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', "talking"

Dropshot and the Autobot reinforcements followed the carnage as they drove into Defensor's barrier. Dropshot avoided the civilians as he jumped and transformed, "Shepard! What's going on? I see Grimlock is still smashing Cons but the others are holding. Why hasn't Ironhide called for an attack?"

"He did. Things got a little complicated. Some jet, Megatron called Starscream, started to talk nonsense about being the Decepticon leader before they started firing on him and the other jets who attempted to leave with him."

"Yeah that sounds like Starscream's MO alright." After a quick survey of the Autobots within the energy shield, Dropshot lowered himself down to Shepard, "Where's Optimus?"

"Outside the barrier still." Shepard then pointed off to his left, "He's been talking with Megatron about something, though it's all been in Cybertronian."

As Gimlock and his Dynobots continue to fight against the Decepticons, Optimus could be seen beside Megatron, "Please listen to reason, Megatron. We must work together if we wish to defeat this threat."

"I say we can handle our own problems, Optimus. Decpticons, return to the Nemesis! We are going to finish Starscream off once and for all!" Brawl grabbed Slug by the horns as he threw him into Grimlock giving Devastator the distraction needed to kick Sludge onto Snarl. As the Cons left, Megatron turned to his adversary, "Pray that our bout with Starscream is long enough for you and these filthy creatures to leave my station."

"Do you really think I can let you do that?"

Megatron didn't even waste the energy to face Optimus, "For what little remains of our former friendship, I'll give you one last chance. Leave or face my wraith."

As the rest of the Decepticons retreated, Optimus returned to the others. "Well what happened?"

Optimus turned to Shepard as he lowered his head even further, "Autobots, continue with the evacuation of the organics. Once all have been transferred to the Ark have Ratchet get them out of the system. Today we shall end our conflict, once and for all."

"Now you finally say what need be said. No more running! Time to fight! Live or die now!"

"Commander, I appreciate everything you have done for Dropshot and Vibes, but now is the time for you and your team to leave this to us."

Shepard turned to face his team, as each one of them gave him a sign of understanding. "We're not going anywhere. It's time we paid back a few favors we owe you and your team ourselves."

"And if you would allow it, C-Sec will do everything in our power to help." Executor Pallin walked over outfitted in combat armor and armed with an assault rifle.

"I'm more than willing to have 'em help us, but first things first," Wheeljack's hands were full of weapons, "We need to give you guys a fightin' chance against the Cons. Uh, that is if you give the green light Prime."

"I would rather not cause more needless death among your ranks…"

Pallin fired a few rounds into the air, "Casualties are inevitable. If we can minimize it, than all the better. But I won't stand around as the Citadel is taken over by a bunch of giant machines. No offense."

"I think I can speak for my team when I say we're willing to stand at your side when they return."

Optimus paused for a moment as he looked at the gathering members of C-Sec, each one ready to lay their life down to help repel the Decepticons. "Very well. Wheeljack, provide them with defenses and weapons."

"Right away sir! Now I've been tinkering with my original modifications to these weapons and found a way to mass produce it. They won't be as effective against Cybertronian armor like Shepard's modded weapons, but they make those Cons think twice about attackin' a group of ya. Oh and here."

Pallin examined the strange trapezoidal device that easily sat in his hand, "What is this?"

"A prototype shield generator. I was never able to get it to work for an average sized Autobot, but I've had marginal success on Mini-Cons. Each one should be able to protect you from three head on shots from an average Decepticon. After that it takes at about fifteen astroseconds before it can charge back up and another four to be back to full strength if it's depleted."

Without Tali or Kasumi to worry about, Legion swiftly cut through the Citadel's interior while following one of the Decepticon controlled keepers to a small gathering of them. The gathered keepers were monitoring the Citadel as it started to open for the Old Machine. Legion's calculated the likely hood of non-infected keepers attacking should he start fighting and the probability of galactic society ending should it fail here.

Its processors took mere seconds to run thousands of scenarios before reaching a consensus. Legion's network transferred into the Citadel's system as it tried to fight against the keepers control as they attempted to shut the Citadel down once more. Legion's network noticed as the Decepticon warship left the station.

With Megatron at the helm, the Nemesis charged straight for the largest Reaper. "Starscream will die for this. Trypticon, prepare all weapons for combat. Full charge!"

"Yes, Lord Megatron. Charging all weapons. Missiles locked onto target."

"Fire!"

Every missile launched as the laser cannons fired. The massive Reaper held its own against the impressive assault as it avoided the Nemesis and aimed for the Citadel Tower.

"Turn around! I want to watch as that ship is torn to scrap!" Before the Nemesis could adjust its heading the other Reapers moved to engage them. "They wish to challenge me! Very well." Megatron opened a hatch as he jumped out and started firing on one of the Reapers, "Decepticons attack!"

"What are you doing? You could have finished Megatron once and for all!"

"I'd forgotten how hotheaded I was back then." The Reaper Starscream displayed several video feeds, "My men should be more than a match to deal with them. And even if it isn't for long, they will keep Megatron occupied so we can gain full control over the Citadel and the Relay network."

"And what of the Autobots? Without the other Decepticons we are greatly outnumbered."

"With the Citadel under my control, and Megatron offline, I will reopen the portal to Cyberton and you will convince your Shockwave that Megatron has been slain by the Autobots and the organics. With a new Decepticon army on our side, my technology and control over the Relay network, we will rule the universe and nothing will stop us. Not even my Shockwave or the others."

Once they were within the station's arms Starsceam handed control of the keepers over to his Reaper self. Soon the Citadel's arms started to close around them, preventing any kind retaliation by Megatron or the Autobots.

As the Citadel's arms closed around the Reaper, Dropshot couldn't help but laugh at himself, "Well this is probably the only time I hope the Decepticons win at something."

"That's not the Dropshot I know. He'd want to take care of business himself." Vibes joked as she and Override were heading toward the Autobot line along with their prisoner in stasis cuffs. Override took Slipstream to the Ark's brig as Vibes walked to Dropshot, "So you still owe me that explanation on how you survived that shot through the spark."

Dropshot became very nervous as he tried to think of a way to explain it. "Well…ugh…remember how I got flared up about Altihex? Well before the war I use to be a construction bot. That's all I knew or cared about. One day my team was called to do some repairs on a few of the rides over at Six Lasers Over Cybertron Park. Unfortunately that was also the day a group of Minicons decided they wanted to suicide bomb beneath the most popular ride; Plasma Curve. Medics were dispatched to try and find survivors, of which there were few to speak of, and their priority was given to the survival of Cybertronians. Drones however were expendable, if need be even use them to save a Cybertronian."

"That's horrible! But how is this related to you not having a spark?"

Dropshot looked away, "Because, one of the nurse bots sent out to find us saved me…" Dropshot looked at his hands, "My original body was devastated. Legs crushed, left arm pinned by a section of track, I would have been done for if that nurse didn't save me. This body…once belonged to a high society type that was waiting for the ride, or more likely one of their servants/bodyguard. He died in the blast. The nurse knew I had a chance to survive but by the time they'd get to me I'd have bleed out. So she transferred me into the body and tagged me so I could be helped. She even went so far as to give me a false spark signature."

Vibes grabbed Dropshot's shoulder as she finally understood, "The nurse bot, she was Lightbright, the one who died trying to save the Neutral protestors."

"Yeah…that was also my first and only mission I would ever be in charge of. When that tower came down I ordered everyone to hold so I could try to save them…her. But my second, Servo took over, declaring I was not within my processors to lead and ordered an immediate evacuation of the city-state. And he died because of me…"

Vibes nudged her fist against Dropshot's shoulder, "Come on, self-loath another cycle. Right now our main concern should be to deal with that Reaper."

"And we shall." Optimus and Silverbolt joined Vibes and Shepard, "The Aerialbots will launch an assault against the Reaper giving us time to move the Council and the others to a more secured position."

Shepard turned toward see the Reapers as it latched onto the Citadel Tower, "That might work to distract it but you still don't have the fire power to stop it. And what about the Wards, any stray shots the Reaper misses hitting one of your men, it has a straight shot at them."

"We might have an answer." Soon lights flashed toward the group before the screeching of tire echoed out.

Jazz had returned as his doors opened for Tali and Kasumi, "How very kind of you sir," Kasumi noted with her mischievous smile.

"Legion's on his way to the remainin' Con keepers. If we're lucky he can gain control over the systems long enough to open up the arms for us and Megatron to deal the death blow. Funny to think we actually need him to save lives."

Miranda had her own reservations, "Even with Legion in the Citadel's systems, how can it override the Reaper without being overtaken itself?"

Tali activated her omni-tool, to which Garrus and Shepard recognized, "Vigil's data file!"

"I kept a copy of it…just in case. I gave Legion a copy too…just in case…"

"Nice job, Tali. Now we leave it up to the Autobots."

Lugnut rushed off to one of these massive war ships, dodging the lasers just to get closer. The massive Deception now stood above the eye that was shooting at him moments ago as he raised his fists into the air. "In the glory of Megaton, the Decepticon Army and to cleanse this blemish, your death is required!" Both of Lugnut's fists shifted as the gravity generators in each arm started to activate. The two fist slammed, leaving an impression into the Reaper's armor just before Lugnut's punch-of-kill-everything worked to tear the Reaper and the traitor within it to pieces. The Reaper itself was tore in half by the explosions as Lugnut entered the remains to ensure the traitorous seeker was offline, blasting away with his plasma cannons at everything within his optic. "Master, I have discovered something. These Reapers have heavily protective shells but once inside they are weak, even by Autobot standards."

"Excellent work Lugnut. Trypticon, let's show them why we will not be stopped by the likes of them!"

"With pleasure! All Decepticons still within, move to designated areas if you don't wish to be crushed!" Barely waiting for a full cycle to pass Trypticon transformed. As one of the Reapers tried to stop the Nemesis from transforming, Trypticon's arm grabbed the two legs as the rest of his body continued to shift. Trypticon laughed at the Reaper whom he was now equal in size to. The Reaper opened to fire on the oversized Decepticons only for the blast to be completely blocked by Trypticon's free hand. "Pathetic. Now experience true power!" Trypticon bit into the Reaper's armor as he tore away at it. With each bit ripping more metal off the seeker within the Reaper attempted to run. Thundercraker and Skywarp flew off to intercept the fleeing coward.

The sneaky Con started to examine the very circuits, "Very interesting… I'm sure Megatron will reward me for capturing this one."

As the Dark Energon detpack was placed onto a major crossroad of circuits, the Decpeticon was sent flying by a fist. "Long time no see, old friend."

"Not long enough apparently…"

As the Deceptcion picked himself up, the seeker walked into the light, "What the matter, Oil Slick? Losing your edge?"

"Or you upgraded," looking at the makeshift additions and fusion done to the seeker's entire frame. "What's the tubing for Sandstorm? Getting attached to your new friend?"

"You like. At first I was…resistant about accepting the mods, but now seeing them at work, even if Starscream didn't know about this, I think I know understand why working with them could be so…compelling." The beige colored seeker clenched his fists, "Now time for a test run…" Oil Slick took the few moments Sandstorm looked away to melt another hole within the Reaper. Sandstorm jumped down to give chase, "You can run Oil Slick, but you can't hide!"

"Who said anything about hiding?" A canister hit Sandstorm's expanded chest, releasing a cloud of green gas. Oil Slick was still on the first level as the gas seemed to have no affect against the 'improved' Sandstorm. Oil Slick jumped back out of the Reaper as Sandstorm continued his pursuit, not noticing the explosives his query left behind.

Just as Sandstorm was about to attack his weapons and engines started to fail, "What's happening?"

Sandstorm tried to transform but he was stuck. "Do you like it? A new strain of Cosmic Rust I've been working on. It has a bit of a delay to give my victims a false sense of superiority. Oh don't worry, I'm sure it'll also have an effect on your new best friend." Oil Slick was 'kind' enough to turn Sandstorm around so he could witness as Cosmic Rust started to spread across the Reaper. The Cosmic Rust quickly over took the Reapers as it tried to move, breaking one of its legs in the process. "Oh but don't worry, it won't be suffering much longer." Oil Slick had a detonator in his hand as he flashed it before Sandstorm's optics. The explosives Oil Slick left were special coated to prevent the Cosmic Rust from affecting them. Oil Slick used the Seeker's own nose to press the button, as explosions blast the weakened Reaper into pieces. As the segments drifted, the Cosmic Rust continued to eat at the remains until only particles were left. "I'll leave you to your fate, Sandstorm." Oil Slick drifted back toward Trypticon as the Cosmic Rust now covered Sandstorm entirely and his brittle body broke into pieces.

Devastator grabbed the Reaper's legs for the other Decepticons to attack. The Reaper started to charge its main weapon before Megatron blasted the Reaper's firing chamber with his fusion cannon. The blast was powerful enough, but it seemed to only hurt the Reaper. "Decepticons, shot the Reaper's firing chamber when it charges!" The full might of the Decepticon forces blasted away at the Reaper as Devastator forcefully kept the chamber open with his bare hands. Devastator made the final blow as he ripped the 'eye' out and crushed it with his bare hand. With only one Reaper left, Megaton aimed his cannon at it shouting, "Decepticons, I want that Reaper under my command!"

In a surprise, Trypticon grabbed the remaining Reaper by the legs as the other Decepticons attempted to find a way inside. A detcharge was planted on the Reaper that left an opening large enough for Decepticons to flood into the inside. The strike force quickly extinguished the seeker traitor as they planted Dark Energon charges throughout the Reaper. "All charges set. Decepticons pull out!"

The strike force left the Reaper just as the charges detonated. The Dark Energon quickly coursed through the Reaper. It tried to resist but the Dark Energon was too much even for the Reaper to take. The Reaper finally stopped struggling against Trypticon's hold, as it's lights turned to a dark shade of purple. Megatron landed on the Reapers as he aimed his fusion cannon on its eye, "You will serve me and me alone. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lord Megatron. I am at yours to command."

"Excellent. Now I want Starscream's head! And I want that station!"

"It will be done." The Reaper now led the charge as Trypticon and the remaining Decepticons charged at the closed Citadel.

Back on Cybertron, Shockwave attempted to reestablish the portal to Megatron, "Find the problem. I will not let Megatron down in his time of need."

"We're trying but everything on our end is functioning properly. It has to be something on their side. Are we sure the Autobots aren't…"

Shockwave blasted the Con through the head, "Never question Megatron's competence." Shockwave tossed the shell aside as he started to work on the problem himself. "I see…" Shockwave turned back to the Core as he shouted, "Feed more energon into the Core. We need more power for the shift between dimensions."

A blade cut off two Decepticons' arms as a white bot kicked them off the ledge. "Didn't I say I'd be the one to stop you Shockwave."

"Indeed, I remember hearing you say that, Deadlock."

The bot twirled his blades, "The name's Drift. And your twistedness ends today."

"A single Autobot with only blades against me and my elite? The odds of your survival are not even worth my processors to calculate." Shockwave took aim at Drift, who had ten mechanometer distance between the two, putting the melee combatant at a huge disadvantage.

"Who said anything about being alone?"

Shockwave's ears twitched just moments before an explosion took out the eastern wall as more Autobots started to attack. "Autobots, stop them!"

Shockwave spotted only a small band of Autobot elites, but even so, he wasn't going to take any chances, "You Autobots think you've won. This is merely a delay for your demise. Decepticons, move out!"

Shockwave blasted an Autobot in the face before transforming and flying off to return to Kaon as the stragglers tried to follow. A white and blue advanced-helicopter fired a few missiles to chase after Shockwave knowing full well they would not reach their target. The chopper changed to his robot form, which eerily resembled Shockwave's build, including his single optic face. "Not bad, for a former Decepticon." The blue cyclops started to try and siphon what data he might be able to in the Con's haste to retreat. "How unexpected…"

"What it is Whirl?"

"Given these calculations, it seems that Shockwave planned to send himself and maybe a small group through to aid Megatron at that strange station that appeared in the massive space bridge earlier. He was about five strokes away from finishing. Lucky he doesn't have a second hand."

A/N: Even a Reaper Destroyer is powerless against the might of Dark Energon. Will this be the new army Megatron has been looking for, or will the Dark Energon be too much for the Reapers to handle?