Chapter 25: Optimus Prime's Message
"What exactly happened up ahead? Why did that Decepticon suddenly turn around and flee? And there's another one looks like that giant dinosaur, Sarath. What does he want?"
The scene seemed too strange to believe. Sarath had never really interacted much with the Autobots, and there was no real relationship between them. So why was he helping them out of trouble now?
"I'm not sure what's going on. I'll go check it out first wait for my signal!"
Optimus Prime didn't act rashly. He had noticed the Decepticon ahead of him gesture, inviting him to talk on a nearby asteroid. Though he wasn't sure if this was a trap, as the trusted commander of the Autobots, Optimus had to find out.
"Commander Optimus Prime, allow us to accompany you. If Sarath is plotting something, we can cover your escape!"
"There's no need, Ratchet. You focus on repairing the Ark and planning our next retreat. Soon we'll be scattered across the universe every minute counts. We can't waste time on unnecessary risks!"
Optimus wasn't being arrogant. If that giant dinosaur Sarath truly intended harm, he wouldn't have gone through so much effort. Besides, Optimus had the strange feeling that this "Sarath" wasn't quite what he seemed. His movements, his gestures… they felt familiar.
"Hehe, Commander Optimus Prime, we meet again. To avoid any misunderstandings, I'll show you my true form!"
When Optimus arrived before him, Starscream's transformation timer had less than three minutes left. He immediately deactivated the disguise, revealing his true form the Decepticon fighter.
"How is this possible…? Starscream! Are you really on our side? I should have thanked you earlier, but since we've lost control of Cybertron, I'll save my gratitude for later!"
Optimus had suspected something familiar about him but couldn't place it until now. Once he saw Starscream, everything clicked. The dinosaur Sarath, in beast form, wouldn't have moved as stiffly as a flying Transformer. The earlier commotion must've been caused by nervousness and confusion.
"Heh, I didn't expect things to turn out this way either. The least I could do was get you to safety. I also have a few Energon cubes for you if you ration them wisely, they should last for a while. Have you decided where you'll go next? If you trust me, Starscream, please give me a way to reach you. I'll find you again when I get the chance."
Starscream's words were polite, though he had no idea when or if Optimus and the Autobots would ever return or that their new home would one day become the edge of the known Transformers universe.
"I'm sorry, I can't reveal the locations of all Autobots. But I can share the landing sites of a few key members. Our final decisions will depend on the situation at the time. It's for the safety of all surviving Autobots I hope you understand."
Though Optimus was almost certain Starscream stood with them, he still had to be cautious. To prevent the Decepticons from tracking ordinary Autobots, he only gave the temporary landing points of a few powerful ones and even that data was sent through an encrypted voice transmission.
"Of course, I understand. Even if I keep it secret, other Decepticons might still uncover something. I'll handle the information you've given me with extreme care."
Starscream fully understood Optimus Prime's concerns. The Autobots were already doomed; even acknowledging ties to them wouldn't change the outcome of the war. Such was the inevitable current of the universe one that would persist for hundreds, even millions of years.
The era of Cybertron under Autobot rule had been peaceful and stable. Yet from a survival standpoint, the Decepticons' combative nature might have, in its own way, spurred the advancement of Cybertron's technological civilization and preserved their mechanical planet's vitality.
"Thank you for your gift and for secretly helping us. But to keep our whereabouts hidden and to avoid making your position among the Decepticons too precarious only I and a few close Autobots will know the truth about you. For everyone else, you'll remain Starscream, Decepticon commander. If regular Autobots encounter you, they'll still fire on sight. I hope you understand."
This was the price of being an Autobot infiltrator hidden among the Decepticons. Yet Starscream had long grown used to it; after all, he had risen to a high rank and was living quite comfortably within their ranks.
"Alright then let's keep in touch if the opportunity arises. And if you ever run into a problem you can't solve on your journey, let me know. I'll do what I can to help."
Starscream understood perfectly, watching as Optimus seemed hesitant to speak.
"I know the chances are slim… Many of our brothers and sisters have been captured by Megatron. If you can, please look after them. At least don't let their sparks suffer too much."
"I promise. But once they fall into Megatron's hands, you know what that means, don't you? None of your brothers will escape."
"I understand. Then until we meet again, Lord Starscream."
With that, Optimus Prime turned and flew away without looking back. Though this ancient Autobot commander had never left Cybertron in millions of years, now only the vastness of the universe could shelter these Autobot refugees homeless, scattered, and lost.
Only after Optimus Prime's figure disappeared did Starscream slowly begin to decrypt the encrypted voice message he had left behind.
(End of Chapter)