Author's note: ::denotes comm link conversation::

Chapter 187 – What Can we Possibly Do?

Prime P.O.V

I looked about at the faces gathered before me. ''However, before we discuss what weapons we have at our disposal, I feel it is vital the one thing we all agree on moving forward is no nuclear weapons are to be used to engage this enemy.''

The room erupted into animated and angry voices and above them all, a deep, almost crazed laugh boomed out as Secretary for Defense, Esper, shook his head. ''With all due respect Optimus Prime, who are you to tell us what we can and cannot do in defense of OUR Nation or OUR planet?''

Phoenix bristled, her optics flashing dangerously as she stepped up to the screen, barking angrily in reply. ''He is only the BEST hope this planet, YOUR nation has of possibly making a stand against Unicron!''

''Phoenix..'' I tried to interrupt her and capture her attention. ::We cannot afford to bicker, not now when we must all stand together:: ''Please..''

She ignored my request and barrelled on in her retaliation. ''With all due respect Secretary Esper, since their arrival on this planet, Optimus Prime and his Autobots have time and time again proven, often at their own great personal loss and sacrifice, that they wish to defend this country, this planet and its people!'' Phoenix clenched her servos by her sides as flames began to glow. ''And they have done so on more occasions than we have time to discuss under the present circumstances, a fact we would all do well to remember as we prepare for what will be Earth's greatest threat.''

Though I appreciated her loyalty, I cast a sideways glance at her, a warning in my optics. Undaunted she continued, her voice dropping to a lower register as a tone of sarcasm crept in, ''though I do wonder why they persist in such a futile endeavour when they are constantly met with such ignorance and arrogance as you have just displayed.''

Several voices erupted into angry retorts and the Secretary of Defense glared haughtily through the screen at Phoenix, who simply returned his stare defiantly. I closed my optics. /This was not going well/.

Once again, General Morshower was the voice of reason. ''Phoenix Prime! Gentlemen! Ladies, please!'' He sent a stern gaze around the room where the remainder of the JCS were seated and out through the monitor to those who watched from afar. A quiet once again descended, though the tension was palpable. Beside me, Phoenix stilled to listen to what Morshower had to say.

Morshower's voice was calm, though determined as he spoke. ''While I can appreciate the Secretary's concerns,'' beside me Phoenix tensed and shifted on her pedes, Morshower seemed to stare directly at her, ''I must also add my voice to what Phoenix Prime says.'' Phoenix visibly relaxed and I silently thanked Primus. ''I have personally worked alongside Colonel Lennox, Optimus Prime and his Autobots, including Phoenix for several years now, and I can personally vouch for their intentions, their honour and their abilities.''

Morshower paused and eyed the room. Though there were some murmurings, as the chairman of the JCS and one the highest ranking, most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces, Morshower's word carried great authority and respect. ''And I can assure you all, if we are indeed facing a being as powerful as Optimus Prime suggests, an ancient evil of Transformer origin,'' he looked around the room and then fixed his stare on me, ''as seems to be the irrefutable case, then we damn sure better listen to what Optimus Prime and Phoenix Prime have to say.''

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me and I nodded my helm in deference and respect towards the monitor where Morshower's keen gaze held my own. ''General Morshower, I am deeply honoured by your support and humbled by your validation.'' I focused my attention on the Secretary of Defense who seemed to peer angrily at me and Phoenix respectively from behind his glasses. ''Secretary Esper, it is not now, nor has it ever been my intention to tell you how to govern your nation, or how best to respond to this or any other threat, but I can only speak from what I have personally observed from the use of nuclear weapons on this planet.'' I shuttered my optics as I recalled the husk of the city called Chernobyl. ''I strongly urge you to reconsider your options and avoid using nuclear weapons as your primary form of defense.''

Beside me Phoenix once more added her voice, though it was tempered with a greater humility and respect as she reined in her emotions. ''I apologise Secretary Esper and fellow members of the JCS for my earlier comments, though I mean no disrespect, I should not have spoken in such a tone to you.'' The Secretary shifted on his seat though he did not interrupt. ''However, what Optimus Prime says is true.'' Phoenix nodded to me her optics shining brightly before she turned to face the screen once more. ''I ask you all, what point is there in fighting so fiercely to protect our planet, as we will have cause to do, when it will be rendered uninhabitable?''

I watched with interest and pride as Phoenix changed her approach and acted in a manner worthy of a Prime as she tempered her own feelings and used wisdom and fact, not raw emotion to make her point. A small smile tugged at the corners of my dermas as I listened to her put forth her case.

There was a moment's silence as Phoenix's words were digested by those present. After a moment more, Secretary of Defense Esper replied in a frustrated sigh. ''What then would you suggest we use against this seemingly invincible foe? Nukes seem to be our only option.''

''You said it was the size of a small planet?!'' Chief of the Army, General James McConville questioned us again.

I nodded. ''Though I cannot be sure of Unicron's exact size General McConiville, I can assure you he will be the single biggest threat this planet has ever faced, and Primus willing, will ever face.''

The General closed his eyes and shook his head. ''Then a massive payload of nuclear weapons would be the most effective weapons we could possess! That and…''

''With what consequences?'' The Homeland Security Advisor, Mrs Sherwood-Randall interjected tersely. ''You heard what they said. This thing is the size of a planet.'' She eyed General McConville carefully. ''This is not some enemy Aircraft carrier or destroyer or even a Nation we are about to be at war with. This is an entire planet, one being intent on our destruction!''

''She's right.'' The Chief of Space Operations, General John Raymond spoke up. ''The number of nuclear bombs required to have any significant effect would be unprecedented and if that thing is remotely near our atmosphere,'' the General's shook his head, lines of concern appearing on his forehead, ''which that alone will cause disastrous problems for our planet, the fallout from those nuclear explosions would have catastrophic repercussions for the Earth's ecosystems.'' General Raymond was silent for a moment before his voice fell to a strained whisper. ''We would essentially poison our Earth, what's left of it, for generations to come.''

The Chief of Staff for the Airforce, General Charles Brown Jr, added his concerns as he looked around the room. ''So, I think it is safe to say that the use of nuclear weapons as our primary form of defense has been vetoed?''

Most of the people in the meeting nodded their heads and I felt a sense of relief. ''For the moment they are off the table. However,'' Secretary for Defense continued, ''they may still be required as a last line of defense if we cannot come up with an effective, acceptable alternative.''

General Brown looked around the room at his peers. ''If that is the case, we must consider what other effective means we have of protecting ourselves, and importantly, we must consider the nature of the environment this battle will take place in.'' He snorted as he tapped his index finger on the tabletop to emphasise his words. ''If that thing is the size of a small planet, there's no way we will be engaging it at close quarters!''

I nodded my helm in agreeance as did Phoenix. ''General Brown is correct.'' I cast a very serious gaze to those gathered on the monitors before me. ''You cannot engage Unicron in battle as you would normally do with your enemies. Most of your weaponry, your Military Service branches, will essentially be ineffective in immediate hostile engagement.''

Phoenix nodded and stepped up beside me. ''It's true. The bulk of your military might will be best served assisting the people of your nations with the natural disasters that are likely to befall this planet with the arrival of another celestial body in close proximity.'' Phoenix paused; her voice lowered to convey the gravity of what faced us. ''There will be earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions on a scale this planet has likely never seen before. At least not for billions of years.''

Though Phoenix was correct in her evaluation of what would happen, I thought it best to change the conversation. ''In parallel to your military strategy for what will need to be a coordinated worldwide military strike, I would strongly suggest plans for a mass evacuation to commence immediately. You will need to move as much of the population away from the coastline as you can. Away from volcanic sites and active fault lines….''

''Do you have any idea of the logistics involved in that?'' Secretary Esper interrupted angrily. ''We are talking millions of people in the US alone, never mind the rest of the world!'' He glared fiercely at us. ''There is no way we can save that many people, even if we started immediately. It simply can't be done!'' He raised his hands and placed them behind his head as he leaned back in his seat in seeming defeat.

The Chief of Staff for the National Guard, General Hokanson spoke up shaking his head. ''There're just too many people to move. Too much logistics involved, even with the Army, the National Guard and other branches working together.'' His brow furrowed in confusion as he shrugged his shoulders. ''Where do they even go? Where do millions of displaced people get - well, placed?''

''So what? We just pretend like nothing is happening and let millions of Americans – our friends, our families - die?'' Colonel Lennox spoke up, his voice trembled with anger and disbelief. ''Not even give them a chance, a choice - Sirs''. The last was spat out distastefully.

''Watch your tone soldier!'' Secretary for Defense snapped back.

''With all due respect Sir, I think my tone was warranted,'' Lennox replied.

''Lieutenant Colonel Lennox! May I remind you; you are skating dangerously close…'' Secretary Esper began to warn.

''To what? You'll do what to Lieutenant Colonel Lennox, Mark?'' General Morshower rose from his chair and placed his hands on the table. ''Court Marshall one of the best officers we have in the military at the eleventh hour when we damn well need every good man and woman at their post?"' He slapped his palm on the table to channel his frustration and anger. ''God damn it man!'' The room fell silent.

The Secretary of Defense seethed as he looked at General Morshower, his mouth working as he tried to think of something to say in his defense, though he realized there was nothing he could say to such harsh logic.

I watched silently as the humans struggled to comprehend the enormity of what faced them. As always when it came to life threatening and stressful situations, humans could be counted on to show their worst – and their best. General Morshower took a deep, steadying breath before he spoke again. ''My primary role is to advise and assist you in carrying out YOUR role Mr. Secretary. And I am advising you now,'' he stared intently at the Secretary for Defense. ''You are going to need people like Lieutenant Colonel Lennox on your side IN this fight. So don't piss 'em off!''

Beside me, I watched Lennox shift on his feet and smirk at the dressing down Morshower was giving the Secretary for Defense on his behalf. ''I am also advising you, all of you, once again, to listen to Optimus Prime and Phoenix Prime and seriously take under advisement what they have to say. For they, and their Autobots, will be the single greatest allies we will have in this shit show moving forward.'' Morshower nodded at both Phoenix and me and I felt a deep gratitude and respect towards this man as every set of eyes turned towards us.

''He's right Mr. Secretary.'' The Advisor for Homeland Security, Mrs Randall, spoke up. ''I think we should continue to hear what they have to say.''

The Secretary of Defense gave an audible sigh as his shoulders slumped and he pinched the bridge of his nose, no doubt to stave off a massive headache. ''Very well. Optimus Prime, Phoenix Prime. Please - continue.''

I shifted on my pedes before I began to speak. ''Firstly, Mr. Secretary, I stand by what I just said. Though it seems impossible, you must start a wide scale evacuation of your population. I would advise other nations to do the same.'' I shuttered my optics and my spark felt heavy. Though I knew all to well what was about to happen, it didn't make it any easier to voice the thought out loud. ''While it is not possible to save every life in this battle, and the casualties and fatalities worldwide will be unprecedented,'' I looked at Lennox. ''You must give as many people as you can the opportunity for survival. It is the right thing to do.'' Lennox nodded his head at me and smiled.

I returned my attention to the screens before me. 'Furthermore, while we can understand and appreciate how difficult this is for you all to comprehend, I would advise you all to stay calm and focused and tackle the problem one step at a time.'' I shuttered my optics as I glanced around at all of the faces. ''If you turn on each other.'' I shook my helm. ''Then you've already lost.''

Beside me Phoenix smiled warmly at me and nodded her helm in encouragement. ''Now is the time, if ever there was a time, for us all to stand united against a common foe and, while we Autobots are indeed allies to you all, perhaps we will not be your single greatest allies.'' I noted the looks of confusion at my statement. /Here we go!/. ''Mr. Secretary, I feel I should inform you of an important development borne out of a dire need to unite and confront such a powerful common enemy that threatens our very existence on this planet.''

The men and women gathered before me sent quizzical glances at each other and then to us. The Secretary of Defense voiced what they all wanted to know. ''And what development would this be Optimus Prime?''

I looked at Phoenix who nodded her helm in support. Turning back to address the faces on the screens, I spoke very calmly. ''Megatron and the Decepticons have agreed to a truce and a cease fire to support us in our fight against Unicron.''

For a moment, no one spoke. There was a stunned silence.

''Are you serious?'' Mrs Randall asked incredulously. ''The Decepticons? The same ones who destroyed Chicago – twice?''

The Chief of Staff for the Airforce, General Brown Jr, looked equally shocked as he questioned, ''The very ones you and your Autobots and N.E.S.T have spent the last decade fighting to eradicate from the Earth?''

A chorus of voices erupted from the screens, angry, confused and frustrated tones weaved their way through the conversation. ''Ladies and Gentlemen, please!'' Beside me Phoenix's voice rose above the cacophony of noise. ''LISTEN!'' she bellowed as tiny hints of flame once again flickered to life along her frame.

The voices ceased speaking, though the tension that permeated the room before was back, a stifling, heavy weight. ''We are also struggling to come to terms with this development ourselves. We understand and respect your grave concerns and misplaced trust,'' Phoenix sent a small, knowing smile to all the faces that peered at her, ''because we also have our reservations and concerns about this truce.'' The mumbles started again, and Phoenix held up her servos. I watched proudly as she calmly commanded their attention. ''HOWEVER, we also acknowledge that we need all of the fire power and support that we can get in this battle and if that means joining with the Decepticons to achieve that, then it is a risk we are willing to take.''

''But how do you know they aren't tricking you and are going to turn on us all? Betray us to Unicron in some way.'' Admiral Gilday spoke up.

General Hokanson nodded in agreement. ''I mean they are Decepticons, it's in their very nature to deceive.''

Phoenix nodded her helm. ''We hear what you are saying, and on some level, we share those same concerns and opinions.''

''So why are we even having this conversation?'' The Secretary of Defense barked over the growing unrest.

''Because we need to be on the same page moving forward from here!'' Phoenix countered forcefully. ''Any attempts by Earthen military to attack Decepticons as they work with us at this point could jeopardize the fragile peace we currently hold.'' Phoenix looked around at those gathered, earnestly seeking their understanding. ''Because whether we like it or not, this truce, this partnership has to happen if we are to even hope to make a stand against Unicron and,'' Phoenix glared challengingly at everyone, ''because everyone deserves a chance at redemption.''

Though most of the humans fell silent at Phoenix's impassioned words, some remained unmoved. ''That's all very well and good Phoenix Prime. But I must agree to disagree with you on that.'' The Advisor to Homeland security spoke out. ''If we gave every crackpot, every despot, every megalomaniac who has tried to overthrow our way of life in this country a chance at redemption, we would have NO way of life! Our country, our society would have been wiped out years ago.''

Phoenix nodded her helm slowly and smiled softly at her. ''Ma'am, I respect your opinion and perhaps you are right. Perhaps we have no need of the Decepticons. Perhaps, Optimus Prime, myself and the few Autobots we have here on Earth can make a stand against this Unicron, assisted where possible by the Nations of the World and perhaps there is a very small chance we may be victorious.''

Mrs Randall nodded her head satisfied she had gotten her message across. Phoenix leant towards the monitor. ''But in my humble opinion, if we don't take this chance Mrs Randall. If we don't give the Decepticons the benefit of the doubt and side with them, then, with all due respect, not only will your fine country suffer, but this whole planet and everyone, including the Decepticons, will more than likely be wiped out!'' Mrs Randall's expression changed as she considered Phoenix's words. The corners of Phoenix's dermas curved up in a wry smile. ''Self-preservation is a powerful motivator Mrs Randall – and not just for humans.''

She shifted her gaze to take in all those before her as she folded her arms across her chest and drew herself up to her full height. ''To stand the BEST chance of surviving what is coming, we need EVERY available asset at our disposal and, for the time being, like it or not, that includes Megatron and the Decepticons.''

Once again, an uneasy silence settled amongst those gathered. General Morshower looked to me and broke the silence. ''Optimus Prime? Where do you stand on this matter?''

''General Morshower, though I have my own misgivings about this, I too side with Phoenix Prime. I believe we must work alongside the Decepticons to eradicate a common threat.'' I looked at Phoenix and nodded my helm at her. ''As proof this truce is legitimate, I can confirm I currently have several of my finest Autobots working with two of Megatron's Decepticons to try and locate an ancient Cybertronian artefact,'' I eyed Lennox very carefully hoping he would take my lead and NOT divulge what we had already learned just prior to this meeting. ''An artefact we all believe may give us an advantage in this battle.'' He remained silent.

''Artefact?'' Secretary of Defense spoke up again. ''What artefact is this? And who vetted your authorisation of sending such search parties out into the world?''

I held his gaze steadily. ''The artefact is an ancient sword called the Star Saber. It is rumored to hold significant powers, especially when wielded by a Prime in battle.'' I paused for a moment, my tone changing to express my genuine disbelief. ''Regarding whom vetted authorizing MY Autobots to search for this weapon, forgive me Mr. Secretary, but I thought it prudent to forgo the usual channels.'' I shuttered my optics and tilted my helm at him. ''Especially given the tight timeframe we have before Unicron is upon us. Would you not agree?''

''Makes sense to me,'' Morshower interrupted. ''And just to be clear, I have been given authority from the Whitehouse, the President himself, to vett all decisions made within N.E.S.T which, by association, includes the Autobots.''

The Secretary for Defense sighed out loud and rubbed both of his palms over his face. ''Fine!'' He sat back up in his chair with a thud and addressed me again. ''Optimus Prime, what other artefacts or weapons do you currently possess, or are searching for, that may assist us?''

''Mr. Secretary as mentioned before, we have the Matrix of Leadership which we believe will be very effective and a primary weapon against Unicron, if we can get it close enough to the target.''

The Secretary for Defense furrowed his brows and peered at me, snorting in derision. ''That's it? We face the greatest enemy the world has ever known and our best chances against it are a sword you have yet to find and a Matrix that will only work if you get it near the monstrous thing and that's it?''

I fought back my rising irritation at the condescension in his tone and his attitude. ''Mr. Secretary, we also have the combined forces and skill of both Decepticon and Autobot armies and there is the possibility that we will have more Autobot reinforcements arriving from Cybertron to aid us in our battle. That will greatly boost our numbers, firepower and effectiveness in battle.''

''Great! More Transformers. Just what we need!'' The Secretary of Defense growled in irritation.

''Yes. It is actually,'' General Morshower replied curtly. The Secretary fell silent.

''Furthermore Mr. Secretary, once you all disseminate to your President what is about to happen, he will hopefully enlist the combined military might of the major nations of this world as support. We are not without hope or means to win this.''

The Secretary snorted derisively at me as he rose and buttoned his jacket up. The meeting, for now it would seem, was adjourned. The Secretary's voice was filled with an equal mix of scepticism and disdain as he addressed me once more. ''Well. I guess time will tell if you are right about that Optimus Prime.''