Book VII "The Battle For Earth" Chapter XXXVII "The Storm" Megatron walked towards his command room. His inspection tour of the Washington area was over, and it was almost time for him to address his troops. Victory would finally be his. Unknown to Megatron as he walked, he was passed by a miniature white and red jet, carrying the only threat to his potential victory. "That was close", said Skyfire. "I thought for sure he would detect us", said Astrotrain. The Autobots and Decepticons were all gathered in Skyfire's cargo bay. They had been over the plan a dozen times. The Thing, Frenzy and Rumble would secure the broadcast transmitter and camera room, and make sure the cameras kept rolling. Astrotrain and Springer would take care of Soundwave and Nightbird, the only ones who would likely be with Megatron during his speech. They would have only one chance to put the paralyzer devices on them. They only had three of the devices. Onslaught would secure the doors. Optimus would put the last paralyzer on Megatron, and Blitzwing would give the most important speech the galaxy had ever known. If everything went correctly, the shield would be down, and the Autobot invasion force on the ground in Australia before mid-afternoon. They had one piece of business to attend to first. Skyfire flew through the corridors until he found what they needed. "There it is", said Blitzwing, pointing to the view screen. "That is a main computer access panel", said Frenzy. "Can you get through it without causing an alarm to sound", asked Blitzwing. "I think so", said Skyfire. Skyfire flew up to the panel. It was only a foot tall, but at their present size, it was enormous. Skyfire fired a missile at the corner of the panel, opening a hole just large enough for him to fly through. Once inside, he landed, "This won't take long", said Rumble. Rumble and Frenzy went outside, and started their work. Inside Skyfire, Optimus Prime was still contemplating their plan. "Blitzwing", began Optimus, "Have you decided what you are going to say." "No, I have not. If I think about it too much, it will not sound sincere. Even the First Circle members will not blindly betray their comrades. I'll have to be very convincing. I think I can best do that on the spot, without rehearsal." "I will leave that up to you, my friend. You know the stakes, and I trust your judgement", said Optimus. "That means a lot Optimus", said Blitzwing. Just then, Frenzy and Rumble returned. "Well, did you do it", asked Springer. "Yes", said Frenzy. Rumble handed a data pad to Optimus. "This has the readout for both the satellite shield, and the Australian power grid. It will alert you when there is a change in the status of either of them." "Alright, then I guess it's time to take our places", said Optimus. Drop Frenzy, Rumble, and The Thing off at the broadcast room, and then we better get to Megatron's chamber. The address begins in twenty minutes." Soundwave walked towards Megatron's command room, the two prisoners floating behind him in antigrav cages. "So Soundwave, is this how you treat your creations", said Ravage, fighting the pain of the energeon drain from the cage. "You betrayed the Decepticon cause Ravage, now you will pay for it with your life, as will your friend. I would never have believed you would risk your life for an Autobot." "There was a time Soundwave when I would not have risked my life for a friend, but I've changed." "A friend", began Soundwave, "This Autobot would blast you right now if he had the chance." Once that might have been true, but Ravage new better. When he found Bumblebee, he was unconscious. Before Ravage could figure a way to get Bumblebee out of the base, he was captured. Ravage wished he knew what Optimus's plan was. He was sure there would be an opportunity for escape, but he didn't know when it might come. He couldn't do anything but wait. Megatron sat in his command chair, waiting for Soundwave to arrive. Nightbird was already busy preparing the energeon chains on the walls for the prisoners. She wanted to make sure they would live through the speech so she decreased the energeon absorption rate. They would die a slow and painful death. "Are you finished, Nightbird", asked Megatron. "Almost", she said. "There, all done." Soundwave walked through the door, with the prisoners in tow. "Excellent Soundwave, chain them up", said Megatron Soundwave and Nightbird chained Ravage and Bumblebee up against the wall. Bumblebee regained consciousness as the chains started to draw the energeon from him. "What, where am I", said Bumblebee weakly? "Don't try to move", whispered Ravage. "Ravage, what are you doing here." "Let's just say, I was in the neighborhood." "You didn't have to come after me Ravage. If that grenade wasn't defective, you wouldn't be here now", said Bumblebee. "And you would be dead", said Ravage. "I prefer the current situation." "Good point, I like the way you think", said Bumblebee. "Silence", ordered Megatron. "I will not have you disrupting my speech." Bumblebee looked at Ravage. "Does Optimus have a plan", he asked. "I hope so", said Ravage. "Megatron, it is time", said Soundwave. "Excellent", said Megatron. He was so looking forward to this. He had shined himself up. His green armor plaiting and the cannon on his shoulder almost sparkled. "Now begin", said Nightbird. "My fellow Decepticons, it is a glorious day. The Earth is ours. We now have it's limitless energy resources to fuel our conquest of the galaxy. But there are many obstacles to overcome. The Autobots continue to elude us. There may be traitors in our midst. See now what happens to Autobots, and those who betray us." Megatron motioned to his right where Bumblebee and Ravage were strung up on the wall. This is the price of being our enemy, the price of betrayal, and now they shall pay the ultimate price. Megatron stood up from his chair, and turned towards them. He started to charge cannon, but at that moment, the doors burst open, and in came Skyquake. "What are you doing here", demanded Soundwave. "Megatron, it's a trap", said Skyquake. "What...", began Megatron, but he got no further, Onslaught, Astrotrain, Springer, Optimus Prime, and Blitzwing suddenly appeared as if out of nothing. Onslaught knocked Skyquake to the ground as he ran for the control panel to lock the doors, Astrotrain tackled Soundwave, getting the paralyzer on him in one try. Springer ran toward Nightbird, but she leapt over him, and landed a foot to his back, sending his sprawling. Optimus jumped on Megatron from behind, easily placing the device on him. Blitzwing fired a shot at Nightbird, she fell to the ground, and Springer placed the device on her. By now, it was 2:03. Optimus checked the data pad, and it read that the Australian power grid was completely deactivated. Optimus went over to where Skyquake was practically cowering on the floor. "You should have stayed where you were Skyquake", said Optimus. He pulled him to his feet, and went over to where Astrotrain and Springer were freeing Bumblebee and Ravage from the energeon chains. Optimus chained Skyquake up, and turned down the power on the chains so it would only restrain him. "Well done, everyone", said Optimus. He spoke into his communicator, "Optimus to Frenzy, how are things on your end." "All clear here Optimus. We're rolling", said Frenzy. "You're on Blitzwing", said Optimus. Optimus stepped away from where Blitzwing stood in front of Megatron's command chair. "All Decepticons, listen well to what I have to say. For millions of years, I have been the leader of the First Circle. Members of the First Circle, today we have an incredible opportunity. Today, we can put our lives of conquest and senseless violence aside. We can denounce our former ways, and follow the path of peace. In moments, the Autobot invasion force will begin a campaign to retake the planet Earth. I urge all members of the First Circle to aid them in this effort, or lay down your weapons. The Autobots will be able to identify you, and you will not be harmed. To all the Decepticons who are not members of the First Circle, I urge you to lay down your weapons." Optimus checked the data pad. It was 2:05, and the shield was down over Australia. Everything was going according to plan. Optimus was listening so intently to Blitzwing's speech that he did not notice the paralyzer beginning to wear off of Megatron. "For the glory of the First Circle", said Blitzwing, "for the glory that is peace." "Traitor", bellowed Megatron, as he rolled over and fired his shoulder cannon at Blitzwing hitting him square in the chest, and sending him crashing into the wall. Soundwave caught Springer off guard sending him sprawling to the floor with a fist in the face. Nightbird produced an energy sword, and sliced off Astrotrain's arm. Bumblebee and Ravage were too weak to do anything. Onslaught and Optimus Prime rushed to Blitzwing's side. Soundwave grabbed Skyquake, and followed Megatron and Nightbird out of the room. "Onslaught, lock that door", said Optimus. As Onslaught went to lock the door, Optimus pulled Blitzwing up, "How bad is it Blitzwing." "Primary circuits failing. Loosing power. Auxiliary circuits fused. Laser core destabilizing. Deactivation imminent", said Blitzwing weakly. "Blitzwing, I'm so sorry", said Optimus. "Sorry for what", said Blitzwing. "I'm not going to make it, but the First Circle will live on. Millions of years of waiting have finally paid off. Peace may be at hand." Blitzwing smiled weakly. "Optimus, promise me something." "Anything Blitzwing", said Optimus. "Don't let Megatron win. No matter what occurs, he can not destroy what we have begun here today. Peace in the galaxy depends on it. The future of the entire Universe is at stake. Megatron must not win." "I won't let him", said Optimus. "I promise." "Then it was all worth it", said Blitzwing. "Goodbye Optimus Prime. Till all are one." A moment later, his eyes dimmed, he was gone. "Till all are one Blitzwing. Till all are one my friend." Onslaught put a hand on Optimus's shoulder. "We have to leave him Optimus. There is still much to do. We need to find a defendable position until reinforcements arrive, and Astrotrain, Bumblebee and Ravage require repairs. Optimus nodded, and gently laid the body of Blitzwing down on the ground. In the broadcast room, Frenzy, Rumble, and The Thing barely had time to notice what had happened, they had problems of their own. "That door isn't going to hold much longer", said Frenzy. "Tell us something we don't know", said Thing. They could feel the vibration of laser blast after laser blast on the door, then all at once, it stopped. "I don't like the sound of this", said Rumble. "We gotta get outta here", said Thing. "What's on the other side if this wall?" "Outside", said Frenzy. "Both of you follow me", said The Thing. All of a sudden, a huge orange metallic fist came through the door. "I was afraid of that, looks like my evil twin", said Thing. The Thing ran at the wall, and crashed through it, Frenzy and Rumble were right behind him. The door behind them gave way, and the Xformer known as Thing came through it, and continued right out after them. On the White House lawn, the Thing turned, and faced the Xformer created in his own image. "And I thought I was ugly", said the Thing. "Your insults mean nothing to me", said the Xformer Thing. The Xformer Thing was fully twice his height, but Thing had taken on bigger opponents before. The orange robot ran at the Thing. The Thing wound up a mighty right hand, and connected with his alter self. It barely staggered the Xformer, but it sent Thing flying. "That shot would've leveled an aircraft carrier", said The Thing. "Too bad you aren't fighting an aircraft carrier", said the Xformer Thing. He grabbed Thing, and began to spin him around, letting him go flying into the Lincoln Memorial. The structure came down on top of him. "He's not getting up from that", said the Xformer Thing. The Xformer Thing went to the Lincoln Memorial to make sure he was finished off. "Come on Thing, don't you want to come out and play", he said, standing over the pile of rubble that was the Lincoln Memorial. "Yeah I think I will", came the Thing's voice from under the rubble. It exploded, knocking the Xformer Thing onto his back. The Thing ran up to him, and hoisted him up over his head. "Let's see how much you like to fly", said the Thing. He hurled his robotic counterpart up into the air, and he landed on top of the Washington Monument chest first. The monument dug deep into his chest before it collapsed beneath him. The Thing came up to where the hulking orange mass of metal lay on the ground leaking energeon. from the gaping wound. A moment later he stopped moving. "I guess he got the point", said the Thing, and he headed back towards the White House. Down in Houston, the Autobots at the Satellite control center were not faring well. "How much longer can you hold it Defensor", said Percepter. "Two minutes, maybe three at the most, then I won't even be able to hold together." "Help should be here any minute", said Hound over the radio. They shut down the shield ten minutes ago. If the Autobots didn't make it in, holding this installation would be the least of their problems. "Grimlock, when Defensor's shields fail, we need to get out there and defend the Protectobots as best we can. They won't be in any condition to fight", said Hound. "What about control room", said Hound. "If that shield goes down, we won't be able to hold it." "That sound not good", said Grimlock. "No Grimlock, it isn't good", said Hound. Then Hound's communicator sounded. "Kup calling Hound, are you there." "You bet we are, but not for long, what's your ETA", asked Hound. "Now", said Kup. Hound looked out the window and saw the Dinobots, Kup and Blurr jumping from Omega Supreme, just outside the complex. In Washington, Optimus, Springer, and Onslaught met up with Frenzy, Rumble, and Thing, and managed to get their wounded comrades to the basement of the White House. They were trapped, but if they could hold out until help arrived, they would be alright. Several times, the Decepticons tried to rush them, but each time they fought them back. They were running low on energy, and things didn't look good. "One more time Optimus, and I think they'll get through", said Onslaught. "I only have two or three more shots left in my gun." "That goes for me too", said Springer. "Astrotrain already gave his extra power to try and help Bumblebee and Ravage." "How useless am I", said the Thing. "I don't have a weapon." "If they get through that door, you will be plenty useful Thing", said Optimus. "Optimus", said Ravage. "There, that wall is new." He pointed to a wall at the far end of the room. "That used to be the tunnel entrance." "It's worth a shot", said Optimus. Optimus pointed his weapon at the wall. "Hold on Optimus, allow me", said the Thing. Thing ran toward the wall, and crashed right through it. "Let's get out of here", said Optimus. Optimus, picked up Bumblebee and Onslaught picked up Ravage. Thing, Astrotrain, and Springer followed them down the tunnel. "I think I'll take care of any attempt to follow us", said Springer. He shot at the top of the tunnel behind him, collapsing it. They made their way through the tunnels, and finally they emerged into the daylight. High above, they were spotted by Thrust and Dirge. The Decepticons jets swung around and flew in low to attack. "Scatter", yelled Optimus, but the jets were hit suddenly, and broke off their attack. "It's the Aerialbots", said Springer. "Silverbolt calling Rodimus, Silverbolt calling Rodimus, I've found them." Ten minutes later, Sky Lynx landed and picked them up. "Optimus, am I glad to see you", said Rodimus. "The feeling is mutual. Sky Lynx, get us to Australia. We can't give the Decepticons time to regroup. We've got to keep the pressure on", said Optimus. Optimus could hardly believe they had succeeded with a plan where so much had gone wrong. But something had gone wrong. Blitzwing had paid for their success with his life. "Well, we have witnessed some incredible events, and there is hope for the planet Earth", said Uatu. "Over the next three weeks, the battle raged all over the Earth. There were casualties on both sides, but each and every battle was a win for the Autobots and the First Circle."