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"

Waiting in limbo, Jacob was pestering Dropshot, "Are you sure you and Vibes got the coordinates right?"

Dropshot was confidant, "With data from Legion and after several conversions this should be the location, give or take a few hics…"

"Great…"

Kasumi didn't mind as she had more time with Jacob though the company could be gone. After Jacob's comment Legion defended Dropshot, "Unit-Dropshot and Unit-Vibes are both capable machines."

"Uh…thanks, I think." Dropshot didn't have much time to interact with Legion as Vibes had so he wasn't sure if Legion gave him a compliment or something else.

Garrus asked Dropshot what to look for, "So, how will we know that the drop has been sent?"

Dropshot looked around, "For you, just scan for any anomalies that don't normally occur. Visually, look for a wormhole-like portal, I forget if it had a color, and then something coming through."

While Dropshot was describing that, a large black wormhole had appeared a few dozen meters behind Dropshot. A large yellow-orange half disk shaped ship was traveling through. They could only see the underside of the ship and there was no identifying marking they could see. The only words Garrus could find were, "Ah, crap…"

Dropshot took the cue and turned around. "What are they doing here?"

The others didn't like the way that sounded and with the shuttle having no defenses, they could only try to retreat. A door way had opened up and Dropshot grabbed the shuttle before they could try and flee. Without a word or any other facial cues from Dropshot, Jacob assumed the worst. "Looks like we were had. I think we should try to get away as soon as this thing lets go."

Kasumi tried to defend Dropshot, "Maybe he's taking us to his leader. I don't think anyone who could appreciate beautiful music like Vibes could be with a bunch of bad guys."

Legion also defended Dropshot's unusual behavior, "Unit-Vibes would forfeit her life to save friends or allies. Unit-Dropshot also shares the same beliefs."

Garrus knew they couldn't do anything until Dropshot released the shuttle, "Well, we'll find out soon enough. I suggest grabbing our helmets."

Dropshot had cut communications to the others so he could get them and himself save entrance into the ship. Once inside, Dropshot kept the small shuttle in hand not letting it down until it was safe for the passengers inside. Dropshot shouted, "Hey, close the door, I have organics with me and they need a breathable atmosphere."

After the door was sealed Dropshot spoke to his organic companions in a language they could understand, (Just hang tight, you'll be able to get out soon.)

Soon many Autobots were joining Dropshot in the bay as some were congratulating him, "Hey Dropshot tell us how you survived against the Decepticons this time."

"I knew you'd make it good buddy."

"Hey where are Vibes and these organics you were talking about?"

Before Dropshot could get a word in edge wise, footsteps echoed the halls as the others stood at attention, including Dropshot.

It was Optimus Prime, Jazz and Ratchet. Ratchet gave Dropshot a through scan, "Makeshift repairs, a few minor adjustments will be needed before you can fight any Decepticons."

Jazz asked, "What's with the toy ship in your hand?"

Dropshot eased up, "Inside are some of the organic allies Vibes and I made, Jazz."

Dropshot placed the small ship down on the floor and removed a disk from his chest, "Here Ratchet, this has language data and other information about this galaxy. Everyone's going to need the language data at the very least." Ratchet started providing copies of the data to nearby Autobots.

With the shuttle on the ground, Garrus and the others venture forth, only to be greeted several more robotic humanoids like Dropshot and Vibes. Dropshot was next to them with a larger red and blue robot standing in front of him. Dropshot muttered to himself, "I hope I don't screw up on any of the names," then he made the introductions, "Optimus sir, I did like to introduce some of the allies Vibes and I reported. This darker pigmented human is Jacob Taylor. The female human with lighter pigmentation is Kasumi Goto. This turian here is Garrus Vakarian. And this little machine is called Legion. I don't think we have time to introduce everyone, so let's get to some of the more important bots you guys need to know. I'd like to introduce you to the Autobot leader himself, Optimus Prime. To his left is, I think, Cybertron's best mechanic, Ratchet. This gruff red fellow is Ironhide my drill sergeant from basic. This cool fellow is Jazz. Remember I talked about this guy with you and Tali, Legion."

Legion then stepped forward as his eye then started glowing intensely. After about two seconds the glowing stopped and Legion started to speak. "Unit-Jazz. Lieutenant within the Autobot army. Likes music similar to Unit-Vibes but with more upbeat 'swing'. Hates letting others do his job or are put into harm's way. Leader of the Special Operations division."

Jazz also spoke, "And I learned a lot from you, my miniature friend. Legion isn't like any of us. He is a network of programs working together like cogs in a machine. They won't go until all are in consensus. Apparently this galaxy has laws against A.I. tech but their creators accidentally gave them the computin' power to think on their own. Scared, their masters turned on these geth guys and were driven from their homes. For the past thirty deca-cycles the geth have been cleaning these worlds from the carnage brought about by their war, waiting for their masters' eventual return. That is expect for a group that split and work with these 'old machines', as they put it, to exterminate all life in this galaxy."

A white Autobot with a shoulder mounted gun with green and red strips appeared out of the crowd. The white bot had a pair of metal components that formed a V on his back. His mouth was also covered like Dropshot but it didn't move as he spoke. When he spoke a pair of things on the side of his head flashed on and off, "Amazing. Jazz, how was it?"

Jazz tried to explain, "It was like, my own world designed by me. I could see Cybertron, all my favorite local and bots I hadn't seen from some time."

The one identified as Ironhide stopped the two from speaking again, "Let's talk about all that after we know where the Decepticons are!"

Dropshot knew Optimus wouldn't send the Ark and most of the Autobots through if it was just Soundwave and a handful of Decepticons. "Sir?"

"I'm afraid Ironhide is correct." Optimus paused, "Soon after your request for supplies, Punch had returned to us. He came with unsettling news, the Decepticons planned to venture to this galaxy to plunder its energy resources."

Dropshot had a bad feeling about all this the moment they detected the communication jamming. Dropshot whispered to himself, "Vibes." He then turned his attention back to Prime, "Optimus sir, we have the current location of an imminent, if not already in progress, Decepticon attack in a nearby system."

Optimus had to be sure, "How certain are you of this lead, Dropshot."

Dropshot nodded, "We confirmed that Soundwave himself was jamming the planet's communications. If you want to be absolutely certain, Blaster can analyze the white noise." Dropshot was confident in his and Vibes' analysis.

The old red bot, Ironhide, then questioned Dropshot, "If you and Vibes were certain Soundwave was there, why didn't the two of you go together?"

Dropshot had regret in his voice as he said, "Vibes…ordered me to stay here and wait for, what was supposed to be a supply drop. Then try to rendezvous with her and the others as soon as we could."

Ironhide shock his head, "That would have been the right call, if she had more Autobots with her."

Garrus could get guess where this was going but before he could get the information Legion was at the ready. "Data for rendezvous location uploaded to OSD."

Another red Autobot with a cannon like object on his left shoulder took the relatively small OSD and was scanning it. "Truly ingenious. I'll get translating the device and uploading the data to Teletraan I and have the crew prepare for departure, Optimus."

Garrus understood some of what was going on and asked Dropshot, "If the Decepticons are as big of a threat as you say, then what about the Normandy and the others?"

Still examining the OSD, Perceptor inquired, "Does this 'Normandy' have optical camouflage or thermal redundancy capabilities?"

Jacob answered, "The Normandy can hide its heat emission for a time."

Perceptor then answered, "Until atmospheric entry, the Decepticons should not be able to detect your friends. After that though, all of their non-thermal targeting systems will try to shoot it down."

Garrus had confidence in Joker's piloting skills; he was more concerned about when Shepard got onto the planet, "What about when they get planet side?"

Dropshot was positive as he said, "I wouldn't worry about Shepard or the others. As long as Vibes is with them they'll be fine, it's my commander that I'm more concerned about." Dropshot had an idea, "Optimus sir, with your permission, I think we might be able to get a surprise on the Decepticons. But I'll need the combined effort from Perceptor, Jetfire, Nosecone, Skids, Glyph and Mirage, if they're on board."

Optimus nodded, "I think I see what you're getting at Dropshot. Perceptor, after you finish providing the data to Teletraan I and the other Autobots, I want you to gather anyone Dropshot needs and help him out. Autobots, rollout!"

On approach to Caleston EDI and Joker spotted a large purple ship. "Oh shit…" Joker had to warn the Commander about this as he yelled on the PA system, "Uh, Commander, I think you might want to see this."

Shepard was in the hangar with the others as he asked, "What is it Joker?"

EDI answered, "A vessel larger than the Collector Cruiser is in the planet's atmosphere. It appears to be waiting above the Eldfell-Ashland mining facility."

Vibes didn't know how big the Collector Cruiser was but she was hoping she was wrong in what she was thinking. "Joker, EDI, patch the image on my frequency." Vibes sent EDI the frequency and she sent Vibes the video. Vibes was displaying the image on one of the walls for Shepard and the others to see. As the image was displayed Vibes was talking to herself, "Please don't have it, please don't have it, please don't have it…" She saw something and zoomed in on the one of the tail fins, "Aw, slag…" Vibes was now clenching her fists tightly.

Tali didn't like the sound of that, "What is it, Vibes?"

Vibes didn't want to answer but she had to warn them, "That ship is the pride of the Decepticon fleet, Megatron's personal warship, the Nemesis. This mark is what I didn't want to see. The Nemesis flew alone in one of the very first battle and after the battle it only received that one shot from a sniper rifle. Megatron is always on that ship and he only uses it on very important missions. I'm starting to regret asking Dropshot to stay behind."

Samara wasn't going to be discouraged, "There are lives endanger are their not? The Code compels me to help the workers there."

Tali was scared but she wasn't going to let that stop her, "If you go Vibes, you're probably going to need someone who can help fix any damage you get."

Miranda had no objections, "Shepard has led us into the galactic core and back, this will probably be a cake walk." Though Miranda had no true knowledge as to what they were up against.

Vibes wasn't going to let them down now as she gave the Normandy crew the drop plan, "Thanks for that. Normandy crew, the moment we enter the atmosphere, the Nemesis will be targeting us and this ship has to avoid all of the plasma fire."

Joker interrupted, "Plasma fire? You mean hot concentrated energy that can melt our hull, plasma?"

EDI corrected Joker, "With the current upgrades Jeff, Normandy's hull will not melt from one plasma shot."

Vibes continued, "Once we make it past the Nemesis you'll drop me with the team inside and I'll make a landing onto the facility. After we drop, the Normandy hightails it out of there. With any luck the seekers won't pursue you."

On the Nemesis a majority of the Decepticons were waiting for Megatron's command or something to try something stupid. Suddenly they detected something entering the planet's atmosphere. Reflector drones were the first to spot it. "Decepticons, unknown vessel on approach vector to the facility."

The Nemesis' cannons started to open fire on the small ship. The unknown craft was nimble enough to avoid all of the fire. The Reflector drones saw a wheeled vehicle being dropped out. "Autobot energy signature detected. Alert Lord Megatron."

Dropping, Vibes just told her passengers, "Hang on tight, this is going to be rough."

The jetpack she had was strapped onto her underside as Vibes tried to navigate her way to the facility. About three hundred kilometers above ground a very disconcerting sound started to come from underneath Vibes. Miranda was the one to ask, "What was that?"

"Not good. The jetpack's starting to fail on us." Vibes surveyed the area and spotted an isolated group of Decepticons. "I found our landing zone. Buckle up if you hadn't already." Vibes ignited the jetpack one last time and detached it. She was aiming it at one of the Decepticons. The jetpack exploded taking the Decepticon's head with it. About four seconds after, Vibes landed on a nearby Decepticons grinding her wheels on the Decepticon's head and body. Around the corner two more appeared but Vibes was ready with a pair of machine guns that came from what were her shoulders in robot mode. Vibes drove towards them shooting the first and knocking the second one down with a power slide. With the last one still on the ground Vibes opened her doors and forced her passengers out, "Everyone out!" Vibes quickly transformed and moved over the Decepticon, aimed her weapon at the downed Con's head. Vibes tried to reason with the Decepticon, (Surrender if you know what's good for you, Decepticon.) He ignored her warning as he continued to raise his rifle at her only for Vibes to blast his head. Vibes tried to look for the others, "I'm sorry I had to do that, but is everyone alright?"

Shepard was helping Tali back up to her feet, "We're all in one piece."

Miranda was looking over one of the dead bodies, "So these are Decepticons? I don't see anything special about them."

Vibes answered, "That's because they were just drones and we took them by surprise. The Decepticons will be alert to my presence but they won't be expecting you all. Just to be safe, and because Soundwave is here, I suggest complete radio silence until the Decepticons are gone. Find the workers and try to find a safe place to hide. With any luck, I can avoid being capture or killed."

Shepard wasn't going to let Vibes go alone, "Tali, go with Vibes and help her out."

Vibes objected, "I don't think that's the best idea. I'm going to need speed, weapons and maneuverability. My vehicle mode has its limits about what I can do."

Tali was also against this and it wasn't because she wasn't going to be with Shepard, "Shepard, I think it might be better if I stay with you…and the others."

Shepard tried to explain, "Tali, you, Legion, Gabby and Ken are the only ones who currently understand their technology. And if Vibes does meet any of the workers, Tali could calm them down."

Vibes finally conceded, "Alright Shepard. I'll protect Tali'Zorah with my life. Tali'Zorah, I need you to listen to everything I tell you to, OK? No matter what is happening, please follow my orders."

Tali nodded, "OK Vibes. I promise."

Shepard then looked to everyone, "Let's move."

As they split into the teams, unseen eyes watched them from the shadows. Out of the darkness a mechanical black and purple bat flew off towards the rest of the Decepticons.

As Soundwave and the other Decepticons filled more energon cubes, Ratbat returned. "Lord Megatron!"

Megatron despised Ratbat, "What is it Ratbat?" Before being reduced to this feeble form, Ratbat was once the senator of Kaon and with his Emirate Xeon, he had used Megatron and the illegal gladiatorial battles to profit in both wealth and power. One day, after much support from Ratbat and Xeon, Megatron started building an army the likes of which Cybertron had not seen in centuries. Before Ratbat could undo what he had started his former servant, Soundwave, ripped the very spark out of Senator Ratbat's chest and placed it into this new body as a servant of both Megatron and Soundwave with Xeon's head a trophy for the Decepticon leader, as well as a new toy for another of Soundwave's pets, Ravage.

Ratbat was hanging upside-down on the low ceiling, "It is about the Autobot that just landed. It is the one we chased to this galaxy, Vibes…and she had organics with her."

This was peaking Megatron's interest, "Soundwave, give me all of the data you have on this Autobot."

Soundwave passed an empty energon cube to one of the nearby drones and reported to Megatron. "Accessing data. Analysis: Autobot Vibes is a member of the Special Operations lead by Autobot Jazz. Vibes is one of the protoforms Combaticon Swindle failed to capture."

The yellow Con, Swindle, happened to be near when Soundwave said that, "Hey it not like I didn't try to hold out, but the profitability was dropping fast and the drones were falling left and right."

Soundwave ignored the complaining Decepticon and continued, "Vibes was responsible for the initial defense of Altihex. Participated in the defense of Iacon from the Iacon Armory. Most noted feat: sniped a Decepticon scout approximately 0.9853 megamiles away from the walls of Iacon."

Ratbat finished his report, "Vibes had four organics depart from her. They all spoke unusual languages but it seemed they understood one another. Three of the organics left on their own and the last one continued to travel with the Autobot."

"This little Autobot has caused us a lot of trouble…" Megatron had an ingenious idea, "Soundwave, tell all Decepticons to keep their optics out for this Autobot. But do not search for her, let her come to us. I don't care what happens to the organics, I want the Autobot still functioning." After witnessing the pathetic defenses of the facility Megatron did not view the organics as much of a threat without stationary weapons or vehicle based weapons.

"Affirmative." Soundwave then broadcasted to all Decepticons, "Alert: Autobot present within the facility. Do not search for Autobot. Lord Megatron decrees the Autobot must stay functional. Any organics are expendable."

Starscream was patrolling the skies when he heard the orders, "What? Why do you want us to capture the Autobot? Wouldn't destroying it be easier?" Starscream was still upset about letting the unknown ship leave because of Megatron's orders.

Megatron responded to the whining twit, "That is why you lead the seekers; you are just an instrument that needs direction. Now leave the thinking to those with a functioning processor. Any Decepticon that manages to capture the Autobot without damage her shall have the privilege to the first round of interrogation."