Chapter 24: Do You Want Your Head Blown Open?
"Commander Optimus Prime, we've spotted a Decepticon behind us! We must cover your retreat and take him down!"
At that moment, only a handful of Autobots remained battle-ready. They had managed to shake off their pursuers by entering the area designated by Starscream, but when hostility reappeared behind them, everyone's nerves tensed again.
"No! That one's a troublemaker — a fierce enemy! His target is me, the Autobot leader! You must leave immediately and protect the survivors of our fallen warriors!"
"No way! You're our spiritual leader; we can't lose you, Commander Optimus Prime!"
"Yes! Let Ironhide and Bumblebee go stop him!"
"My old friend," said Ironhide solemnly, "this is my final order, Optimus Prime. If I truly fall, you must lead the Autobots to safety. Don't even think of revenge until you've gathered enough strength!"
Although everyone was deeply unwilling, none dared disobey Optimus Prime. But just as Prime checked his weapons and equipment, a red streak flashed across the sky not far away — like a dazzling meteor — closing in rapidly on the Decepticon.
Who could that be? Who else but Starscream, disguised as the giant dinosaur Sarath, would have the time to come to such a remote place?
However, the idiot Overturned (Turbulent) was completely unaware of the danger speeding toward him. He could already see Optimus Prime faintly in the distance.
"Ha ha ha! Cunning Autobots, hiding here all along! Now I'll make my name known! Once I destroy Optimus Prime, Starscream's position will be mine!"
"Zzzap!"
"Boom!"
"Aaaagh!"
Before Overturned could even finish his triumphant thoughts, two air-to-air missiles struck his exhaust. Though the main blast only grazed him, it still sent his fighter form spiraling wildly through the air before he crashed and barely stabilized into robot form.
"Turbulent, transform now!"
"Click, click, click!"
Before Turbulent could react, a massive dinosaur head pressed down against the back of his neck.
"So you're called Turbulent, huh? One of Starscream's subordinates, aren't you? I never expected that while I was looking for Starscream's weakness, one of his lackeys would come bring me a gift himself!"
It was a loud, arrogant voice — exactly the kind that could only come from the monstrous dinosaur Transformer, Sarath.
"L-Lord Sarath?! I'm on your side! I'm a Decepticon too! I came to hunt Optimus Prime — he's right ahead!"
Starscream had already warned Turbulent who he was, but the fool, hoping for some good luck, had continued following Optimus Prime. Never did he expect to run straight into "Sarath" himself.
"I don't care whose lackey you are! Every Decepticon knows this war zone belongs to me! Even if you were Megatron himself, I'd blow your head to pieces in front of him — and Starscream is no exception!"
Starscream's disguise skills were truly extraordinary. He even mimicked Sarath's tone and mannerisms perfectly, sending chills down the arrogant flyer's spine.
Turbulent knew that Sarath was a Transformer who always meant what he said — and today, he was terrifyingly convincing. Even if he tore off all of Starscream's wings, the real Starscream wouldn't dare do anything about it.
Besides, Turbulent had no military achievements; he was just one of Starscream's flunkies. His cowardly superior wouldn't defend him — he might even betray him first!
"S-Sir, I was wrong! The magnetic field interfered with my flight sensors — I didn't realize this was your territory! I'm willing to make it up to you! I've gathered several compressed Autobot energy cubes — they're all yours!"
"You treacherous fool! You've been hoarding them?! The Autobots are already on the brink of extinction, and you're stealing their last drops of energy? Typical Decepticon behavior!"
Still, true to the saying 'if it's free, why not?', the fake dinosaur Sarath extended a massive mechanical hand.
"Let's see… Is this enough to buy your life? Boy, if you dare mess with me again, I'll blow your head clean off — right here and now!"
"I-I believe you! I believe you! Please, don't shoot!"
At that moment, the scoundrel didn't dare say a single word in protest. He reached into his cockpit, rummaging through, and pulled out a pile of bright pink compressed energy cubes. With those, Optimus Prime and the others could survive for a week. Surprisingly, this Decepticon was quite skilled at gathering energy — though the source was likely Autobots who'd been annihilated.
"What is this junk? Trying to bribe me with candy? Maybe I should just dismantle every part of you and sell your spark on the black market!"
"No, no, no, Lord Sarath! Please, I'll give you all my energy! Just leave me enough to fly back — I respect you deeply, you've always been my idol!"
All Decepticons were the same — bullying the weak, fearing the strong. Seeing that the giant dinosaur still seemed dissatisfied, the trembling Decepticon gritted his teeth and even offered up his central energy cube. The guy was ruthless — even with himself!
"Heh… you're quite the obedient son. I'll let you go today. But tell me — do you know what happens if word gets out about what happened here?"
"No, no! I was chasing Autobots so hard that I ran out of energy and had to return! I didn't see Lord Sarath anywhere — I don't know anything!"
Good! It seemed the troublemaker had completely fallen for Starscream's act. Not only had he handed over all his savings, but he was also too scared to utter a word. Even when questioned by other Decepticons later, he stayed utterly silent — obedient as a lamb!
However, Starscream had no intention of keeping those energy cubes that originally belonged to the Autobots.
(End of Chapter)