Book IV
     "Dark Times, Part I"

     Chapter XVI
     "Situation Vulnerable"


     Optimus sat down at his desk in
his quarters.  "Computer, access the
visual logs of the attack.  I want
visuals of all the enemy attackers."
     "Understood", responded the
computer.
     A moment later, the computer
screen lit up and seven pictures were
displayed.  Megatron and Nightbird
were there, but that was not
unexpected.  The other five attackers
were another matter.  He did not
recognize them, or even recall seeing
anything quite like them.  One was
actually using the forces of nature
itself against them.  He watched the
recordings of their attacks, and the
attacks on them.  They were
relentless, and nothing seemed to
stop them.
     As Optimus contemplated the
situation, The door chimed.  "Come",
he said.
     Ultra Magnus and Springer came
through the door.
     "Springer, what's our
communication status", asked Optimus.
     "I jury-rigged the equipment for
a global satellite communications
link, but I got nothing.  I did
manage to establish a weak com link
to Earth Defense Headquarters in San
Francisco.  I spoke directly to the
head of Earth Defense.  He said that
global communications have been
sabotaged, and they were unable to
contact any of our bases for an hour
before the communications went down. 
Reports are sketchy, but Earth
Defense installations all over the
planet have been attacked.  Earth
Defense has been crippled.  Earth is
vulnerable to an attack.  The reports
they have received say that Megatron,
Nightbird, and the same five
Decepticons are responsible for all
of the attacks", finished Springer.
     "Have you any better news Ultra
Magnus?", asked Optimus.
     "Yes, I do as a matter of fact. 
We have a lot of injured, but not a
lot of dead.  Since their were only
seven of them, they seemed to
concentrate on destroying the base,
and not finishing off their victims."
     "We need to get status reports
from our other cities.  Where is
Omega Supreme, Skyfire, and Sky
Lynx", asked Optimus.
     "Omega Supreme is guarding the
Volcano, and Skyfire and Sky Lynx
just got back from the hospital",
said Ultra Magnus.  All of the
critically injured patients have been
taken to the hospital."
     "Springer, I want you standing
by in case we need to rush anyone to
the hospital.  They still haven't
found Spike.  Go see if they need a
hand looking for him", said Optimus.
     "On my way", said Springer, and
he turned and left the room.
     "Ultra Magnus, send anyone you
can spare with Omega Supreme,
Skyfire, and Sky Lynx.  Send Sky Lynx
to Brazil, and Australia, send Omega
Supreme to Russia, and China, and
send Skyfire to England and Saudi
Arabia.  I want status reports from
all of our bases, as soon as
possible."
     "I'll have them on their way in
a few minutes", said Ultra Magnus. 
With that Ultra Magnus turned and
left the room.