Chapter 87: Calling Sludge
"Flying Dart, since you've decided to open this Decepticon base, shouldn't you inform your comrade Sludge? If your other Dinobot teammates are down there, I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see them. What do you think?"
On the surface, Starscream's suggestion sounded reasonable but in truth, he was only trying to buy time. After all, Sludge the Brontosaurus was far more cautious and deliberate than this impulsive Pteranodon.
Besides, after some recovery time back home, Sludge should have regained much of his strength. More allies meant more hope or so Starscream thought.
"Yes, yes, yes, Starscream, your reminder comes just in time! This is crucial for our Dinobot team. We must get everyone's consent before moving forward!"
Although Starscream and this Dinobot had very different motives, the outcome was the same. Having another rational partner join them in exploring that ancient and dangerous Decepticon facility was certainly safer than relying on that hot-headed Pteranodon.
Though Sludge wasn't particularly fast, he could fly at low speed when transformed into robot mode.
After waiting about five hours, the mechanical Thunder Dragon finally arrived and his assessment aligned perfectly with Starscream's.
"Dart, this Fallen is clearly trying to use us to break free. We must be cautious of whatever traps he's setting. If things turn ugly, we should abandon the mission rather than cause a greater disaster! After all, this Fallen was exiled from Cybertron long ago he's practically on par with the infamous Unicron!"
Perhaps due to the time delay, by the time Sludge joined the group, the Fallen's image had nearly faded away, soon vanishing like snowflakes before their eyes.
"Understood. I, Dart, won't be deceived so easily. That old Decepticon wants to use me to unleash some kind of evil. Does he think I can't think for myself?"
These Dinobots were truly strange. Starscream had given the exact same explanation earlier, which Dart had completely ignored. But once his comrade said the same thing, the Dinobot suddenly understood. What kind of logic was that?
"Since we're all in agreement, let's go down! If you trust me, please join me in the exploration. If I find any traps, I'll report immediately. At a time like this, we should set aside our differences and cooperate."
Starscream agreed. Though this mission seemed dangerous, risk and opportunity always went hand in hand. Based on several viability analyses, it was highly likely that powerful Autobots were sealed beneath this Decepticon base because only a being of equal strength could have subdued the Decepticon progenitor, the Fallen.
"Sounds good. After all, if it weren't for you, I might never have reunited with my dear friend. Down there, I'll follow your lead."
This Thunder Dragon had firsthand experience with Starscream's detection abilities, and though his friend Dart remained a bit skeptical, he was noticeably more compliant than before. Dealing with these Dinobots required precision knowing exactly which buttons to push.
"Alright then! Since my brother trusts you, I will too, Mr. Dart. But could you please hide your Autobot insignia again? It makes me rather uncomfortable."
"Fine. Since we're allies now, I'll grant your request, Mr. Dart."
Starscream was, perhaps, the most cunning and two-faced Transformer in existence switching between Autobot and Decepticon with effortless ease. If any of the old guard with rigid notions of loyalty and rank saw this, they'd be furious.
Unbeknownst to him, Starscream's actions were being watched by a pair of unseen eyes the lingering fragment of the Fallen's will.
"Interesting… It seems we have quite an entertaining guest today. I never imagined a Transformer could switch sides so easily. Could this one be a descendant of the Quintessons? How fascinating… I must have a chat with this little one someday."
Don't be fooled by how easily Starscream shifted allegiances; such a thing was only possible for a supersoldier equipped with the Transformers System. For any other Transformer, it would be utterly impossible.
However, neither Starscream nor his companions heard the Fallen's whispering words otherwise, chaos would have erupted instantly.
"Hehe, since we're all in agreement, I'll focus all my energy on the exploration. As for defense, I'll count on you two to do your best. With this cooperation, I believe we'll soon uncover the answers we seek!"
In truth, Starscream wasn't suited for this kind of mission. As the former commander of the Decepticon Air Force, he excelled at coordinated large-scale combat. Sending him into a cramped, dark environment with limited visibility was practically his worst battlefield.
"No problem! We Dinobots can handle any kind of terrain or battle zone! You Decepticon punks could never match us! Once we find the Captain, we'll return to Cybertron and reclaim what rightfully belongs to the Autobots. By the way, that Megatron you mentioned is he really that powerful now?"
Wow. These Dinobots didn't even consider Megatron, much less Optimus Prime, a threat. And that mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex Grimlock roamed Cybertron freely!
(End of Chapter)