Chapter 776: Reunion with Optimus Prime

Transformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List

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"Indeed, an ungrateful wretch you can never quite domesticate!"

Upon learning the truth, Sun Cheng felt neither overwhelming disappointment nor rage in his heart.

He had harbored certain suspicions from the moment Swindle refused to bow down and pledge allegiance to him.

Now, it was nothing more than a confirmation of his conjectures!

Subjected to Sun Cheng's overpowering computational force, Swindle's consciousness had been obliterated from his Core, leaving his mind incapable of any form of resistance.

Carefully, Sun Cheng perused every strand of memory data within Swindle, though the information was not entirely complete. Nevertheless, he gleaned a significant amount of valuable insights, such as details concerning Lockdown and methods to contact him.

After a considerable time spent assimilating all the information in Swindle's mind, Sun Cheng didn't prolong his suffering. He drained the energy fluid from the nurturing pod, declaring indifferently, "You're of no use now!"

Deprived of the energy supply, the remnants of Swindle's consciousness swiftly faded into oblivion. Sun Cheng notified the Central Main Control AI to send DecepticonDoctor to handle the aftermath.

Leaving the Medical Room, Sun Cheng made his way to his quarters, where he spent roughly a day on the island, digesting the information he had acquired and pondering his next move to ignite the metaphorical bomb within the Autobot ranks.

After a day, a plan crystallized in his mind.

"Forerunner, prepare to depart!"

Summoning Forerunner, they leapt into the sky, one after another. Sun Cheng paid particular attention to the transformed state of Forerunner, whose new mechanical body had undergone significant modifications after the upgrade.

Previously, in his aircraft mode, Forerunner resembled an F-16 fighter jet. But now, he had assumed the form of a heavy-duty fighter, sharing lineage with the F-16, a distinctly American model.

"F-15, huh? He seems to have a fondness for American fighter jets!"

With the continuous export of advanced instruments to various Earth nations, hidden data-receiving terminals within these devices were also prying into the core military and industrial secrets of these countries.

Leveraging this network, the Decepticon engineers at Base Two had managed to acquire an in-depth understanding of the product data from some of the traditional military powerhouses on Earth, particularly comprehensive data regarding Russian Su-27 series, French Rafale series, and American F-15/F-16/F-18 models.

Cybertronians possessed the miraculous ability to scan vehicles and combat weapon systems, using their unique transformative gears to not only mimic these objects but also to fully harness and even surpass their capabilities. Most Autobots, being unmodified Cybertronians, could only transform into regular vehicles.

The Decepticons' initial advantage in the Civil War stemmed from their enhanced abilities, inherited from the Quintessons' modifications that allowed them to transform into various combat systems. Subsequent scientists under the Skytiger Legion, including Shockwave and Starscream, mastered these techniques through ruthless experiments on the Decepticons.

Thus, the Decepticons born afterwards, though still Cybertronians, were products of specific tuning and modifications.

Forerunner, having switched to a new mechanical body, found his previous F-16 form too diminutive to fully showcase his current combat prowess. Upon reactivation, the base must have provided him with a plethora of comparative data, allowing Forerunner more choices in his transformed state.

Perhaps influenced by Sun Cheng, most of his Decepticon subordinates favored high mobility and reconnaissance, complemented by Base Two's rapidly developing energy weapon systems, granting them superior firepower compared to ordinary Decepticons and Autobots.

With these advantages and limitations, many Decepticons under Sun Cheng's command tended not to prioritize close-quarters combat capabilities. Their transformation preferences leaned towards Aerial Combat units known for high mobility and potent firepower.

Thus, a Russian and an American fighter jet, cloaked by their optical stealth systems, soared across the Atlantic Ocean towards Africa.

In a sector of the Great Rift Valley, Optimus Prime, accompanied by his partner Arcee, was inspecting the new Iron Fortress city.

More than a month had passed since the battle on the far side of the Moon.

The situation most feared by Ironhide and others was now unfolding.

Within the new Iron Fortress city, the atmosphere began to tauten, marked by subtle shifts following the rescue of the former Autobot Leader, Sentinel Prime.

"Arcee, I fear we can no longer afford to delay," Optimus Prime, who had been silent for the better part of the day, suddenly voiced his concerns near a high-rise sentry post under construction alongside the cliffs of the Great Rift Valley.

Arcee understood the immense pressure he had been under. Soon after Sentinel Prime was rescued, word spread among the Autobots in the new city, mainly through those who had participated in the lunar war and survived.

Subsequently, as if orchestrated by unseen hands, the situation began evolving in the dire direction Ironhide and others dreaded.

Unknown sources leaked the secret, and Autobots loyal to Sentinel Prime started converging on Earth from across the Universe.

Although these staunch supporters were not numerous, about twenty to thirty Superior Generals who were advocates of Sentinel Prime had arrived in the past month.

Optimus Prime and his associates had withstood tremendous pressure, managing to delay Sentinel Prime's awakening for over a month. Had it not been for Ratchet, the chief medical officer of the Autobots, revealing that the Superior General had contracted a tenacious strain of Cosmic Rust, the voices questioning Optimus Prime's decisions would have been much louder.

Despite this, rumors began circulating within the new Iron Fortress city, suggesting that Optimus Prime feared Sentinel Prime's return as it threatened his position as Leader.

Attributes like Pride, Envy, and Greed were not exclusive to humans; they were stumbling blocks for many civilizations.

Though the sudden proliferation of these rumors hinted at manipulation, Optimus Prime's investigations over the past month hadn't uncovered any evidence of Decepticon meddling.

Faced with a critical decision, Optimus Prime contemplated whether to awaken Sentinel Prime.

Sensing his dilemma, Arcee, armed with the wisdom and rationality characteristic of female Autobots, began to analyze the situation meticulously.

"Optimus Prime, I think we need to wait a little longer... While we still can't dig up much information, the recent surge of rumors in the new Iron Fortress city is too peculiar. We suspect there might be spies..."

After millions of years of war between the Decepticons and Autobots, countless instances of enticing defections had occurred on both sides. Nobody could guarantee the absolute loyalty of all Autobots within the new Iron Fortress city.

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Next Chapter >>Chapter 777: Another Deal (Part 1)