Book VII "The Battle For Earth" Chapter XXXII "Traitors Among Us" "My name is Uatu. I am known by mortal men as the Watcher. For eons beyond calculation, I have lived on Earth's Moon, observing the course of your history. Sometimes, I look in on other dimensions, where your planet's history diverges from that which you know. Once again, we look in on a dimension where the Transformers crashed on Earth over four million years ago." "We pick up our story two days after we last looked in on this universe. The Autobots and Skyquake's rogue Decepticons managed to escape from Megatron and his Decepticons. They retreated to a small out of the way island in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is here that they will plan their campaign to retake the planet." The warm sun beat down, and Optimus Prime sat on the beach, looking out over the water. How calm it was, he thought. How peaceful. Truly paradise. Since they arrived on this island, this was the first time Optimus had a chance to look at how beautiful this place was. When they first arrived, several of them were suffering from the effects of the water. They were underwater for nearly twenty-four hours straight. It took almost a day for them to dry out enough to be properly repaired. Percepter and First Aid had been working non stop to repair everyone. It was only three days until Megatron would address his troops. It was an opportunity that they could not afford to miss. Optimus was working on a plan, but for it to work, someone was going to have to go on a dangerous mission from which there would likely be no return. There was little chance of his plan succeeding if that mission was not accomplished. The fate of the planet Earth now rested in the decisions he was about to make. He knew it was time to tell the others of his plan. Five more minutes, he told himself. Five more minutes watching the gentle waves, and then it would be back to his duty. The more he thought of what was to come, the less peaceful everything seemed. "A penny for your thoughts", said a voice from behind him. "Mind if I join you", asked the Thing. "Not at all", said Optimus. "Well, what's on your mind", asked the Thing. Optimus did not respond. "Worried about the Decepticons", asked the Thing. "Yes", responded Optimus. It was only half true though. Only one Decepticon was on his mind, Megatron. The revelation of Megatron's origin, and his relationship to him was on his mind. Optimus knew he would have to face Megatron again, and he didn't know what would happen when he did. Megatron was still the greatest threat the universe had ever known, but now their was this added dimension. He was his brother, and although it shouldn't change anything, for Optimus Prime, it did. "The decisions I make in the next few days may very well mean the difference between saving the Earth, and letting Megatron take control of it forever." "You remind me an awful lot of a friend of mine. Reed always thinks the fate of the world is on his shoulders, and no one else's. He never seems to learn that he has friends who are ready to help shoulder the burden", said the Thing. "From what I hear Optimus, there is not an Autobot on Earth or that planet of yours, Cybertron, who doesn't owe you his life a dozen time over. You have a lot of friends who are willing to help you. You aren't alone." "I know that Thing, but there is a lot more going on here than you know. Everyone is missing some critical pieces of the puzzle", said Optimus somberly. Of course that was not entirely true. It still bothered him that no one knew who helped Soundwave create Megatron. If only he didn't know about Megatron's true origin, it would all be so much easier. "Sounds like you're better off being the only one with all the facts", said the Thing. "Not this time. It would be a lot easier if I didn't have all the facts. More so than you can possibly imagine", responded Optimus. Optimus stood up. "Come on, we had better all get together for a meeting. It's time to put our plan into effect." "I didn't know we had a plan", said the Thing. "We don't yet. I'm still working on it." Spike sat in his quarters. He was constantly wondering if he had done the right thing, sending Daniel with Rodimus, and allowing him to have weapons. Daniel was growing up, but still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he should have said no anyway. Carly was going to be home soon, and he wasn't sure what he was going to tell her. Just then, the door opened, and in walked Carly. "Hi, honey", said Spike as he got up and met her with a kiss. "How's your mother." "How is she usually", said Carly. "That good, huh", said Spike sarcastically. "She did nothing but complain about her quarters the entire time. As if anyone had a lot of choice." "Hopefully it won't be long now. I haven't heard from Rodimus since he left with the attack force." "How's Daniel", asked Carly. Spike had Carly sit down, and told her what had happened. "You did what", she screamed when he told her about Daniel's weapon implants. "Spike, how could you let him." "Carly, I didn't know what to do. He wasn't going to deal with anything sitting in his room alone, and he would hardly talk to either of us. I think maybe Rodimus can help him. He is his best friend." "You don't get any argument from me on that Spike, but weapon implants? How is that supposed to help?" "I think Daniel feels like he was hurt because he couldn't defend himself. I think Rodimus is hoping that the weapons will give him some confidence, even if he doesn't use them." Carly sat motionless a moment, and then began to cry. Spike leaned over and put his arms around her. "I know you're right Spike. Leaving him in his room was not going to help. I'm just scared something might happen to him." "Rodimus will take good care of him, don't worry." Spike really believed that Rodimus would take care of Daniel, but that didn't stop him from worrying too. Megatron sat back in his command chair, reading construction reports on a data pad. After reading the first few lines, he hurled the pad at the wall, where it smashed to pieces, and crashed to the floor. The First Circle was on his mind, and there was nothing he could do about them yet. Nightbird walked into the room. "Nightbird, report", said Megatron. "What, not even a hello", said Nightbird. "I am in no mood for pleasantries", said Megatron. "Well, I just wanted to see how you were. When you returned from South America, you seemed upset." "I was upset, the Autobots eluded us", said Megatron. "You might get your troops to believe that, but you aren't fooling me. Now out with it. What is going on here. I let it go the other day when Soundwave wanted to speak to you alone, but their is nothing you can't say in front of me. I am third in command of all of our forces", she said sternly. She walked over, and put a hand on his arm. "And don't forget, I love you." Megatron knew she was right. He owed her answers. "Have you ever heard of the First Circle", asked Megatron. She thought a moment. She had seen a mention of the First Circle in a Decepticon historical file, but all the information had been deleted, except for the name. "I have not", said Nightbird. He told her of the First Circle, and how he came to exist, and of the mystery member who arranged for his creation. Most importantly he told her that they still existed. "No wonder you have been upset. The First Circle could be a threat to us", said Nightbird. "I am hoping that after my address of our forces, I will be able to crush any thoughts of an uprising from the First Circle. Once they know how tightly we hold this planet, I am sure they will renounce their former views." Just then Soundwave walked into the room. "Megatron, I have information we must discuss", said Soundwave. "In private", he added shooting a look to Nightbird. "No Soundwave. I have told Nightbird about the First Circle, you can speak in front of her", said Megatron. "As you wish", said Soundwave hesitantly. He was not sure that it was a good idea to tell her, but it was out of his hands. "I found something in our main computer. It was a coded message about the First Circle." "What did it say", asked Nightbird. "I don't know. The words First Circle were easily deciphered, but the rest of the message incorporates the most complex coding I have ever seen. I have tried unsuccessfully to decode it." "How long has it been there", asked Megatron. "That's the really interesting part. It's time stamped to over a million years ago", said Soundwave. "What use is it. It is probably nothing more than a recruitment notice, or perhaps some kind of communique. It can't be of any use to us." "You are correct, but there is more", said Soundwave. "What is it", asked Megatron. "The file erases the access codes of whoever accesses the file. However, I was able to reconstruct an access log showing how many times it has been accessed and some partial access codes. If my calculations are correct, and I believe they are, thirty to forty percent of all Decepticons have accessed the file at one time or another. It has never been reported in all that time. The First Circle is much larger than we ever imagined." "Thirty to forty percent of our forces are traitors", said Megatron. "Not necessarily. Just because they read the message, and did not report it, does not mean they would betray you. It only means that on some level they are sympathetic to the First Circle's cause, but probably not enough to betray you outright", said Soundwave. "The First Circle is smart. Even those who are members, have spent millions of years fighting along side us. One thing is certain, there are traitors among us." "What should we do", asked Nightbird. Megatron sat speechless. "Megatron, I think we should proceed as we had planned", said Soundwave. "I agree", said Nightbird. As you said Megatron, when the First Circle members realize we have this planet, support will fall away from the First Circle." "Very well", said Megatron. "Now leave me." Soundwave and Nightbird left the room without another word. Megatron sat in silence. For all these millions of years, he has been surrounded by traitors. It was unthinkable, but it was true nonetheless.