Chapter 22 The Autobots' Final Resistance
"Damn you, Starscream we'll avenge Maverick! We'll remember you!"
Perhaps after watching the giant warrior fall slowly, most common Autobots blamed Starscream for Maverick's death, except for a few Autobot leaders who knew the truth.
But there was no time to grieve. Megatron's Decepticon ground forces were already advancing. Although the front was mostly made up of frontline Decepticon warriors, their numerical superiority was overwhelming. Combined in a coordinated assault, their multicolored laser cannons instantly covered the battlefield.
"Autobot leaders, make way! Protect the civilians as they withdraw toward that red point. Gather every escape Ark you can!"
In such a critical situation, Optimus Prime could not afford to consider alternative escape routes. He had no choice but to resign himself and retreat following Starscream's instructions. If the information from this sly Decepticon air commander was false, today would be the day the Autobots were annihilated and Optimus Prime would become a footnote in Cybertron's history. This was not only Optimus Prime's gamble it was the last stand of all Autobots.
"Lord Megatron, those look like Autobot Arks! I can't believe they prepared so many Arks for their escape! We must stop them!"
Soundwave was the first to detect the Autobot Arks. With access to the Decepticons' most advanced radar systems, he immediately picked up something unusual.
"Soundwave, I order you not to report to me anymore. Destroy every Ark you find. Without the Arks' protection, these weak Autobots even if they escape will eventually run out of power and become little more than drifting scrap."
Goodness it seemed Megatron had anticipated this scenario long ago, even preparing a "perfect" end for fleeing Autobots.
Thus unfolded the most horrific scene of the Autobots' final retreat.
"Zas, zas, zas!"
"Boom!"
Huge missiles fired one after another, equipped with the Decepticons' most powerful navigation and positioning systems. Once they locked onto their targets, they would track an Autobot Ark to the edges of the planet. Unless you could hold out until the Decepticon missiles ran out of power, your fate was destruction.
Like fireworks at a festival, the total darkness of space was quickly transformed by the bright flares of countless explosions. Each bright point marked an Ark struck the lives and hopes of its passengers slowly snuffed out. Then...
"Brother Optimus Prime, this won't work! The Decepticons' space weapons are too well-protected. We don't have a shuttle capable of breaching that concentrated fire. Over 300 civilians have already lost contact. We can't go on like this, can we?"
Indeed, even if Starscream's directions were correct, it was impossible to pierce the sonic barrage. Everything seemed in vain. This was the moment when Optimus Prime, the Autobot commander, would be tested as a leader.
"All Autobots capable of bearing arms, fall back into individual shelters. We'll use our own weapons to open an escape corridor for our compatriots!"
Very well who said only Decepticons would behave unpredictably? Corner them and they would fight to the death.
Along the escape routes established by the Autobots, besides the large Arks carrying civilians, there were also smaller individual shelters for last-resort covering troops to retreat into. Exposed, these brave Autobots could extend their weapons and attack. Of course, such attacks could only neutralize aimless missiles. If they encountered high-ranking Decepticon flyers like Starscream, they would be easy prey.
By now it was clear that Starscream had been secretly helping the Autobots. Before the battle began, under the pretense of currying favor with Megatron, he had neutralized all the Decepticons' combat flying units. The remaining Transformers were ordinary foot soldiers. With Optimus Prime and his marksmanship, they could take one down with a single shot...
Even so, only a small portion of the Autobot Ark reached its destination. In other words including powerful Autobot leaders like Optimus Prime fewer than two hundred Autobots survived and arrived safely (there were fewer than 190 civilian Autobots inside the Ark).
"Damn Autobots! They let so many escape! I'll find them and rip Optimus Prime's head off for Megatron!"
The voice shouting this was, of course, Skywarp, the showman. Even after Starscream had neutralized him, Skywarp and his flying squad had killed at least 300 civilians and common Autobots. There was nothing to be done about it, right?
Just as he tried to pursue the last Autobot vessel, a red figure quickly stepped in front of his flight group, blocking Skywarp's path.
It was, of course, Starscream. Although the situation was somewhat unexpected, Starscream watched Optimus Prime, Ironhide, and Bumblebee escape, along with what appeared to be an Ark carrying Autobot civilians.
Then, guided by Starscream's Transformers system, the mission completion indicator froze the rescued count at 198 indicating that 198 Autobots had successfully escaped Cybertron with Starscream's assistance.
"Commander Starscream, what are you doing? My flight group and I could capture that Autobot leader in no time!"
Skywarp feigned excitement at the prospect of success, but he did not see Starscream's mechanical eyes shifting uneasily.
"Are you trying to get me in trouble, brat? Haven't you seen the strategic map I sent you? This area, including the space where we're hovering, is territory of the Great Dinosaur Thalas. Don't tell me you don't know who that is!"
Excellent this was the ultimate method Starscream devised to help the Autobots escape!
(End of this chapter)