A/N: First real update for this story, and I've gotten the Autobots off Caleston. How will the Decepticon ploy affect the Autobots being able to operate in this galaxy, happy readings everyone.

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"

Jack and Zaeed confront Shepard about leaving the team. "So that's it."

Jack gave him a simply replay, "Yep."

"We've stuck around to help you fight the Collectors and that the only think keeping us around. We've stayed too long for all of this shit. I think now's the best time to leave."

Shepard extended his hand, "Well I hope you both find what you want out there."

Zaeed walked past Shepard but Jack turned Shepard's opened hand into a fist and bumped it with her fist. "Just don't die from something stupid, like being squished. We'll take the shuttle to where we want, I'm sure it can find its way back to you all."

Wheeljack couldn't help but be fascinated by the organic technology. "Amazing kinetic barrier system and even though you're weapons are still slug-based, they could do some damage to a Cybertronian. Some but not much. I want to help you guys so your weapons can actually hurt a Decepticons."

Jacob wasn't so sure about letting Wheeljack modify their weapons, "Why would we let you handle our weapons?"

Wheeljack assured Jacob, "I promise I won't ruin too many of them. I need to adjust to your tech so I know where I can upgrade it and how."

Jacob volunteered begrudgingly, "To speed this along I better help."

Wheeljack openly accepted the help, "I'd really appreciate it human. This is going to be fun. Plus all of the scrapped Decepticon parts will make great target practice."

Ratchet was able to fit the new parts onto Vibes rather smoothly allowing her to continue to speak with her guests. Kasumi continued their last conversation on the Normandy, "You never did say how you got your name. Was it really the music?"

Vibes couldn't help but laugh, "No, a lot of bots assume that though. I didn't learn about music until I met Jazz. My real talent is the ability to detect the slightest vibrations of anything within about a three hic radius, if I set it to the maximum sensitivity. A hic is roughly what a human would call a kilometer I think."

Tali couldn't imagine having to deal with so much sensor information, "How did you handle all of that?"

Vibes started to rub the top of her helmet, "I once had these…I guess the closes analogy for organics would be 'bunny ears'. Well, I had these antennas on my head that I used to gather that data."

It was apparent they were no longer apart of her as Legion inquired, "Unit-Vibes. You do not appear to have such attachments currently. Were they damaged?"

"Yes and no." Vibes turned her heard up toward the ceiling as she continued, "It was one of my earlier patrols of the outskirts of Iacon with a small team. We were traveling through the remains of the city-state called Praxus. A sniper killed Fastback, took his head clean off. We ran to cover but we were pinned. The building behind us was too unstable to travel through and the area around us was too exposed between cover. There was little we could do but I had a plan. I set my sensors to maximum settings as I used my 'ears' as bait. I just needed a nano-klik from the sniper to pull his trigger. I lost my 'ear' and nearly blew out my audio receptors, but I was able to convey the coordinates to Leadfoot and he took out the sniper."

Legion made another query, "Unit-Vibes. Did you not have to worry about a second sniper unit?"

"No, we were fortunate. The vibrations from the shot leaving the barrel and the empty buildings helped resonate the vibrations around so I could 'see' around the area. I couldn't detect another Deception. He was a lone sniper out to kill a few Autobots on patrol."

Tali asked Vibes now, "So why didn't you repair your 'ear'?"

Kasumi also added, "I'm sure they looked cute."

Vibes smiled as she added, "I thought they had their own flare myself, but I didn't want to rely on having my sensors in such pieces. When the medics repaired me, I requested that they transfer the ability throughout my chassis so I can use it whenever I need to."

Kasumi wanted to see this in action. "Ok, what is…Thane doing right now? I'll give you a hint; he the green scaly guy in black."

Vibes listened for a moment as she tried to remember the vibrations Thane gave off. "He's…speaking with Beachcomber…about…Kajhe. I've not heard of the planet but Beachcomber seems like he wants to visit if the…hanar are willing to allow his visit."

"Wow, that's an ability I could really have used in my line of work."

After seeing off Jack and Zaeed, Shepard went to speak to the Autobot Leader. Prime was occupying himself with studying the galaxy overall on the bridge of the Ark. "Optimus?"

Prime stopped to address Shepard, "Yes, Commander. How may I help you?"

"I was wondering what your next plans were going to be."

Prime turned to the galaxy map, "Megatron might plan to attack another energy refinery or he might attempt to secure a place among your leaders as an ally. Both possibilities I fear as much the next."

Shepard was apprehensive that Optimus was prepared for Megatron's next plan before any indication thereof, "You seem rather knowledgeable of Megatron. Why is that?"

Optimus became somewhat distressed but was not going to hide the truth, "Our history is Cybertron's history. To understand I have to begin a long ago before the war consumed our world, another war had been waged for control of Cybertron. An invading race that called themselves the Quintessons attempted to enslave Cybertron's inhabitants. Our people were able to repel the Quintessons but soon after our leaders at the time forced Cybertron into a caste system. But the caste system was just another form of slavery. But the caste system led to unrest among those placed in the lower castes. A lowly mining drone once designated as D-16, took the name of one of the Thirteen, Megatronus, and rallied for a change."

Shepard didn't like the sound of some of it, "You seem rather familiar with all of this."

"Because I was once a supporter to his cause." Optimus explained, "After Megatron began his movement I realized that I too was dissatisfied with my lot in life as a data clerk. We both grew rather close, calling each other brother. We were given an audience with the High Council but thing only turned for the worse. The Council pointed out that the Decepticons had been searching for the Matrix so Megatron could claim the title of Prime. I tried to settle the dispute peacefully but the High Council decreed that I was to be the next Prime. Megatron felt betrayed by this and revealed he was indeed the one who ordered his followers to attack various locations in suicide bombings. I however refused to take the title and Sentinel Prime led our forces for the beginning of our war."

Shepard wasn't sure how else to aid the Autobots, but he wasn't going to let them fight on their own. "I think we should go to the Citadel. Hopefully the Council would be willing to help you in your fight against the Decepticons."

Prime appreciated the thought, "Thank you, Commander, but I would rather not involve any more live that aren't already involved if possible. I am willing to warn your Council but I believe we should go our separate ways after that. Our war is something we must resolve ourselves."

With Megatron's tale, the Citadel Council convened to discuss such implications of helping these machines. "Can we truly take the word of a machine, especially a machine with such destructive capabilities?"

Anderson answered the Councilor's question with another question, "Could we win if they were our enemies?"

The turian Councilor reminded Anderson, "But can we trust them not to attack. Look at the quarians and the geth…do we want that to happen to every race. AI have proven their danger and we can't let ourselves or the galaxy fall victim to such things."

The salarian Councilor however saw something rather interesting, "True, but these machines are not creation of any organic race. These are a naturally evolved machine race, but even so we cannot proceed blindly. By the time anything is truly negotiated between us and Megatron, it is likely we won't be alive but Megatron and his followers will."

Onboard the Nemesis, the Decepticons continued to wait as Megatron continued to unfurl his plans of tricking these organics. As they waited Starscream was suddenly pinged with an incoming encoded transmission. Starscream was suspicious of this signal as it was his private channel he used for his plots to overthrow Megatron. "Starscream…"

Starscream shouted his demands, "Who are you? How do you know this channel?"

"Quiet down you fool, less you want the other Decepticons to hear you."

Starscream detached from the ceiling clamps as he moved toward the bridge to continue this conversation in private. "Fine, I'm alone now. Now answer my questions or I'll end this communication."

"Why I'm you, Starscream."

"Impossible," Starscream then boosted, "Their can only be one Starscream! And that is me."

The strange voice continued, "Nothing is impossible, just improbable. Tell me, who was it that contacted you? Was it Soundwave who contacted your Megatron, or perhaps Ratbat…"

Starscream ended the other's guessing, "He claimed to be Megatron. A rather poorly maintained Megatron at that." Starscream only heard laughter from the others as he demanded, "What's so funny?"

"Oh, the fact that he would use Megatron to fool Megatron. Megatron, my Megatron, was terminated long ago."

Starscream confessed a desire he has held deep within his spark, "Was it I…I mean you who ended the fool?"

"No…" Bitterness and hate soon filled his voice, "I attempted to end Megatron's reign over Cybertron before it even began, after the last Autobots was destroyed, but Megatron was too strong for me."

Starscream checked his back ensuring the other Decepticons weren't trying to hear him. Believing he was fine, he asked the question, "Then who killed Megatron."

The voice snickered, "Believe it or not, Shockwave was the one to do him in." The voice continued before Starscream could ask, "The Decepticons destroyed the Autobots, crushing Optimus Prime and the others who would oppose us and the Dark Energon flowed through our circuits. But something terrible happened, Cybertron became unstable. It seems the Dark Energon was eating away at Cybertron's superstructure. Megatron wouldn't leave the planet so Shockwave eliminated our former leader and assumed the role, calling an immediate evacuation of Cybertron; permanently."

Starscream was unimpressed, "I wouldn't have let Shockwave take control of what should have been mine to command."

"Shockwave made his point when he destroyed Cybertron and all of those would stayed on it. I've learned humility and patients over the past few millennia and they have proven their usefulness, but with you there, I might be able take my…I mean, our rightful place as leaders."

Starscream was hesitant to ally himself with the other him, "Why should I trust you? If I was you, I'd betray me the first moment you saw no use for me."

It tried to guarantee Starscream, "True…true that is what I'd do, if I was still anything like you. These…things, changed my spark. Trust me. By now I'm sure Soundwave must have full control over all of the Citadel's primary units. I need you to get that control instead, shut down the relay network, and activate the relays I tell you to activate. I have a small force that is powerful enough to wipe out all of the pathetic organics on the station and defending it. You just need to convince the other Decepticons to work with you. If you can do that, we can work together, destroy your Megatron, my Shockwave, and any of the others who will not accept us as their leaders. We will rule the galaxy, and I'll even let you chose the systems you want to rule."

Starscream considered the pros and cons of this partnership, and could only smile at the perspectives, "Very well, Starscream, I will find a way to gain control of the station. You just promise to hold up your end of the bargain."

"But of course, Starscream. I will hold myself to all of my promises."

Punch wasn't sure what the Decepticons had in store, but he planned to have the Decepticons exposed if they are deceiving the organics of the Citadel. But as a spy, Punch knew the Decepticons better than any of the Autobots ever could as he used the shells of the fallen Decepticons and Autobots to construct an empty copy of his Decepticon self, Counterpunch, controlled remotely by himself. "OK me, let's hope you and I don't have to interfere. But I'm sure you can make your point."

When the Autobots were ready, the Ark traveled to the Citadel. Many Autobots were impressed by the vast station, Grapple among them, "Look at the serene architecture behind the stations design. Both functionality and style fused into a marvelously engineered creation. I would love to speak with the organics behind its creation."

Before anyone could correct the amazed Autobot, Ratchet reported rather disturbing news, "Optimus, scans reveal a large cluster of Decepticon energy readings the core, but that is the worst news. Something's wrong, I'm also detected a massive cluster of Deceptions signatures deep within the heart of the station."

Grimlock was overly thrilled of the numbers, "Good. Never enough Decepticons to destroy. Now we finish Decepticons for good. Leave no survivors," overly eager to show off his and the other Dynobots new forms.

Ratchet had to make a correction, "Grimlock, the problem is that the numbers are far greater than on Caleston, and I'm referring to the readings before we intervened. The Decepticons should not have been able to received reinforcements. Something is terribly wrong Prime."

Tali didn't like any of this, "No one other than the keepers has ever traveled into the core of the Citadel."

Prime turned to one of his men, "Prowl, I want you to coordinate with Commander Shepard and his crew. Try to plan for a way for them to investigate what is happening."

Prowl overviewed what data he could about the station alongside the crew of the Normandy. "I'm not sure what will happen when we dock with this place, but I do know the Deceptions will be ready to destroy us the moment we leave the Ark. Mirage and a team of clockers will sneak your team into one of these access points here," as a number of access tunnels become marked on the Citadel hologram, "That's going to be your best shot at getting a team in to investigate. This is our plan A. Plan B is if the Decepticons want open combat against us. Jazz, that where you and your Special Operations team come in. Vibes and Override will drive the organics to one of these entry points, while the rest of us are busy distracting the Decepticons. If we're lucky we won't have to rely on the latter."

As the debt continued, the Citadel's traffic control detected a new unidentified ship approaching the Citadel with a similar energy signature as Megatron's ship. It was broadcasting an open message requesting clearance to dock with the station. They were ordered by Councilor Anderson to allow the ship to dock away from Decepticon ship. Unlike the massive, ornamental looking vessel Megatron and his followers arrived in, the vessel was as large as the ship but it was flatter with no outstanding fins or parts. The ship was golden with two red face-like symbols adorning the ship's port and starboard engines.

Executor Pallin turned to Megatron after the report came in, "It seems you will have a chance of proving your story, Megatron. We'll be greeting these Autobots at the docks."

Megatron was rather reluctant for this encounter, "I do not thing that is wise. The best thing you could do is not allow them access to your Citadel. If you can cut them off from acquiring any more energon they will eventually die out from energy loss. You can't trust the Autobots."

Pallin still wasn't convinced as he continued to carry out his orders of 'greeting' the Autobots with a full regiment of C-Sec agents and LOKI mechs. Megatron, Soundwave and Slipstream were awaiting the Autobots with the organics as they readied their rifles.

With the detection of Autobot energy signatures on the Citadel, Starscream saw this as an opportunity for him to earn prestige with Megatron. "You, Cloaker." Starscream then grabbed a sniper rifle as he handed it to the drone, "Move to a position so you could take Optimus Prime's head in the name of Lord Megatron."

The Cloaker was initially suspicious of Starscream's motives, but the opportunity to deliver the killing blow to the Autobot leader was one he wasn't willing to pass so easily. "It will be done in the name of Megatron and the Decepticons." The drone turned invisible and quickly moved to assist. Starscream could only smile as he tried to imagine the look on Megatron's face when Optimus Prime falls because of him and not by Megatron's own hands.

The Ark's hatch opened to a small walkway, relative to an average Cybertronian, Optimus Prime, Dropshot and Vibes walked out to confront Megatron and his Decepticons. Ironhide and a few others were right behind Optimus, ready to aid should battle erupt from the confrontation. Commander Shepard and his team were asked to remain within the Ark until the situation could be asserted. Megatron greeted the Autobots, "We meet again, Optimus Prime."

A/N: Sorry if I ended it short here, but if I continued it would have cut into a part I didn't want it to cut into. So you'll have to wait until the next update to see how the Autobots deal with this situation.