“Personal log.  It has been two weeks since the events at Hope, and war has once again consumed Cybertron.  Late yesterday, forces under the command of Hook struck Crystal City, while Rubigen beat back a third strike by Motormaster’s troops.  Though casualties were light in Crystal City, Rubigen has put in a second request for extensive military support.”  Optimus paused, sighing.

     “Thank Primus for the Terrans.  Their ships in orbit are the only things holding the Decepticon Space Fleet in check.  I hate having to ask them to involve themselves in this, but it’s the only way for now.  Thankfully, the Hegemony is convinced that the Decepticons are a threat to them, and are willing to spare the manpower.  Marine reinforcements in the troublespots have helped immensely while Autobot forces prepare themselves.”  Behind him, he could hear a chime go off, indicating there was someone at his door.  “Computer, save and stop recording.”  Getting out of the chair he had been relaxing in, he walked over to find out what was happening.

     “Status report, commander.”  Not for the first time, Optimus missed Goldbug until he looked down.  And, as always, he felt badly about it.  Not that it was his fault, but it was just one of those things.

     “Thank you Goldbug.  Please call Grimlock, Prowl and Ironhide.  I’d like to speak with them.”  Goldbug saluted and hurried off, and Optimus retreated back into his office.  He dreaded seeing these reports, hated having to read the casualty lists.  Still, it was his job, and he had accepted it.

     “Oh Primus.” Optimus muttered, glancing over the report.  The Decepticons had struck again, this time wiping out one of the energon plants outside of Crystal City.  Its defenders had been caught totally unprepared, as the Constructicons had tunneled into the base, bringing a squad of warriors with them.  Estimated repair time was on the order of three months, and until that time Crystal City would need supplies from the other two city-states, supplies that were already stretched thin.  Though the Autobots had been expecting conflict, nobody had guessed that the Decepticons could mobilize with such force so quickly.  Another bloody lesson that Optimus had learned.

     Still, the Autobots had had their share of victories as well.  Aside from the damage inflicted on Viridia during Punch’s rescue, Autobot Special Forces had managed to cripple arms manufacturing facilities in Polyhex, and the line was, for the most part, holding.  In fact, taking into account the massive advantages in manpower the Decepticons had started the war with, Optimus felt damn proud that his men had done so well.

     It wasn’t until he sat down that he spotted it.  Sandwiched in between the casualty list and a report from Ultra Magnus was something he had dreaded seeing.  It seemed that communication with yet another colony had ceased.  He didn’t know what was going on out there, but the continued succession of Autobot colonies wasn’t doing much to help this war.  Of course, most of those colonies had been founded by Autobots created after the end of the Great War, which meant that they didn’t feel as much of a connection with their homeworld as their older counterparts.

     “Computer, reopen last personal log, and continue from last recorded portion.” Optimus said, settling back into his chair.  The status report he placed on his desk, despite the way it seemed to scream to him to read it.  This would only take a moment, and then he could back to work.

     “Last, a personal concern.  I try to tell myself it’s nothing, but Elita One’s ship is now one week overdue.  It’s probably nothing; hyperspace interference, engine trouble, something small.  But, as her last run took her out to the colonies, I can’t help but be worried.  If the colonies are willing to sever ties to Cybertron, perhaps there is something going out there that they don’t want us to know about.  And, if that is true, Elita may be in grave danger.  Primus willing that’s not the case, but I can’t help but be troubled.  End log.” He said, spotting his three advisors making their way towards him.  Picking the report back up, he hurried through it, trying to get it done before they arrived.

     “Decepticon forces have made impressive territorial gains outside of Rubigen, but resistance is more dogged around Cybertropolis.” Snaptrap said, though the display on the large monitor made it obvious what was happening.  “Added to that, forces under Hook’s command have crippled energon production in Crystal City, and we estimate that they have only enough to last for a month, meaning they will require transfers from Cybertropolis and Rubigen, which will further deplete their reserves.”

     “Excellent, Snaptrap.” Soundwave said.  “But I sense that there is something you are not telling me.”  Snaptrap shot him a suspicious look, one Soundwave was used to seeing.  “I am not using my telepathic abilities.  It does not take a brain scan to know that the war cannot be going entirely our way.  What of our setbacks?”

     “Construction plants in Polyhex were damaged three days ago by Autobot Special Forces.  The plants will be off-line for at least three weeks, which will reduce our ability to make incursions into Autobot territory.  Minor skirmishes along the border have been lost, though none are worth reporting on and the loss of life has been slight.”  Snaptrap paused, looking back up at the map.  “What I am most concerned about, however, is the Terran fleet.  As long as they are orbiting Cybertron, are Space Fleet is reduced to a standby position.”

     “So long as the war goes our way, what does it matter if the Space Fleet plays a role?” Soundwave asked.  Of course he would enjoy seeing the Fleet contribute, especially as he had assigned himself the position of Supreme Naval Commander.  Still, naval battles were often extremely costly for both sides, so perhaps it was just as well that the Terran and Decepticon fleets were canceling each other out.

     “I suppose you’re right, Soundwave.” Snaptrap said after a few moments.  “Perhaps it is just the desire for a decisive engagement.  The Fleet could crush the Terrans.”

     “Indeed they could.  However, we would be lucky not to take catastrophic losses, and that would leave us vulnerable.” Soundwave countered.

     “Vulnerable?  To who?” Snaptrap asked.  “The Autobots, of course.” Soundwave replied.
He could see Snaptrap about to say something, but Soundwave beat him to it.  “I realize that the Autobots have not shown any impressive naval capabilities thus far, but it would not take much to destroy the fleet after an engagement.  A few armed shuttles, or a single cargo hauler on a collision course could finish it.  No, better to wait, keep the Terrans in check while we continue to increase our fleet.”  Actually, as it was, the fleet was a force to be reckoned with.  In the weeks after Hope, the Nemesis had been completed and staffed, as had several fighter craft and smaller cruisers.  Repairs to the Gladiator, Conquest and Assail had been completed in short order, and each was ready to space again.

     “I see your point.” Snaptrap finally conceded.  “Naturally.” Soundwave replied.  There was no sense of superiority in his voice, just Soundwave’s usual calm competency, as though Snaptrap had had no choice but to agree with him.  And though Snaptrap might have liked to take offense at it, he realized that Soundwave had had no intention of insulting him.

     “Very good, sir.” Snaptrap said.  It wasn’t until it had come out that he realized that was the first time he had ever addressed Soundwave by anything other than his name.  He had never realized how much Soundwave seemed to simply radiate command.  And somehow, Snaptrap didn’t even think Soundwave knew it.  The thought unsettled him somewhat.  Snapping off a salute, Snaptrap hurried out of the room, heading back to the shuttle.

     “Do you think that he can be trusted?” a voice said.  To his credit, Soundwave didn’t even turn when he replied, “Farther than most.  And especially as long as the gain outweighs the potential for loss.”

     “Well, you would know best.” the voice conceded.  “And what of the war?”

     “At the moment, both sides have inflicted relatively equal damage to each other.  Thankfully, it would seem that neither side is willing to use weapons of mass destruction.  Perhaps they have finally realized the futility of destroying the planet you are trying to capture.” Soundwave reported.  The figure only ‘hmmed’ in agreement.

     “Very good.  I will depart now, Soundwave.”  Though he couldn’t see the speaker, Soundwave knew when he had left.  Touching the ‘eject’ button on his abdomen, Soundwave signaled for Laserbeak to emerge.  The avian settled onto his arm, looking up at him.

     “Laserbeak, I have a very important mission for you.” he said.  Laserbeak squawked his willingness to go, and Soundwae’s optic band lightened somewhat.  “Very good.  I need you to infiltrate Viridia, and observe Motormaster.”  Laserbeak nodded, pushing off his arm and flying down the hallway to one of the airlocks.  Leaning back in his chair, Soundwave ejected Ravage, the puma settling in beside his chair immediately.  Reaching down, Soundwave stroked his back, rewarded with a low growl of pleasure.

     “Retreat!” somebody called out, and it wasn’t long before the Decepticons were in a full rout.  From the walls of the city, the defenders took a few more shots at their fleeing enemies, before collapsing against the fortifications.

     “Thank Primus.” Dogfight muttered, sliding down against the wall.  His right shoulder was badly damaged, and he was obviously in pain.  With a thought, he flipped his weapons back into his arms.  Kobal, who had been standing next to him, kneeled down beside Dogfight.

     “You all right?” he asked, indicating Dogfight’s shoulder.  With a grunt, Dogfight got back to his feet, his left hand going to his shoulder.  “I’ll live.” he muttered.  Which, unfortunately, was more than could be said about many others.  This last Decepticon attack on Crystal City had been brutal, and only the forewarning by scouting parties had prevented the Decepticons from breaching the walls.

     “C’mon, I’ll help you back to the docs.” Kobal said, offering his shoulder to Dogfight.  Though he hated showing weakness, Dogfight was exhausted and injured, so he leaned on Kobal.  Together, the pair headed back to the infirmary.