Book IV "Dark Times, Part I" Chapter XVIII "The Proposal" When Optimus Prime returned to the base, he found Ultra Magnus waiting, with bad news for him. "Ultra Magnus, report", said Optimus. "I'm afraid that our other bases fared no better than we did, but worse still, I have not been able to contact Cybertron." "Were you able to bypass the global satellite communications network", asked Optimus. "Yes, and I managed a signal that should have been strong enough to reach Cybertron, but I got no response." "The Decepticons?", asked Optimus. "I hope not, but it seems the most likely scenario. What should we do?", asked Ultra Magnus. Optimus thought for a moment. Rodimus was in charge on Cybertron, and with Cybertron's defenses, they should be well protected. "Nothing. Cybertron can take care of itself. For now, we must worry about Earth", said Optimus. A while later, Optimus was in his quarters, and his communicator sounded. "Ultra Magnus to Optimus Prime." "Optimus Prime here, go ahead." "Internal communications have been restored, Optimus, and we have an incoming signal", said Ultra Magnus. "Is it Cybertron", asked Optimus. "No, it's Megatron." Optimus sat straight up in his chair. "Patch him through", said Optimus. The view screen on Optimus's desk lit up, and showed Megatron. "Greetings Optimus Prime", said Megatron. "What do you want Megatron", said Optimus. "Such terrible manners", said Megatron. "You really should be nicer to me, your continued existence might depend on it", said Megatron with a chuckle. "I haven't time for games, Megatron", said Optimus. "Very well then. I wish to talk to you, in person", said Megatron. "And why is it that I would want to meet with you", said Optimus. "I have a proposal. A proposal that might spare the lives of the people of Earth." Optimus sat stone still. Could he have a plan that was going to threaten the entire planet? Could he chance that Megatron was telling the truth? "Where and when Megatron", said Optimus. "Two hours. As to where, your choice." "Very well, meet me at the Volcano", said Optimus. "Sounds fine. This is just you and I Prime. No one else", said Megatron. "Agreed", said Optimus, and the screen went dark. Optimus spent the better part of the next two hours contemplating what this could all mean. Then he left for the Volcano, leaving strict orders that if he was not back in three hours to come after him. When Optimus arrived at the Volcano, Megatron was waiting for him. "You're late", said Megatron. "So sue me", said Optimus Prime. "What do you want." "I'll make this simple. The Decepticon army from Charr will soon be arriving on Earth's Moon. Thanks to a jamming signal, you haven't been able to contact Cybertron, and find that out. I am going to take this planet one way or the other. Your forces on Earth are depleted, and the feeble Earth Defense Force is shattered, and you can't get reinforcements from Cybertron." Optimus could not believe this was happening. After bungling so many plans, could Megatron finally have succeeded? "Then what do you want Megatron." "I want this planet, and I don't want to have to destroy it to get it. If my army attacks the cities, power plants, and factories will suffer heavy damage. I want them intact. If we fight this one out, the human casualties will be enormous, and I know you will do anything to prevent that. Therefore, I have a proposal. I will give you seven days to evacuate this planet. Your Omega Contingency system was designed to work in only four days, so you should have plenty of time. In return, I get this planet in one piece." Optimus's worst fear was coming true. What choice did he have? If he did not agree to Megatron's proposal, the death toll would be immense. "Megatron, how do you know that Cybertron is not already sending reinforcements", asked Optimus, hoping to reveal a flaw in his plan. "Oh, I was hoping you would ask. Soundwave killed your team observing Charr, and that inexperienced fool Rodimus Prime sent Kup and Blurr to see what had happened. Currently, they each have a bomb attached to their head, which will detonate if anyone tries to leave Cybertron, or if they try to disarm the bomb. Cybertron is engulfed in a jamming field, which I will lift when I give you the codes. I will give you the code to disarm the bombs in seven days when the evacuation is complete." "Then I have no choice, I will initiate the Omega Contingency", said Optimus Prime. "Excellent. We will meet here in seven days, and I will give you the codes." Megatron took out a small device, and pressed a button on it. "Global communications are back on line now." With that, Megatron flew away. Optimus Prime went inside the Ark. "Teletran One, institute protocol Omega Contingency." "Initiating", responded Teletran One. Optimus could not believe he was about to do it, but he had no choice. Teletran was now breaking his signal through to every TV, monitor, radio, video, and audio device in the world. In a moment, he could effectively address the entire population of the Earth. "Ready", said Teletran One. "Screen on", said Optimus Prime. "Hello. I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. I want to stress that there is no need to panic. At present, the Decepticon army is approaching the Moon. Cybertron is unable to send reinforcements, Earth Defense Forces are neutralized, and Autobot forces on earth are in no condition to repel a full scale Decepticon attack. We have been given seven days to evacuate the planet Earth. The United Nations resolution of 1990, The Omega Contingency resolution, gives me the authority to order this evacuation. I am instituting the Omega Contingency at this time. Please follow the emergency instructions that will follow this announcement. Thank you." Optimus Prime closed the channel. He had just spoken to billions of people around the world, and he had never felt more alone in his entire life. "Optimus Prime has now done the unthinkable", began Uatu. "He has saved the people of earth, but has he doomed their planet in doing so? The future is now more uncertain than ever."