"No, it can't be," said Optimus. Brains just finished revealing everything about Sentinel and Megatron's plan. No matter what's happened or what Optimus already witnessed, he still couldn't believe that his old friend and mentor could do this. Sentinel was the one who taught him that freedom was the right of all sentient life and that life was precious. "Something must have happened to him. Megatron must have corrupted him with some sort of nanotechnology," Optimus said, trying to find some reason why Sentinel had changed.
"Prime, the 'Cons don't have anything that could reprogram a Cybertronian. Whatever has happened to Sentinel, he's willingly changed himself," said Ironhide.
"We must inform the other Autobots of this. Once Sentinel is confronted with facing his own people, I'm sure he will yield," said Optimus.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," said Brains.
"Uhh guys, not to interrupt but I can hear police sirens," said Sam.
"Autobots, transform and roll out," ordered Optimus. The three Autobots transformed and allowed the humans and the two microbots to get inside them.
It was a good thing Lennox was dismissed from the Situation Room or he would have never gotten the phone call from Epps. The former Master Sergeant quickly filled Lennox in on everything. As soon he got as much information as he could, Lennox rushed back to the Situation Room.
When he reached the hallway outside, he found everyone leaving the room. "Mr. President! I need to speak with you," called out Lennox. But he was gone along with General Morshower and Director Mearing. Which left Lennox's least favorite human being on the planet to talk to, Galloway. "Mr. Galloway I need to speak with the President right now."
"Maybe you haven't been keeping up with current events Colonel but Edwards Air Force base was just wiped off the map by your so called friends. We're estimating the death toll in the thousands," said Galloway.
"What?" asked Lennox.
"The President's made up his mind, we're not going to tolerate any more deaths at the hands of this things. Every Decepticon and Autobot is to be shot on sight," said Galloway.
"Are you out of you mind?" shouted Lennox.
"No Colonel, this is the first sane thing we've done since meeting those mechanical martians," said Galloway, about to leave.
"Wait a minute, the Autobots are being manipulated. Sentinel and Megatron have been in cahoots this whole time," said Lennox.
"Perhaps I'm not making myself clear Colonel, I don't care and neither will the President. The public is going to want payback and he's going to give it to them," said Galloway, leaving.
"They're not from Mars dickhead," Lennox muttered under his breath. It was too late now, his superiors weren't going to listen. Megatron and Sentinel wanted a war with the humans and now they're going to get it. That didn't mean Lennox was just going to sit back and let it happen.
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Epps. "Hey it's me, you've got to get Optimus, Bee, and Ironhide out of sight. The President has a kill order for every Autobot and Decepticon," said Lennox.
"Kill order? To think I actually voted for that guy," said Epps.
"Listen, I don't know how much more I can do here. The fact that they made this decision and not even let me in on it tells me I'm not really trusted at the moment. I'm coming to you guys. I'm not sitting out of this one," said Lennox.
Ironhide and Epps picked up Lennox and they immediately headed to the highway where Optimus and Bumblebee were traveling ahead of them. "So what's the plan?" asked Lennox.
"We're going to find the other Autobots and tell them the truth. If Sentinel doesn't stand down, we force him to," said Ironhide.
"Sounds like a bad plan. I'm in," said Lennox.
The glove comportment opened up, revealing two futuristic looking assault rifles. "Say hello to the Mark 2s. Wheeljack managed to make a few prototypes before Sentinel ordered him to stop making weapons for NEST. I managed to save two of them before Sentinel destroyed the rest," said Ironhide.
"Now this is what I'm talkin about," smiled Epps as he pulled one out and examined it.
"You'll find them superior to even your missile launchers," said Ironhide.
"Just so we're clear Epps anybody helping the Autobots from this moment on is considered an enemy of the state," pointed out Lennox.
"Yeah well, I don't care what a bunch of elected official parasites think about me. Let's do this," said Epps, cocking his new weapon.
Sam was a little surprised when Bumblebee pulled off to the side and came to a stop before opening his doors. "Oh no, you are not leaving me behind on this one Bee," said Sam.
"Sorry Sam," said Bumblebee as Carly, Brains, and Wheelie got out.
Optimus pulled up beside them and transformed. "You can't come with us Sam. I won't allow you to be put in danger," he said.
"C'mon, I can help you guys," said Sam.
"No Sam, not this time," said Optimus.
"But what about Lennox and Epps? You're taking them with you aren't you?" asked Sam.
"They are soldiers Sam and they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. You are still young and have much to live for. It was wrong of us to ever put you in harm's way before and I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you now," said Optimus.
The distant sound of thrusters caught Sam's attention. He glanced up to a familiar looking aircraft heading straight towards them. "Optimus!" yelled Sam but it was too late.
The aircraft knocked Optimus to the ground before heading straight Sam, transforming two hands. They smacked Bumblebee aside before grabbing him and Carly.
Optimus quickly got to his feet and pulled his Ion Blaster. The aircraft that attacked them grabbed Sam and Carly before flying to the top of a nearby building. It transformed into the last being Optimus expected to see. "Megatron," growled Optimus.
"None of you make a move or I'll drop your precious fleshlings twelve stories," said Megatron, holding Sam and Carly over the edge. Optimus lowered his weapon along with Bumblebee. "Compassion Optimus, it will always be your greatest weakness."
"What do you want?" demanded Optimus.
"To never see you again. Sentinel may be naïve enough to think you will return to us but I'm not. In fact, I don't want you to rejoin us. If it were truly up to me, I would destroy you," said Megatron.
"You're welcome to try," said Optimus.
"I would love the chance but unfortunetly that would only strain relations between the Autobots and Decepticons," said Megatron.
"How did you did it Megatron? How did you turn Sentinel against everything he's ever stood for?" demanded Optimus.
"It wasn't that hard. Towards the end of the war, he sought me out. He wanted to make a deal, one that would bring not just peace to Cybertron but also to rebuilt it. After the AllSpark was launched into space, Sentinel managed to pinpoint its trajectory. We were going to meet up on Earth and retrieve it together. Once we had it, we would have used Earth's resources to build a new labor class to help rebuild Cybertron and end the war once and for all," said Megatron.
Ironhide came screeching in, unloading Lennox and Epps before transforming and aiming his cannons at Megatron. Optimus shook his head and Ironhide angrily relented. Optimus knew he wouldn't have fired anyways with Sam and Carly as hostage.
"This labor class would have been completely mindless, taking only orders from Sentinel and myself. Together we would force peace upon the Autobots and Decepticons," said Megatron. Optimus couldn't believe that Sentinel would actually go along with this plan. Not only would he be working with Megatron but also becoming a tyrant. The Sentinel Optimus knew always taught that freedom was more important then anything, even life itself.
"And I won't let you interfere. If you wish to these two fleshlings to live, you will stay away from Sentinel and myself. Otherwise, I'll peel the flesh off their bones," warned Megatron. He transformed into his flight mode, stuffing Sam and Carly into a cockpit. He blasted off, leaving Optimus to contimplate his threat.
Bumblebee was livid, he was already transforming to chase them. "No Bumblebee, we can't follow him. Otherwise he will kill them before we even have a chance," said Optimus. Bumblebee transformed back into robot mode and lowered his head, agreeing but not happy about it.
"We can't just let them get away Prime," protested Ironhide.
"We won't. But I won't risk losing Sam or Carly. We need a plan first," said Optimus.
"Where's he going to take them?" asked Lennox.
"Probably where Sentinel's going," said Brains.
"And where's that?" asked Epps.
"Where else? New York City," said Brains.
Omega Supreme emerged from the depths, heading into New York Harbor. Its massive form moves the Narrows at near blinding speeds, passing underneath the Verrazano Bridge and heading into the upper bay. People scream and panic at the sight of it as it heads straight towards Battery Park. It comes to a halt, partially beaching itself. Autobots and Decepticons emerge from him, disembarking into the park.
Sentinel led them as they all walked into the Financial District. People panick, run, take pictures, all while the massive robots pass them. "Why are we here? Have we come to plead our case to the UN?" asked Ratchet.
Sentinel pulled out the Cube. "We will beg for nothing," he said. He squeezed it, charging up.
"What are you doing? Stop!" yelled Ratchet. rushed forward to stop him but Sentinel backhanded away. The Autobot leader squeezed the Cube, sending an energy pulse across all of Lower Manhattan.
Within seconds, everything with an electronic circuit began to transform into protoforms. Cars and buses transformed and killed their drivers, helicopters transformed and tossed out their passengers to their deaths, ATM machines ripped themselves out of the walls, cell phones attacked their users, and computer turned into protoforms then attacked any human in sight. Sentinel watched the chaos with indifference. The other Autobots didn't react the same way, they were horrified.
"Secure them!" yelled Sentinel. Almost immediately, the Protoforms turned their attention and attacked the Autobots. They managed to fight some of them off until the Decepticons attacked them from behind. Within seconds, all of the Autobots (Arcee, Cliffjumper, Prowl, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Air Raid, Breakaway, Silverbolt, Warpath, Jolt, Skids, Mudlfap, and Mirage) were all forced to their knees. Only Ultra Magnus was spared from the attack and he was completely torn.
"What is this?" yelled Mirage.
"Sentinel you traitor!" yelled Cliffjumper.
"I am sorry my brothers but I cannot take the chance that you will attempt to stop me. The only way to rebuild our world is by repopulating our kind at the expense of the humans. I offer you all know the chance to be a part of the recreation of Cybertron," said Sentinel.
"Go blow yourself!" yelled Mudflap.
"Yeah what he said," Skids.
"I'm gonna rip your spark out and make you eat it!" yelled Cliffjumper.
"No way," said Air Raid.
"You're gonna die for this," said Mirage.
"Take your offer and shove it," said Sideswipe.
"No," Silverbolt and Breakaway said at the same time.
"I don't take orders from a Decepticon," spat Warpath.
Jolt gave Arcee a wink and then suddenly leaped forward, tackling Arcee's captors off her. She took the opportunity to transform and race off, escaping down an alleyway. Air Raid also used the opportunity to transform into an F-35 and shot off into the sky "Let them go. Soon, they will have no choice but to return," said Sentinel.
The only one who hadn't made a decision also was the only Autobot who wasn't restrained, Ultra Magnus. "You failed Cybertron once Magnus. This is your only chance to undo that," said Sentinel.
"That was a cheap shot," spat Skids. Everyone knew how Magnus felt about the loss of Cybertron. Sentinel did not blame him for its destruction but if he could use it to enforce his loyalty then so be it. Magnus glanced back and forth before walking next to Sentinel.
"Traitor!" yelled Warpath. Barricade kicked him in the back to keep him quiet.
"You've made the right decision," Sentinel told Magnus before he turned to the other Autobots. "In time, you will all see the error of your ways,"
Sentinel next turned his attention back to Magnus. "In a matter of moments, the Protoforms will calm themselves and await orders. Take command of them and seal off the city. Gather all the humans into Central Park," he ordered.
(Allow me to clarify a few thing. To every Ultra Magnus fan, please don't kill me. Of all the Autobots, he's the one who takes his loyalty to Sentinel more then anyone else. Just wait to see what happens before you kill me. Also, I had to have Sam and Carly abducted because there is no way Optimus would willingly take them into a battle zone. It was the only way to keep them in this story. Also, I couldn't imagine the other Autobots going along with Sentinel after setting off the Allspark. In the first movie, any new transformer created by the Allspark seems to attack everything in sight so I figured they start off somewhat insane. Please review.)