A/N: Life huh, it just keeps throwing junk at ya.

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"

Grimlock crashed his way through buildings and the Decepticon ranks breathing fire and stomping anything in his path. Finally breaking through the Cons he found Devastator battling Defensor and the other Autobots. "Swoop!"

There was a shriek as the flying Dynobot came for a landing. "Grimlock! Me Swoop thought you fighting Soundwave. What happened?"

"You no call…Autobots not failing in defense. Soundwave!" Grimlock violently twisted as his tail took out a Decepticon. "Where's Megaton?"

"Me Swoop lose sight while he fighting Optimus. Busy killing Seekers. Could be anywhere."

Grimlock wanted to sink his new teeth into Megatron or Soundwave, but he had to wait for the time being. "Dynobots! Show no mercy!" With Swoop back in the air, Grimlock turned to the Autobot giant, "Defensor! Protect Autobot position. Leave Devastator to us."

Grimlock transformed back to his robot form, drawing his sword and charging at Devestator's leg. Slug was not too far away, as he too charged at Devestator, ramming his horns deep into the other leg. Defensor took this moment of surprise to topple Devastator with an uppercut before falling back to the evacuation point to create a massive energy field around the defending Autobots, Shepard's squad and the civilian evacuation point. Ironhide rallied the others to continue, "Come on, push 'em back Autobots! Show the Dynobots why they joined us!" as he and others rushed out of the shield to engage the Decepticons once more.

Dropshot was getting restless now as he watched more injured Autobots arrive within the Ark. Dropshot pushed his tending nurse away from himself, "That's it, I'm going out there!"

"Calm down, Dropshot! You're still injured!"

"I ain't waiting for my damages to be fixed. They're superficial anyway. If I can fight, I'm going to fight!" Dropshot turned back to the others, "Anyone else who's game, follow me!"

Ratchet stepped in front of Dropshot halting the rally, "That's enough, Dropshot!"

"Look Ratchet, you're not gonna be able to stop me."

"I know…but many of the others are in no such conditions to continue fighting. At least not yet." Dropshot turned back to see, and Ratchet was right.

One of the injured bots barely had a functioning foot, dragging what was left as he tried to follow Dropshot's rally. Another was missing an arm and part of his face, convinced he can still do something to help. "I see your point. But I'm fighting. And you know you can't stop 'em all from leaving with me."

Ratchet moved aside, "Just try to keep as many of them alive as you can." Dropshot nodded as he clasped Ratchet's open hand. With that Dropshot transformed and rushed off to the fry. "Alright everyone, many of you still need repairs, so I'll dismiss those who can fight," much to Ratchet's dismay, he and the others started to dismiss a select few to return to the fray.

Decepticon controlled keepers continued to attack the Tali's team, though some started to show visible signs of alterations. A new wave had purple exoskeletons now instead of the normal green. An occasional keeper even had spikes on their shoulders and chest along with the purple coloring. These new keepers were more difficult to put down and they seem to have in depth knowledge of combat maneuvers, coordinating the others in their strikes often used as cannon fodder. Just as Legion was about to fire on one of the crystal structures, they heard a screeching sound coming from the tunnels.

The screeching got louder until suddenly there was a light as a voice shouted, "For Cybertron!" A blaze of shots flew through the air, all missing the team as they targeted infected keepers. It was Jazz in his car form, though his wheels were not touching the ground, instead he was hovering a few inches above it. "Alright team, we've got to find the source of the Dark Energon. It should be a small external device that is attached to something it shouldn't."

"Unit-Jazz. We have found a device attached to a terminal."

Jazz scanned the area to see. "Looks like a Dark Energon detpack. Now we know how the energon got into the system. Now we've got to purge it before it's too late for the Citadel."

Kasumi turned back to Jazz, "What do you mean 'too late'?"

Jazz's headlights shifted to one of the keeper bodies, "Dark Energon corrupts. I mean look at those bugs. The Dark Energon is changing their very being to perpetuate itself."

"You make it sound almost like a virus."

"It might as well be after seeing what it did to Cybertron's core. Hopefully we still have time." With them out of the way, Jazz started to fire at all of the crystals as well as the tube where the pack was. "It looks like we stopped the Dark Energon, but we still have Deception controlled bugs running around."

"They must have done something to the keepers themselves. But where?"

Legion accessed an uninfected terminal, "Creator-Tali'Zorah. We have uncovered security footage. Replaying now."

The images displayed two rather small Cybertronians, both roughly the size of a krogan, one was red and the other was blue. "So beyond Ravage forcing us or Soundwave commanding us, why are we doing this again?"

"Because we don't want the Autobots going straight to the breeding grounds of those things. That and to ensure Megatron can control this station himself. Once the Dark Energon runs its course, Megatron will be the only one who can control the Citadel."

"Right I get that part. What I don't get is why we had to travel so far to plant one charge."

"Those Autobots are working with organics. This is so they don't find the bugs and undo what we did. Geez, do I have to explain everything to you?"

Jazz's doors opened, "Now we know we're away from the target. Let's get a move on."

Soundwave found his way back to the Nemesis where Rumble and Frenzy aided him back into the ship. Descending from high above, a small silver Decepticon with razor sharp fingers started to sharpen his tools, "So, ze great Zoundwave needz repair? Maybe a few modifications too?"

Soundwave passed the miniscule mania's offer, "Negative Scalpel. Replacement components only."

"Oh come now, Soundwave." A dark Decepticon with four arms walked out of the shadows, two miniature arms below the primary limbs, "It's not like we ever get much of a chance to work on your chassis."

Frenzy and Ravage moved between Soundwave and the Con, "And he prefers it that way, oilfingers. Now chop-chop with the repairs so we can go back out there and start fighting. Unless you want us to make your name true for you, Flatline."

"Fine, but I had a potential new weapon just for you…"

"Negative," not even letting Flatline reveal the weapon from underneath the cloth he had covering it.

Vibes and Override were left alone guarding the tunnel as the remaining few took Bluestreak back to the Ark. "You think he'll be alright?"

"If it's Bluestreak you're talking about, then yeah he'll be fine. He's taken heavier hit than that. If you're talking about Jazz," Override looked back to the tunnel, "then I'm not sure. We'll just have to rely on our new little friends to keep him safe, won't we?"

"I'd be more concerned about your own safety!" High above the two there was a jet was circling them silently. It moved to attack as a volley of missiles was launched at Vibes and Override forcing the two to move out of the way.

"The tunnel!" Two of the missiles destroyed the area, collapsing the path into the Citadel. Vibes turned her rifle on the jet to try and bring it down but it was already next to her in robot form. It was Slipstream and she had that sinister smile on her face, the same smile she had when she plunged her arm through Landmine.

Slipstream jumped out of the way before Override's blade made contact. Vibes was able to grab Override's arm before the blade could damage her instead. Slipstream could only taunt the two as she hovered above them, "Oh you should be more careful. Friendly fire is a really nasty way to go. Think of the psychological scarring it leaves to the survivor."

Vibes whispered to Override, "How do you want to handle this one?"

"The same way we deal with any seeker," Override's rifle now aimed at the seeker, "close the space, clip her wings and finish her quickly."

"Easier said than done. And the others?"

"We'll just have to worry about finding a new tunnel for them to crawl out of. Now on my signal…Now!"

As the planet Cybertron continued to travel toward the unknown portal, a lone Autobot was working his way toward Cybertron's core. As a patrolled walked through a corridor a shadow shifted through the area. A blade silently sliced through the air and decapitated the Cons in a single swipe. A white Autobot walked out of the shadows as he picked up a transceiver from one of the deceased Decepticons, listening in on Shockwave's broadcast, "Decepticons, we need only a few more cycles before Cybertron joins our glorious leader in this new galaxy."

"Not unless I can stop you, Shockwave." The Autobot crushed the transceiver in his hand before disappearing into the shadows again. As he moved closer to Shockwave, he turned his head back up to the portal to the strange space station when he noticed something unexpected; the portal was starting to lose its integrity.

As the battles between Decepticons and Autobots continued to rage, the portal to Cybertron unexpectedly shut down. Soon systems throughout the Citadel started to shut down as well. Many Autobots and Decepticons stopped, pausing during this uncertainty. "What's going on?"

"Did Lord Megatron order this?"

Megatron disengaged from his conflict with Optimus when he noticed the portal shutting down, climbing out of the lake he shouted, "What's happening! Soundwave, report!"

"Sorry sir, but Soundwave's shut down for repairs. Whatever just happened isn't our fault either."

A voice started to come from all open comm. channels, "Fools! Feast your eye upon your true leader!"

"Starscream…" Megatron aimed his fusion cannon into the air. "Show yourself coward! If you wish to take control of the Decepticons you'll have to go through me!"

"No worries, Megatron, for I plan to do just that, with a little assistance from another. To any who wishes to remain functioning, I offer you this chance to join me or parish with Megatron and the Autobots." A lone seeker appeared out of hiding from high above as it continued toward the opening that created the portal before. "To our destiny!"

"Any Decepticons who joins that traitor will be marked kill on sight!" Megatron opened fire on Starscream as he fled. Despite Megatron's threat a few of the seekers loyal to Starscream followed his lead, and as promised the other Decepticons opened fire on them. Brawl and a few of the others managed to gun a couple of the seekers down as Devastator managed to grab one, crushing him in his palm.

Optimus pulled himself out of the lake as Megatron continued to fire on the seekers who continued to follow Starscream. "Megatron!"

"We shall continue this battle another time, Optimus. Right now I have a traitor to vaporize."

Slipstream, Vibes and Override completely ignored the sudden changes as the three of them continued to fight. "What's wrong? Are the poor little Autobots getting tired fighting me?"

"Override?"

She loaded a new power cell into her rifle, "Yeah, we can't drag this out much longer."

"I've seen you two fight before, nothing you can do will surprise me!" Slipstream let lose a flurry of plasma bolts as both Autobots dodged the wild attack.

"She just doesn't know when to quit! Are you doing ok Override?"

Override drove into a store for cover as she prepared herself for an attack. "Keep her busy for a bit." Vibes did her best, even jumping into the lake for a time to keep Slipstream guessing as she fired into the water. With Slipstream's back toward Override, the Autobot leapt out of the building with her blade ready to strike. Slipstream turned around only for Override's blade to slice her left arm and wing.

Vibes quickly climbed out of the water just as Slipstream crashed onto the ground. Vibes stabbed both of her blades into Slipstream's right arm and left leg, immobilizing her before she had a chance to recover. Override walked over as she placed her rifle above Slipstream's optical sensor, "This is for Landmine you monster!"

Slipstream smiled at her imitate demise as she taunted her would be killer, "Go on! What are you waiting for? Don't have the parts to finish me? Let that anger out! Show me what an Autobot can do to a defenseless victim!"

Override's arm was starting to shake now, her finger twitching until Vibes grabbed her shoulder, "Override, don't. This isn't right…and you know it. Killing her won't bring Landmine back nor give him justice."

"Forget about your justice! This is about vengeance! Now either you pull the trigger now or I'll…"

Override dropped her rifle and punched Slipstream's face to shut her up. "Slipstream, you are now a prisoner of war."

Vibes smiled, "I know it's probably wasn't easy for you, but I think it's for the best."

Override turned away to ensure Slipstream couldn't hear, "I…I couldn't do it…" Override was shaking, "From afar, while she was still airborne, I wouldn't have hesitated to shot her down, but after you pinned her, I couldn't do it. I…I almost became like one of them didn't I…"

"Almost, but you didn't. That's the important part. Come on let get her restrained and locked up."

Of the few seekers who dared to follow Starscream, only five managed to escape the Citadel with him as they flew toward the mass relay. Sandstrom flew closer to Starscream as he compensated the difference, "What's this thing you calm can destroy Megatron?"

"All in due time, Sandstorm. Come in. Starscream do you copy?"

"Sir, you're calling yourself!"

The Citadel Fleet moved to intercept the six seekers only for the mass relay to activate. The two rings started to spin at incredible speeds before six came through. One of the ships was larger than the others, about two hics in length. The body was very slender and very aerodynamically structured despite its overall cuttlefish form as the 'arms' curved forward rather than inward below its mass. The others however were all the same, each about a vun and a half in length with only four arms though they shared a very similar form to the larger ship.

"That's all you have under your command! Only five other! We won't stand a chance against Megatron and the Autobots if they decide to combine their forces! You've doomed us all!"

"You underestimate the power we possess, my younger self. Join us, and you can have the best seat in the house. Shut down the relay network now and open the Citadel's arms so that I may gain control." Two of the smaller ships rushed to engage Citadel forces as they latched onto cruisers. They opened a section of their armor to reveal an 'eye' as power started to charge before a powerful particle beam easily cut through the armor plating before the arms started to tear into the ship.

Each seeker flew into an opening the Reapers opened for them. Starscream, landing in the largest ship, started to traverse the interior of his other's vessel. "Hey Starscream, I'm starting to get a really bad feeling in my databanks about all of this…"

"Quit you're sniveling. We are on the cusp of victory my friends."

"Coming from you that seems like a contradiction."

Jazz reached the source of the Decepticon influenced keepers, and it was massive. "A machine that creates organics, now that's something."

As the next keeper came out, the Decepticon symbol was on its back and chest as its eyes glowed purple. The pack covered one symbol as the other disappeared and its eyes returned to the glossy black keepers are normally seen with. "That explains that. Now how do we undo it?"

Legion left Jazz, closing his door, "We will access the keeper cloning machine and undo Decepticon alterations."

"Can you access it remotely?"

"No. Manual access required. Organic reaction time will only endanger lives. Unit-Jazz, assistance required."

The machine guns lifted from Jazz's hood, "Alright little partner, I'll give you all of the time you need."

"There must me something we can do to help you."

"Negative Creator-Zorah. You and Kasumi Goto would impede in Unit-Jazz's mobility. Any damage done to this mobile platform is acceptable. Damage to Creators or other organics is not." Legion had an M-3 Predator pistol as it examined the current locations of the keepers and of nearby Decepticon energy signals. "Unit-Jazz, we are ready."

"I just need to set the mood." Jazz's stereo started to play the dance mix for the song 'Bang Bang Boom'. "Let's kick it!" Legion got off into a sprint as it started to pick off Decepticon keepers. Jazz waited for Legion to get about halfway to the controls before he started to fire on the keepers moving to attack Legion.

Legion bashed the head of one keeper before grabbing the neck of another and tossing it into the group rushing at the geth for Jazz to finish. Legion managed to reach the controls and immediately started to pull up recent alteration. Jazz continued to keep the keepers at bay for Legion to work. Legion could see the Decepticons who did the alterations were not as technically skilled as Perceptor or some of the other Autobots Legion has worked with on the Ark. The programming was easily undone, but the number of keepers already under Decepticon control was uncertain. With his task done Legion helped clear the remaining Decepticon keepers in the area.

Tali and Kasumi left Jazz to help thin out the remaining keepers as well. With the area cleared of keepers, the remaining Decepticon controlled keepers were all busy doing whatever it was the Decepticons were forcing them to do. "One problem down, one more to go."

"No. Additional errors mounting." Legion pulled up a camera as it displayed the exterior of the Citadel with a view of the relay.

They were witnessing the destruction of the Citadel defense fleet at the hands of six massive ships. "By Primus' spark, what are those?"

"Keelah. Reapers. The Decepticons were working to help bring them here? If they reach the Citadel they'll gain control over the relay network, isolating every system and wipe us out slowly."

"Maybe not…" Jazz shut off his radio, "I'm getting mixed reports, but Megatron has declared Starscream and a handful of seekers traitors. I haven't heard anything exact, but it seems Starscream is the one working with these Reapers not Megatron."

Legion's faceplates fully opened, "Given psychological profiles of Decepticons by Unit-Ratchet, Unit-Megatron would never submit to Reaper control. It is possible Unit-Starscream has been manipulated into working with the Old Machines in an attempt to gain leadership over Decepticon faction."

"Yep, that sounds like something Starscream would be willing to do. So now what's the plan?"

Legion took the initiative, "We will remove remaining Decepticon keepers and restore Citadel functions. Unit-Jazz, please escort Creator-Tali'Zorah and Kasumi Goto back to the Ark."

"Legion, you don't have to do this alone."

"We appreciate the concern, Creator-Zorah, but actions must be taken to ensure the Old Machines do not gain control over the Citadel." Legion returned to Jazz only so it could grab its weapons from within. Ready, the geth platform marched off as it followed the energy signatures its sensors could find.

"Hey Legion," the geth stopped for Jazz, "Stay functioning little guy."

"We will attempt to return undamaged."

A/N: With the Reaper Starscream's arrival at the Citadel, the other Starscream has made his move against Megatron. Can the two deviants fulfill their desiers of conquest, or can Commander Shepard and the Autobots rally a means of defeating them.(Sorry couldn't help myself do that, but yeah, I'll try to make the next update sooner, try being the optimal word.)

About Slipstream's capture: Unlike Vibes' prior kills with similar circumstances, the Autobots had the choice of taking Slipstream prisoner. A choice a Decepticon would almost never consider.