Book VII "The Battle For Earth" Chapter XXXVIII "Possibilities" Optimus Prime walked slowly down the corridor of the Australian Defense installation that was their base of operations. In the past three weeks, the Autobots and the First Circle had beaten the Decepticons at every turn. One week ago, Optimus had allowed the Earth Defense Forces to land, and they had joined in the battle against the Decepticons. Somehow, none of the good news could change what was bothering Optimus. He had himself lead many battles in this offensive, but he was always distracted. The truth of his and Megatron's creation was always on his mind. If he had killed Megatron during the Battle of Autobot City, without hesitation, how many lives would he have saved? He knew that torturing himself would never bring any of them back. It would never let any of them live again. It would never bring back Elita One. He had come to terms with Elita's death, but it did not make it easy to know he could have prevented it. Even worse was knowing why he didn't prevent it. Optimus knew he would face Megatron again, and when he did, he would make sure that Megatron knew the truth of their origins. He didn't know why that was so important to him, but he promised himself he would tell him. Optimus arrived at the command center, and found Ultra Magnus and Rodimus going over some plans. They looked a little beat up. "What happened to you two?" "We just got back from Asia", said Ultra Magnus. "We won, but we got a little singed." "It was a bit close for my tastes", said Rodimus. Optimus chuckled. "You are in one pieces, and that's what counts." "I guess you're right", said Rodimus. "But I will need a new paint job." "Status report", said Optimus. "Optimus, things are looking good", said Ultra Magnus. "We have control of Australia, Japan, Asia, Africa, South America, and parts of Europe and North America. We estimate that we now have taken twenty- five percent of the Decepticon army prisoner. We estimate another twenty percent have fallen in battle since our offensive began. Add to that the thirty-five percent who were members of the First Circle, and they have only twenty percent of their army remaining", said Rodimus. "They can't beat us at 20% strength. The First Circle alone has them outnumbered almost two to one. Add our own forces, and the Earth Defense Force, and they are severely outnumbered. Not even Megatron can pull this one out." "But we still can't find Megatron, can we", asked Optimus, already knowing the answer. "No Optimus, I'm afraid not", said Ultra Magnus. He and Rodimus could both see that something was bothering Optimus. "Optimus, what's wrong", asked Rodimus. "Ever since we picked you up in Washington, it seems like something else is on your mind. We are on our way to taking back the Earth. What is bothering you." Optimus knew he couldn't hide it from them. "There is something you don't know about Megatron. He may not even know it about himself." Optimus paused. It was hard to even say the words. "Megatron was created by the First Circle. He was their attempt to create a peaceful leader for the Decepticons." "I think they missed the goal", said Rodimus. "They were betrayed. Soundwave, with the help of another, corrupted the life force that they used. Megatron was the result." "Optimus, why is that bothering you so much? I could understand how the First Circle must have felt, creating their own worst enemy, but it's ancient history. You weren't even created when it happened", said Ultra Magnus. "There is something you aren't telling us", said Rodimus. "Yes Rodimus, there is. The personality program that was used to create Megatron was written by Alpha Trion." "By Primus, I can't believe it, but I still don't see why that's bothering you", said Ultra Magnus. "Alpha Trion also merged that same program with another life force. He merged it with a young Autobot, brought to him near death for repairs", said Optimus. He paused a moment. "His name was Orion Pax. You know him, as Optimus Prime. I was created with the same program that created Megatron." "Megatron is your brother, your twin", said Rodimus. "Essentially correct", said Optimus. "During that battle at Autobot City, I never knew why I couldn't pull the trigger. Megatron was helpless. I could have saved countless lives. But I didn't. When he pulled out a weapon, I shot him on instinct alone, never even thinking about it." At that moment, a voice came over Rodimus's radio. "Springer to Rodimus, do you want me to lead the next attack? We are hitting a Decepticon supply depot in France. Are you going to join us." "I'll be right there", said Rodimus. "No you won't", said Optimus. "I'll lead the attack, you need some repairs Rodimus." With that, Optimus left the command center. Rodimus looked at Ultra Magnus. "It never gets any easier for him, does it", said Rodimus. "No, it doesn't. He has given his entire life to the quest for freedom and peace, and has asked for nothing in return. Fate keeps throwing him curves, but he always manages to catch them", said Ultra Magnus. "I wasn't sure he would recover from losing Elita One", said Rodimus. "Rodimus, he hasn't", said Ultra Magnus. "He blames himself for her the deaths of everyone he could have saved by killing Megatron, but it is Elita's death that has made it impossible for himself to let go of it." Ultra Magnus paused. "Rodimus, have you ever been in love?" "No", said Rodimus, have you?" "I was once", said Ultra Magnus. "She was killed in a Decepticon attack many years ago, long before you were created. I wasn't even their, and still I blamed myself for a long time. It took me a long time to accept that there was nothing I could have done differently that would have saved her." "But Optimus could have saved Elita", said Rodimus. "It is an awful truth, but Optimus is right. Had he killed Megatron, Elita and many more would be alive. No one blame's him for it, but until he can forgive himself, he has a long road ahead of him." "He's one of a kind", said Rodimus. Rodimus wished there was something he could do for Optimus, but he knew there was nothing. Ultra Magnus was right, Optimus needed to forgive himself. Until he did, he would never be able to truly get passed Elita's death. Soundwave held onto a support beam as the base shook around him. The base was not built to withstand this kind of bombardment, it was only a supply depot. Soundwave continued down the hall to the hanger where Megatron and Nightbird were. When he arrived he found them working Skyquake over. "No please, no more", begged Skyquake. They had been working him over every once in a while since they had left Washington three weeks earlier. Megatron wanted to make him suffer before he killed him. "Well, I hate to interrupt the party, but I think we had better get out of here", said Soundwave "Very well", said Megatron. "Order all of our forces to retreat and regroup at Ice Station Omega. We'll make our stand there." Megatron tried to act as if it was a routine order, but there was nothing routine about it, and beneath his calm exterior, anger swelled. He was falling back yet again, and the Earth was slipping away from him. Optimus Prime was beating him again. He tried to redirect his rage. "I think it time for Skyquake to leave us." Megatron held his shoulder cannon to Skyquake's head. "Please Megatron, don't", said Skyquake. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't", said Megatron. "Just one reason. I should have killed you years ago." "I know something, something you can't afford not to know", said Skyquake weakly. He was on the verge of automatic shut down. "And what would that be", said Megatron. "I know who helped Soundwave create you", said Skyquake, and then he lost consciousness. Megatron removed the barrel of his weapon from Skyquake's head. He looked at Soundwave. "Could he know", asked Megatron? "He's lying", said Nightbird. "He's just trying to save his neck." "I don't know", said Soundwave. "I would not put it past him to use any ploy, but I must wonder how he would even know to use that as a tactic. It means he knows about your origin. Besides the three of us, I didn't know anyone else knew except whoever aided me in your creation. I thought we had killed all of the rest. Blitzwing would have been the last, and I doubt very much he would have told anyone." "Very well, we'd better take him with us." Lost in their conversation they failed to notice that the base had stopped shaking. Just then an alarm sounded. "The base has been breached", said Soundwave, "we have to get out of here." Soundwave grabbed Skyquake, and they headed outside. Once outside Soundwave sent the retreat signal to the rest of their forces. They were about to head north when Megatron was thrown to the ground by an explosion. "Megatron, are you alright", asked Soundwave? "Megatron", called a familiar voice from across the base. It was Optimus Prime. "Soundwave, Nightbird, get to Ice Station Omega, I have some unfinished business with Optimus Prime." "Nightbird and Soundwave took off, carrying Skyquake. Although a battle raged around them, Optimus Prime saw only Megatron. His first impulse was to fire, to attack before Megatron could even stand, but he couldn't do that. He needed him to know the truth. Optimus moved towards him. Megatron got to his feet and saw Optimus Prime coming towards him. "Well Optimus, we meet again", said Megatron. Optimus stopped, only about twenty- five feet from Megatron. "Surrender Megatron. Your forces are depleted, don't sacrifice your troops in a lost cause." "Surrender? I don't think so Optimus." "Then listen Megatron, there is something you need to know", said Optimus. "And what would that be", said Megatron. "I finally found out why I couldn't bring myself to kill you that day in Autobot City. I shot on instinct, I never was going to destroy you", asked Optimus. Megatron was ready to fire, but stopped. "We had this conversation once before Optimus, at the San Francisco Power Station. I don't care why you didn't destroy me." Megatron was lying, he did want to know. "The First Circle created you in an attempt to create a peaceful leader for the Decepticons." "Yes, and fortunately, they failed", said Megatron. Optimus was surprised. He had not expected Megatron to know that. "Do you know who wrote your personality program Megatron", asked Optimus." "Who would that be Optimus", asked Megatron, Soundwave had never told him who wrote the program, and Megatron had never considered it important enough to ask. "Alpha Trion created your program Megatron, and he used the same program to create me." Megatron stared blankly at his enemy. How could this be. Soundwave had never told him any of this. How could he have not told him, about this. Somehow, Megatron knew Optimus was telling him the truth. He could feel that it was true, he had been created by Alpha Trion. "Well then, I guess that makes us brothers Optimus Prime." Megatron tried to hide the rage that was within him. But it did not matter. Regardless of who created them, or how, Megatron was more interested in who had helped Soundwave create him. "Well brother, it's time to die!" Megatron fired his shoulder cannon at Optimus, but Optimus dodged the shot and rammed his shoulder into Megatron's chest. They both went flying to the ground. Optimus swung a fist at Megatron's face, but it was only a glancing blow. Megatron pushed Optimus off of him, and shot his shoulder cannon at him. The shot, hit Optimus in the leg. "Optimus", yelled Springer as he ran toward him, a squad of Autobots with him. "Well Optimus, we'll finish this another time. I've waited a long time to destroy you. Do you think it makes any difference to me that Alpha Trion created us both, or that that was why you were going to let me live? All that matters is that you failed to destroy me, and I still live for the glory of the Decepticon cause." The words burned. Optimus felt so much guilt. So much of it was because he hadn't killed Megatron. He could have destroyed him that day once and for all. How many had paid the price for his inaction? How many lives had been lost? "If you really thought telling me would make any difference, then you were on a fools errand." Megatron leapt into the air, and flew northward to join his forces. Optimus just sat there on the ground. The leg wound was not that severe. Optimus finally admitted to himself what was bothering him so much. Deep down he had thought that perhaps Megatron might be able to find some shred of his original programming left. That perhaps some small amount of good could have come from his not destroying Megatron, but there was none. There was only sorrow and guilt. He had lived with the burden of leadership for millions of years. The guilt of sending his troops, his friends to their death always weighed heavy, but he always knew he could not prevent it, and that they had died for the cause they believed in. But this was different. He could have killed Megatron. He could have destroyed him once and for all so their would be no resurrection. Megatron was right for once. Optimus was a fool for hoping he could ease his conscience. The time had come to accept it, and move on as best he could. It was time to stop dwelling on the past, and fight for the future. The only atonement he could make would be to stop Megatron, and make the universe safe for peace. Megatron had to be stopped. "Optimus, how bad is it", asked Springer? "Not bad." Optimus activated his radio. "Optimus Prime to Rodimus Prime." "Rodimus Prime here, go ahead." "Rodimus, Megatron's forces are falling back to Ice Station Omega. I want you to get our forces ready for a full scale assault." "I'll get right on it, Optimus."