President Benjamin Arthur's sharp question left the room in silence as everyone turned their attention to Benny Gardner, a CIA operative who had worked with William on the Assassin Brotherhood incident a year earlier.
Nervously, Benny explained, "Yes, Mr. President. Fifteen years ago, a six-man elite commando team, working with the CIA in the South American rainforest to rescue a high-value target, encountered this alien species.
"Only one survivor, the team leader nicknamed 'Trench,' returned. In his debriefing, he described this alien race.
"In 1995, in Los Angeles, we received reports matching his description of an alien species wiping out an entire gang.
"Then, just recently in Colorado, the discovery of those monstrous corpses further supports the idea that this alien race might be the same beings worshipped as gods by the Mayans, who vanished overnight centuries ago.
"The monsters, we believe, were trial opponents used by these so-called gods. When the gods failed, they destroyed all life to prevent the monsters from reproducing on Earth."
Benjamin Arthur listened to this bizarre tale with growing impatience. "All I care about right now is this: where is Trench? When can I speak to him?"
Benny hesitated, prompting the president to demand, "Out with it!"
"Trench currently works for William Devonshire."
"What?" Benjamin exclaimed. "You mean the William Devonshire? The one flying to Mars?"
"Yes, sir. According to our intelligence, the same William Devonshire," Benny confirmed reluctantly.
"Based on reports from England, Devonshire's Mars mission likely stems from his discovery of two intact corpses similar to those found in Colorado.
"As for the alien jet pursuing him, it's believed to belong to the same faction as the frozen alien robot we've been studying for decades.
"It's highly likely that William Devonshire knows exactly who attacked us."
Benjamin fell into deep thought, digesting the implications.
"If that's your conclusion," he said slowly, "do we directly ask William, or do we secretly capture this 'Trench' for questioning?"
Everyone in the room knew William's history of saving Benjamin's life and his importance to England and beyond. Given his influence and control over advanced technology like spacecraft, no one was surprised when the president leaned toward initiating contact.
"But how can we reach Devonshire?" someone asked. "He's in space."
Benny sighed. "Unless we go through London's Space Center and use their equipment to establish contact, it'll be difficult. But doing so risks exposing our secrets to the English."
While the Americans hesitated over how to handle their predicament, the Decepticon Blackout, armed with intelligence from Frenzy, transformed into a CH-53 helicopter and headed directly for England.
With Frenzy's expertise in hacking and forging credentials, Blackout encountered no resistance as he made his way toward Oxford. His goal was clear: capture Lena Devonshire to force William into revealing Megatron's whereabouts.
At 11 p.m., 50 kilometers from the Oxford castle, Blackout's forged clearance was flagged by Sunday. In seconds, the AI identified the threat and reported it to William, who was testing the Mark VI armor and anti-Transformer battle suit.
Without hesitation, William ordered, "Warn that helicopter to turn around immediately and activate the castle's defense systems. If it doesn't comply, shoot it down."
"Yes, Sir," Sunday replied.
While Sunday transmitted the warning, missile launchers emerged from the castle's four corners, each armed with four missiles aimed at Blackout.
Receiving the radar lock, Blackout was momentarily surprised but quickly adjusted his flight. He dropped to an altitude of one to two meters, using trees and terrain as cover while accelerating toward the castle.
The evasive maneuver confirmed the threat to William.
"Fire the missiles," he ordered. "Alert Selene and Nysa to suit up in their combat armor and deploy the battle robots with heavy weapons."
The first four missiles launched with a deafening roar, splitting into two pairs guided by heat sensors as they closed in on Blackout.
Detecting the incoming projectiles, Blackout acted instinctively, ejecting the Decepticon Scorponok from his cargo hold. He ordered the scorpion-like robot to burrow underground and launch a surprise attack on the castle while he tried to evade the missiles.
But Blackout underestimated William's investments in defense.
Although he managed to dodge the first two missiles by weaving through the trees, their proximity triggered smaller electromagnetic bombs. These mini-bombs, drawn to his metal frame, attached themselves before detonating.
The blasts disrupted Blackout's flight, causing his rotors to lose balance and limiting his ability to maneuver.
The remaining two missiles struck soon after—one hitting his tail rotor directly and the other exploding nearby. The combined impact sent Blackout crashing to the ground, leaving a trail of destruction as he skidded to a halt.
As Blackout struggled to recover, dozens of magnetic bombs clung to his battered frame.
Just as he thought he was finished, the bombs didn't explode. Confused, Blackout transformed into his robot form, dragging his damaged body upright.
That's when he heard William's voice through hidden speakers.
"Surrender or die, Cybertronian."
"Who are you?" Blackout growled, scanning his surroundings. He spotted a hidden camera disguised as a tree and several spider robots with glowing red eyes.
"I am the great Decepticon Blackout! I will never submit like a slave!"
"Wrong answer," William said coldly.
With a smirk, he gave the order, and the magnetic bombs detonated.
The series of explosions ripped Blackout apart, scattering his limbs and leaving him immobile.
Moments later, a portal opened, and engineering robots from X17 stepped through.
Under William's instructions, they dismantled Blackout's remaining parts, stripping his weapons and severing his limbs before dragging him and the components back through the portal.
William watched the process through a monitor, his expression unreadable. "One down. Let's see how long the rest of you can keep hiding."
(End of Chapter)
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