Chapter 4: The Infiltrator Among the Decepticons
"General Starscream are you kidding? How could I possibly think such a thing? Is this a joke?"
Perhaps her thoughts had been exposed. The Autobot struggled instinctively, but Starscream's hands held her tightly like terrifying pincers, sending waves of panic through her core.
"I told you to be quiet. I just wanted to confirm something. Turn your head and look at the symbol on my chest then you'll understand why I said that."
Seeing how agitated the other robot was, Starscream whispered into her ear.
"What? What do you mean? He "
The Autobot was clearly stunned, but at least she stopped screaming and obeyed, slowly turning her head as instructed. Starscream released her and rose, allowing the Autobot to see the emblem on his chest clearly.
At first glance there should have been a large Decepticon insignia there, but as the Autobot stared in amazement it changed. In the space of three seconds, the Decepticon symbol transformed like a trick of light into the Autobot emblem.
"You you're him! You are!"
Among the higher-ranking Autobots there was an old rumor: when the Autobots once dominated Cybertron, they planted sleeper agents inside the Decepticon ranks to monitor them. Over time many of those agents returned or were killed, but those who remained rose to mid and high Decepticon positions. Some even whispered that Megatron, current leader of the Decepticons, and Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobot rebellion, had once been disciples of the same master until Megatron betrayed them and led the Decepticons to slaughter many high-ranking Autobots.
The sign Starscream now revealed was one of the telltale marks of those infiltrators a deceptive signal of their true allegiance.
"I know you're close to Optimus Prime, and only my master knows my true identity. I'll find a way to get you out of here. Can you help me contact the Autobot leadership?"
Not only was the Autobot completely stunned by this sudden turn, even Starscream himself was thrown off balance. While his escorts had been taking him for treatment, a strange image had flashed inside his wounded metal skull, visible only to him.
"From today, your Autobot identity will be erased. You will live among the Decepticons as Starscream. We must learn the true intentions of this small band of evil robots. From now on Megatron will be your direct superior and the only one apart from us veterans who knows your secret!"
Those were the orders of veteran Autobots, ancient as twenty thousand years, whose heads had been ripped off by Megatron.
"So you're one of our sleeper Autobots! I never thought the Decepticons' second-in-command would be one of our own! Don't worry I'll pass this vital information to Optimus Prime. He's a direct disciple of Megatron and can verify your identity!"
It was welcome news. The captured Autobot had believed herself doomed, but fate had dropped a sleeper agent perhaps the most powerful one into her hands.
"All right, but before you run, can you give me this head?"
Starscream hadn't come to the supply depot just to flirt with the Autobot. He had real injuries he'd been shot in the head with Optimus Prime's laser rifle.
"Sorry, sorry, Lord Starscream. I'll attend to it immediately."
"Thank you. It's troublesome, indeed."
Once his true identity came back to him, Starscream had been planning how to reestablish contact. If he went in person the risk would be too high. Without Optimus's confirmation, who would believe a mid-ranking Decepticon commander claiming to be an undercover Autobot? This unknown Autobot in front of him suddenly became his only hope. He had seen her with Optimus in battle they had shared a close bond so now all his hopes were pinned on her.
"All right, Lord Starscream. Your wound is fully healed. I never thought these screws originally made for our flying warriors would fit your frame perfectly!"
If Starscream's words had planted doubt in the Autobot, the spare parts confirmed everything. That Autobot-spec components could slot flawlessly into the head of a high-ranking Decepticon commander spoke volumes.
"Well, I didn't expect your medical skills to be so impressive! Now let's plan your escape."
"Very well thank you, Lord Starscream!"
Of the three Decepticons guarding the doorway, only Rumble had any real combat ability. The other two were green recruits. Even without weapons, Starscream could crush their sparks with his bare hands. The problem was Rumble: he was well-known on the battlefield. If he vanished without a trace, suspicions would arise sooner or later.
So Starscream and the Autobot devised a final plan: find a pretext to send Rumble away, then eliminate the two rookies and quietly open an escape route for the Autobot.
The plan was far from perfect, but under the circumstances they had little time to craft anything more elaborate.
"Then let's do it!"
"I'll do as you command, Lord Starscream!"
"Go fetch Rumble first. Tell him I've been ordered to the front to gather the latest battle reports."
A fine idea that boy Rumble always hovered around you, even during system reboots. He won't disobey your orders!
All right, positions. Now act according to plan.
(End of this chapter)