Book VII "The Battle For Earth" Chapter XXXIV "No Matter The Cost" Ultra Magnus walked quickly down the hall of the ship. Kup and Arcee were right behind him. Alert sirens were going off, and flashing red lights could be seen every few feet on the walls. "What did the readings indicate", asked Ultra Magnus. "Some kind of energy discharge in Rodimus's quarters", said Kup. "I called down, but he did not respond", said Arcee. When they got to Rodimus's quarters, Ultra Magnus pressed the doorbell. There was no response. "Computer, unlock door and open, authorization Magnus echo nine three", said Ultra Magnus. A few seconds later, the door opened. The room was dark, and filled with smoke. "Rodimus, are you in their", called Ultra Magnus. "Come in", came Rodimus's voice. The three walked into the smoke filled room. A moment later, the room's ventilation fan turned on, the smoke quickly disappeared, and the lights turned on. Rodimus Prime was sitting at his desk. The base of his computer monitor was sparking slightly, the rest of it was embedded in a blackened hole in the wall across the room. Rodimus didn't say anything, he just sat there staring blankly at the charred wall. Ultra Magnus looked at Kup and Arcee. "Why don't you two head back to the bridge. I think I can handle this". Kup nodded, and he and Arcee left the room. As they walked down the hall they could hear Kup contact the bridge. "Cancel red alert, everything's under control...I hope." Ultra Magnus looked at Rodimus. "Well, do you want me to guess, or would you like to tell me why you introduced the monitor to the wall. "It needed a date", said Rodimus. "Very funny. What's wrong Rodimus." "I'm tired of waiting. I mean, what are we waiting for? For all we know, Optimus Prime and the others are dead. How long do we wait before we decide to attack head on, and hope we get lucky." "Rodimus, we can't go rushing into this", said Ultra Magnus. "Well at the rate we are going, we may as well go back to Cybertron and start looking for a new planet for the humans", said Rodimus. "I knew I wasn't cut out to be a leader." "Don't talk like that. Optimus would not have left you in charge if he didn't think you could handle it. He has confidence in you. We all do." "But I am the one who is ultimately responsible for what we do. If waiting is the wrong thing, then it's my fault. If not waiting is the wrong thing, then that's my responsibility too. Optimus may have confidence in me, but that doesn't mean much if I don't have confidence in myself." "Rodimus, I know how you feel. Do you know how many times I have been on a mission and the mission commander was killed? More times than I can count, and most of the time, command fell to me. I'm not a leader, I'm a soldier. That's a fact, that is how I was designed. But when I had to, I led. I did what had to be done, no matter how difficult. You were meant to lead Rodimus. The Matrix chose you. It would not have chosen you if you couldn't do it. Maybe you need to go let off some steam. Maybe some target practice." "No, not target practice. Daniel is probably there trying to sharpen his skills as a Deception killer, which my bright idea may has caused him to become. Just another in what I am sure will be a series of brilliant failures under my command." "Rodimus, pull your head out of your tailpipe for a minute. You lack only confidence, and with time, you will gain that." Ultra Magnus paused. "You haven't been able to get anywhere with Daniel", said Ultra Magnus. "No. He's hurting, but he's keeping it all in. I hate to see him like that, but he won't talk to me." "I know Rodimus. Maybe Arcee could talk to him." "It's worth a try", said Rodimus. Just then, Rodimus's communicator beeped. "Bridge to Rodimus Prime. There is an incoming message for you on Spike's frequency. Should I patch it down to you", said Kup. Rodimus and Ultra Magnus both looked at the burned hole in the wall. "No, I'll come up their, Rodimus Prime out. I hope nothings wrong on Cybertron", said Rodimus. "I wasn't expecting to hear from Spike. I told him to contact me only in case of an emergency." "Let's hope it's nothing serious", said Ultra Magnus as they left Rodimus's quarters. The Autobots, Decepticons, and the Thing were all gathered on the beach, waiting for Optimus Prime and Blitzwing. "Has anyone seen Skyquake", asked Springer. "We have him", called Optimus as he and Blitzwing emerged from the jungle carrying Skyquake. "What's going on", bellowed Brawl. "Cool it Brawl", said Blitzwing. "Skyquake was going to betray us." "But why", asked Vortex. "Betraying Megatron was his idea." "Guess it shows some Decepticons just can't be trusted", said Springer. "Unfortunately, I have to agree with you", said Astrotrain. "So, Optimus, what's the plan", asked Skyfire. "Before I go into the details of the plan, Blitzwing and I have decided that all aspects of this operation are on a need to know basis. For that reason, at this time, I must ask all of you to shut yourselves down, except for Ravage." "Is that really necessary Optimus", asked Hot Spot. "We believe it is. In the event that any of you are captured, we can't afford for Megatron to find out about our plan." Optimus could tell that none of them were very happy with the idea, but no one was really objecting. "What about me", asked the Thing. "I don't exactly shut down like you guys do." "I'm not worried about you Thing. As robots, Megatron could try to directly access our data banks, he couldn't do that to you." One by one the Autobots and Deceptions shut down. Finally only Optimus Prime, Blitzwing, Ravage, and of course the Thing remained conscious. Blitzwing scanned everyone to be sure they were all dormant. "It's all clear Optimus", said Blitzwing. "Ravage, the success of our entire mission rests on you. If you fail, we can not succeed", said Optimus. "What is my mission", asked Ravage. "You must infiltrate Decepticon headquarters in Washington. It is one of only two places on the planet where messages can be sent through the protective shield. For reasons that I do not wish to make clear, we do not want you to try to infiltrate the satellite command center." "I understand", said Ravage. "What is the message I am to send." "You must send the message on this data chip to Rodimus Prime. It contains the frequency you must use to contact him, as well as a coded message. It's not that I don't trust you Ravage, but this message contains our entire plan, and if Megatron gets his hands on it, we're all dead." Optimus paused. "Ravage, I don't want to lie to you. I know you can get in undetected, but as soon as the message is transmitted, they'll know it. I don't think there will be any way for you to escape. The communications center is several stories underground. You must make sure that Megatron does not get that message." "In other words, this is a suicide mission", said Ravage. "I'm afraid so. I can't make you do this. I have had to send my troops on suicide missions before, and I have always asked for volunteers. If you don't want to do this, say so now, but if you don't, I don't think anyone else can pull it off." "Blitzwing, do you think the plan will work", asked Ravage. "I don't know. What I do know, is that it is the only chance we have." "Very well. When do I leave", asked Ravage. "Immediately. Blitzwing, wake Skyfire. Ravage, he'll fly you to Washington." After waking Skyfire, he and Ravage took off for Washington. Optimus told Skyfire he would fill him in on what he needed to know when he returned. "Shall I wake the others", said Blitzwing as they watched Skyfire rocket away. "No. First we need to decide who will go on which mission. I've been thinking about it, and we might have a problem if we send any of the non First Circle members to the satellite station. That station must be held at all costs, and if any of the Decepticons decide to go against us when they hear about the First Circle, it could cause a problem", said Optimus. "I agree. We should probably keep all those we are unsure of separated. If we send them on the Australian mission, and they bring down the Australian defense power grid, then it will be too late for any of them to change their minds", said Blitzwing. "Then team three will be Brawl, Octane, Blastoff, Vortex, Ratbat, Buzzsaw, and Laserbeak", said Optimus. "They should be able to destroy the energy grid. Today is Monday, and Megatron's address is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday", said Blitzwing. "Then they should destroy the energy grid at precisely 2:03 Eastern Standard Time on Thursday. We will take over the address at exactly 2:02, just after Megatron starts boasting how great he is. Team three can plant energeon grenades, and detonate them remotely at the right time. Wake them up, and we will explain the plan." Blitzwing woke the team of Decepticons who would be going on this mission, and they explained the plan to them. "Blastoff, transport everyone to Australia, then you are in command. After you detonate the grenades, join the Autobot attack force. Rodimus Prime will already know you are with us", said Optimus. The Decepticons took off for Australia. It would take them the next couple of days to plant the grenades. "Optimus", began the Thing, "what if some of them change their minds before the address, and don't bring down the power grid." "Then this is going to be a really short battle", said Optimus. "Oh. I wish I hadn't asked", said the Thing. "Blitzwing, wake the Protectobots, Percepter, Grimlock, and Hound", said Optimus. Blitzwing woke them up. "So, Optimus, what's our mission", asked Hound. "Hound, you will command this mission. You must take control of the Decepticon's satellite control center in Houston, Texas." "Sounds simple enough", said Blades. "It isn't", said Optimus. "It is very well defended, and not only must you take over the installation, but you must hold it until backup arrives. As soon as possible, Rodimus Prime will send you reinforcements, but no matter how long it takes, you must hold out. If we do not control the satellites, we can't contain the Decepticons, and our forces will not be able to penetrate the shields. You must have control of the base by 2:05, and bring the shield down in only one area, the Australian zone. You will close the shield exactly fifteen minutes later, but by that time, the Decepticons will be there in force. " "As the humans say, the defecation will really collide with the rotary oscillator", said Percepter. "Huh", said Grimlock. "I think he means the shit will hit the fan, and I think he's right", said Optimus. "The Decepticons will stop at nothing to take back that facility. That can't happen." "Understood", said Hound. "How are we to get to Houston?" "Defensor will fly you there. You should leave immediately", said Optimus. "That's our cue guys", said Hotspot. "Protectobots, merge into Defensor." The five Protectobots began to transform, and merged into the mighty robot Defensor. Defensor knelt down, and leaned down low. "Hop on everybody", he said. Percepter, Grimlock and Hound climbed onto Defensor's shoulders, and he flew away. "Wake everyone else", said Optimus. Blitzwing woke the rest of the Autobots and Decepticons. "Where did everyone else go", asked Springer? "On their assigned missions", said Blitzwing. "Alright everyone, it is time for total truth between us. We have a critical role to play. We must infiltrate Decepticons headquarters in Washington undetected. Just after Megatron begins his address, Frenzy, Rumble, and the Thing must gain control of the transmission room, and make sure that nothing interrupts the transmission. The rest of us must secure Megatron's command room, where he will give the address from. Most likely, we will find Megatron, Soundwave, and Nightbird there. It will be up to us to subdue them so that Blitzwing can give a little address of our own." "And what is Blitzwing going to say? Is he going to appeal to their good nature to put down their weapons and surrender", said Springer sarcastically. "No", said Blitzwing. "I intend to tell all members of the First Circle, that as their leader, I am asking them to put down their weapons and surrender." Astrotrain, Onslaught, Frenzy, and Rumble stared at Blitzwing in amazement. "How could you tell him", said Onslaught. "We have kept this secret for millions of years. What purpose does this serve?" "I believe that the First Circle is at a critical juncture. If Megatron succeeds in controlling the Earth, I believe many members of the First Circle will begin to follow him, because he just might win with control of this planet. If Megatron succeeds, the First Circle will become irrelevant." "But if we fail", began Astrotrain, "Megatron will certainly find out who we are, and destroy us all." "That is a risk", began Blitzing, "but if we do fail, then I know that the Autobots will welcome our members into their ranks." "Have I missed something", asked Springer. "When you figure it out, would you mind explaining it to me", said the Thing. Optimus Prime and Blitzwing explained the First Circle to them. They were surprised to say the least, but accepted it. "When do we leave", asked Astrotrain. "As soon as Skyfire gets back, we'll move out", said Optimus. "How are we supposed to get in and take over without being detected", asked Onslaught? "I have a plan for that too. We'll have to stop at the volcano base before we go to Washington. Skyfire should be back soon." "What are we going to do with him", asked Springer pointing to Skyquake who lay motionless on the ground. You could see in his eyes, he had heard everything that was said, but was powerless to do anything. "We'll take him with us, and leave him at the volcano base", said Optimus. "This is not going to be easy, but we can not fail, the fate of the Universe rests on what we do now. We must succeed, no matter the cost." Optimus had gone over the plan a thousand times, and each time he saw something else that could go wrong, some other variable he could not control. But every time he came to the same conclusion. There was no other way. The fate of the planet Earth was resting on this.