Shane Freak
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Chapter 663: Mutual Machinations
🕑 Added 2023-09-30 05:18:20 +0000 UTCTransformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List
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With the successful utilization of intelligence from Sentinal Prime, Sun Cheng had managed to rope the Autobots into his alliance. With these newfound allies at his disposal, his confidence soared.
A leader capable of slaying Primus Lord Fallen, coupled with a combination of several commanders and elite warriors, was not to be underestimated, even in the face of Megatron himself.
Having arranged a deal for resources and the Leadership Module with Optimus Prime, Sun Cheng swiftly returned to Terindad Island.
He no longer cared about exposing the island; the Heavenly Pride Hammer could not be stored within the Spherical Space, but he had already sent it back to Base Two in advance.
Although there were still some engineers and Autobots on the island, any potential losses from an attack would be within acceptable limits.
Yes, Sun Cheng, the cunning individual he was, had turned this place into a trap, a lure to ensnare Soundwave.
The days of waiting always felt painfully slow.
Four days passed like grains of sand in a wet hourglass, but finally, the day arrived.
It was still Saint Helena Island, still Sun Cheng and Thunder, but now Starscream had brought along Barricade and three other Decepticons whose names escaped recognition.
"This guy isn't dead after all!"
Sun Cheng watched Starscream and Barricade as they meticulously stacked Energon Cubes in front of them.
"When is Astrotrain leaving?" Sun Cheng squinted. "When do you plan to initiate your scheme?"
He only spared a brief glance at the pile of Energon Cubes, enough to incite a small-scale war between the Autobots and Decepticons. After the trade was complete, these Energon Cubes would be Sun Cheng's to use as he pleased. For now, he needed to secure the information he cared about.
Soundwave was not one to easily fall into a trap, especially when facing Sun Cheng and Starscream. Over a year ago, he had been tricked by them, nearly losing his life. Sun Cheng was certain that the cautious Skytiger Legion intelligence chief had become even more vigilant after that incident.
From the past few months, Sun Cheng had only seen Soundwave once in North Harbor. Since then, he had not had another opportunity to gain insight into Soundwave's actions.
As Starscream set down the final Energon Cube, he suddenly drew two weapons and shot the heads of the two Decepticons he had brought with him. Almost simultaneously, Barricade, as if telepathically connected, produced his own weapon, startling Thunder and Sun Cheng. They watched as Barricade decisively shot the head of the last unidentified Decepticon who had been helping transport the Energon Cubes.
Sun Cheng and Thunder were taken aback by this sudden turn of events and became more alert. However, upon seeing Starscream and Barricade deal with the three Decepticons, they retracted their weapons. Sun Cheng frowned slightly but lowered his guard a notch.
Mockingly, he observed the destroyed bodies of the three unknown Decepticons on the ground. "You certainly have your own way of doing things."
Starscream's crimson eyes continued to assess Thunder, devoid of anger despite the sarcasm. "They knew too much," his sharp voice was cold and unforgiving. "And one of them was associated with Soundwave."
Sun Cheng narrowed his eyes. "So, you had this Energon Cube trade planned all along?"
Indeed, to say that Starscream didn't have Soundwave and the spies arranged by the Cassette Legion around him was something Sun Cheng couldn't believe. After all, within the Skytiger Legion, there were many Decepticons dissatisfied with Megatron's rule, and dissenting voices were not rare. However, those daring enough to openly rebel were still few and far between.
Starscream happened to be one of those rare few, having rebelled twice before. Such a dangerous figure was undoubtedly a top surveillance target for Soundwave and the Cassette Legion.
Sun Cheng, however, hadn't expected Starscream to play this boldly, directly involving himself to draw Soundwave into the scheme.
"If we didn't do it this way, how else would that guy ever show himself?" Starscream admitted with a sly grin, looking at Sun Cheng, exuding an air of cunning.
Sun Cheng understood. He approached swiftly, his eyes emitting two beams of deep blue light. After a quick inspection, he dismantled a few extremely well-hidden devices, crushing them into powder between two fingers, all while Starscream watched.
Only after this minor probing did Sun Cheng place his hand on the piled Energon Cubes, transferring them all into the Spherical Space.
Starscream and Barricade showed subtle expressions of change on their faces, but quickly reverted to their usual demeanor.
It was just a minor test, not worthy of condemnation even for these deceptive and cunning Decepticons. Sun Cheng had long grown accustomed to the way the Decepticons operated and only muttered a couple of curses under his breath.
"So, Soundwave will investigate this trade at any moment… You really are quite the schemer," Sun Cheng grumbled in displeasure, then impatiently asked, "Where's Astrotrain now? If he hasn't left for the Asteroid Belt yet, I can hide somewhere Soundwave won't find me..."
Having been outmaneuvered by Starscream, Sun Cheng was growing restless. He needed to get Autobots to come to his aid as soon as possible, preferably with Optimus Prime leading them. But he also knew he couldn't show any signs of weakness in front of Starscream, as for the Decepticons, weakness and timidity were cardinal sins.
Compared to the cunning Starscream, who had invested so much effort and even included himself in the scheme, it was clear that he also wished to see his old adversary, Soundwave, meet his end on Earth.
Sun Cheng withdrew his gaze, which had occasionally fallen on Thunder, unnerving him. Starscream looked at Sun Cheng, revealing a toothy grin, his sharp teeth whetting his appetite.
"Don't worry, my dear friend... You're not the only one who wants to see Soundwave disappear forever. I've already sent Astrotrain to the Asteroid Belt two days ago. However, while investigating the Leadership Module for Lord Fallen earlier, Soundwave dispatched a team of Terrorcons' Vehicons..."
Sun Cheng thought for a moment. "Crankcase, Hightower, and Overload?"
Most of Starscream's Vehicons were disposable foot soldiers with poor combat abilities, but there were also some formidable Vehicons in various squads. For instance, the Digger Tiger squad that could combine into the Combiner Hercules, as well as the Terrorcons consisting of Crankcase, Hightower, and Overload, and several other squads Sun Cheng hadn't encountered yet. He wasn't sure if Starscream was nurturing other teams.
Starscream nodded. "Just one squad!"
The Terrorcons' Vehicons should have reached the level of advanced warriors. However, they probably weren't exceptionally powerful, considering that they were still just copies. Starscream wouldn't have invested too many resources in them.
With the information in hand, Sun Cheng replied, "I understand. If it's only them, I should be fine on my end."
Starscream revealed his savage grin once more. He knew that the hunt for Soundwave had officially begun.
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Next Chapter >>Chapter 664: Soundwave's Entry
