Back in quarters....

[prime_cutz]

* Prime is back in his quarters, pacing in his regular mode once more.

I wish I had HiQ back. There are so many elements of this plot that I don't understand. But Prowl is good with things like this, as well. I suspect there's yet another Decepticon power struggle, but it's different this time. Pyre said there were things at work I couldn't

Comments

[prime_cutz]

* Prime opens the door and ushers Prowl in.

First of all, I wanted to commend you on the job you and the other officers have done in my... absence. You have proven yourself worthy of the role of commander, and done the Autobots proud.

Secondly, I wanted your opinions on the current situation. Though I said it at the time, I do not think Megatron sent Pyre into our midst. You know as well as I, Megatron would never want another robot to destroy me, even if the irony of an Autobot doing it would amuse him. He would want the pleasure for himself. And, as you know, the Matrix is missing. I can't be certain if the Decepticons have it, or if it was simply put somewhere. Given my state, I may have pawned it for a nice shiny marble. We need to find it, and we need to keep the fact that it's missing away from the troops. I can't imagine what that might do to morale.

The Decepticons have been quiet lately. I wonder if something is happening internally. I understand, from reviewing data from Teletran-1, that you entered into an alliance of sorts with Shockwave. I can't be certain that he's not behind Pyre's release, but perhaps you could contact him and get more information. See what Megatron's up to. Maybe if he can even give you a little intel, we could find out if the Decepticons have the Matrix or not.

Pyre suggested a lot more was going on. I want to know what he's talking about, so we can be ready for it.

And, most disconcerting, my behavior began to change prior to my contact with Pyre. I want to know how that happened.

I'd like to know what your assessment is. You know a little more about everything than I do, for obvious reasons. What do you think we're dealing with?

[ogicsucks]

*Prowl strokes his chin thoughtfully, considering the angles before he speaks. This latest iteration of his old friend was different somehow, and differences made his logic center want to act up*

That's where things get dicey Prime. There IS something unusual going on with matters in the Decepticon High Command. It seems as though no one is willing to take command of the troops, or at least, no one we should consider a true threat. Megatron seems to have abdicated his authority. Ordinarily, that would mean Starscream would be in charge, but he's AWOL too. Until recently, Shockwave was too preoccupied to keep an eye on things, and Soundwave remains an enigma.

Which means, of course, that your old friend Motormaster is throwing his weight around. That wouldn't mean much, except for the fact that there is a mystery player who seems to be manipulating events toward his own purposes. I have some suspicions as to that mech's identity, but I'd just as soon not forward a guess as of yet.

As far as Shockwave being behind Pyre, as you called him, I have significant doubts. For one thing, it just doesn't fel like the type of scheme he would favor. As for the other reason... he seems changed somehow. I honestly believe he wants to end the war once and for all. Perhaps we could arrange a meeting, say.... you and I agree to meet him and one of his lieutenants on a neutral site?

The Matrix is a larger question. Roadbuster is leading a team in search of the ones who planted that bomb in your chassis. If they... one moment sir, secure transmission from the Sarge.

*Prowl listens for a moment, then lets loose with a string of cyber profanity the likes of which had rarely been heard* I might have known. They've found evidence of hundreds of Seether's drones that lead off into the ocean. They appear to be headed toward the Nemesis.

[prime_cutz]

Perhaps meeting with Shockwave would prove to be beneficial. I will leave it to you to work out the details. At the very least, we could get some idea of what's going on with the Decepticons.

In the meantime... I want the base to remain on high alert. Any departures are to be cleared by me, directly. I have a feeling that Pyre's arrival in our midst is only one part of a plan, and it wouldn't shock me if we received Decepticon visitors in the near future.

Also, if there's anything else that isn't listed in Teletran-1's data logs, I'd like to know about it. Anything at all that might strike you as odd. We don't know where the next attack will come from, but it may be subtle.

[ogicsucks]

That's pretty much it Prime. I probably need to file some sort of disciplinary action against Sunstreaker, due to the incident involving the human police. I'd be inclined to let it slide, but we can hardly condone his behavior. I've sent Omega Supreme to the construction site for Autobot City to provide security. Most of the construction is being done underground, so I don't forsee.... Sorry sir, it appears that I have another secured transmission.

*Prowl listens for a moment, then looks at Prime, clearly stunned* Optimus, that was Dead End. He just informed me that a fairly sizable group of Decepticons landed on a beach less than an hour from the Ark. He said the other Stunticons, most of the Combaticons and Seether are among the group

[prime_cutz]

My assumption would be that they think we're vulnerable, and plan to attack the Ark. Tell me if Dead End says anything further.

. o O (I'm not sure what happened between Prowl and these 'Cons, but I think he's a little TOO quick to accept them at their word...)

[ogicsucks]

*Prowl rubs his faceplate slowly* I know how that sounds Prime, but I have reasons to believe Dead End that go beyond my logic sensors. He is one of a growing movement among the Decepticons that seek an end to hostilities. I'm not suggesting that we simply roll out the red carpet, but the fact is - he could have killed me during the Buffycon mission, and he chose to help us instead.