Chapter 76: Mass Production of Decepticons
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
"Coo! Coo! Coo!"
This was an incredible transformation process ... yet it had a solid scientific basis. Carbon, as an element, might seem fragile on the surface, but if its molecular formula is reorganized and a special catalyst is added, it can be broken down and recombined into a completely new substance.
To conduct similar experiments, the being known as Fallen had spent a long time researching this planet and had finally discovered a method to transform organic life forms into mechanical ones.
Of course, this transformation was only rudimentary. In terms of combat power and defense, these converted robots were at the most basic level ... but compared to the original humans, they were far more terrifying.
Naturally, such conversions didn't always succeed; only the lucky ones managed to be reborn. Originally, the Black Fox Guard numbered around five hundred, yet only fifty managed to stand again and transform into their new forms. These fifty already possessed the strength of proto-Decepticons ... capable of wielding laser cannons and even performing transformation mimicry.
Since there weren't many mechanical references in the region, these early Decepticon warriors could only model their transformations after the tamed wild beasts used by the Huns.
With a series of metallic clicks and clanks, the fifty transformed into various mechanical beasts ... black steel stallions, snarling mechanized wolves, and flying robots shaped like vultures ... each roughly 2.5 to 3 meters tall.
"This isn't fair! This is the first time I've ever seen a method to create Decepticons directly. If Megatron had mastered this technology years ago, Optimus Prime and his gang would never have escaped!"
While modern Decepticons on Cybertron could be mass-produced as long as there was enough AllSpark, compared to this biological-mechanical production method, even Cybertron's advanced manufacturing seemed insignificant.
Wait a second ... these transformed Transformers didn't seem to have AllSpark, did they? If not, how were they still alive?
Puzzled, Starscream turned to the Dinobot beside him, assuming the mechanical dinosaur might know something.
"Starscream, I know what you're thinking… but it's hard to explain! Transformers rely on the AllSpark ... but the humans of this planet possess a substance called a soul. It's invisible and intangible, yet it truly exists! These mass-produced Decepticons draw their power from that soul energy, which functions similarly to the AllSpark. However… it seems only a few elite Original Transformers can use this kind of conversion!"
"What… the soul?"
For some reason, the word made Starscream tremble involuntarily, as if it struck some buried memory ... though he couldn't recall ever experiencing such a thing.
While Starscream was lost in thought, the fifty newly born Decepticon warriors finished their "warm-up" and began aiming their weapons at the two veteran Transformers in the sky.
"What's going on? Are they seriously pointing those at me? Do they think I'm easy to mess with?"
Looking down at the clumsy robots who could barely walk straight, Starscream almost laughed. But whether it was bloodlust or orders from the Hun King or the Dark Shaman, the fifty little ones were clearly preparing to attack.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
These newborn Decepticons were truly brazen ... firing their small-caliber weapons at the two airborne veterans. The bird-like ones even spread their metal wings and charged toward Starscream and his ally. Unfortunately, their aim was terrible; even if Starscream stood still, they couldn't hit him!
"Hey, Dinobot brothers, what did you do when you fought this scrap heap? Kill them all? Starscream, transform ... robot mode!"
Even surrounded by four mechanical birds, Starscream didn't flinch. He shifted smoothly into robot mode, drawing his favorite laser pistol.
"If you don't mind that these things are technically Decepticon 'brothers,' I suggest we tear them to pieces. Because once they grow stronger, they'll be much harder to deal with! And we'd better destroy that device inside the golden figure's body, or we'll never know peace again!"
Apparently, the robotic pterosaur also despised how these new "beings" had been created. This violated the natural balance of the planet and forced alien will upon its people.
"Fine by me! I'll test out my new laser blade. It's definitely not as powerful as Optimus Prime's sword, but cutting down you hatchlings before your armor hardens should be easy enough!"
Starscream held a laser pistol in one hand and conjured a sharp laser dagger in the other.
The four bird-shaped robots didn't seem to care ... they charged in together, eager to rip him apart.
But Starscream wasn't the type to stand still and take it. Just as the four lunged, his laser blade slashed downward at six o'clock, cutting straight through the chest of one mechanical vulture.
The newly converted warrior didn't even have time to react before a stream of red fluid ... mixed with the stench of gasoline ... burst from its chest. Starscream's blade had sliced right through its fuel line.
He'd done it so easily because the steel plating on the creature's body hadn't fully hardened yet ... leaving plenty of weak points to exploit.
(End of Chapter)