Chapter 46: Activating the Decepticon Outpost
"Starscream, I have nothing to say about your question. Don't think you can win my trust by using some kind of magic to forge our Autobot emblem. If your stay on this planet is temporary, I won't interfere. But if you have other intentions, I will stop you without hesitation. And a word of advice ... stay away from those Huns. Their motives are not pure. You'd better think carefully!"
Perhaps still not trusting him, Dart transformed back into his mechanical pterosaur form and flew off into the skies.
"Host, I sense that this mechanical Dinobot warrior is hiding something. Perhaps he isn't certain of our identity and therefore withheld the truth. Also, I've just performed a wide-area scan ... there are no other Autobots detected on this planet's surface. Please remain on alert!"
It seemed that whoever had designed the Transformer System might indeed have been an Autobot. It paid close attention to all Autobot-related data ... even Dart, who had vanished from Cybertron a thousand years ago, immediately drew the system's notice.
Starscream, however, had his own agenda. After suffering such a heavy loss, he wasn't one to act unless there was something to gain.
"Does this count as a mission? Will I get a reward for completing it?"
"Host, this Autobot warrior does not belong to the Cybertron sequence, and this Dinobot isn't a main unit. No missions have been activated related to him."
"We'll see. You saw that guy ... he clearly doesn't trust me. We'll deal with him when we meet again. Since he attacked those Huns earlier, I'm sure he'll keep it up. Let's wait and see."
Normally, ordinary Transformers would never involve themselves in conflicts on other planets ... especially with such low-level lifeforms. Yet the Dinobot's unusual behavior left Starscream genuinely puzzled.
Still, the immediate priority was refueling. The information Dart had given him mentioned a substance called petroleum ... highly flammable and energy-rich. With Transformer technology, it could be refined into usable power.
When Starscream returned to the excavation site, the Hunnic soldiers had already cleared away the rubble. The so-called priest, thrilled to see Starscream's return, immediately ordered his men to kneel and bow.
"Congratulations, Divine Envoy, on defeating the Dragon Clan! The day our Hunnic army conquers the Central Plains is near at hand!"
What in Primus' name…? Do these humans know something about Dart? Otherwise, why would they call him part of a "Dragon Clan"? Then again, to primitive beings like these, dinosaurs and dragons were practically the same thing.
According to the data Starscream had gathered, the humans on this planet were divided into many races, each with its own totem ... and these Huns worshiped the Decepticons as divine warriors.
"Now, I'm going to activate the altar. Stay outside and guard this passage. If anyone dares sabotage it, arrest them immediately. Understood?"
Since these humans revered the Decepticons so much, Starscream decided to play along. They might be primitive, but they were the masters of this planet ... and cooperation could prove useful.
"Yes, Your Excellency! We've already reported your arrival to the Chanyu. His army will soon come to pay homage!"
Well, well. It seemed these Huns truly regarded Starscream as a god. That wasn't bad at all.
After issuing his orders, Starscream returned to the pit he had been excavating earlier. If that Autobot hadn't interrupted him, he would have already activated the Decepticon outpost ... all that remained were the final steps.
Though this outpost dated back a millennium, Cybertronian technology was continuous and compatible. The systems still responded perfectly to Starscream's modern Decepticon commands.
Soon, the long-dormant lights within the underground base flickered to life, illuminating the cavern and even the surrounding tunnels. Outside, the simple-minded Huns began worshiping in unison once again ... rituals seemed to be a deep part of their nomadic culture.
"Welcome, honored visitor. System connection confirmed ... you are a Decepticon warrior from Cybertron. You may now use all functions of this outpost freely!"
Excellent. After a sequence of complex operations, Starscream officially became the new master of the nameless Decepticon outpost.
"Alright, I need to know if you have any subterranean drilling equipment here. I need to locate a substance on this planet called petroleum and convert it into usable energy. Can your systems do that?"
Starscream wasn't interested in the base's history ... only in whether it could supply him with energy.
"Yes, esteemed Lord Starscream. Our database already contains records of that black liquid energy source. This base has direct energy converters installed. Simply connect to the proper port to begin the process."
Perfect. Apparently, the Decepticon commanders who had once used this outpost had already discovered the same black liquid. Compared to Cybertron's refined energy sources, however, it felt primitive.
It was like being used to dining in a high-end Cybertronian energon lounge, only to be offered cheap street rations ... edible, but certainly unfamiliar.
Still, Starscream wasn't here for luxury. He was here to survive ... and any energy was better than none.
"Very well. Locate the nearest oil deposit. I need to refuel immediately ... otherwise, I might not last the week!"
"Lord Red Spider, rest assured. There is a massive oil reservoir directly beneath this outpost. According to the system's analysis, the reserves are sufficient for your use for at least ten thousand years!"
As for the mysterious connection between Transformers and Earth ... those who've seen the movie series might recognize similar plots: Merlin's summoning of the Chimera, the Knights of the Round Table, and Jetfire, the ancient warrior from the War Museum… Are there perhaps more hidden ties?
(End of Chapter)
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