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Chapter 568: Approaching Storm
🕑 Added 2023-09-12 13:01:25 +0000 UTCTransformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List
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[Shanefreak: Guys, there was a name error, Barricade did not search for Allspark Fragment it was Surfboard. Correction!]
When Starscream received the reports from the Mariana Trench, his face showed a hint of surprise.
"The Autobots are retreating... and they destroyed Megatron's mechanical body before retreating?"
Surfboard nodded, and a holographic projection displayed the sorry state of Megatron's remains.
Even though Megatron's mechanical body was much stronger than the average Decepticon's, it was now in shambles after being hit by two high-explosive bombs from Ironhide. Pieces of armor were scattered everywhere, and one arm was severed. In addition to a massive wound on his chest, there was now another gaping wound on his back near his abdomen. Through that wound, one could even see the internal structure of his mechanical body.
It was safe to say that Megatron's mechanical body was beyond repair.
"If His Majesty could see himself now, he would surely be furious!" Starscream remarked with a sinister tone after carefully inspecting the hologram.
Starscream, always scheming to seize the position of Skytiger Legion's commander, was far from being a loyal subject.
"Has Doctor (Scalpel) returned yet?" Starscream inquired.
Since the last time he went with Surfboard to the human boy Sam's place in the United States to obtain information regarding the "Leadership Module," they had heard nothing from Doctor.
Although Doctor was just a medical spider, he was one of the most skilled medical officers within the Skytiger Legion. His role as Megatron's personal physician alone was enough to make Starscream inquire about his whereabouts, even if dozens of Decepticons had been killed or injured.
Surfboard shook his head. "Surfboard already asked, but while he and Doctor were interrogating the human boy, Sam, Bumblebee and Inferno showed up... Surfboard was injured and had to retreat. It's likely that the Autobots dealt with Doctor!"
Starscream's eyes shifted, and the hologram displayed the scene of Surfboard's battle with Bumblebee at the abandoned factory. It showed the severed parts of Doctor's mechanical body.
"Poor little guy," Starscream's sinister laughter rang out. "Ordinary medical spiders are certainly no match for Doctor's abilities. Choose a group and send them to His Majesty's location to preserve his head... Then inform Soundwave that it's time for His Majesty to awaken!"
The Autobots had hesitated, giving them ample time and opportunity to completely destroy Megatron's remains. However, their indecision had led to a missed opportunity.
Starscream inwardly cursed their "kindness." He had known for a year that Megatron's remains had been tossed into the Mariana Trench. He had ignored it, hoping that the humans and Autobots would destroy Megatron for him.
Unfortunately, the "compassionate" Autobots disappointed him.
However, there was nothing he could do about the missed chance. Soundwave, one of Megatron's most loyal subordinates, had already set his sights on Starscream. Lord Fallen had also started to express dissatisfaction over his failure to retrieve the "Leadership Module" information.
What worried Starscream the most was the impending arrival of Shockwave, the commander of the Skytiger Legion.
Shockwave was Megatron's most trusted aide and ally, and Starscream had received accurate information from his contacts on Cybertron that Shockwave had already led an elite force away from Cybertron. It was highly likely that he would arrive on Earth soon.
This key player, who had twice been tasked with suppressing Starscream, was coming. Starscream knew he would have to reduce his scheming activities significantly.
After acknowledging Starscream's orders, Surfboard went to make the necessary arrangements.
On the other side, within Africa's Sori territory.
"Leader, I have let you down," Ironhide, bearing numerous injuries, stood before Optimus Prime and spoke with a bowed head.
Optimus Prime was already aware of the situation in the Mariana Trench. His gaze moved over the nine Autobots who had managed to return.
After a brief silence, he shook his head with a similar sense of regret. "You don't need to blame yourself, Ironhide. I should be the one apologizing to you all."
"Teacher passed the mantle of leadership to me, making me the new Leader of the Autobots. However, I haven't performed well."
"This time, more Autobots should have safely retreated, but it's because of my mistaken command."
"I will conduct a review with Parliament, and I also promise you all that such an incident will not happen again."
Over thirty Autobots had perished in the Mariana Trench. Optimus Prime couldn't help but feel guilty; these Autobots had followed him to Earth, believing and admiring him.
All because of his order to protect Megatron's remains during their withdrawal, the casualties had been catastrophic.
After the end of the civil war, the Autobots had not suffered such heavy casualties in a long time.
Ratchet had already arrived with a few Autobots to provide medical treatment to Ironhide and the others.
"The injuries aren't severe, but they'll still require a significant amount of supplies..." Ratchet quickly made his diagnosis. "The supplies provided by Frenzy will last us for a little over a month at most."
Initially, they had been pleased to receive these supplies. However, with the frequent battles between the Autobots and Decepticons over the past period, their rate of resource consumption had far exceeded their expectations.
Optimus Prime frowned. "I'll arrange for more supplies to be transported here."
The Skytiger Legion was now wreaking havoc on Earth and causing chaos. The Autobots couldn't leave Earth in the short term, and Optimus Prime needed more Autobots to support them on Earth.
Without additional reinforcements, it would be challenging to win the battle to defend Earth with their current strength.
Optimus Prime's mind wandered, entertaining thoughts similar to Frenzy's. Controlling the chaotic political situation in this human nation and then dispatching engineering teams to mine and establish Autobot bases.
The idea tempted him, but he pushed it away.
"The Autobots are different from the Decepticons. Earth belongs to the humans, and we and the Decepticons are just outsiders. Sooner or later, we'll have to leave."
He kept reminding himself of this, but his determination was slowly wavering.
After a while, he turned his gaze back to Ironhide, who was still blaming himself, and issued a command, "Ironhide, for now, stay here for recovery. I will ask Ratchet to stay as well."
"Sam has discovered some clues about the 'Leadership Module,' and I plan to lead a team personally to search for this legendary artifact, which is said to be even more miraculous than the 'All Spark.'"
"Prowl, you lead a team to keep a close watch on the Decepticons in Egypt. I have a foreboding feeling that our enemies may soon take action, and a fierce battle is imminent!"
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Next Chapter >>Chapter 569: The Gobi Fierce Battle
