Planning the Next Move

By Matthew W. Quinn

September 4th, 2009 AD, 7 PM

NEST Forward Base, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory

"So, Optimus, what do you think the bastards will do next?" Lennox asked.

"It appears there was a Decepticon enclave in Shanghai, and Demolisher was the guardian," Optimus Prime rumbled as the two walked through the enormous hangar that served to shelter the Autobots in their vehicular forms. "There might have been more beyond the two we destroyed that day, but the Ark's sensors have not been able to detect them."

The great Autobot paused, silhouetted by the sinking Indian Ocean sun.

"Megatron would have taken the offensive against us by now, tried to disrupt the growing spread of Cybertronian technology. Human warriors were able to destroy Decepticons without our help two years ago — with Cybertronian technology, you soon will not need us at all."

We may not need your help to win fights, but we still need your help to win without unacceptable casualties, Lennox thought. Blackout's slaughter of the surprised soldiers in Qatar two years ago still weighed heavily on his mind, although he had ensured the men who died there were properly avenged. Plus much of your technology is still beyond our ability to replicate or even understand.

"Don't worry," he said. "The treaties you've made guarantee the Autobots a home on Earth."

"For that, your species has our undying gratitude," Optimus said. "And we can do our part to improve our new home."

Yep. Gas prices haven't been this low since before I was born.

The Cybertronian technology the humans were readily able to use had advanced certain fields by decades. Solar power grew increasingly widespread, while the first commercial fusion plants — fueled by Helium-3 the Autobots mined on the Moon and traded for Energon produced in human fission plants — were scheduled to come online soon. The oil sheikhs had taken it on the chin, although setting up solar farms in their vast deserts had softened the blow.

Lennox looked at his watch.

"Looks like it's time for our evening chat with Colonel Morshower," he said.

He whistled for one of his (human) soldiers.

"Lower the screen."

"Yes sir," the soldier said.

The soldier pressed some buttons on the wall and the enormous screen rolled down. The base's satellite relay connected with Washington DC and soon Glenn Morshower, the overall commander of NEST, appeared.

Lennox saluted, while Optimus merely nodded.

"Good evening, Colonel Morshower," the great robot said.

"Good evening, Optimus," the senior human officer said, returning Lennox's salute. "How are your new recruits adjusting?"

Optimus cast a blue eye to the other side of the hangar, where the newly-landed Autobot twins Skids and Mudflap were arguing about which car they should transform into. Arcee was doing her best to keep the peace, but the twins were determined to fight each other over which transformed into which car.

The Autobot general sighed.

"It can be…taxing. But such is the price of leadership."

Morshower nodded.

"Understood." After a short pause. "Speaking of leadership, someone else would like to speak to you."

Secretary of Defense James Keller stepped into the frame. Though Keller — and the entire Walker administration — had taken heat for the attempted cover-up of the Cybertronian incursion, Keller had expertly managed the turnaround in federal policy and had been retained by newly-elected President Barack Obama. The fact he had personally faced the Decepticons in the depths of Hoover Dam and helped bring Sector Seven's rogue behavior under control certainly helped.

"Secretary Keller," Optimus said. "This is a most pleasant surprise."

"Optimus," Keller responded. "Heard you all took care of business in Shanghai."

The Autobot commander nodded.

"Two more Decepticons destroyed," he rumbled. "That brings us to a total of ten this year."

"The incidents have increased in the last few months," Keller said. "Do you have any idea why?"

Not a clue. But I can guess and hope the intelligence boys can run with it.

"The Decepticon we didn't expect to be there said that Megatron would rise again, sir," Lennox said. "Has there been any unusual activity near the Laurentian Abyss?"

Morshower shook his head.

"No, Major, there hasn't," he said.

"We should increase the defenses over Megatron's resting place," Optimus said. "Although it is presently beyond our capabilities to raise fallen warriors from the dead, such things are not unknown in Cybertron's history."

"It is theoretically possible," the Autobot Ratchet said, "but only with the aid of the AllSpark." A hint of mourning entered the yellow-and-red robot's voice. "That can no longer be done."

"We did manage to recover a shard of the AllSpark," Morshower said. "We have it under tight guard in Virginia."

"It would be prudent to increase its defenses as well," Optimus said. "Lest the Decepticons seek it out."

"The piece of the AllSpark that survived was very small," Ratchet said. "It might not be sufficient."

"That will not stop the Decepticons from trying," Optimus said. "And if they do try, many humans will die whether they succeed or fail."

"We will take all necessary precautions," Morshower said.

Keller leaned forward.

"I heard Morshower say that additional Autobots have landed. Do you expect many more?"

Optimus shook his head.

"Most of Cybertron's population died in the war. Those who've straggled in over the last two years might represent all that is left."

"Do you think that means we won't be seeing many more Decepticons?"

Optimus shook his head again.

"The Decepticons were drawn disproportionately from the ranks of Cybertron's military. I expect a greater proportion of them survived the end of our world."

Keller fell silent for a moment.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't be," Optimus rumbled. "It was the doing of Megatron, and he is dead now. All we can do now is make the best of our situation and hope that your race does not repeat our mistakes."

Keller turned to Lennox.

"I've read the debriefings on the new artillery shells NEST loaned to the PLA for the Shanghai mission. Do you recommend producing more?"

Darn right I do. The combination of rockets and Cybertronian guidance technology enabled the shells to reorient themselves in-flight, reducing collateral damage.

"Yes sir," Lennox said. "They bring more fire down on the target and less on any surrounding buildings or people."

"I'll take that to the appropriate committees," Keller said. "Washington out."

September 4th, 2009 AD, 9 AM

The Pentagon, Washington DC, United States

Keller turned to Morshower.

"You keep NEST at tip-top readiness," the Secretary of Defense ordered. "I'll make sure the AllSpark and Megatron are well-defended."