Chapter 85: The Vast Underground Base
"Dart, can you still transform? I think I've detected a faint electronic signal ahead. I'll transmit the exact coordinates and location can you perform an aerial reconnaissance?"
Amidst a powerful convective storm, a flying combat robot like Starscream could easily be thrown off course by the hurricane winds. In contrast, beast-like warriors such as the Dinobots were immune. They could twist and roll through the air, unaffected by natural weather, and their endurance far surpassed Starscream's.
Thus, entrusting this scouting mission to Dart was the best option while Starscream could simply use shared vision to gain a general overview of the situation.
Of course, the ability to detect that faint signal was directly linked to Starscream's Transformers system. Other Decepticon warriors even those with high-tech equipment like Soundwave might not have such finely tuned sensors.
As expected, the Fallen wouldn't have given them the coordinates so easily. It was likely another Decepticon base, since the external structural features that had just been transmitted were clearly those of the airborne fortresses preferred by the Decepticons.
"Alright then! Starscream, what kind of sensors are you using? Why do you always find places that look like glaciers? Do I have to blow that opening open with a bomb?"
Unlike Starscream's advanced systems, the Dinobot's only observation tools were his laser eyes. His aerial reconnaissance could only see the snowy surface. Without blasting a hole in the ice, he couldn't see what lay beneath.
The problem was who knew what kind of structure was hidden under that seemingly solid ice? Even if an avalanche couldn't bury the two Transformers, reaching whatever lay below would be extremely difficult.
Without proper ice-breaking tools, they couldn't blindly follow the reckless Dinobot's suggestion and act rashly or they'd suffer the consequences.
"Let me handle this! I never expected you to be so clumsy. I seriously doubt you're a real Autobot. I remember Optimus Prime being far more patient and even Ironhide and Bumblebee aren't as impulsive as you!"
"Fine! Starscream, I was waiting for you to say that. Crushing a bunch of Huns or newborn Decepticons is no problem for me but if you want me to do this kind of delicate work, I'm afraid I'll have to decline. We Dinobots are the strongest offensive force among the Autobots! Don't you dare look down on me! When you meet our leader Grimlock, you'll eat your words!"
Wow, Starscream thought, this Dinobot really doesn't hold back. Does he even remember who he's working with?
Originally, Starscream might have left this whole job alone but upon learning that Megatron was coming to this planet, a sharp sense of urgency struck him.
Although Megatron was unaware of Starscream's recent actions, the Decepticon leader's nature was deeply distrustful and intolerant of disobedience. Since Starscream had already begun to consider defecting, Megatron's arrival had to be handled decisively to avoid unforeseen trouble.
Starscream's methods were, without doubt, far more refined than the brute force of the Dinobot before him. Carefully, he opened the cover of his right arm, revealing a missile-like device that emitted a red laser beam straight into the ground.
The laser concentrated both heat and energy at a single point, forming a massive circular plate of melting ice before the heat dissipated completely.
Then, with great force, he lifted the large block of ice revealing a structure about seven or eight meters below. Unlike the snowy surface, though this layer was also made of ice, beneath it shimmered a metallic-looking object.
It resembled the underground city discovered by the Huns earlier, but this one was on a far greater scale. Clearly, this structure could not have been built by humans carbon dating indicated it was over a thousand years old, and its outer components were primarily metallic.
"That Fallen wasn't telling the truth! This is clearly a Decepticon base! We saw many similar structures when the Dinobots first came to this planet I never expected to find another one here!"
While Starscream continued investigating what lay under the icy surface, Dart voiced his thoughts. As one of the first Transformers to arrive on this planet, he had likely seen much more than Starscream.
So, what they saw below was most likely a Decepticon base and the coordinates given by the Fallen might not mark Grimlock's location at all. This could instead be where the Fallen himself or his allies were sealed or entombed.
How cunning.
"So your Captain Grimlock might not even be here after all? We've fallen right into the Fallen's trap! That guy wants to use us to unearth him from his sealed state! He really underestimates me, Starscream. No matter what's down there, I will not release that wretched Decepticon!"
Historically, the Fallen was even more malevolent than Megatron. In fact, it could be said that all Decepticons became what they are because of him.
He was the one who incited the civil wars among the Transformers on Cybertron a bitter old tyrant despised even by Decepticons themselves.
Judging from everything, the massive structure beneath Starscream and Dart's feet was likely the Fallen's hiding place on this primitive planet. For reasons unknown, he had been firmly sealed under the ice. If not for a tiny fragment of his consciousness guiding Starscream and the others, this underground structure might never have been discovered even in a thousand years.
But if the Fallen wished to see the light of day again…
it would not be so easy.
(End of Chapter)
Happy New Year and thank you for all the support, especially to Rosebud_Gdogg
I invite you to read my new fanfic about Fullmetal Alchemist. It's 100% my own work, I hope you like it.
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Under the Law of Equivalence
https://www.webnovel.com/book/34562609200143405