Chapter 41: Excavating the Decepticon Outpost
"Host, I've compared the data I downloaded from Cybertron. Although I can't give you absolute proof, the Decepticons did have similar outposts scattered across the universe. According to my calculations, it's highly likely that prehistoric Decepticon warriors arrived on this planet, created...or enslaved...a group of primitive humans to help them uncover new energy sources, and then shaped their own image in the minds of these humans through mythology!"
That was the conclusion the Transformer System reached after analyzing multiple clues...and it probably wasn't far from the truth. After all, the awe in those human soldiers' eyes when they saw the Decepticon insignia on Starscream's chest was unmistakably sincere.
"Excellent. Lead the way. Show me those ruins. It will be an honor for you."
Starscream still didn't fully understand the human language, but as long as he acted like a master giving orders to his servants, that should be enough.
"Yes, my lord. It is a great honor to guide you. This way, please!"
As expected, once Red Spider gave the command, the soldiers who called themselves Huns stood tall and stiff, their faces glowing with pride. They formed a neat line and rode forward.
Though their pace was slow compared to Starscream's, the site they had discovered wasn't far from the tribe...though it was quite large.
When Starscream saw it, even he was slightly stunned. The place looked like an archaeological dig. Tens of thousands of slaves were tied up and forced to work. Their hair colors varied, but most were strong young men.
"My lord, how did you arrive here? And this being beside you… could it be…?"
The man in charge of the excavation appeared to be a priest-type figure...chanting strange incantations and wearing odd garments. To Starscream, all humans looked the same, but a metallic rod in front of the priest caught his attention.
It was deeply buried in the ground...clearly something that couldn't have been made with the planet's current technology. According to the Transformer System's scans, faint electric currents were running through it, suggesting it was some kind of sensor.
"What's this? Where did you find it?"
Starscream didn't waste time. He asked directly about the origin of the rod. The Hunnic priest, realizing that this towering deity was speaking to him, grew visibly excited and began gesturing wildly.
"My lord, this divine pillar was unearthed only today! According to our tribe's ancient records, this must be the legendary Celestial Pillar...left behind by the divine beings before their ascension. Might I ask, your Excellency, what brings you here…?"
Starscream barely paid attention, but the Huns continued to worship him fervently. The Transformer System even detected a surge of dopamine in the priest's brain from sheer excitement. These people probably revered Starscream more than their own families!
"Step aside, all of you. I need to check if this thing still functions. Honestly, I can't believe those old-timers managed to build such an ancient contraption on this planet!"
At his command, the surrounding Huns folded their arms and bowed their heads, backing away step by step. They truly believed Starscream was a god.
"Screeech!"
Once everyone was clear, Starscream extended his mechanical right hand. From his index finger emerged a sharp silver probe, which he inserted directly into the area where the energy flow was strongest.
"Beep, beep, beep!"
The sound was sharp and echoing...like a siren. At the signal, the electronic probe in Starscream's hand entered the metal tube, and countless data streams...binary-like codes...flowed through his arm's conduit. The dazzling lights stunned the Huns watching in awe.
"Host, this appears to be a navigation record, but it's incomplete and extremely old. It seems to tell the history of a Decepticon Lord. Also, there are traces of metallic material beneath the surface here. We'll need to excavate to confirm what it is...but it could be something that helps us restore your energy levels!"
So it was true...an ancient Decepticon had once visited this planet long ago. Whether he left or perished was unknown.
But one thing was clear: that old Decepticon and the ancestors of these humans had definitely been master and servant. The "holy books" the Huns carried were likely written under that Decepticon's orders. Yet, oddly, there was no record of him in Starscream's database. Fascinating.
Still, the Transformer System brought good news: a Transformer machine seemed to be buried beneath the plains...and it could very well solve Starscream's urgent energy shortage. That was excellent news.
Beep!
After reading the data, Starscream withdrew the probe, and the energy currents vanished. But when he looked around again, every single Hun was on their knees, and their leaders were passionately chanting some kind of hymn.
Could that too be the work of the ancient Decepticon? Starscream wondered what kind of brainwashing could keep these primitive creatures so devout even after hundreds...or thousands...of years. Pathetic.
"Listen up! I have a task for you. Focus your digging in the area I've marked. There's an extremely important artifact buried down there. Excavate carefully, and if you find anything, do not touch it...notify me immediately. Understand?"
The reason Starscream warned them to be cautious was simple: he didn't want these fools accidentally cutting through high-voltage cables...or anything worse.
(End of Chapter)