Chapter 45: Information Exchange with the Dinobots
"Brother Dart, believe it or not, I'm definitely not your enemy. Tell me, have you received any information from Cybertron lately? Instead of wasting your energy fighting me, why not look for your Autobot leader, Optimus Prime? He and his companions could still be wandering somewhere in the universe!"
Starscream honestly didn't know much about the Dinobots. Megatron had deliberately kept that information hidden. After all, when the Decepticons crushed the Autobots under Optimus Prime's command, not a single Dinobot had been seen in battle. If they had been there, the Decepticons' ground forces would never have acted with such arrogance.
And now, on this strange planet, Starscream had run into Dart ... one of the Dinobots. Did that mean the rest of them were here too? What could have driven them to abandon their lives on Cybertron and come to such an insignificant world?
Questions swirled through Starscream's mind. Meanwhile, Dart remained extremely alert ... even after Starscream retracted all of his weapons. The Dinobot showed no sign of slowing down.
"Starscream, don't try to play smart with me! What are you doing on Earth? What's been happening on Cybertron? Why are our communication signals blocked? Is this Megatron's doing again?"
Oh, perfect. So this Dinobot has no idea what's been going on in Cybertron. Does he actually think the Autobots still rule the planet? No wonder their kind disappeared ... their knowledge must be stuck thousands of years in the past, with databases that haven't been updated in ages. Without allies like the Dinobots, it was no surprise that the Autobots lost Cybertron.
"Hey, Dart, how long has it been since you and the Dinobots last contacted Optimus Prime? Don't you know the major changes that have happened on Cybertron these past few years? You'd better hurry and reach out to any Autobots you still know ... if you can reach them! Also, could we talk down there instead? My energy levels are running low… do you have any way to recharge me?"
To show he wasn't hostile, Starscream powered down his weapon systems and even slowed his flight speed. Surely a mechanical Dinobot wouldn't ignore such a sincere offer.
"Starscream, what are you babbling about? Don't think you can fool me just because my system hasn't been updated in a while! Dart ... transform!"
Starscream's gestures were calm and non-threatening, so the mechanical pterosaur finally shifted into his robot form and descended slowly to the ground.
They were far from the Decepticon outpost now ... far enough that even if Dart interacted with Starscream, no one would see them. Clearly, that mattered a lot to the Dinobot.
"Starscream ... transform!"
Seeing the familiar face across from him lower its guard, Starscream followed suit, landing beside him.
"Starscream, you'd better keep your distance. I still don't trust you filthy Decepticons. But… I've got more important things to deal with right now. If you really have information to exchange, make it quick. In return, I'll share some basic data about this planet."
"Fine by me."
Although Dart seemed willing to exchange information, he remained highly cautious.
From the Transformer System's perspective, this encounter didn't trigger any mission alerts ... meaning this mechanical dinosaur wasn't part of the current mission chain. After all, the beast-type Transformers had been away from Cybertron far too long.
After a period of communication, both sides managed to obtain the information they wanted.
"What? The energy sources on this planet are that primitive? You're saying crude oil can be refined into motor lubricant? Incredible! You mean these carbon-based lifeforms developed that over millions of years? Truly bizarre. Looks like I'll need to gather some tools… I suppose I'll head back to that Decepticon outpost. You don't mind, do you?"
Starscream wasn't particularly interested in what the Autobots had been doing on this planet. His main concern was restoring his own energy. But on this world called "Hunger," there seemed to be no direct energy source compatible with Transformers ... everything had to be converted.
However, the moment Starscream mentioned this, the mechanical dinosaur known as Dart suddenly tensed, instinctively reaching for his laser blaster.
"Starscream, why are you on this planet? Did you come here to hunt us Autobots?"
Great. How was he supposed to explain that? If Starscream told him that he'd been wounded by Sixshot while helping Ultra Magnus, and had crash-landed here by accident, would Dart even believe him?
"Hey, Dart, I know you probably won't believe me ... but what if I prove it to you? I, Starscream, have always been on your side!"
To convince the Dinobot before him, Starscream made a bold decision ... he would reveal his true allegiance.
With the help of the Transformer System, he transformed the Decepticon insignia on his chest into the Autobot symbol right before Dart's eyes. The sight left the mechanical warrior completely dumbfounded; he had never seen anything like it.
"You… you damned Starscream, you...!"
"Fine! If you still don't believe me, we'll just have to find Optimus Prime's signal and let him prove it. But before that, I have another question ... when I reactivated that Decepticon outpost, why did you attack those Hunnic warriors? Don't tell me the Dinobots are taking part in this human war on this planet?"
Having settled the energy issue, Starscream's question struck like a bolt of lightning ... leaving the Dinobot completely speechless.
(End of Chapter)
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