Panic was in the air. Sentinel Prime had just declared war on the United States and with the troops and weapons he had at his disposal, Lennox didn't see how anybody could stop him. The Autobots and Decepticons working together to fight humanity, it was his worst nightmare come true.
After the massive transformers tore the Carrier group into pieces, Sentinel and his army disappeared. Thankfully no one was killed in the attack, Sentinel wanted as many witnesses as possible. Satellite surveillance showed the island was abandoned, the Transformers were gone. And now Lennox was back in the Situation Room with President and his staff.
"SOSUS has managed to track the large Transformer known as Omega Supreme. He's moving as high speed up the Eastern Coast. We believe the Autobots and Decepticons are inside him and using like a submarine," reported Morshower.
"Then why are we discussing this? Drop some aerial torpedoes on that thing and call it a day," said Galloway.
"Omega is moving in excess of eighty knots. The only thing we have that fast in the oceans are some new prototype torpedoes. And even if we could launch them, Omega is traveling near the bottom of the ocean. Nothing except deep submersibles can reach those depths," said Morshower.
"Then what do we do?" asked the President.
"The only thing we can do is wait Mr. President," said Morshower.
"You mind explaining how all of this happened in the first place. STRATCOM detected our ships launching missiles without authorization or provocation," said Mearing.
"We haven't finished interviewing the crew yet but from what we can gather all the computers began activating the weapon systems by themselves," said Morshower.
"Sounds like the Autobots did this to themselves," said Galloway.
Lennox had enough of this. "If they wanted to attack and destroy the Carrier group, they could have done so long before this. And why would they launch an attack against themselves? Somebody is playing them as much as us,"
"Any proof of this conspiracy Jesse Ventura?" asked Galloway in a sarcastic tone.
"How about common sense and a brain cell?" shot back Lennox. Galloway frowned, knowing exactly what that meant.
"Colonel Lennox, could you wait outside please?" said Morshower, heading the situation off before it got worse. The General was trying to stop Lennox from ruining his career but at the moment, Lennox didn't care.
"Yes sir," said Lennox, heading for the door. The aura of stupidity for him seemed lifted as soon as he exited the room.
Epps never thought this would have happened. First, the news reported that Woodrow Wilson Carrier Group was destroyed and now the Transformers had declared war on the United States government. As far as the UN was concerned, the US was on its own. Several nations already condemned the US for launching an unprovoked attack on the Autobots and Decepticons. And then, he got a call from Ironhide.
Optimus, Bumblebee, and Ironhide were on their way to Florida and needed some shelter. Epps agreed to meet them on some dock though he had no idea how they were going to get there. When he arrived in his pickup truck, he found no one.
"Anybody here?" Epps yelled out. He got an answer when the Autobots emerged from underwater, climbing onto shore. "You swam all the way here?"
"Yes, it's not like we have to worry of fatigue or sharks. Although I can't say the same thing about rust," said Ironhide.
"C'mon. I know an empty warehouse you guys can use," said Epps.
Megatron smiled triumphantly as his mind scanned through the various data gathered from the humans. For the past few months, the Decepticons had inserted viruses and worms across the Internet into every major computer system on the planet. That included every computer inside of the Pentagon. He could even watch security footage inside to know what was happening inside the White House Situation Room. The humans knew nothing but Megatron knew everything. He always underestimated the humans before but that won't be a mistake he makes again.
Omega Supreme proved to be the most efficient base of operations Megatron had ever seen. The colossus was faster then anything the humans had and enough fire power to take on the entire US Army. Things were going so perfectly, the Autobots may have doubts but they'll do what they're told. And once they reached their destination, it won't matter even if they do.
Starscream entered Megatron's quarters. "You summoned me Master?"
"Yes, we'll be surfacing in a few moments so that you and your Seekers can leave. I have a job for you three," said Megatron.
"Megatron, we have a situation." interrupted Soundwave, rushing inside.
"Make it quick," ordered Megatron, irritated at the interruption.
"Laserbeak and Buzzsaw have managed to track Brains to the United States," reported Soundwave.
"Brains? You mean that useless microbot who ran away? Who cares?" asked Starscream.
"He repaired my memories system which means he knows everything I know. If he is fleeing to that country, it could only mean that he seeks asylum and that he'll trade information to get it. We cannot allow him to reveal anything or it will destroy everything I've worked to accomplish. Tell the two to kill Brains and anything that gets in their way," ordered Megatron.
Omega Supreme emerged from the ocean. The three Decepticon Seekers flew off into the sky and then Soundwave did the same, he had a mission to perform as well.
Magnus approached Sentinel who was examining the Cube. "What is it?" asked the Autobot leader.
"Sir, permission to speak freely?" asked Magnus. Sentinel nodded his head. "How could you do that to Optimus? He may question some of your actions but he would never betray you or any of us. After everything he's done, he didn't deserve what happened to him."
"I understand your frustration but I could not allow him to question me openly in the front of the others like that. Dark days and difficult decisions await us in the future and the only thing that can comfort the Autobots right now is that they are doing the right thing. If Optimus makes feel them otherwise, we won't have the strength to do what is necessary," said Sentinel.
"But you didn't have to exile him," said Magnus.
"I only cast him out until he remembers where his priorities lie. Once he remembers them and his duty, he will return to us. And when that time comes, I will embrace him as a brother once more," said Sentinel.
Optimus felt like he just lost everything worth living for. Sentinel Prime, the one that Optimus looked up to and modeled his life after had just thrown him out. Whenever Optimus faced a difficult situation, he would always ask himself what Sentinel would do. Now Sentinel had become someone else, no longer the Prime that Optimus looked up to. It felt like everything he had ever known was a lie. And what if Sentinel was right? What if he was betraying his own race and friends for the humans?
In their vehicle modes, the three Autobots followed Epps to a large old warehouse. Once inside, they all transformed to their robot modes. "Can anyone explain to me what is going on?" asked Epps. Optimus walked into a corner and sat down in silence. Ironhide managed to explain the situation as best he could. "He just banished you guys? I knew that Sentinel guy was trouble but how could everyone just stand back and watch?" said Epps.
"Sentinel was once the greatest leader in Autobot history. It shouldn't be a surprise why the others still follow him," said Ironhide.
"He doesn't look so good. I've never seen him like this," Epps commented on Optimus.
"Neither have I," whispered Ironhide before turning to Bumblebee. "Maybe you should go visit Sam. We can't do anything for Optimus. This is something he's just going to have to get through himself."
Sam Witwicky groaned when his alarm went off. A hand reached over him and hit the snooze button. "Wake up sunshine. It's Monday and you know what that means," said Carly Spencer.
"Another day of "sorry but you're not what we're looking for" interviews," moaned Sam.
"Cheer up, you saved the world twice now. You can handle a few wealthy suits," said Carly, getting to her feet.
"Right," mumbled Sam as he got up as well. A quick shower and brushing of the teeth later, he was dressing up for one of several interviews he was scheduled for the day. Carly came up behind and wrapped her arms around him.
"Tell you what, when I get home later I'll give you a job and it involves the bed," said Carly.
"Oh I like the sound of that," said Sam.
"Me too. Maybe you can try the missionary position this time," said Wheelie. Sam and Carly screamed as they just now noticed the little transformers right under them. Sam grabbed him and tossed out of the room.
"Hey! That freakin hurt!" yelled Wheelie as Sam shut the door.
"Perverted little matchbox car," said Sam. That annoying little robot had some obsession with porn. The sound of a window shattering in the next room made Sam cringe. "Wheelie! If you broke one of the windows, you're living on the streets!" yelled Sam.
He busted outside the room only to get tackled by some robot the same size as Wheelie. "You gotta help me! You gotta help me!" it screamed.
"Get off me!" yelled Sam, trying to wrestle the robot off of him. Finally he managed to break its grip and tossed him into a wall.
"Listen to me, you've gotta listen!" it yelled.
"Brains? It that you?" asked Wheelie.
"Wheelie, Megs said you were dead?" said a confused Brains.
"I'll bet that sadistic bucket of bolts said that. Doesn't want too many people knowing that a defector switched sides and lived," said Wheelie.
"Excuse me! Time out! Who are you?" demanded Sam.
"Name's Brains. I used to work for the Decepticons but now they're after me. You've got to help me find the Autobots," said Brains.
Sam wasn't exactly in a position to talk to the Autobots at the moment. After they all moved to the island, Sam received less and less messages from them. The last few messages he sent to them never got a response.
"Okay look, I can't help you. If you want to get in touch with those guys, call Colonel Lennox," said Sam.
"Did you have to break through my window to get in?" moaned Carly inspecting where Brains busted inside.
"Look this is not just my life on the line but every human on the planet," said Brains.
That caught Sam's attention. "What do you mean?"
"The Autobots and Decepticons are working together, they just attacked an aircraft carrier and turned it into some mega uber bot," said Brains.
"They're working together? No that's impossible," said Sam.
"Haven't you been watching the news? It just happened about an hour ago," said Brains. Sam rushed over the television and turned it on. Every news station was talking about Autobots and Decepticons attacking a Carrier Group together. It was a counterattack after the Navy bombed the island but the Pentagon claimed that the crew did not open fire.
"But since when do the Autobots and Decepticons work together? I thought they hate each other," said Carly.
"We do. How in the great spark did this end up happening?" asked Wheelie.
"It's because the two bosses, Megs and Sentinel are working together. They've been working together since Cybertron," said Brains.
"Wait a minute? Sentinel working with the Decepticons? The guy was Optimus's mentor for crying out loud. Why would he be working with Megatron?" said Sam.
"So the two of them can rebuild Cybertron at humanity's expense. The two of them manipulated this whole situation to get the Autobots and Decepticons to fight the humans. Those ships bombing the island, who do you think caused that?" explained Brains.
"The two of them cause a war, why?" asked Carly.
"To keep fooling the Autobots until it's too late. Sentinel's gonna sell 'em out and rule the universe with Megatron," said Brains.
"How do you know this?" asked Sam.
"When I was working for the 'Cons, Megatron had me fixed him up. One of the things I repaired was his memories so I got to see everything he saw. You've gotta get me to the Autobots and quick or nobody's gonna stop 'em," said Brains.
Laserbeak and Buzzsaw landed on a perch above the target's apartment. Laserbeak had a buzzard appearance while Buzzsaw was similar to an eagle with razor blades making up virtually all of his body.
"So, he's made contact with the Witwicky boy. The fleshling has been a nuisance for years," said Laserbeak.
"Then let's kill him and Brains. Megatron will be pleased to hear of the human's demise," said Buzzsaw.
"Yes, let's save the footage of his death. The master will no doubt want to watch it over and over again. Kill Brains quickly but the boy dies slowly," laughed Laserbeak.
(Not a lot of action but I'll make up for that in the next one. I told you Sam and Carly would show up eventually. I hope I don't make Optimus sound like a wuss but I felt like if he's been through something like he just experienced, he'd started to question everything he's ever known. Hope you enjoyed and please review.)