the green and purple minion, "No Bonecrusher, not yet. We may need the worms to access or unlock something. But after we find this new energy source and create a large supply of energon cubes, we will destroy this facility and all the organics in it."

Bonecrusher saluted, "By your word, Lord Megatron."

Suddenly a scout was rushing over to them, "Lord Megatron, we found the new energy! Soundwave has already converted five energon cubes!"

Megatron had a grin on his face, "Take me to Soundwave, now!"

The scout had led them to Soundwave. During the scout's absence Soundwave had tripled the pile of full energon cubes. "Megatron, energon production proceeding smoothly. Energy levels on par to pure energon. Estimated four thousand more energon cubes can be filled before the facility is empty."

Bonecrusher thought out loud, "Useable, all that energon could let us build or destroy anything we want."

Megatron planned to make sure of its viability, "Excellent Soundwave. You, scout, sample one of the energon cubes."

The scout was hesitant but he answered, "Y-y-yes, Lord Megatron…" The scout grabbed one of the filled energon cubes and was hesitant to drink the pink liquid. After finishing the empty cube fell from the scout's hands as he shouted, "I feel amazing! It's like I took an energon bath."

Megatron then ordered, "Soundwave, continue to create more energon cubes to fill. We have a new war to fuel."