Chapter 95: Robot Virus
"Is this... is this Cybertron? Why do you have a holographic image of our planet? What have you intruders done to our homeworld?"
The eight enormous ancient mechanical warriors were already in attack position, yet the image projected by Starscream froze them as if by magic. What kind of effect was that?
"As you can see, I came from Cybertron to your planet. So that gate behind you isn't a shortcut to Cybertron it's just an ordinary iron door. If you're really ancient Autobots, then show me proof!"
Unexpectedly, Starscream took the initiative. Despite sensing their killing intent, he stepped forward, seemingly curious to see what was behind the gate they guarded.
But just as Starscream reached their level, a massive bronze sword struck the ground in front of him truly terrifying!
"Bang!"
"Stop right there! No one approaches the gate without our permission!"
It seemed they didn't intend to harm Starscream, but neither would they allow this unknown Transformer to approach the gate so easily.
"What's going on? You keep saying you're Autobots, but you can't prove it. Isn't that a joke? If you really lived on Cybertron, you should recognize the image I just showed you, right?"
Seeing the enormous bronze sword before him, Starscream secretly activated his Transformers System to scan it, trying to determine what metal it was made of.
"Of course we're Autobots! We have the mark the Autobot mark!"
Perhaps unable to bear the questioning, the leader slammed his massive mechanical arm against his chest, tearing off a piece of rusted armor and sending it clattering to the ground in a cloud of dust.
A faded Autobot insignia appeared before Starscream's eyes. However, compared to the modern Autobot symbol, this one was far more elaborate like the difference between simplified and traditional Chinese characters. They looked similar, yet the strokes and shapes were clearly different.
"That's the Autobot insignia the ancient Autobot mark! I've seen it in Cybertron's old archives long ago. It must be millions, perhaps tens of millions of years old!"
Wow! Seeing these warriors reveal the Autobot mark on their chests, Thunder Dragon Sludge was thrilled, as if he had discovered a new continent. Was all this really necessary?
"Are you sure this is the oldest Autobot mark? Could it be we've met the ancestors of the Autobots?"
Looking at these strange, weathered figures, Starscream didn't know what to say. According to the information they'd gathered, this was supposed to be a simulation environment created by the Fallen, designed to mimic Cybertron's ecosystem.
Ironically, the guards helping the Fallen at the gate were actually ancient Autobot warriors. Yet, their hostility began to fade after seeing the image Starscream had shown.
"Host, my detector seems to have found something unusual. If you get the chance, circle around and look behind them. I suspect what's controlling them isn't a normal virus, but some kind of external implant."
If these ancient Autobots were infected with a virus, they wouldn't be this self-aware. The fact that they could still distinguish Autobots from Decepticons meant they could still be saved.
Through detailed observation, the Transformers System detected a strange power emanating from them an external interference controlling their actions. The source of that energy seemed to be on their backs.
At the system's signal, Starscream opened a small compartment in his leg, releasing a tiny, eye-shaped drone emitting a blinking red light. It silently hovered behind the giants. To these colossal beings, the drone was no more than a mosquito completely insignificant.
Through its shared vision, Red Spider quickly noticed a common feature among the ancient Autobots: each had a spider-shaped robot clinging to the back of its neck, with a thin, needle-like appendage piercing directly into it. These were likely the viral robots controlling the giants!
"Host, shouldn't we help these old Autobots? I remember your detectors have built-in mini-lasers, right? They might not work on powerful enemies, but taking out these little bugs shouldn't be a problem, should it?"
It was an obvious trap but once the viral robots were eliminated, the eight guardians would remember who they truly were.
"No problem. But if things go wrong, don't blame me!"
Even without the system's reminder, Red Spider already planned to act. Finding more valuable discoveries would undoubtedly require the help of these eight veterans so helping them meant helping himself.
"Zzzzz!"
Whether from years of neglect or limited awareness, the eight viral robots didn't realize they had become prey until one of them was struck in the back by a series of red laser beams, blasting a large circular hole through it. Only then did it react slightly.
"Beep beep beep skreee skreee skreee!"
It was a sound like an insect's screech. The viral robot, aware of the attack, tried to detach from its host and flee but it was far too late.
(End of Chapter)