Author's note: One little bomb brought to you by the letter ''F''... I warn you now, I have a VERY loose understanding of the chain of command in American military and while I started to look into it, my brain began to hurt so I gave up. My apologies in advance to any American followers/readers. I have also used the names of real Generals etc in their roles in the JCS. I have no idea as per their real character, especially the Secretary for Defense, but I tailored it to my own needs. So while the people in this chapter, minus Lennox, are real people, the way they have been portrayed may not reflect how they are in reality nor how they would react to such a scenario. Just had to put that little disclaimer in there... I know, what a world hey :-)

Btw, I clearly have no idea what takes place in a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, haven't got an invite yet. I also do not have an extensive military background, or any for that matter, so the chapters containing military tactics etc are all carefully crafted to work in my story for my plot so NOT reality or accepted military practice I am sure. So, any military buffs that may possibly read these next few chapters, you might wanna chew on a xanax!

With that all said, this is it people... The downward run towards the finish! Hang in there!

::denotes commlink conversation::

Chapter 186 – And Now They Know...

Prime P.O.V

Every set of eyes stared blankly at the screen, mouths worked silently as the members of the JCS, Secretary for Defense and the Advisor for Homeland Security processed what I had just told them.

General Glenn Morshower alone seemed somewhat un-phased, though he had already been warned of Unicron's existence and imminent arrival in an earlier meeting with Colonel Lennox and me and had had more time to digest what everyone was now hearing for the first time. It was he who had convened the extraordinary meeting that was now taking place.

''So…. So you mean to tell me, tell us, that a giant, ancient malevolent being, the size of a small planet, with the power to destroy the ENTIRE Earth is currently on its way here, and we have less than two months to prepare for its arrival?'' The Secretary for Defense, Mark Esper, blinked his eyes rapidly behind his glasses as he tried desperately to comprehend what was happening.

I nodded my helm. ''Yes Mr. Secretary. In essence, that is precisely what is happening.''

The man snorted contemptuously. ''In essence?'' He shook his head. ''Have I left something out? I am not sure how much worse the situation could be.'' He looked wildly around the room at those assembled.

Beside me Phoenix spoke up. ''He is also a God Mr. Secretary. The eternal archenemy of his twin brother Primus, the Transformer Creator God.'' At the Secretary's dumfounded expression, Phoenix added. ''Primus is the good guy, the guy who bestowed the Matrix…''

''Well!'' The Secretary interjected sarcastically, ''apparently, I left the most important fact out! He's also a fucking God, that's just great.'' He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes furiously as he stood to his feet and began pacing about the room muttering, ''just great..'' The rest of the members of the JCS followed his movements with concern, Morshower with mild irritation.

Phoenix cast me a sideways glance before I heard my internal comms go off. ::I think we just broke the Secretary for Defense Prime::

I smiled to myself internally. ::Phoenix, think back to how YOU reacted to learning about Unicron's existence for the first time, and you had been around Transformers:: I mentally smirked, ::in one way or another for years. These humans are going to need some time to process this. Give them a chance. Give him a chance::

''But why Earth?'' the Homeland Security Advisor, Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall spoke up, drawing my attention back to the meeting. Her confusion and fear very evident in her tremulous voice. ''What, would he – IT - want with this planet?''

I shuttered my optics in consideration as to what I should say, but before I could open my dermas to speak, the Secretary for Defense laughed out loud. A bitter, angry laugh. His face twisted into a baleful gaze. ''It's because of THEM!'' He pointed his finger accusingly at us as he stormed back over to the table and slammed his hands palm down. Phoenix clenched her servos by her side and drew her dermas together in a thin line of irritation at his display, though she refrained from saying anything – yet.

''First, THEY brought the Decepticons here, now they bring this - thing!'' He glared at us spitefully. ''It's because of them that this Unicron is after this planet.'' The Secretary lowered himself back in his seat, his eyes narrowed and flicked between Phoenix and I. Phoenix stared defiantly back at him. Lennox tried to gain her attention and caution her. He knew now was not the time to speak out.

All eyes, including General Morshower's turned to face us, to hear what we had to say in our defense. I ex-vented softly as I shifted on my pedes. ''Mr. Secretary, we can both understand why you, why all of you, may think that, and – there is some truth to your accusation.''

At my words, a collective mutter broke out amongst those assembled and the Secretary's expression changed to one of triumph. ''Ha! You admit it.''

I ignored his response and continued in a calm manner. ''I admitted to there being some truth to your accusation Mr. Secretary, though there are also many inaccuracies.'' I paused for a moment as I turned my attention solely to him. ''As you should be aware by now Mr. Secretary, disbanded Sector Seven documents made it quite clear Megatron, or NBE 1 as he was referred to then, crash landed on Earth thousands of years before my Autobots and I ever arrived here. He had been following the Allspark, which has since been destroyed.''

The murmuring stopped.

I continued. ''His Decepticons followed him here just as my Autobots followed me here. We did not bring the Decepticons here, they learned of the Allspark's location and came here themselves.'' I shuttered my optics yet again. ''And it was my Autobots and I that fought alongside your military at Mission City to stop Megatron from using the Allspark to destroy your world.'' The Secretary for Defense averted his gaze from mine as my words hit home. ''In regard to Unicron being after us, that is also partially true but more accurately he is after the essence of Primus and anything that contains His essence.''

General Morshower grunted, ''The Matrix. Doesn't that have something to do with Primus?''

''Indeed, General Morshower.'' I smiled at the General and nodded my helm. ''The Matrix contains the essence of Primus, our Creator God and is a repository for the collective wisdom of the Primes before me.'' The Secretary's look of triumph faded and a stony look descended on his face. ''The Matrix, and with it the essence of Primus, is the antithesis of Unicron – while Primus grants and sustains life, Unicron craves its destruction.

''Sounds a bit like God verses the Devil!'' The Chief of Naval operations, Admiral Gilday announced tongue in cheek.

The Chief of Staff for the Army, General McConville eyed him seriously. ''Only it seems like the devil is real Admiral, not God, and he's on his way to us.''

I turned to face the Admiral. ''In a rudimentary way of speaking yes, I guess that is a fair analogy to make Admiral Gilday.'' I directed my attention back to the remainder of the JCS. ''We have since learned,'' I sent Phoenix a knowing glance as it was she who had made this connection, ''That the appearance of those horns are a result of Unicron, The Chaos Bringer, sensing the essence of Primus….''

''Just wait a second!'' The Secretary yelled incredulously, seeming to have found his voice again. ''You mean to tell me those six massive horns that have sprung up all over Earth are part of Unicron? You mean he is already here?'' Once again, strained muttering broke out amongst those gathered.

Beside me on the catwalk, Lennox replied, speaking for the first time. ''With all due respect Mr. Secretary, I believe those massive horn-like structures are kind of like Unicron's early detection system for Primus, kind of like those energon signatures we used for the Decepticons?'' Lennox looked to me for confirmation, and I nodded.

''In a sense yes Colonel Lennox, you are correct,'' Phoenix smiled warmly at her friend before she addressed those gathered. ''Mr. Secretary, ladies and gentlemen, in his thirst to destroy that which gives life, Unicron seeded countless planets – those he has temporarily spared from destruction – with the essence of himself so he can sense when the lifeforce of Primus is near.''

Phoenix took a step towards the monitors, her optics darting from face to face. ''Though it is not Unicron himself, those horns are imbued with his essence. Since the Matrix was used to restore Sentinel Prime to life,'' Phoenix paused a moment and an almost imperceptible tremor raced over her frame, ''and it was used to restore Optimus Prime himself to us, Unicron has become subconsciously aware of Primus' lifeforce on this planet.'' Phoenix looked pointedly at Secretary Esper. ''THAT is why he is interested in Earth. He seeks that lifeforce contained within the Matrix, a sacred vessel whose primary function is to house and maintain Primus' life force indefinitely, along with the collective wisdom of past Primes.''

''Well, there's our solution to this problem!'' The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Berger exclaimed excitedly. ''We get rid of the Matrix!'' Phoenix ex-vented loudly in frustration. ''We blow it up, shoot it out into space, whatever! If it is destroyed, he will no longer be interested in Earth.''

I shook my helm, ''I am afraid it is not that simple General Berger. Unicron knows Earth is a potential threat. Besides, Unicron will not be sated until his ultimate goal is attained: to bring an end to all things, to all life.'' General Berger's face crumpled in disappointment. ''If not now, it was only a matter of time before he happened upon your planet and destroyed it.''

Phoenix shook her helm, ''Unbelievable! Have you not been listening to Prime?'' She placed her servos on her hips. ''Your best plan is to destroy what is arguably Unicron's greatest weakness. The essence of Primus is like a poison to him as it is pure life. THAT is why he seeks to destroy it and all who possesses it, so fervently! He knows it may be used AGAINST him!''

Phoenix optics flicked angrily from General Berger to the Secretary and the remainder of those gathered, a fire beginning to simmer within them. ::Easy Phoenix!:: I tried to comm her but she ignored me and continued.

''Not only that, but it is a most sacred Autobot reliquary, the closest comparison I can make for you to understand is like possessing the Holy Grail that held the blood of Christ, or the Ark of the Covenant and you want to just BLOW IT UP?'' She ex-vented deeply as she tried to rein in her anger.

The Secretary for Defense stared determinedly at her, his face devoid of emotion. ''If it will spare this country, this planet from imminent destruction, yes. I would be prepared to do that.''

Phoenix took a step towards the screen, a flicker of flames igniting along her arms. I was just about to reach out and grab her arm when General Morshower's voice rang out. ''ORDER! ENOUGH!'' Phoenix halted though she glowered at Secretary Esper. ''Mr. Secretary, I would kindly ask that you refrain from making inflammatory comments.'' General Morshower looked around at those gathered with him and back to us. ''NO ONE will be destroying the Matrix. If it is indeed our best weapon against Unicron, it would be an incredibly foolish thing to do,'' his eyes flicked back to rest upon the Secretary for Defense and those gathered nodded their assent.

General Morshower sighed out loud as an uncomfortable silence fell upon the room. ''Whether we like it or not, whether we are prepared for it or not, whether it is the Autobot's fault or not, this Unicron IS coming!'' Morshower cast a stern glare around the room. ''Now, we can either spend the rest of this meeting pointing fingers and arguing OR, we can start to discuss what options we have in dealing with this threat.'' He leaned forward in his chair and steepled his fingers together. ''We are all going to have to report to POTUS about this very shortly and I for one would like to have something constructive to present to him!''

I felt a surge of renewed respect for the man as I watched those at the table, including Secretary Esper, nod in agreeance. General Morshower turned to me, a very serious expression on his face. ''Now. Optimus Prime, Phoenix Prime. What CAN we possibly do against this Unicron? What course of action do YOU suggest we take? The Matrix is surely not the only weapon you possess that we will be able to use against him?''

I smiled warmly at the General as I felt a wave of relief wash over me in the change of tone and tact in the meeting. ''No General Morshower, it is not.''