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Description
"Ladies and gentlemen," Director Fowler stacked the papers with a decisive thunk and stood, "It's time to face facts: Just like humans, Cybertronians periodically go to war. Well, it has happened again, and this time Earth is the prize."

Generals Bryce and Abernathy looked borderline apoplectic, and the Joes were all scowling.

"How soon before we start getting invasions?" Duke asked solemnly.

"You misunderstand," a grizzled stranger in an unfamiliar military uniform spoke for the first time from Fowler's right. "They don't want your world or your resources. The goal is humanity itself."

Fowler nodded. "Think about it: despite being comparatively short-lived and fragile, humans are fierce, compassionate, loyal, resourceful, and very adept at killing threats. Ideal allies, and I'm using their explanation. But obviously we can't support every faction on Cybertron."

Abernathy sighed. "So we're looking at the mother of all courtship rivalries, in a manner of speaking."

"Precisely so, General," a second stranger at Fowler's left growled. "If you will accept advice, I recommend that Earth turn its eyes towards the Free Peoples. They are more likely to treat you as equals."

"The who now?" Tunnel Rat whispered to Heavy Duty, who shrugged.

"Mr. Ouros refers to a loose confederation of Autobots, Predacons, Dinobots, and former Decepticons that are opposed to the main government's increasingly restrictive policies towards minority frametypes." The first stranger answered, having heard Tunnel Rat despite his whispering.

"Yes, thank you, Commander," Fowler hastily cut in, seeing the dark looks passing between Magnus and Ouros. "The factions will be discussed in further detail when we brief the Pentagon, as I'm sure everyone here will agree is necessary."

"One brief question, more of a caveat," Bryce spoke up, "Your man Darby is supposed to be the Predacon expert, right? And Agent Nakadai is usually the advocate for Cybertron when there are concerns. I have to wonder why they're not present at this meeting."

Magnus's holomatter avatar straightened his shoulders and dipped his head a fraction, acknowledging the general. "They would have been present if not for an urgent matter on Cybertron that required their attention. I have every confidence that Wrecker Nakadai will deal with the issue and return to Earth in a timely manner."

"Well that depends on what route you sent them on, Commander," Ouros muttered, a touch snidely.

"The tunnels beneath Nova Cronum are the most efficient route to infiltrate Iacon undetected. You would know, having used that route yourself during the War," Magnus snapped back.

The Joes and generals looked from one to the other, bewildered, and Fowler simply mouthed 'don't ask'.

The holomatter did a decent job of projecting outrage as Ouros suddenly stood. "You sent my son under Nova Cronum?! There are swarms of Insecticons down there!"

Coattails flapping dramatically, the avatar made for the door. "So help me, Magnus, if I end up having to piece Vanguard's armor back together again because you chose that road without a thermal scan, you'll hear about it!"

Magnus had started visibly at the word "insecticons". He stood as well, and briefly saluted the gathering. "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. It would seem that I have some Headmasters to retrieve. I'd just as soon not have to explain to Ratchet why Doctor Esquivel's person or transtector is damaged, so unless anyone has any objections?"

Most of the group had met Ratchet before. No one objected to the end of the meeting.

As the Joes gathered their gear, Duke leaned over to Scarlett. "Did the alien guys seem a little..."

"Territorial? Yeah," Scarlett scoffed. "And someone tell me I didn't imagine the big guy referring to Captain Darby as his son."

"Wait, for real?" Tunnel Rat interrupted, "What, is the kid half alien? That...would actually explain some things."

Fowler dropped his face into his palm and resolved to put in a call to Optimus and June later to straighten things out.

Description
"Ladies and gentlemen," Director Fowler stacked the papers with a decisive thunk and stood, "It's time to face facts: Just like humans, Cybertronians periodically go to war. Well, it has happened again, and this time Earth is the prize."

Generals Bryce and Abernathy looked borderline apoplectic, and the Joes were all scowling.

"How soon before we start getting invasions?" Duke asked solemnly.

"You misunderstand," a grizzled stranger in an unfamiliar military uniform spoke for the first time from Fowler's right. "They don't want your world or your resources. The goal is humanity itself."

Fowler nodded. "Think about it: despite being comparatively short-lived and fragile, humans are fierce, compassionate, loyal, resourceful, and very adept at killing threats. Ideal allies, and I'm using their explanation. But obviously we can't support every faction on Cybertron."

Abernathy sighed. "So we're looking at the mother of all courtship rivalries, in a manner of speaking."

"Precisely so, General," a second stranger at Fowler's left growled. "If you will accept advice, I recommend that Earth turn its eyes towards the Free Peoples. They are more likely to treat you as equals."

"The who now?" Tunnel Rat whispered to Heavy Duty, who shrugged.

"Mr. Ouros refers to a loose confederation of Autobots, Predacons, Dinobots, and former Decepticons that are opposed to the main government's increasingly restrictive policies towards minority frametypes." The first stranger answered, having heard Tunnel Rat despite his whispering.

"Yes, thank you, Commander," Fowler hastily cut in, seeing the dark looks passing between Magnus and Ouros. "The factions will be discussed in further detail when we brief the Pentagon, as I'm sure everyone here will agree is necessary."

"One brief question, more of a caveat," Bryce spoke up, "Your man Darby is supposed to be the Predacon expert, right? And Agent Nakadai is usually the advocate for Cybertron when there are concerns. I have to wonder why they're not present at this meeting."

Magnus's holomatter avatar straightened his shoulders and dipped his head a fraction, acknowledging the general. "They would have been present if not for an urgent matter on Cybertron that required their attention. I have every confidence that Wrecker Nakadai will deal with the issue and return to Earth in a timely manner."

"Well that depends on what route you sent them on, Commander," Ouros muttered, a touch snidely.

"The tunnels beneath Nova Cronum are the most efficient route to infiltrate Iacon undetected. You would know, having used that route yourself during the War," Magnus snapped back.

The Joes and generals looked from one to the other, bewildered, and Fowler simply mouthed 'don't ask'.

The holomatter did a decent job of projecting outrage as Ouros suddenly stood. "You sent my son under Nova Cronum?! There are swarms of Insecticons down there!"

Coattails flapping dramatically, the avatar made for the door. "So help me, Magnus, if I end up having to piece Vanguard's armor back together again because you chose that road without a thermal scan, you'll hear about it!"

Magnus had started visibly at the word "insecticons". He stood as well, and briefly saluted the gathering. "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. It would seem that I have some Headmasters to retrieve. I'd just as soon not have to explain to Ratchet why Doctor Esquivel's person or transtector is damaged, so unless anyone has any objections?"

Most of the group had met Ratchet before. No one objected to the end of the meeting.

As the Joes gathered their gear, Duke leaned over to Scarlett. "Did the alien guys seem a little..."

"Territorial? Yeah," Scarlett scoffed. "And someone tell me I didn't imagine the big guy referring to Captain Darby as his son."

"Wait, for real?" Tunnel Rat interrupted, "What, is the kid half alien? That...would actually explain some things."

Fowler dropped his face into his palm and resolved to put in a call to Optimus and June later to straighten things out.