Chương 19: INTERCEPTED DATA-001. OPTIMUS.

The interior of the Iron Will was relatively quiet as the cybertronians within continued with their pre-battle preparations. Optimus took the time to center himself. And to reflect on what had led them here. By the time the Autobots had made a hasty return to outpost Omega-1, one of their human charges had already started struggling out of Bulkhead's grip.

"You guys have got to see this! I recorded that Shockwave guy talking with Dreadwing while we were in this crazy laboratory, check it out!" Ingenious of Miko, really. The young girl had managed to obtain vital intel, even while trapped aboard the Nemesis. Curious, the team had all leaned in as she presented her mobile phone. In hindsight, it was a bit of a comical image, so many soldiers clustered around such a small device.

Regardless, the recorded video had begun with what was clearly Dreadwing entering Shockwave's lab, the aforementioned mech moving to approach him.

"Dreadwing. There was a matter I wished to discuss with you."

"Very well. Let us speak. What is the matter?"

"Dark energon, and it's consequences." Aside from that... hopeful sign, things had seemed... bleak. There had been an attempt to search for a solution on the Harbinger, once they'd managed to make their way to it, but the best they'd managed was sending a boosted signal out, calling Wheeljack back to regroup with them. Their initial plan of piling into the Jackhammer and attempting to fly their way to Cybertron had been somewhat hasty, admittedly. Of course, luck had seemed to favour them after that.

The massive surge of energy from the Decepticon spacebridge's activation could have been detected from light years away. And it had, a passing Ultra Magnus noticing the burst and making his way to Earth, only to be pleasantly surprised at the presence of allied forces.

"Sir?" Optimus shook away the stray memory as the mech he'd just been thinking about called for him.

"Yes, commander?" The large mech nodded from his position in the Iron Will's cockpit. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"We are on approach to the projected coordinates. Unfortunately, sensors indicate a large amount of Decepticon activity." The Prime let out a hum, stepping forward to stand beside the Autobot commander.

"Yet despite the time they have spent here, they still have not fired the Omega Lock..." Arcee called out from the cargo bay, the apex armour clutched in between her servos.

"Something's not right. Why wait? Doesn't it make sense to revive cybertron as quickly as possible?" She paused, optics narrowing"To take the credit if nothing else." The rest of the Autobots in the bay (all also equipped with the remaining relics they had on hand) nodded, supporting the statement. For the first time in a long time, Optimus was hesitant. Regardless, he chose to voice his... theory.

"If the recording young Miko provided is to be believed... perhaps the Decepticons are even less united than we have been led to believe." Smokescreen leaned forward from his place against the ship's hull, the elite guard swapping the phase shifter from one wrist to the other.

"So... what, Shockwave and Dreadwing pulled a coup? Cause the way they were talking in that video..." The Prime remained silent as the soldiers discussed things amongst themselves. If he was being honest with himself, he was entirely too biased to comment on the matter.

"This is Wheeljack, cons are scrambling Seekers, suffice to say, I think the gig is up. Also, does anyone else see that?" Optimus frowned as the rest of team Prime moved forward, staring out of the cockpit's main viewscreen. Bulkhead whistled, staring at the winged... reptilian... thing.

"Whatever it is, it looks mean." Arcee piped up from beside the green Wrecker.

"And it's heading right for us! Along with Dreadwing and a squadron of Vehicons!" The Prime stared at the approaching enemy force, before letting loose a small, quiet sigh.

"Very well. Autobots, prepare to engage the Decepti-" Beep beep beep. He paused, a tone sounding out from the console in front of a visibly confused Ultra Magnus.

"Commander?" The officer shuttered his optics, servos flying across the console.

"It's a hailing signal. Originating from... the Nemesis?" Optimus stepped forward, placing a servo on his second in command's shoulder.

"Answer the call." Magnus nodded, and with a soft click, the communication channel was opened.

"To all Autobot forces, this is Commander Shockwave. I request a temporary cessation of hostilities for the purpose of opening a dialogue regarding the revival of Cybertron. Should you accept, Decepticon forces will be ordered to stand down. I repeat-" A moment passed. Then two. Bumblebee broke the silence with a valid question.

"So... what do we do?" Optimus paused, thinking. He ignored the rest of the team's stares. Ultra Magnus grunted.

"A trick, most likely. A Decepticon can't be trusted. Especially one like Shockwave." Staring at the viewscreen, Optimus noted that the interception force were holding position, directly between the pair of Autobot ships and the Omega Lock.... Whether they would even make it past such a large cluster of Seekers was questionable at best. Inclining his helm, the red and blue mech gestured to the console.

"Prepare to send a response, Ultra Magnus. Let us see what Shockwave wishes to say..."