Chapter 86: The Cunning Decepticon Progenitor
"Zzzzz!"
Just as Starscream was about to leave, small cracks appeared in the ice beneath his feet. Then, a stream of binary digits, like a film reel, emerged from the ground and converged into a blurry image before them. From the outline, it seemed to be the Fallen.
"I didn't expect you to find this place. But what I didn't expect even more was that two Autobots would stumble into a Decepticon base. Yet... I sense a Decepticon aura in your nephew. Could it be that I've been sealed here for too long, and my circuits have shorted out? I never imagined that even on such an insignificant planet, there could be bacteria capable of affecting my normal functioning."
It seemed this image had no connection to the Fallen's previous projection; otherwise, he would have already recognized Starscream and the others. That could only mean the Fallen had been sealed hastily, leaving behind only fragmented remnants.
"So you really are sealed here? But all your tricks to lure us in have failed. You don't have what we need, and there's nothing between us Autobots and you Decepticons. I think you'd better save your energy!"
As soon as the mechanical pterosaur saw the virtual image before him, he turned around to leave immediately alarming the hologram.
"Why the rush, young one? Judging by your appearance, you must be an Autobot Dinobot warrior. Several of your comrades are visiting me right now. Don't you want them to see the light of day again? Like this one!"
Perhaps to persuade the Dinobot to stay, the Fallen's hologram split off part of its body, forming a Triceratops. It looked like another member of the Dinobot squad.
"What? That's… that's Iron Slag! How did he end up here? You didn't just conjure his image to trick us into coming down here, did you?"
Indeed, when the Dinobot saw his companion's image appear before him, he turned around immediately, though suspicion still lingered in his tone.
This Fallen seemed more like a street con artist trying to lure children with candy.
"Whether I'm lying or not is up to you to decide. Aren't you Autobots supposed to stand together? Now that you know your comrade is here, why do you feel nothing? Let that red-faced Autobot beside you judge do you truly care about your companion or not?"
Sensing the Dinobot's hesitation, the Decepticon patriarch quickly switched tactics, using reverse psychology. This time, the Dinobot couldn't resist and took the bait.
"Who said I don't care about my comrades' lives? Don't try to fool me! Everyone knows how vile you Fallen are! If you weren't so infamous, how could you have been banished from Cybertron and ended up on this remote planet, barely surviving? Today, I, Dart, will invade your territory and see what you're plotting! If you dare lie to me, I'll wipe out your last base completely leave you with nowhere to hide!"
It seemed these Dinobots couldn't stand being provoked. Just one taunt was enough for Dart to lose his temper. Ignoring Starscream's warning, the Dinobot transformed into robot mode, extended his arms now twin flamethrowers and began his assault.
"Dart, I think you should calm down! This guy might be waiting for us to destroy the base so the seal restraining him disappears! Don't do anything that betrays Cybertron!"
Watching the brute, Starscream had an almost uncontrollable urge to punch him. But if the two fought here, they could shatter the surrounding ice which might actually help the Fallen.
"Starscream, you coward! If you're scared, stay out of the way. We Dinobots always act decisively! If something we shouldn't have sealed gets released, I'll take full responsibility!"
Though reckless, this Dinobot was loyal and righteous perhaps the reason Autobots were so respected on Cybertron.
It was a pity, though, that Autobots were often too merciful. If Optimus Prime had been more decisive, he might have wiped out the Decepticons before Megatron's rebellion ever began. In the Transformers universe, mercy often meant foolishness.
"Fine! I hope your comrades are truly down there. If they are, I'll lend a hand. But I'm warning you if you accidentally release him, you're on your own!"
Starscream made things clear from the start. The situation was obvious: this was a trap set by the cunning Decepticon ancestor the Fallen. Even if fallen Autobot warriors were really sealed there, they were certainly tied to the Fallen's imprisonment.
Apparently, this being was trying to use Starscream and the others by revealing the location of the missing Dinobots, hoping to regain his own freedom in the process. That much was clear.
Yet every coin has two sides everything depended on how fate unfolded between Starscream and the Dinobot team.
"So your name is Starscream, little one! Judging by your appearance, you must be a fighter jet, right? I didn't expect the Autobots to have an aerial unit after so many years. Seems the descendants of those old fools have finally learned a lesson. What do you say why not join us Decepticons? We are the true rulers of the skies!"
(End of Chapter)