Chapter 89: Capturing the Core of the Primeval Beast
"System Chief, if this place is filled with these strange creatures, how are we supposed to find our target? Based on our previous experience rescuing Mud, if the other robotic dinosaurs are really buried here, their energy fluctuations probably won't differ much from those of these robotic animals. Wouldn't that make our search much harder?"
Thanks to the chaos caused by the two massive dinosaurs, the underground base had turned into complete disorder. The robotic beasts emerging from the shadows had grown from the size of small mice to that of dogs and wild wolves. They looked fierce and intimidating, yet to these two dinosaur leaders, they were nothing more than oversized chunks of meat!
However, as the two robotic dinosaurs stirred up even more commotion, the alpha predator of this mechanical ecosystem could no longer stay silent.
"ROAR!"
A robotic saber-toothed tiger appeared, its metallic fur made of an unknown steel-like alloy. The skin beneath it shimmered with a faint blue hue, reflecting Red Spider's searchlight in a ripple of fluid light.
Apparently, the two intruding robotic dinosaurs had violated its territory. Unable to endure it any longer, the saber-toothed tiger finally stepped forward to defend its domain.
"Oh? So the true culprit finally shows up? Judging by your power, you're definitely stronger than the others we've crushed. I wonder what it'll feel like to devour you," Dart sneered.
Suspended in the air, the flying dinosaur fixed its gaze on the towering feline over five meters from head to tail standing proudly atop a massive rock. On the ground, the Thunder Dragon Sludge spat out the half-devoured robotic cat from its jaws and assumed a defensive stance.
Though the enormous feline seemed smaller and weaker than they were, their ancient instincts warned them otherwise. This saber-toothed mechanical tiger was no ordinary beast it was a super predator.
To judge a true beast by appearance alone would only invite disaster.
"Brother, this guy's completely different from the trash we've fought before," said Sludge. "Judging by his energy structure, he must've already condensed a Transformer Core. With a bit of evolution or stimulation, he could probably transform at will! We need to treat him with utmost caution."
Compared to his impulsive partner, the Thunder Dragon Sludge though wild still retained enough sense to analyze the situation calmly.
Their exchange immediately piqued Starscream's curiosity.
Originally, this was just an internal fight between Predacons and had nothing to do with him. As a Transformer still in robot mode, all he could do was watch.
But the words "Transformer Core" suddenly made him rethink his priorities. Still, before acting, he needed clarity hurting the feelings of those two Dinobots wouldn't be wise.
"System, what exactly is this mechanical core Sludge mentioned? Would it be useful to me right now?"
"Host," the Transformer System replied, "if my information is correct, that item will allow you to unlock an entirely new transformation mode! Normally, as a robot, you can't transform into a Beast Mode while using your War Machine configuration. But if you integrate this Predacon module into your core, your next transformation will be into Predacon Mode complete with the digestive function those two dinosaurs possess."
So the mechanical core really was valuable. Starscream remembered his battle with the legendary Decepticon Sixshot, who could transform into multiple combat machines and even had a Beast Mode. It now seemed likely that Sixshot's core contained something similar!
"You two seemed to be having fun," Starscream said slyly. "And I'm feeling a little restless myself. That feline looks like the leader of this scrap heap why don't we team up and take it down together?"
It was a practical suggestion, both strategic and safe. But the two dinosaur brothers immediately rejected the idea.
"Starscream! Don't try to sow discord between us! That thing just has one Transformer Core you think I don't know what you're after?"
Despite his carefree tone, Dart was clearly suspicious and not easily fooled.
"What are you talking about?" Starscream protested. "Even if I back out, would you two really fight each other for one core? How about this each of us gets three minutes to fight. Whoever brings down that saber-tooth first gets the prize. Fair enough?"
After one plan failed, Starscream came up with another and this one worked. The proposal balanced the rivalry between the two Dinobots perfectly.
"Sounds good. Three minutes is all we need. If we can't subdue that striped cat in that time, it means we can't handle its power anyway," said Mud, the Thunder Dragon, who still retained some rationality despite his hunger.
"Agreed," said Dart. "But who goes first? If the first one succeeds, the others won't even get a turn!"
It was obvious from Dart's tone that he wanted to be the first to strike. And if the two mighty robotic dinosaurs attacked in turns, the saber-toothed mechanical tiger before them wouldn't stand a chance.
Thus, if Red Spider wanted to seize this opportunity, he had to move before the others or risk being left as nothing more than a spectator.
(End of Chapter)