Disclaimer: I only own my OCs.

Authoress: *stares* Where did you get that?

Pandimala: *holding cattle prod* Starscream is letting me borrow it while I am here. He says that you can't be trusted.

Lord Dawnbreaker: *curious about the device* What does it do, exactly?

Pandimala: *smiles maniacally* Let me show you.

Authoress: *panics* Pandimala, don't you dare!

Chapter 19: The Banquet

Lord Dawnbreaker's 1st P.O.V.

"How is Pandimala's healing progressing?" I asked Physis as I reviewed all the plans for the banquet this evening. Everything had to be right, and I didn't want any more surprises about Pandimala that would affect it. While I counted her as a friend, she seemed to bring more trouble with her than I ever imagined a bot could. If she went into the banquet in good health, maybe we could get through this without a major medical emergency.

Physis let out a vent and pulled up a datapad. "Given everything she has gone through, she's a walking miracle. From what we predicted, she has already cut her recovery time by eighty percent. Given that we weren't even thinking she would be moving yet, that is an accomplishment to be proud of, despite the mitigating factors helping her recover." The dark energon she told us about. However, we respected her privacy and refused to say anything about it. We had not even told Lord Bloodfall, our newest ally, about the substance being active in the universe.

Let alone that there was a whole fragging planet full of the slag populated by life that originated from it directly.

No, that would be a conversation I would put off for as long as possible. "So, nothing to worry about during the banquet?"

The medic shook his helm. "Nothing more than we normally have to worry about from her." That did not help my fragging anxiety about all of this.

"She'll be fine," Sandstorm spoke up from his seat. "Her training with me has been going much better than we predicted. She should graduate from the triple changer training here in seven solars with Leopel and Perfican."

Already? That was almost unheard of for Sandstorm. The shortest time a bot took before this was an entire stellar. For her to graduate in a fraction of that time was stunning. "Her snaps are under control?"

He nodded and seemed to mess with his datapad. A few nanos later, I received a video file from said me. So, I opened it as Sandstorm spoke. "The last seven snaps that we triggered from her succeeded. She didn't lose control and kept herself conscious to warn the bot down. I know from experience with similar snaps that I have trained that it will be the furthest we will train her snap. From that experience, I suspect that she will have even more control of her snaps while in the presence of Lord Megatron or under his direct orders."

Yes, from the clips I watched, I could see that the femme had a firm handle on her snaps. She had not been exaggerating when she claimed she would return to her Lord as soon as possible. However, despite all of this, there was one more aspect of the femme I wanted to go over before we moved on to security plans for the banquet. "Physis," My medic focused on me as I spoke. "While Pandimala's physical healing has progressed further than we thought possible, what about her wings and t-cog?"

For the first time in this discussion, Physis looked hesitant. They were some of the femme's worst damaged parts and were usually tricky to repair with minor injuries—not the ravaging her chassis went through from our defense systems. "They are healing, though they aren't quite where I want them to be given her healing capabilities. I don't see them being usable for another thirty solars. I know Pandimala won't be happy to hear that, but those are delicate systems."

"So, she will stay here for at least that long?" I guessed.

However, I was surprised when Physis shook his helm. "Not necessarily. She should be ready for space travel once she graduates from triple-changer training. She just can't physically fly out as she would like. If she were to get a ride from another in their ship, she could leave with them."

"And even though Decepticons don't travel through our sector often," Sandstorm added, "It isn't unheard of. That is especially true with their mass flight to arrive on their new capital world. Given that Pandimala seems to break the odds of fate, then we should mentally prepare ourselves for that possibility."

While it was terrifying to think of another Deception being here at the same time as Pandimala, they were right. We should be prepared for that eventuality. Hopefully, it won't be a bot that causes us issues. That was all we needed at the click. And that was especially true if the banquet went any way but perfectly.

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it," I ended that conversation. "For now, we need to prepare for the other dignitaries for the night." Pulling up the guest list with the RSVPs that we received, I started to read off those who would be attending.

However, as I read the names of those attending, I felt worry creep back into my spark. Enemies were surrounding us, and all it would take was one claim of attack to set the entire night off. And Pandimala wasn't exactly known for her subtlety in politics. There were names on this list that would try to make the femme trip up. However, there was no way to avoid potential confrontations. I would have to invite her with how Vestium Major had attacked Pandimala, even if she was not my friend.

And with how Pandimala seemed determined to meet different beings and make connections, she wouldn't pass on a premier opportunity like this. No, she would have been first in line, regardless. Perhaps I could introduce her to a few of the leaders she hadn't met yet that I knew would take to her. Yes, that might be my best plan.

Thinking of my past plans with Pandimala, I barely avoided letting out a vent. Regardless of the outcome, this was going to be a chaotic night.

Was it too late to give my sire his throne back?

Lord Oryax's 1st P.O.V.

Dawnbreaker was nervous. Of course, I really couldn't blame him. Almost all of the guests had arrived outside of a few. It was one of those few that had Dawnbreaker nervous. Pandimala had said she was planning on coming near the end of the presentations, though she hadn't said why. Another strange thing was that the femme had not said who she was coming to the banquet.

"Presenting Empress Ladania and Ambassador Flamintra of Hydrus IV," Utaz, the night's presenter, announced to the crowd.

I gave the necessary applause in greeting but felt even more concerned. Pandimala was now one of the few bots that had given a positive RSVP that had not arrived. Where the frag was she? Looking at Dawnbreaker, I could see his anxiety about her absence was driving him crazy. Any being who was paying attention to him could see that he was concerned. Of course, I was too. Given all of the recent tensions in the Alliance, we had to make sure that we presented ourselves at our best, and for Pandimala not to show up might cause concern among those rulers who had heard about what happened to her.

"Sir," Glancing at Credax, I noticed he looked confused.

"What is it, Credax?" I encouraged the mech.

He motioned at Empress Ladania as he answered me. "Empress Ladania and Ambassador Flamintra look rather…mischievous, I think."

Glancing at the two, I realized that he was right. The centaurs were looking rather smug, and that was leaning toward a mischievous air about them. I knew that the Empress was still neutral in her thoughts on the divide in the Alliance. Any strange way she acted could spell trouble for Dawnbreaker, and as his subordinate, I needed to be prepared to take action.

"Lord Oryax, Ambassador Credax; it has been years since we last met," I focused as said Empress walked over and greeted me.

So, I knelt to her in proper greeting before standing. "Empress Ladania, Ambassador Flamintra, we are honored. I hope your stay on Vestium Major has been going well."

Empress Ladania nodded and smiled. "Yes, all things considered, my stay has been most pleasant. However, I wish to apologize to Lord Dawnbreaker for the disturbance at the Airlandian Embassy. It was a faux pas that I have been investigating thoroughly." She was speaking on the attack against King Poiman there that Pandimala stopped. "I am glad King Poiman brought Lord Dawnbreaker's Decepticon guest."

I smiled at the praise Pandimala was receiving. "I'm sure that Pandimala was glad to be there as well. King Poiman considers her a friend, and Pandimala also considers him one."

"Indeed." Empress Ladania spoke, though there was no surprise in her voice as I thought there would be at that revelation. My nervousness about her mischievous air was coming back to the surface.

Before I could say more, Utaz spoke up. "Presenting Lord Trizan of Airlandia and his guest, Pandimala."

My optics went to the entrance, and I felt shock and relief as Pandimala came in next to Lord Trizan. The large locomotive mech, who was a few meters taller than Pandimala, looked calm. The femme in question, however, definitely looked like she had planned this. I had many questions, but they could wait until I could talk to Pandimala alone.

The message being shown took precedence, and I was sure Lord Dawnbreaker felt mighty relieved at the click. If Empress Ladania allowed this, and given the looks being passed between the two new arrivals and Empress Ladania she had, then she would show open support toward Lord Dawnbreaker since Pandimala was his special guest right now. Any political enemies of ours hoping to sway Empress Ladania to their side were told to shove it.

I had to give it to them; the beings of Hydrus IV and their subordinates knew how to make a fragging statement.

As Pandimala and Lord Trizan approached Lord Dawnbreaker, I asked the Empress about it…in a roundabout way. "I hadn't realized that Pandimala knew Lord Trizan that well."

Empress Ladania smirked at that. "Yes, after the incident at the said embassy, Lord Trizan requested Pandimala's presence to apologize for what she went through after we apologized to King Poiman. I was thoroughly impressed with how she handled herself, despite the unusual customs she holds in greeting others." She then let out a laugh and nudged her ambassador. "Flamintra went into quite the tizzy at that one."

"It wasn't normal behavior, especially for a mechano-based being," Flamintra huffed while flicking her tail. "I thought she was preparing to attack."

"If you thought that was bad, then you should have seen her with me," Lord Doclan laughed as he joined us. As he did, I noticed that Pandimala and Lord Trizan had moved on to talk to Lady Blanu of Soror. After he gave the proper greetings, he continued. "I wanted to meet her, given her training sessions with young Perfican, and she agreed to meet with me on her free solar off. I thought I was meeting the wrong femme. Not only did she not bow fully to me as I expected, but she also heard how I had voiced my concern about Perfican's training. I had heard he was falling behind and voiced my concern. I can admit I wasn't the nicest to him, but I hadn't thought I hurt the mech as she said I did. Frag, did she lay into me for that one."

I couldn't stop a laugh from escaping me at their experiences with Pandimala. Thankfully, my first meeting with her and our official talk went well. "Thankfully, my meetings with the femme have gone quite well each time."

"Of course, you had the advantage of hearing about her before," Flamintra said, shaking her head.

Perhaps I did for my official talk with her, but I shook my helm at her first statement: "I hadn't gotten the information about her before I met her. Young Seabreaker was charged with showing her around but had a message from his sire to deliver to me. That message about said femme helped me in our first official meeting. However, I had been unprepared to meet her that solar when I did."

Even thinking back to that solar, it was strange. Before then, I knew enough about Decepticons to know that she wouldn't follow all of the social norms that most expected of mechano beings; however, she had still pushed that boundary further.

"If I remember correctly, my Lord, you had just arrived on the planet," Credax reminded me, making me realize I had rudely gone silent without finishing my story.

So, I followed off of his words. "That's right. So much happened that solar, and it was strange to think of my meeting with her happening that same solar. Young Seabreaker had been showing her around while also being tasked by his sire to get a message to me. While both were surprised at my arrival, Pandimala had studied me almost as if I were a curiosity. Once Seabreaker introduced us, she immediately treated me like any normal bot one might walk by on the streets. Even tried to have a bit of fun trying to get me to act surprised at Physis treating her."

"Speaking of that," A shiver traveled through my chassis at the voice that decided to join our conversation. Glancing to my side, I barely kept a frown off my faceplate as Lord Pitsnare of Rotan joined our group. Dismissing or admonishing him for jumping into our conversation would be rude. He was the only ruler under New Quintessa present this solar, and the highest ranking member of that Alliance seat that was present as well. I had to be cautious in how I approached him. "How did a seemingly random Decepticon receive treatment from Vestium Major's top medic?"

It also didn't escape my notice that he did not greet the Empress. Either he had just made a political faux pas that New Quintessa would punish him for later once they heard of it, or they were planning something.

Thankfully, we had discussed how to answer this question should it be brought up. "There was an unfortunate communication mix-up that led to Pandimala becoming injured. In recompense, Lord Dawnbreaker has spared no expense in ensuring she is well cared for. None of us are gods, after all, and Pandimala understood that mistakes tend to happen. She spoke of being relieved that Lord Dawnbreaker handled the situation as professionally and swiftly as he did."

I saw a brief flash of annoyance cross his optics. "I see. Lord Dawnbreaker is most fortunate these solars. Though, I do hope he takes caution," What was he on about? "Decepticons are unpredictable on their better solars." A flare of anger went through my circuits at the insult the mech threw at Pandimala. For him to speak so poorly of one of Lord Dawnbreaker's guests, not to mention a friend of mine, I barely held myself back from saying something.

The hungry look in his optics told me that was precisely what the mech wanted. He wanted me to slip up and strike out at him. As we suspected, New Quintessa was striking back. Between their enmity with any Cybertronian and the pressure our rumor mill was placing on their credibility, it was causing them to try and trip us up. We didn't have hard proof that they were behind the Majipoor incident, and if we were found causing trouble, we would be seen as the aggressors.

"Lord Pitsnare," The mech jumped as Empress Landania spoke. Thankfully, the mech had already made a social mistake that would make his plan here a little harder to accomplish. Thank Parthis that those under New Quintessa seemed to disdain organic beings despite the high status many held. I would typically thank Primus, as Parthis would wish those of Ethos to do, but given what I had learned from Pandimala about Paul, I was reluctant to invoke the god of Order. "I believe that you have misjudged Pandimala in her temperament. I have personally found the femme most enjoyable and highly intelligent." She then frowned and flicked her tail aggressively. "Plus, she showed the respect she could for those above her. Something that you could learn from."

At that click, the mech must have realized he had not greeted the Empress properly. So, he knelt. "My apologies, Empress Ladania." He looked like each word he said was offlining him. "I must now take my leave and meet with Ambassador Zeecho. Have a good solar." The mech then made a hasty retreat.

Flamintra huffed at his retreating figure and pawed at the ground. "Hells, that mech gives me the creeps. And the way he spoke to you, my Empress,"

"At ease, Falmintra," The Empress soothed her subordinate. "New Quintessa and their allies are under fire for the first time in millennia and are not taking it as gracefully as others in similar circumstances." She then smiled. "Though I must admit, I am even more excited to make connections with the Decepticons. If their grown energon becomes as profitable and convenient as we hope it will, the era of New Quintessa's monopoly of sustenance will end." She then smirked. "So have patience, dear. Everything will turn out alright eventually."

A chime going off caused us all to pause and turn toward the main doors to the dining hall. Once the room went silent, Dawnbreaker addressed us. "My noble guests, welcome to my humble palace for this special banquet this solar. I am pleased that each of you has accepted my invitation." He then paused and scanned the crowd. "Empress Ladania, King Poiman, Lord Dometti, and Lord Bloodfall, if you would please join me in leading us to the table, I would be grateful."

With that summon, Empress Ladania left our circle and moved forward. As she did, though, I glanced around the room and felt concerned. Something didn't feel right. King Caprigo of Dendron Beta and Judge Al-Badur of New Quintessa, since they had RSVPd that they were not coming, were not in attendance, but the number of beings in the room seemed off. Too many. Hopefully, they were just guards staying out here during the feast.

Pandimala's 1st P.O.V.

I felt nervous. Of course, I was playing a risky game at the click and couldn't afford to make a single mistake. We knew there would be some form of attack this solar. Whether that be physical or political, we weren't a hundred percent sure. Honestly, it could be both if my luck came into play. But we were trying our best to minimize the damage. Even having Electel here with Lord Bloodfall wasn't easing me as much as I thought it would. And he wasn't even a part of the plan.

To be fair, though, my inclusion of Hydrus IV and their subordinate planets was very last click. When I received their summons, the other solar, I was nervous. Not much had been said between Lord Dawnbreaker and said planet, so we had been unsure of where their interests lay. Thankfully, my worries had been put to ease at the opening of the meeting when, not only did Empress Ladania not react angrily at my nodding to her instead of kneeling, but she had then turned around and apologized for what happened at the Airlandian Embassy. However, it was by no means any of their faults.

I used the apology to speak to the empress about her concerns. After some talking, she admitted that she was worried about the brashness that certain parties were showing lately. It didn't take long to connect that input with New Quintessa and their subordinates. Once that was in the open, we could communicate much more clearly.

Empress Ladania admitted that she had the same concerns when I raised my concerns for the banquet. With growing tensions, the banquet was the perfect place to strike at multiple leaders and emissaries in one go. So, we decided to announce Empress Ladania's support towards Lord Dawnbreaker at the banquet.

And the best way to do that was to be escorted in by one of her subordinate leaders.

Thankfully, Lord Trizan was a very amiable mech, and we could talk with each other comfortably. That allowed our entrance to seem even more natural when we arrived. However, the calm that seemed to be created by our entrance did not last long. Ambassador Zeecho and Ambassador Garbian of Zull decided to approach us, and it was not easy to keep myself from ripping their helms off. A couple of times, Lord Trizan had to physically place a servo against me to remind me to stay calm.

When I first met Ambassador Zeecho, I was sure I wouldn't be affected by the long hostility that those who followed the Quintessons and Cybertronians had. However, that meeting had proven otherwise. Talking to the two Ambassadors earlier made that fact even more apparent. Now that the others followed the Alliance leaders into the banquet, I began counting the attendees. In total, sixty beings had RSVPd, each bringing one guest.

Even Lord Dawnbreaker had only brought his bondmate. Seabreaker, Grinchain, Lightbeam, and Firebrand were on standby on the other side of the palace. So, there should have been one hundred twenty total beings. However, as I reached the end of the line, I felt a frown forming on my faceplate. I was already at one hundred fifteen bots, and there were six more…

A low growl escaped my vocals as I realized what must have happened. One of Vestium Major's enemies had brought an extra guest and was trying to make Lord Dawnbreaker look incompetent. That was not going to happen, not on my watch.

"Pandimala, are you well?" Lord Trizan asked me as he stopped next to me. It was something we worked out if I seemed to be hesitating about something. While I wasn't expecting to react quite this soon, I was glad we had this worked out.

Shaking my helm, I leaned closer to him so I didn't have to speak loudly. "There is one extra bot here." Then, louder, I continued as if to answer the question. "I think I may have overworked myself these past solars. Please extend my apologies to Lord Dawnbreaker, but I am going to go outside to see if the night air will relax my circuits a bit. I'll probably head down to the lake."

Understanding flashed across his optics before he nodded. "I will, but I expect a makeup date to compensate for this."

Fair enough. Hopefully, we could discuss a few things. Something that I learned about the Airlandians was that they were well-known for their spacecraft engineering. While I didn't have many credits to my designation, I might have enough to pay a bot for a cheap junker. Just something to get me to Pyrovar. It didn't even have to survive the trip.

Back to the Lord, however. "Of course." I then let out a laugh. "If we both survive the solar, we can get some energon sweets from those vendors you were raving about on the way here."

With that, Lord Trizan followed the rest of the guests into the dinner. As I walked away and heard the doors close, I felt a sense of foreboding travel through my chassis. Something wasn't right. But the most we could do was brace ourselves. There were plenty of bots in the actual banquet to help stop any attacks from within. Going to the lake would put me in a spot to cover any attack from there. Whatever this night brought, we would be ready for it.

I would be ready.

Emperor Thav's 1st P.O.V.

"Are you saying I made a mistake, Lord Dawnbreaker?"

I fought the urge to shake my head as Lord Pitsnare raised his voice. If we weren't prepared for them to try something, I would have been angered at the tone the mech was taking with Dawnbreaker. As the doors were shut, it was apparent that Ambassador Narcus of Tixlara had come after Utaz finished the announcements, though the mech had said no to his RSVP. Lord Dawnbreaker had purposefully had us look through New Quintessa's allies, and we made sure that each one of their RSVPs was accounted for.

All of that time was wasted, given the current situation.

"No, Lord Pitsnare," Dawnbreaker responded to the mech. "However, neither my allies nor I received a positive RSVP from Ambassador Narcus."

This response caused the Lord to narrow his optics. Since such an affront usually meant that the offended party simply left, I realized they were trying to prove a point. "Forgive me if I find myself hesitant at your guarantees. Given how your last 'missed communication' went, I find myself doubtful of your claims."

The room went silent as the indirect challenge was stated. My fingers twitched, wanting to reach for my blade. However, I couldn't allow myself to do so. This banquet could still end successfully if this challenge could be resolved quickly and efficiently. "Be careful of your words, Lord Pitsnare," Dawnbreaker growled, cold anger in his optics. "If you do not have sound proof of your accusation, then that could be seen as an act of aggression against Vestium Major. Despite the troubles I have faced recently, New Quintessa would not be fond to hear of any trouble being caused by one of their subordinate planets. At least, not without their approval."

Silence continued to fill the room as the two leaders kept optic contact with each other. Lord Dawnbreaker had thrown the gauntlet, figuratively, of course. Either New Quintessa supported the Rotanian's proclamation, or the leader needed to ask forgiveness quickly. And given the stares around the room, there would be little time for the mech to do so.

…Wait, it was too quiet. Glancing around, I felt worried when I didn't see Pandimala. Given that Lord Pitsnare was invoking the attack against her to put Lord Dawnbreaker in this difficult spot, I was sure she would have stepped forward to admonish the Lord. However, given Lord Pitsnare's anger, that might not be a good idea.

After a few clicks, Lord Pitsnare must have decided against whatever he was planning. "My apologies for allowing my anger to overtake my sound reasoning." While that wasn't a complete apology, it would at least allow the night to continue. "However," Nevermind. "There is still the issue of seating for the ambassador. It would be highly inappropriate to ask the mech to stand, yet it would be the same for most guests present." Most of the guests? It would have been unacceptable for any of the guests here to stand for the duration of the meal. However, getting another chair in here with the doors already shut would make Dawnbreaker look ill-prepared.

"I believe I can help with this situation," I almost flinched as Lord Trizan spoke up from behind me. All visuals in the room turned toward the mech as he walked past me and toward Lord Dawnbreaker and Lord Pitsnare. Wait…he was with Pandimala. Where the hells was she? "Pandimala was feeling strained and asked me to extend her most sincere apologies to Lord Dawnbreaker for leaving the banquet so soon. I would be honored to have Ambassador Narcus sit beside me during the banquet."

…She wasn't feeling 'strained'.

As Lord Pitsnare thanked Lord Trizan and we all made our way to our seats, I allowed myself a brief smirk. Pandimala must have counted the guests and realized an extra guest was in attendance. Since she wasn't a political leader, her absence from the dinner would create fewer issues than her staying would have caused. Dawnbreaker would owe that femme favors from now until the end of life as we knew it. It was amazing that we had never heard of Pandimala before she arrived here.

And that was even knowing her fragging history. No word came from that planet about her outside of a report that mentioned her, though not through her actual designation. Now that I thought about it, we didn't know what she did for the Decepticons during her time on Earth. Maybe I would ask her about it tomorrow?

"Emperor Thav," Galcan whispered as we stood in front of our seats, waiting for Dawnbreaker and the other main Alliance leaders to sit down, "Lord Pitsnare does not seem all too pleased now."

Glancing at said Lord, I smirked when I saw his irritated expression. "No, he does not. Hopefully, he has learned to mute his vocals when he has nothing intelligent to say."

Talk then stopped as the leaders sat, prompting the rest of us to follow suit. As the courses were starting to be served, Galcan leaned back toward me. "I wonder if he will try anything else tonight?"

"I certainly hope so," I flinched as Ambassador Goldust leaned in to join our conversation. "Apologies for interrupting your conversation, but I couldn't help but overhear." I would usually think a being had been eavesdropping on purpose with how quietly we talked. However, chiroleps had extra sensitive hearing, and it would not be outside the realm of possibility for him to have picked up our whispering with ease.

So, I figured it was best to apologize. "I should be the one to apologize for not inviting you to join our conversation." Since he was on my other side, it had been rude for me not to invite the ambassador to talk.

"Nonsense," he laughed, reaching out one of his hands toward his drink. Once it was in his hands, he paused and tapped one of that hand's three digits against the rim, creating a light clinking sound. "Talking about the rudeness others show can be a sensitive topic and not one you may want to speak of with me. I understand." His blue compound eyes were hard to follow, but it seemed he was looking toward Ambassador Narcus.

Interesting. Dendron Beta was still a dark horse in this. They had been on Wern's side during the trouble between Majipoor and Ethos, but we hadn't heard much about their leanings since that mess was cleared up. From how his moth-esque wings were twitching, the ambassador either had some personal quarrel with Narcus or relations between Dendron Beta and New Quintessa were not good. Perhaps they had supported Wern more, and New Quintessa was just an unfortunate side effect?

So, I would put out a feeler and see how the chirolep responded. "New Quintessa seems to be pushing its boundaries as of late."

Goldust's eyes narrowed at Narcus as he nodded, his large bat-esque ears twitching slightly. "That has become more noticeable. I plan on speaking with Lord Dawnbreaker on behalf of King Caprigo. My recent meetings with New Quintessa's subordinates, both Lords and ambassadors, has raised a concern that the rest of the Alliance should be aware of."

This was a bad subject to talk to the ambassador about. Whatever mess New Quintessa was causing still angered the ambassador. Given his normally calm composure, seeing that look on a being who towered over me was terrifying. Thankfully, further conversation was halted as my first course was placed before me.

The meal seemed to go peacefully after that, and, for a moment, I believed that everything would work out. I would have to tell Dawnbreaker what Ambassador Goldust told me. Since we were keeping track of the trouble New Quintessa was seemingly in the center of, this would be just another piece of the puzzle. It also confirmed that something was going on in the shadows. With our lack of information, however, we were stuck waiting until something happened.

I jumped as an alarm suddenly blared, and the room audibly locked down. Turning to Dawnbreaker, I saw he looked as worried yet confused as I felt. What the frag was happening? "Lord Dawnbreaker, what is going on?" King Rollis of Ork demanded as he stood from his seat, his ambassador beside him.

In return, Dawnbreaker paused for a nano, noticeably receiving a private message, before he spoke. "The city is under attack, and given the high-profile beings here, the room has been locked down."

"Under attack?"

"Who would dare?"

"This could mean war!"

"Silence!" The room went silent as Lord Dometti stood from his seat, his son by his side. "Are you leaders, or are you simpering fools? Either stay silent or help. These exclamations serve no purpose." While most beings were looking at Lord Dometti when he spoke, I allowed my eyes to move to his son. Sharpstreak seemed too calm. It wasn't a front to calm the masses as his sire was putting on. No, this was a different sort of calm. I would have to inform Lord Dawnbreaker of my suspicions once this mess was settled. "Lord Dawnbreaker, what do you know of the situation outside?"

"From what Scorchflint has reported, they are mercenaries from Luxor. And not only that, but they have released thousands of creatures from Facit into the city. My soldiers have already begun evacuation protocols, as have the troops of my subordinates."

"I shall contact my embassy and have them and my subordinates send aid. While the mercenaries won't be much trouble, the creatures housed at Facit can be ruthless and deadly." Lord Dometti immediately spoke up.

As other leaders who were present started the same process, with the organic leaders using the communication terminals in the room, I was worried. Many creatures in Facit would specifically hunt organics despite other food sources nearby. My people were in trouble, and I could do nothing but sit here!

"It'll be alright," I turned to Galcan as he spoke. "You have made sure your people are well-trained for battle. They will stand strong, even without you on the front lines. Caigal is incredibly capable of leading your forces."

Thank Murav I had Caigal there to help. I couldn't imagine…HELLS! "Dawnbreaker!"

Dawnbreaker turned to me with a confused look on his faceplate. I was breaking the formalities right now, but it was necessary. "What is it, Thav?" He must have realized I was serious.

"Have you had word from Pandimala?"

The energon drained from his faceplate for a nano before he cursed and got onto his comm. From the frustrated look that stayed, he was not getting through to her. While she was a guest here, Pandimala did not have anyone who would have called her first. All of her contacts had other responsibilities. Caigal would need to keep our troops calm and contact me, and her other friends would have similar responsibilities. She needed to be found. Slag that fragging ambassador for coming without an RSVP. If he hadn't, Pandimala would have been in here and out of harm's way.

For now, I could only pray to Murav for her safety.

Pandimala: *momentarily forgets about cattle prod* What the frag is going on? Did you just have Vestium Major attacked by monsters and mercenaries?

Authoress: *shakes head* No, I am only telling you about them. I had no control over what they did. And they aren't all over the planet—just there in Tocania.

Pandimala: *angry* That's beside the point! I'm out, away from the safety I could have been in, and you're telling me you have no control over this?

Authoress: Basically.

Pandimala: *lets out a vent* If I survive this, I am going to murder you.

Authoress: *pats shoulder that she is sitting on* No, you won't, but I appreciate the sentiment behind that all the same.

AN: And here is the next chapter! I'm sorry it is so late, but I wanted to finish this arc before I started the final editing and posting. That means you all should have the next two chapters tonight or this weekend. After they are posted, though, I will be moving focus over to Awakening Power for a bit to get it, at the least, caught up to this point. I will admit, though, that it will be hard to do because the next arc in this story will be highly entertaining from the start.

But, enough of that for now. In this chapter, we get a small medical overview of how Pandimala is healing, and everything seems to be looking good outside of her t-cog and wings. Doc will have to keep an optic on that. And then, of course, we enter into the banquet. Lots of tensions are going around before the feast. New Quintessa seems to be making trouble for multiple members of the Alliance. But, they are also gaining enemies by the solar. Between the interactions with Empress Ladania and Ambassador Goldust, Lord Dawnbreaker's allies are seeing that they have many more allies than they realized. As the attack starts, Emperor Thav realizes that Pandimala is out there and there won't be any being who is going to be worrying about her condition right away, given the severity of the situation. Hopefully, things will turn out fine.

That should be all for now, though. Here are the names of the next chapters!

Chapter 20: Hymn of Chaos

Chapter 21: A Debt Extending Time

Arc 2:... (You won't find this out until I post chapter 22, which will be a while unless there is a birthday request.)

So, that's all for now. Thanks so much to everyone supporting me with their views and interactions over the years. And not just for this story, either. I am inspired by everyone who has come along and looked at my works. I strive to improve to give you a better quality of writing to read each time I update. Until next we meet, TTYL! *jamming to Inmate 4859 by Sabaton*