Chapter 642: Autobots' Counterattack (End) (Patreon)

Transformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List

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For four consecutive days, the headquarters and subordinate laboratories of several major arms dealers within the country fell victim to attacks.

Previously, a substantial cache of Autobot remains confiscated within Jordan's borders had been brazenly plundered. The incursions were clearly documented on camera, showing none other than Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, personally leading the assaults on the headquarters and laboratories of these major arms dealers.

As this information trickled up to Washington, from the Pentagon to Capitol Hill and finally to the White House, the upper echelons of the United States government seethed with anger.

Inside the White House, in one of its offices, President Cheney slammed his hand forcefully on the conference table, his face a portrait of rage.

"We must retaliate! We must give these damned extraterrestrials a harsh lesson, to make them understand who the true masters of Earth are!"

The presidential election, held every four years, was just two months away.

Cheney had already served two terms, and according to the unwritten rules of United States politics, he would have little to do with the next president, whether they were black or white. To ensure his retirement years weren't marked by poverty, in his final year in office, he busied himself with preparations for life after retirement.

Not long ago, the Autobot remains obtained within Jordan's borders had been part of a political resource exchange between Cheney and the domestic military-industrial giants.

Initially, this move seemed like a shrewd one. Although the military and some Silicon Valley giants within the country were also interested in the Autobot remains, Cheney, as a hawkish president who had presided over almost continuous warfare during his eight years in office, didn't mind accepting an invitation from a major arms dealer after leaving office. It would secure him a handsome income in his retirement years while allowing him to maintain his family's influence in the military, political, and business sectors.

However, no one had anticipated that the supposedly deceased Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, would inexplicably come back to life, equipped with the ability to resurrect other fallen Autobots.

The surveillance equipment of the attacked arms dealers had clearly captured images of Bumblebee, Ratchet, and other Autobots who had supposedly died and whose remains had been returned to the United States, gifted to these arms dealers for research purposes, now participating in recent Autobot actions.

This was not a favorable development, as the highest echelons of the United States government were most concerned about the appearance of more powerful extraterrestrial life forms on Earth, especially ones that were impervious to most of the military's weaponry.

Former Secretary of Defense Voight had already resigned after the devastating attack on the Second Fleet Major.

Currently serving as the Secretary of Defense was former Army Chief of Staff Eric, who was now studying a loss report just received at the Pentagon. Eric had a furrowed brow.

"Mr. President, those Autobot remains we obtained within Jordan's borders—aside from Drift, Sideswipe, and Claudia—all of the others have been reclaimed by the Autobots."

He raised the report in his hand. "I believe everyone has seen this loss report. The most severe losses were suffered by General Dynamics. The Autobots detonated a bomb with a yield of at least 1.7 tons of high explosive as they departed. General Dynamics incurred massive losses, not less than several hundred million dollars in equipment damage alone. Moreover, over ten technical personnel lost their lives in the explosion, and more than seventy individuals were injured."

"This is a warning, a warning from the extraterrestrials!" Eric said solemnly. "It is evident that they are furious with us for removing the remains of their comrades and studying them!"

The former Army Chief of Staff's analysis seemed to align closely with the Autobots' perspective, prompting several individuals in the meeting room to nod in agreement.

However, his words drew a mocking smile from Secretary of State Gabriel.

"So what, Mr. Secretary? Are you suggesting we raise our hands and surrender to the Autobots?"

Eric locked eyes with him, his face devoid of any hint of anger resulting from the provocation. He merely shook his head slightly. "I have had no prior contact with the Autobots, and my knowledge of these extraterrestrial beings is extremely limited."

"But as a military man, I feel it is necessary to make one thing clear. We may, in the future, find ourselves in conflict with the Autobots, but that battle should not be now."

Gabriel was about to respond but was interrupted by Eric, who continued, "Please allow me to finish. If Secretary of State has further insights after that, then..."

Reluctantly, Gabriel held his tongue, allowing Eric to continue.

"Not long ago, the Decepticons launched a large-scale invasion that resulted in the loss of the Second and Fifth Fleets' Majors. In addition, we suffered casualties among tens of thousands of naval personnel."

"Right now, the United States is experiencing its weakest period since the Vietnam War, and it will take at least two to three years to fully recover to its peak. However, our adversaries are not limited to just extraterrestrials; we also have other countries and forces on Earth, and they won't sit idle during this time."

"Just about ten days ago, the other four permanent members of the United Nations had just received dozens of Decepticon corpses from Egypt. Although we had the intention to stop it, our capabilities fell short."

"The Tombwind Unit is a special force established specifically to deal with extraterrestrials. While its predecessor was the Sound Nest Unit, I reviewed all of Sound Nest's operational records from the past year or more. Forgive me for being blunt, but without the Autobots, Sound Nest would likely have ceased to exist long ago."

"I'm not underestimating ourselves; I simply want all of you to understand that we need time for recovery and to assimilate the extraterrestrial technology applied to the Decepticon remains we obtained."

"So, what's your suggestion then? Surrender to the Autobots and seek their forgiveness?" Gabriel persisted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Eric, holding a gold-inlaid Parker pen, continued calmly, "Given all that has happened, not to mention the significant losses we've suffered due to the Autobots, the conflict with them has become irreconcilable. Even if we were to extend an olive branch now, it's doubtful they would accept it, especially after discovering that we were studying the remains of their kin."

He looked at Gabriel, as if seeing the Secretary of State, who appeared even more hawkish than himself, in a new light.

President Cheney seemed to grasp something and, after a moment of contemplation, asked, "Please continue with your recommendation."

"My suggestion is to first soothe the heavily affected domestic arms dealers. Then, we need not make any immediate response, as if the Autobots' attack on us never happened."

Eric went on, "Until we have completely resolved the Autobots' strength, any retaliatory action on our part would only result in greater casualties."

Unsurprisingly, his suggestion ignited a heated debate within the meeting room. Accusations and objections flew back and forth, and even President Cheney wore a displeased expression, clearly reluctant to swallow this bitter pill.

While they were still embroiled in their discussion, a knock on the door outside soon grabbed their attention. A White House secretary entered hurriedly, holding an urgent document.

"Mr. President, an urgent document from the CIA."

Cheney took the document, quickly scanned its contents, and then slammed it angrily onto the conference table. His face had become even grimmer.

All those in the room exchanged uncertain glances, wondering what could have happened.

After a long pause, Cheney took a deep breath and turned to the newly appointed Secretary of Defense, Eric. "I need a detailed plan regarding the development of the Tombwind Unit. Deliver it to me by tomorrow night. I will personally go to Congress to request a dedicated financial allocation for Tombwind."

Nobody in the room knew exactly what the urgent document contained, but shortly after leaving the meeting room, they found out.

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a major U.S. defense contractor responsible for developing several renowned aircraft, including the U-2 reconnaissance plane, the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, the F-35 Lightning II fighter, and the F-22 Raptor fighter, had fallen victim to an Autobot attack.

The skunk factory, which housed the remains of Autobots Drift, Sideswipe, and Claudia, had suffered a massive explosion, resulting in significant losses for Lockheed Martin Corporation. It would take at least over a year to resume production of the F-22 fighter, which was still in mass production.

The recently finalized F-35 testing had to be temporarily halted as well. In short, due to the Autobots' retaliation, the U.S. military-industrial complex had suffered severe losses.

It was this intelligence that forced Cheney to temporarily suppress his anger toward the Autobots.

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