Chapter Forty-Three: The Fall of New York

In the days that followed, the expansion of the Transformers’ lunar base continued steadily according to plan. Although both the Wandering Earth dimension and the main world had already developed fusion reactors, in terms of power generation, the efficiency of nuclear fusion reactors still surpassed them all.

The construction of the lunar base was advancing at an extraordinary pace; in just two days, a sprawling mining facility had been erected on the moon’s surface. Gazing at the clearly visible solar panel arrays from Earth, every nation felt a pang of envy—none more so than the United States, which began pouring vast sums into NASA and declared this the new era for conquering the moon.

A month passed, during which both the ranks of the Transformers and the scale of the dimensional expeditionary force grew dramatically, enough to handle any unforeseen complications their plans might encounter. With preparations complete, Wang Jing began his return journey to Earth. Returning from the moon was far simpler than leaving it; with its meager gravity and lack of atmosphere, only the slightest thrust was needed to enter lunar orbit.

After four days, Wang Jing landed safely back on Earth. He released Nemesis from captivity and, as planned, engaged in a staged battle with Optimus Prime before making his escape to the United States.

Soon after, Wang Jing issued a warning to the U.S., urging them to take the threat seriously and find Nemesis as quickly as possible. However, the Americans mistook this for a diversion, suspecting an attempt to lure them away, and paid little attention—precisely the reaction Wang Jing had hoped for. As a result, Nemesis slipped smoothly into the country and found Megatron.

“Megatron, it’s time to fulfill our agreement.”

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Megatron replied, a wicked grin stretching across his face despite the chunk missing from his head.

“Decepticons, mobilize!”

With that command, chaos erupted across America’s most prosperous cities as Decepticons rampaged through the streets. Sector Seven’s garrison immediately deployed their forces in response, but without heavy weaponry or the option of carpet bombing, the Transformers routed the human military with ease.

Standing in the heart of New York’s central square, Nemesis unfurled four energy pillars. “Today, the world will be changed. From this moment, Cybertron will be reborn!” he declared solemnly, activating the space bridge.

As the pillars powered up, arcs of electricity shot between them, forming a massive blue portal in their midst.

“Decepticons, I am Megatron. I have brought a new world for us—join me, and together we shall conquer it!” Megatron called out passionately to the Decepticons on Cybertron from the other side of the space bridge.

On Cybertron, Decepticons who received his signal seized their weapons and surged into the portal with excitement.

With wave after wave of Decepticons pouring through the bridge, Nemesis soon spotted one of his primary targets—Shockwave.

Five minutes after confirming Shockwave’s arrival, Nemesis shut down the space bridge.

Seeing this, Megatron immediately rounded on him. “Why did you close the space bridge?”

Nemesis’ eyes narrowed at Megatron’s tone. Realizing he had overstepped, Megatron tried to recover, but it was too late now. As Decepticon leader, pride forbade him from apologizing to anyone.

Nemesis seized Megatron’s shattered right cheek, slammed him to the ground, and said menacingly, “I only cooperated with you for the sake of saving Cybertron. You’d do well to remember our relationship!” He ripped off several fragments from Megatron’s face and tossed them back at him.

A flash of venomous hatred crossed Megatron’s eyes as he lay pinned to the ground, but he quickly hid it.

After retracting the four energy pillars, Nemesis issued his next order as if addressing a subordinate. “Seal off the city. It’s time the slaves met their masters.”

Inside the Pentagon, anxiety was etched on every face, and everyone hurried through the corridors.

“Where are our troops? Why aren’t they here yet?” Simmons of Sector Seven shouted at the Secretary of Defense, practically spitting in his face.

“Most of our troops are stationed overseas. The domestic forces are en route to New York, and the militia from New York and surrounding states have assembled outside the city, but the Decepticons have locked down all access—they can’t get in!” the Secretary replied, wiping the spittle from his cheek.

“Damn it, a bunch of useless cowards. The enemy is about to take our homeland, and you’re still sitting on your asses overseas,” Simmons snapped.

“Secretary Simmons, I think you understand the importance of our overseas deployments,” the Secretary of Defense retorted.

That only redirected Simmons’ fury. “Oh, I know just how important those damn overseas deployments are! But now, with aliens invading our homeland, all for a little oil and so-called superpower status, America is on the verge of destruction. Just look at those Decepticon ships over New York!”

Fixing his gaze on the Secretary of Defense, Simmons demanded, “We’re helpless against them. Do you know what that means?”

“It means New York has fallen. The world’s greatest superpower has fallen.”

Just as Simmons left the Secretary of Defense speechless, the President and his chief of staff strode into the room.

“Secretary Simmons, things aren’t as dire as you claim. America still has a chance to win,” the President announced as he approached the conference table.

Simmons turned to the President, his expression grave. “Mr. President, our only hope for defeating the Decepticons and reclaiming New York is to seek help from the Autobots.”

“That’s impossible, Secretary Simmons. Just two months ago, we tore up our agreement with the Autobots. It’s enough that they’re not stabbing us in the back right now,” the chief of staff interjected.

“So, what do you suggest? Are we supposed to send our boys in with rifles and line them up for slaughter?” Simmons shot back.

“Of course not. Don’t forget—we still have nuclear weapons.”

“Are you insane? You’d drop nukes on your own soil? Don’t you care if our children are born with deformities?” Simmons stared at the chief of staff in disbelief.

“That’s our worst-case scenario. We won’t use it unless absolutely necessary,” the chief of staff replied.

“I strongly oppose it. Have you at least tried asking the Autobots for help?”

“That’s not your concern. Just do your job, Secretary Simmons,” the President interrupted, cutting off the argument.

“To hell with your political games. I’ve had enough!” Simmons tore off his badge, tossed it on the table, and stormed out of the conference room.

As the remaining officials exchanged uneasy glances, the President suddenly said, “If anyone else wants to leave, now’s the time.”

Seeing that everyone remained seated, the President chuckled. “Since no one wants to leave, let’s begin the meeting.”

What none of them expected was that Soundwave had intercepted their entire conversation. Soon, the recording—with malicious edits and selective omissions—was broadcast to the entire world, igniting a wave of outrage across America.