Book VII "The Battle For Earth" Chapter XXXIX "Operation Freedom, Part I" It was late, almost two in the morning. Optimus, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Arcee, Blaster, Onslaught, and Spike sat around a conference table, discussing the battle plan. "Does that do it", asked Rodimus? "I think so", said Optimus. "Let's just go through it one more time to make sure we've all got it." "Alright", said Spike with a yawn. "Keeping you up Spike", asked Rodimus? "Sorry Spike, I sometimes forget you need sleep", said Optimus. "Saving the world is more important than my sleeping." Optimus stood up. "Alright. This operation will be code named Freedom. Ice Station Omega is the largest single structure installation of any kind ever built on this planet. The Decepticons have been building it since they took control of the Earth, and have made it their top priority. Fortunately for us, they have not had time to complete it. It measures ten miles across, and eight miles back into the mountains. The base is only accessible from three sides, as it is built right into some of the most treacherous, snow covered mountains in the world. The front of the base, the South side, is very heavily defended. Fortunately, the West and East side's defenses are not yet complete. At precisely noon today, just under ten hours from now, phase one of operation Freedom will begin. Onslaught will lead the First Circle and Autobot air forces in an all out assault on the base. Their primary purpose will be to weaken the defenses so the ground forces can move in and storm the base. We out number them, but I fear they will fight till the last of them fall. We can not count on a surrender. A frontal assault on Ice Station Omega would be suicide, even when their defenses are weakened. Phase two will be our ground assault. Kup and Arcee will split up the rest of our forces and attack from the East and West sides. They will begin phase two, exactly one hour after the initial attack. Their mission is to penetrate the base and take it over. Phase three will begin at the same time as phase two. Our air forces will shift their attacks to the West and East sides, to give cover to our ground assault. The Earth Defense forces will attack the base head on. Hit and run air attacks, and long range ground attacks only. It will be enough to keep some of their forces occupied while our forces enter the base. Spike will command the Earth defense forces. Ultra Magnus will be in command of the overall offensive." "Optimus, sounds fine", said Rodimus, "but, if you don't mind my asking, what are you and I going to do?" "We're going after Megatron", said Optimus. "How do you intend to get to him", asked Rodimus? "It's not like we can just go in the back door." "Actually, we can", said Optimus. "No army or large attack force could attack the rear of the base. Ground forces would get stuck in snow drifts and freeze, and the high unpredictable mountain winds would make an aerial attack hazardous at best. However, for just that reason, it is completely undefended. You and I will leave immediately. Ultra Magnus, can all of our forces be ready for the air attack at noon?" "We will be ready", said Ultra Magnus. "Very well, then Rodimus and I will leave immediately. Good luck", said Optimus. There was much to do. Everyone got up and left the conference room. Everyone that is except for Rodimus. Optimus sat down in a chair. "Something on your mind Rodimus", asked Optimus? "Optimus, you know damn well what's on my mind. Everyone who was here had the same question I do, but none of them would ask it. Why are we going after Megatron? Once we have the base, he'll either surrender, or be killed in the battle." "You think so", said Optimus, half asking, half making a statement. "Megatron will not surrender, and he will not die in the battle. He claims to fight for the Decepticon cause, but that is only because it mirrors his own. He wants to rule the universe, and nothing less. The plans for Ice Station Omega included a hanger with a large shuttle. When Megatron realizes the battle is lost, he'll abandon his troops, and save himself. I promised Blitzwing I would not let Megatron win. It's a promise I intend to keep. Megatron will lose this battle. He is outnumbered, and has nowhere to retreat to. But more important than winning the battle, I must prevent him from fighting any more battles, ever." "Optimus, you had a chance to destroy him once. You weren't going to do it then, what makes you think you will now." Optimus said nothing for a moment. "Rodimus, when I didn't kill Megatron, how many others did I sentence to death? How many died because of my inaction? The people of Earth lost their planet. Megatron can not be allowed to live. He must not be allowed to live for the good of every peaceful being in the Universe. If he escapes today, even if he disappears for a millennium, he will return, and peace everywhere will be shattered. It is my destiny to stop him. All I had to do was pull the trigger." Optimus paused. "One laser blast, and it would have been over. Now I know why I didn't do it, and it's no excuse." Rodimus walked over and put a hand on Optimus's shoulder. "Optimus, you are far too hard on yourself. Maybe you should sit this one out. No one would blame you for taking a step back. You've given so much, and received nothing but pain in return. Give yourself a break. You deserve it." "If only it were that simple. Rodimus, you have lived many thousands of years, but by Transformers standards, you are still young. I have been fighting this war for so long, you can't understand. I never wanted to be a soldier, much less a leader, but that was my destiny, that was why I was created. I was created to destroy Megatron, and it's about time I accepted that. Carrying the Matrix gives you insight into things. The Universe, although it seems like so much chaos, is actually running with clockwork efficiency. We all have a destiny Rodimus. In many ways, my life is not my own." Optimus paused. "Rodimus, how many Decepticons have you killed." Rodimus looked down towards the floor for a moment. "Too many", said Rodimus. "Far too many. I try not to think about it." "I never wanted to take a life, any life. I've killed more Decepticons than you can possibly imagine, Rodimus. I live every day knowing what I've done. As the humans would say, I have their blood on my hands, as well as the blood of every Autobot I've sent into battle, and have not seen return. I used to be able to see the faces of every one of them when I closed my eyes. I don't know what bothers me more, having seen all those faces for so long, or that I can't see some of them anymore. Autobots and Decepticons have come and gone, only a handful of the first troops under my command still live. Megatron and myself are the only constants. Call it good and evil, light and dark, right and wrong, Megatron and I are two sides of the same coin. If that coin ever lands, Primus help the universe if it falls in Megatron's favor. Megatron must be stopped. It's not revenge, I seek, although I know many might see it as such, but my very existence, my purpose is to stop Megatron, and that is what I must do. If it costs me my life, then so be it." "Optimus, I just don't want to see anything happen to you. I've seen the way the last few months have been for you. Losing Elita, losing the Earth. We need you Optimus, more than we need Megatron destroyed. I need you Optimus. I'm always told that I will someday succeed you as leader. I don't know if I can do it." "Rodimus, if there is one thing that does not worry me, it's that you will make an excellent leader some day." Optimus got up and headed for the door, but he stopped. "Rodimus, I don't intend to be passing you the Matrix anytime soon." Optimus left the room. "I hope you're right", said Rodimus to himself. Rodimus thought about what Ultra Magnus had said. He considered trying to talk to Optimus. But he did not know what to say. Optimus had to forgive himself, and unfortunately, no one could do it for him. Megatron read the reports on the monitor on his desk. Ice Station Omega's main defenses were complete, but not yet automated. The West and East sides of the base had very little in the way of defenses. He would have to concentrate his more powerful troops there, and leave the rest to operate the main defenses. But it did not matter. He knew this battle would be lost, he would be forced to retreat again. As he dwelled on the coming battle, he felt what he thought was a small earthquake. "Megatron, did you feel that", came Nightbird's voice over Megatron's radio. "Yes, what was it", asked Megatron? "Internal sensors report an explosion in Soundwave's lab. I'll dispatch a team to investigate", said Nightbird. "Negative", said Megatron. "Seal off the area, I will investigate myself. Megatron out." Megatron ran down the corridor of Ice Station Omega. Soundwave had been working on Skyquake, so Megatron ordered the section sealed until he gave further orders, and went to check the situation himself. The door to the repair bay was open, blown out from the inside. "Soundwave, what happened", called Megatron from the doorway. There was no response. Megatron cautiously entered the smoky room. He saw Soundwave sitting against a wall. "What happened Soundwave?", asked Megatron as he went to where Soundwave sat. Soundwave was leaking energeon from his chest. "Skyquake had a fail safe against anyone trying to access his memory circuits", said Soundwave weakly. It was probably put in by Unicron when he reconfigured his body. I probably have one myself." "Why were you trying to access his memory circuits", asked Megatron? "He is still alive, but I can not repair him. I was trying to find out what he knows about your creation", said Soundwave. "How badly are you hurt", asked Megatron? "If we don't act quickly, the wound will be fatal." Megatron helped Soundwave to his feet, and led him over to a repair table. Skyquake's body still smoldered from the explosion on the other repair table. Megatron picked up a tool from beside the bench. "No Megatron, you will not be able to repair me. The circuitry Unicron used when he reconfigured me is unlike any other I have ever dealt with. It is the same reason I can not repair Skyquake." "What do you want me to do then", asked Megatron? "Megatron, in the storage area in back, there are two large steel crates. One is unmarked, the other bares my name. I need that one." Megatron nodded, and headed for the storage area. He found the two metal crates. Each had three connection ports on the top, and a single button, but appeared otherwise to be sealed shut. He picked up the crate Soundwave wanted, and brought it back and placed it beside the repair table. "Now what", asked Megatron. "In the cabinet over the work bench, there is a device. I need it." Megatron retrieved the device. It looked like a helmet, and had three cables coming from the top. Soundwave took the helmet from Megatron, and placed it on his head. "Megatron, connect the three cables to the ports on the top of the...", said Soundwave. "Soundwave", are you alright", asked Megatron? "Circuits failing. Not much time." Megatron connected the three cables to the box, and pressed the button. The steel box started to hum softly, and the three cables and the helmet glowed dull purple. Soundwave's eyes glowed brightly for a moment, and then went dark. "Soundwave?" Megatron scanned his body but their were no power readings. He was too late. "Goodbye my friend", said Megatron. Megatron turned toward the bed where Skyquake lay. He transformed into tank mode, and put the turret beside Skyquake's head. "I don't care what you know, this time, I'll kill you for good." Megatron was about to fire, when he heard the shriek of metal against metal behind him. Megatron transformed and turned around. The metal box was torn open, and behind it stood Soundwave. The old Soundwave, once again a tape player. "Thank you Megatron. I'd almost had it", said Soundwave. "But how", asked Megatron. He saw the lifeless body still lying on the repair table. "I have been working on a new body, much like my old one. When Unicron was destroyed, I started planning this immediately. Fortunately, I just finished this body, or I would have been done for." "Excellent", said Megatron. "What about Skyquake." "I have an idea that might work." Soundwave walked over to his computer terminal, and pressed some buttons. "According to this, I might have the parts I need." "Parts for what", asked Megatron? "I am going to build Skyquake a new body." "Won't that take too long", asked Megatron? "According to these readings, he has only a few hours left." "I intend to use parts from some of our fallen troops. Several of our troops, whose bodies were similar in design to Skyquake's original body are in the morgue. I can use them to build him a new body. He will be Starscream again." "Just what we need. Soundwave, what is in that other box?" "Nothing important, just another project." "Very well Soundwave, if our only option is to build that traitorous fool a new body, then proceed. When you are done, put Starscream in stasis aboard the shuttle. Alert the Xformers to stay close to the shuttle. If the battle goes as I fear it will, we will need to make a quick getaway." "Understood", said Soundwave. "Megatron, if we are forced to retreat, what are your plans?" "I don't know Soundwave, but I can guarantee they involve one thing." "What is that", asked Soundwave? "The destruction of Optimus Prime." The icy wind blew hard along the mountainside. The snow fell hard, and the wind just made it feel even colder than it was. High above, Skyfire swooped down toward the mountainside. Optimus and Rodimus opened the cargo bay doors. "Thanks for the lift Skyfire", said Optimus. "No problem, any time. Good luck." "We'll need it", said Rodimus. Optimus, for just a moment considered turning back. Was it really worth the risk to stop Megatron this way? He had other options. He could have had a shuttle waiting to intercept Megatron's shuttle. He could have sent a strike team in to destroy the shuttle on the launch pad. Of course, none of those plans would definitely be successful, and he would have to rely on others to carry them out. Stopping Megatron was his responsibility, and no one else's. Optimus and Rodimus leapt from Skyfire, and landed on the side of the mountain. They looked up to see Skyfire rocketing away. "Well, what now", asked Rodimus? "We can climb over the mountain, and save an hour, or we can go around it", said Optimus. Optimus retracted his left fist, and produced a winch and claw. "Well, I guess that answers that question", said Rodimus, as he produced his own winch in place of his hand. They began climbing. Each of them shot their claw up the side of the mountain, and then wound it in, walking up the side of the mountain. "If there is anything I can say to talk you out of this Optimus, just tell me, I'll say it, and we can go home", said Rodimus. "There's nothing you can say." Optimus was sure of what he had to do, but he wasn't sure he should have brought Rodimus along. Perhaps he should have left him in charge of the assault, and come alone. It was too late to change his mind, and there was no use in second guessing his own decisions now. After a half hour, they reached the top of the mountain. "There it is", said Optimus. Rodimus looked off into the distance. About twenty miles away he could see another mountain. "There's what", asked Rodimus? "All I see is a mountain." "On this side it's a mountain, but Ice Station Omega is built right into the other side", said Optimus. "I don't suppose there is a nice paved, plowed road", asked Rodimus? "No such luck", chuckled Optimus. "We'll have to repel down the side of this mountain, walk to the other one, and climb it." "I wish I'd brought along my snow tires", said Rodimus. "Quit complaining. The warm packs Percepter gave us should keep us from freezing up. Just don't use them all at once", said Optimus. The two of them started slowly down the mountain, ever closer to their destination. In Megatron's command room, Nightbird read the reports of enemy movements. Things did not look good, They were planning an assault. The door of the command room opened, and Megatron walked through. "Nightbird, report", said Megatron. "The Autobots appear to be massing troops near our East and West sides. There appears to be movement of aerial troops to the south. I believe they will attack head on with an air assault, and then use their ground forces to storm the base from the sides." "I believe you are right. What do we do about it", said Megatron. "We save ourselves, and get out of here before we are annihilated. We do not have enough operational defenses, or troops to repel this attack. We will lose the earth", said Nightbird. "You lack faith my dear", said Megatron. "As the humans say, bull shit. You know as well as I if we stay here, the Autobots will melt us down." "Perhaps, but if we are going to make a late escape, I don't want our troops to know we will leave them behind. Soundwave is alerting the remaining Xformers, I am taking them with us. Starscream will be coming as well." "You mean Skyquake, don't you", said Nightbird. "What happened down in the lab." "Nothing of consequence", said Megatron. "Move our troops into position for the attack. We have little choice but to wait for the attack to come. We are too badly outnumbered to go on the offensive." Nightbird left the room to coordinate the placement of troops. As he watched her leave he thought for a fleeting moment how beautiful she was, but there was not time for trivial thoughts. A battle was coming. Megatron sat in his command chair. This battle would be lost. There was nothing he could do to prevent it. His army would be destroyed. They would die in the battle, or be captured. Optimus Prime had once again snatched his victory from him. How close he had come. If he had held Earth for just a little longer, he would have had the satellite defense system operational. Optimus Prime would pay for this. There would be another time he vowed. With Soundwave and Nightbird they would rebuild their army, and they would take Cybertron and Earth, and rule the Universe. It would just take a little longer.