The Veiled Threat Read Online Free Page B

into civilians.”
    She looked over at the leader of the Autobots. “As with all NEST combat operations, command will be shared between Captain Lennox and Optimus Prime.”
    The massive Autobot nodded. “With all due respect to the captain, I hope he will understand that should we actually make contact with Starscream it must be my fellow Cybertronians and myself who will determine combat strategy.” All eyes in the room turned to Lennox.
    “With all due respect to Optimus Prime, I hope he will understand that should we actually make contact with Starscream, my human associates and I will be more than happy to let the Autobots take the lead in any fighting.”
    Even Ariella cracked a smile at the captain’s response. “Very well, then. Your cover identities have been prepared. A C-17 is standing by to convey all of you to Lusaka. From there you’ll be able to access local as well as satellite communications. If fortune smiles on us, by the end of the month maybe the wreck of Megatron will have some company.” Murmurs of approval greeted this observation.
    “While operating among the civilian populace,” she continued, “I’m sure I don’t need to remind the Autobots of the need to maintain their terrestrial disguises whenever possible.”
    “We are aware of the effect our natural appearance has on humans,” Optimus assured her. “We have no desire to cause a panic. Besides, exposing our actual selves would only serve to alert Starscream that we are closing in on him.”
    “Cannot he detect your Sparks?” Petr wondered aloud.
    “Much depends on distance, which internal perceptors are active at the time of seeking, and other factors,” the leader of the Autobots explained. “To a certain degree our bodies also mask the Spark within. Can you hear the heartbeat of your neighbor?”
    “Only when I place certain specimens of arachnid in their hands to be admired,” the AI expert replied.
    “Everyone understands the mission, then, and what is expected of them.” With a wave of her hand Ariella deactivated the screen. “You leave at oh six hundred tomorrow. Gentlemen, ladies …” She hesitated. “Autobot.”
    “I am happy to respond to ‘gentleman,’ ” Optimus informed her.
    She smiled. “I’ll remember for next time. Better to be overly careful than to give offense.”
    “It is difficult for humans to offend us,” the leader of the Autobots explained. “Though not impossible. I am put in mind of a certain member of your now disbanded Sector Seven organization who—but that is in the past.” His electronic gaze focused on Lennox. “Until tomorrow morning, then, Captain.”
    Pushing back his chair, Lennox nodded. “Get some sleep until—oh, right. I forget. You guys don’t sleep.”
    “No, we do not. But we rest and power down certain heat-sensitive circuitry, and I will surely do that.”
    Outside the conference room, Kaminari found herself walking alongside Epps. “I’ve been wanting to ask you, Sergeant Epps, out of everyone here, you and Captain Lennox have the most experience in fighting the Decepticons. Are they really so difficult to destroy? I have read all the reports, of course, but that is not the same as actually engaging in battle.”
    “Until we figured out to use sabot rounds we didn’t have anything that would do more than knock one of ’em back a couple of steps.” Epps’s tone was somber. “Even utilizing sabots, you have to hit a vulnerable spot between their heavy armor exactly when it flexes in order to have any effect at all. These guys have been fighting one another for thousands of years. They’ve gotten real good at it.” His tone darkened further. “Real good.”
    They turned a corner, and Epps continued. “Take a modern marine armored division. Now remove all the humans. Give all the weapons intelligence of their own. Combine them into a single entity. That’s a Decepticon.Or, thank God, an Autobot.” Breaking away from her, he headed in the