Book VII "The Battle For Earth" Chapter XXXV "Discoveries" In his command room, Megatron sat looking at status reports on the progress of the Earth Defenses. Things were proceeding according to plan. The satellite defense network would be ready on time, and the construction of his new base of operations, Ice Station Omega, built onto the base in Canada where he created the Xformers was nearly complete. It would be an impenetrable fortress, on an impenetrable planet. Truly, the place from which he could launch his conquest of Cybertron and the Universe. He looked forward to announcing his plans to his troops. He was sure that he could crush the First Circle by declaring victory over the Earth. Megatron heard the door chime. "Come in", said Megatron. Soundwave came in, followed by Nightbird. "Megatron, I have some disturbing news", said Soundwave. "Is this about the First Circle's message you found", asked Megatron? "Yes. The access code fragments I recovered were not enough to identify those who have accessed the file. However, I was able to reconstruct the access code of the one who created the file", said Soundwave. "Tell him who it is", said Nightbird. "Yes Soundwave, tell me", said Megatron. "I believe that he is the leader of the First Circle, and has been since before you were created. It must have been he who had you created Megatron.", said Soundwave. "And who is it", demanded Megatron. "Blitzwing", said Soundwave. "So, he has been a traitor all these years. I would have given anything to kill him all those years ago. And now he is working with Optimus Prime", said Megatron. "Double security patrols. I do not want anything to interrupt my victory speech." Not far from the White House, that was now the headquarters of the Decepticons, Ravage slipped slowly through some bushes, trying to remain concealed. It was getting late in the day, and it would be dark soon. He intended to slip onto the grounds in the dark, and climb to the roof. He thought that was the safest way in. Once it was dark, he made his way to the fence surrounding the White House. He easily jumped it, and stayed covered behind a row of bushes. Slowly, Ravage made his way across the lawn to the side of the building. He climbed the building slowly, careful not to make any sound. When he reached the roof, he found only two guards, and both of them were off in one corner talking to each other. Ravage quietly slipped across the roof to the doorway leading to a stairwell. Once inside he began to scan for cameras, and was careful to avoid them. This was almost too easy he thought. If he was lucky, he could probably slip out the same way. Ravage ducked behind a door as two Decepticons walked by. It was Runabout and Runamuck, Ravage could hear them talking. "I hear that Megatron has big plans for that little runt who killed Storm", said Runamuck. "Yep, I think he is going to execute him during his speech", said Runabout. "I hope he tortures him first", said Runamuck. "It wouldn't be any fun if he didn't", said Runabout. They both began to laugh. It had to be Bumblebee, thought Ravage. It couldn't be anyone else. Ravage's first instinct was to go look for Bumblebee, but he knew if he did that, he might not get the message sent in time. Ravage continued to the communications room once Runamuck and Runabout were gone. There was only one Decepticon on duty. It was Dead End. Ravage slowly entered the room. Dead End had his back to him. Ravage crept up close behind him. He tapped him on the shoulder, and as he spun around he dragged his claw over Dead End's neck, slashing it open. Dead End fell to the floor, energeon leaking from his neck. He was convulsing for a moment, then he stopped. Ravage went right to work. He set the controls for the proper frequency that Optimus had specified, and sent the message. It took only a moment to hear alarms sounding all over the base. The status said the message had been sent. Ravage erased the information from the computer, and the datachip. Ravage backed up to the door and fired a missile at the communications unit, blowing it to pieces. "Now that's what I call erased", said Ravage to himself. He left the room, but he could hear the guards coming. Ravage opened a ventilation panel and got inside, pulling the panel shut behind him. He headed down the narrow shaft, taking every opportunity to go up. For a moment, Ravage thought he might escape, but then he remembered Bumblebee. He couldn't leave without trying to rescue him. Rodimus walked down the corridor of the ship towards the shuttle bay, where Spike's shuttle was docking. He understood why Spike did what he did, but he wasn't sure what to do with the human forces. They were armed, but only lightly, they were no match for the Decepticons. When he arrived, the shuttle was already docked, and Spike was emerging from it. "Hello Spike", said Rodimus. "Hello Rodimus. I'm sorry about this, but they did not leave me a lot of choice", said Spike. "I know. I can't say I blame them, but I'm not sure what to do with them now. We still have no plan to try and retake the planet", said Rodimus. "Still no message from Optimus", asked Spike? "Not yet. I'm getting worried", said Rodimus. "Speaking of worried, how's Daniel. "Spike, I don't know what to do. I really screwed up. I can't get through to him, and I talked you into letting him become a walking arsenal." "He's not a little kid anymore Rodimus. We had no right to stand in the way of what he wanted. We can only try and talk him out of what he wants to do", said Spike. "Where is he." "I haven't told him you are here. I sent Arcee to talk to him. I'm hoping she can do better than I have." Rodimus didn't want to talk about Daniel anymore right now, so he changed the subject. "I'll need to be briefed on exactly what the human force is comprised of." "Not much I'm afraid", said Spike. We have troops with minimal hand weapons, and pilots with no planes. If we can get a hold of some of the major Earth Defense Installations, and the Decepticons have not destroyed the equipment, they may be helpful, but as it is, I'm afraid they can't do much." Spike and Rodimus headed for the bridge. The target range was on the way, and they were going to stop by on the way to the bridge and see Daniel. When they got to the range, they could hear Arcee and Daniel inside. "Come on Daniel, why won't you talk to me", said Arcee. "Rodimus sent you, didn't he", said Daniel angrily. "Daniel, he's worried about you", said Arcee, "we all are. I know how much you must be hurting." "You can't know. I really get tired of everyone saying that they know how I feel. You don't know. No one does", said Daniel. He fired at some targets, completely destroying them. "Then tell me", said Arcee. "I can't help you if you won't talk to me." "Arcee, what do you want me to say? Megatron came blasting into the control room, where my Mom, Dad, and I were. He just started shooting at everything. I saw the wall explode, and come down on my Dad. I tried to go help him, but before I could, I was hit myself. I don't remember anything after that. I woke up in the hospital. What good am I to anyone Arcee. I couldn't help Dad. I couldn't even help myself." Daniel fell to his knees, and began to cry. Rodimus looked down at Spike. "He thinks he let me down", said Spike to Rodimus. Spike entered the target range. "Daniel", said Spike as he reached his son's side, kneeling down beside him. He put his arms around him. "Dad, I'm sorry." "You don't have anything to be sorry about son." Arcee headed for the door, and met Rodimus in the hall. "Thanks Arcee. I'm glad you were able to discover exactly what was wrong", said Rodimus. "He thought he let his father down." "You don't need to thank me Rodimus. Daniel is my friend too. I'm just glad I could help. I think it just took a woman's touch", said Arcee, and she headed down the hall. Rodimus closed the door to the target range so Spike and Daniel could be alone. Perhaps Ultra Magnus was right, and he did just need a little confidence. At least things appeared to be working out for Spike and Daniel.