The Autobots assembled in what was left of NEST HQ as world leaders were gathering together to take a decision on what had just occurred moments earlier. Optimus and the others were gathered together as their fate was to be decided by the humans.
"I hope those leaders make the right decision. They're going to need all the help they can get in fighting the Decepticons" Jet said.
"We can't say anything for sure. The odds aren't exactly in our favor" said Ratchet.
"Nevertheless, they lack the firepower and intelligence to take on such a large horde of Decepticons" Ironhide joined in.
"But the humans have pride. They would believe that they've learnt enough from us to wage a full-scale war on the Decepticons" added Wheeljack.
"They could never be so wrong" Dino chipped in.
"Those at NEST know the truth and how things should be done. Their leaders don't have a clue on what goes on behind the scenes. They would make their decisions based on vague assumptions" Sideswipe said.
"Take heart fellow Autobots and hope for the best. Whatever the humans decide, we will honor their request" Optimus said as his words cooled down the rising unrest.
"But Optimus, if they decided… that we should leave. Would we… actually… leave them… to their… doom?" Bumblebee asked.
"Until that time comes we would know. For now, let us hope for the best and pray our human allies are able to present an acceptable case before them" answered Optimus.
General Morshower and a round table full of top generals from the United States Armed forces were gathered together as they discussed the massive security threat they had up their sleeves.
"Combatant Comands are now at DEFCON 1" Morshower said.
"Approximately 200 Decepticons are now in hiding. Energon detectors have been triggered as far away as South America and China" said another general.
One of Morshower's aides came into the room bearing critical information.
"The U.N just received an encrypted audio file. They say its from the leader of the Autobots" said the aide.
"This can't be good" Morshower commented as they all prepared to listen to the message.
"Defenders of Earth. We have come for your natural resources to rebuild our damaged planet, When we have transported all we need, we will leave your world in peace. For such peace to exist, you must immediately exile the Autobot rebels you have harbored. Non-negotiable. Renounce the rebels. We await your reply" said Sentinel through the tape.
Morshower placed his hand on his face covering it as he shook his head. The other generals could clearly see that this was a trap but the decision wasn't theirs to make.
"Gosh. They really want to take away our best assets" said a general.
"Let's hope those upstairs make the right decision" said Morshower
Lennox rushed down the stairs with his heavy footsteps gaining the attention of every Autobot.
"It's over. Our world leaders have voted to exile you from Earth" Lennox said with a worried tone.
"Trust the humans to make the wrong choice as always" Jet said as he would facepalm.
"Don't say that Jet, they could've been under some type of duress" Que said.
"Sentinel sent a message claiming that they came in peace and only wanted our resources to rebuild your home and then they would leave peacefully. The only guarantee that they would work peacefully is if you were exiled from Earth" Lennox explained.
"What now Optimus?" Ironhide asked.
"We will honor their request and do as they have said" Optimus said with a heavy voice.
"You can't be serious Optimus. We'd be leaving them to their doom" said Jet.
"This situation is bot in our hands anymore. If the humans don't want us here then we have to go. Defying their request would only cause problems for us" said Ratchet.
"Sir, we just received a message from the president ordering all Autobots to be moved to the Kennedy Space center for their launch" said a military aide.
Lennox bowed his head and nodded showing that he had received the message. At this point there was really nothing they could do.
"Autobots, prepare to leave the premises. Get all our gear. It's time to leave" said Optimus.
The Autobots moved along with heavy hearts after receiving their orders. They began to pack all cybertronian technology that belonged to them and prepared to move. Mearing walked in and couldn't even face them; a nod from Optimus was all she needed as she ordered all personnel to start with the evacuation and ready armored vehicles to escort them down to Florida.
"I guess this is really it huh" Brian said as he walked up to Jet.
Jet had finished loading up and parked in his bay silently with his idle engine humming. He was furious at the mistake their leaders were making. It was clearly a trap set by the Decepticons, why were they so blind to see that. Brian opened up his left door and sat within him for what looked like the final time.
"It could've been so much better if your leaders opened their eyes and saw what the cons were planning" he said with a furious voice.
"Well, they don't know you guys like we do. If only we were given a chance to speak on your behalf. I know things would be different"
"Don't beat yourself up Brian. I'm sure we'll figure something out. Eventually"
"I'm going to miss riding in this car" he said holding the steering.
"Are you going to miss the car? Or are you going to miss me?" Jet asked with a stern but casual tone.
"Both" he said as the two would laugh.
"All Autobots, prepare for departure" the NEST announcer said.
"You stay safe now Brian" Jet said as the human stepped out of the car.
"And you try not to get killed in space" he teased.
"I will. As long as you got that encrypted phone, we can keep in touch" Jet added as he walked away.
Jet would begin to move as he joined up with the others. A line had been made, With Dino in front, then Sideswipe, then Jet. Bumblebee, Wheeljack, Ironhide, and Ratchet followed with last but certainly not the least, Optimus Prime in the back. 2 armored cars were in front of the bots with three behind; they even had two choppers circling around the area. The police had erected a barrier spanning two kilometers to ensure that no authorized human was within the vicinity as the Autobots drove out.
As the armored Vehicles began to drive, so did the Autobots, their wheels slowly turning as they drove out of the NEST base. The soldiers standing by their side giving them a guard of honor as they left and paid their respects. Once a good distance away from the base, they were allowed to speed up as their engines roared on the open road. Meanwhile back at the base, the soldiers had begun packing up as the president also terminated NEST and their forces with their alliance with the Autobots now considered over. Mearing had sent word for Sam Witwicky to be found and brought to her, if they ever needed his help, it was now. Anything, just anything he could find that would help keep the Bots on Earth would be useful right now.
While on the road, Optimus decided that it was time for him to reveal his plan to the rest of the Autobots now that human eyes were away from them. He had requested for all their comm channels to be open as he made this broadcast to those around him and the Wreckers in Florida.
"Autobots, it is time I tell you all of my plan" Optimus said as this sparked hope in their hearts.
"The humans would not trust or listen to our pleas to stay so it we will play along with our exile from their planet but that is where we have our element of surprise"
"What have you planned Optimus?" Ironhide asked eager to know of this plan.
"We will play along with the humans, put in a convincing act that we are going to leave. In reality, all the preparations for us to leave would actually be reinforcing our ship to separate and survive the fall to earth"
"What do you have in mind?" Roadbuster asked.
"What parts of the ship detach upon takeoff and are likely to land back on earth?" asked their leader.
"The first booster rockets" answered Leadfoot.
"That works perfectly. Ask the humans for any resources you need to reinforce the rockets to house us and our equipment. Also make sure its integrity can withstand crashing back into water with our added weight" Optimus instructed.
"Consider it done" Topspin said.
"What about the rest of us?" Dino asked.
"We should all act natural. Put in a convincing act. Our plan depends on it"
"Don't worry Optimus, we won't fail you" said Jet.
"Based on our calculations all the upgrades we need wouldn't match up with the allotted time" said Roadbuster.
"Need not to worry. By the time we arrive, you'll have more than enough hands to help you all finish in time" said Optimus.
"Copy that Optimus. Wreckers out" they said as they would simultaneously close their channels.
With their plan set, all the Bots had to do was play along and sell the look to the humans. The Wreckers had gotten all the materials they needed and began working on the booster rockets to house them. The humans had erected make shift tents as they finalized all the paper work and details of the Transformers leaving. They had become a hub of information, if anyone hacked them; Lord knows the secrets that would be revealed. A temporary pause was placed on the modifications happening to the Xantium as they had to move the ship to the launch site.
While they had the Ship on the move, Mearing and Sam arrives, Sam would veer off on his own and run into Epps as he helped transport the Xantium alongside the Wreckers. The Wreckers wasted no time ripping apart the confidence of one of the engineers thanks to a miscalculation and bombarded him with a great number of insults and death threats.
With their conversation over, the main guests arrived. Accompanied by a fleet of police vehicles and multiple helicopters, the Autobots drove up to the Xantium. Their movement was being televised across multiple screens across the globe. A sad day for some and a glorious day for others. The gates leading to the Xantium opened and the Autobots drove in, their escorts would stop at the gate with only the choppers allowed to fly around the area. They mad multiple security forces crawling around the base to ensure that none of the Autobots leave and if they tried to escape, they would be met by the fury of their weapons.
Pulling up into an open space, the Autobots began to transform almost simultaneously as they were welcomed by the Wreckers.
"It's about time you arrived" Leadfoot said as the three walked up to the group.
"We were starting to think that you've ditched us" Added Roadbuster.
"We would never" said Sideswipe.
"Autobots" Optimus said grabbing their attention. "We proceed as planned" he said.
The bots gave a simultaneous nod knowing what needed to be done.
"Jet, Ironhide on me. We've got a couple panels that need to be secured" said Topspin.
"Sideswipe, Dino, go run diagnostics on the control panels. Make sure everything's working" added Roadbuster as they all departed to the ship.
Optimus stayed back as he watched a convoy of vehicles arrive. Que stood behind him while Ratchet walked alongside Leadfoot. Bee watched on from the bottom of the platform as well.
"Check the nitrogen levels. We're booking out of here" Leadfoot said to Ratchet.
Sam stepped out of one of the vehicles, saddened by what was going to happen and the fact that he was acting as a mole to the Decepticons. Optimus was also burdened by the fact that he had to lie to his friend, but he had to do what he could for the sake of their plan.
"Optimus?" Sam asked as he walked up to the Prime.
"What your leaders say is true"
"Aye" Que chipped in as he began walking towards the ship.
"This was my fault. I told them whom to trust. I… was so wrong" he said as Sam shook his head from side to side.
"That doesn't make it your fault. It just makes you human for a change"
"Remember this. You may lose your faith in us, but never in yourselves" with those words, the 28foot mech turned around and was ready to depart but then a low buzz caught his audio sensors.
The decepticon wrist watch began sending electrical pulses through Sam's nervous system forcing him to talk.
"I need to know how you're going to fight back. I know this is strategy. I know you're… you're coming back with reinforcements, something. I know there's a plan. You can tell me. No other human would ever know"
Those were strange words Sam uttered. Optimus had never recalled Sam speaking like that and knew something was up. Someone was pressuring him to act like this. This worked perfectly, if Sam could tell the world that they really did plan to leave, it would make it all the more convincing. Optimus turned around and prepared an answer for him.
"There is no plan"
"If we just do what thy want, how are we going to live with ourselves?" he asked.
"You are my friend, Sam. You always will be. But your leaders have spoken. From here, the fight will be your own" Optimus said.
The Prime departed the scene, leaving Sam to ponder on his words and what the future may hold for them. Prime walked past Bumblebee who had stood behind a beam, thinking of what he could say to Sam.
"Make it short. We're loading up" Prime said.
Bee nodded and approached Sam solemnly as the Autobots got ready for launch.
"Alright, hustle up! We launchin' at dawn" announced Leadfoot.
Bee stood in front of Sam and then crouched down to his level. He knew his time was short and had to make it quick. They needed all the hands they could get right now and work round the clock.
"We're going to do whatever we can. Make it like it was. You will always be my friend, Sam. I gotta be going on" Be said as he would rise to his feet.
He knew how emotional it would be for the boy but it had to be done. For the sake of their worlds. Sam sobbed as Simmons rolled up behind him on his wheelchair.
"Years from now, they're gonna ask us. Where were you when they took over the planet? We're gonna say we just stood by and watched" Simmons said.
The Autobots got into the ship and got working. The Wreckers had made a space for them and all their equipment within one of the booster rockets set to detach as they launched into space. Ironhide and Jetstream had reinforced half of the room to withstand re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and the crash into water but there was still much left to be done. There was no time to rest, tomorrow was the big day.